Sangha News

In-Person and Online Practice

Sundays and Wednesdays

Join us Sundays from 8 - 9 am and Wednesdays from 7 - 8 pm either in-person at the Center or via Zoom video conferencing for practice and teaching with Michael.

We are studying the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva during our Wednesday evening practices in-person and online. This is a wonderful exploration of our natural capacity to realize compassion and some of the challenges involved. All are welcome to join at any time. There will be an opportunity to take bodhicitta (bodhisattva) vows this fall.

Click the Zoom Video Link below and enter the password to join our video conferences.

Password: 362919

Zoom Video Link

Indigenous Awareness

I recently attended the Archeology Road Show event where experts in the field were gathered to share knowledge and assess artifacts from attendees. I found it interesting that I experienced a deeper connection with the indigenous folks offering their traditional stories and crafts than the university representatives, mostly of European ancestry. It is obvious that I have some past life memories of my indigenous self.

I suppose that’s partly why I was so drawn to Vajrayana Buddhism. This tradition retains a connection to the indigenous way of perceiving the world through the lens of rich symbolism. The shamanic path bears striking similarities to the path of a Vajrayana Dharma practitioner. My good friend Willie, who was an enrolled Siuslaw and Grand Ronde native, also found the Vajrayana to be very similar to his tradition.

One of the presenters at the Road Show, a Klamath native, shared that he doesn’t care about the skin color or background of his audience when he gives a presentation. He simply teaches to the indigenous person within each of us. This is my prayer: that we all remember we are indigenous earthlings with a profound connection to natural systems. May we all hear the earth’s wisdom echoed in our own minds and wake up.

Much Love,

🙏🏼🌎❤️Michael

Dharma Journal Posts

Why Does a Bird Sing?

During private interviews, I sometimes get asked for guidance on whether one should do this or that. On occasion, I respond by saying, “If it’s your karma to do something, you’ll do it. I...

Wildflower Song Book

Michael’s new book is now available for purchase at our Dharma store, Dudleys’s Bookshop and Cafe, and through our website. To order the book, simply visit our donate page, click on “donate,” indicate you want a book, and provide your name and physical address in the designated fields. The cost is $15 in person or $20, including shipping, if you choose to order online.

All proceeds generated from the book will be dedicated to supporting the Natural Mind Dharma Center and its ongoing activities.

The Healing Power of Practice

Amitabha: The Buddha of Limitless Light

Our dear Sangha sister Gioia passed away peacefully of natural causes early on July 11th with her son by her side. May Gioia’s journey be filled with luminous light and may she enter into indivisible union with the infinite ocean of Love from which we have come. May all beings be blessed with the same.

With this in mind, we are concluding our Kurukulle mantra accumulations which reached 200,000 and transitioning to chanting the Amitabha mantra.

You may still send in your Kurukulle mantras and also your Amitabha mantras through the link below. Just let us know which mantra you are reporting.

Amitabha Mantra

For Gioia and all beings in the bardo of the dharmata, and for the benefit of all beings wherever they may be, we are chanting and accumulating the Amitabha Mantra:

OM AMIDEWA HRIH

We will chant this mantra until the end of July accumulating as many as we can.

Report Mantra Count

With Gratitude

We are grateful for your ongoing support of our in-person and online teachings and of our center.

To make a donation click the link below:

Donate

"Generosity brings happiness at every stage of its expression.

We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous.

We experience joy in the actual act of giving something.

And we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given."

-Buddha Shakyamuni

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Natural Mind Dharma Center | info@naturalminddharma.o rg