BRAHMAVIHARAS/DIVINE ABODES Brahmavihara Definition Far Enemy Near Enemy To Be Avoided Result of Practice Loving Kindness Wishing happiness for Hatred; anger Conditional love; Attachment Counteracts shutting May you be happy others; unconditional expectations down, closing one’s May you be well love Wanting others to be heart May you be safe different May you live with ease Compassion Wanting others to be Cruelty; wanting others Pity Sentimentality Remove self May you be free from free from suffering to suffer Idiot compassion centeredness suffering May you be at peace Appreciative Joy Being happy with Jealousy; envy Hypocrisy; Affectation; Spaced out bliss; Dissolves need for My you savor your someone else’s good Inability to accept comparing mind chasing after a fix; external validation happiness fortune; saying ‘yes’ to another’s happiness judging addiction to good Enoughness My your joy continue the life that is here feelings Equanimity Regarding every being Prejudice; bias Indifference; denial; Apathy; not caring Removes prejudice, I will care for you but as equal; clear minded; resignation; reactivity cannot take away your tranquil state; balance complacency; cynicism pain Your happiness depends on your actions, not on my wishes for you Loving Kindness, love that connects, is an antidote to all forms of aversion. It is never attachment. If it slides into sentimentality, compassion brings the heart back into balance. Compassion, love that responds, is an antidote to cruelty. It is never pity. If it slides into sorrow, joy brings the heart back into balance. Appreciative Joy, love that celebrates, is an antidote to envy. It is never competitive. If it slides into agitated excitement, equanimity brings the heart back into balance. Equanimity, love that allows, is an antidote to partiality. It is never indifferent. If it slides into disconnection, loving kindness brings the heart back into balance. *Crafted by Mindfulness Teachers Caroline Jones and Paul Burrows.