The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: November 2024
Dear Friends,
The end of the year is when we reach out to seek your support for Elizabeth’s teachings and her work through The Middle Way Initiative. Our founding Mission Statement continues to guide our work:
The Middle Way Initiative is actively committed to bringing the Middle Way tradition into the world in a broader way. It is our strong conviction that these teachings, and the methods of inquiry that characterize the middle way, are gravely needed in the world at this time as a powerful antidote to extreme thinking.
We extend our deepest appreciation for all you have done including your financial support, your dharma study and practice, your prayers, and the service you have generously offered.
We are continuing our tradition of offering a random drawing for a beautiful piece of dharma-inspired art.
This year we are offering a beautiful print of Matthieu Ricard’s photograph “In Meditation”. The print measures 12”x18” and is on premium luster photo paper.
Our Donor Campaign runs through December 31, 2024. You will be eligible for the drawing if during 2024 you give or have given a cumulative amount of $108 or more. Please know that all donation amounts are welcome and appreciated.
Please visit the MWI “Giving” webpage for the secure portal for online donations. Information is also provided on the page about how to donate by check. We also appreciate those donors who have enhanced their donation through matching grant options through their employers.
Kirtan musician Krishna Das will join Elizabeth for this year’s final Open Question Live Conversation on December 21st, from 10am-Noon USA MT Registration is now open.
Thanks again for all your wonderful submissions in our Call for Creativity! We’ll let you know which design will be selected for our 2025 New Year’s T-shirt. See below to access our gallery of submissions on the MWI website. The submission deadline has been extended to November 19.
With our deep appreciation,
Elizabeth and The Middle Way Team
Last Chance to Submit Your 2025 Losar Design. Ends November 19th.
A big, “Thank you!” to everyone who sent in the beautiful artwork submissions to celebrate Losar! We love hearing from you and sharing in your creativity! Please visit our website gallery to see this fabulous art display! Stay tuned for our selected T-shirt design.
We have extended the submission deadline to November 19.
Submit your T-shirt design here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1L-4HD3qWsDKsFYTzrTBCpyo9pODWB2PMaWlvVfGNFeE/edit
Design by: B. van Rijswijk
OQ Live Conversation: The Universe Held in Names with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and Krishna Das
Please join us on Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 10am- 12pm MT USA for the OQ Live Conversation: “The Universe Held in Names” with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and Krishna Das. This event is offered livestream via Zoom in English and in Portuguese simulcast translation. Recordings will be available after the event for free to event registrants.
Kristina Das, affectionately known as KD, is an American vocalist known for his performances of Hindu devotional music, or kirtan. Elizabeth will ask Krishna Das to share his experience as a close disciple of the Northern Indian Saint, Neem Karoli Baba (Maharahhi), the devotional practice of call-and-response chanting, and the way Bakti (or devotion) is expressed in his tradition. We are truly looking forward to having him on our next OQ Live Conversations. Please join us!
For more information about Krishna Das please visit: KrishnaDas.com
EVENT PRICING $35 (USD) | FINANCIAL AID
This event is an important source of financial support for The Middle Way Initiative teaching programs. Your generosity is appreciated. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Recordings Available! OQ Live Conversation: Notebooks of a Wandering Monk
Recordings available for the October 26, 2024 OQ Live Conversation: “Notebooks of a Wandering Monk,” with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and Matthieu Ricard.
Event registrants have received their promotion code to view for free.
For those who missed registering for this event, or any 2024 event, recordings can be rented for one year. They are available in English and Portuguese translation.
Mastery of Being: Mother and Son Venture into Mind Training
Date: Dec 6 – 8, 2024
Location: Online & in-person at Phuntsok Choling
Dungse Jampal Namgyel & Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel
Lojong is the Tibetan word for mind training. It is a tried and true process of bringing clarity to the way we understand and experience the interdependence between our mind and its world. As clarity increases through Lojong, our capacity to create harmony in our relationships grows, and our spiritual life helps us gracefully navigate the uncertainty of life.
For this program, Dungse Jampal Namgyel and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, will join forces to share their enthusiasm for the Lojong teachings, which will include teachings, guided meditations and lively conversation. This program will be held at Phuntsok Choling in Ward, CO, and online.