Ep. 182 – Equanimity: "There in the Middleness"

Joseph Goldstein examines the mental factor of equanimity through the lens of the Eight Vicissitudes and the brahmavihārā. This dharma talk from April 17, 2012, was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society and originally published on Dharma Seed. In this lecture, Joseph:Defines equanimity as neutrality of mind and the quality of evennessDraws a distinction between indifference of mind and spacious impartialityExamines the eight vicissitudes (gain and loss, praise and blame, fame and disrepute, pleasure and pain)Considers the spiritual implications of living in servitude to the inevitably changing conditions of our livesPlaces equanimity in the context of lovingkindness, compassion, and joy, i.e. the other divine abodes, or brahmavihārāReminds us that no situation is outside of our practice“When we have equanimity, when both attachment and aversion are absent, then everything in our experiences becomes clear and undisguised.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Om Podcasten

Joseph Goldstein has been a leading light for the practice of Insight and Loving Kindness meditation since his days in India and Burma where he studied with eminent masters of the tradition. In his podcast, The Insight Hour, Joseph delivers these essential mindfulness teachings in a practical and down to earth way that illuminates the practice through his own personal experience and wonderful story telling.