The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: July 2024

Middle Way Initiative July 2024 Newsletter.

The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: July 2024

Dear Friends,

May you be thriving - wherever you are!

I am presently in Crestone enjoying the warmer weather and a bit of greenery! Only the most tenacious of plants show up in the high desert! We’ve been blessed with summer rains.

At the end of May, I traveled to Portland, Maine for an Mangala Shri Bhuti lobster life release on the auspicious day of Saga Dawa Duchen. This day marks the Buddha’s enlightenment and also his passing from this world into nirvana. From there I headed to Vermont for an MSB teaching weekend program at Pema Osel Center. In the teachings, entitled “Bearing Witness,” we examined two stories about the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, as a way to more deeply probe the practice of Bodhicitta.

I could never put into words how much the center sparkled, how much I enjoyed seeing everyone, and how enthused they were about the dharma. It was a lively and spirited weekend.

Please enjoy my new Open Question Podcast episode 503: The Ineffable. Join us for our next Open Question Live Conversation with Anam Thubten Rinpoche on August 10th at 2pm USA MT.

Love,
Elizabeth

Open Question Podcast Episode 503: The Ineffable

All great spiritual lineages point us back to that which defies concept and language. Authentic practitioners describe awakening as being touched by a sense of awe, overcome by the beauty, fierceness and power of being. To be in AWE is a natural human experience. Ironically, so is the discomfort that leaves us restless with the experience, making it almost impossible to bear. Our inability to bear the ineffable gives rise to dualism and our conflict with faith.

Listen to Episode 503 >>

Daylong Retreat with Anam Thubten and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel

"Awakened Heart, Awakened Mind" hosted by the Dharmata Foundation. Sun, August 4, 10:00am – 4:30pm.

A one-day retreat with Anam Thubten and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, In-person only at Dhumatala Temple, Point Richmond, California. Registration now open.

For more information please visit:
https://mailchi.mp/dharmata/awakened-heart
https://dharmata.org/events-calendar/

OQ Live Conversation: Living Faith through Ritual

Please join us on Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 2-4 USA MT for the OQ LIVE Conversation: “Living Faith Through Ritual,” with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and Anam Thubten Rinpoche. Rinpoche is an accomplished and respected teacher and extremely deep thinker. For many years, Elizabeth and Rinpoche have enjoyed teaching together and have been engaged in an ongoing inquiry into the topic of emptiness, and the ritual and practice of Chod. Elizabeth is excited to have Rinpoche back on OQ LIVE to discuss the function of ritual in practice and life, and how it can support us to cultivate confidence in the emptiness view.

Register today >>

Nyingma Summer Seminar July 13-21, 2024

In-Person at Phuntsok Choling, Ward Colorado and Live Stream.

Registration is now open for NSS! Teachers: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dungse Jampal Norbu & Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel. Special guest, Pema Chödrön.

Learn more at:
https://mangalashribhuti.org/event/nyingma-summer-seminar/

We are very happy to announce that on August 31, 2024, from 7pm to 9pm (Brazil time) Lama Elizabeth will offer online teachings on "The Liberating Practice of Looking and Not Finding". The event will have simultaneous translation into Portuguese, and everyone is very welcome to participate in this event. This event has the collaboration between MWI, MSB Brasil, Paz & Mente Brasil, O Lugar and is supported by Lúcida Letras.

Registration details here >>

Estamos muito felizes em anunciar que dia 31 de agosto de 2024, das 19h às 21h (horário de Brasília) Lama Elizabeth vai oferecer ensinamentos online sobre " A prática libertadora de procurar e não encontrar". O evento terá tradução simultânea para o Português, e todos são muito bem-vindos em participar deste evento. Este evento tem a colaboração do MWI, MSB Brasil, Paz & Mente Brasil, O Lugar e apoio da Lúcida Letras.

