intertwining

giving and taking

Added 2024-01-20 01:07:59 +0000 UTC

Tonglen is Tibetan for 'giving and taking' (or sending and receiving), and refers to a meditation practice found in Tibetan Buddhism. Tong means "giving, sending", and len means "receiving, taking". Tonglen is also known as exchanging self with other.

Today in meditation practice I was struggling due to my own confusion. Confusion in not remembering who I really am. Spontaneously I began tonglen. Inhaling the confusion about our true nature, as a constricted ball of black smoke into the center of my heart. In the heart, hungry for suffering, the energy is transformed into golden light, like a billion suns shining out from the chest. Exhale, clarity, relief, spaciousness.

Again and again. It is a powerful practice…