Mudita
What kind of world are we living in? The term schadenfreuden (basically means to take pleasure in others misfortune) has gained popularity in recent months, and I think it says a lot about our culture.
This past weekend the word came up in conversation with friends, and I wondered whether the Germans have a word with the opposite meaning, to take pleasure in others good fortune. After a thorough web search, my friends and I came up empty handed for the German antonym. However, we did find a Buddhist word with the meaning we were searching for, mudita. Simple, yet unknown to many. I’d like to see this word spread. Wouldn’t it be nice if the nightly news had a mudita segment everyday, if only to show that the world isn’t all bad. To counter-act the negative with some positive, so that we feel at least a little more balanced. I know it would be nice to take pleasure at the good that others are doing and experiencing a little more often.
mmm… mudita.
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Ran across your site looking for the term “schadenfreude” I knew what I wass looking for but I forgot the word. I like “mudita” nice thoughts. I do not think that news items (bad) neccesarily fall under “schadenfreude” as your comment suggested.