Inscrições pelo link >>

PEACE AGENT TRAINING: Distance Learning Postgraduate Diploma in Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies

With Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, Jampal Norbu and other teachers.

12-month online program. With simultaneous translation into Portuguese.

Registration: www.pazemente.com.br

FORMAÇÃO DE AGENTES DE PAZ: Pós-graduação EaD em Transformação de Conflitos e Estudos de Paz com ênfase no Equilíbrio Emocional

Com Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, Jampal Norbu e outros professores

12 meses de programa online. Com tradução simultânea para o Português.

Inscrições: www.pazemente.com.br

The only training program for peace agents in Latin America, endorsed by the UNESCO Peace Chair. Based on contemplative pedagogy, the program's main objective is to enable the intra- and interpersonal transformations of agents who wish to expand their investigations into healthy relationships. It also aims to provide a broad understanding of the nature of peace and conflict. The course is registered with the Brazilian Ministry of education, certified by Paz & Mente Brazil and Faculdade Innovare with the support of the UNESCO Peace Chair/Innsbruck, Austria, the Santa Barbara Institute in California, USA and the Middle Way Initiative, EUA. The distance learning program will include 4 synchronous meetings (via Zoom) and another 10 asynchronous distance learning classes with humanized support from facilitators.

Única formação de agentes de paz da América Latina, chancelada pela cátedra de Paz da UNESCO. Com base na pedagogia contemplativa, o programa tem como objetivo principal possibilitar as transformações intra e interpessoais dos (as) agentes que desejam expandir suas investigações sobre as relacionalidades saudáveis. Além disso, visa trazer uma compreensão ampla sobre a natureza da paz e dos conflitos. O curso é registrado no MEC, certificado pela Paz & Mente e Faculdade Innovare com apoio da Cátedra de Paz da Unesco/Innsbruck, Áustria, Instituto Santa Barbara na Califórnia, EUA e Middle Way Initiative, EUA. Como programa EAD serão 4 encontros síncronos (via Zoom), e outras 10 aulas EAD assíncronas com acompanhamento humanizado de facilitadores. Assim que que o agente inscrito concluir sua inscrição, receberá o acesso a plataforma moodle e inicia sua jornada online.

Recordings available for Bearing Witness: Cultivating Courage and Engagement on the Bodhisattva Path (MSB 2024)

Standard Study Set

$75 Video and Audio Recordings
$35 Audio Recordings only

Learn about the recordings >>

RECORDINGS
All 2024 Open Question LIVE recordings available through Vimeo. See link to access recordings >>

For those who register for a live event, you will receive a free access code by email to view recordings for free.

For those who do not register, recordings are available to purchase.

Guidance for how to access recordings is provided below in video and pdf formats:

Did you miss an Open Question LIVE Event? Recordings from 2022-2023 events are now available through Vimeo.

Elizabeth’s Special Guests include: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Anam Thubten Rinpoche, Dungse Jampal Norbu, Jakob Leschly, Any Karr, Judith Simmer Brown, and Cynthis Moku.

We are offering these past recordings for $5 each.

Vimeo OQ Catalog 2022-2023 available here >>

eB 134 - A Pilgrim in Sarnath

Jampal Norbu discusses the historical and cultural significance of the Deer Park at Sarnath, where the Buddha first turned The Wheel of Dharma. He emphasizes the unique context these teachings offer by acknowledging the root cause of all our suffering. Understanding this, we can proceed to cultivate a positive and meaningful existence.

On all podcast platforms and at: https://mangalashribhuti.org/everybodhi-podcast-by-dungse-jampal-norbu/

Back by Popular Demand

Our “Year of the Dragon” T-shirt was a huge success for our fundraising campaign that ended March 31. We received so many requests for the Dragon t-shirt, we are continuing to make it available.

The MWI Store also offers the MWI “Endless Knot” design on t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and caps.

Visit the MWI Store >>

Elizabeth Mattis NamgyelJuly 14, 2024