Attention Quote by Pema Chodron
“If you see a homeless person on the street, and they need food, housing, medical attention - if you can give that, do it. But at the same time, work with tonglen, because that is how you start dissolving the barrier between you and them.”
About This Quote
Source Teaching: Working with Compassion by Pema Chödrön, 2009
Compassionate action toward the homeless, combined with tonglen practice, dissolves separation between self and other.
In simple terms: Help the homeless and practice tonglen to reduce distance.
Key Takeaway
Act with kindness and practice empathetic breathing.
Themes
compassion
service
interconnectedness
Mood
empathetic
practical
Type
mindful
service‑oriented
When to use this quote
- volunteering
- food banks
- medical outreach
- mindful breathing exercises
Key Concepts
tonglen
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance direct aid with personal emotional health?
- What practices support sustained compassion?
A Different Perspective
Tonglen can be emotionally challenging for beginners.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
