Lojong and Tonglen
This section includes teachings on the challenging compassion practice of sending and taking (tonglen) and on the seven points of mind training. These teachings associated with the tonglen practice are widely taught within Tibetan Buddhism as instructions for the bodhisattva path.
The seven points of mind training are beautifully presented in the classic text Great Path of Awakening by late 19th century Tibetan teacher Jamgon Kongtrul the Great. This text, which can be found in our book section, is the basis for modern commentaries, such as Pema Chödrön's book Start Where You Are and her audio, in this section, on which the book is based, chapter by chapter. Another great book on this subject was written by her teacher, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving-Kindness, and is referred to frequently by Pema Chödrön in her seminars.
In general, the bodhisattva path includes a family of teachings which describe how to live a life of service to others / putting others before oneself, based on understanding and realizing the interdependence of all beings, egolessness and unobstructed love and compassion. Pema Chödrön has taught extensively on tonglen, lojong, and the bodhisattva path for many years.
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