The brahma viharas are four virtues or “divine abodes” in Buddhism: loving-kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), sympathetic joy (mudita), and equanimity (upekkha). These are considered sublime because they are cultivated to achieve a higher, more compassionate state of being, free from hatred and ill-will. 

On Thursday at the Stockport group, Prasiddhi introduced us to these four. He then led meditations developing compassion and sympathetic joy. Everyone had the opportunity for.a discussion in small groups before the ritual of rejoicing in merit and self surrender.