Later in the morning, we meditated again becoming more and more present to ourselves, more and more open to the influence of the Buddhas and the Sangha we're sitting in.
Ratnavandana gave a talk about the brahma viharas and her experience of them. To show how the four brahma viharas are really one, she used the symbol of a tree, with roots and trunk of metta, drawing nourishment and strength. The natural outflow of the tree is the branches - karuna (compassion) where metta meets suffering and mudita (sympathetic joy) where metta meets joy. The tree as a whole is the canopy of upekkha (equanimity), with its Dharma perspective.
How would it be to think of the brahma viharas every time I see a tree?
Ratnavandana suggested we savour different translations of the words brahma and vihara to gain a sense of the profound beauty of these responses, and how they're qualities of mind to feel at home in.
brahma - divine, sublime, noble, lofty, pure, immaculate, excellent
vihara - to dwell, live in stay in, lodging or abode
They are also referred to as The Four Immeasurables. This is because the number of beings to whom they apply is immeasurable, the motivation to benefit them is immeasurable, the virtues of doing so are immeasurable and the excellence of the results is immeasurable.
These natural states of the heart are always there, like the sun - but get clouded over by kleshas (poisons). Our task is to clear the clouds so our hearts can radiate warmth and healing.
Ratnavandana talked about each brahma vihara and its 'near enemies'. I was struck by her having realised she identified herself as a suffering person, and taking on the mudita bhavana to release that identification. Listen to her talk to learn more!
Already it feels like we've been on retreat for days, people are relaxing together and opening to the atmosphere of the shrine room - and it'll soon be time for our afternoon puja.