JUNE 2026 NEWSLETTER
- 3 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
The Martial “Art of Love”
In the “Art of Love” Aikido Master Morihei Ueshiba reveals an astounding truth: to perfect any martial art, the warrior must learn to love.
Such teaching seems so counter intuitive. One would think that to master Jujitsu or Samurai disciplines of Kyudo or Kenjutsu, a warrior would need to master restrained violence, disciplined execution, and weaponry of all kinds. And surely martial discipline in the face of hostility requires such mastery.
Yet, it is in the perfection of such mastery where the warrior discovers the “Art of Love.”
Too often, love is assumed to be romantic, sentimental or a sexual affection. Perfectly healthy human emotions, of course. But here, Master Ueshiba is revealing a deeper sense of love: a profound, sacred resonance with the “other” beyond aggression, marked by a longing to protect the well-being of all you encounter - even those who are hostile.
Such sentiments are noble of course, but are they practical?
In the practice of the “Art of Love” we discover that aggression limits us psychologically - dulling our skills, hampering our fluidity and strengthening fixed biases – making us predictable – an “easy target” so to speak. In Aikido, Master Ueshiba shows us how to naturally open without aggression where warriors can act powerfully without becoming internally possessed by conflict, anger or panic.
In these times of unbridled arrogance, willful blindness and unspeakable cruelty, we may find that Master Ueshiba’s “Art of Love” can offer us some valuable advice.
For me, I have found this simple teaching endlessly helpful:
“Let attackers come any way they like and then blend with them.” -Master Morihei Ueshiba
In this age of endless insults and indignities coming at us “… any way they like …“, what does it mean to “… blend with them …”?
Such a teaching encourages us to be curious about what offends, not blinded; to recognize brutalities without permitting them to steal our freedom; to move beyond being easily recognizable - always prepared to guide with a fearless, penetrating “martial hand” when circumstances cannot resist.
Michael Carroll
Notes from Bill
Our latest podcast episode is now available: Larry Mermelstein in conversation with Joanna Rotté, recorded live at Sky Lake Shambhala Meditation Retreat Center. Larry shares stories of the late great Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. You can listen here: https://www.thewisdomseat.org/podcast/episode/c1ccc835/31-larry-mermelstein-stories-of-the-late-great-chogyam-trungpa
Thank you to Barry Boyce for joining us for May's Mindful Gathering, where he discussed the Dharma Protectors. If you missed it, the recording is now available at: https://www.thewisdomseat.org/post/strange-friends-barry-boyce-on-the-dharma-protectors
Our next Community of Care call is June 8, which is an open discussion on death and dying: https://www.thewisdomseat.org/event-details/embracing-the-wisdom-of-death-dying-and-illness-1. All are welcome.
Congratulations to Kaya on her recent college graduation! We are so proud of you. Kaya has been a large behind the scenes presence here for the past two years, helping with our website and communications.
We are looking for a tech volunteer who enjoys helping people one on one with everyday tech - things like getting set up on Zoom or navigating between accounts. If you have a calm, patient teaching style and that kind of help feels enjoyable to you, I would love to hear from you. Please reach out to me at billmoriarty@thewisdomseat.org
take care,
Bill Moriarty
Board President of The Wisdom Seat
Save the dates! Friday, September 11th-Sunday, September 13th, 2026
The Wisdom Seat is excited to host Jetsunma Jamyang Yeshe Palmo from Friday, September 11th-Sunday, September 13th, 2026. Jetsunma is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, fully ordained nun, Vajra Master and retreat master. Known for her profound blend of traditional monastic training and modern philosophical education, she bridges Eastern wisdom and Western psychology to teach globally. She was originally recognized by His Eminence Beru Khyentse Rinpoche as the reincarnation of Karma Tsultrim Khechog Palmo (Freda Bedi/Sister Palmo), the first woman to receive full ordination in Tibetan Buddhism and a teacher of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche during his time in India.
Join us for one, two, or all three days in this weekend of teachings. You do not need to attend all three days to benefit from Jetsunma’s visit:
Friday, September 11th - Evening public talk at Swarthmore College
Saturday all day, September 12th - Practice and discussion at Pawo Khandro Ling, Wallingford
Sunday morning, September 13th - Vajrayana talk restricted to those who have received pointing-out.
You can read a little more about Jetsunma here. Further information and registration coming soon!
Nyinthun: Full Day Online & In Person Practice, June 2026
June 7, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM EDT
In person and online full day group sitting practice, interspersed with walking meditation.
