Tonglen for The Departed [Online]

“Tonglen can be done for those who are ill, those who are dying or have died, or for those who are in pain of any kind. It can be done as formal meditation practice right on the spot at any time.”

Pema Chödrön

In this session, Meli-Tashi Happy, Tisa McGraw, and Chaplain Alley Smith will offer Tonglen Meditation instruction, tips, suggestions and helpful advice for you toenhance your practice. Emphasis will be placed on individuals who are dying and practitioners who have died.

What You Will Gain: 

• An opportunity to learn Tonglen for the first time or renew your practice experience
• An opportunity to learn from two experienced Death Doulas and a Buddhist Chaplain
• An opportunity to practice in the comforts of your own home and/or practice space
• A space to share your compassion practice with others
• A safe space to talk about the deceased and those who are dying
• Q&A and more

Recommended Reading & Viewing Material (Not required):

• Training the Mind & Cultivating Loving-Kindness by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche - Edited by Judith L. Lief. Forward by Pema Chödrön
• Tonglen: The Path of Transformation by Pema Chödrön
• Tonglen with Dr. Judith Simmer-Brown  [Youtube]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULcPXy9IRX0

Privacy:

We respect your privacy.  This program will not be recorded to protect the privacy of individuals who want to share their deep and heartfelt experiences of loss, grief and bereavement. 

Your Instructors:

Meli-Tashi Happy is the End-of-Life Coordinator for Seattle Shambhala Center, a death doula, and somatic educator. Her Buddhist path began in 1997 in the Zen tradition, and in 2007 she found the Shambhala teachings. She’s taken Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows, and is a vajrayana student. She helps foster ‘community death care’ education and connections.  [email protected]

Tisa McGraw is a death doula, end of life educator and funeral celebrant. She practices as a massage therapist, intuitive healer and psychic medium. She taught massage therapy in career colleges and was a social worker specializing in death and dying. She continues to teach meditation, Buddhism, intuitive healing and end of life classes. She has deep roots in Shamanism, Buddhism, holistic healing and spiritual deathcare. She has been a Shambhala student since 2000. [email protected]

Alley Smith (she/her) is a Buddhist Minister of Religion (Upadhyaya) in the Shambhala Lineage. She also holds 10 precepts in Zen Buddhism. Alley is a US military war veteran. During her career, Alley served with Military Funeral Honors teams in the Marine Corps and Navy Reserve. She specializes in spiritual care, mortuary affairs, and as a funeral clergy. She is deeply influenced by Pure Land Buddhism and Vajrayana. Alley has been a student of Shambhala Buddhism and Zen since 1999.   [email protected] 

This offering is free of cost. Donations are appreciated and help us offer meditation and community support.