apathy vs. equanimity

Sean S, modified 2 Years ago at 8/8/21 11:08 PM
Created 2 Years ago at 8/8/21 11:08 PM

apathy vs. equanimity

Post: 1 Join Date: 8/8/21 Recent Posts
Hello,

I remember reading somewhere that according to the Buddha apathy is the near enemy of equanimity. I am having a hard time differentiating the two. Could someone explain this to me?

Thanks!
Sean
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Siavash ', modified 2 Years ago at 8/8/21 11:27 PM
Created 2 Years ago at 8/8/21 11:27 PM

RE: apathy vs. equanimity

Posts: 1679 Join Date: 5/5/19 Recent Posts
 Hi,

I think I experience both of them frequently, and it was a question for me to distinguish them. I notice the main difference is that with indifference, there is much less "interest" and "care", and as a result, much less "motivation", which means that indifference itself is a manifestation of an underlying aversion. Maybe it's different for other people.
 
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Linda ”Polly Ester” Ö, modified 2 Years ago at 8/9/21 2:00 AM
Created 2 Years ago at 8/9/21 1:32 AM

RE: apathy vs. equanimity

Posts: 7134 Join Date: 12/8/18 Recent Posts
I think Siavash pretty much nailed it. I think the Buddhist terminology for it is translated to ignorance rather than aversion, but the way we tend to use the words aversion and ignorance today in ordinary language, I agree with Siavash's assessment. Indifference is an escape route. It makes us closed up to what is going on. Equanimity doesn't. 

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