Deep Dive into Tonglen

Tonglen meditation, or “sending and taking”, is an ancient Buddhist practice to awaken compassion. With each in-breath, we take in others’ pain. With each out-breath, we send them relief. It can be done both as a formal meditation practice or on the spot in a moment of need. Below, you’ll find two different instructions for…

Rather than try to escape from painful feelings, Alixa Doom started practicing tonglen at her job at a psychiatric hospital.

Gehlek Rinpoche on the practice of tonglen, the way to awaken bodhimind by doing exactly the opposite of what your ego wants.

Pema Chödron gives a teaching on Tonglen and Lojong.

Pema Chödrön teaches us Tonglen, “sending and taking,” an ancient Buddhist practice to awaken compassion.

On the inbreath, says Judy Lief, take in what is bad, freeing others from it. On the outbreath, offer what is good.

“Accepting and sending out” is a powerful meditation to develop compassion—for ourselves and others. Ethan Nichtern teaches Tonglen practice.

Make your vow to help others real with this meditation teaching from Pema Chödrön.

Suffering is more than the first noble truth of Buddhism. To see our own and others' suffering is the first step on the path, the birthplace of compassion. Judy Lief offers guidance on the journey.