This is part of an introduction to my current course on Mudita, which is one of the teachings on the brahma-viharas, often referred to as the “immeasurables.”
Mudita, the third of the Brahmaviharas after lovingkindness and compassion, is usually translated as sympathetic or empathetic joy. It means “feeling happy because others are happy.” However, I have a different perspective on this interpretation.
An ancient text called the Path to Freedom explains the cultivation of mudita in this way: When you see or hear someone being praised and that they’re at peace and joyful, you think, “Great! I hope their joy lasts a long time!”
In Buddhist teachings, mudita isn’t explicitly defined, and this text is the earliest I’ve encountered that hints at its meaning and cultivation. Importantly, mudita goes beyond just being happy because someone else is happy. Simple happiness can come from unwise actions, and we shouldn’t be glad if someone is happy from doing something harmful, like fraud.
In essence, practicing mudita means appreciating skillful actions and qualities, which brings joy. It’s “joyful appreciation.”
The first three brahma-viharas form a progression:
– Metta (kindness): Wishing for others’ long-term happiness and well-being. We want them to be happy, feel supported, and know they matter. We express this through kind words, actions, and thoughts.
– Karuna (compassion): Arises when we wish for others’ happiness but recognize their suffering. It involves wanting to alleviate their suffering or support them through it.
– Mudita (joyful appreciation): We recognize that true happiness comes from skillful qualities. We see and appreciate these qualities in others, rejoice in them, and encourage their development.
To practice mudita, we need to understand that certain conditions and actions lead to suffering, while others lead to freedom from it. Thus, mudita is partly a wisdom practice.
Just as compassion is metta encountering suffering, mudita is metta encountering skillfulness, which can be a joyful experience.
Joyful appreciation meditation has five stages. Unlike compassion meditation, there is no specific “friend” stage, though friends can be included in the final stage. Initially, we’ll focus on self-appreciation.
Today, we’re starting with an exercise from “Living With Appreciation” focused on “Taking time to savor the positive.” This includes a short talk and a 10-minute guided session.
While mudita bhavana is a meditation practice, cultivating joyful appreciation is something we should incorporate into daily life. We should recognize and appreciate skillful words and actions and be generally appreciative of anything that benefits us or others.
Today, try to maintain an attitude of appreciation. Notice and be glad for the goodness in others and the positive things that happen to you, no matter how minor they seem.