tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77356362012-02-27T09:30:16.172-07:00This is an unofficial blog of news and info from Diamond Mountain University and Retreat Center which was founded by Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNally in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of the Dalai Lamas.Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.comBlogger2811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-81058497004803995412012-02-20T13:59:00.003-07:002012-02-20T14:13:19.548-07:00

I'm attaching a link to the Diamond Mountain main page. There's a letter there that the DM board and Geshe MIchael Roach put out that sums up some of the recent major events of the Great Retreat. Personally, I've very happy about how it has turned out. It seems to be about the best solution to a potentially big problem. I am continually amazed at the example all my teachers set for me.

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-90143496005913412192012-02-10T16:02:00.003-07:002012-02-10T16:17:14.306-07:00

It has been entirely too long since the last post. I lot has happened in my world. Way too much to cover in one blog post. We just finished up the second Quiet Retreat Teaching event at DMU. All in all a great time. Lots of high lights. I'm sorry to be so brief. I'm still a bit exhausted and will require time to let everything sink in. I hope to be starting a big job in Tucson in

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-46075431832514958742012-01-16T12:05:00.003-07:002012-01-16T12:43:28.244-07:00

I'm sitting in the Bowie community center using their internet connection. They have a couple of desk top computers for folks and a strong wi-fi signal. Some kids are watching a VHS of the Disney movie "Alladin". The kids love it. It is an engaging movie, I had forgotten. Gilbert Godfrey is the voice of the villain's parrot. Hysterical. Robin Williams as the Genie of the Lamp. In the

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-91159556960049390462012-01-14T21:26:00.002-07:002012-01-14T21:58:33.113-07:00

"It may be the devil, it may be the Lord, but you gotta serve somebody." Those lyrics are running over and over in my head. Bob Dylan, for one, sang it. It's his version I'm hearing. Why? Because I realized that I serve my cat. Yup, my cat. The primary living being I am living for is my cat. I remember hearing that H.H. the Dalai Lama said once that he was surprised to find out that so

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-48661127320653607002012-01-09T17:47:00.002-07:002012-01-09T20:31:51.715-07:00

This new year, 2012, marks the end of my one year care taking commitment. I didn't know how I'd feel, of course. Part of my nature is to not expect much or just be happy with whatever are the results of my efforts. So I was surprised by the positive changes I am experiencing at the start of this new year. Positive is kind of a flat word, actually. I remember talking to one of my friends

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-36281023221434179892011-12-17T10:46:00.003-07:002011-12-17T11:16:55.117-07:00

More and more I have little to say about the care taking experience out here at DMU. It's not that there is nothing to talk about. It is that what there is to say sounds too much like gossip. Even if one didn't have vows steering one away from gossip and therefore it's harmful effects, it wouldn't be cool. There will always be interpersonal drama large and small in any small group of people

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-75019065024347046412011-12-05T11:24:00.002-07:002011-12-05T11:50:32.271-07:00

We have had our first freezing temperatures this year at Diamond Mountain. I think that all the care takers who were around at the beginning of retreat (in other words, all of us still here) have been thinking back to the record breaking freeze we had back then. I think the retreatants will all be taking new measures to keep their lines from freezing. We insulated everything we could think of

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-8162715520699757792011-11-26T10:29:00.002-07:002011-11-26T10:47:14.628-07:00

This blog entry has not much to do with the Retreat. I went to a dance party/fund raiser at the Three Jewels in Tucson. It was a Black Friday dance party. The whole thing was a great success. There were familiar faces, old heads, and lots of people not associated with 3J's. Random people from the street or who saw a flyer. At the turntables was DJ Crimson Joules (Tyrone) calling up the ill

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-72898380234790279792011-11-15T13:22:00.002-07:002011-11-15T13:47:59.250-07:00

The past few weeks have taken me away from Bowie and DMU for short trips. I've found some work in Tucson. This is the first job I've been able to land in about 6 months. As a house painter I've never had trouble finding a little work here and there so the last six months has been exceptional. Such is the state of the world at large, I hear. Being in a big city like Tucson has been

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-3032754210493873942011-10-23T16:56:00.002-07:002011-10-23T17:50:28.468-07:00

The folks in retreat are in a deep retreat period right now. The caretakers like these periods because it means we do not do maintenance projects in the valley nor do we deliver large packages. We only deliver groceries and take out the trash. The other day, I went up and helped Ven. Chandra do some mouse proofing at Jamyang house. There are many little gaps in that house that the mice use as

