Podcasts about Equanimity

In this episode of Zero to CEO, business coach Edward Francis unpacks the deeper skills entrepreneurs need to lead with clarity, adapt under pressure, and grow sustainably. From cultivating authenticity and mindfulness to harnessing neuroplasticity and equanimity, Edward shares how founders can strengthen both mindset and execution. If you want to train your brain like a muscle and turn stress into strategy, this episode is your blueprint for resilient, purpose-driven leadership.

The Road Is Made By Walking, with Rev. Dr. Ken Hood. Series: Life as Pilgrimage, Lent 2026 A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: Matthew 3.They didn't have a roadmap, an itinerary. There is no such thing.As much as we'd like to think there's a certain way life should be…there just isn't. As painful as it is to lose a child, it's even more painful when we tell ourselves a story like: “This shouldn't happen. A parent should never have to bury their child. It's not fair.” Well… It's not something we choose. It's not something welcome. But it also happens. All the time. There is no “this isn't the way the world should be”…for there's no such thing. This is frightening but liberating as well.Equanimity is the practice of allowing what is…simply because it's what's here. We are almost always subtly resisting what's happening around us. We wish we felt different or that the world was different, and we push against it inwardly or are pulling towards the world being some other way. But what's here is what's here. This isn't a giving up. This is an acceptance such that, facing what is, we can finally decide how to be and how to act.Machado's personal story is really challenging. He and his brother had it all in Spain until the revolution came, and they lost everything. So not fair. But it's what was. They struck out, penniless, and having to find their own way. There is no way, the road is made by walking…About the Series, Life as Pilgrimage, Lent 2026: Our sacred stories are filled with journeys from the familiar into the unknown. This season invites us to become pilgrims, open to being changed along the way. Through shared workshops, contemplative practices, creative expression, and time on the trail, we will make space to listen deeply and be gently transformed by the spacious love of God.Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don't ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.Keywords:Pilgrimage, Lent, Holy Family, Anthony Machado, Spanish Civil War, wilderness hiking, Timberline trail, Sandy River, cairns, dreams, visions, Holy Spirit, navigation, unconventional family, escape., presbyterian, church, online worship, bend, oregonFeaturing:Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Sharon Edwards, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, GuestsSupport the show

Today we explore equanimity as a living, heart-based steadiness that holds passion, pain, and joy without collapsing or numbing out. Renowned teacher and author Margaret Cullen offers practical gateways through feeling tone, identity, and simple phrases that reduce friction, burnout, and outrage.• redefining equanimity as caring presence, not apathy• Vedana as the primary gateway to balance• spaciousness instead of dulling experience• recovery time as a measure of equanimity• identity, praise and blame, and the worldly winds• vulnerability as an undefended heart• activism without outrage fatigue• parenting with an open hand, not a tight grip• caregiver burnout and “it's not my emergency”• equanimity phrases for self and others• resources to deepen four foundations practice• equanimity as a human birthright we uncoverFind “Quiet Strength: Find Peace, Feel Alive, And Love Boundlessly With The Power Of Equanimity” and more at Margaret's website. Margaret's New Book --> Quiet Strength: https://a.co/d/029xEshEMargaret Cullen's website: https://margaretcullen.comBecome a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher: Certify.MindfulnessExercises.com Email: Sean@MindfulnessExercises.com Mindfulness Exercises with Sean Fargo is a practical, grounded mindfulness podcast for people who want meditation to actually help in real life. Hosted by Sean Fargo — a former Buddhist monk, mindfulness teacher, and founder of MindfulnessExercises.com — this podcast explores how mindfulness can support mental health, emotional regulation, trauma sensitivity, chronic pain, leadership, creativity, and meaningful work. Each episode offers a mix of: Practical mindfulness and meditation teachings Conversations with respected meditation teachers, clinicians, authors, and researchers Real-world insights for therapists, coaches, yoga teachers, educators, and caregivers Gentle reflections for anyone navigating stress, anxiety, burnout, grief, or change If you're interested in: Mindfulness meditation for everyday life Trauma-sensitive and compassion-based practices Teaching mindfulness in an authentic, non-performative way Deepening your own practice while supporting others …you're in the right place. Learn more at MindfulnessExercise...

