Upeksha means equanimity. To remain still, unwavering, centered and rooted in the midst of small or big changes taking place in our life. Upeksha is also considered a vihara out of four viharas. They are Loving Kindness, Compassion, Peaceful Joy and Equanimity. We can use one word for Equanimity- Even Mindedness .

We all know how difficult it is to remain centered and rooted when all of a sudden a season of life changes. How can we remain steady and solid in the midst of life’s seasonal changes. How can we remain rooted like a mountain facing dark clouds and bright clouds, rain and snow. The Bhagavad Gita uses the word Sthitaprajna. A sthitaprajna is a person who is well established in wisdom.

Rumi describes equanimity poetically in his poem The Guest House. We will read it at
the end of our experiential equanimity session.

<- Go Back to Pragna Paramita

The core of all religions is spirituality. As seekers of Truth and Peace we
practice spirituality. By practicing spirituality we cross over the flood of
suffering and reach the safety of the other shore called Nirvana, Moksha,
Liberation and Salvation. There are different ways of reaching the other
shore.
In Mahayana Buddhism , ten inner qualities are prescribed to attain Perfect
Wisdom, Pragna Paramita. The Buddhist path is a way of perfecting human
nature, both by eliminating toxic imperfections and gradually cultivating and
maturing the inner qualities of heart and mind that can help us cross over
many difficulties we face to arrive safely on the further shore.

The following ten qualities or paramis are prescribed for reaching the other
shore. (Click on each one for individual notes about it)

1. Giving
2. Compassion
3. Renunciation- letting go of attachments
4. Wisdom
5. Energy
6. Patience
7. Truthfulness
8. Determination
9. Loving Kindness-Metta,
10. Equanimity

The perfection is applied to these qualities needed to attain awakening
(jagruti), to be Buddha. One needs to cultivate and perfect these qualities
often over multiple life times. Only reading and talking about these qualities
will not take us on this path of liberation from suffering. It requires
consistent practice. Even mastering only one of the ten qualities will create
noticeable change or transformation in our consciousness. Let us begin
with one quality that you would like to cultivate in you. Check in and notice
the progress you will notice in yourself and how it has a positive impact on
your relationship with others in your life.