True love: In this short teaching video from Plum Village, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh talks about how to cultivate the Four Elements of True Love, also known as The Four Immeasurable Minds or The Four Unlimited Minds:
- Maitri – friendship; loving kindness;
- Karuna – the capacity to understand and alleviate suffering through compassion;
- Mudita – sympathetic joy; and
- Upeksa – non-discrimination; equanimity; inclusiveness.
Together, the cultivation of these four transformative qualities helps to alleviate the suffering of the beloved – the hallmark of true love. These qualities are unlimited and can be practised every day to cultivate infinite love. When the heart opens in this way, it becomes immense. There is no longer suffering. We can accept anything because the heart is all-embracing.