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-87925039805428430442011-09-24T16:26:00.003-07:002011-09-24T17:13:24.644-07:00

I just got back from four days in the Lake Tahoe area. I went there to see my buddy Steve and two friends, Mira and Jarrett. Steve was my 'boss' during a couple of the building projects we did in the retreat valley. He, Johneo, and I got past that 'boss' thing real fast and became good friends. I went to Steve's home in a little town over the pass from Tahoe. It was green there. Water

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-72701005060378747632011-09-10T13:21:00.002-07:002011-09-10T14:14:15.802-07:00

The Great Retreat goes along. A few people are still building on a small scale. Some gutters need to go up. A porch is being finished. The care takers deliver materials as needed. Some electrical work is being done. Some burned out batteries from Solar voltaic systems being replaced. The retreatants are learning about how to care for and not over burden their systems. I feel like it will

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-10110615200706077482011-08-27T16:22:00.002-07:002011-08-27T16:28:49.135-07:00

I logged in to this blog and almost logged out. I don't have much to say, I think. But here I am. I can say that DMU has some volenteers. Two folks from Germany. One man from Israel. Very good to have them here. Bowie is Bowie. I've been looking for work and not finding any. I'm in good company I hear. May have to move sooner then I thought. Yup. Turns out I really didn't have

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-33038905101708094192011-08-07T20:10:00.004-07:002011-08-07T21:11:00.278-07:00

A couple of years ago when I had health insurance for a couple months, I did a sleep study at the local hospital. I'm narcoleptic. My first study was done in the early 90's. No records remain so when I get a new doctor and say "I'm narcoleptic. Please give me drugs" it is sometimes strange. I went to the Willcox hospital which is very small but happens to have a sleep study center. Lot's of

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-58361498643449119422011-08-02T19:00:00.003-07:002011-08-02T19:06:43.784-07:00

I am sitting at the gas station off the interstate right outside of Bowie. No, not the RV park gas station, the other one. The one that used to have ice cream, and a Subway, and a pizza place. Now it has fresh jerky and local nuts and sweets. Not bad, really. I'm here for the wi-fi. It's dark out and even with the glow of the pumps the stars are multitudinous. When you get out into the

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-54406771665045226612011-07-27T16:06:00.003-07:002011-07-27T16:33:15.506-07:00

The rains finally came. We had a real monsoon storm up at DMU and down in Bowie a few days ago. It's not much but enough for the ocotillo to put on green leaves. They look fuzzy now. For those that don't know, ocotillo are like 8 to 10 foot whips with inch long spikes that grow in clusters out here. But the leaves give them a come hither look. We got the new black out shades up in the

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-75078200183060831792011-07-19T21:38:00.003-07:002011-07-19T22:14:17.935-07:00

I went to Willcox to see the new Harry Potter Movie tonight. The final one (gasp). It was four dollar movie night. The theater is called the Rex Allen Theater, named after the man himself. I've never seen a Rex Allen movie but my parents did. I like the theater because it's run by a family and it feels like a family affair; kids and babies and such. They use real butter on the popcorn and

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-41462442262134348912011-07-15T14:00:00.003-07:002011-07-15T14:10:17.577-07:00

When the end came we thought we'd be ok. After all, there was still some money in the food stamp card. The bank account had enough in it to pay car insurance and cell phone bills for another month. A little left over to cover the minimum payment on the credit card. I won't be one of the lost ones, we said. I won't wonder what to do with myself, awash with confusion. All we needed was

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-28219122525437966722011-06-20T12:25:00.002-07:002011-06-20T12:56:41.277-07:00

This morning there is no smoke visible from my vantage in Bowie. The back burns are out and the apocalyptic mushroom cloud that has become a fixture in the southern sky is absent. Yesterday we had fifty mile an hour winds all day. I found this stressful as fire likes wind. Over the years of living and working at Diamond Mountain I rarely knew how fast the wind was blowing. I realize now that

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-10102227035463142972011-06-15T21:39:00.002-07:002011-06-15T22:04:45.800-07:00

Again, I apologize. That title brought a much needed laugh. Tonight is a big night. Fire fighters have trooped in to do battle all night as to be ready for the morning. There is a windy day in the forecast tomorrow. If you don't know, the wind here is epic. Old men in sea captain hats write books about wind like this. It is a heart breaker of a wind. A mind splitter. A wind that elicits

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-50093064675171465432011-06-12T21:56:00.002-07:002011-06-12T22:06:17.448-07:00