If you feel like the world is on fire and the only appropriate response is constant outrage, this conversation will stretch you in the best way. I talk with psychotherapist and author Margaret Cullen about equanimity, what it actually means, and why it is not the same thing as apathy or disengagement. We unpack the idea that you can care deeply, take action, and still refuse to live in a state of emotional melodrama.Margaret explains how equanimity helps you recover balance more quickly when you get hijacked by fear, anger, or despair. We connect this to nervous system regulation, the 24 hour news cycle, and the cultural pressure to prove you care by being constantly devastated. You'll walk away with concrete ways to engage in your personal and political life without burning yourself out or becoming what you are fighting against.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: schoolofnewfeministthought.com/472Follow along on Instagram: instagram.com/karaloewentheil/Learn more about Margaret Cullen's work at margaretcullen.comMentioned in this episode:You're Invited: Tea at the Ritz Join me on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 3:30-5:30pm for Tea at the Ritz in Paris. To secure your spot, go to: https://the-school-of-new-feminist-thought.captivate.fm/teaJoin me for tea at the Ritz here!

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Describing the Relationship Between Metta, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Describing the Relationship Between Metta, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity.

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna clarifies the powerfully transformative practice of tonglen. He speaks about this practice of giving and taking as an antidote to the root of our suffering, self-centeredness, and also guides us in a tonglen meditation practice. This episode was recorded on January 28th, 2026.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

This breathwork and guided meditation session, led by Dr. Diana Hill, is part of the Diana's weekly Sangha community. This meditation guides a mindfulness practice beginning with “butterfly breath" and then invites listeners to rest attention on calming sounds arising from silence, adopt a stable and open posture of equanimity, and notice the natural steadiness of breathing. Listeners are asked to inquire inwardly what part of themselves needs tending to, meet sensations or emotions with steady love, and ask what that part wants them to know, responding with “I hear you, I see you.” The practice emphasizes being the spacious “prior condition” that holds sounds, feelings, worries, and others' pain with presence, and offers three anchors to return to when off balance: breath, body/posture, and heart. Suggested Next Episode:You can also enjoy Diana's related talk--Episode 188 Secret Sangha: Equanimity.Related ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodeOrder my book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana's website.Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Do you feel thrown off balance by praise, blame, fear, or stressful news when life hits hard? In this Secret Sangha episode of The Wise Effort Show, Dr. Diana Hill continues the four-week “four immeasurables” series by focusing on equanimity—steady love—as the prior condition of balance from which pleasant and unpleasant experiences arise. She explores how the “eight worldly winds” can destabilize us, how the near enemies of equanimity show up as indifference, control, adding on stories, or acting out, and shares personal examples from her own life. Diana offers practical ways to return to steadiness through essential self-care, stillness and silence, flexible attention to what stabilizes you, remembering “enoughness,” and being the calm you seek.Listen and learn:How the “eight worldly winds” can knock you off balanceThe near enemies of equanimity: indifference, control, adding on, and acting outHow stillness, silence, and essential self-care support steady lovePractices like flexible attention, remembering enoughness, and “being the calm” you seekShare this episode with someone who could use steadier love this week.Suggested Next Episode:You can also enjoy Diana's related Bonus Meditation: EquanimityRelated ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodeOrder my book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana's website.Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.Mentioned in this episode:Wise Effort Retreat in Costa RicaJoin me for a real transformative experience on retreat at Blue Spirit in Costa Rica. Only a few spaces are left. Reserve your spot today! Diana's Retreat in Costa Rica

Wendy and I keep an eye on current events through the lens of the Yoga Sutras. Using the Four Keys, sutra 1.33 and the Yamas and Niyamas from the second pada/chapter, we talk about the opportunity for practice vs. the inclination to judge others for their shortcomings and bad actions. Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon! Namaste

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues his commentary on “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path”. This week he gives practical guidance on how we can engage with practices to slowly transform cherishing ourselves to cherishing others, while still maintaining a healthy sense of self-worth. This episode was recorded on January 21st, 2026.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

