Being human, it is in our nature to resist what makes us feel bad and go after what makes us feel good. But sometimes, It is easy to think that the world is full of suffering. Everywhere we look we can see a reason to not be content.
Yet there is a way to turn the negative into a positive. Using the Buddhist Art of Tonglen, “we use what seems like a poison as a medicine. we use our personal suffering as the path to compassion to all beings.”
Tonglen is tibetan for “sending and taking”. Basically, we visualize taking on the suffering of others, and giving happiness back to them. Some of the benefits include:
-creating positive karma by giving
-developing a bodhicitta mindset
-reduces selfish attachment
How To Practice Tonglen
Whenever you find yourself upset about a challenging situation, take a deep breath and speak these sentences to yourself.
I take refuge in the buddha, dharma and the sangha. By virtue of giving and so forth may I become a Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings
I breathe this one in for all the people feeling upset right now
(Breathe in their pain)
may they all find peace (breathe out happiness and warmth)
You can also use this for people who you find challenging.
“I breathe this one for him (breathe in) or her, may they find peace (breathe out)”
You can practice tonglen to fit any situation you find yourself in.
The most important in practicing tonglen is awareness and intention. By being present with our breath and goal of all sentient beings, including ourselves, to reach enlightenment, we gather strength and compassion.
Every being on this earth deserves the right to be happy. Freeing ourselves from egotistical judgement, we realize we are all in the same situation.
The key thing to realize is that we’re not doing this just to make other people happy and for their suffering to overwhelm us. At first you may think taking on all this negativity might be bad for you, but since positivity is abundant, there is always plenty to give. We practice tonglen because it will make us happy too.
So we use what is challenging us at the moment by realizing the truth that we are not alone in any situation. By realizing our connection, we develop compassion for all human beings.
6 Comments
Hey Rocky.
This is interesting. It is also counter-intuitive.
Taking the suffering of others into our mind, and sending them happiness, sure does feel like a great way to do things. We can rise above absorbing their suffering, or sending negativity back at them, and this rising above gives us some more confidence.
I try not to step on others, but this is a more pro-active way to get them on the right track, or at least acknowledge their anguish, and respond with material that dissolves it.
We sure have a lot in our hands.
Cool concept.
Armen Shirvanian´s last blog ..Discussion On Long Versus Short-Term Efforts
thanks Armen!
yea I remember stumbling upon tonglen years back and really use it as a tool to center myself. I use to be worried that hanging out with people who tend to have a negative disposition can be a bit overwhelming,but I realized they can really help me understand the truth.
I loved it Rocky! Never knew about Tonglen but I can totally see how it can help us to not get entangled in our negative emotions by becoming aware and conscious, which is what most people can’t do in a negative situation, taking responsibly and at the same time releasing the expectation of other people acting the way we want them to act, and finally doing something to make them happy. Great practice. Thanks for sharing!
Lana-DreamFollowers ´s last blog ..Finding Your Life Purpose: Do You Know What You Stand For?
Thanks Lana!
yea its great that tonglen helps me use negativity and turn it into something positive!
Very powerful post, Rocky. The biggest obstacle I find in my practice is what you have mentioned as egotistical judgement, also masquerading as righteousness
. The spiritual path is indeed very interesting and challenging.
Cheers,
Krishna
Krishna´s last blog ..A step by step guide to preparing a speech
yea sometimes its just so loud! I am grateful that the spiritual path is an interesting one !
Thanks for stopping by Krishna !