Letter from the Editors

Happy Losar – Year of the Earth Pig!

Dear Friends,

We are on the cusp of the Tibetan New Year – Losar, with lots to look forward to in 2019! Most specially for Ligmincha centers around the world, we look forward to the visit of His Holiness Lungtok Dawa Dargyal Rinpoche, the 34th Menri Trizin, on his first teaching tour in Europe and the United States since becoming the head of the Bön tradition. And a special musical performance, Sa Le Ö, is coming in June to Ligmincha centers in Mexico, Texas and Serenity Ridge. Find out more below!

Losar begins on February 5 – a time to clear out the old, and to purify and to prepare for the new! It is a time of transition, of change, and this is our topic for the excerpt from the oral teachings given by Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche in fall 2018 at Serenity Ridge. Transitions such as the beginning of a new year are a great opportunity for practice, and as Rinpoche has taught us, it's a great time for embracing a new beginning, using one's creativity to bring out the best in this and every moment in your life.

Lots of special events to announce in this issue:

• There's still time to attend two February retreats at Serenity Ridge: Dzogchen and Ma Gyü with Khenpo Nyima Rinpoche from Menri and Sherap Chamma with Marcy Vaughn.
• Learn more about His Holiness the 34th Menri Trizin’s schedule of traveling and teaching in Europe and North America beginning early this summer.
• Sa Le Ö Musical Healing and Meditation Tour to benefit poor children is this June in Mexico, Texas and at Serenity Ridge in Virginia.
• Registration is now open for Ligmincha's Annual Summer Retreat on Tummo from June 23–July 7, with His Holiness, the 34th Menri Trizin, as special guest teacher, along with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.
• This Losar is the Year of the Earth Pig. Find out more about the meaning of the Tibetan astrology with Raven Cypress Wood.
• Join a special Losar webcast on February 9.
• Learn about Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche's new live Facebook webcasts in March.
• See the latest dates and locations in Rinpoche's worldwide teaching schedule for 2019.
• Want to practice the teachings with others in your area? Learn about a online new Host Program coming soon.
• Learn about Rinpoche's upcoming live Facebook broadcasts starting in March.
• “The Five Elements: Healing with Form Energy and Light" is Ligmincha Learning's next online course beginning February 9.
• GlideWing's online course on “The Truth That Sets You Free: Discovering Your Inner Wisdom Through Practices of Waking and Sleeping" begins February 16.
• Find out details about the Annual Spring Retreat at Serenity Ridge April 11–14 on “The Five Elements: Connecting With the Living Universe" and consider offering some of your time and energy to Serenity Ridge during this year's Spring Service Retreat April 8–11.
• A special “Ligmincha Symposium For Contemplative Sciences: Body, Breath and Mind," with Tenzin Wangyal and guest speakers, will be held April 14-16.
• Student and Teacher – Together on the Path is a new feature in VOCL. We will bring you a student question and answer by Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, from edited excerpts of his oral teachings.
• Check out many new programs offered by The 3 Doors in the new year.
• You can find the link for the Spanish translation of the December VOCL.

Happy Losar, everyone!
Aline and Jeff Fisher