In a time of physical isolation it is essential to know how to generate love from the inside. The Brahma Viharas, or The Four Immeasurable Minds, are the Buddha’s teachings on love. The four qualities of friendliness, compassion, resonant joy, and equanimity offer a time-tested path that anyone can follow to nurture the deepest love for all beings, including ourselves.

This week's practice: 

- Practice sending metta, karuna, or mudita to a person you find challenging every day this week.  See what happens. - Play with the idea that "people are doing their best, given their circumstances." What do you notice in your body in response to this phrase? Are there different words and phrases that help you to stay open in the face of people you find difficult, grounded in the impermanent, conditioned nature of existence?

 “Everyone wants a happy life without difficulties or suffering. We create many of the problems we face. No one intentionally creates problems, but we tend to be slaves to powerful emotions like anger, hatred and attachment that are based on misconceived projections about people and things. We need to find ways of reducing these emotions by eliminating the ignorance that underlies them and applying opposing forces.” ~ HH the Dalai Lama

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This course is offered by Dharma Pathways, a collaboration of dedicated Buddhist monastics whose aspiration is to support individuals and communities on the path of awakening, service, and wellbeing. Click here to sign up for our Newsletter and be informed about future offerings.

As monastics we share the Dharma freely and live from what is offered.  We rely solely on donations to support our basic needs, our outreach, and our studies.  You are welcome to make a donation to the teacher or the whole organization here to help us continue to make courses like these possible.