The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: February 2024
The Middle Way Initiative Newsletter: February 2024
Happy Year of the Wood Male Dragon!
My Dear Friends,
Just saying this evokes a sense of power and excitement. My feeling is: “Get ready for a lot of surprises, movement, and energy!” May it be auspicious!
Being the new year, I want to introduce our new MWI theme for 2024: Faith Beyond Belief and Doubt. Yes, that is the subtitle of my last book, but I am not nearly finished with this inquiry. It’s still so juicy. I want to dig deep into faith as a word in dire need of exploration; into the power of experiences that cannot be captured in words; into the importance of ritual; devotion; and the challenges and importance of the teacher/student relationship. Of course, this will all be discussed in the context of the Middle Way view…because that’s what we do here at MWI. I have some amazing guests lined up to help us open our topic, and will send announcements when finalized.
Thank you for all your generosity in 2023 and for making our Donor Campaign another big success! Please see below for photos of our print winners from 2021, 2022, and 2023!
I invite you to listen to my most recent Open Question Podcast, Episode 501, The “F” Word, which is about faith! See below for the episode link.
We have a special treat for you to celebrate the “Year of the Dragon”, a special edition t-shirt in our non-profit store. Each purchase of these high-quality, responsibly-sourced t-shirts provides support for MWI. Be sure to place your order before March 31! More info below.
I look forward to spending time with all of you and am sending love your way!
Elizabeth
The 2023 Donor Campaign: A Big “Thank You”!
Thank you all for participating in our 2023 Donor Campaign! Tasha Medley was the winner of the “Light Coming Through” print signed by Rinpoche. Congratulations Tasha! Here is a photo of Tasha and her print along with photos of our past winners from 2021 and 2022.
We rejoice in the merit of everyone’s generosity!2023: Tasha Medley (USA) with “Light Coming Through” by Kongtrul Jigme Namgyel.
Past Winners
2022: Mauricio Watanabe (Brazil) with “Prajnaparamita” by Cynthia Moku.2021: Laura Weiss (USA) with “Green Tara” by Tara di Gesu.
Our Special Edition “Tashi Delek 2024” t-shirts are available until March 31! Your purchase through our non-profit “Bonfire” store directly benefits MWI.
These high-quality, responsibly sourced and produced shirts are available in Classic fit (100% cotton) and Slim Fit (60/40 blend) styles in a range of great colors.
Price $28.99.
https://www.bonfire.com/2024tashidelek/
The Liberating Practice of Looking and Not Finding
Feb 24-25th. Live Streaming Event. Hosted by Mangala Shri Bhuti Phuntsok Choling.
Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel invites you to engage with her in the liberating practice of looking and not finding. Elizabeth has said, ”If one were to ask: “What did the Buddha teach?” It would be accurate to reply: “The Middle Way.” Middle Way wisdom challenges the unexamined assumptions we have about things, what the Buddha called ‘extreme views.’ She will continue on themes of Madhyamaka reasoning and analysis which are often misunderstood as ‘intellectual’ and hard to apply to our own experience. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The purpose of analysis is to free our minds from confusion – to liberate us.
Regarding the analytical method, Elizabeth has shared, “Looking and not finding challenges us to consider what it would be like to behold our world without clinging to the designations of existence or nonexistence. Existence and nonexistence are dualistic concepts impossible to reconcile. This is why looking directly into the nature of things is so powerful. Can we bear not defaulting to the habit of reification? Can we bear that life will always be free or empty of the “thingness” we assign it? That the map can never fully represent the territory? These are essential Middle Way questions.”
New Podcast Episode: Faith Beyond Belief and Doubt: The “F” Word
In this episode, Elizabeth takes us on a journey through the term ‘faith.' We may assume we know what faith is, but most of us have never truly explored its nuance or spectrum of meanings. We often use the term faith to refer to: dogma, fundamentalism, doctrine, confidence, devotion, conviction, just to name a few.
In the context of contemporary culture, there are those who suggest that we replace the world faith with spirituality, but Elizabeth requests us not to write-off faith so glibly. Faith carries with it the undeniable tension between our search for security and the limits of our ability to know. Faith keeps us connected to the heart of the human condition.
Episode 132: Everyone’s A Critic
Have you heard of negativity bias? Recognizing threats to our well being is intuitive and alerts a sense of urgency around perceived negativities. However, this same quality can run out of control in a world where social criticism, and doom scrolling keep us locked into negative patterns. Lojong practice transforms that negative urgency into a healthier, positive mindset. Jampal Norbu explores verse 25 of Lojong: “Do not speak of the downfall of others.” Theme music by Matt Quentin.
Other Ways to Support MWI
Check Out Our MWI Store: T-shirts, ball caps, hoodies, and mugs
MWI opened a “Storefront” that enables us to receive a little bit of sustaining income by offering t-shirts, ball caps, hoodies, and mugs with our “Eternal Knot” logo. The storefront hosted by Bonfire helps nonprofits raise funds and has an an option for you to add a larger donation when you purchase a product.