Compassion is a universal human virtue. However, the training that I’ve done in compassion has been in a Buddhist context. As a result I teach compassion and compassion meditation using Buddhist concepts and terms. You do not have to be a Buddhist in order to take this course.

The suggested practice is Tong Len. Tong Len is a Tibetan compassion practice.

Tong Len is said to include four sublime emotions: Loving Kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity. It also is a training in the practice of generosity, ethics, tolerance, effort, concentration and wisdom, all at once.

Practice instructions will be given in the lecture in the first hour. Loving-kindness meditation (Metta) is a good alternative as compassion practice can be very intense, at times.

We’ll do a guided forgiveness meditation at the beginning of the retreat to soften the mind.

Second Lecture and Guided Meditation

A second lecture will another opportunity for questions and answer. Additionally we’ll discuss the desire to awaken for the benefit of others. Moreover, we will discuss how and why compassion is a natural and necessary outcome of deep and proper spiritual practice.

Walking Meditation

Brief walking meditation instruction will be offered. Most hours will consist of a 20 minute walking meditation session and a 40 minute seated meditation session.

Yoga (optional)

I’ll guide an hour long Yoga session. The Yoga routine will be made up of two sequences. The first is based on the “how to grow a lotus” sequence which is specifically designed to help with long meditation sitting. The second sequence is Tibetan Sun Moon Yoga which supports deep meditative experience. So bring a Yoga mat.

The retreat is suitable for beginners

Tong Len is a safe practice for beginners. But, it can be kinda weird if you aren’t used to it. Metta (loving-kindness) or breath/concentration practice should be used if Tong Len starts to get more difficult.