The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: July 2026

Nyingma Summer Seminar | Opening the Heart Sutra with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel in Brazil | Independent Study Course ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: July 2026

Timeless Wisdom to Remedy Extreme Thinking

Hello Everybody,

Happy Solstice! I hope you are enjoying the longer days.

I have been setting some things in place for the second half of the year for MWI and getting ready for MSB’s big gather: Nyingma Summer Seminar. I am thrilled to report we have set three dates for OQ Live Conversations, with three extraordinary women: Dolma Gunther will be joining us on September 5th. Dolma is the director of the Khyentse Vision Project, a dedicated practitioner and translator, and a dear personal friend of mine. Venerable Thubten Chodron will join us on November 7th. She is an American Buddhist nun, teacher, author and founder of Sravasti Abbey. She and her entire ordained community will join us online. She is a new friend to me. I am so excited about getting to know her better and making this connection with her sangha. Finally, on December 5th, Sangye Khandro, the illustrious translator, teacher and yogini, and founder of the "Light of Berotsana” translation group, will join us. This is truly exciting for me. I have known her since I was young and have always regarded her as an example and a truly accomplished practitioner.

I am working on the themes for these three conversations, and will announce them soon. Please spread the word! These three women have something of deep value to share with us, each in their own way.

I’m also working on Open Question Podcast episode 703, which I hope to release in August.

Love,
Elizabeth

Nyingma Summer Seminar

This event is hosted by Mangala Shri Bhuti - Phuntsok Choling

Annual Teachings on the Three Yanas of Tibetan Buddhism

NSS is a nine-day annual program where Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dungse Jampal Norbu, and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel offer teachings on the Three Yanas: Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Together, these paths represent the complete structure of Tibetan Buddhism. The event is held at Phuntsok Choling in Ward, CO.

Learn more about this program

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

Registration: www.pazemente.com.br

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 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

RECORDINGS AVAILABLE!
OQ LIVE “Looking at Reality” with Erik Pema Kunsang

Elizabeth and Erik Pema Kunsang engaged 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.

Access Recordings

EveryBodhi Podcast: eB 145 – Friendly Competition

Survival of the fittest, is a well worn cliche deeply seeped into the fibers of our contemporary culture. Our every relationship can be influenced by a sense of competition and comparison if we don’t learn to observe ourselves honestly. Jampal Norbu examines the ways Lojong acts as both a reference and a remedy along the bodhisattva path to becoming a genuine friend to ourselves, to the world, and even to opposing sports teams.

Listen to the episode