Cattāri Brahmavihārā

I’m skipping a sutta in my compilation (the Nissaraniya Sutta) because I find the Ahgata Sutta much more poignant and-truth be told-it’s much shorter. I’m feeling somewhat low on energy today despite the fact that during this morning’s walking meditation my mind was racing to and fro with thoughts about what I would like to post etc…Now, at 7:30PM I can barely get myself to it but, since I view this blog as part of a daily practice that I’ve undertaken, there can be no wishy-washing around. So here goes:

“There are these ten ways of subduing hatred. Which ten?

(1) “Thinking, ‘He has done me harm. But what should I expect?’ ones subdues hatred.

(2) “Thinking, ‘He is doing me harm. But what should I expect?’ one subdues hatred.

(3) “Thinking, ‘He is going to do me harm. But what should I expect?’ one subdues hatred.

(4) “Thinking, ‘He has done harm to people who are dear and pleasing to me. But what should I expect?” one subdues hatred.

(5) “Thinking, ‘He is doing harm to people who are dear and pleasing to me. But what should I expect?’ one subdues hatred.

(6) “Thinking, ‘He is going to do harm to people who are dear and pleasing to me. But what should I expect?’ one subdues hatred.

(7) “Thinking, ‘He is going to do harm to people who are dear and pleasing to me. But what should I expect?’ one subdues hatred.

(8) “Thinking, ‘He is aiding people who are not dear or pleasing to me. But what should I expect?’ one subdues hatred.

(9) “Thinking, ‘He is going to aid people who are not dear or pleasing to me. But what should I expect?’ one subdues hatred.

(10) “One does not get worked up over impossibilities. These are ten ways of subduing hatred.”

-Anguttara Nikaya 10.80