Kindness, Compassion, Rejoicing and Serenity

In Buddhism, the four love meditations are known as the brahma vihāras or ‘sublime abidings’. These meditations cultivate kindness (mettā bhāvanā), compassion (karunā bhāvanā), appreciative joy (muditā bhāvanā) and serenity (upekkhā bhāvanā). In a way they are a meditative preparation for real life - our encounters with real human beings in the midst of their joys and sorrows.