The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: June 2023
Message from Elizabeth
Dear Friends,
Happy spring and summer everyone! In the Rockies, all of a sudden, everything is moving and in full swing…that is between thunderstorms, hail and occasional snows! When things quiet the wildlife comes out, and it seems like they forgot to be afraid of humans. The other day I was taking a stroll down a dirt road, and a spider, the size of a half dollar, started running at me.
When I tried to scare her away so I wouldn’t squish her, she protested by standing on her back legs, pointing her two front legs at me like tiny swords. What spectacular verve! I admire that kind of attitude!
I invite you to enjoy the new episode of the Open Question Podcast series this year “Into the Watery Depths.” July 8-16 I will join Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche and Dungse Jampal Norbu for our annual round of teachings on the 3 Yanas during the Mangala Shri Bhuti Nyingma Summer Seminar. It’s so wonderful that the event will be held in person and also streamed.
I also want to let you know I am delighted that Andy Karr will join me in our next Open Question Live Conversation on August 19. Andy has authored several books: Contemplating Reality: a Practitioners Guide to the View in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism; The Practice of Contemplative Photography: seeing the world with fresh eyes, and his latest book, Into the Mirror: A Buddhist Journey through Mind, Matter, and the Nature of Reality.
Love,
Elizabeth
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: “What Serves?” 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?
Nyingma Summer Seminar
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche describes Nyingma Summer Seminar as our "Thanksgiving." We gather to deepen our understanding of the teachings of the Three Yanas of Tibetan Buddhism - Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana - a progression of insights and meditations practices that move from fundamental truths to the essence of enlightened mind.
With unflinching candor, deep appreciation, and the passion of bodhicitta, Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dungse Jampal Norbu, and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel each present different aspects of the three-yana path during this nine day program.
SAVE THE DATE: August 19
Our next Open Question Live Conversation “The Liberating Practice of Looking and Not Finding” with Elizabeth and Andy Karr will be on Saturday August 19 at 2-4 PM USA MT. Broadcast via Zoom in English with Portuguese simulcast translation.
Andy Karr is our next guest. He has 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.
Andy has studied with many great masters, including Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and Khenpo Tulstrim Gyamtso. He has authored several excellent books: Contemplating Reality: a practitioners guide to the View in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism; The Practice of Contemplative Photography: seeing the world with fresh eyes, and his latest book, Into the Mirror: A Buddhist Journey through Mind, Matter, and the Nature of Reality.
For more information about Andy, and his writing and photography please visit: https://www.andykarrauthor.com/
Every Bodhi Podcast with Dungse Jampal Norbu
eB 127 – Sunny Side Up:
Suffering happens, sometimes in heaps. It takes a great deal of strength to overcome the internal darkness of neurotic emotions. While forced positivity can be just a bypass of a difficult experience in life, we’re still responsible for our own minds. So what to do? Lojong verse 21, “Always maintain a joyful attitude,” reminds us to deepen our understanding within the experiences of both suffering and happiness.