Speaker: Ava Evans. Ava gives a personal account of how her practices of bodhicitta and tonglen have been essential in navigating grief and loss. Her commitment to walk the path of a bodhisattva and follow Rinpoche’s advice that, “our hearts must be strong and brave” have provided the support she needed to care for her brother during his battle with brain cancer until his death, and her father’s decline into dementia. Turning toward suffering and bearing witness to their pain allowed Ava to step out of her limited sense of self and extend love, patience and compassion to her family members. In doing so, she touches the buddhanature in herself and her loved ones, strengthening her understanding that we are all the same. These experiences have also brought a deeper connection to her own mind’s nature to always be in touch with itself. The power of that recognition allows confusion to be transformed into compassion and wisdom, which is the ultimate ally in difficult and uncertain times.

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