On September 19, 2006 we had an extraordinary opportunity. About 150 of us went to Buffalo to hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A large group of us traveled together on a bus, and ate together on the way home. The weather was sunny despite predictions of rain, and many found the radiant presence of His Holiness was not diminished by the large crowd we joined. We also were granted a private interview. The organizers asked us to send a delegation of 20, which we did. One of the members of the delegation was Ella May Damiani who not only exchanged khatas with His Holiness but sat beside him. Here is a pared down excerpt from that interview:

S: Why is it that the teachings of emptiness appear accessible to the intellect and inaccessible as experience?  How can both these errors be corrected?

HHDL:  I think it’s not only shunya, the subject of emptiness, but any subject. There's the mere knowledge that's easy, then translate into experience, difficult… I think, first study, knowledge. Then through experience, then deeper -- have a deeper knowledge through the experience.

S: What's the best way to deepen that experience?

HHDL:  What's best?  Spend more time. And every moment.

S:  Every moment.

HHDL:  Think. Think. Think. Think. For example, shunya or impermanence – every occasion – when we look flower… clouds, and then remember, translate feeling.  Water goes: look and think, and then translate into the feeling. Think every moment.  If you look – the perspective of the impermanence -- everything now teaches us the nature of impermanence. The every impermanence must depend on causes and conditions. So essentially there is no nature of independent effort.  So that leads the understanding of absence of independent existence. So that means shunya, emptiness.

So for example, when we develop feeling of 'I' then investigate, immediately investigate, who has 'I'?  You can’t find it.  That is also now closer to the reality of self.  Like that. For every moment. Now for example, my own case, I think practically whenever I use the word 'I', some reflection, “Oh, there's no I.”

HHDL/ Translator:  Most of the time when I use the first-person term 'I' immediately this term is followed by another awareness that 'I' truly does not exist. So this is a function of habituation, and familiarity.

HHDL:  So.  Yes, it is true, here are human beings.  And as individuals, as genuine Americans, human beings. If I hurt, yes, I will accumulate sin, karma, negative sin...

So that now the other question: emptiness – one side, emptiness; one side, interdependency – these two things must go together. Because of interdependency, it is fact -- because of interdependency, [there is] no absolute reality.

So think more.  Think more.  Think more. When you're eating, think.  And when you're in bathroom, think.  When you sleep, about to sleep, think.  And as soon as morning, wake up, think.  That's the way to be right.

HHDL/Translator:  Because otherwise we tend to get in such a way that in the meditation session we contemplate, but once the session is over, we leave it at that, then there is no real impact. Although my own sort of knowledge or experience of shunya, certainly very limited, but one of my favorite subjects. Thank you. And then Buddhist altruism, intellectually easy to understand – but transformation is, I think, basically harder than experience of shunya or emptiness.  So think more [about] the altruism and read more. 

[For a more complete version of this interview contact Greg at grkramer@twcny.rr.com or Helen at perl5@verizon.net]

ONGOING AT THE CENTER

 

Meditation:

7:00 am every morning,

5:30 pm on weekday evenings, 5:00 pm on weekends

Monday

Conscious Living, the Journey into Conscious Aging  (10 am – noon, Main Building Kitchen) We continue to explore the many ways to enjoy and be present in the aging process. We are reading Still Here by Ram Dass along with articles by Eckhart Tolle, Pema Chodron, Paul Brunton and others. For a very lively morning, if you are 55 or over, drop in on any class day, or call Carol Bigio at 607-546-8205. 

Astrology (7:30 pm, Library) The class has been working on event and election charts, leading up to studying horary. An event chart maps a known occurrence in time and space of some specific aspect of the World-Idea, expressed as outer circumstances. An election chart anticipates the event where there is some wiggle room in determining when it will occur. A horary is the chart of a question whose answer can be found within the moment of the chart’s creation. Beginners and intermediate students welcome. Contact Greg Kramer at grkramer@twcny.rr.com or 607-387-5536.

