Benefits of Practicing Four Immeasurables

 

Recently I attended a Buddhist gathering in which the Four Immeasurables was mentioned.  In brief, due to time constrain in the event, the organizer mentioned that the Four Immeasurables is for enhancing one's concentration towards the practice of attaining Jhanas.

While this is not wrong, it is certainly a new perspective to me.  Therefore let me briefly mention some other perspectives.

The Four Immeasurables are four wholesome mental states in our minds.  They are namely Loving Kindness, Compassion, Rejoice and Equanimity.  Only the first, which is Loving Kindness, exists in all positive mental states, while the rest exists only in some of the positive mental states.  Hence by focusing on these Four Immeasurables, we are keeping our minds in positive mental states for as long as possible.  This definitely trains our concentration and works us towards the attainment of Jhanas, but it also produces some other very beneficial effects.  Here are some that I can think of:

1) It stops negative mental states.
Positive mental state and negative mental states cannot arise at the same time.  Hence for every moment (literally very very short moments) that we fill our minds with positive mental states, negative mental states cannot arise.  This breaks the momentum of any negative mental states that we may be currently having.  For example if we are angry with some body, we can try to change our attitude and think of loving kindness ot that some body instead.  If we are successful, we would break the negative mental state chain process and contain our anger.  By doing this repeatedly and frequently, we would be able to burn up most of the anger towards that some body.  One more occasion of negative mental state being conquered!  Isn't this wonderful? Of course this is easier said than done.  A lot of practice and foundation work needs to be cultivated before one can be successful.

2) It grows that particular positive mental state in the practitioner.
When one invokes one's loving kindness mental state frequently, one will have loving kindness arising by itself more frequently as well.  This would bring about a change in the person's personality and appearance.  The person will become more loving and be loved by others.  This creates a more favorable environment for one's Buddhist practices as well, as one would encounter less occasions for fear, anger, and hatred.  One would probably encounter less physical obstacles and hindrances against Buddhist practices as well.

3) It gives us a peaceful mind.
The Four Immeasurables generally provides a very calming effect.  It drives away fear, insecurity and doubt.  The person would even become a source of calmness to others.  Hence one who practices the Four Immeasurables is generally blessed with a peaceful sleep at night, wake up refreshed in the morning and has greater endurance for mental stress.

3) It trains a good attitude towards Buddhist practices.
In Mahayana practices, in which Bodhicitta: the wish to benefit all sentient beings, is most important, the Four Immeasurables would become the foundations of the Bodhicitta.  Bodhicitta is basically fueled by the Loving Kindness and Compassion.  Without these two positive attitudes, Bodhicitta would only be theoretical.  Furthermore Bodhicitta is balanced by the Rejoice and Equanimity.  These two positive attitudes bring wisdom into Bodhicitta and prevent the arising of attachment in Loving Kindness and Compassion.  By practicing the Four Immeasurables our mindset becomes purified and thus our attitude purified.  Furthermore the more we practice the Four Immeasurables the greater the strength of these four good attitudes manifest in us.  That is why they are called the Four Immeasurables.  Hence even if one does not target the attainment of Jhanas, one should still practice some extend of Four Immeasurables to enhance one's good attitude towards Buddhist practices.

In conclusion, the Five Precepts purifies the actions of the practitioner while the Four Immeasurables purifies the attitude of the practitioner.  Both practices should go hand in hand, supplementing and enhancing each other.  Therefore start practicing the Four Immeasurables today! There are no benefits for waiting! :)

With Metta,
Lee Hon Sing
September 21 2008.