Equanimity, “Upekkha”: The Sovereign Seat

I am the owner of my actions.
My happiness and sorrow depend on my actions,
Not on my wishes for you.

I am the owner of my actions.
My happiness and sorrow depend on my actions,
Not on your wishes for me.

Morning Practice

I learned this Equanimity Prayer almost three decades ago when I spent two years of my dharma practice embodying what is called the Four Heavenly Abodes, or “Brahma-viharas” in Buddhism. Here I share some of it with you, that it may support your awakening and health.

Upekkha, or what translates from the ancient Pali language to English as “equanimity”, describes a state - energies - of inner balance or equilibrium in the psyche and body. When practiced regularly, this powerful yet simple practice gives almost immediate rise to a deep and great sense of inner peace, even in the face of harsh adversity. I learned the prayer in 1999 just as I wrote it above for you.

Equanimity’s embodied quality does not in any way imply indifference (indifference is the shadow to equanimity), although it can look dis-passionate. Equanimity is rather a balanced alchemical mix of steadiness and kind, loving observation, with a cool, neutral attention. In other words, it’s not all “smiley faces”.

Gautama Buddha taught that equanimity balances the dharma of compassion, one of the other Four Heavenly Abodes. A surplus of the energy of compassion can overly “sweeten” our actions in the world leading to unskillful behavior, so he taught the way to use equanimity to balance these energies. As my first dharma teacher reminded me often, bring awareness to your actions (or asana) so that you are “not too tight and not too loose”. This sage wisdom applies powerfully for any yoga practice. Equanimity describes the quality one experiences as if observing from atop a high place, a ridge or mountaintop. You know how you feel when you get to the top of a high peak? You see so many things, yet can be centered and peaceful at the same time.

My whole perception shifts instantaneously from impatience, regret, even the qualities of hatred as this prayer comes to memory from the depths of my dharma “toolbox”. Sitting on the cushion at dawn this morning was not exactly pleasant, yet as I practiced embodying the energies of this prayer, the agitation of these felt sensations passing through me dissolved immediately. Instant magic alchemy witches!

By the way, you can’t just think this practice intellectually into being, you have to feel and do it. That’s why it’s called practice!

Upekkha practice has always served me well, quelling the fires of suffering that arise from false beliefs such as separation, wrongness, and disillusionment. Equanimity settles me into my place again, the seat of myself with meaning and fulfillment in the Heart of the world. It places me in my Sovereign Seat: I am at peace once again, expansive and one with my heart and the Heart of the world. From here, the other three Heavenly Abodes, the qualities of Lovingkindness (Metta), Compassion (Karuna), and Empathetic Joy (Mudita) are readily accessible and easily offered.

Finally, I love this excerpt from Lion’s Roar on the four Brahmaviharas:

“The brahmaviharas are four prized emotions or mindstates that give us a framework to cultivate positive behaviors and minimize harmful ones. They are called the “divine abodes” because they are the mindstates in which all the enlightened ones reside. They are also known as the ‘four immeasurables’ or ‘four limitless ones’ because they represent love and goodwill toward all sentient beings, without limit…(so that) you not only develop limitless love but undo what the Buddha called their Near Enemies: indifference, pity, envy, and jealousy.”

Thanks to all of you who reached out to me and asked for this teaching. How do you come home to your Sovereign Seat? Does the Equanimity practice help your practice? Reach out and let me know…I’d love to hear!

May Upekkha practice serve you well.