Tuesday

Studies in Emerging Teachers of the One (7:30 pm, Main Building) Readings from I Am That, talks of Nisargadatta Maharaj, as well as audio and video teachings of current Satsang Teachers of Non-Dual philosophy including Eckhart Tolle, Adyashanti, Gangaji. All are welcome. For further information call Mark Scorelle at 607-387-5442

Buddhism & Psychology (7:00 pm, Library) This process-oriented class begins with meditation, followed by open, integrative discussion. Focus is on how ideals related to the no-self of ancient traditional Buddhism can be cooperatively utilized with the self-unfoldment model found in modern Western perspectives. Speculative conversation includes such topics as the transformative quality of personal moments in nature or artistic expression. Various approaches to meditation are explored by the group for weeks or months at a time. Emphasis is on Tibetan Buddhism, with the study of the symbolism, meaning and stories of primary deities. Other forms of Buddhism and certain world philosophies are examined for comparative purposes. Contact Nanci Rose-Ritter at nanci@clarityconnect.com or 315-585-6701.

Wednesday

Plotinus’ Enneads (7:45 – 10 pm, Library)

After about 45 minutes of meditation, the class moves into reading and discussion. We just starting  V.9, “The Intellectual Principle.” All are welcome. Contact Herbert Shapiro at 607-277-5685.

Thursday

Raphael Meditation and Discussion (4:15 - 6:45 pm, Library) A small group conducts synchronized meditation with Raphael, then discusses meditation and the passages meditated upon. A variety of sources are used including PB writings, texts from the Vedanta, and Raphael’s writings.  Interested newcomers please first contact Alan Berkowitz 607-387-3789 or alan@fltg.net. 

Friday

Astronoesis Class (7:00 pm, Ella May’s home)

We are currently engaged with a series of readings and exercises related to symbolism and analogical representation as preparation for exploration of Plato’s analogies of the Sun and the Divided Line. Our intention is to develop the relevant grounding necessary to achieve an enhanced understanding of Anthony’s vision as presented in Astronoesis. Please just show up if you’d like to join this class. Contact David at dgallagher@aol.com or 607-387-5863.

Sunday

Katha Upanishad (Evening, Tim and Karen Smith’s home) We’re working on the Katha Upanishad which deals with death, insight and profound knowledge learned from Yama, Lord of Death. Our starting time alternates every other week. Please contact Kira Lallas at kiralallas@yahoo.com to find out more.

Maitreya’s Great Vehicle Treatise on the Sublime Continuum (7 pm, Main Building) All Tibetan lineages regard this as one of the most important Indian root texts for the study of the Perfection of Wisdom. Geshe Kunkhen’s teaching style is very relaxed. He enjoys taking up questions as they naturally arise with students.

Sunday Play Group (first Sunday of every month, 10:00 am – 11:30, Main Building) Children from birth to age 7 are welcome, accompanied by at least one adult. Each session opens with a circle of quiet time. The activities, including stories, songs, and craft projects are cooperatively led by the parents. Please contact Muireann O’Callaghan at 607-546-7790 or muir@empacc.net

RECENTLY AT THE CENTER

 “Fair thee well” It was a real pleasure to see so many of us working as a community, for the larger community, through the whole process of this Hector Fair. We hope that most of you who turned out for another year of success enjoyed it as well? Severin even sold ride tickets for a while! And in the end, despite a torrential downpour that pretty much ended the excitement early at 7:45 on Saturday, we took in over $2600. After deducting expenses for corn and for some of the pie ingredients, we gave $2532.65 to the firemen. The Firemen are saving up to replace their ambulance, and are still paying off a loan for a new roof, gutters and downspouts. Congrats and thanks to all for your much appreciated roles in this success, and let's hope we're all here and healthy for a go at a new record next summer.

