We are living in a time of immense confusion, pain, and disconnect. When there are horrors in every direction, it overwhelms us, and can cause us to feel like there’s nothing we can do. It can lull us into numbness.
Hopelessness is a dangerous emotion. It’s very easy to get caught in a cycle of cynicism, fear, and bitterness. Yet, we are called to pull ourselves out of those cycles. We are called to greater things.
“The terrorists thought they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage were born.”
Seeing all the pain in the world also has a tendency to make us ignore or dismiss our own pain. It’s hard, for instance, to focus on healing the pain of a lost relationship when so many overseas are losing their lives or their families.
Yet, the one thing that connects us all as human beings is our pain. It is through our pain, and the emotions they create, that we can connect and heal.
In this audio, I share the ancient practice of Tonglen—a Tibetan word that means “to give and receive.” It is a powerful practice that should be practiced with care, deep intention, and self-love.
I invite you to this practice, with all your pains, and all your emotions. I invite you to connect in a time of division, and feel in a time in which so many are choosing numbness.
You are stronger than you know. You can, one pain at a time, help to heal the world.
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