Simply put, muditā or appreciative joy, is taking delight in the delight of others.  One teacher translated it as “rejoicing” and others have called it empathetic or vicarious joy.  It is what happens when mettā meets happiness.  Of course, all this might paint the picture that appreciative joy is a tremendous source of happiness and can strengthen relationships.

In this talk, we’ll explore several facets of muditā, and in particular, look at several different ways it gets corrupted or tainted.  We’ll also note the difference between someone’s surface level happiness, and rejoicing in their virtuous actions and qualities — the things that lead them deeper into a path of happiness.