Compassion/Tonglen Groups
What Are Compassion/Tonglen Groups?
Compassion Groups are groups that are dedicated to the Buddhist practice of Tonglen Meditation. Tonglen Meditation is essentially a practice of self-compassion. In other words it is the practice of learning to lean into and fully embrace one’s own inner suffering and meet the inner needs of the young wounded soul. As we learn to do this we heal the split between our young soul and the ego defenses it learned and intra-relationship is formed through loving and truthful dialogue and engagement. This then ripples out into the world in a way in which we no longer shy away from the suffering of others, but expand our capacity to embrace more and more with love and acceptance. We then can be in Sacred Service to the world, through learning to do it for ourselves first.
Our Groups meet once monthly for 3 hours at a time with teachings on what arose in the groups as a tool for further study and contemplation. If you are interested in joining a group feel free to contact Lyndall Johnson or Charisse Lyons to find a time that works for you and for further information.
September 2020 - Compassion Group Notes
Entering the Realm of Paradox
“I asked him what he thought it meant for our lives, for how we spend them, for what they mean. He said our lives mean nothing except as a cycle of regeneration, that we are incomprehensibly brief sparks, just as the animals are, that we are no more important than they are, no more worthy of life than any living creature. That in our self-importance, in our search for meaning, we have forgotten how to share the planet that gave us life. Tonight I write him a letter telling him I think he was right. But that also I think there is meaning, and it lives in nurturing, in making life sweeter for ourselves, and for those around us.” ~Charlotte McConaghy, Migrations: A Novel (Flatiron Books, August 4, 2020)
