This unique deck offers an introspective journey into the heart of Buddhism, providing guidance on the four Brahma-viharas – the boundless or immeasurable qualities of lovingkindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.

The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light. - James Baldwin

.🙏🏿 HOW TO USE 📿

1. Pull a card that resonates with you or your intention for the day.

2. Read the affirmation or self-inquiry question.

3. Contemplate the card’s message during your meditation, yoga practice, or throughout your day.

4. Watch as your understanding of the Brahma-viharas deepens, and your heart expands with boundless love and compassion.

What are the four Brahma-viharas?

Lovingkindness

Lovingkindness is the aspiration for all beings to experience love, peace, and goodwill. It is the wish for all to be well and happy. We first direct these feelings of love towards ourselves, then loved ones, community, people we are experiencing difficulties with, and finally, all beings.

“When you focus on the goodness in others, you recover the goodness in yourself.” - Thich Nhat Hanh

Compassion

Compassion is about developing a genuine and unconditional concern for the suffering of all beings, not just those close to us. It is a wish for all to be free from suffering, coupled with a desire to help alleviate that suffering.

“Compassion is the trembling or quivering of the heart in response to pain or suffering. It is a way of saying, ‘I see your pain; I am with you.” - Jack Kornfield

Sympathetic Joy

Sympathetic joy involves genuine happiness for others’ success, good qualities, prosperity, etc., rather than jealousy, resentment, or competitiveness. Delving deeper, we not only rejoice in another’s joy but also resonate emotionally with their experience.

“When you think of others with empathy, wishing them to be happy, compassion arises. When you think of others with admiration or appreciation and feel delighted for them, this is sympathetic joy.” - Sayadaw U Tejaniya

Equanimity

Equanimity is about opening our hearts to life just as it is. It’s the ability to stay steady within, no matter what comes our way. It enables us to trust that things unfold as they need to, even when we don’t quite understand why or how. With equanimity, we can make room for all of life’s joys and sorrows with grace.

“Equanimity is the hallmark of spirituality. It is neither chasing nor avoiding but just being in the middle.”- Amit Ray