Case 1 from the Book of Equanimity “The World Honored One Ascends the Platform” from the May 2025 sesshin at Yokoji Zen Mountain Center

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) A Dharma talk and guided equanimity practice exploring steadiness of heart in uncertain times; How to care deeply without hardening, collapsing, or turning away from the complexities of modern life.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) A Dharma talk and guided equanimity practice exploring steadiness of heart in uncertain times; How to care deeply without hardening, collapsing, or turning away from the complexities of modern life.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) A Dharma talk and guided equanimity practice exploring steadiness of heart in uncertain times; How to care deeply without hardening, collapsing, or turning away from the complexities of modern life.

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives in-depth commentary and guidance on the benefits of cherishing others. He speaks about how we can engage with cherishing others in wise and compassionate ways that encourage a recognition of the reality of interdependence while maintaining healthy self-care that will keep us fueled up for the journey to Enlightenment. This episode was recorded on January 14th, 2026.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Mindfulness of 6 senses can lead to equanimity where we are no longer attached to pleasant experience or aversive to unpleasant experiences.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Mindfulness of 6 senses can lead to equanimity where we are no longer attached to pleasant experience or aversive to unpleasant experiences.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) Mindfulness of 6 senses can lead to equanimity where we are no longer attached to pleasant experience or aversive to unpleasant experiences.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The practice of equanimity towards beings and various states of minds, such as the eight worldly winds, can lead to peace and freedom.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The practice of equanimity towards beings and various states of minds, such as the eight worldly winds, can lead to peace and freedom.

(Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge) The practice of equanimity towards beings and various states of minds, such as the eight worldly winds, can lead to peace and freedom.

Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked about a quote in Dhammapada Verses #3 to #5: He struck me, he defeated me, he hurt, abused, offended me! If we hold on to vengeful thoughts - our anger never fades away.He struck me, he defeated me,he hurt, abused, offended me! If we let go of vengeful thoughts - our anger surely fades away. More hatred will not calm down hate, it simply doesn't work like that. The opposite of hate alone will calm down hatred - that's the truth! Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:⁠⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/news⁠⁠Our email Newsletter:⁠⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter⁠⁠Latest Photos⁠⁠https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net⁠⁠Our Youtube Channel:⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/⁠⁠@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724#anger #irritation #aversion #metta #lovingkindness #equanimity #buddhism #buddhistwisdom

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives commentary and guidance on how self-centeredness is at the core of our suffering. He offers advice on how we can balance our need for self-care while slowly eliminating self-centeredness from our actions. This episode was recorded on January 7th, 2026.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

Toni Sant presents the 758th in a series of podcasts featuring music by performers in or from Malta. Artists featured in this podcast: PART 1The Busker - Bored in the SupermarketDav.Jr - My FaultChess Galea -A Diva and A ProblemBenji Cachia - aQuaSean Borg - NostalġijaKevin Borg - Għażiż MissierPART 2ManwelT - EquanimityManwelT - TemazcalManwelT - UbuntuManwelT - Ubuntu dubPART 3Featured album: Għadna Għaddejjin by Peklektru >> Details about this podcast [in Maltese] See also: - MMI Podcast: YouTube playlist - MMI Podcast: Facebook Page - MMI Archive on Mixcloud | @tonisant on Twitter - M3P: Malta Music Memory Project - Mużika Mod Ieħor ma' Toni Sant on Facebook  (MP3)

