and the cliff's notes version

what do these brahmaviharas mean really? to apply them to our lives, we must read over them slowly, carefully, and think about how we could internalize them. to attain peace, this is important. indeed it is necessary.

1. if/when you truly love someone (or believe that you do), love them the way they'd like to be loved. that is, don't give someone you love a subscription of car and driver if they'd rather read the cosmo.

2. think with karuna, and translate that thought to word or action. you could perform miracles. make a sincere effort to smile through all suffering, like the buddha.

3. everything is here, in this present moment. be mindful of all the things you can be grateful for today.

4. love without discrimination. your beloved is like a cloud, a breeze, a flower. don't imprison him in a tin can, he will die.