This introduction is part of my current course on Mudita, which is included in a series about the brahma-viharas, also known as the “immeasurables.” Mudita, the third Brahmavihara following lovingkindness and compassion, is often translated as sympathetic or empathetic joy, meaning “feeling happy because others are happy.” However, I strongly disagree with this interpretation.
A first-century text called the Path to Freedom offers a different perspective on developing mudita. It describes mudita as seeing or hearing about someone’s esteemed qualities and their state of peace and joy, and thinking, “Alright! May they remain joyful for a long time!” This text gives the earliest detailed explanation of mudita and its cultivation, suggesting it’s about more than just simple happiness for others.
The concept of being happy because someone else is happy can present spiritual challenges, especially since some happiness is derived from unskillful actions. We shouldn’t find joy in someone’s happiness if it results from harmful deeds, like defrauding someone. Thus, practicing mudita is about appreciating skillful qualities, speech, and actions, which bring genuine joy. Mudita can be seen as “joyful appreciation.”
The progression of the first three brahma-viharas can be described as follows:
– Metta (kindness) involves wishing for others’ long-term happiness and well-being, offering support, and recognizing their value.
– Karuna (compassion) arises when we desire happiness for others but also see their suffering, prompting us to help alleviate their pain.
– Mudita (joyful appreciation) is when we not only wish for others’ happiness but also recognize and encourage the skillful qualities that lead to true joy.
Understanding mudita involves recognizing conditionality—the idea that certain conditions and actions cause suffering, while others alleviate it. Therefore, mudita is partly a wisdom practice. We can think of compassion as kindness meeting suffering, and mudita as kindness meeting skillfulness. This meeting brings joy or the potential for joy.
Joyful appreciation meditation, like lovingkindness and compassion practices, has five stages but no specific “friend” stage. The second stage may involve a friend, and friends can be included in the final stage. Initially, the focus will be on self-appreciation.
Today’s exercise is from “Living With Appreciation,” focusing on “Taking time to savor the positive.” This 10-minute exercise begins with a short talk and is part of the practice of mudita bhavana, though cultivating joyful appreciation is also essential in daily life. By recognizing and appreciating skillful words and actions around us, and by fostering a general sense of appreciation, we can enhance our own and others’ well-being.
Carry an attitude of appreciation throughout your day. Recognize the seeds of goodness in others and be mindful of the positive things, however minor, that occur to you.