What is mindfulness really? According to one fourth-grader, "Not hitting someone in the mouth." Legendary meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg joins Rick and Forrest to discuss how we can work skillfully with anger, fear, and reactivity without becoming doormats or numbing ourselves out through the lens of her new children's book Kind Karl. They explore the protective function of anger, and how we can create more space by relating differently to our thoughts, emotions, and sense of self. Sharon shares a Buddhist lens that links anger and fear, and how looking closely at “what's in the anger” can help us get clarity without collateral damage. Along the way, they talk about the difference between healthy moral anger and the habit of anger, how to extract the positive energy from difficult emotions without getting burned, and how lovingkindness and self-compassion can be active, strengthening forces.  About our Guest: Sharon Salzberg is the co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, a world-renowned teacher of mindfulness, and author or co-author of 14 books including her seminal work Lovingkindness and her first children's book Kind Karl: A Little Crocodile with Big Feelings. Key Topics: 0:00: Intro and Sharon's new children's book 1:30: Rick and Sharon's personal history 3:40: Making abstract concepts direct and simple 6:00: “Mindfulness means not hitting someone in the mouth.” 12:30: Equanimity, reactivity, and our relationship with pleasure and pain 26:48: Healthy moral anger and outrage 34:17: How mindfulness decenters the self 43:53: Decoupling identity from states of suffering 50:23: Dissolving boundaries, self protection, and loneliness 1:03:09: Recap Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors Go to Zocdoc.com/BEING to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beingwell.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jiunn, Seth, John and Aaron discuss their review experience with the Stoic Equanimity Moderation https://developingpalates.com/reviews/cigar-reviews/team-cigar-review-stoic-equanimity-moderation/

How can we cultivate a mind that stays steady, open, and responsive even when life becomes unpredictable?In this talk, Beth Mulligan explores equanimity as a living practice rather than a distant ideal. She frames equanimity as the quiet strength that allows a person to meet experience without collapsing into overwhelm or tightening into resistance. Speaking with warmth and clarity, she describes how this quality grows not through detachment, but through intimacy with our own moment‑to‑moment experience—especially the parts we'd rather avoid.Beth highlights several practical doorways into equanimity, each grounded in mindfulness and compassion. She explains how the mind's habitual reactions can soften when we learn to recognize them early, and she offers simple ways to steady attention when emotions surge. Key themes include:Understanding the difference between indifference and balanced presenceRecognizing the “eight worldly winds” and how they shape reactivityUsing the body as an anchor when the mind becomes turbulentAllowing joy and difficulty with equal careThe result is a talk that invites listeners to see equanimity not as a final achievement, but as a trustworthy companion that grows each time we meet our lives with honesty and kindness.______________Beth Mulligan has completed all steps of the professional Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher training program through the University of Massachusetts under Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD and his colleagues and is a certified MBSR teacher. She teaches Mindfulness at many major medical centers, Universities, schools, non-profit organizations and corporations. She also trains professionals in mindfulness-based interventions and participates in research on the benefits of mindfulness. With her partner Hugh she is the co-founder of Mindful-Way Stress Reduction programs which serves diverse populations across the country and in England. Learn more at http://mindful-way.com/ ______________ To support our efforts to share these talks with LGBTQIA audiences worldwide, please visit https://gaybuddhist.org/There you can: Donate Learn how to participate live Find our schedule of upcoming speakers Join our mailing list or discussion forum Enjoy over 900 recorded talks dating back to 1995 CREDITSAudio Production: George HubbardProducer: Tom BrueinMusic/Logo/Artwork: Derek Lassiter

In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna gives his commentary on the disadvantages of self-centeredness. He gives a variety of practical techniques to slowly overcome this habitual pattern through recognizing more accurately how we exist in the world. John also mentions that the more we can come to know our Buddha Nature and be guided by our primordial wisdom, the less we will suffer. This episode was recorded on December 24th, 2025.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.  As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org.  May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.

Borrowing the title, "There Is No God and He Is Always with You" from Zen teacher Brad Warner, Mikey Noechel gives a talk on the concept of God and how it relates to Buddhist practice, specifically the heart practices: Loving Kindness, Compassion, Gratitude, and Equanimity.This talk was recorded at the Radical Kindness New Years Retreat 12/28/25 - 1/2/26 in Bay St. Louis, MS. Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.orgDONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit:https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donateFollow Us on Socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildheartnashville/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildheartmeditation

