their life, their hopes, their dreams, their fears, their
disappointments, and their suffering. Recognize that, just like
you, they wish to achieve happiness and to avoid even the
slightest suffering. Let your mind dwell in this realization and
understand that you do not need an introduction because you
already share the greatest bond—your humanity. They may be
just as lonely as you, and your reaching out to them might be a
gift to them.
4 . Take this awareness into the world. Start living from this
newfound connection by opening your heart to those around
you. You can start by smiling or acknowledging the other
person by looking at them warmly and nodding your head.
Different cultures have different ways of acknowledging
others, but find what is appropriate in your situation and begin
greeting your human family. Do not get discouraged if some
are suffering from their own loneliness and isolation and do not
acknowledge you. You can have empathy from your own
feelings of loneliness. Greet the world with greater trust,
kindness, and compassion, and the world will greet you with
greater trust, kindness, and compassion. When you smile at the
world, the world does tend to smile back.Envy—A Mudita Practice
When we are envious, we have a nagging sense of dissatisfaction that
effaces joy, as we are able to see only what we do not have and not what
we do have. Envy is a poison tinged with guilt and self-criticism. It kills
our happiness and empties the world of its riches and wonders. As with
the common humanity practice above, Buddhism has a practice that
breaks down the bonds of isolation and jealousy that keep us separated: It
is called mudita, the practice of rejoicing in others’ good fortune. Just as
a parent can rejoice in the good fortune of their child, we can rejoice in
the good fortune of others when we expand our identity to include them