Embracing the Wisdom of Death, Dying and Illness
June 8, 2026, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
A Community Discussion on Death, Dying and Illness.
Music as Dharma with Alex deVaron and Bill Moriarty
Thu, Jun 25 7pm-8pm Eastern Time
A Mindful Gathering with conversation and live musical demonstrations exploring how music, sound, and contemplative practice reinforce each other.
A Householder Retreat with Jeremiah Fruchtman and Sean McMullen
July 23, 2026 at 8:00 AM – July 30, 2026 at 7:00 PM
This in-person gathering offers a rare chance to step out of the usual pace of daily life and enter a disciplined retreat atmosphere. The retreat is open to all—whether new to meditation or returning to an established practice.
Proclaiming Basic Sanity: Living the Bodhisattva Path Retreat
Aug 10-18, 2026
How do we navigate with wisdom, compassion, and fierce courage in an age of spiritual crisis? Please join Buddhist teachers Michael Carroll and Susan Piver for a week of meditation, community, and real talk about how to take our practice into the beauty and confusion of our world.
The Wisdom Seat Retreat 2026
Nov 28th - Dec 6th
We invite you to join us for this in-person annual retreat at the Karma TriyanaDharmachakra monastery in the delightful upstate New York Catskill Mountains. Michael Carroll will be leading this 8-day practice intensive designed to help us deepen our mindfulness-awareness meditation and integrate it into our daily life.
Monday Morning Sessions with Michael & Susan
Mondays 9am EDT
Join Michael and Susan for Dharma teachings and meditation. This is a beautiful opportunity to hear these dear friends teach together. Every Monday, 9:00–9:45am Eastern Time.
The Power of Mind: The 7 Points of Mind Training
Tuesdays 6:30pm EDT
Join us for an in-depth exploration of lojong, or mind training. Using the text The Power of Mind by Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche as our base, we will meet Tuesday evenings to practice and discuss the text. You may join any time and access recordings of past meetings.
Wednesday Meditation
Wednesdays 6:15pm EDT
Ongoing sitting meditation practice. Zoom only.
Every Wednesday, 6:15–7:30pm Eastern Time.
Dorje Denma Ling
Walking the Path of Peace
July 24, 3pm — July 31, 1pm ET In-Person
Taught by T. Tavita Martinez and Mark Nowakowski Join us for a retreat rooted in the teachings of the Buddha, where stillness, awareness, and loving-kindness are nurtured -- supporting you in returning to your life with greater peace and wisdom, and a renewed capacity to connect genuinely with others.
Dorje Denma Ling
Fully Being Meditation Retreat
July 1-5, 2026 In-Person
Taught by Adam Kane We are fortunate to welcome Adam Kane, Tsoknyi Rinpoche's primary translator and a senior Fully Being facilitator, for a 4-day meditation retreat at Dorje Denma Ling. Fully Being draws on Tsoknyi Rinpoche's uniquely accessible approach to practice -- one that helps us cultivate a grounded body, a warm and open heart, and a clear, steady mind. These teachings are practical and direct, inviting us to meet our experience as it is and to integrate meditation into daily life.
Dorje Denma Ling
The Tibetan Buddhist Path: Wisdom and Compassion
September 3, 2026 — April 8, 2027 Thursdays, 7-8:30pm ET Online
Led by Al San Valentin, Andy Karr, Daniel Nguyen, Lynn Friedman, Molly DeShong, Rhea Colmar, Tavita Martinez, and Jean Marie Robbins A year-long online training guiding students through the Mahayana path -- from foundation to bodhicitta, paramita, lojong, and emptiness. Join for the full year or register for any individual module.
Registration: https://dorjedenmaling.org/program/2802/the-tibetan-buddhist-path-wisdom-and-compassion/
GAMPO ABBEY
Anam Thubten Rinpoche Online Daylong Retreat
Life as a Charnel Ground
August 7, 2026
10:00 to 16:00 Atlantic Time
9:00 to 15:00 EDT
Online
Join us for a daylong online retreat with Anam Thubten Rinpoche, hosted by Gampo Abbey. Rinpoche will teach on the topic of Life as a Charnel Ground.
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Chöd, or “Cutting Through,” practitioners go to places regarded as haunted ground to confront their own internal conflicts – such as fear and fixation – and cut through their identification with them. This approach can also be applied in everyday life. As we move through our inner struggles, we can learn to discover joy and peace amidst it all.
