Letter from the Editors

Shifting Our Focus

Dear Friends,

Are you aware of how often you may focus on what is missing or lacking in a situation, rather than all that is positive and joyful? In this issue's teaching excerpt, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche directs us to become more aware of this tendency to take a narrow view in those situations, and the suffering that it creates. Read about how a simple shift or change in our focus can lead us toward discovering genuine joy, one that is unconditioned.

Announcing Ligmincha's Bookstore is back online! The VOCL store column returns to feature several items in each issue. Thank you, Jenn, for helping make this happen.

We are happy to share some wonderful pictures from the Fall Retreat in Kathmandu, Nepal. You'll find fun pictures in the Sangha Sharing article & throughout this issue, including a couple pics where a stray dog happens to reeceive some much needed love from both Rinpoche and Rob. The simple kindnesses we show toward all sentient beings seems so precious and needed right now in this topsy-turvy world.

More news and events at Ligmincha:

• Starts December 27! Winter Dzogchen Practice Retreat, open to all, both in person at Serenity Ridge & online on Zoom. Join for the weekend or for all 8 days!
• Hot off the press: 2025 dates for Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche's teaching schedule.
• Read Rob Patzig's heartfelt End-of-Year letter.
• Upcoming CyberSangha events includes a conversation with Tulku Jorge Rene on December 7.
• Serenity Ridge welcomes Geshe Yungdrung Gyatso for December & January. Several events are planned.
• Mark your calendar for His Holiness 34th Menri Trizin's 2025 European Tour. His Holiness will also be at Serenity Ridge for the 2025 summer retreat.
• Ligmincha International's Fundraising update. Join us to support Ligmincha on Giving Tuesday.
• Update on Serenity Ridge Residency Program.
• Registration now open for the Du Tri Su training program beginning March 12, 2025 at Serenity Ridge; Soul Retrieval starts in October 2025; Five Elements Training Program with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche postponed until 2026.
• Ligmincha Learning's upcoming 2025 online courses.
• Sangha Sharing: Enjoy these pictures from the recent retreat in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Opportunities for deepening your practice with the 3 Doors.
• GlideWing announces 2025 courses beginning with The Healing Power of Sacred Sleep on January 11.
• Read the Student and Teacher article with Rinpoche's response to a student's question about her recent experience of crying during meditation.
• View the Spanish translation for the October VOCL.

In Bon,

Aline and Jeff Fisher