修行經驗(五) - 捨的境界 (Practice Experiences (5) – The Realm of Equanimity)

先前的文章略說善惡中

有提到不少種境界 

會特別把這個拿出來講

是因為雖然是善心

但是

其危害可以逼近不善心

卡在這種境界時

感受會變得很淡泊

有的時候是淡淡的喜悅

有的時候是淡淡的哀傷

甚至

冷熱水都不太會凍到或燙到

總之

各種感受都會變得很淡

為什麼說有危害呢 ??

一開始筆者在這種境界裡的時候

產生了自己證到三果的邪見

因為貪跟瞋不見了

是後來被尊者拖出來

雖然手段有點殘暴

但是有效

尊者透過精準打擊

讓心動搖了

瞋心回來了

在那個當下，筆者意識到自己只是卡住了

先前文章說的逃跑

就是發現自己因為尊者的幾句話動搖

心受不了真相

就逃了

如果沒有尊者的幫忙

肯定變得麻木不仁

還會誤以為修行有所成就

卻沒發現

癡參雜在心中

貪跟瞋只是被壓抑住

隨時在等待機會作出更強大的攻擊

尊者當時說了

曾經遭遇極大痛苦的

特別容易卡在捨中

脫離的過程並不是什麼愉快的經歷

但是

這是必須的

長期卡在裡面

卡的越久脫離的時候越苦

理想的狀態是

不善心生起時，覺性也跟著生起

立刻將不善心捨掉

而不是被捨心或不善心給控制住而不自知

在嘗試脫離的期間

也可以去練習其他的業處

去種善因

這樣哪天脫離捨的時候

脫離過程，才不至於心承受不了

要勇敢

願各位幸福無煩惱

==============================

In a previous article on kusala and akusala (wholesome and unwholesome states),
I touched on various mind states.
Here, I want to delve deeper into one particular state—equanimity (upekkhā).

While equanimity is generally considered a wholesome mind state,
it carries potential risks that can approach those of unwholesome states.

The Subtle Trap of Equanimity

When stuck in this state, sensory experiences become faint and muted.
Joy manifests as a subtle, lingering satisfaction.
Sorrow, too, appears as a gentle, subdued melancholy.

Even physical sensations, like the extremes of heat or cold,
barely register as discomfort.

In short, all forms of experience become bland and distant.

Why Is This Dangerous?

At first, I mistook this state as attaining the third stage of enlightenment (anāgāmi).
This was a grave micchā-diṭṭhi (wrong view) arising from delusion (moha).
I believed that since greed (lobha) and hatred (dosa) had disappeared,
I had made significant progress.

Fortunately, I had a kalyāṇamitta (spiritual friend)—a venerable teacher—
who pulled me out of this delusion.
The method was admittedly harsh but effective.

Awakening to the Truth

The venerable skillfully disturbed the false equanimity,
striking at the heart of my complacency.
As a result, dosa (aversion) resurfaced,
and in that moment, I realized I had merely been trapped in this state.

It was not a true liberation from greed and hatred—
they had only been suppressed,
lurking in the background, waiting to re-emerge with greater intensity.

The venerable explained:
those who have endured great suffering
are particularly prone to getting stuck in equanimity.

Escaping this state is neither easy nor pleasant.
The longer one remains trapped,
the more painful the eventual escape.

The Path Forward

The ideal is to recognize unwholesome states the moment they arise,
accompanied by mindfulness (sati),
and immediately abandon them.

Instead of being controlled by equanimity or delusion,
the mind must remain aware and unattached.

During the process of breaking free,
it’s helpful to engage in other wholesome practices (kusalakamma),
such as cultivating dāna (generosity), sīla (virtue), or bhāvanā (meditation).
These wholesome roots strengthen the mind,
making it more resilient when the time comes to let go of equanimity.

Courage and Perseverance

Breaking free from the trap of equanimity requires great courage.
It may be uncomfortable, but it is necessary.
Remember, the longer one remains stuck,
the harder it will be to emerge.

Be brave. Observe the arising and passing of mind states without clinging.
And when the time comes, let go.

May everyone be happy and free from suffering.