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Equanimity and Meditation
Gates of Holiness, 4th chapter, Second Gate
section 5; translation by Zechariah Goldman
Behold, after a person is worthy of the secret of deveikut
(bonding with
G-d) one may become worthy of the secret of hishtavut
(equanimity). If a person is worthy of attaining equanimity, one may become
worthy of attaining hitbodidut (meditation). After a person is worthy of
reaching the level of meditation, one may become worthy of Divine inspiration,
and then one may become worthy of prophecy...  | | " Of two persons - one of them honors you and the second insults you - are they equal in your eyes?" | | |
In explanation of the secret of equanimity, Rabbi Avner told me
the following: A rabbi once came to one of the meditative Kabbalists and
requested of him to be accepted as an initiate. The Master said to him, "Blessed
are you my son to G-d, for your intention is a good one. However, tell me
whether you have attained equanimity or not?" The rabbi said to him, "Master,
explain your words." The Master replied, "If there are two persons - one of them
honors you and the second insults you - are they equal in your eyes or not?" The
rabbi said to the Master, "No my master. For I feel pleasure and satisfaction
from the person who honors me, and pain from the one who insults me. But I do
not take revenge nor bear a grudge."
The Master said to the rabbi, "My son, go in peace. For until
such time that you have attained equanimity, until your soul does not feel the
honor of the one who honors you and the embarrassment of the one who insults
you, your consciousness is not ready to be attached to the supernal realm, which
is a prerequisite to meditation. So go and surrender your heart even more, a
true surrendering, until you have attained equanimity. Then you will be able to
meditate."
And equanimity comes by attaching one's consciousness to G-d,
i.e., deveikut (bonding). For it is the attachment of a person's
consciousness to G-d that enables a person to ignore the honor or the insults...
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