In the context of a recent pilgrimage in India, Elizabeth opens up the topic of āengagedā bodhicitta and the six paramitas. She weaves in the story of Sujata, the young woman known for generously offering a bowl of sweet milk-rice to Siddhartha who was debilitated after years of austerities. Revived and refocused, Siddhartha then made his way to the shade of a pipal tree and attained enlightenment, becoming The Buddha. Join the pilgrimage and explore Indiaās conspiracy of great giving.
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22:38
OQ 601 - Across The Valley
In episode 601,Ā Across the Valley, Elizabeth uses the analogy of two communities situated on opposite sides of the valley where she lives to consider our tendencies towards fundamentalism and rightness. āWhat happensā she asks, āwhen everyone feels absolutely right?ā The Bodhisattva Vow is a commitment to create connection with others, without bias, by looking inward at the mechanisms of reification, and then applying the Buddhaās Middle Way Beyond The Extremes.
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OQ 505 - Looking Into the World
In this episode Elizabeth reflects upon the provocative poem by renowned Buddhist teacher, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, entitled, āLooking Into the World.ā āItās not a cozy poem,ā she says, āItās an incantation to NOT trust, a reflection on loneliness, and a tribute to the freedom and confidence that comes from standing on our own two feet.ā You have to put your familiar views aside to explore this one!
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OQ 504 - Hook And Ring
Devotion is one of the many expressions of faith. When understood clearly, devotion can hasten the process of awakening for the student on the spiritual path, ripening and maturing them in a simple and direct way. Elizabeth brings us through various definitions of devotion, explores devotion as an experience, and considers the cultural and interpersonal challenges that can arise through misunderstanding the nature of the teacher/student dynamic.
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OQ 503 - The Ineffable
All great spiritual lineages point us back to that which defies concept and language. Authentic practitioners describe awakening as being touched by a sense of awe, overcome by the beauty, fierceness and power of being. To be in AWE is a natural human experience. Ironically, so is the discomfort that leaves us restless with the experience, making itĀ almost impossible to bear. Our inability to bear the ineffable gives rise to dualism and our conflict with faith.
How do we navigate our lives in the midst of uncertainty? How do we bring our deepest intentions together with our actions? What is the purpose of spirituality? How can we accommodate both the beauty and the pain of life?
These questions may never find a definitive answer,
but they are questions to live by. At OQ we feel that if you have a genuine question you should explore it, continue to ask it, and then pay attention.
I am Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, a Buddhist student and teacher. Please join me as I share some intimate and rich dialogues with accomplished practitioners of diverse wisdom lineages.
To learn more please visit: https://www.elizabethmattisnamgyel.com/oqpodcast
New Zealand