The rot from which comes nourishment for the soil so that in the spring new grass, leaves and fruit will grow.
The beauty that comes from the dying of the leaves.Once the river that is me flowed into studying, meditating and hanging out with some Tibetan Buddhist practitioners. Before she was a name Ane (auntie) Pema Chodron came to our small group to teach. Tonglen is one of the meditation practices she taught us. Now she teaches the world. (Click on bio for Pema's bio and teachings/tonglen for tonglen instructions.)
There are other teachers of this meditation. The Dali Lama for one. Simplified instructions follow. This is my interpretation and I am not a certified meditation teacher.
When you know of someone who is suffering, think of this person, envision them. Breathe in their pain, sorrow, suffering. Then, breathe out comfort for them. Whatever you think will give them relief. Could even be a warm cuppa tea and fluffy slippers. Whatever.
If you have a hard time doing this (why should I breathe in THEIR suffering, I have enough suffering of my own or whatever) then stop. Breathe in your own pain and sorrow at not being able to breathe in another's pain. Then breathe out comfort for yourself.
You can do this anywhere, on the spot as Pema says. You are in the grocery store. A small child is crying, the mom is trying to check out, it's a messy sad sight. Breathe in the child's distress and the mom's irritation. Breathe out comfort for them both.
I think it is an interesting reversal of the usual idea of breathing in light. The Buddhists say, use poison as medicine. Kinda a homeopathic perspective. Also alchemical. Lead into gold. Dark into light. Namaste (a yogic word meaning I honor the sacred in you.)
If you have a hard time doing this (why should I breathe in THEIR suffering, I have enough suffering of my own or whatever) then stop. Breathe in your own pain and sorrow at not being able to breathe in another's pain. Then breathe out comfort for yourself.
You can do this anywhere, on the spot as Pema says. You are in the grocery store. A small child is crying, the mom is trying to check out, it's a messy sad sight. Breathe in the child's distress and the mom's irritation. Breathe out comfort for them both.
I think it is an interesting reversal of the usual idea of breathing in light. The Buddhists say, use poison as medicine. Kinda a homeopathic perspective. Also alchemical. Lead into gold. Dark into light. Namaste (a yogic word meaning I honor the sacred in you.)