Again, sorry for the dramatic title. I could not resist. It's true, however. As it stands now, the fire fighters plan to dig a huge fire break about three miles from the Lama House. Yup, three short miles over the mountain behind the Lama house. They have confidence that they can stop it there. Lots of money and people power is going behind this fire break. No problem. Yes, we have all

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-15605171164765517202011-06-09T23:01:00.002-07:002011-06-09T23:19:18.028-07:00

I know that the title is very dramatic. It's not usually my style. But I couldn't resist. There is a giant wildfire burning not far from here. It's twenty miles away now. Nicole, Rob, and Joe went to the fire meeting and got the low down from the folks fighting it. If it shifts and burns toward the retreat valley there are several places where they feel confident they could cut a break and

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-72831289191854018142011-06-03T23:19:00.002-07:002011-06-03T23:34:51.429-07:00

Life up at DMU is pretty quiet. We have a good crew up there now. Folks are all getting along with each other. Viet and Alisha's baby, Priya, will be a year old in a week. Having a little family on the land is a great blessing. Priya is a mood altering drug of a baby. Brings a lot of smiles to everyone. The big news of the week is that we are going to move the giant shipping container that

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-17629831047631237102011-05-18T17:41:00.002-07:002011-05-18T18:47:56.209-07:00

We're having a very windy day here today. By early evening, just before sunset, there is fine dust infused in the air. When you look out over the valley the haze is obvious. As the sun lowers itself in the sky, the light gives color to the haze and also to the clouds above. The clouds started off confused this morning. It was mostly clear but there were these giant UFO shaped clouds thrown

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-86833040764925054332011-05-15T22:25:00.002-07:002011-05-15T23:11:47.478-07:00

Tonight I am writing from my own home in Bowie. A combination of new computer and more mysterious factors has lead to almost regular access to the Internet for the first time in the two years I've been in the house. Today I did some work on Jamyang house. I re-attached a section of the gutter to the adobe wall and connected the gutter to the 2,500 gallon tank that sits in the yard. It has

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-49660698130484099652011-05-07T12:38:00.002-07:002011-05-07T13:36:26.886-07:00

Yesterday evening, after working at Nicole's house, I stopped in at the camp ground for dinner. There was a good crowed. Viet, Alisha and baby. Alisha's mom, Tahiya. Viet's sister. Scott, Orit, Ron Becker, Ghram, Chuck, Brannan, Melissa who cooked and later Ven. Chandra and Tiana. It's these small informal gatherings that, for me, are one of the high-lights of living in community. Although

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-76129828411659878762011-04-25T22:40:00.003-07:002011-04-25T22:55:04.465-07:00

I went to the second weekend in Phoenix with Geshe Michael teaching Lam Rim. He is the most charming, skillful, genuine being in the universe. The teaching was like a love-in you could take your mom to. Perfect. I see now how important it is for me, and I would argue for the other care takers as well, to leave DMU for a while every now and then. Perspective is vital as is doing your job with

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-80638781539762544172011-04-21T11:10:00.003-07:002011-04-21T11:20:47.750-07:00

I went to Geshe Michael's teachings in Phoenix last weekend and will go again this weekend. The content of what he said was profound and beautiful but that's not what I want to talk about here. I want to talk about the people that were there. In particular, my friends. The word Sangha has a couple of meanings in the lineage I am in. On one level it means the ordained monks and nuns in

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-35291556565148201352011-04-12T19:45:00.003-07:002011-04-12T20:38:22.925-07:00

What is it that I want out of my practice? I know there are those that say to give up the wanting. To Hades with them. I want things. I want to have the fire of life and happiness and wisdom suffusing my heart. I want the things I do to be of help to others. I once had a friend who replaced "I want" in her language out of protest. She said that inherent in "I want" is a lack of something.

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-1372700642122894132011-03-29T21:15:00.000-07:002011-03-29T21:16:22.992-07:00

I always forget what a relief Spring is until it gets here. Finally it is warming up and the trees are in bloom. The Bermuda grass is growing and the cats of Bowie are making love in my back yard. Possibly because of the tress and Bermuda grass. Only myself and the school in Bowie have such lush Bermuda grass in this desert town. They are just crazy, I'm fulfilling a promise which was

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-73620354399685931932011-03-20T21:30:00.004-07:002011-03-20T22:06:05.036-07:00

    I finally finished the shingles and the wood stain on the shade structure over the walk-in cooler at Jamyang.  This was big as I was doing it in my spare time.  It looks great.  My man Johneo owned that structure, yo.  The man made his own trusses.  I hope that when Kat gets out of retreat and moves back into Jamyang house she is not horrified at the structure in her yard.      A group of us

