An earthy meditation on "equanimity"

[evile]

I've been trying to get my head around Maitri, which is, in a nutshell, wishing for myself and others: "happiness and the root of happiness," "freedom from suffering and the root of suffering" "Joy" and "Equanimity"

Equanimity has been a tough one. I've been hit hard and often in the last few months with thoughts and feelings of "If Thax doesn't love me, I'll die" and "If Thax leaves me, I'll die,"...and that grasping, clinging, panic, and holding on so desperately and miserably, ironically, LIMITS the love that Thax and I can share. It limits us, period.

I don't know what Pema Chodron would think of this, but I like it.

Thanks to turbojj for the linky.

Comments

[goudananda.livejournal.com]

An elderly student who often asks me questions about eastern practices asked me about karma in class the other day. I relish the opportunity to speak on anything and have someone listen and this was no different. He asked specifically, "what is karma?"

I told him I felt it was an extremely loaded term in English. The main issue seems to be a mixture of cultures and religions with different concepts. Judaism is to Christianity as Hinduism is to Buddhism. In Judeo-Christian thought many feel God is above and punishing people for their actions, inactions and Jesus' karma for instance was to be beaten and crucified.

In Hinduism where the idea of karma comes from I don't see spite. There is no vindictive God. Cause and effect is the least loaded definition of karma I've seen and the one I cling to. Karma is just what is. Put energy somewhere and get something in return for that investment.

I explained to the students that some would say it was my karma to be hit by a drunk driver, to be in pain physically. Others would say God was punishing me or testing me like Job from the old testament. I explained to them that I didn't feel tested. I also don't think Yahweh is up above giggling at their arthritis, shoulder problems, poor breathing and so on. They, much like me, just....are, where they are.

When I went through massage school I noticed something. My back didn't hurt as much when I worked on someone else. Nothing about my physical self changed but my focus did. So how do I partially deal with being in physical pain? I help others with theirs. I've a higher degree and capacity to be compassionate and caring about physical pain because I've had it and continue to have it. It is my karma, just is. It's no judgement, good or bad, it's just where I live.

I can fight my karma all I wish but the only way to work with anything is to embrace it. Telling the students that I don't feel God is punishing them by being old and that I feel the best way to deal with age is to harness it is something they've probably never been told. If your breathing is poor, work on it, accept it fully as it is. Quit living in the past when you were young. Quit being concerned about how you will ache tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself. Only by living in the present...can karma be cleansed and life fully lived.

When it comes to relationships we're looking at traditions that contain celibacy. Part of that reason is that it's hard to work out enlightenment when you're trying to work out romance and love. Choosing a path of romance is no easier than choosing a path of being a Catholic priest. My students asked if I'd heard about Swamiji and the drama concerning his possible inappropriate actions concerning some young girls at the ashram. I mentioned that I'd read a small article about it but then my student announced that Swamiji, who I believe took a vow of celibacy, has now fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution. So you see...even a Hindu has his karma to work out.

Romantic relationships are a rough spot for someone following the spiritual path. As westerners and householders we've extra stuff to deal with. Fortunately you can work on your karma and your dating life at the same time. They do not contradict in any way.

[emmainfiniti.livejournal.com]

Interesting article. I am wishing you the best on your spiritual journey.

[in-quinecorners.livejournal.com]

I suspect Pema would have a good appreciative chuckle at that article. Of course if pressed she would probably say that one doesn't literally NEED those two things either, but I think she would like the spirit of what the author is saying.