By Amy J. Lepine

Do you ever feel disconnected or wish you could relate to people on a deeper level? Tonglen could be the answer. This ancient Tibetan practice in compassion breaks down the barriers of separation and allows us to share more readily in both the sorrow and the joy of others around us. And you don’t have to sit on a cushion or light any incense to do it. In fact, it can be done “on the street.” Literally translated to mean taking and sending, this practice focuses on breathing in the pain and suffering of others and breathing out relief, healing whatever is needed in the moment. Read More

By Pauline Villanueva

 ’Tis the season to give thanks, count our blessings, and remember all the things we have to be grateful for. For some, this is a welcome reminder; for others, it is a challenge. Worse, it can make some of us feel resentful, as if we’re being pressured to feel “grateful” while simultaneously being forced to acknowledge our struggles. Read More