Episode Details

Tonglen, or the practice of Taking and Sending, is one of the seven points of mind training that was developed by the Tibetan Kadampa master Chekhawa Yeshe Dorje in the 12th century.

The purpose of this practice is two-fold. It gives us practical means to take on our experiences on the path so our suffering can become a source of compassion, wisdom, patience, and understanding for ourselves and others. This is relative bodhicitta. And In doing so, we can recognize the nature of our minds, or ultimate bodhicitta.

Relative bodhicitta is how we learn to love ourselves and each other. Ultimate bodhicitta is the fundamental pristine awareness, or non judgmental, naturally open, loving spaciousness undivided by self and other.

Through the practice of tonglen, we are cultivating relative bodhicitta, and in doing so, we cultivate the ability to recognize the very awareness that allows us to love and hold space infinitely—which is Ultimate Bodhicitta.