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mental states from becoming stronger and taking cause for suffering. We realize the benefit of cherishing
over. By contemplating the faults of the afflictions, like others, versus the drawback of just thinking of
anger, and the benefits of the constructive emotions, ourselves. Through mind training, we practice how to
like patience, we teach our mind not to follow anger cherish others more than ourselves and this is based
but generate patience instead. Likewise, we cultivate on the preliminary practice of love and compassion. As
positive emotions such as generosity, kindness, and our mind training progresses, we move closer towards
compassion, and once these positive mental states have cherishing others more than ourselves. This means we
arisen, we train our mind to maintain them as long as exchange our self for others.
we can.
Tonglen therefore means we take the suffering of others
We can take the techniques of mind training from the and give our own happiness to others. We can do that
Buddhist tradition to benefit others. Even though these while breathing as well. We breathe in the suffering of
mind training techniques originate from Buddhism, others and when we breathe out, we give our happiness
we can use them without calling it Buddhism. When and loving-kindness to others.
mind training is presented in a secular and universal
approach, it will reach many more people and benefit So is Tonglen both a meditation practice and
them, even if they are not Buddhists. physical compassion for others?

Tonglen or the practice of exchanging self with There are two aspects here. As an aspect of meditation,
others is mentioned as Relative Bodhicitta in lojong we practice breathing in the suffering of others, and
practice. Can you explain the relationship between then when breathing out, we give happiness to others.
practicing tonglen and practicing mind training? But throughout the day we can also be motivated to
engage in helping others through being kind, generous,
As mentioned before, we practice mind training by and compassionate. Whatever we do physically or
developing loving-kindness and compassion at three verbally is preceded by our mental intention or
levels. Firstly, we think how wonderful it would be motivation. The stronger our motivation, the more we
if beings abide in happiness or be free of suffering. want to help others.
Secondly, we wish that they abide in happiness,
or may they be free of suffering. Then, we take the Can you recommend some basic texts where one can
responsibility to create conditions for them to be free of practice lojong in our everyday life?
suffering and abide in happiness. Based on this attitude,
we think that other sentient beings are more important Books by His Holiness the Dalai Lama are always a
than ourselves. We realize that everybody has the wish good starting point for these kinds of practices and the
to be happy just like us. Then we reflect that they all following book gives a nice presentation about lojong:
want happiness and do not want suffering, exactly like Transforming the Mind, Eight Verses on Generating
us. So, it is more beneficial to benefit others instead of Compassion and Transforming your Life, His Holiness the
just benefitting ourselves. If we only think of ourselves, Dalai Lama. EH
we become selfish, and cherishing only ourselves is a