03/11/2025
✨ The Four Divine Abodes in Buddhism ✨
This week's Buddha Doodle is inspired by the Brahmaviharas, also known as the Four Immeasurables or Four Divine Abodes — states of mind that help us cultivate love, wisdom, and compassion for all beings (including ourselves).
🌸 Loving-Kindness (Metta) — The sincere wish for the happiness, well-being, and safety of all beings.
✨ How to practice: Pause and silently wish a loved one (or yourself) to be happy, safe, and well — "May you be happy. May you be safe. May you feel at peace."
🌺 Compassion (Karuna) — The deep, heartfelt response to suffering — a desire to ease the pain of others and ourselves.
✨ How to practice: When you see someone struggling (including yourself), take a deep breath and gently say, "This is hard. May you (or I) be held in kindness."
🌈 Sympathetic Joy (Mudita) — The ability to truly rejoice in the happiness and success of others.
✨ How to practice: Think of someone who recently had something good happen. Take a moment to celebrate them in your heart: "I’m so happy for you!"
🌿 Equanimity (Upekkha) — A calm and balanced mind that holds both joy and sorrow with steadiness.
✨ How to practice: When life feels overwhelming, pause and say, "Things are as they are right now. I can meet this moment with calm."
Together, these four qualities are like essential tools for a kind and open heart — helping us ease anger, jealousy, and indifference, and expand our capacity to love.
💫 Which one of these feels like it would bring you the most balance or joy right now? Pick one to focus on this week and see how it shifts your day-to-day moments. 🌿
