Namaste, "Bowls of Cherries"!
[Caveat: I am new to your community, and this is my first substantive post.]

I am curious to know if any of you practice Tonglen meditation. Westerners are probably most familiar with it through the writings and teachings of Pema Chodron. If you do practice Tonglen, what has been your experience--either generally or specifically?
For me--so far--the Tonglen technique has enriched my daily meditation practice by giving me a focus, yet allowing my consciousness to relax and empty (or drop) at the same time. While practicing Tonglen, I can feel the energy flowing in and out of my body in a way that seems both grossly and subtly powerful and effective on the micro- and macro-cosmic levels. When other meditation techniques leave me scattered, I return to Tonglen again and again.
I have also used it in yoga classes for students during Savasana. I will read a passage from Chodron or talk them gently through the Tonglen practice as they lay supine, eyes closed, after an asana practice, and I have found that students really respond emotionally. I can literally see openings happening all around my feet--it is marvelous.
I have also practiced Tonglen at funerals with tremendous emotional healing. A room full of pain and suffering--what better offering than sitting quietly breathing in all that pain and breathing out all of your loving kindness to perfect strangers.

What has been your experience?
two hands together _/|\_
stephanie

Hi Stephanie,

Welcome to Shirley's.
I've not heard of the Tonglen meditation. Your description intrigued me, so with a little research I've found Pema Chodron's website and am looking forward to learning more about it.

One little technique I use that quickly helps to center me is coordinating my breathing with the following phrase: "I breathe in the Spirit of God, and I send it forth with Love". I do this a few times and find that with each my breathing becomes more rhythmic, slower, calming, longer, and from there I step into a deeper meditation and energy work.

I read in another post that you are from Chicago. So am I, although I haven't lived there for many years. My family is still there though, and I always enjoy my visits back there.

Anyway, thank you for sharing this technique with us.

Love...Peg

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Blessed Be,
OneLight

After readying this..."I breathe in the Spirit of God, and I send it forth with Love".... I tried it a few times and it felt so "right".
I had a bad fall down a half a flight of stairs 2 days ago. Im 62 today. Too old to be falling down stairs. LOL. Im going to use this. Thank you so much! ~ Shar

Ouch! You're in my prayers, Shar ~ and I can relate! I had a bad fall on Jan. 2nd, and am still recovering. And yes ~ Peg's technique is helpful for me as well.

Happy belated birthday to you!

Blessings,
Lura

Dear Shar,
As SisterLura has said 'OUCH' . I do hope your recovery is progressing well and that you will be back to your normal agility in no time. Am asking that healing energies surround you for what is most needed.

I am humbled, yet rejoice, that the technique I have shared resonates and is assisting you in some way. May it continue to do so...

Love and a gentle hug....Peg

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Blessed Be,
OneLight

A lovely breathing technique dear Peg! I hope your recovery is a gentle one Shar and Peg.What's with these falling down accidents this 2013?? me three! Tonglen is a very powerful form of compassionate meditation.One of my mentors Dr.Joan Borysenko ,said in one of her beautiful books,Pocketful of Miracles,that "the Tibetan lamas say that the only thing we can harm with Tonglen is our ego and its self-grasping which will dissolve in the intention of compassion." The art of taking on another's pain and sending back love is a challenge indeed...easy enough to do for those you love/care about but when it comes to the pains of your perceived enemy,well...there in lies the challenge of letting go of the ego and practising true forgiveness,a lifetime worth of work for sure! bless you all and may you be healed!

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When asked what he thought about Western Civilization Gandhi replied ," That would be nice!"

Well said, renaissance. Lovely. Powerful.

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"I wasn't going to spend my life doing what had already been done." - Georgia O'Keeffe