the Four Brahma-viharas

This is a great list for me to keep in mind as I explore the contours of my spiritual and political explorations, commitments, and practices.



Four Brahma-viharas (Highest Attitudes/Emotions)

Heavenly or sublime abodes (best home).

"Near enemy" is a quality that can masquerade as the original, but is not the original. 

"Far enemy" is the opposite quality.

1. Lovingkindness, good-will (metta): 
• Near enemy – attachment; 
• Far enemy – hatred 
2. Compassion (karuna): 
• Near enemy – pity; 
• Far enemy – cruelty 
3. Sympathetic joy, Appreciation (mudita), joy at the good fortune of others: 
• Near enemy – comparison, hypocrisy, insincerity, joy for others but tinged with identification (my team, my child); 
• Far enemy – envy 
4. Equanimity (upekkha): 
• Near enemy – indifference; 
• Far enemy – anxiety, greed 

from:
http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/books-articles/dhamma-lists/