Cooling the Mind, Warming the Heart

Cooling the mind begins with developing our ability to resolve our own negative thoughts and emotions like desire, irritation, anger, resentment, confusion, etc., the things that make our mind “hot” and bring unhappiness. This first step in cooling the mind also includes learning skillful ways to deal with the negative attitudes and behaviors of others. Cooling continues with deepening states of calm and stillness on and off the cushion and comes to completion with full liberation.
Warming the heart is an essential part of our practice as we develop the mind and is usually accomplished through cultivation of generosity and the Brahmaviharas: kindness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity.