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Understanding Tonglen
The Path to Compassionate Living
During a recent visit to my favorite local art gallery, I ran into an artist I've known for several years. Let's call her Emma. We hadn't seen each other in a while, and when we did, we lit up with big smiles and a friendly hug.
It was easy to tell almost right away that Emma was sad. It wasn't long before Emma poured out her heart, and the crocodile tears soon followed. She was in the middle of a tough divorce and the mother of a beautiful toddler. She asked, "Want to sit down and talk for a while?"
I said, "Sure. I'm all ears." That's when I kicked my inner Tonglen into high gear: listening, nodding, empathizing, feeling her pain, sending her silent and loving thoughts that might somehow ease her suffering.
In this scenario, talk therapy is an action. I'm NOT a therapist. I'm just a friend who's read a few psychology books, is listening better, and is sharing gifts like Tonglen wherever I am.
The Essence of Tonglen
Tonglen is a profound practice rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. This ancient meditation practice, known as "giving and taking" or "sending and receiving," is a bridge transcending the depths of human suffering.
