The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: February 2026

This Saturday: OQ Live with Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Free Independent Study Course and Year of The Horse 2026 Losar T-shirts Available! ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: February 2026 Timeless Wisdom to Remedy Extreme Thinking Photo: Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel Dearest Friends, Greetings! I hope you are all well and that you have been able to take a little time to hibernate and experience the stillness of winter. Here, I have enjoyed a quiet January to practice, write and envision this next year for MWI, which is taking shape in a powerful and energetic way. My teaching theme for 2026 is “Awakening to the Nature of Appearance”. We will celebrate Tibetan New Year - year of the Fire Horse - on Feb 18th. According to what I have read, this will be a year of opportunity, optimism, bold moves, energy and enthusiasm. Let’s harness that! I have been feeling this kind of energy already. I just released my first podcast episode for this season, episode 701: “The Great Escape”, which covers the 12 links of Dependent Origination. I have always loved this teaching, but while writing this episode I recognized a layer of depth and profundity that I had never experienced before. This teaching maps the mechanisms of confusion and how to get free, with such depth and breath. I hope you enjoy it! On Valentine’s Day, Tsoknyi Rinpoche will join us on OQ LIVE in a conversation on “Essence Love”. Rinpoche is a master of meditation, and has a special gift for communicating authentic dharma for the contemporary mind with both humor and depth. As usual, there will be ample time to ask him questions about your practice. Looking forward to moving into the year of the fire horse with you all! Much love, Elizabeth THIS SATURDAY! OQ Live Conversation: Essence Love with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and Tsoknyi Rinpoche February 14, 2026 8am -10am US MT ABOUT THIS EVENT Please join us on February 14, 2026 8am -10am US MT for our next OQ Live Conversation, “Essence Love” with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Tsoknyi Rinpoche has a special gift for communicating authentic dharma for the contemporary mind with both humor and depth. Rinpoche auspiciously chose February 14th - Valentine’s Day - as the date for this conversation, and so Elizabeth asked him to speak on “Essence Love.” Rinpoche describes essence love as “…directionless, like a natural field of unconditional well-being… [that] isn’t focused on anyone, even ourselves.” What does he mean by this? How does this relate to our lives, relationships, and the world we live in? Let’s find out! Join us for what is sure to be a heart-warming and illuminating discussion between Elizabeth and her esteemed guest, Tsoknyi Rinpoche. This event is offered livestream via Zoom in English and in Portuguese simulcast translation. EVENT PRICING $35 (USD) 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.  Register Today  The Podcast Forum Live with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel: Awakening to The Nature of Appearance Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM 12:00 PM ABOUT THIS EVENT Please join Elizabeth on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10am- 12pm MT USA for her first 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 701: “The Great Escape.” This podcast forum will include guided meditation, teachings by Elizabeth, and a rich opportunity for discussion and questions. The recommended prerequisite for participating in this forum is to have listened to Elizabeth’s most recent Open Question Podcast episode: 701. Join us for what is sure to be a heart-warming and illuminating discussion with Elizabeth. 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  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 701: The Great Escape ABOUT THIS EPISODE In episode 701, Elizabeth takes us through a classical teaching on the 12 links of dependent origination, which explores the genesis of our confusion, the dazzling spectacle of samsara, and how we can free ourselves from it. “When we feel confused about why we are practicing” she suggests, “just look at the wheel of becoming and it will remind you that there is nothing mystical about liberation. It is very matter-of-fact and within our reach.”  Listen to Episode 701  NEW “Year of The Horse” 2026 Losar T-shirts Now Available! 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  EveryBodhi Podcast: eB 144 - The Buck Stops Here We're quick to point a finger at another when anything’s wrong. Sometimes the accusation might even be reasonable, but the point is, we have a tendency to blame others. Passing the buck, though, has a gradual weakening effect on our own mind. In the service of integrity and resilience we must reach the point of exclaiming,“The buck stops here.” Jampal Norbu considers lawsuits, livestock, scapegoats and onion rings in the examination of Lojong verse 34, Do not transfer the dzo’s load onto the ox.  Listen to eB 144  The Middle Way Initiative. c/o Edward D. Gompers & Company, AC., 2001 Main St #401, Wheeling, WV 26003-2854, United States Unsubscribe