The Power of Equanimity: Rising Above Life’s Ups and Downs
Chapter 2 v.56-57
Explore how cultivating even-mindedness frees you from emotional reactivity, enabling clarity and deep inner peace amid life's changing conditions.
Contents
Equanimity is the heart of spiritual awakening—unwavering calm in the face of change, freedom from emotional turbulence, and the joy of abiding contentedly in the Self by the Self.
In our last post, we explored verse 55 of Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna began his illuminating response to Arjuna’s question, "What is a person of steadfast wisdom like?" Krishna described the heart of spiritual wisdom as being satisfied in the Self by the Self, no longer pulled here and there by restless desires.
With this post, we deepen our exploration, looking closely at verses 56 and 57 of Chapter 2, which beautifully outline what life looks like when we embody equanimity—an unwavering calm that arises from Self-knowing.
Equanimity: The Gateway to Inner Freedom
Bhagavad Gita, verse 2.56 states:
"One whose mind is not agitated in misfortune, whose desire for pleasure has disappeared, whose passion, fear, and anger have departed, and whose meditation is steady, is said to be a sage."
Here, Krishna reveals a vision of inner freedom. Imagine living without agitation in difficult times or being unaffected by the constant pursuit of pleasure. Consider being free of fear, anger, and passion—the turbulent emotions that keep the mind in a state of constant unrest. This is not the suppression of feelings, nor is it numbness or indifference. Instead, this verse points toward true liberation—the state of being fully alive, deeply compassionate, and yet untouched by emotional extremes.
When we have equanimity, life’s challenges no longer disturb our inner peace. The mind, instead of reacting with anxiety or panic, naturally settles into clarity, able to respond with wisdom and compassion.
"Equanimity is not the suppression of feelings, but freedom from being controlled by them."
—Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian
Beyond Pleasure and Pain: True Happiness Revealed
At first glance, the idea of letting go of the "desire for pleasure" might seem unappealing. After all, doesn't pleasure enrich life? But the teachings here aren't about rejecting joy or delight. Instead, they're about discovering a joy far greater and deeper than fleeting sensory pleasure—a joy inherent to our very being.
The pleasure Krishna speaks about is rooted in external conditions—temporary and always shifting. Such pleasures bind us because we constantly seek their repetition, leading inevitably to frustration and anxiety when they’re unavailable. But the happiness of the soul, the inner joy we experience in Self-realization, is unconditional. It is already within us, ever-present and inexhaustible.
Practical Wisdom: The Path of Renunciation
As Krishna describes the state of equanimity, we naturally ask: How do we get there? How do we practically move toward such calm clarity?
The path outlined here involves two essential practices:
1. Intentional, Superconscious Meditation:
The importance of daily meditation cannot be overstated. Intending to meditate deeply, to experience superconsciousness (samadhi), gradually calms the mind and reveals our innate joy. As my guru, Roy Eugene Davis, often taught: "Meditate to the point of absolute clarity." Paramahansa Yogananda similarly advised meditators not to stop short of samadhi but to persist gently and patiently until that higher state is touched. Meditation, practiced deeply and regularly, clears away emotional and mental turmoil, enabling us to access equanimity.
2. Renunciation Through Conscious Awareness:
Renunciation does not mean a harsh denial of life's joys. Instead, it refers to the intelligent, compassionate releasing of those desires that bind us. By carefully observing the rise of desires in our daily lives—being a "desire detective," as I like to say—we can discern which desires serve our highest purpose and which merely distract or entrap us. We become skillful at letting unnecessary desires go, making space for the inner freedom that equanimity provides.
Steady Wisdom in Daily Life
Bhagavad Gita, verse 2.57 beautifully expands our vision of equanimity:
"One who is without attachment on all sides, encountering this or that—pleasant or unpleasant—neither rejoicing nor disliking, that person’s wisdom stands firm."
This verse illustrates a powerful spiritual maturity, a condition of steady wisdom reflected clearly in our speech, actions, and presence. Someone who has achieved equanimity neither praises excessively nor blames harshly, does not argue needlessly, nor engages in emotional extremes. They understand deeply that all things change. Pleasant or unpleasant experiences come and go like waves on the ocean, yet beneath these changing conditions, the sage remains rooted in unwavering peace.
My guru embodied this beautifully. No matter the circumstance, his responses were consistently calm, clear, and wise. Watching him, I realized that steadfast wisdom is revealed in how we speak and respond in our everyday interactions. Our speech mirrors our consciousness. Thus, spiritual growth is about refining our words and actions to match the equanimity we aspire to cultivate.
"It’s Too Soon to Tell"—A Story of Equanimity
To illustrate the practicality of these teachings, I often reflect on a classic story about wise discernment and even-mindedness.
A farmer lived in a small village with his son. They had a strong horse to help with farming. When neighbors remarked how lucky they were, the farmer calmly responded, "It’s too soon to tell."
Soon, the horse ran away. Neighbors lamented their misfortune, but the farmer calmly replied again, "It’s too soon to tell."
Days later, the horse returned, bringing another fine horse. Once more, neighbors celebrated the farmer’s good luck, yet he maintained, "It’s too soon to tell."
Then the farmer’s son, trying to train the new horse, broke his leg. Again neighbors came offering sympathy. The farmer’s response remained steady: "It’s too soon to tell."
Finally, when war broke out, and the village youths were drafted, the injured son remained home. Once again, neighbors declared how fortunate they were, and once again, the farmer wisely replied, "It’s too soon to tell."
This simple yet profound story shows the wisdom of equanimity, living beyond emotional reactivity. Like the farmer, we learn not to swing wildly between joy and sorrow, hope and despair. Rather, we become calm observers, witnessing life's unfolding from a deeper center of inner peace.
Becoming Anchored in Equanimity
Equanimity, as described in these beautiful verses, is available to all of us. It is not something we must create or earn. Rather, it is our natural state when the mind is free of restless desires and turbulent emotions.
May our daily meditation anchor us deeply in equanimity, revealing the boundless joy and clarity of our soul nature. And as we practice mindful renunciation, compassionately letting go of what no longer serves us, may we experience firsthand the freedom and peace of living with steadfast wisdom.
This is the heart of spiritual awakening—unwavering calm in the face of change, freedom from emotional turbulence, and the joy of abiding contentedly in the self by the Self.
May this truth illumine our path.
Listen to the full podcast episode below.
Bhagavad Gita, pt 14: Overcome the Impediments to Spiritual Progress
Chapter 2 v. 56-57
These verses discuss the obstacles that impede spiritual progress and the means to overcome them. Lord Krishna explains that the senses are naturally attracted to external objects and can distract us from our spiritual path. He advises that by cultivating a sense of detachment and equanimity towards the objects of the senses, we can overcome these obstacles and attain inner peace.
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