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The Four Immeasurables

The four immeasurables practice helps develop qualities of equanimity, love, compassion, and joy. It involves contemplating each quality in turn through silent reflection. The aim is to generate a sincere feeling of these qualities in the heart that extends outward to all beings. Specifically, it involves opening one's heart to all beings with equanimity; extending love to those caught in violence; meditating on compassion for those suffering from fear and hardship; and arousing joy and the wish for all beings to attain enlightenment.

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Chris Christodoulidis
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49 views1 page

The Four Immeasurables

The four immeasurables practice helps develop qualities of equanimity, love, compassion, and joy. It involves contemplating each quality in turn through silent reflection. The aim is to generate a sincere feeling of these qualities in the heart that extends outward to all beings. Specifically, it involves opening one's heart to all beings with equanimity; extending love to those caught in violence; meditating on compassion for those suffering from fear and hardship; and arousing joy and the wish for all beings to attain enlightenment.

Uploaded by

Chris Christodoulidis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Four Immeasurables

The following text may be used by the umdze or by individual practitioners to


guide this contemplative practice

The four immeasurables is a heart practice that helps to develop


the qualities of equanimity,love,compassion,and joy.We contem-
plate them in turn,allowing a period of silent reflection for each
one.The aim is to generate a sincere feeling of these qualities in our
hearts and to allow that to extend outwards:

EQUANIMITY
Equanimity is the even-minded attitude towards all beings and
events.It is an attitude of complete openness.It is unconditional,
free from any distinction whatsoever.We are living through times
of great turbulence and suffering.We open our hearts fully to the
world,and to whatever thoughts and emotions arise within us as
we do so.

LOVE
With the profound attitude of equanimity,we extend love to all
beings.We open ourselves to all those who are caught in the cycle
of violence and horror,to those who have inflicted violence,and to
those who are the victims.

COMPASSION
We meditate on compassion with great energy,filled by our love
for all who are swept away on the ocean of samsara.We open our
hearts to all beings,nearby or far away,who are living in fear,who
are undergoing unthinkable hardship,who are wracked with pain,
who are consumed by hatred.May they be free from suffering and
the root of suffering.

JOY
No matter how inconceivable the suffering,whatever arises is
cradled in the space of compassion and wisdom.For the benefit of
all beings —as limitless in number as space is vast —we arouse the
wish that ever yone may attain true,complete enlightenment.

TRADITIONAL LITURGY
May all sentient beings enjoy happiness and the root of happiness.
May they be free from suffering and the root of suffering.
May they not be separated from the great happiness devoid of suffer-
ing.
May they dwell in the great equanimity free from passion,aggression,
and prejudice.

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