Mudita - the study of "Empathic Joy."
The Buddha called mudita a “rare and beautiful quality.” It is a boundless state that responds to others’ successes not with withdrawal or envy, but with active delight. Cultivating the quality of mudita helps uproot the unhappy states of envy, judgment and comparison. It is also said to be the most difficult of the brahma viharas to develop.
Yesterday, my heart felt a little poisonous. Not 100% poisonous, but still...there were moments when I wished others ill will, and felt lost and unsure of myself and envy in my heart at other people's accomplishments. Just found out that a former colleague of mine is featured in this month's Vogue and I could barely feign interest. Inside I was dying 1,000 deaths and counting my resentments. It hurts to feel those feelings. I hurt my own feelings yesterday. I wasn't happy about the way I was feeling, but didn't know what to do to shift it either.
I stumbled upon an article about a woman who teaches mudita and here are some of her words that comforted me. "I don't think I appreciated, when I first learned it, that mudita is not about really wishing that the other person's good fortune should continue. It's practicing so that your own mind doesn't cave in to despair and envy or jealousy."
Aha...this I can relate to! Kind of like, build it and they will come...bring the body and the mind will follow...I don't want my mind to cave in to despair/envy/jealousy/inadequacy/etc. so I will delight in other's accomplishments, even if I have to fake it until I make it. And try to forgive myself too for feeling so "less than" right now. This too shall pass...xoxo
For more on the concept of mudita, click here.
About Us
- Highest Unfolding
- I am a mother, teacher of Kundalini yoga and meditation, and Reiki healer. I also have an MA in Psychology and co-facilitate hospice groups for the newly bereaved. Keeping the heart open - no matter what! That is my life's purpose. It is a daily (life long) practice that gives my life meaning.
1 comment:
What has transpired most relevantly for me on this journey thus far, is that it has no end. Divinity is a course that continues infinitely to higher and higher degrees of perfection and integration. I am discovering or simply remembering that there is no "getting" somewhere or something, just a continual state of impermanence, experience without attachment. This precise moment is all that is. Gradually
as we evolve and repeat cycles numerous times, we begin to remember what "home" feels like, and we begin to understand what drives us in this world is our deepest desire to be "home" again. And that is the present moment we desire to cultivate over and over again, sometimes with painful results, other times with joyful reunions.
I find that acknowledgment of personal pain and/or limitations within one's character is truly the beginning, the first level of genuine healing and transformation. Can envy or any other undesirable emotion simply be a mask we use in denial of our own unrealized divine potential? How big can we be without personal attachment and ego? When we can actualize our divinity in our daily lives through our daily practice, we build our character, one piece at a time. With deep resolve and commitment, we accept personal responsiblity, live with impeccability and integrity, and begin the process of washing away our sins (all the karmic debris and residue) that hinders and obstructs our light. And when we fail, we simply start again. By practicing true forgiveness, anything can be redeemed. Can true freedom be found here on earth with such simple codes and means?
Imagine what it could feel like to
not be enslaved by our shadows. Can we genuinely admire and celebrate others accomplishments and allow these positive and genuine feelings to permeate our entire being? How transformative can this be? Can we then begin to recognize that divinity is orchestrating the larger context of all worldly service. If we can find worthy role models who are genuinely living as divine beings in the fullness of their lives, perhaps we can begin to "emulate" their virtuous natures and paths. We can also honor and be grateful to all those who have gone before us and have paved the way of this miraculous journey with light and love.
I am continually inspired by all the "Faces of God" in this world, especially the ones who remain anonymous and humble, feeding the hungry souls of humans everywhere and never asking for anything in return.
May we all serve selflessly and joyously. May we make our divinity grand in this world, feeding and being fed simultaneously. May God provide infinite nourishment to all.
Peace to everyone everywhere.
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