Equanimity (Upekka) and English Football
The
term Upekka stands, in a higher realm than Somanassa.
There
are other terms like Piti (Joy), Sukha (happiness) but Somanassa has
a higher level of appreciation of well being in this present moment
(watching a football match won’t let one enjoys this mental calm that is
evident in Somannasa, they actually fall to a lower level of joy
with excitement and subtle happiness which lasts momentarily, until
the next match which may be a loser).
This
is written with Russian football fans in mind but let me expand on
the word equipoise (Upekka) for one who does not understand its
meaning.
There
is no clear word in English vocabulary to explain its Pali meaning.
It
does not mean mere neutral feeling. Equanimity or mental equilibrium
is its near meaning.
Viewing
something impartially neither with attachment nor aversion is the
state of mind in the feeling of Upekkha which one cannot achieve
watching a highly charged game of any kind.
Even
with meditation one cannot reach this level of equanimity since Piti
and Sukha are close association of Jhana States.
That
is why Upekkha realm is higher to Metta, Karuna and Muditha and a
state of mind very difficult to cultivate.
I think competitive games is an antidote to Upekkha.
The idea here is to prevent few heart attacks or gambling during the next few days.
As
for Russians who lost to Croatia, they should not curse their own
players, including the goal keeper.
They
should be magnanimous (unanimous, too) for their organizers who are making the world cup
a success for Russian as well as the rest of the world.
Mind
you there will be lot of English hooligans and ruffians in Russian
streets now.
Give
them lot of Vodka or put them in Prison (let them watch the game in
prison without Vodka) instead not the poison the English diplomats are concocting and
talking about, freely.
I
tell you now, even if, the English wins the world cup they will have a
mouthful against Russia.
Grumbling
is their national pastime and is in their Genes.
