Rev. Vicky's Message October 15, 2026

As I reflected on what to share in this week’s Minister’s Message – two thoughts came to mind. The first being how my heart was broken open last Saturday at the film premiere of “All That’s Left of Us.”  And the second being Pope Leo IVX’s lung cancer diagnosis, that also triggered sadness – though, gratefully, tinged with hope and prayers for his healing and wholeness.

Having my heart broken open and/or seeking to protect it from debilitating despair have become much more familiar occurrences over the past few years, given all that is going on in the world today. And, to be honest, trying to hold compassion and maintain equanimity together can sometimes feel like a contradiction: caring too much can lead to burnout, whereas too much self-protection can feel like avoidance and become numbness.

When I start feeling torn in this way…it’s a clear sign that I need to go within…where I am reminded of one of my own mantras: Both–And. In exploring this deeper, I came across a helpful Buddhist blog entry (https://gassho.info/blog-page/compassion-and-equanimity-together/)

“Compassion and equanimity can be understood as two qualities that protect each other. Compassion and Equanimity Together points to a middle way that is not lukewarm. It is intimate without being entangled. It is steady without being shut down. It is the difference between being present with what’s hard and being swallowed by it. Together they form a way of meeting life that is both tender and stable.

“Seen as a lens, compassion is the simple recognition that suffering matters. Equanimity is the recognition that experience changes, that people have their own causes and conditions, and that not everything can be controlled.

“When compassion and equanimity are together, attention tends to widen. Compassion is the warmth that doesn’t abandon experience, even when experience is messy. Equanimity is the space that doesn’t demand experience be different. Together they feel like being able to sit with life as it is, without losing the human wish for things to be less painful.”

But, as the article also points out – the practice is rarely even. Holding both doesn’t mean never feeling anger or grief. “Strong emotions can arise alongside care and steadiness. The difference is not the absence of emotion; it is the reduced compulsion to act from the first wave.”

And finally, “Compassion and equanimity together are not an idea to hold tightly, but a texture that can be noticed. Warmth can be present without grasping, and steadiness can be present without closing. In the midst of changing conditions, something simple remains available: awareness meeting what is here.”

I found these clarifications to be quite helpful. I hope you do as well. I have also found that consciously looking for opportunities to seek justice (e.g., COPA), love and practice kindness in my daily living, as well as allowing myself to experience great joy, and deep gratitude  – all while humbly and regularly connecting with my God – are also very helpful.

And speaking of deep gratitude…I am so grateful to be sharing this journey with this beloved community – especially in these difficult, turbulent, and confounding times.

Namasté

Rev. Vicky