Definition
An internal stability that allows you to meet pleasures, difficulties and uncertainties without being swept away by every reaction.
Equanimity does not extinguish emotions. It avoids a momentary emotion alone decides the conduct and allows to keep compassion in the midst of complex situations.
To be retained
- Welcome without grabbing
- Distinguish stability and indifference
- Stay sensitive to injustice
- Return to a selected answer
Origin of the term and context
The French comes from the Latin aequanimitas, "egalité d'soul". Buddhism speaks in particular d' áupekkhā, while yoga uses concepts close to equality against the opposites.
Why does it matter?
Attention and re-evaluation practices can support emotional regulation, which does not establish a permanent state of unperturbability and does not replace a care when distress becomes invading.
- Welcome without grabbing
- Distinguish stability and indifference
- Stay sensitive to injustice
- Return to a selected answer
How can it be explored or practised?
- Name an emotion before acting
- Observe a pleasant sensation and then change
- Breathe before a difficult answer
- Expanding attention to the whole context
Misconceptions and points of caution
- The apparent detachment may mask a dissociation.
- Equanimity does not justify passivity.
- Nobody is calm all the time.
Perspectives from different traditions
- Buddhism: upekkhā, one of the four sublime homes.
- Yoga: equality of mind in action.
- Stoicism: Freedom from impulsive judgments.
To go further
- The Heart of Buddha's Teachings — Thich Nhat Hanh
- Thoughts for myself — Marc Aurèle