Midwest Dharma

HHDL to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington this October

In 1989, His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize for opposing violence during Tibet's struggle for freedom from Communist Chinese occupation.  This fall, His Holiness will receive one of our highest civilian honers - the Congressional Gold Medal.  The Voice of America website notes: "The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest award bestowed by the legislative branch of the U.S. government.  Originally awarded for outstanding bravery on the battlefield, the Congressional Gold Medal is now awarded, from time to time, to people who have performed exceptional services to humanity.  Medals have gone to the late Pope John Paul the Second, Mother Teresa and the slain American civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr...The U.S. Mint is now striking the Dalai Lama's gold medal, as well as bronze duplicates that will be available to the public.  The Dalai Lama plans to travel to Washington this October to receive the award."

His Holiness joins a varied group of recipients including Minneapolis born Charles Schulz and Hubert Humphrey as well as Harry Chapin and Frank Sinatra.

Click here for a complete list of past recipients.

New class starting this Wednesday with Khen Rinpoche

Essential Dharma - Key Principles of the Buddhist Path

Wedneday evenings, Feb. 21st to March 28th, 7:15 - 9pm

In these teachings, Khen Rinpoche will present the most important principles of the Buddhist path. The series will begin with a teaching on the stages of meditation practice in the Tibetan tradition, before moving on to other core concepts, such as devotion and the guru principle, the twelve links of interdependent origination, visualization and mantra, the six perfections, and the two truths. The topics discussed in these lectures are all considered "essential" principles to understand for spiritual study and practice. All are invited to attend; drop-ins welcome.

Suggested donation:    $20 per class or $90 for the 6 class series

Location:                     Khen Rinpoche's residence
                                    2414 Taylor St. NE
                                    Minneapolis, MN 55418

Khen Rinpoche is currently in the Twin Cities through the support and generoisity of the Rime Foundation.  You can find further information as well as Rinpoche's biography and teaching schedule at www.rimefoundation.org

Mipham video on You Tube

Chewyguru directed a video "What About Me" of spoken word artist Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. 

Click here to check it out!

Tibetan Ledaer Calls on Speaker Pelosi

Click here for the ICT article on the meeting between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Chairman of the Tibetan Cabinet.  Speaker Pelosi has been a long time friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and supporter of Tibetan issues in the Congress.

Maitri: Five Wisdom Energies

Acharya Richard John will teach Maitri: Five Wisdom Energies at the
Chicago Shambhala Center, Fri, March 9, 7pm-9pm; Sat March 10, 9am-8:30pm;
and Sun, March 11 9am-6pm

This weekend presents the unique meditation practice created by Chögyam
Trungpa Rinpoche based on the traditional principles of the five buddha
families. Maitri practice tunes us directly into our different
psychological styles or energies, allowing us to clearly see and
experience how we embody and relate to them in either a sane or neurotic
fashion. As we embrace these energies in ourselves and our world with
friendliness, we can transform the frozen energy of self-centeredness into
the flowing creativity of compassionate wisdom.

Members $125 ($115 for early registration by March 4).
Nonmembers $145 ($135 for early registration by March 4).
$15 fee for rental of practice materials, for those who do not have them. 

For more information or to register on line, visit www.chicagoshambhala.org or call 773-743-8147.

Eat, Pray, Love

I recently finished reading Eat, Pray, Love - One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert.  I had checked it out from our (fabulous) public library in Minneapolis and promptly bought a copy.  It's a wonderfully funny, poignant and readable adventure of Ms. Gilbert's inner and outer journey.  Her style is warm and familiar...like talking to a close friend.  The book is divided into three equal sections for each geographic stopping point, with 36 short chapters each.   A total of 108 (auspicious) chapters are easy to dip into. 

Here's a link to the website for Ms Gilbert and her book - Check out the FAQ's section...#7 talks about starting a meditation practice and suggests the book and teachings of Pema Chodron and Jack Kornfield. 

NOTE:  Ms. Gilbert will be at the Barnes & Noble in Edina this Thursday Feb 8th for her 2007 Paperback Tour!!  Click here for details... 

HHDL headed to the Midwest

His Holiness Dalai Lama is headed to the Midwest this spring for a series of talk and teachings.

Tickets went on sale yesterday for the 4 part series taking place in Madison, WI.  Please click on this link for more details. 

The Chicago Sun-tImes reported yesterday that His Holiness will stop in Chicago after Madison for a morning teaching on Geshe Langri Thangpa's "Eight Verses on Training the Mind" (one of his favorites) at Harris theater.  In the afternoon, he will deliver a public address titled "Finding Inner Peace in a World of Turmoil" in Millennium Park.  Both events will be ticketed.  Ticketmaster wil handle sales and information will be available soon through the Web site www.dalailamachicago.com. 

Please click here for the full text of the Sun Times areticle. 

HHDL in Chicago - tickets go on sale March 9th!

The website for the Dalai Lama's visit to Chicago has been launched and tickets will go on sale March 9th.  Click here for details.

If you are flying from the Minneapolis area, flights are on sale as low as $88-99 roundtrip.  Check with Airtan Airways or Northwest Airlines or, better yet, contact me!