The fourth and last of the immeasurables of Buddhism is translated as "equanimity" — in Sanskrit, upekkha. Has the ring of authenticity, doesn't it? Equanimity, not so much. Too familiar, too ordinary. Besides, nobody really knows what it means. Note how much more authoritative it sounds when we use the Sanskrit. Brings to mind the Peter Sellers scene in The Naked Truth where, trying to pass for Irish in a pub in order to buy a bomb from the IRA says, “Well, we always have the Gaelic…” and after launching into a monologue, is immediately punched in the nose and thrown out of the bar. Fake accent of an Englishman — a dead giveaway. This tendency — to rely heavily on jargon-speak — has a similar deleterious effect in any category of discourse, and can be especially disingenuous in dharma dialog. For one thing, it sets up an “us and them” dichotomy, whether intended or not. It tends to imply that the speaker possesses greater knowledge, moreexpertise — at least in her or his own estimation — and therefore, presumably, the listener is rendered lesser inthat regard. It leverages the faux asymmetry of the relationship. Zen is, or should be, the great equalizer. Boldly brandishing the Zen vernacular implies that I must have mastered its deeper meaning. This is whywe have to keep reminding ourselves that we do not master Zen — in any language — it masters us. Far betterto de-mystify any discussion, eliminating jargon wherever possible, and to rely on our own, direct experience — and plain language — to explore the true meaning of these ancient teachings. We teach each other Buddhism, as Matsuoka Roshi often said. Equanimity brings to mind other terms derived from the same root, such as equipoise, and equilibrium. The good thing about these terms is that they imply something physical, rather than strictly emotional, or mental. The first two syllables derive from “equal,” and the dictionary definitions all refer to balance. So all three would have some connection to the Sanskrit samadhi, one of the more frequently mentioned jargon terms in Buddhism, which loosely means "centered" or "balance." In zazen, if we sit still enough for long enough — and straight enough — we begin to experience equipoise in our upright seated posture, coming into perfect alignment with gravity. All forces of mass and weight come to center around the spine, like the cables supporting a digital cell tower. When we hit that sweet spot in the middle of our stomach, it is as if we are floating off the cushion — free-falling. Equilibrium ensues, profoundly affecting our mental clarity and emotional composure; which leads to equanimity. Eventuallyequanimity manifests even in the social sphere, where relationships with others benefit from less friction and conflict, more harmony. If we regard equanimity — along with loving kindness, compassion, and empathy — as essentially immeasurable, they connect to Master Dogen's closing lines in Jijuyu Zammai (Self-fulfilling Samadhi): Hundreds of things all manifest original practice from the original faceIt is impossible to measureKnow that even if all the buddhas of the ten directionsAs innumerable as the sands of the GangesExert their strength and with the Buddha's wisdomTry to measure the merit of one person's zazenThey will not be able to fully comprehend it So what is truly immeasurable is the whole of the effect — the merit — of zazen. Zen claims to transmitBuddha's meditation, bringing about the very same process that took place that night under the Bodhi tree some two-and-a-half millennia ago. We all have the same equipment to work with that he had, after all — the toolkit comes with birth as a human being. We also enjoy relatively supportive causes and conditions — the circumstances of contemporary life —including exposure to the buddha-dharma, and access to training in meditation. As Hakuin Zenji asks toward the end of Zazen Wasan (Song of Zazen), “What is there outside us? What is there we lack?” He goes on to claim that “Nirvana is openly shown to our eyes. This earth where we stand is the pureLotus Land and this very body the body of buddha.” A bit hard to swallow, in the light of our self-effacingself-doubt, which at its worse becomes the life sentence of self-loathing. Nobody said this would be easy. Bringing our focus back to zazen, I think it is critical to recognize and accept that the immeasurablesof this excellent method are also the most important aspects. It matters less how regularly we sit inmeditation, how frequently, how long we sit, et cetera. Whatever measurable parameters we may put around it,the most important is that we simply never give up, as Matsuoka Roshi always reminded us. The downside to setting up strict regimens around zazen — as we are prone to do around working out, aerobics, and other activities that we expect to show results — is that the results of zazen are not so obvious. And, just as with any goal-oriented activity, if and when we do not live up to our own expectations, we are naturally disappointed, may become discouraged, and tend to reaffirm our own self-criticizing proclivity, proving that we are the failure we always suspected we were. Better to sit without expectations, but without abandoning our aspiration to something that cannot be sosimply expressed as a measurable goal. This does not mean that we do not set reasonable benchmarks to assure enough depth of experience that we give zazen a legitimate chance to work its magic. But the immeasurable of the qualitative dimension of the experience takes precedence and priority over any quantifiable dimension. Which brings us back to the old cliché, “Just sit.” This overworked expression is not a cavalier or flip comment meant to dismiss any consideration of the serious issues that we face, including actual mental disorders and chemical imbalances that we may be dealing with, but to suggest that when we do sit, we just sit,rather than engaging in daydreaming, planning, ruminating over the past, et cetera. If we turn up the intensity knob, sitting “more” in the qualitative sense — when we are actually sitting —then we begin to manifest the true meaning of “just sit.” Would it were so simple. But of course we find that "just sitting" includes the full panoply of monkey-mind machinations, the impertinent imprecations of negative thinking on steroids, as well as the more trivial but distracting push-you-pull-me of everyday tedium, those mundane but persistent weasels of samsara ripping our flesh. It is difficult to feel equanimous on the Titanic. The ship is definitely going down, and it doesn't matter that the lifeboats are made in Japan. Zen is American as apple pie. Just not as sweet. The gateway drug to equanimity is patience. If we can come to practice patience on the cushion — patience with our situation in this imperfect world, and patience with the monkey's inept attempts to cope with it — we may find our way clear to the equilibrium, the equipoise, the equanimity that is at the heart of all the clamor, clutter, and seeming chaos. It is all floating in samadhi. Time to release our grip on our imagined reality, so as to float in the equanimity of Zen. In the next segment, we are taking a new direction for 2026. Stay tuned.

