Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Yesterday I had the time to take up some of the compassion practices I have heard in the past and add are described in the Jeffrey Hopkins book whose name escapes me at the moment. I was excited by the intensity of feeling of compassion that the practice of imagining loved ones in pain evoked but remembered to revenge myself and not get carried away by it.

Inspired by my success I then formed to the next person who spontaneously spring to mind: an acquaintance who I have not always had the most favorable regard. I have to admit that I was sunbed by just how difficult it was too generate compassion for him by means of the visualization I was using. I persevered but was only successful in arousing the feeling on a handful of occasions.

Strangely, I consider this a success. Rather than just being able to drizzle the nectar of compassion over everyone equally it shows that I need to work to open my heart to those beings with whom I have difficulty. I am just happy to have been able to see and understand that. In addition, I see note just how easy it is for cruelty and callous indifference to blind us when we’re not actively trying to cultivate compassion. May all beings be free of suffering!