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 will be having a dialog about Dharma teachings and practices during our Wednesday evening gatherings. Everyone is welcome. Bring your questions.

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

Password: 362919

Zoom Video Link

Butterfly Surprise

The trail along the Deschutes River in Riley Preserve is a delight to the senses. Water cascades down a basalt gorge, draping the landscape in a ribbon of icy water. The riparian area extending into the riverbanks supports a variety of wildlife and wildflowers. By late June, many of the blooming plants are past their peak, but we still manage to identify 13 species revealing their waning blossoms.

Near one of the access trails down to the river, I notice a colorful butterfly perched atop a slender plant stalk. It is a mariposa lily (Calochortus macrocarpus), one of the most beautiful of all wildflowers. Barely noticeable unless your eyes are very present, this plant seems to disappear into the forest. Tarn and I tell other hikers about the lily, but very few are all that interested. Oh well, at least we planted a seed.

It is important to plant seeds of awareness wherever we go. But we cannot determine when they will sprout. By the way, mariposa is the Spanish word for butterfly.

Much Love,

🙏🏼🌎❤️Michael

Dharma Journal Posts

A Bit of a Tumble

Iron Mountain is a botanical wonderland in the old Cascade Mountain Range. The area preserves a diversity of wildflowers that grow on both the wetter and dryer side of the Cascades. You can hike...

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 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