Topic:  Buddhist tradition honors qualities of the heart that inspire us to behave better, bring well-being and joy, and foster release from egoism. The brahma-vihāras (divine abodes, godly dwellings) are a prominent set of such qualities: kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity. The more deeply we embody these qualities, the more we live divinely. The brahma-vihāras inform our attitudes towards and relationships with others, including people who are superficially much different from us. We further expand them to include all forms of life. Cultivating these beautiful attitudes and heart qualities brings richness and depth to our spiritual life. The brahma-vihāras are also described as immeasurable and boundless releases of the heart. Their expansion of our sense of self beyond bounds dissolves the knot of egoism that suffers.

Format: This retreat will explore the brahma-vihāras through morning guided meditations and evening talks that connect them with other Buddhist teachings. You can send questions to Santikaro via the chat function in Zoom or by email.

To Register:  Please review the PDF for an overview of the retreat and instructions for how to register.