The Brahma Vihāras (Divine Abodes) - Walt Opie

The divine abodes, also known as the Brahma Vihāras in Sanskrit, are four supreme emotions or mental states that are emphasized because of the Buddha's teaching that "whatever one frequently ponders on, that will become the inclination of their mind."

In this talk, Walt Opie examines these four and offers the "near and far enemy" of each one.

The commentaries on the Brahma Viharas explain that each of the four qualities has two "enemies." The far enemy represents the opposite mental state, which can pose a challenge to our practice. However, the near enemy, while appearing similar enough to be mistaken for the desired quality, is an imposter that is ultimately detrimental. These are:

1. Metta (Loving-kindness)
Near Enemy: Sentimentality (a superficial or insincere affection).
Far Enemy: Hatred or ill will.

2. Karuna (Compassion)
Near Enemy: Pity (a condescending form of compassion).
Far Enemy: Cruelty or indifference.

3. Mudita (Sympathetic joy)
Near Enemy: Comparison (feeling joy only when others are less successful).
Far Enemy: Jealousy or envy.

4. Upekkha (Equanimity)
Near Enemy: Indifference (a lack of care or engagement).
Far Enemy: Attachment or aversion.

Walt also recounts the impact of loving-kindness practice on inmates in his prison outreach program and describes Metta as a good antidote to ill will and anger.

He concludes by offering stories of loving-kindness as examples.
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Walt Opie was introduced to insight meditation in 1993 at Spirit Rock and attended his first residential retreat there in 2005. He is a graduate of both the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leaders' (CDL4) program and the Sati Center Buddhist Chaplaincy program. Walt is a participant in the current Insight Meditation Society (IMS) Teacher Training program. He leads a monthly sitting group for people in recovery in Berkeley and serves as a volunteer Buddhist facilitator at Solano State Prison in Vacaville. In addition, he is the Executive Director of the Buddhist Pathways Prison Project (BP3).

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CREDITS
Audio Engineer: George Hubbard
Producer: Tom Bruein
Music/Logo/Artwork: Derek Lassiter