This extract is taken from the introduction to my current course on Mudita, which is part of a broader series on the brahma-viharas, also known as the “immeasurables.” Mudita, the third of the Brahmaviharas after loving-kindness and compassion, is often translated as sympathetic or empathetic joy and described as “feeling happy because others are happy.” Personally, I find this interpretation misleading.
A first-century text called the Path to Freedom offers insight into mudita’s cultivation: When you see or hear that someone is appreciated by others and is content and joyful, you think: “Sadhu! Sadhu! May he continue joyful for a long time!” (By the way, “Sadhu” translates to something like “Yay!” or “Great!”)
Buddha’s teachings do not provide a clear definition of mudita. The Path to Freedom is the earliest text I know that gives a detailed description of mudita and how to cultivate it. This goes beyond merely being happy for someone else’s happiness, which can be complicated by moral issues, such as feeling glad for someone who has gained happiness through unethical means.
Practicing mudita involves appreciating actions and qualities that are skillful, leading to what can be called “joyful appreciation.”
There is a progression in the first three brahma-viharas:
1. Metta (kindness): We desire long-term happiness and well-being for others. We express kindness in words, actions, and thoughts, making others feel valued.
2. Karuna (compassion): Knowing that others suffer, we want to alleviate their suffering so they can find happiness.
3. Mudita: We want others to be happy by developing qualities that lead to genuine happiness. Hence, we recognize, appreciate, and encourage these positive qualities.
Understanding mudita involves recognizing how certain actions and conditions impact suffering and happiness. Thus, mudita is partly a wisdom practice. Just as compassion is metta meeting suffering, mudita is metta meeting skillfulness, resulting in joy.
The practice of joyful appreciation in meditation has five stages, similar to compassion practice but with no dedicated “friend” stage. The person you focus on in the second stage might be a friend, and you can include friends in the final stage. Initially, you focus on self-appreciation.
Today’s exercise from “Living With Appreciation” is about “Taking time to savor the positive.” It includes a short talk and lasts about 10 minutes.
While mudita bhavana is a meditation practice, developing joyful appreciation should extend into daily life. Recognize and appreciate skillful actions and any beneficial occurrences around you. Carry an attitude of appreciation throughout your day, noticing the goodness in others and the positive moments in your life, no matter how minor they may seem.