“Equanimity of mind is yoga.” - Bhagavad Gita 2.48

When I first heard this statement, I didn’t quite grasp its meaning. While I still can’t claim complete understanding, I’d like to share my current thoughts.

In our daily lives, external events constantly influence our emotions and minds. We experience a range of feelings like joy, disappointment, and frustration. As we’re not Jedi, we can’t control external occurrences. However, we can manage our own emotions and minds.

Pleasure arises from fulfilled expectations, while disappointment stems from unmet ones. Our actions often aim to achieve desired outcomes, affecting our emotional states. Success can lead to worry about future failures, while setbacks can create anxiety about repeating them. Regardless of the outcome, fear, or klesa, can arise.

How can we avoid cultivating internal fear? By doing our best in the present moment and detaching ourselves from the outcomes. As the Bhagavad Gita suggests, “You do the work that comes to you, but don’t look for the results.” - Bhagavad Gita 2.47

Our duty is to perform the action, not to be attached to its outcome. When we focus on the result, we create new attachments and fears of loss or repetition. By doing our best and offering the outcome, we can avoid these attachments and fears.

This detachment allows our minds and emotions to remain unaffected by outcomes, leading to equanimity. Note that equanimity doesn’t mean indifference or neglect; rather, it’s a state where the mind remains unaffected by both positive and negative events.

While I understand this concept theoretically, practical application can be challenging. Recently, while writing a project report, I realized a potential approach. Having completed my part, I passed the report to the next team, uncertain of the outcome. Despite my natural desire for success, I realized I could accept any result. This acceptance stemmed from satisfaction with my own best effort.

In a way, this might be a form of non-attachment. By focusing on doing our best in the present, we can accept whatever happens next. This detachment from outcomes allows our minds to remain calm and equanimous.

This is my thoughts today. Since everything keeps changing, I may have different thoughts tomorrow.