By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
In his book "True Love: A Practice for Awakening the Heart," the Vietnamese monk Thích Nhất Hạnh elaborated on the brahmavihārās, a series of four virtues and corresponding meditation practices made to cultivate them. Of the first — maitri, or loving-kindness — Thích Nhất Hạnh wrote that, because “understanding is the essence of love,” one must practice being attentive, looking deeply, and understanding one’s beloved. The second virtue is karuna, or compassion, which involves not just the desire to ease another’s pain, but the ability to do so. Third, mudita roughly translates to empathetic joy: “If there is not joy in love,” Thích Nhất Hạnh wrote, “it is not true love.” Of the fourth, upeksha, or equanimity, he observed, “In true love, you attain freedom. When you love, you bring freedom.”
15 Quotes on Aging Gracefully
Relationship Advice That’s Actually Useful
Add a Dash of Laughter to Your Day With These Cooking Quotes
Quotes From Must-Read Books by Indigenous Authors
Leonardo da Vinci’s Advice for a Fulfilling Life
20 of the Most Popular Quotes of All Time
Life-Affirming Quotes About Human Connection
14 Quotes To Celebrate Aquarians
What It Means To Be a Leader, According to U.S. Presidents
Comforting Quotes About Dealing With the Loss of a Mother
11 Quotes From the Biggest Movies of 2023