Profound Treasury Retreat
Planting Seeds, Cutting Roots
June 12-21, 2026 In-Person at Saco, Maine
Through a week of contemplation and practice, we'll explore the Buddhist understanding of karma as the intricate chain of cause and effect that arises from ego's attempt to secure its position in our world. By acknowledging the workings of cause and effect, we can begin to see our deep interconnectedness with all beings and recognize the reverberations of our actions through familial, cultural, and collective patterns. We will also explore the possibility of discovering freedom from karma in the present moment. The Profound Treasury Retreats are for everyone, whether you are new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner.
Profound Treasury Retreat
How to Be a Bodhisattva: Practicing the Paramitas
September 25 — October 4, 2026 In-Person at Drala Mountain Center, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
An opportunity to explore paramita practice and the broader question of how to lead a more compassionate life. We will focus on the six primary paramitas -- generosity, discipline, patience, exertion, meditation, and wisdom -- and how we can apply them to our lives and to our meditation practice.
Karmê Chöling
Ngöndro Practice Intensive
October 9-18, 2026 In-Person at Karmê Chöling
Led by Dorje Loppon Lodro Dorje and Adrienne Chang A week-long Ngöndro practice intensive connecting with the energy and power of our Vajrayana heritage. Open to individuals practicing Ngöndro in any lineage of the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche -- Kagyu, Nyingma, and/or Shambhala Ngöndros.
Casa Werma
Sacred Path: Ordinary Magic & Authentic Presence
November 11-22, 2026 In-Person at Casa Werma, Pátzcuaro, Mexico
Led by Joe Litven and Rhea Colmar A retreat bringing together all levels of the Sacred Path: Great Eastern Sun, Windhorse, Drala, the Four Dignities, and Golden Key. Deepen your meditation practice and continue along the path of the Shambhala teachings in the heart of a beautiful Mexican pueblo mágico. Includes online preparatory classes in October. Prerequisite: Shambhala Training Levels 1-5.
Wisdom's Melody
The Hawk Points Out a Universe
The teacher might say a word, make a gesture, or hold an object that suddenly opens the view.
By Elizabeth Brownrigg
One morning I was walking the dog along a familiar street, planning this, ruminating on that, noticing nothing, when, POP!, at the top of the tallest tree, a red-shouldered hawk appeared, big and bright in the morning sunlight.
I paid attention.
In Vajrayana Buddhism, a teacher might offer a qualified student a "pointing-out" of the true nature of mind. The student, who has spent years in meditation practice and study, is ready to receive the teachings. When presented at the right time, one pointing-out instruction can awaken the mind so that it realizes its own spaciousness and vivid awareness. The instruction can be as simple as the appearance of a hawk in the morning sun. The teacher might say a word, make a gesture, or hold an object that suddenly opens the view.
This moment of clarity doesn't last. Inevitably, the student's mind returns to its chattering thoughts, the difference being that now she remembers the experience and will recognize it again. Over many meditation sessions, the realization briefly recurs, appearing like chinks of light in the roof of a darkened room.
Any ordinary experience that stops your thoughts for a moment could be a pointing-out. It might be:
a sudden loss
good news after dreading a bad diagnosis
a burst of wind that makes the trees sway
swifts funneling into a chimney
the call of a barred owl right outside your window
a moon so bright it wakes you up.
There are states of mind that heighten awareness, like the sensitivity of the post-migraine hangover or the epileptic visions of St. Teresa.
"Our normal waking consciousness . . . is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the flimsiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different. We may go through life without suspecting their existence; but apply the requisite stimulus and at a touch they are all there in all their completeness . . . No account of the universe in its totality can be final which leaves these other forms of consciousness quite disregarded." - William James, The Varieties of Religious Experience
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Elizabeth Brownrigg is an author of novels, essays, and feature articles. She teaches at the Durham Shambhala Center, where she has been a member since 2004. She writes about practicing the dharma and living in the difficult world in her Substack column, __"Walking the Inspired Path"__.
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Wisdom's Melody is open to submissions from the Wisdom Seat community. Essays, reflections, and creative writing of 800 words or less are welcome. Contact Bill at billmoriarty@thewisdomseat.org to submit.
"Things arisen from causes and conditions:
that which conceives these to be real
the Buddha taught to be ignorance;
from this emerge the twelve links."
—Seventy Verses on Emptiness, 64
Nāgārjuna
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