Work days A great big thank you to all of you who turn out here at the Center for the workdays. Our Center buildings and grounds look really beautiful and carry so much vibrant energy. Carol Desarno with the "basketball team" degree, had us all in stitches as we worked together, mulching the flower beds, washing windows, stuffing cushions covers and cooking.  Many workers were also laying gravel on the path and trimming bushes and trees (an endless job).  

Friday Evenings In July, Karen Melamed Smith lead us in the chanting the Gayatri Mantra accompanying us with her harmonium. The informal event focused on the meaning of the Mantra, the voice and breath and the musical elements. Robert Esformes also gave an informal concert, offering cantorial selections with explanatory comments. He spoke about his involvement with the Jewish Renewal movement and his work in Philosophy for Children and Critical Thinking at Montclair Univerity. Gillian Pederson-Krag gave a presentation in August. She spoke about the process of choosing a subject to paint and a method of expressing it, and how this relates to one’s spiritual quest. Then, in September Craig Preston gave a talk on some of the main complementary themes in how Tibetan Buddhists think about Buddahood: liberation and Buddhahood, method and wisdom, Sutra and Tantra.

Summer Studies The theme for the summer studies on Labor Day weekend was Non-duality, as found in Anthony's Astronoesis, Plotinus, and PB. These views were compared to those of contemporary neo-nondualist teachers such as Eckhart Tolle, Adyashanti, and John Sherman. Evening events included  included a sarod and kirtan with Sera Smolen and Danny Birch , videos of nondualist teachers, and Timothy Smith overviewing the Heart Sutra.

BILL YOUNG

William Scott Young passed away peacefully at Hospicare on July 28 after enduring a variety of long and short-term health complications. Throughout the years, and right up to the end, Bill's spirit dealt with this multiplicity of physical hardships with exceptional good humor and grace.

Bill's dedication to understanding the world and the human spirit carried him into more than 25 years of service, teaching, and research at Wisdom's Goldenrod – including serving on the Board of Directors, teaching during the Summer Studies, getting Anthony’s classes onto CDs, and putting out this newsletter. He lived at the Center during the early1980s, increasing his knowledge, and deepening his understanding of the world's spiritual traditions.  He also worked with the Paul Brunton Philosophic Foundation as a computer programming volunteer, overseeing the data input of more than 7,000 pages of unpublished manuscripts.

Bill worked as a computer programmer at Cornell University, and over all of his years gave freely of his time to help friends with their computer projects. In 2000, he was involved in the founding of www.gratefulness.org with Brother David Steindl-Rast, and served as their Community Development Director for several years. Even through all his illness, Bill immersed himself in studies at the IM School of Healing Arts, graduating in 2004, and receiving ordination in 2005.

Bill was a scholar, a writer, and a man of rare wit, and was regularly capable of putting everyone around him in stitches.  He had an ability to laugh at his own and others' human limitations, viewing the play of life with an appreciation that was both sympathetic and comic.

Through everything he gave and learned, most importantly, Bill was a friend. His heart of empathy was wide.  His breadth of vision and his understanding of the human condition, which grew from his readings and from his delving with excruciating honesty into self-understanding, gave him an unusual ability to hear beneath and see beyond surfaces. He was a true philosopher--a lover of wisdom--and the value of his intangible gifts is evidenced by the many devoted friends who encircled him to the end. Bill’s community of friends extends deep gratitude to Bill's extraordinary spirit, and great sympathy and love to his beautiful family.

COMING UP

Annual Meeting On November 5^th at 2 pm, we will gather for our annual meeting. The Board would like to hear from everyone on a variety of topics – specifically, how we can use the “Memorial Walkway” and how to handle charging for events at the center. At that time, the baton will be passed from the current Board members to the new people. Elections are in progress right now.

