Compassion Conquers All

APPENDIX

EXCHANGING “SELF” AND “OTHER”

TONGLEN: GIVING AND TAKING

“Giving and taking,” (Tonglen in Tibetan), is a supremely powerful method to generate deep closeness with oneself and others while at the same time attacking the roots of the self-grasping and self-cherishing mind. For a long time Tonglen has only been taught to the most advanced practitioners. During Geshe Chekawa’s time, it became known as the “Dharma of lepers,” because many lepers found their illness cured through this practice.

We calm our body and mind, and take refuge in the enlightened Ones. We remember our truest wish: the unchanging happiness of every living being. Then we start breathing in others’ pain and difficulties through the right nostril, visualized as black ...