The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: March 2026

The Podcast Forum Live this Saturday | Free Independent Study Course | Art of Meditation Global Summit ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: March 2026 Timeless Wisdom to Remedy Extreme Thinking Hello Everybody, I’m not sure if spring is here…neither is my garden. There’s a bit of green, but then we have a cold spell or snowfall. Do I see buds forming on my fruit trees? Maybe. I think they should hold back. I’m also not sure if I’m done hibernating. I’ve decided to take the month of March to continue reading, writing and listening to the wisdom of practitioners I respect. I was listening to Erik Pema Kunzang, the principal translator of the late Tulku Urgyn Rinpoche, and a deep and processed practitioner. He said something I want to share… He said: “People often say, ‘Today I didn’t have time to practice.’ Bullshit! Make use of short moments! Tulku Urgyn said that when you have a few free moments, spend that time keeping a totally open mind. He said, ‘In the time it takes an ant to cross from the tip of your nose to between your eyes, that is enough time to transform countless eons of negative karma.” I find this REALLY inspiring. I’m here trying to use my moments well. I hope you are doing the same!!! Please join me Saturday, March 21st 10am-noon MT for my first Open Question Podcast Forum, on Podcast 701: The Great Escape. I look forward to our rich discussion together! xox, Elizabeth Congratulations! Ryan Hunt with his print, “Manjushri” by Tara DiGesu. Ryan is the happy winner of The Middle Way Initiative Donor Campaign raffle. Congratulations Ryan! Thank you to all who donated to our fundraiser! Photo credit: Phoenix Hunt THIS SATURDAY: March 21! The Podcast Forum Live with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel: Awakening to The Nature of Appearance Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM 12:00 PM MT USA 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  Leaning Into the Haunted Dominion of the Mind Saturday, April 18, 2026 PT This event is hosted by Mangala Shri Bhuti Pacific Mangalam ABOUT THIS EVENT Please join us for the livestream of Leaning Into the Haunted Dominion of the Mind (2026) with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel Dharma encourages us to work directly with the challenging aspects of life. It never recommends that we avoid them. Some methods - like the methods of chod or cutting through - take us straight to the heart of the matter. Unless you are willing to expose the ego and lean into the things that scare you, liberation is not a possibility. Yes, this may sound scary…but think twice, because things may not be as they seem. In this day-long retreat, Elizabeth will share a brief history of chod and discuss the view of its founder, Machig Labdron. There will also be guided meditation and plenty of time for discussion. EVENT PRICING $50 (USD) EVENT TIME NOTE: Time for this event is listed in PDT. Please check a time zone converter like World Time Buddy for your exact time. TEACHING 1: APRIL 18, 2025: 10 AM - noon PDT TEACHING 2: APRIL 18, 2025: 2 - 4 PM PDT  Register  Art of Meditation Global Summit: Burning With Love in a World We Can’t Fix Tuesday, March 24, 2026. 10:00 AM 11:00 AM ABOUT THIS EVENT Burning With Love in a World We Can’t Fix We often wish we could fix the world - bring it to a static state of peaceful equilibrium. Of course, that’s impossible, not because the world is broken, but because life is too dynamic for the likes of our ideas. The path of the bodhisattva centers on navigating our way through the heart of this predicament in the most stunning way. Elizabeth will use the story of the bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara - The One who doesn’t avert his attention from the suffering of beings - to explore this topic.  Register  Desvendando o Sutra do Coração com Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel 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  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  RECORDINGS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND PORTUGUESE: OQ Live Conversation: Essence Love with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and Tsoknyi Rinpoche ABOUT THIS EVENT 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? Visit this page to learn how to access recordings >> The Middle Way Initiative. c/o Edward D. Gompers & Company, AC., 2001 Main St #401, Wheeling, WV 26003-2854, United States Unsubscribe