Benefit Concert Jayne Demakos has completed her CD, “Hush” produced in Infinite Sound Studio by Arif Verner. A concert to launch this new work will be held on Sunday, November 12^th at 5:30 pm in the Center Library and will be open to the public. The CD is a wide mix of arrangements and original material centering around Jayne on voice and harp. Guest musicians include virtuoso bansuri flutist, Samite and many others. Suggested donation: $15 – 20 (Everyone welcome whatever the donation) All proceeds will benefit Wisdom’s Goldenrod.

OUTREACH CLASSES

Astrology Study Group (Monday 7 – 9 pm in Ithaca) In this study group we are using the ancient symbolic language of astrology to creatively investigate our lives. During this process, we are working together to explore and develop a new way of looking at ourselves and the possibilities that our lives hold we will be using each person’s natal chart and degree symbols as the map we will follow. During this session we are focusing on mercury, Venus and Mars. Suggested donation $85. Contact Pat Lallas at patlallas@hotmail.com for information.

Introduction to Zen (7 pm in Ithaca) There will be six classes, led by Lenny Silver, on Nov. 2 and 16, Dec. 14, Jan. 4 and 18 and Feb 1. This class will be an introduction to Zen from a western point of view, looking specifically at Zen as a form of experience, not as a form of Buddhism, and will be directed at our western Judeo-Christian background, not at any previous study. We will begin with Thomas Merton's article "A Christian Looks at Zen" which can be found online at www.escapefromwatchtower.com/mertonzenchapthree.html.  The class will use this and other texts, including Living by Zen by D. T. Suzuki. Please pre-register with Kira Lallas by e-mail at wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com or by calling 607-592-5807.  We are asking for $75 for the 6 classes, with the proceeds going to WG.  Anyone needing a scholarship for the classes should just e-mail Kira at the address above.

ELSEWHERE

Ancestral Gifts On Saturday October 7, Ann Drake, shaman and psychotherapist, presented a workshop on Ancestral Gifts, with shamanic journeying exercises and discussion.  In Ann's definition one's ancestral lineage is genetic and familial, in contrast to other lineages, for instance, karmic (past reincarnations), or that of spiritual teachers. Ann's visit was coordinated by Michael and Helena Cooper;  the workshop was held  in the  Busca Parlor Room in Hector. Ann’s book Healing of the Soul: Shamanism & Psyche (published by Busca, Inc., and reviewed in an earlier WG newsletter) is a good read if you want to know more about how our thoughts, individually and collectively, create our world. Ann's website is: www.anndrakesoulwork.com/

Visual Art Events After starting The Ink Shop Printmaking Center in 1999, Pam has been involved in numerous shows there and at other venues.  She currently has a print hanging at The Ink Shop, in a group show at Willow Restaurant, and her newest print in Toronto,  Canada at Open Studio Print Collaborative.  Pam has also been recently hired by Portosa Studios, a studio in Interlaken, as an artist/designer working with Disney Tokyo and San Souci Corporation in the Dominican Republic and Stowe, Vermont, producing fine art paintings, pastels, prints and other large installations for new resorts.

FLCE The Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble (FLCE) will present a premiere of David Liptak’s Quintet for Piano and String Quartet, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22, in the Unitarian Church, Ithaca. A highly regarded composer, Liptak’s previous works have been performed by the San Francisco and Montreal Symphonies and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The premiere of Liptak’s quintet is the result of a joint commission with the renowned Cassatt Quartet and made possible through an anonymous supporter. Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major, D. 956 will also be featured on this program.  Guest cellist Caroline Stinson joins the FLCE strings for this time-honored masterpiece. Information: (607) 272-4839 or www.FingerLakesChamberEnsemble.org

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER

We invite you to share your news of upcoming events, including art exhibits and concerts. Also, please contact us if you would prefer not to receive this newsletter. Carol Bigio at cmbigio@hotmail.com or 607-546-8205 or Helen Perl at perl5@verizon.net. Thanks.

