James Baldwin’s equanimity

Ascending the stairs to Peace House’s meditation hall, you might notice a large black and white photograph. Look closely. It’s James Baldwin. Its 1963 and he’s speaking to some teenagers in front of Jo-Jo's Chicken House in New Orleans.

Why is James Baldwin at Peace House?  The meaning is likely different for each of us.

James Baldwin speaks with two young people in front of Jo-Jo’s Famous Fried Chicken

Lately I’m letting Baldwin remind me of the Buddhist virtue of equanimity (upekkha) in times of crushing injustice and fear. Upekkha describes a quality of even-mindedness.  It means “balance” and also “to stand in the middle of all this.” This does not mean passivity. It means seeing the situation clearly, so you’re responding rather than reacting.   To stand in the middle of this and have a clear head about what to do next.

Although not a Buddhist, James Baldwin knew a thing or two about equanimity. In his famous essay "Notes of a Native Son" he wrote about the importance of holding two seemingly opposing realities at once: acceptance of the existence of injustice, and a commitment to fighting it. The first requires clear-eyed acknowledgement of what is, without reactivity or resistance. As to the second, Baldwin wrote, “this fight begins in the heart, and it now had been laid to my charge to keep my own heart free of hatred and despair.”

Baldwin reminds us that to fight despair and injustice, we must first work to keep own hearts steady, free, and open. Only by cultivating equanimity can we “stand in the middle of this” to respond for the long haul with strength and wisdom.

In these difficult times, Peace House exists to support you in cultivating upekkha. Our programs are free and open to all. We ask only that you register in advance.