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Mahayana Essentials: The Middle Way - Opening the World of Creative Possibilities

Date: June 10-11, 2023 

Location: Online Hosted by Pema Osel | 

Teacher: Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel

If someone were to ask you, “What did the Buddha teach?” it would be accurate to say, “The Middle Way.” But what is that, exactly? We may assume “Middle Way” refers to moderation or maintaining a neutral position on an issue. But there is nothing neutral about the practice of the Middle Way. It is a way of being that is awake, responsive, and discerning.

The Middle Way, or Madhyamaka, tradition employs inquiry as a path of stepping out of coarse binary thinking — belief vs. doubt, friend vs. enemy, spiritual vs. temporal — and into a world of nuance and creative healing possibilities.

Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel loves the Middle Way teachings and is excited to engage the Mangala Shri Bhuti community in a weekend of discourse, conversation, and practice.

Program Details

This year’s Mahayana Essentials program is a live-stream program hosted by Pema Osel. Elizabeth will give three talks which will include Q&A.
 
On Saturday and Sunday there will be half-hour guided meditation sessions before the morning talks. There will also be discussion groups held before the Saturday afternoon talk. All of these sessions will be hosted on Zoom and led by senior students.
 

For those who are unable to watch the live stream in real time, the videos will be accessible until July 11th. Or if you wish to continue your study of the teachings, an Audio-Video Study Set is available for purchase which gives you access to the video for a full year and the audio indefinetely.

Audio recordings are available as well as a separate product. The audio recordings are downloadable and yours to enjoy indefinitely.

Financial Support
The proceeds from this program support Pema Osel, our center in Vermont where Elizabeth usually gives these teachings in person. In order to support our annual budget, we hope that most people are able to pay the full amount. However, no one will be turned away for financial reasons. If you can’t pay in full, don’t let that be an obstacle. Contact us here by May 21st for more information on payment options.

Register Now

Program Schedule
Please Note: Times are in  Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Saturday, June 10th
9:00 – 9:30 am EDT – Meditation via Zoom (optional)
10:00 – Noon  EDT – Talk 1
1:30 – 2:30 pm  EDT – Discussion groups via Zoom (optional)
3:00 – 5:00 pm  EDT – Talk 2

Sunday, June 11th
9:00 – 9:30 am  EDT- Meditation via Zoom (optional)
10:00 – Noon  EDT – Talk 3

You will receive a welcome email closer to the program with information on how to join the Zoom meditation and discussion groups, and a link to the opening and closing chants. Stay tuned for the welcome email.

For questions about the event, contact Vanessa Waxman –vanwaxman@gmail.com

More about Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel
Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel has studied and practiced the Buddhadharma for over 35 years under the guidance of her teacher and husband Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. She is the retreat master of Samten Ling in Crestone, Colorado, and has spent over six years in retreat. She holds a degree in anthropology and an M.A. in Buddhist Studies. She teaches throughout the U.S., Australia, and Europe.

She is the author of The Power of an Open Question: The Buddha’s Path to Freedom and The Logic of Faith: A Buddhist Path to Finding Certainty Beyond Belief and Doubt.

Elizabeth is known for her use of inquiry as a means to reach a place of genuine practice and awakening. She asks participants to engage in the practice of open questioning with her while she takes a fresh look at the assumptions and beliefs we have about spirituality. In particular, Elizabeth is fascinated with the Buddha’s essential teachings on the natural principle of pratityasamutpada, dependent arising. Participants repeatedly comment on how her approach has reinvigorated their meditation practice and the way they relate to their lives as a whole.

Learn more about Elizabeth’s activities, including her new non-profit organization, The Middle Way Initiative, on her website.