 

ONGOING PROJECTS

Journal We are pleased to mention that the Golden Journal has reached its first milestone.  Shortly after receiving word that the Wisdom's Goldenrod community would be meeting with the Dalai Lama in Buffalo, it was decided that since the complete first issue was not ready for publication, we would focus all our efforts towards presenting His Holiness with a prototype, a representative sampler. All our time and energy was put into the endeavor to present His Holiness with a representation that would have the look, feel, design and format of a published first issue.  And yet, although not complete, there would be enough material indicative of our progress and direction for His Holiness to view.  This effort was reinforced by the fact that he had already sent us an inspiring message as a dedication for our initial publication.  As the deadline approached there was concern about having it ready in time, but the prototype was printed within five days of our meeting and the presentation to His Holiness was successfully made.

At this time we would like to encourage members and friends of Wisdom's Goldenrod to consider the various ways in which they would be interested in offering support to this community literary effort.  As has been mentioned previously, along with a continuing request for articles, poems, anecdotes, etc., some other areas for consideration would be production, illustrations, reviewing articles, fund raising, typing and proofing.  We are presently preparing a communication that will be more specific with regard to input and active participation.  We are also pleased to report that an interactive website for the journal is now being developed by Justin Kramer which should be ready in time for your input.   Thank you, Bert Salmirs, for the Journal Committee

Anthony CDs The huge project of converting class tapes to CD is still underway.  Ilya has been working very hard to help address some technical issues with the CDs, and we are now looking towards the future of how and when to make the CDs available along with a master spreadsheet of information.  Any suggestions or inquiries can go to Avery at aps5@cornell.edu.

Gutso Hospital On Sept. 19, Wisdom's Goldenrod presented to the Dalai Lama a booklet containing photographs and documents of our efforts to benefit Gutso Hospital, located in the Surtso Valley of western Tibet, beyond Mt. Everest. We have been working directly since 2003 with Rinchen Dharlo (who visited Goldenrod with the Dalai Lama during His Holiness' first visit here in 1979), president of The Tibet Fund, to assist this small medical facility providing basic services to Tibetan nomads and villagers. Established secretly in 1993 by five Tibetans living in Khatmandu, the hospital is little more than a no-frills clinic. It serves a population of 20,000 with only 20 beds, minimally trained staff, and less than adequate equipment. To date, WG has contributed $3,600 to Gutso Hospital, with $1,000 of it collected during this summer (2006). In 2005, we collected $1,500, which went specifically toward much-needed medicines. We gather financial contributions annually from friends and members of WG, in honor of the birthday of the Dalai Lama, reporting to him at the time of each major contribution. We selected this particular project because His Holiness stated in 2003 that the best way to help the Tibetan cause now is to assist medical and educational projects within Tibet itself. Donations can be made to the Center for Gutso at any time. We are also looking into means for expanding our efforts to benefit Gutso Hospital through additional funding. In addition, the Tibetan New Year is in February and we are collecting hats, socks and mittens, for all ages, to send to the Gutso Hospital Foundation. Please contact Eliza if you'd like to help with this project of if you have items to donate.      

Booksale The booksale project is going pretty well although sales have slowed down. We have sold about $600 worth of Center duplicates on Amazon and privately. The current list of books for sale has been e-mailed a couple of times on the Goldenrod newsgroup. It is not a complete though. The Orations of the Emperor Julian is worth over $100! We haven't sold it yet though. Also there is a complete set of the Notebooks of Paul Brunton hardback with dust jacket in excellent condition. Make a bid if you are interested. All funds minus expenses go to the Center. Mark

A Prayer from the Summer Studies

I bow only to You, the timeless Cause of time. I bow only to you, You, Pure Consciousness of an inconceivable splendor. I bow only to You, You, the single indivisible fire of a great metaphysical Sun, everywhere present, inexpressibly brilliant, yet paradoxically impossible to see or even talk about. I bow only to You, Light of my meditation, non dual Awareness. My sole refuge and Protector, only to you with humility in my heart, I bow.