The Difference Between the Awakening Factor of Equanimity and the Equanimity of the Volitional Aggregate

The enlightenment factor of letting go (upekṣā) is the last of the seven enlightenment factors: the mindfulness enlightenment factor, the investigation-of-dharma enlightenment factor, the effort enlightenment factor, the joy enlightenment factor, the tranquility enlightenment factor, the meditation (samādhi) enlightenment factor, and the letting-go enlightenment factor. Letting go means relinquishing all burdens and encumbrances of body and mind—whether wholesome or unwholesome, painful or pleasant—relinquishing every kind of feeling and experience, so that the mind is pure and without contrivance.

Conductual letting go (upekṣā), also called non-harming (avihiṃsā), means relinquishing unwholesome and evil actions and volitional activities. For example, one originally wanted to take revenge on someone, but now no longer wants to, having relinquished the act of revenge; one was originally jealous of others and wished to harm them, but now is no longer jealous and no longer wishes to harm anyone. Having relinquished unwholesome conduct, the mind is pure, or abides in the wholesome. The feelings and experiences involved cannot necessarily be relinquished; there may still be joy and bliss in the mind, tranquility (praśama), or other kinds of feelings. This differs from the enlightenment factor of letting go.