Equanimity: Finding Balance in Difficult Times
Explore the development of equanimity in meditation and how it can be applied in everyday life.
with James Baraz, MA
Equanimity (upekkhā) is a highly-valued quality in Buddhist teachings. But what is equanimity? How do we cultivate it in our meditation practice? Even more, how do we access it in daily life, especially in times like these with so much uncertainty, fear, and sadness over the suffering in the world?
Reflections from Past Participants
What You'll Practice
- Guided meditations to support experiential understanding
- Dharma talks with practical examples for daily life
- Inquiry prompts to deepen self-awareness and reflection
- Movement practices to ground equanimity in the body
- Anchor into connection as you learn and practice what it means and how it feels to be engaged with community.
This Course is for You if:
- You’re feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world and want a grounded, wise way to engage
- You seek more steadiness and perspective in your practice and in your life
- You want to understand and embody equanimity, not just as a concept but as a lived experience
- You’re curious how Buddhist teachings can support you in uncertain or painful times
- You’re ready to bring more kindness, wisdom, and clarity into your relationships.
What You Receive
5 hrs of video teachings
2 hrs Guided meditations
Readings, Self-Inquiry, and Integration Practices
Live Community Question & Response sessions
Interviews with Founding Insight Meditation teachers
Lifetime Access to Course
Course Syllabus
- Introduction & Welcome
- Exploring Equanimity
- Practice: Letting Go of Judgment
- Movement: Enjoying the Moment
- Seeing Things as They Are
- Practice: Looking through the Lens of Anicca
- Looking through the Lens of Vedanā
- Practice: Noticing the “Flavor” of Moments
- The Field in Which All Things Come and Go
- Practice: Big Sky
- Movement: Awareness That’s Knowing Everything
- Everything Arises & Passes
- Practice: Formal Equanimity Practices
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Equanimity, Centeredness, & Acting Wisely
- Closing
Meet The Teacher
James Baraz, MA
Equanimity: Finding Balance in Difficult Times teacher
James Baraz, MA, has a master’s in Psychology and is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center. James started the Community Dharma Leader program, the Kalyana Mitta Network, the Spirit Rock Family Program and helped create the Heavenly Messengers Training Program. James has been leading the online course Awakening Joy since 2003. He serves as a guiding teacher to One Earth Sangha, a Virtual EcoDharma Center devoted to Buddhist responses to Climate Change. He co-authored Awakening Joy and Awakening Joy for Kids.
Select Your Rate
Payment Plan
- Guided meditation sessions with master teachers
- Hear inspiring stories from decades of teaching
- Apply mindfulness to daily challenges
- Insights from Buddhism's influential teachers
- Live Q&A with teachers
- Lifetime access to recordings
11 weekly payments of
$99
Full Payment
- Guided meditation sessions with master teachers
- Hear inspiring stories from decades of teaching
- Apply mindfulness to daily challenges
- Insights from Buddhism's influential teachers
- Live Q&A with teachers
- Lifetime access to recordings
.
$999
- Scholarships are very limited and reserved for those who are truly experiencing financial hardship. Click here to apply.
Add-ons (Optional)
You can add during checkout
Continuing Education
5 CE Credits – $50
This program offers 5 CE credits for $50 for psychologists, California licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors, and may be applicable for other licenses. Please review our CEC information page for full provider information.
This program offers 5 homestudy CE credits for $50 for psychologists, and California licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors. Please review our Continuing Education Credit information page to determine if your association or board will accept credits offered by Spirit Rock.*
Healthcare providers can benefit from exploring the development of equanimity in their mindfulness practice as it can help them cultivate a sense of calm and balance in the face of uncertainty, fear, and sadness that they encounter in their work. By applying aspects of equanimity pragmatically in their daily life, healthcare providers can enhance their ability to navigate challenging situations, maintain emotional resilience, and provide compassionate care to patients.
This continuing education course offers valuable insights and techniques that may be shared with patients and clients.
Teachings are appropriate for health care professionals as well as the general public.
Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals-
At the end of the program, you will be better able to:
- Define equanimity and its relevance to the healthcare profession, including its potential benefits for patient care and personal well-being;
- Describe practical techniques and strategies for cultivating equanimity through meditation practice, allowing healthcare providers to enhance their emotional resilience, maintain composure in challenging situations, and provide compassionate care to patients;
- Describe how equanimity can be accessed and applied in daily life, particularly in times of uncertainty, fear, and sadness, in order to support personal well-being, reduce burnout, and foster empathetic connections with patients;
- Apply equanimity practices to patient interactions, enabling healthcare providers to respond with empathy, non-judgment, and calmness in the face of patients’ suffering.
Continuing Education content level: Introductory
*Please note:
- For full Provider information and additional CEC information, including attendance requirements, cancellation, and grievance policies, please visit our Continuing Education Credit information page.
- For those with a different license than listed above or with a license from a different board or association than listed on our CEC info page, please contact your licensing board or association directly to request pre-approval/acceptance of CE credits offered at Spirit Rock. Spirit Rock does not confirm the applicability of credit for those with licenses different than those listed.
- Spirit Rock is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16905 for 5 contact hours.
- Credit is awarded for instructional time only and does not include extended silent meditation if offered.
- Attendance is demonstrated through a comprehensive assessment at the end of the course, with a passing criterion of at least a 75% percent score. The assessment may be repeated if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access my program on the Online Learning Platform?
Although our Programs are available on any device, we suggest using a computer (if possible) and Chrome or Firefox browser to log in: https://courses.spiritrock.org
To access the course:
• Use a computer and the Chrome or Firefox browser to log in at courses.spiritrock.org.
• Please note: Your login for the Online Learning Platform is separate from your Spirit Rock website login.
• Once logged in, your dashboard will display all your enrolled courses.
• Click on your program, then use the menu on the left to navigate through course sections.
How can I best view the content?
Although the Online Learning Platform works on mobile and tablet devices, for the best experience, use a desktop or laptop. This might be an easier way to find all the areas of the site as you are learning how it works.
What is the course format?
All of our on-demand courses are offered in a flexible self-study format, so you can access the materials whenever is good for you. Readings, video, audio, and all resources are structured for sequential access in our Online Learning Platform.
Can I participate from a different time zone?
Yes of course! We have students from all over the world participate in our courses. These self-paced study and practice courses are available wherever you are in the world, and whenever works best for you.
How long will I have access to the course?
You have lifetime access to the course and all materials.
I have more questions. Can you help me?
Yes! Please email us at courses@spiritrock.org with any questions that you might have.
