The four brahma viharas with their near and far enemies form a complete map of our emotional responses to the joys and sorrows of life. This talk focuses primarily on the qualities of compassion and mudita.
Liberation begins with appreciation of one’s own heart, one’s sensitivity. Learn to linger in it, and speak to it with kindness. Gladness and ease naturally arise, and the mind becomes concentrated. This is the natural Dhamma process.
This talk discusses the nature of the heart practices of metta, karuna, mudita and upekkha and how they support wise response. The heart of the talk explains forgiveness as a manifestation of wisdom and compassion.
As the arc of practice develops from releasing suffering, dukkha, towards greater happiness, sukha, we often encounter conditioning that gets in the way of opening to deeper ease and freedom. The brahmavihara practice of mudita, appreciative joy, can be a support for releasing that conditioning.
A brief overview of mudita, appreciative joy, followed by a guided meditation offering mudita to a good friend who is experiencing success and happiness
Starting with metta practice, then turning it towards what's going well in a good friend's life, and offering them mudita or appreciative joy using the reciting phrases method of practice
{This talk is part of a set of two recordings from the retreat (Instructions – Mudita; Guided Meditation on Appreciative Joy). Both recordings focus on Mudita (appreciative/altruistic joy) with practical instructions and a guided meditation.}
{This talk is part of a set of two recordings from the retreat (Instructions – Mudita; Guided Meditation on Appreciative Joy). Both recordings focus on Mudita (appreciative/altruistic joy) with practical instructions and a guided meditation.}
In the Buddhist teachings, these four practices–loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity–are considered the highest qualities of heart and emotional wellbeing.