Tenshin Roshi talks about case 69 of the Book of Equanimity, "Nansen's Cats and Cows."

I had such an experience with a colleague of mine with whom I was working on a highly contentious legal situation. It was high-risk and, to me, it seemed like there was very little gain. Nonetheless, it was my duty. I had to deal with it. Because the person had—not just because he had a lot more experience, but because he had practiced equanimity in his life—and luckily I was partnered with him in the project, I noticed that going into every conversation, he remained equipoised and only dealt with the facts at hand, without becoming overly anxious about the outcome. I noticed that he did this over several months. He just showed up. The way I described it to others was: 'He came with his lunchbox.' He dealt with the situation as duty. One of the reasons it left such an impression on me was I saw that, ultimately, everything worked itself out. Well, it didn't just 'work itself out'; the ongoing negotiations helped, but there was a favorable conclusion at the end. I had thought about the way in which this person had conducted himself through the whole process. I had also heard, in the context of a dialogue I had heard, when somebody was asked, 'Aren't you nervous or afraid?' and he said, 'Why would that help? Would it help if I became more nervous or overly concerned, or would it help if I just did what I could with what I have right now?' So, oftentimes, there's a palpable result in remaining equipoised: doing one's duty without becoming overly concerned with the result; doing what you can with what you have now. I mentioned these three features: one is it tends to de-escalate conflict; another is that it invites collaboration; and the third is we're able to make clearer decisions without becoming biased. Because we want to see a particular result, we deal with what we can in the moment, and that emotional regulation—which equanimity could be described as—becomes contagious. Have you ever been in a dialogue with somebody that's close to you? Oftentimes, as I've heard and experienced myself, if you're close to somebody day-to-day—maybe even live together or travel together—and then you have a conversation, emotions can flare. But if one or the other remains equipoised in the conversation, then it tends to spread to the other person as well. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://thefourquestionsbook.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #successsadhana#spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirit

Do you ever feel like life has become louder, faster, and more demanding than your heart was meant to carry? In this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast, I’m joined by counselor, author, and farm-living mama Brenda Yoder to talk about her new book, Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life. This conversation is a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe deep, and rediscover the wisdom that once shaped steady, grounded lives. Brenda draws from the practices of our grandmothers and the rhythms of Amish and Mennonite communities to share practical, life-giving lessons for today’s busy women. We talk about what it looks like to resist the pull of constant chaos and instead cultivate a calm presence, authentic faith, and a steady voice of reason—right where you are. In our conversation, you’ll hear: Why simpler doesn’t mean easier—but it often means better How timeless practices can bring peace to modern life What past generations can teach us about faith, work, family, and rest Small, practical shifts you can make to live with more intention No matter your season of life or where you call home, this episode offers encouragement and wisdom for anyone longing for a more grounded, meaningful way of living. You can listen to the episode now wherever you get your podcasts. I pray this conversation meets you right where you are and reminds you that a simpler life is still possible—and deeply compelling. Connect with Brenda: https://brendayoder.com/ Connect with Rachael: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Download your Free Love Always Devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

(Melbourne Insight Meditation)

(Auckland Insight Meditation)

(Melbourne Insight Meditation)

(Melbourne Insight Meditation)

(Melbourne Insight Meditation)

(Auckland Insight Meditation)

(Melbourne Insight Meditation)

There is an internal strength of mind and heart that is characterized by non-reactivity and clear seeing. It is a strength that holds the power to help us navigate the biggest challenges in our lives —not by ignoring them,not by reacting to them in destructive ways, But rather by being present with, and open to, all the very real struggles of being human without being hijacked by them. In her new book, Quiet Strength: Find Peace, Feel Alive, and Love Boundlessly Through the Power of Equanimity, Revered meditation teacher and licensed psychotherapist Margaret Cullen, Speaks to how how we can grow our capacity for equanimity. For 3 years Margaret took a deep dive into Equanimity. Meeting with leading neuroscientists, psychologists, faith leaders, meditation teachers, and even a politician,All to explore equanimity's promise. Which she writes:"Is expansiveness. An ability to love life in all it's poignancy; To fearlessly let go of self-limiting definitions; and to see in sadness, fear and anger some of the same signs of being ferociously alive we feel in delight connection and awe. Equanimity is our capacity to be tender-hearted without sentimentality, vulnerable without weakness, wise without detachment, humble without diffidence, and to surrender without passivity."Today we'll explore this promise.The very real possibility of meeting life's challenges from a place of grounded wisdom, And growing the quiet strength needed to create a better world. For more on Margaret, her books, teaching, live events, and other offerings please visit margaretcullen.comAnd to preorder your copy of Quiet Strength (coming in March 2026) please visit: https://margaretcullen.com/publications/book/quiet-strengthEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On Ordinary Mysticism, Wonder, and Love | Mirabai StarrOn Choosing Love | Mark NepoOn Work, Friendship, and Embracing Impermanence | Parker Palmer & Jerry ColonnaThanks for listening!Support the show

Sunday November 30th - Equanimity

Anxiety grows when we lose control and forget the context of our life. We lose context; we forget we're in a universe. In fact, a friend of mine was telling me yesterday that he had kind of a trans-rational experience once on a dark-moon night when he was standing on the seashore. There was no light pollution whatsoever. He turned off his car lights and stepped out onto the beach. The stars were so pronounced that he felt himself separate from his body and felt the power of the universe. Of course, we're in a universe which is practically inexplicable, and there are various powers and forces that are working on us all the time. But we can forget that. In various contexts, we may just think, "I am a worker bee," "I'm a little cat," or "I'm a dog," and we care about our territory on the block. In human life, we can also develop such limited perspectives, and then we get anxious about it. But when we widen our perspective and think about who we are in the context of the greater universe, we can come to a sort of equanimity through which anxiety reduces. Equanimity lets you care without being shaken. You can still care—you still have empathy—but you're actually more useful because you don't become overwhelmed by various circumstances, because your perspective is so deep. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://thefourquestionsbook.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

Ready to being your journey of healing? It's time to reclaim your life with elite and discreet premium psychotherapy with Dr. Gregory T. Obert;

