Entering the Sublime Abodes

Meditation Retreat

Enter the realms of Loving Kindness (Metta), Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity through meditation, poetry and visual expression. The four Brahmavihara meditations are gateways to enlightened emotions and the ground for Bodhicitta.

The Four Immeasurables, Sublime Abodes, Brahmaviharas - what beautiful names for these states of being. On retreat we will engage different parts of ourselves to bring kindness, compassion, shared joy and equanimity into being. Through meditation we'll cultivate the inner sensitivity and presence that will help us bring the sublime qualities into our lives. We will also hear poetry to inspire the attitudes of kindness and joy and the wisdom of equanimity. We may even be moved to create art of our own! Conditions will be set for imagination, mind, and heart all to be engaged.

• Metta Bhavana - Development of Loving Kindness - friendliness and the kind wish for all to be well and to have cause for happiness
• Karuna Bhavana - Development of Compassion - the wish for all beings to be safe and free from suffering
• Mudita Bhavana - Development of Sympathetic Joy - delight and joy at the good fortunes and well-being of others
• Upekkha Bhavana - Development of Equanimity - tranquility, clarity and ease with regard to all aspects of life, the joys as well as the difficulties, and extending equally for all beings without exception

These traditional practices are also part of the FWBO System of Meditation. They cultivate positive emotion, integration, and calm. The meditations connect us deeply to others and lay the ground for the arising of the Bodhicitta - the spirit of awakening for the benefit of all beings. Both compassion and wisdom develop through practice of the Brahmaviharas.