In this episode we explore the heart practices of Mindfulness. These are known as the Brahma Viharas, or Four Divine Abodes, or the Four Immeasurables, I call them, simply, the four faces of love: Lovingkindness (Metta in the ancient language of Pali); Compassion (Karuna in Pali); Appreciative Joy (Mudita in Pali) and Equanimity (Ipekkha in Pali). These aspects of universal love point to our built-in and shared spiritual nature from which spring feelings of our interconnectedness. These practices light our path and lead us to acting with friendliness, kindness, and balance rather than acting from ugliness, hate, or indifference to ourselves and all others.

It might feel daunting to open your heart to those with whom you have conflict and that’s why starting with the formal practices associated with these four aspects of universal love are so powerful. Formal practice gives us a foundation that we can build on in our daily lives. In later shows we’ll explore each one of the formal practices.