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Thursday March 18, 2010

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equanimity [ee-kwuh-NIM-uh-tee; ek-wuh-]

noun

1. Evenness of mind; composure; calmness; as, to bear misfortunes with equanimity.

• Drawing on a 2,500-year-old science of the mind called Vipassana, Gonzalez and Byron preach portfolio prudence through "mindfulness meditation" -- a woolly sounding wheeze designed to steer investors away from worldly distractions (and depressing business news) into a state of exalted equanimity. In other words --don't worry, be happy.
  Dana Lacey, "Relax, don't panic and just be happy", National Post, Feb 26, 2010
• The "Daily Show" host delivered his message in a somber tone, occasionally fading into a look of exasperation as the two men wrangled. O'Reilly challenged his arguments, but with equanimity. The result was a forceful but amiable exchange.
  Matea Gold, "TALK SHOWDOWN; Comedian Jon Stewart trades barbs with pundit Bill O'Reilly", Los Angeles Times, Feb 4, 2010
• To grow in self-control, in patience, in equanimity, is to grow in strength and power; and you can only thus grow by focusing your consciousness upon a principle.
  James Allen (1864 - 1912) A British writer and poet. The Way of Peace (1907)

Origin of the Word

Equanimity, approximately 1600, derives from French equanimite, from Latin aequanimitas, from aequus "even" + animus "mind, spirit."