Dec 312002
Josh Zader has finally gotten himself a blog called Mudita Journal. The unusual name “mudita” is explained as meaning “sympathetic joy” or “happiness at another’s good fortune” — an important concept in Buddhism for which no English word exists. I love the concept for exactly the reason Josh cites, namely that “we are taught to pursue our dreams, but to resent those who achieve them.” However, I must admit to philosophical quibbles with the term “fortune” in the definition, given its intimate connection to chance and luck rather than planning and effort. So a question for Josh: Does mudita primarily refer to success by chance or to success in general?
