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Dharma Seedlings - The Brahmaviharas
This month’s Dharma Seedlings, the Brahmaviharas, takes us to the expressions of the awakened heart: Loving Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity. Also known as the divine abodes, four immeasurables, and the four boundless qualities. These aspects are inherently present, but sometimes these get obscured, due to our inability to see clearly. When we practice in wholesome ways, we slowly, but inevitably, gain more access to these ever-present qualities of the human heart that are the natural responsiveness of our heart and mind.
In last month’s Dharma Seedlings, we explored taking refuge in the Three Gems, the first of which is taking refuge in the Buddha. When we take refuge in the Buddha, we are in part saying, “these Brahmaviharas are Buddha-nature - the essence of this heart," and “the Dharma teachings are a way to access these abodes on the way to freedom."
In the story of the Golden Buddha, a cement Buddha statue is discovered to be a pure gold Buddha that they surmise got covered over with cement during a time of thievery to protect its valuable gold. In same way, we cover our tender hearts to protect ourselves from the difficulties and pain of life. We get confused and scared and end up grasping at what can never bring us happiness; we get lost in a separate sense of self; and we lose contact with our original openness and ease. If we can turn toward the Brahmaviharas, something more wholesome may emerge - we are able to stay more present with a challenge that arises; we see a situation with more compassion; we can appreciate another’s good fortune; or maybe we can meet a situation with profound balance.
There are many ways to engage in Brahmavihara practice. This month, one invitation is to play with drenching and infusing the body in these qualities. Sense Loving Kindness, Compassion, Appreciative Joy and Equanimity as showering through you. Or start with this intention: May whatever arises in my heart and mind be met skillfully with either Loving Kindness, Compassion, Appreciative Joy or Equanimity. Practicing in these ways can help us connect with these aspects that lie dormant within us and support us on the path of freedom.
Please thank Denise Ackert for this Dharma Seedling.
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