The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: April 2026

Looking at Reality with Erik Pema Kunsang | The Podcast Forum Live | New Podcast Episode: What Am I Looking At? ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: April 2026 Timeless Wisdom to Remedy Extreme Thinking Hello Everyone, Well, it looks like spring has sprung! Everything is waking up…including lots of creative and inspiring questions and ideas, which are taking shape as podcasts and events! We are still in the thick of our annual topic: “Awakening to The Nature of Appearance,” and all of the events are closely stitched to this theme. We have released our new podcast - episode 702: “What Am I Looking At?” which examines the spirit and courage to look beyond apparent reality, and what it even means to look. Last month, The Podcast Forum was rich and exciting. Honestly, I had a great time and I look forward to digging into 702 with you all on May 16. Registration information is provided below. For our next Open Question LIVE event on May 30, we welcome Erik Pema Kunzang. Erik spent sixteen years at the side of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, serving as his principal translator and close disciple. He has translated over sixty volumes of Tibetan texts and oral teachings. He is currently the resident teacher of Rangjung Yeshe Gomde in Denmark, his native land. Gomde is an international dharma organization inspired and guided by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s eldest son. Erik teaches widely at Gomde and online, within the Bodhi training program. Registration info is provided below. Love, Elizabeth Registration is Open! OQ LIVE “Looking at Reality” with Erik Pema Kunsang Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 8 AM - 10AM MT USA ABOUT THIS EVENT Please join us on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 8-10am USA MT for the OQ Live Conversation: “Looking at Reality” with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and Erik Pema Kunsang. Join us for this opportunity with Elizabeth and Erik Pema Kunsang engaging in questions about “looking at reality.” Erik spent sixteen years at the side of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, serving as his principal translator and close disciple. He has translated over sixty volumes of Tibetan texts and oral teachings. He is currently the resident teacher of Rangjung Yeshe Gomde in Denmark, his native land. Gomde is an international dharma organization inspired and guided by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s eldest son. Erik teaches widely at Gomde and online, within the Bodhi training program. This event is offered livestream via Zoom in English and in Portuguese simulcast translation.  Register now  The Podcast Forum Live with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel: What Am I Looking At? Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 10 AM - 12 PM MT USA ABOUT THIS EVENT Please join Elizabeth on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 10am- 12pm MT USA for her second Open Question Podcast Forum, “Awakening to The Nature of Appearance.” In this group setting, Elizabeth will lead us in opening up and more deeply exploring her latest Open Question Podcast episode 702: “What Am I Looking At?” This podcast forum will include guided meditation, teachings by Elizabeth, and a rich opportunity for discussion and questions. Note: This program is limited to 60 people. This event is offered livestream via Zoom in English. Zoom has an option for auto-generated translation captioning, which participants can activate on their own screens.  Register  Khyentse Vision Project Text of the Month: Teaching on Madhyamaka with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel This event is hosted by Khyentse Vision Project April 24, 2026 ABOUT THIS EVENT In this session, Elizabeth will focus on the four great arguments of Madhyamaka, core reasonings that challenge our habitual perception of reality. Drawing on decades of study and practice, she will explore how these teachings can be approached not only as a philosophical view but as a way of questioning and engaging with our experience.  Learn more about this event  This event is hosted by Mangala Shri Bhuti - Pema Osel ABOUT THIS EVENT Lojong, the Tibetan practice of mind training, is rooted in the compassionate wish to free ourselves and all other living beings from suffering. The methods of lojong help us see how our thoughts and attitudes shape the way we experience the world and relate to other people. As this clarity grows, our relationships become more harmonious, and we are better able to meet the uncertainty of life with balance and grace. For this program, Dungse Jampal Namgyel and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel will join forces to share their enthusiasm for Lojong. The program will include teachings, guided meditations, and lively conversations. Recommended reading for this program is The Intelligent Heart: A Guide to the Compassionate Life by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.  Learn more about this event  Desvendando o Sutra do Coração com Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel Note: This event is hosted by Paz e Mente in Brazil and offered in Portuguese. 14 e 15 de novembro de 2026 Temos a alegria de anunciar a pré-inscrição para o evento presencial com Lama Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, “Desvendando o Sutra do Coração”, que acontecerá nos dias 14 e 15 de novembro de 2026, em Florianópolis (SC). O Sutra do Coração é o ensinamento do Buda mais recitado no mundo. Muitos o entoam a partir da devoção — e isso, por si só, já é profundamente significativo. No entanto, suas palavras são riquíssimas em significado e, quando examinadas com atenção, revelam uma sabedoria capaz de transformar a maneira como percebemos a nós mesmos e o mundo em que vivemos. Elizabeth tem grande alegria em ensinar o Sutra do Coração. Para ela, a cada recitação e contemplação, o sutra revela algo novo e iluminador. Durante o encontro, ela apresentará o contexto histórico do sutra, explicará por que ele é tão importante e prático para o nosso bem-estar e conduzirá uma exploração de seu significado mais profundo. O fim de semana incluirá: Ensinamentos, Meditação guiada e Recitação do sutra. Além disso, haverá amplo espaço para diálogo, perguntas e respostas, promovendo trocas significativas — algo que Elizabeth aprecia  profundamente em seus encontros.   Vagas limitadas.  Inscrições: www.pazemente.com.br Opening the Heart Sutra with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel in Brazil We are happy to announce the pre-registration for the in-person event with Lama Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, “Opening the Heart Sutra,” which will take place on November 14–15, 2026, in Florianópolis (SC), Brazil. The Heart Sutra is the most widely recited of all the Buddha’s discourses in the world. Many simply recite the sutra from the heart of devotion - which is profound. However, the words of the sutra are rich in meaning, and when we look more deeply into them, we encounter wisdom that transforms the way we see ourselves and the world we move about in. Elizabeth loves teaching the Heart Sutra. For her, each time she recites and contemplates the sutra, it reveals something new and profound. She will guide us through an understanding of the context of the sutra, why it is so important and practical for our wellbeing, and begin to help us open up its profound meaning. The weekend includes teachings, guided meditation, and chanting of the sutra. Elizabeth likes to engage her audience, so there will be plenty of time for dialogue and questions and responses with her. Limited spots available  Register  Independent Study Course Registration is open for our free Independent Study Course. This wonderful, self-paced course takes participants through Elizabeth’s annual teaching themes, readings, contemplation questions and meditation.  Learn about the Independent Study Course  Episode 702: What Am I Looking At? ABOUT THIS EPISODE Elizabeth has a curious encounter at the local post office, which ignites a profound inquiry into the nature of appearance.  Listen to Episode 702  “Year of The Horse” 2026 Losar T-Shirts! Our Special Edition “Year of the Fire Horse” t-shirts are now available through our non-profit store, which directly benefits MWI. These shirts are festive for Losar 2026, and all through the year! These high-quality, responsibly produced shirts are available in a range of great colors and come in Unisex Comfort Fit (100% cotton) and Women’s Slim Fit (60/40 blend) styles. Price $29.99. Because shirts print in batches, please allow extra time for delivery. Note that the campaign itself continues running even when individual batches end.  Visit the MWI Store  The Middle Way Initiative. c/o Edward D. Gompers & Company, AC., 2001 Main St #401, Wheeling, WV 26003-2854, United States Unsubscribe