9am–5pm “Equanimity” Intensive
February 4, 2018 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
This Intensive will include a talk and guided meditations given by Gelong Lodrö Sangpo on the fourth of the four kinds of “Immeasurables” (Skt.: apramāṇa):
- loving kindness (maitrī);
- compassion (karuṇā);
- sympathetic joy (muditā);
- equanimity (upekṣā).
These meditations and contemplations are called “immeasurable” since, according to the Abhidharmakośa: “(a) they take an immeasurable number of sentient beings for their object; (b) they engender an immeasurable merit; (c) they produce immeasurable ripened effects”.
The topic of this intensive is equanimity. The intrinsic nature of equanimity is described in the Kośa as being the wholesome root called non-greed. The practitioner enters into meditation by reflecting: “All sentient beings are completely on a par; there is no difference between the so-called beloved and enemy”. They produce a thought having the following mode: “Sentient beings! Sentient beings!” and, through this, by means of what can be called impartiality, they enter into the cultivation of equanimity”.
Nāgārjuna defines equanimity as “to reject the three previous immeasurables and think about sentient beings with neither hostility nor lust”.”.
A well known stanza of the four immeasurables is the following:
- May all sentient beings enjoy happiness and the root of happiness.
- May they be free from suffering and the root of suffering.
- May they not be separated from the great happiness devoid of suffering.
- May they dew ell in the great equanimity free from passion, aggression, and prejudice.
This Intensive will include practical step by step meditations on equanimity.
Contact: kccl.contact@gmail.com; 902-576-3655
Who can attend this class: All different levels of practitioners. Everyone is welcome.
Location: KCCL.
Cost: $10 (including lunch).