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This article on equanimity explores the concept as a state of being serene in the "oneness of things," rather than being swayed by emotions like elation or despair.
The struggle for equanimity: The author explains that most people attach to positive feelings and resist negative ones, leading to a constant internal conflict. The key is to learn to let these feelings come and go without getting personally involved or tangled in them.
The "Traceless" life: The article introduces the idea of a "traceless" or enlightened life, where one lives in harmony with life without leaving a "mark" on it. This is likened to being transparent, allowing life to pass through unhindered. Seeing oneself as "something to be protected" distorts one's nature and creates this mental struggle.
Equanimity is not something to be achieved: Equanimity is described not as a state to be reached, but as our natural condition of flow and change, without the need to control or interfere.
Meditation and presence: The author uses examples like watching the breath during meditation to illustrate how this practice helps us notice the spaces between breaths and thoughts. This awareness allows us to "ride through the spaces without encountering any obstacles," serving as a counter to the ego's need for obsessive control.
"Just being!": The article recounts a story about a monk who was told to "stop meditating" and "just be!" This highlights the idea of letting go of the intent to achieve something and simply existing in the present moment, similar to the Zen archer who releases an arrow without any thought of doing so.
Mindful walking: The author describes a walking exercise where one initially gets caught up in a "shopping list" of thoughts, but eventually, the awareness of what is actually happening grows and takes over, leading to a state of quiet noticing.
The story of Fa Yung: The article concludes with the story of a sage, Fa Yung, who was so holy that birds brought him flowers. After his enlightenment, they stopped, because he had become "traceless," no longer having a distinct presence that the birds could react to. This serves as a final metaphor for the concept of equanimity.
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