Tonglen is an ancient Indian Buddhist meditation practice, which is at the heart of the Compassion training offered within the Mindfulness Association.  “Tong” means “sending out” or letting go”, and “len” means “receiving” or “accepting”.  With this practice, we imagine ourselves breathing in the suffering and pain of others, and sending them out all of our joy, happiness and well-being.  While at first this might appear counter-intuitive, this goes to the root of our self-preoccupation, and is a practice that helps us learn to open our hearts to the difficulties in our lives. Tonglen invites us to open up to not only feeling the pain, but also to feeling the joy, of being alive.

An important aspect of this practice is that we don’t actually absorb other people’s suffering; we start by connecting with our own innate potential for limitless compassion, which transforms suffering into any positive qualities that we, or other people, need.

This weekend will be an opportunity to explore the Tonglen practice in more depth, starting with engaging with difficulties in our own lives, before moving on to doing Tonglen for other people.

Tutor: Alan Hughes

Dates: 25-26 July 2026

Price: £185.00

Times: The course will run from 10.00am-17.00pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Booking: To book this course please contact info@mindfulnessassociation.net

Location: to be confirmed