Mirabai's dancing was her devotion; she lived in her body joyfully despite shame, modeling how embodied presence (not dissociation) deepens all four brahmaviharas.
Bhakti devotion is profoundly embodied—Mirabai danced, sang, moved in ecstasy. She didn't transcend her body; she sanctified it. This counters a tendency in both Western psychology and some Buddhist interpretations to minimize the body in favor of the mind or spirit. The brahmaviharas are not abstract virtues; they move through flesh, nervous systems, hearts. In relationships, many of us dissociate—we're present but not really here, defended against feeling. Mirabai's example invites us into embodied presence: maintaining eye contact, feeling your breath sync with your partner's during conflict, noticing when your chest closes or opens, allowing tears to flow. When you meet another person somatically—not just intellectually—metta, karuna, mudita, and upekkha all deepen. You're not loving an idea of them; you're loving them, body and mind. This is particularly important in intimate relationships, where bodies literally touch, but it applies everywhere: bringing your whole embodied self to connection, rather than just your thoughts, activates genuine brahmaviharas.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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