This special bonus episode features an in-depth conversation with Margaret Cullen, a licensed psychotherapist, longtime meditation teacher, and author of the new book Quiet Strength: Finding Calm, Clarity, and Resilience in a Turbulent World. Margaret has spent more than four decades studying and teaching mindfulness, compassion, and emotional resilience. She was one of the early certified teachers in Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and helped develop Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) at Stanford School of Medicine alongside Thupten Jinpa. She is also a fellow of the Mind & Life Institute and an advisor to the Global Compassion Coalition. In this thoughtful conversation, we explore the often-misunderstood quality of equanimity — the capacity to meet life's joys and challenges without becoming overwhelmed, reactive, or emotionally shut down. We discuss: • What equanimity really is (and what it is not) • How equanimity works alongside mindfulness • Why suppressing emotions increases suffering • How emotions move through the body when we don't interfere with them • The role of “feeling tones” in emotional reactivity • Staying emotionally engaged without burnout • Practicing compassion while maintaining boundaries • Finding inner steadiness in an increasingly turbulent world The episode concludes with a gentle guided equanimity meditation, offering listeners a direct, experiential way to cultivate calm, clarity, and emotional balance.

Equanimity in Two Stages Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have a few sayings I want to put down for you here in the last few minutes. One is the question to ask whenever something comes up in your life—and you can use this all day long: 'What's the lesson?' When you ask what the lesson is, then you train yourself to react to things in a responsible way, rather than becoming a victim. Next is a mantra: 'Things are never as good as they seem, or as bad as they seem.' Because the immediate reaction when you hear bad news, or you hear something that sounds scary, is this: overreact and become intolerant. So remember this: things are never as good as they seem, nor as bad as they seem. Next one is this: 'This too shall pass.' Oh, what a powerful mantra! And that's one that Kṛṣṇa uses throughout the Bhagavad-gītā. Remember, it's just passing through. We're just passing through, so tolerate. Next one is: 'Concentrate on effort, not results.' Put in your best effort. Do the best you can with what you have right now, and don't worry about the results. It's not up to you. 'Whatever you resist, persists.' So if you push back on things, then it grows. Another is: 'Flip the switch.' I'm going to show you how to do it. Just put your hand behind your head right now, everybody—there's a little switch back there. You didn't know it was there. And then, flip it. And you turn off the 'humanoid' in you, and you become a little AI robot. So, turn off your emotion and just learn to do that; you can flip the switch. Another one is to meditate and practice noticing that you are not your thoughts. If you're able to isolate and see that thoughts are passing through all the time, just like clouds, and that you are not your thoughts, you gain a perspective which gives you a means by which you will naturally feel equal in all circumstances. Practice equanimity. Try it out for a week and see what it's like. Try it out for a day. Try it out for an hour. Employ some of these principles and see what it feels like. It's an authorized practice given in the Bhagavad-gītā. People will notice the difference in you. You'll notice a difference in you, and you'll also come to the heart of the matter, which is: 'I am not this body.' I'm just in a body, and I'm in a world that's always changing, but it has nothing to do with me—nothing at all. I just am here by circumstance. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://thefourquestionsbook.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa

Joseph Goldstein discusses equanimity and how to remove the self from the knowing, effectively freeing ourselves from identification with awareness.This time on Insight Hour, Joseph Goldstein mindfully explores:Thoughts as passing phenomena that do not truly belong to anyoneSeeing all experiences as the simultaneous arising of both knowing and objectLetting go of our identification with knowing and awarenessShifting from active voice to passive voice as a mindfulness practiceThe near enemies of the mental qualities listed in the BrahmaviharasEquanimity and holding all things equally, seeing things for what they areThe difference between impartiality and indifference, openness versus carelessnessNavigating the complexity of our lives through the balance of compassion and equanimityMaintaining an interest in exploring rather than relying on our preconceptions about people and situationsThis episode was recorded at the Insight Meditation Society Forest Refuge and originally published on Dharmaseed“When you look for the mind there's nothing to find and the not finding is the finding. It's to see that there is nothing to find and when there is nothing to find, there is nothing to identify with.” –Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jesse Perez is a friend of Paul's, a cancer survivor, a podcaster, and a Latino man navigating life under the current administration. Look for his podcast, Equanimity, which focuses on this experience.Check out an episode of Jesse's podcast Equanimity:A Father and Son Journey Through the ProcessThis episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.If you're interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs nothing. It's extremely helpful to have your subscription set to download all episodes automatically. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-illness-happy-hour/id427377900?mt=2Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donateYou can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com) To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.