The Power to Bless

The news of the world, with all its dissension and strife, causes many of us to feel helpless. We turn away from what’s happening both down the block and around the globe. In so doing we deny our role in world events and limit our capacity to serve as a healing force. The Tibetan practice of Tonglen is a simple, lovely way to prevent this process.

The Practice: Whenever you see someone suffering, notice whether it causes you to flinch, go numb, or shut down in any way. If so, this is a perfect opportunity for Tonglen. Here’s how it works. With the power of your imagination, take all the pain that you’ve witnessed directly into your heart. Behold that pain with compassion and empathy, transmuting it into love. Once this is complete, send all that love back to the original sufferer.

Raphael Cushnir

Isn't this Tibetan practice a lot like the unconditional love we hear about? Isn't it the practice of alchemy? Isn't it about changing the energy from negative to positive? Isn't it about forgiveness? You can do it today. That is the silent work we are here to do. Try it today. Take any stress and change it to what you want it to be. Change stress to blessing. Even if it was yesterday, you can re-visit the scene and do your wonderful work of alchemy. Your blessings are your choice, not someone else's.