In a time of physical isolation it is essential to know how to generate love from the inside. The Brahma Viharas, or The Four Immeasurable Minds, are the Buddha’s teachings on love. The four qualities of friendliness, compassion, resonant joy, and equanimity offer a time-tested path that anyone can follow to nurture the deepest love for all beings, including ourselves.

This week's practice: 

Take care of yourself. Seriously.

 

Poems

 

Kisagotami

 

A child dead.

And a mad search for a magic seed.

 

It's a story as old as dust.

 

Brave up, my sisters.

 

The day will come

when you run

from house 

to house.

 

People will meet you at the door,

look you in the eye,

and they won't let you in.

 

I'm sorry, they'll say.

But we can't help you. 

Listen.

 

When everyone you love is gone,

when everything you have

has been taken away,

you'll find the Path

waiting

underneath

every rock

on the

road.

 

These are the words of Kisagotami.

 

~ "The First Free Women" translated by Matty Weingast

 

 

Please Call Me by my True Names - Poem by Thich Nhat Hanh with his introduction

 

~

This course is offered by Dharma Pathways, a collaboration of dedicated Buddhist monastics whose aspiration is to support individuals and communities on the path of awakening, service, and wellbeing. Click here to sign up for our Newsletter and be informed about future offerings.

As monastics we share the Dharma freely and live from what is offered.  We rely solely on donations to support our basic needs, our outreach, and our studies.  You are welcome to make a donation to the teacher or the whole organization here to help us continue to make courses like these possible.