The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: May 2026

OQ Podcast Forum this Saturday | Looking at Reality with Erik Pema Kunsang | Podcast Episode: What Am I Looking At? ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: May 2026 Timeless Wisdom to Remedy Extreme Thinking Photo: Mary Lynn Strand Hello Dear Friends, I hope this finds you all well. Recently, I went to see my dear friends John (a retired vascular surgeon) and Jean (a retired nurse). I asked John how things were going, and he playfully responded: “I’m in the middle of life.” I really liked that! Of course, his reply was a nod to the Middle Way, and it’s also an observable truth. Life is happening, which means WE are also happening…we are in process. And this reminds me not to let myself get sandbagged by singular, permanent or fixed ways of looking at things, while at the same time, doing what I can to respond to life with discernment, clarity, and respect. This month at MWI, we are offering some opportunities for in-depth exploration of how we look at things. Many of you may have had the opportunity to listen to our latest podcast, episode 702: “What Am I Looking At?” The process of writing this episode deepened my understanding of the Middle Way. Join me for the OQ Podcast Forum to discuss that episode on May 16th. On May 30th, we will be hosting the accomplished teacher and meditator, Erik Pema Kunzang, who was the principal translator for Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. His way of communicating and clarifying dharma is profound and simple at the same time. His words just “go right in.” This is a rare opportunity to spend time with a long-time Western practitioner who is deeply processed in the dharma. We want to share a video of a talk I gave in April with the Khyentse Vision Project (see Recordings link below). In this talk I shared my reflections on a short series of Madhyamaka notes written by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, that I hope you enjoy. I had such a rich time with that community. Meanwhile, enjoy the appearance of all sorts of beautiful bugs and birds and bears! I saw my first hummingbird last week! With love and best wishes, Elizabeth This Saturday! The Podcast Forum Live with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel: What Am I Looking At? Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 10 AM - 12 PM MT USA ABOUT THIS EVENT Please join Elizabeth on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 10am- 12pm MT USA for her second 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 702: “What Am I Looking At?” This podcast forum will include guided meditation, teachings by Elizabeth, and a rich opportunity for discussion and questions. 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  Registration is Open! OQ LIVE “Looking at Reality” with Erik Pema Kunsang Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 8 AM - 10AM MT USA ABOUT THIS EVENT Please join us on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 8-10am USA MT for the OQ Live Conversation: “Looking at Reality” with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel and Erik Pema Kunsang. Join us for this opportunity with Elizabeth and Erik Pema Kunsang engaging 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. This event is offered livestream via Zoom in English and in Portuguese simulcast translation.  Register now  FREE RECORDING! Khyentse Vision Project Text of the Month: Teaching on Madhyamaka with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eox5nn6Vy10 In this teaching, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel explores Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s notes on Madhyamaka philosophy, An Adornment for the Ear to Delight Those of Sharp Intelligence. She focuses on the four “diamond splinter” reasonings—analytical methods that examine causation and production. Rather than treating these as abstract philosophy, she shows how they function as transformative practice, loosening our grip on fixed beliefs and opening us to the way things actually arise: interdependently, without singular, permanent, or independent existence.  Watch the recording  Treasuring the Feminine - Open Conversations Live from Dzogchen Beara via Zoom. Hosted by Prajna. June 5-7, 2026 ABOUT THIS EVENT Three Open Conversations We are delighted to welcome Elizabeth McDougal, Sarah Jacoby, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, Kirsten Deleo and Marcia Schmidt for this special gathering of the Treasuring the Feminine project. Treasuring the Feminine is a place where we celebrate the unique perspective of Vajrayana Buddhism on the feminine principle, and share experiences and learnings. The conversations are open to all.  See details on the Prajna website  This event is hosted by Mangala Shri Bhuti - Pema Osel ABOUT THIS EVENT Lojong, the Tibetan practice of mind training, is rooted in the compassionate wish to free ourselves and all other living beings from suffering. The methods of lojong help us see how our thoughts and attitudes shape the way we experience the world and relate to other people. As this clarity grows, our relationships become more harmonious, and we are better able to meet the uncertainty of life with balance and grace. For this program, Dungse Jampal Norbu and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel will join forces to share their enthusiasm for Lojong. The program will include teachings, guided meditations, and lively conversations. Recommended reading for this program is The Intelligent Heart: A Guide to the Compassionate Life by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.  Learn more about this event  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  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 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  The Middle Way Initiative. c/o Edward D. Gompers & Company, AC., 2001 Main St #401, Wheeling, WV 26003-2854, United States Unsubscribe