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Tonglen with Hatred

AllbuddhaBoundAllbuddhaBound Veteran
edited September 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I had been practicing Tonglen with people who were suffering but then it occurred to me that hatred and intolerance were forms of suffering as well. I had overlooked this form of suffering entirely. When I began breathing in the hatred and intolerance and then breathing out peace and compassion, I feel things are beginning to change for me. Especially with people who hate me.

I was wondering if people could describe some of their experiences with Tonglen and if they had used it to help themselves become compassionate towards their enemies.

Namaste

Comments

  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited September 2010
    I use it to help let go of strong states of mind... And THAT helps me be more compassionate. Trungpa Rinpoche said that compassion was not the idea of charity we have in the west. He said it was dissolving boundaries. Letting go of the view of a solid self with 'enemies' for example. Which I think that is what you describe, no?
  • AllbuddhaBoundAllbuddhaBound Veteran
    edited September 2010
    Jeffrey wrote: »
    I use it to help let go of strong states of mind... And THAT helps me be more compassionate. Trungpa Rinpoche said that compassion was not the idea of charity we have in the west. He said it was dissolving boundaries. Letting go of the view of a solid self with 'enemies' for example. Which I think that is what you describe, no?

    I think so but as I said this is a fairly new experience for me. When you speak of dissolving boundaries, if you mean being able to understand the hatred and see how I am like the person who hates, then yes I would say that is my experience.
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited September 2010
    It's a good idea to do tonglen with all the six realms. (Hate would be the hell realm.)
  • AllbuddhaBoundAllbuddhaBound Veteran
    edited September 2010
    fivebells wrote: »
    It's a good idea to do tonglen with all the six realms. (Hate would be the hell realm.)

    Would you have any links to sites that would describe the realms?

    Namaste
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited September 2010
    These podcasts describe them in detail.
  • AllbuddhaBoundAllbuddhaBound Veteran
    edited September 2010
    fivebells wrote: »
    These podcasts describe them in detail.


    I am sure I am demonstrating my technical shortcomings here, but I can't get any of these podcasts to play. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited September 2010
    What happens when you click on one of the audio links? (E.g., MUB01: Monsters Under The Bed (retreat))?
  • AllbuddhaBoundAllbuddhaBound Veteran
    edited September 2010
    fivebells wrote: »
    What happens when you click on one of the audio links? (E.g., MUB01: Monsters Under The Bed (retreat))?

    I get the player but it will not play. When I hit the play button, it turns to pause but it doesn't play.
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited September 2010
    Try right-clicking, and saving the link contents, then double-clicking on the resulting icon on the desktop.
  • AllbuddhaBoundAllbuddhaBound Veteran
    edited September 2010
    fivebells wrote: »
    Try right-clicking, and saving the link contents, then double-clicking on the resulting icon on the desktop.

    That worked. Thanks.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited September 2010
    Allbuddha I was thinking that you learn that the negative states can be breathed in rather than try to keep them out. You also learn to let go of them and return to the inbreath.

    The relief and good wishes you learn to breath out to others rather than yourself. You also learn to let go of them entirely when the inbreath comes up.

    This leads to a more fluid attitude towards strong emotions.. You can hold your seat more easily amidst the turmoil. And expand minfulness; opening to the situation. That is, I feel, conducive to compassion. A light touch.
  • AllbuddhaBoundAllbuddhaBound Veteran
    edited September 2010
    Jeffrey wrote: »
    Allbuddha I was thinking that you learn that the negative states can be breathed in rather than try to keep them out. You also learn to let go of them and return to the inbreath.

    The relief and good wishes you learn to breath out to others rather than yourself. You also learn to let go of them entirely when the inbreath comes up.

    This leads to a more fluid attitude towards strong emotions.. You can hold your seat more easily amidst the turmoil. And expand minfulness; opening to the situation. That is, I feel, conducive to compassion. A light touch.

    I am not sure I follow what you mean. Or perhaps you were not referring to me, but to all meditators generally. I don't try to keep negative states out that I'm aware of. Also, I do try to breathe the positive out to others.

    Maybe I am misunderstanding you. I appreciate any help I can get in respect to developing my meditative practice.

    Namaste
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited September 2010
    I meant what I find in practicing tonglen so those things apply to my experience. I wasn't saying that you weren't doing anything. Again, I was talking about my own experience.
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