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JAWA
Equanimity should not be equated to indifference, nor does it mean accepting everything, especially if it is unjust. Mahaveer could have avoided the serpent and followed an alternative path as per the advice of the local villagers. Instead he confronted the serpent, but in a non-violent manner. If he had chosen the safe course, the serpent's terror would not have come to an end until its death. This incident demonstrates that "non-violence is not the safety armor of cowards but an ornament of the braves."
Modern management schools spend years in teaching different techniques to improve one's management skills. In many respects they tell you to remain equanimous when handling tough crisis or calamities. If one were to practice Mahaveer's formula in critical situations, one would have already solved most of the problems. Further, this formula helps in self-improvement resulting in empowerment. Constant practice of forgiveness will lead the person towards spirituality.
A person forgiving and asking for forgiveness soon becomes aware and starts correcting his inner weaknesses. The point when one starts comprehending the inner equanimity is exactly the point when one enters the realm of spirituality. A person in equanimity naturally practices non-violence, non-possessiveness, and non-one-sidedness. Conversely, a person practicing Ahimsa automatically starts becoming more and more equanimous. Equanimity was the whole result of Mahaveer's practice of nonviolence, non-possession and non-absolutism that I understand.
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