Impartiality Meditation

Visualize in front of you three people: first, someone you are very fond of, who makes you happy just thinking of them. Next to him or her, imagine someone you dislike, who the mere thought of makes you unhappy. Finally, next to that person, visualize someone you don’t know and are indifferent to.

Bring forward the image of the person you are fond of. Examine why you feel close to this individual and enjoy their company. Is it really because of the individual, or is it because they say things you like to hear, do nice things for you, or treat you well? In other words, is your fondness of this person really about them, or is it about you and your preferences?

Consider your past and future relationship with this person. Perhaps at one point you did not know this person, and if you had seen them on the street you wouldn’t have paid them a second thought. Then, perhaps they became an acquaintance and eventually you became quite fond of them. Or, perhaps at one point you disliked this person, but then with changing circumstances, you grew to care for them. Then imagine how you could eventually drift away from this person and become indifferent to them. Likewise, consider what type of circumstances or actions could turn your friendly relationship into one of animosity.

Next, bring forward the image of the person whom you dislike. Examine why you truly dislike this person. Is it because of who they truly are that you dislike them? Or, is it because they say things you don’t like, do things you don’t approve of, or treat you poorly? Perhaps there are people who don’t look at this person with animosity. Could it be that the reason you dislike this person has more to do with you and your preferences then the actual person themselves?

Consider your past and future relationship with this person. Was there always animosity, or was this person once someone you would have regarded with indifference or perhaps even enjoyed having around? Consider the circumstances that changed the nature of this relationship. Then, imagine how further changing of circumstances could once again shift the relationship to one of indifference, or perhaps even one of friendship.

Lastly, bring forward the image of the person with whom you are unfamiliar or about whom you have no definite opinion. In the same way, consider your past and future relationship with this person. Perhaps at one point in your life, you were very close to this person or maybe you disliked them strongly. However, over time you may have drifted away and not thought about this person one way or the other. Also, consider how you could easily get to know this person and develop a loving attitude for them. Perhaps they decide to join a community you are part of for example. Also consider how circumstances could easily turn this relationship of indifference to one of animosity. In addition, examine why you see this person with indifference in the first place. Is it really because of who this person is, or is it because they have not done anything that pleases you, not done anything for you, not said things that you like to hear?

When we see people, we see them in terms of these three categories: friends, enemies and strangers. However, none of them exist in this way inherently or permanently.

How we view people is greatly distorted by our own ego, and our relationship to them is ultimately unstable and constantly shifting with changing circumstances. If we consider who these people really are, they are all sentient beings. They are all exactly the same in that they wish to be happy and free from suffering. Thus, there is really no reason to discriminate between them with attachment, aversion and indifference. You must meditate on this and come to this conclusion over and over again. Eventually, you will develop a true impartiality and equanimity toward all beings.