The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: July/August 2023
Message from Elizabeth
Dear Friends,
Elizabeth’s most recent podcast 403, “Into the Watery Depths” was so wonderfully thought-provoking that we wanted to feature an excerpt in our July/August newsletter. Thanks for all your support and we hope you were able to enjoy NSS, which featured more of Elizabeth’s amazing Middle Way teachings! Don’t pass up listening to this full podcast episode!
Love,
The MWI Team
Quotes from Podcast OQ 403:
When we see clearly that life will always be free or empty of the thingness we assign it, that is Prajnaparamita. Prajnaparamita is unconfused about the nature of her object; she is poised for insight into the empty nature of all things. She is the subject, and Pratityasamutapada—the nature of infinite contingencies—is her object.
But, we might ask: Isn’t that just another view?
When we check into a hotel, we make sure we ask for a room with a view. We want to open the shutters and take in an unimpeded view of the seaside or mountain range.
The view of emptiness or the Middle Way view refers to seeing clearly without the extraneous misunderstandings that come from reification. Of course, we could reify emptiness or Prajnaparamita and make them a thing…there’s nothing like a little reification to turn any living experience into a dogma. So take care!
Prajnaparamita refers to our ability to bear witness to the nature of infinite contingencies. We might call that a Viewless View.
The essential Indian text The Uttara Tantra Shastra describes the View-less View as follows:
There is nothing to add,
not a single thing to be removed,
in seeing things as they are,
that is liberation.
As this verse suggests, we don’t have to remove or abandon anything. It is merely in seeing things accurately that mind is liberated.
OQ Live Conversation: “The Liberating Practice of Looking and Not Finding”
Registration is Open for our next Open Question Live Conversation “The Liberating Practice of Looking and Not Finding” with Elizabeth and Andy Karr on Saturday August 19 at 2-4 PM USA MT. Broadcast via Zoom in English with Portuguese simulcast translation.
Cost: $25 for Livestream via Zoom and recordings. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Andy Karr is our next guest with a special gift for diving into challenging topics and making them clear without watering down their meaning. We are looking forward to talking with him about the meaning of views, his upcoming book, and the historical evolution of the Middle Way Path.
Open Question Podcast Episode 403
The Self: Into the Watery Depths
In Episode 403, “Into the Watery Depths,” we will continue on with our theme: The Self: Walking the Middle Way Path, by introducing the second Century spiritual genius, Nagarjuna. Nagarjuna is considered the father of the Middle Way school because he was responsible for re-energizing and clarifying the authentic meaning of the Prajnaparamita (Transcendent Wisdom) Sutras, which are concerned with accurately discerning reality.
Nagarjuna famously said: “I prostrate to he who has abandoned all views.” In this quote, Nagarjuna is speaking of the Buddha, and the views referenced are those that impede clear seeing. We will compare these views with, “The view of emptiness,” or “The Middle Way view,” which refer to unobstructed seeing. Looking into the topic of views will take us on a fascinating quest.
Recording: OQ Live Conversation: “Confronted by Wisdom! A Mother and Son Conversation” with Dungse Jampal and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel.
Did you miss registering for the live event? You can purchase access to the recording.
Purchasing access to the recording is for those who DID NOT register for the Live May 20 event. Those who previously registered for the live event have already received an email with access information for the recordings.
Dungse-la and Elizabeth discussed the unique Lojong methodologies of working with the self, and why they are referred to as the Buddhist mind training teachings. These teachings offer a way to turn our focus away from self-centeredness and towards caring for others. How does this method specifically support a healthy sense of self?
Recordings: Nyingma Summer Seminar
Earlier this month, Elizabeth was a teacher at MSB’s Nyingma Summer Seminar which focuses on Three Yanas of Tibetan Buddhism - Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Elizabeth gave three amazing Middle Way teachings!
You can access the Audio-Video Study Set, providing complete access to video recordings of all talks for one full year for self-paced contemplation and review, plus audio recordings of those talks good for a lifetime.
Every Bodhi Podcast with Dungse Jampal Norbu
eB 128 – Self-Discovery
Jampal Norbu examines the 22nd verse of Lojong: “You have reached proficiency if you can practice even while distracted.” Transforming self concern into care for others is the core of Buddhist meditation. How then do we gauge our progress on that path? The key lies in self reflection, which makes meditation possible. With a strong foundation of self reflection, our practice is available even when we find ourselves caught by life’s distracting circumstances.