Of the desert blooms

images no longer necessary
words and physical expressions too

feelings of our spirit seem to overflow our forms
propelled by will, directed by heart-mind

every deed, word, thought, becomes a flower
even the desert may yet bloom

Walking evenly among the uneven

Putthassa Loka-dhammehi Cittam Yassa na Kampati

To Be Well Balanced In the Attha-Loka Dhamma Is Most Blissful

I came across a particular section of a translation and explanation of the mangala sutta on the following site here: http://www.mahindaramatemple.com/e-library/mangalasutta6.html

"The Attha-Loka  Dhamma means the law of worldly changes. He who practises ‘Upekkha’ i.e. equanimity, remains unchanged and uninfluenced in the observances of his mental equilibrium in respect of all matters whether worldly or supramundane; and so is therefore most blissful. There are eight worldly conditions namely:  i)  gain ii) loss; iii) fame; iv) ill-fame; v) praise; vi) blame; vii)  happiness  and viii) sufferings.

Ordinary people cling to the pleasant halves of these pairs and reject the other unpleasant halves. The Noble Ones are not shaken by either of the halves, so we should try to develop more equanimity towards gains and loss in the same manner. "




Here the practice of upekkhā (equanimity) is highlighted, I have had a haunch that all four brahmavihāras (abodes of brahma) or appamaññā (immeasurables) are supportive of each other and that efficacy is enhanced by invoking the other three, mettā (loving-kindness), karuṇā (compassion) and mudita (empathetic joy).

One question for this idea though is, "wouldn't one require an object of reflection to invoke these qualities in oneself?" That is true, that these qualities cannot be called upon without something or someone to reflect upon. But we don't have to reflect all four on the same object.

After we reflect on loss, and adopt equanimity toward it, we can adopt kindness toward our self and remove any negative resentment and blame we might still have for our selves. Compassion can step in at this point too to help with the process. After this twin balms are applied, we might be in a more open state to invoke both these reconciling qualities toward others who we see experiencing loss. Aspirations could be made toward aiding in alleviating this kind of suffering in others which you have also experienced and overcome. It could also include determination toward future similar experiences one's self will may experience again in future.

How about empathetic joy then? How does that come in when we are reflecting on loss and suffering? Right, so we have come to terms with our loss, how about others' loss, others' suffering. We apply our equanimity to that knowledge, come to terms with it, see clearer what can, should be done. Then we have our seat of peaceful reflection back. Then we can go on to thinking about others who have lost and suffered and come out of it, wiser, replaced that loss with admirable qualities that will last longer than any material possession. Traded their loss for the truth, and a step toward freedom from bonds. We can develop empathetic joy toward these kinds of people and their gain through 'misfortune'.

Just a thought on how the four immeasurables can be applied together in a practical sense. What do you think?