7. Train in sending and taking alternatively, these two should ride the breath

• This is the Sixth Slogan/Instruction of Point Two.
• Point Two is “The Actual Practice”.
• Point two consists of nine instructions in two divisions. The two divisions are
  • 1) Cultivating Absolute Bodhicitta, which consists of five instructions, and
  • 2) Cultivating Relative Bodhicitta, which consists of four instructions.
    • “Train in sending and taking alternatively, these two should ride the breath” belongs to the second division, “Cultivating Relative Bodhicitta”.

This refers to a practice known as “tonglen” (gtong len), which means “giving and taking”. There are many instructions for this practice. Ken McCleod provides an extremely concise instruction at http://www.unfetteredmind.org/mindtraining/7.php, quoted below:

As you breathe in, imagine all the suffering and negativity of others as thick black smoke coming in through your right nostril and into your heart. As you breathe out, imagine all your own happiness and wellbeing as silvery light coming from your heart and going out through your left nostril to all beings everywhere.

Wood; overall: 45.7 x 25.4 x 12.1 cm (18 x 10 x 4 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art