Four Immeasurable Emotions

The four brahma-viharas represent the most beautiful and hopeful aspects of our human nature. They are mindfulness practices that protect the mind from falling into habitual patterns of reactivity which belie our best intentions.

Also referred to as mind-liberating practices, they awaken powerful healing energies which brighten and lift the mind to increasing levels of clarity. As a result, the boundless states of loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity manifest as forces of purification transforming the turbulent heart into a refuge of calm, focused awareness.

Abidings are concentration practices which rely upon mindfulness (present time awareness) to cultivate and enhance the process of purification. Metta (lovingkindness) is the medicine for anger, agitation, and hatred. Karuna (compassion) is the antidote to cruelty. Mudita (appreciative joy) is the counteracting force for envy and jealousy. Upekkha (equanimity) is spacious balance, which supports the release of clinging and attachment.

The Divine Abidings also regenerate the beauty and mercy inherent in this existence. Metta is the capacity for love. Karuna is the capacity to remain present in the face of pain and suffering. Mudita is the capacity for boundless, appreciative joy and gratitude. Upekkha is the capacity to be with things as they are, in truth.

Source: http://www.brahmaviharas.org/

The question has been asked: What are the strengths and limitations of the brahma-viharas, in terms of their contributing to the overall goals of Buddhism?

The response is given in an overview table.

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Summary:

Four immeasurable emotions, described in Buddhist practice, may be developed by anyone through mindfulness and meditation. They are loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity. They represent among the most beautiful and hopeful aspects of the human nature.

Also referred to as mind-liberating practices, they awaken powerful healing energies which brighten and lift the mind to increasing levels of clarity. As a result, these emotions or states manifest as forces of purification transforming the turbulent heart into a refuge of calm, focused awareness.

More specifically, loving-kindness is the capacity for love and the medicine for anger, agitation, and hatred. Compassion is the capacity to remain present in the face of pain and suffering, and the antidote to cruelty. Empathetic joy is the capacity for boundless joy and gratitude, and the counteracting force for envy and jealousy. Equanimity is the capacity to be with things as they are, as well as spacious balance, which supports the release of clinging and attachment. (Source: http://www.brahmaviharas.org/)