Tonglen

Tonglen is the Tibetan ritual practice of "Taking and Giving". It is here on a seperate page because I am not totally certain that this is a safe practice for everyone (that people who are either severely distressed, that have a weak sense of "self", or who are prone to "psychotic tendencies", might be at risk?). However, my long time meditation teacher, Philip Starkman, says that it is safe: that the only risk is that your ego may disolve! Philip gave me the practice decades ago, at a time when I was dispondent, bordering on dispairing, as a therapeutic tool. The practice goes like this...

Imagine someone you know who is suffering. Imagine their suffering as a dark cloud over their head.

Bring that dark cloud inside your body, into your heart. Your heart is a wish fulfilling jewel. With your attention and intention turn that darkness to light. Then release that light ( to the universe, or to God).

That's it...

 

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