Equanimity doesn't mean inaction
Buddha's concept of equanimity which arises after true understanding of impermanence is often misunderstood as a call to a fatalistic attitude of inaction. Far from it, a deeper understanding can lead to positive and fruitful action and a meaningful prosperous life.
Suffering is at the heart of most seeking. Let's begin at something that touches many hearts such as anger or disappointment for being rejected by a lover, an employer, parent or a friend. Suppose you have been turned down for a promotion or worse, being terminated. The reaction is anger and deep disappointment. Understanding the entire process is the key to accept this event as just another in a series of impermanent events that defines life.
Even if this hardship was the result of a personal vendetta or an aggressive act against you, anger is still a reaction based on ignorance. Ignorance of the fact that loss of this opportunity is a significant event. Ignorance of the fact that there is a unique, separate person called you who has suffered. Ignorance of the fact there is a unique individual laying this attack upon you. None of this is true.
Anger is a reaction of the body conditioned over millions of years to view rejection as a threat against its well being. This may be true but suffering by taking it as a permanent event is a delusional ignorance.
Buddha doesn't teach that you treat such events as irrelevant but reaction to that event as ignorance. Once you have internalized the impermanence of this or any other suffering, you release the body and mind to find the most effective means to make amends. And jump into action without delay and depression.
Suffering is at the heart of most seeking. Let's begin at something that touches many hearts such as anger or disappointment for being rejected by a lover, an employer, parent or a friend. Suppose you have been turned down for a promotion or worse, being terminated. The reaction is anger and deep disappointment. Understanding the entire process is the key to accept this event as just another in a series of impermanent events that defines life.
Even if this hardship was the result of a personal vendetta or an aggressive act against you, anger is still a reaction based on ignorance. Ignorance of the fact that loss of this opportunity is a significant event. Ignorance of the fact that there is a unique, separate person called you who has suffered. Ignorance of the fact there is a unique individual laying this attack upon you. None of this is true.
Anger is a reaction of the body conditioned over millions of years to view rejection as a threat against its well being. This may be true but suffering by taking it as a permanent event is a delusional ignorance.
Buddha doesn't teach that you treat such events as irrelevant but reaction to that event as ignorance. Once you have internalized the impermanence of this or any other suffering, you release the body and mind to find the most effective means to make amends. And jump into action without delay and depression.
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