In Buddhism, it’s understood that truly awakened people experience compassion for themselves and others equally, with no division. In this tonglen meditation, Ethan Nichtern guides you to visualize yourself in front of you, breathing in your own difficulty and breathing out whatever might help. By doing so, you can expand the practice to include others who share similar struggles.
This practice is excerpted from Nichtern’s four-part video workshop for Lion’s Roar members, “How to Practice Self Compassion,” which Lion’s Roar members can access now. Explore our full library of member workshops.