NEW MOON – Sunday 30th March 2014

Equanimity

While in the midst

of those who hate,
to dwell free from hating
is happiness indeed.

Dhammapada v. 197

Usually we equate happiness with getting what we want. Might there be other forms of happiness? For all of us there are times when we don’t get what we want, or we get what we definitely do not want. In this verse the Buddha is pointing to a quality of happiness which arises independent of whether or not we get what we want; a happiness which arises with wisdom. Wisdom knows that some conditions can be changed and some cannot. We can’t for instance stop someone else feeling hatred. But we can make the effort to not be pulled into their anger. And despite what some may say this is not quietism. This is taking responsibility for what is ours and maintaining equanimity towards that which is not.

With Metta,
Bhikkhu Munindo