Yoga sutra 1.33: a way to peace

maitrī karuṇā mudito-pekṣāṇāṁ-sukha-duḥkha puṇya-apuṇya-viṣayāṇāṁ bhāvanātaḥ citta-prasādanam

By cultivating an attitude of friendship towards those who are happy, compassion towards those in distress, joy toward those who are virtuous, and equanimity toward those who are nonvirtuous, lucidity arises in the mind. 

In this yoga sutra, Patanjali outlines a practice essential for enhancing the sattvic quality of our minds, a prerequisite for having a steady, undisturbed, and clear mind. We must remember that in yoga our goal is to keep the serenity and peace of our minds.

This sutra describes a way for us to practice yoga and cultivate a sattvic mind off the mat. Cultivating a sattvic mind is a continuous and constant requirement of the yogic path and this sutra shows us how to have more loving social interactions and relationships. 

Cultivating these states of mind is a way of restraining what Patanjali calls vikshepa, the tendency of the mind to be distracted and outwardly focused. When we react haphazardly to what people do around us, inner disturbance is the result.

Patanjali gives us 4 practices here:

1. When you see a happy person, use the “friendliness” key. This means sharing in another person's happiness or good fortune, instead of being jealous or trying to take away their joy with bitterness. 

2. When you see an unhappy person, use the “compassion” key. When someone is upset or suffering, try to help them. Remember that we all need help and to be supported. 

3. When you see a virtuous person, use the “joy” key. If you see a virtuous person, have joy! This is where you do not need to envy or have jealousy for the good or virtuous qualities they have but instead appreciate these beautiful qualities and try to cultivate them in your own life. 

4. When you see a non-virtuous person, use the “equanimous” key. By developing equanimity or indifference to those that we see as immoral or in opposition to our values, we maintain the serenity of our minds and don't develop hatred or intolerance. We can never know the full picture of what is going on in someone's life and it is better to wish someone well instead of mentally lashing out at them or judging them. 

This provides a framework for us to practice cultivating positive behaviors and minimizing harmful ones. 

This is very similar to the brahmavihārās (Buddhist virtues), which are the four mindstates in which all enlightened ones reside. 

The four brahmavihārās are:
1. Loving-kindness (Pali: mettā)
2. Compassion (karuṇā)
3. Sympathetic joy (muditā)
4. Equanimity (upekkhā)

I have deeply studied and taught these over the last few years and have found what a difference it makes in my mind. To be able to work with these attitudes of friendliness, compassion, goodwill, and neutrality. It has helped in training my mind (with compassion and gentleness) to be more tolerant and balanced and loving. 

Which one of these attitudes are you going to incorporate or are already mindfully practicing? Let me know in the comments and please share with a sincere practitioner who would appreciate this knowledge!