Love is usually considered to be something between people, or as Thay suggests, between people and hamburgers. But the four immeasurable minds aren’t traditionally presented in that way. Here is the stock formulation found across the early sutras: He meditates, spreading a heart full of love to pervade the first quarter, and the second, and…
The Buddha The buddha was enlightened. He achieved profound insight into the workings of the mind and that insight set him free from suffering. How did that happen? First of all, he was capable of it from the beginning. I reject the proposal that this was something unique to the historical Shakyamuni. In principle, everyone…
I would like to make a few practical prompts for direct investigation and experience of the samadhis described in this chapter. I have kept the prompt general, but if it will help you to be concrete, you may like to choose someone or something specific to reflect on as you read through. Examples: my husband,…
