Mudita Mondays

What is the purpose of Mudita Mondays?

Mudita. [Pāli and Sanskrit: मुदित]

Simplest meaning translated is unselfish joy.
It is finding joy and pleasure through other people’s well-being rather than begrudging it. If this doesn’t make any sense to you, read on to find out why you need to change your perspective. If this makes sense to you, read on to find out how you can spread the feeling of Mudita in your life.

I particularly love this word because it describes so much of what I live for. Indeed, being truly happy for another is easier said than done because we live in a world where we judge ourselves against others a lot – not to mention the power our media has on us and particularly the younger generation. In today’s world, kids want to grow up to become famous rather than be astronauts or a President / Prime Minister. Albeit this is changing, there’s always going to be a subconscious inner-self or ego that will try to compete rather than to be happy for another.

Why you should be happy for another
Let’s breakdown the meaning of Mudita by contrasting it with words Western society knows best:
Envy:”a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck”
Judgment:”an opinion or conclusion”
Comparsion:”estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between [you and the other person]”
Avarice: “extreme greed for wealth or material gain”

When we allow envy, judgment, comparison and avarice take control of our feelings, we gain dissatisfaction and contempt in our lives. Not only do we stop giving or helping others, we distort our own realities by either inwardly destroying ourselves through unrealistic expectations or we destroy others through ‘hatin’ and spreading negativity or faking Mudita until you achieve what you want. Here’s an example of struggling through feeling Mudita from a yoga instructor, Charlotte Bell. No, yogis are just human beings as well and we don’t float on mountains with our legs crossed.

Rather, Mudita, as Bell states in her writing, “helps uproot the unhappy states of envy, judgment and comparison.” Wow. That was brilliantly worded. Thank you Charlotte.

So what does that do for you without envy, judgment and comparison? What kind of person do you think you are now without these hindrances? [You fill in the blank or comment below to share.]

For me, feeling Mudita is awesome because this is one of the first key steps to world peace. It means I can focus on being a better person and support those around me through Mudita. Mudita has no monetary value but endless intrinsic value for yourself and for others. For example, do you remember the last time someone complimented you sincerely on your joy and welfare? (If you cannot recall a recent example, stop for a moment and imagine how you would feel if someone did…) That intrinsic joy becomes the foundation for Mudita.

Since this word is derived from Buddhistic philosophy in the East, it will take some time for others who are attracted to the meaning of this word to spread the love and associate with the old western song, “love is something that you give it away… [because] you end up having more.” I’m sure some harmonious souls are spreading the love in their own way but if you wanna start this too, feel free.

What you can do if you are attracted to Mudita
1) Mudita is a state of mind. It is not something you achieve and move on. If you want to feel this, you must do a temperature test every time judgment, envy, avarice or comparison creep into your mind. Buddhist philosophy or even E. Tolle calls it mindfulness meditation which in turns allows these feelings to pass you by and let go of the ego and turn on your positivity and Mudita onto others.
2) Define those people around you that you can feel Mudita for. Pay close attention to those you envy or compare to because once you let that pass, they are those whom may change your personal welfare. It may be family members, close friends or just those who are truly brilliant!
3) Try Mudita Mondays. 2 weeks ago, I started Mudita Mondays after feeling an urge to create some kindness to those around me. I’ve been exposed to Mudita since I started my yoga teacher training in 2009 and since then, I’ve always been drawn to this word. As well, my fiancé, who when asked what he wants for Christmas or for his birthday says, “world peace”. He says that world peace starts with one person and regardless of how his life experiences has taught him the cruel nature of mankind, he still wishes for it. This got me thinking about it more and more so I am starting world peace with Mudita Mondays.

On Mondays, I will be posting on my Facebook and updating here a list of people I feel Mudita for. It starts from my state of mind and I will spread it onward to first those whom are closer to me and I know and eventually spread to someone I meet online through my online store like Etsy, twitter etc. I hope by then this just catches on and brings us one step closer to world peace.

Please join me in spreading Mudita Mondays and world peace.

Namaste.

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Nov 28th, 2011 – I think I’m gonna start something called Mudita Mondays..blessing someone & truly be happy for him/her. Let’s start with Ellie Solomon! This brilliant woman is an advocate of daily quotes & inspirations and shares it with those she loves around her. She is an optimist and never gives up. Love you Ellie!

Dec 5th, 2011 – Mudita Monday: Today, I’d like to recognize another beautiful individual Maki Kano. She’s been a Japanese tutor for over 10yrs and helped many people improve and learn her native tongue. Recently, her new found love, her little black cat, Lala, keeps her company and busy. Keep up the great work Maki! xoxo

Dec.12, 2011 – Mudita Monday: David Yao is someone who is, in my mind, extraordinary. He is extremely analytical and questions the truth about everything. In a very short period of time, he took on a yogi path of living and experienced moments as it might have been described in the Bhagavad Gita scripture (in today’s world). Today’s blessing is for you David.

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