The Four Brahma Viharas

The Four Brahma Viharas or sublime moods are also subjects mentioned in the writings of the pali Canon and have come to occupy an important position in the field of Buddhism. They are not strictly meditations as they belong to the field of the higher emotions rather than the mind.

The following quotation from the mahasudassana sutta summarizes the nature and purpose of the exercise.

"And he lets his mind pervade one quarter of the world with thoughts of Love, with thoughts of Compassion, with thoughts of sympathetic, Joy and with thoughts of Equanimity; and so the second quarter, and so the third, and so the fourth. And thus the whole wide world, above, below, around and everywhere does he continue to pervade with heart of love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity, far-reaching, great, beyond measure, free from the least trace of anger or ill-will."

In the Love meditation the meditator sends Love meditation the meditator sends Love as it were into the world around him, compassion then looks down towards the world and all its suffering. Joy is the emotion which looks upward to the world of happiness, finally Equanimity restores the harmony disturbed through self-identification with these two extremes.

Meditation

LOVE-meditate on Love without any restrictions.

Suffuse your whole being with Love.

Attune yourself to Love at its highest-that is the power which works for the development of the full potentiality of all beings.

Become as the spirit of love, and radiate Love to all around you, both to friend and enemies alike.

COMPASSION-represents eternal harmony which arises from understanding Love.

Attune yourself to the All compassionate One that is the Buddha. Become as the Enlightened one, and look down to the world of suffering with utmost compassion.

JOY-to be joyful is to be happy,and it affirms the situation you are in. Be happy for other people and their success, but at the same time look within yourself for any trace of jealousy. Feel that other people's happiness is your happiness.

EQUANIMITY-is serenity and composure which comes from detachment. Composure in an angry man is impressive. Develop a constant and unwavering steadiness of heart in all circumstances. whether unfacourable or facourable. After passing through Love, compassion and Joy return to the equilibrium of your innermost spirit.