Tonglen Meditation
I created this offering in the aftermath of the mass shooting on 3/22/21 at King Soopers just one mile from my house in Boulder, Colorado. The whole community is suffering, you can feel it in the air, but most especially the victims' friends and families. This is for them. And all who are suffering.
Tonglen is an ancient Buddhist meditation practice to awaken compassion. It means "taking in and sending out". With each in-breath, we take in others’ pain. With each out-breath, we send them relief.
It's the most powerful meditation I know, both for the meditator and the objects of our loving compassion. It is not meant to take the place of any other activism or to bypass the gravity of the situation. It is an immediate way to make an offering of your humanity and empathy to other beings who are hurting.
I offer this meditation freely but ask that if you choose to practice with this video, please consider making a donation of any amount to the Boulder County Crisis Fund that was established to support the victims, their families and the community in healing from this tragedy.
