Yoga sutra 1.33
maitri karuna muditopeksanam sukha duhkha punyapunya visayanam bhavanatas citta prasadanam
A peaceful mind results from the mental attitudes from the heart of friendship towards those who are content, of compassion towards those who suffer, of joy towards virtuous individuals, of equanimity towards and disengagement from those who act poorly.
This sutra is one that can be reflected on, by itself, indefinitely and ought to be incorporated into your meditation and practice.
In this sutra Patnajali bids us to cultivate the four great attitudes of the heart: friendliness or loving kindness, compassion, joy for others, and equanimity/composure; as the pathway to peace and happiness. It is worth looking at these attitudes of the heart in turn:
Friendliness/ loving kindness – joy is happiness shared with others instead of feeling jealous.
Compassion – great love, benevolence; understanding someone else’s’ point of view or suffering.
Joy for others - sympathetic joy, gladness for those whose conduct is good.
Equanimity/ composure – disinterest and distance; each friend you have reflects yourself so keep good/ clean company and do not let yourself be dragged into anything bad
Damian Cadman-Jones is an authorised teacher of Prana Vashya Yoga™