Burlingame, CA
Sometimes we are praised more than we deserve. At other times, people blame us more than is warranted.
Sometimes we get unexpected gain. At other times we lose what we cherish and hold most dear.
Such dualities visit everyone in this world, without exception.
Krsna and the sages recommend that we practice toleration in the face of change. One who does this achieves, “equipoise.”
Below, I show how the quality of equipoise is glorified throughout the scripture.
But first, here’s a closer look at the word equipoise . (So that we can try it on for size.)
Equipoise:
Equi, means, “Equal”
Poise, means, “Graceful and elegant bearing in a person; composure and dignity of manner.”
We might say, in other words, an equipoised person remains graceful, elegant and dignified, even amidst the changes and challenges of life.
Equipoise is such a desirable quality that scripture says a person who practices and develops it comes to see his or her higher self, “reaches the Supersoul,” (Bg. 6.7), and pleases Krsna.
Here’s more from scripture about equipoise:
Krsna to Arjuna:
“Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.” (Bg. 2.48)
“He by whom no one is put into difficulty and who is not disturbed by anyone, who is equipoised in happiness and distress, fear and anxiety, is very dear to Me.” (Bg. 12.15)
Kapiladeva to Devahuti:
“The exalted devotee’s mind becomes equipoised in sensory activities, and he is transcendental to that which is agreeable and not agreeable.” (Bhag. 3.32.24)
Maitreya to Vidura:
“Persons who are peaceful, equipoised, cleansed and purified, and who know the art of pleasing all other living entities, keep friendship only with devotees of the Lord; they alone can very easily achieve the perfection of going back home, back to Godhead.” (Bhag. 4.12.37)
Sukadeva Goswami to Pariksit:
“Since everything is dependent on the supreme will of the Personality of Godhead, one should be equipoised in fame and defamation, victory and defeat, life and death. In their effects, represented as happiness and distress, one should maintain oneself in equilibrium, without anxiety.” (Bhag. 6.12.14)
To attain equipoise, Bhaktivinoda Thakura recommends that we chant the maha-mantra throughout our lives no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.
And secular wisdom advises us to keep in mind that “Things are never as good as they seem or as bad as they seem.”
Hare Krsna!
With gratitude and affection,
Vaisesika Dasa
0