Letter from the Editors

Adapting in Unusual Times

Dear Friends,

These are unusual times for all of us, and while the pandemic continues to affect the world, we are learning to adapt in new ways. From social distancing and quarantining at home, to attending online teachings and meetings, to simplifying our lives, to expressing our grief and our care and compassion for others, we are all learning how to live more in the present moment as we face these undeniable lessons of impermanence and change.

Since in-person retreats and gatherings are still not possible, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche is coming to us more and more – through Zoom retreats and offerings, through his Facebook Live webcasts, also available on cybersangha.net, through his online courses, through his poetry and photographs and videos, through music and mantra, through conversations, through worldwide practice days and through new Instagram posts – all with the help of lots of volunteers! So very fortunate to have such a modern lama. (Find the upcoming happenings below!)

The attendance at the recent online summer retreat showed people's great need for connection and support, with more than 600 people attending from around the world. There were live translations going on in multiple languages. The daily offerings of teachings, Tibetan yoga and meditation practices manifested magically on all of our screens over the course of two weeks, and they did so due to so many people's joyful efforts. This extraordinary opportunity to all be together sharing the space of a beautiful sacred cyber-gompa, where we could all receive teachings and strengthen our practices, arose as Rinpoche's heart response to the Covid-19 global crisis.

Our excerpt is from Rinpoche's oral teachings during this first-ever online summer retreat. His message was so relevant to the times: our being fully in the world is the greatest gift that we can give, and it arises naturally from resting in the space of who we truly are. What great news! Enjoy.

There are many announcements to share from Ligmincha International:

• H.H. Lungtok Dawa Dhargyal Rinpoche, the 34th Menri Trizin and spiritual leader of the Tibetan Bön tradition, gave teachings during Ligmincha's recent online summer retreat. We have an excerpt for you to enjoy.
• Read about the new Code of Conduct that the Ligmincha International Board has developed, in close collaboration with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, for sanghas worldwide.
• Ligmincha Poland is hosting two online retreats through Zoom with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and Choekhortshang Rinpoche, one starting SOON – July 31. An in-person retreat with Khenpo Tenpa Yungdrung is planned for September at Chamma Ling Poland. See all the details below.
• Find out about Ligmincha's online Fall Retreat & Serenity Ridge Dialogues, both happening in October.
• We welcome Ton Bisscheroux, new international correspondent for VOCL, with his first article for the VOCL on how the Covid-19 pandemic is impacting Ligmincha sanghas and organizations.
• NEW: A new Instagram page launched by CyberSangha that features short teaching videos and photos of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.
• You can always find the latest webcasts and online events on cybersangha.net as well as an archive of past talks, videos, music and more. Coming up: August 3 is a 24-hour Full Moon practice beginning at 10 a.m. New York time on Zoom. The Mantra of Liberation will be the practice. Mark your calendar for August 16 at 10 a.m. New York time for a Facebook Live conversation with Tenzin Rinpoche and teachers from six spiritual traditions of Tibet on “Pain as a Path to Freedom.”
• The 3 Doors brings us news about a new online nine-month Compassion Project, as well as other online courses beginning in September.
• Ligmincha Learning has several upcoming online courses. “Transforming Our Emotions Through the Six Lokas” begins August 14, “Sherap Chamma” begins August 22, and a NEW course: “Sleep Yoga: The Yoga of Clear Light” begins September 19. You can join the ongoing “Ngondro: Foundational Practices” at any time.
• This month's international sangha sharing features a poem by Hira Hosen inspired by Rinpoche's teachings.
• In the Student and Teacher article, Rinpoche answers a question about recognizing how we understand the boundaries we make.
• View the translation of the June VOCL in Spanish.

In Bön,
Aline and Jeff Fisher