Practicing the Four Immeasurable Qualities
Alexis Weiss
ATLA Summary of Proceedings November 26, 2022 DOI: 10.31046/proceedings.2022.3149 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Practical guide or manual Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Describes the four immeasurable qualities—loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity—as heart meditations taught across Buddhist traditions and open to people of all faiths or none, and presents a worship service structured as a dharma talk followed by guided meditation instructions. |
Abstract
Originating in pre-Buddhist times and present in the teachings of several yogic traditions of India, the cultivation of the four immeasurable qualities (Brahmavihara or Apramana) is taught as essential across Buddhist traditions. These qualities—loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative/sympathetic joy, and equanimity—are practiced as heart meditations, companions to mindfulness and insight. While the practices associated are from the Buddhist tradition, they are universally welcoming to people of all faiths or of none, to cultivate an awakened heart in service to others. This Worship service follows the format of a traditional dharma talk, followed by guided meditation instructions.