The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: June 2026

Nyingma Summer Seminar | Independent Study Course | Opening the Heart Sutra ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: June 2026

Timeless Wisdom to Remedy Extreme Thinking

Photo credit: Elizabeth

Hello Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you all well and thriving. I just returned home from doing a program with my son, Dungse Jampal Norbu, in Vermont at our MSB center in Vershire, on “The Mastery of Being.” It was a joy to teach with Dungsela, be with the beloved community there, and contemplate the dharma together.

This month I wanted to share a photo of my new gate, which I thought you would appreciate! My old gate was starting to rot underneath and I thought to replace it with something simple, but also had a vision of a design in mind - the endless knot - our MWI logo, and one of the eight auspicious symbols used in the Buddhist tradition. Somehow, within days of having the idea, I met a talented artist, Randy Bellheim, who makes things out of metal and wood, and I shared my idea with him. He got so inspired he came up with a design within twelve hours and finished the gate in ten days. It is heavy, solid iron, and perfectly engineered. All the parts are hand made. I wish I could share some close-ups of his work, but I chose this photo because I wanted you to see the morning shadow on my patio!

This month I will prepare for MSB’s Nyingma Summer Seminar, and work on the upcoming podcast, 703. An OQ LIVE is also in the works… we will announce that soon.

Love to you all!
Elizabeth

Elizabeth’s Book Recommendation:

Traveling in Bardo: The Art of Living in an Impermanent World

I was recently introduced, through a dear friend, to Ann Tashi Slater, a published writer and professor of English Literature at a University in Tokyo. Amongst other things, Slater and I discussed her newly released book, "Traveling in Bardo." This book is based on "The Tibetan Book of the Dead” - a text that the author is intimately connected to through her great-grandfather, S.W.Laden La. Laden La was instrumental in bringing the first English translation of the text to the West. And it has been widely read and cherished ever since. In “Traveling in Bardo,” Slater weaves together memoir, family history, and Buddhist philosophy to explore how bardo principles can help us navigate uncertainty, change, and endings. The book is beautifully written and emphasizes the importance of familiarizing ourselves with the nature of impermanence - something essential for both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

Buy Book

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 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

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 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 the episode