Tonglen
From LabelingThoughts
Tonglen is a meditation practice that is part of the lojong tradition. In short it involves alternating breathing in and out, and when one breathes out one wishes others to have relief from suffering, difficulties, and the like. But when one breathes in, one wishes and visualizes that the suffering and difficulties of others leave them and enter you. So one alternates between wishing the suffering of the world could be taken by you instead, and that others would have relief. This is the reverse of the usual ego based logic and undermines ego in that way.
Some versions of tonglen include a visualization where one sees darkness and invites feelings of claustrophobia during the in-breath and then sees lightness and fresh air being sent out. The practice also begins with a flash on space, or absolute bodhicitta.
To learn how to practice tonglen, ask for instruction in the practice from a Shambhala meditation instructor.
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See also
Further reading
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Mipham, Sakyong (2000) 2000 Seminary Transcripts Book 2
- pages 102, 136
Mipham, Sakyong (2002) Taming the Mind and Walking the Bodhisattava Path
- pages 29, 142
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Trungpa, Chögyam (1975) 1975 Hinayana Mahayana Seminary Transcripts
- pages 215, 219-220, 222-223, 225-226
- sending and taking
Trungpa, Chögyam (1979) 1979 Seminary Transcripts
- pages 96-97, 100, 102-103, 110, 111, 112, 120-121, 130
- taking, see
Trungpa, Chögyam (1980) 1980 Seminary Transcripts
- pages 100-4
Trungpa, Chögyam (1981) 1981 Seminary Transcripts
- pages 98, 99, 103, 107, 113
Trungpa, Chögyam (1982) 1982 Seminary Transcripts
- pages 67, 75, 99, 100, 115, 132, 136
Trungpa, Chögyam (1983) 1983 Seminary Transcripts
- pages 34, 55-59, 61
Trungpa, Chögyam (1984) 1984 Seminary Transcripts
- pages 55, 60, 61-62
Trungpa, Chögyam (1985) 1985 Seminary Transcripts
- pages 66, 78, 89, 90-91
