At times we may feel small, insignificant, and unable to help when people are suffering, or there’s a catastrophe in another part of the world. But there is something we can do.
Tonglen—Tibetan for giving and receiving—is an active practice of loving-kindness; a simple act of compassion that anyone can do. Here’s how it’s done:
Sit or lie quietly in your own “inner sanctuary” and imagine someone that you want to help.
Inhale the heaviness of their energy. Breathe in the condition, emotion, or suffering of another to make space for healing and comfort within.
Exhale whatever you feel will fill them relief. Breathe out hope, strength, joy, peace of mind, love, or ease.
Tonglen is a soothing and calming meditation that can be done by people of any spiritual tradition, or none at all. It’s a simple, non-denominational practice that acknowledges we’re all connected no matter who we are, or where we come from.
“There is a place in you where you have never been wounded, where there’s a seamlessness in you, and where there is a confidence and tranquility in you, and I think the intention of prayer and spirituality and love is now and again to visit that inner kind of sanctuary.” —John O’Donohue
What does your inner sanctuary look like?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
I love the landscape of your inner sanctuary!
Reblogged this on Somerton Smith and commented:
I couldn’t have said it any better.
Arlene — I take that as a high compliment. Thank you 🙂
I love that photograph. I don’t have a scene for my “inner sanctuary,” but that arbor/terrace is indeed lovely and peaceful.
Merril — That arbor/terrace is one of the most peaceful, serene settings I’ve ever been in. I’m glad you enjoyed it, too.
I agree yours look great. Mine I think would be found inside of a book. I can think of quite a few, but it probably depends on the mood
Olga — Yes! The inside of books can be a place of refuge and solace.
I believe I have two inner sanctuaries. Although they look a little different from yours, like yours, they both speak of peace, love, and joy: on my patio just beyond my writing studio and a blue chair in my living room where I meditate and talk to God.
By the way, my Facebook page shows how people can help victims in France, which you allude to in this poignant post.
Your photos are beyond lovely and show what a good eye you have for perspective and detail.
Marian — Yours both sound lovely. You are my BLUE-chaired friend, while Shirley is my RED—chaired friend. I’m heading over to your Facebook page now…
Lost in Nature somewhere, usually a forest, and if there is a lake or a river, even better.
Fatima — I absolutely agree. Nature has so many lovely sanctuary offerings.
A nice message, Laurie. Many people are lost and anxious at this time. This simple exercise is a savior. Thank you for your wisdom.
Christine — I’m glad it resonated with you. Thank you for letting me know.
My sanctuary is a mess most of the time just kidding that was a beautiful post Laurie Happy Thanksgiving to you and Len and Evan . 😘💚💛❌💜
Mona — I’m glad you enjoyed the post. As to Thanksgiving? Right back atcha, siSTAR! 🙂
Great subject for contemplation, Laurie. I don’t think I have ever visualized my Inner Space quite in that way before. My time spent with the Master of the Universe is not bounded by my earthly limitations but rather in a space set aside where I can open my heart, mind and Spirit wholly to Him alone without fear of intrusion. Kahlil Gibran said it best (IMO) when he wrote in his essay on Love, ” Say not that God is in my heart, but that I am in the heart of God.”
Sandi — I can easily picture you in the painting you did of the Meditation Garden. And I love the Kahil Gibran quote that you shared, thank you!
Just what I needed to find and read.
For two days my back as been in total stress mode pain for I didn’t know how to hold the space for the effects of what had happened, and the continued insanity of peoples reactions…
Thank you and bless you!
Jeff — I’m so glad this post resonated with you. Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Laurie we share an appreciation for the Tonglen practice. To me it can be a transformative practice. It takes courage to breathe in the condition, emotion, suffering and then making space for the healing within. The breathing out is the gift to ourselves and others.
Thank you for sharing it. We certainly need healing in the world. Namaste.
Audrey — You’re absolutely correct in that it can be a mutually restorative practice for both for the recipient and the sender. Namaste.
Being still today Dr appointment with lots of tests. Wanting good results. Fasting for 24 hours and wondering if I am listening to one of my toes dying – lots of hip pain. I seem to be feeling much of the worlds pain right now. Need my sanctuary and peace but must go out into 50mph winds and rain instead. World is too much with me.
Patricia — I’m picturing you and breathing off your pain, replacing the newly created space with ease. Holding sacred space and heartlight for you.
Such a beautiful post and practice … 💛 I appreciate your guidance Laurie. xo
Val — I’m glad this post resonated with you, thank you for letting me know.
I’m breathing in this beautiful post–so empowering; so positive.
I walk my inner sanctuary every day. On Mayne Island, there’s a long, straight road flaked by trees that leads to a friend’s farm. With Bim on a leash walking beside me, it’s a slice of heaven. That’s where my mind goes when I need peace.
Warm hugs to you, Laurie.
Leanne — I can see you and Bim on the beautiful path in my mind’s eye. Lovely.
Very positive and thought provoking post! If I could post a picture it would be on my horse looking through his ears at the hard woods all around me. That is my sanctuary!
Tina — Based on your wonderful description, I can picture it clearly in my mind’s eye. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful!
My inner sanctuary is usually amid woodsy trees, with a lot of moss scattered all around. There are also hundreds of ferns glowing in the soft light that shines through the canopy of leaves. I see this sight in my mind’s-eye when I think sanctuary…more so than any manmade building I’ve been in.
Timelesslady — You painted a beautiful word picture; it sounds like Mother Nature at her finest.
yes…
Mine is usually by the sea, within a forest filled with bird song, or in a field filled with wildflowers. I find peace, love and joy in any of those places.
Joan — Yes, indeed! Nature has some of the most stunning sanctuaries imaginable.
How beautiful! This will become a practice. My sanctuary is under the trees with the birds at the salt marsh 🙂
Tiny — I’m so glad this practice resonates with you. Thank you for letting me know!
For me, there is something very peaceful in the imagery of being out on the ocean, in a small boat, out of sight of land, on a calm day.
The peace
The serene calm
The solitude
Ted — I can absolutely see that for you. Yes, indeed.
I have done that in my yoga group I love it … Thank you for the reminder.
I suppose because , as you know Laurie , I am away with the fairies I am lucky enough to find santuary in small things , places anything really .
Right now it’s looking out of my finished , yes , finished kitchen as the rain pours and the wind blows , I can see santuary in my rainbow mug and snug sofa because there is a book I can’t wait to finish …see you later I have very important stuff to do .🙃
Cherryx
Cherry — Your finished (yes finished!) kitchen, pouring rain, howling wind, rainbow mug, snug sofa, and a waiting book. PERFECT!
When engrossed in art work it’s like total focus and all else locked out.
Carl — Yes, indeed! 🙂
What a lovely idea and especially pertinent at the moment.
Marie — I’m glad this post resonated with you. Thank you for letting me know.
Beautiful post. Your sanctuary is divine. Mine changes within my mind’s eye. Sometimes I’m walking on a sandy beach with the blue expanse of ocean by my side, the sun shimmering over my closed eyes. Other times I’m lying on a green lush hill with a stream nearby, the sounds of happy children mingling with that of the burbling brook, my heart swollen in love.
Pam — Your ever-changing sanctuary sounds like a beautiful kaleidoscope.
Ohh, what a lovely way of looking at it! Thank you. xo
A deeply moving and resonating post both for the holiday and the troubled times we are living in, and I thank for it Laurie. You have an enviable sanctuary there, certainly a model. I do try, but there is always room for improvement.
Sam — I’m glad this post resonated with you, thank you for letting me know.