Start Where You Are

practice moves to people you actually hate, people
you consider to be your enemies or to have actually
harmed you. This expansion evolves by doing the
practice. You cannot fake these things; therefore you
start with the things that are close to your heart.
It’s useful to think of tonglen practice in four
stages:

1. Flashing openness

2. Working with the texture, breathing in dark,

heavy, and hot and breathing out white, light,

and cool

3. Working with relieving a specific, heartfelt in-

stance of suffering

4. Extending that wish to help everyone

The main thing is to really get in touch with fixa-
tion and the power of klesha activity in yourself. This
makes other people’s situations completely accessi-
ble and real to you. Then, when it becomes real and
vivid, always remember to extend it out. Let your own
experience be a stepping stone for working with the
world.

Start Where You Are 59