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From: Ellen-Marie Silverman
Date: 22 Oct 2006
Time: 06:22:43 -0500
Remote Name: 152.163.101.13
Michael, I don't have any advice for you as such regarding any inquiry you may make into Tonglen Meditation, which, as I mentioned, is being taught by Buddhist Nun, Pema Chodron. Her root teacher was Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Tibetan Lama and founder of the Shambhala Training Method. Naropa University in Boulder, and Gumpo Abbey in Nova Scotia. Ani Pema credits Chogyam Trungpa with introducting Tonglen Meditation. It may not be taught at the Buddhist Meditation Center or Spirit Rock Center. Briefly, as I understand it, Tonglen Meditation practice involves taking on the discomforts, pains, and suffering of the world for the sake of giving relef to others in the hope of helping enable them to find their true path to their hearts and also sharing personally felt pleasure and joy with others, also, to help open their hearts. It, in a way, is a path of service to others predicated on one's inherent connections with others, which we often forget when we are ailing and that dissociation from others, of itself, can greatly increase suffering. So, that is why it is thought to provide spiritual healing for those with HIV and AIDS who take up Tonglen Practice. And that is why I thought I would ask you about your experience with it, if any. Ellen-Marie