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Mudita

For years I was never quite sure what schadenfreude meant, when I finally looked it up on wikipedia the ‘antonyms’ section introduced me to the Buddhist concept of Mudita which I liked and as it came up during the course of my day today I thought I’d do a little post about it.

In the Punnett Square of Happiness and Unhappiness against Fortune in others and Misfortune in others Mudita is the coolest one: Happiness in another’s fortune. Joy at their joy.

The term mudita is usually translated as “sympathetic” or “altruistic” joy, the pleasure that comes from delighting in other people’s well-being rather than begrudging it. Many Buddhist teachers interpret mudita more broadly as referring to an inner spring of infinite joy that is available to everyone at all times, regardless of circumstances. The more deeply one drinks of this spring, the more secure one becomes in one’s own abundant happiness, and the easier it then becomes to relish the joy of other people as well.

How awesome is that?

Also for more German loanword fun check out Claire Rayner on Zeitguest. Also.