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Re: tonglen

DrZ said Apr 16, 2006, 12:25 PM:

Wow… I'd never heard of Tonglen until I joined this pod, but it seems pretty cool. I tried it out, and it was amazing how charged I felt the first time. I do wonder, though, what the effects of soaking up all that pain are. It felt like I was just changing the shape and rebroadcasing the energy I was taking in, but I'd like to verify if it leaves any residual traces that would build up over time.

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Re: tonglen

Pat said Apr 16, 2006, 7:24 PM:

I'm fortunate to work as a psychologist. So I have lots of opportunity for tonglen. I think that when I conceptualized the world as a place with lots of negative energy that I had to ward off or fight, that I created more negativity. Letting go of fighting it off was helpful, but the big breakthrough for me was in doing the opposite (since trying to fight it off was not working too well.)

Typically, I dreaded seeing certain kinds of clients; until I actually met them and it turned out I could always empathize with their struggle. But when I really turned that around to welcoming their pain and suffering, to become a good host for it so I could send back positive energy, I got a great energy boost.

Now even on my most busy days, I find I am able to maintain compassion and connection much better because of my tonglen practice.

My question is: Does anyone else find that tonglen actually increases (rather than decreases) his or her energy level?

Re: tonglen

eBuzz said Apr 17, 2006, 12:00 AM:

Kate!

This is probably the most important pod on the entire site. Thank YOU so much for starting it. I have been using Tonglen as my main meditation for about five years now. Pema Chodron is probably the biggest advocate for it and I don't think anyone has done more for teaching the cultivation of Bhodichitta than Her. It was from Pema that I learned Tonglen. I think it was in Her book, The Wisdom of No Escape, but She addresses it quite regularly in most of, if not all of Her work.

I just wanted to Thank YOU again so much for this most precious, precious space to teach want can truly heal ALL hearts!

Namaste,

Erik

Re: tonglen

Pat said Apr 17, 2006, 6:23 AM:

Thank you for the reminder that it is about the cultivation of Bhodicitta not just “doing the opposite” so I can feel better. If practiced with the right attitude tonglen is at the core of cultivating right practice.

Re: tonglen

eBuzz said Apr 17, 2006, 12:14 PM:

Certainly Pat!

And since so many Americans/Westerners are on the Go, Go, Go, I posted a variation on the theme if not the Spirit of Tonglen on my Pod. It is combination of traditional Tonglen and some breathwork from an experiential guide of the Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. It works well for Those who have not yet learned to bring the quiet with Them.

Power Meditation!

At work or play alot and strapped for time? Have a frazzled work-a-day existence on top of being a doting Soccer Mom/Dad? Try this two minute ethereal power lunch! Sit with good posture and eyes closed. Take three deep belly-breaths in while visualizing all the Light of the Universe coming into the top of Your head and breathing out the tranquil stillness Your mind “craves” to the whole of Your percieved world. Do this with a non-grasping mind and You got Tonglen! It's like pushing the pause button on Your world's remote! Try it and tell me how You feel. If it doesn't work for You We'll tweek it until it does. I do not live in a 0ne-Size-Fits-Most World!

Love, Light and Blessings,

Erik

Re: tonglen

kate said Apr 19, 2006, 6:30 AM:

You know, one night I was doing an intense meditation session for about 12 hours or so and I did tonglen for a long time and felt so sad that I kept crying for half of the next day. I felt as if I had taken on too much. But later I felt very calm and okay with what I had faced and had enough energy to implement new healthy things into my everyday life. I think in the midst I felt like I took too much on but in reality I was just processing pain from my life and it opened up energy to move on and be a more compassionate sensitive person. My friend Martha has a technique that helps her if she is feeling saturated and that is to breath in peace and breathe out peace. That is her way of being kind to herself. It is a nice way to take care of you so you can have enough energy to take care of whoever( for us it's our families).