As some of you may know, I have been experimenting with tonglen as a method of karuna bhavana. However, because there seems to be a dearth of material on the subject that I haven’t already read I found myself at an impasse. It was at this point that I recalled I had undertaken a similar search about four years ago when I registered for the Dharma Patha program through http://www.kagyu.com, the site of the Kagyu tradition.
For a number of reasons, but mostly due to my own doctrinal misgivings, I never finished the program but I find myself drawn to learn more about tonglen and the various and sundry techniques for cultivating the brahma viharas. Now, I must admit to feeling somewhat foolish as I have attempted this once before and gave up so I will make the aditthana to finish the program come what may and just observe my aversion towards understandings of the Dhamma that don’t jive with my own. At present I view the Mahayana and Vajrayana as the logical outgrowth of a pursuit of the brahma viharas and that is how I intend to put to rest any qualms I have with certain aspects of the practice I will be undertaking. I hope to share more shortly but, it being a Sunday, I have precious little time to post.
Rakkhantu sabba devata!
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
Leave a comment