In a world where we appear to be polarized between democrat and republican, far right and far left, rich and poor; where anger and hatred are fulminated by the very leadership we are supposed to depend upon there is a need for a way to feel compassion for ourselves as well as our enemies.
The Buddhists have such a practice which they call Tonglen. The Dalai Lama practices tonglen daily toward the Chinese who have oppressed and exiled the Tibetan people for decades now.
It is a simple meditation practice, but one that may take a little practice. Basically you breath in the suffering, hatred, rage, anger etc.... which you may feel toward another - and visualize this as a thick black smoke entering your lungs and heart. Then in response you breath out from the heart love, compassion and light. This can be surprisingly calming in response to many of the ugly little indignities of life and can stop you in your tracks from acting impulsively.
The Buddhists have such a practice which they call Tonglen. The Dalai Lama practices tonglen daily toward the Chinese who have oppressed and exiled the Tibetan people for decades now.
It is a simple meditation practice, but one that may take a little practice. Basically you breath in the suffering, hatred, rage, anger etc.... which you may feel toward another - and visualize this as a thick black smoke entering your lungs and heart. Then in response you breath out from the heart love, compassion and light. This can be surprisingly calming in response to many of the ugly little indignities of life and can stop you in your tracks from acting impulsively.
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