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-62433713727116385572011-03-07T22:35:00.002-07:002011-03-07T22:42:55.522-07:00

 Today we had a big wind storm on the high desert.  Looking down into the valley from DMU, everything was obscured by white dust.  Columns of wild swirling whiteness moved slowly across the landscape.  Whatever top soil we have out here went air-born today.  It is touching down in Mexico as we speak.  The gate at Jamyang house was blown off it's hinges.  A large patch of shingles was blown off my

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-40109234034575595052011-03-03T00:06:00.000-07:002011-03-03T00:08:07.253-07:00

We had a good day in the tsam today.  This was the first day after the month long deep retreat.  Nicole and I got a lot done on the water system.  We think that only one tank is not filling.  This is huge.  Next come the repairs inside the cabins themselves.  There are not many of these.  We did some other small repairs for people as well.  Things like mouse proofing some vents. While I was

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-89338588764741670522011-02-06T20:16:00.002-07:002011-02-06T20:51:14.794-07:00

     I'm sitting in the Willcox Safeway bemoaning the early closing time of the Star Bucks. I came into town to get water.  We had a hard freeze and when the thaw came I had two broken water pipes.  One I was able to replace myself, the other I cannot.  Nor can I really afford a plumber.  But as I've found out over the years, a large part of life is paying for things you cannot afford.  Last week

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-32748016416649414082011-01-17T21:35:00.002-07:002011-01-17T21:43:23.812-07:00

 Dear Reader,     I'm sitting outside my man Johneo's trailer in Bowie.  He is off in Safford for the evening and I am here using his Internet connection.  My headlamp is set on "Red Light" for night vision.  The total and heavy quiet that is Bowie Arizona is occasionally interrupted by the humming of trucks from the interstate (actually, you always hear the interstate but forget that you are

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-63019800813031076362011-01-03T22:52:00.004-07:002011-01-03T23:25:42.708-07:00

I write to you now after a three day rest. Four days ago we got our last certificate of occupancy and then put every one into retreat. I can barely put the thoughts together and try to talk about that day. We all went to the temple in the evening with Geshe-hla and lama Christie. After the lama's spoke we all started saying good bye. Or we said see you in three years. We cried a lot. We

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-12031095176692716092010-12-18T22:51:00.003-07:002010-12-18T23:26:59.440-07:00

     I just re-watched Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies" video.  It took a long time to download so I kept rewinding the thing back to the beginning to watch what I could.  There is some sort of deeper message in that dance number.  I don't know what it is.  Something profound is being communicated.  I think that in the future there will be Tibetan style Thangka paintings depicting Angels and

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-89244327505130296102010-12-12T19:09:00.002-07:002010-12-12T19:44:54.670-07:00

There were ten people who took Bohdisattva vows tonight in the main temple. It was just plain beautiful. These people loved their teachers a lot, you could feel it. I've never seen people so thankful for one another. After the ceremony everyone went to the kitchen yurt for diner before the fire puja started. It was absolutely packed. Big crews came up today for Will Duncan and Anne. Also

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-30607382158521021042010-12-09T22:19:00.002-07:002010-12-09T22:33:05.350-07:00

Short update on the Retreat Valley. Big Papa Brady's house is nearing completion. I'm doing interior paint touch up. Tomorrow, the kitchen floor and cabinets. Coco's impossible cabin is nearly done. I say impossible because she started so late and had no full time builder. Just my man, Johneo. Who never gave up on it. Who is breaking his body to build it. Who is skipping days off

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-71610597311355685542010-11-23T20:04:00.003-07:002010-11-23T20:50:46.830-07:00

     I was talking to my friends about blogging.  I said that I haven't done it in a while because every day seems the same.  What can I say about a day that doesn't change.  It's like Groundhog Day the movie out here.  Each day we work like insane people trying to get these cabins up.  At the end of the day we go have a warm meal in the kitchen yurt.  New people come, light up our lives, then go

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-41979118544517696342010-11-09T22:13:00.002-07:002010-11-09T22:27:02.126-07:00

So, there's only one month left before we have to have all the cabins ready to live in.  I'm not saying anything, I'm just saying.... I'll say more on that.  There's only one guy working everyday on Geshe Michael's little straw bale cabin.  Want to be a hero?  Here's your chance.  You're Lama needs YOU.  If he's not your Lama you'll be a hero anyway.  Really.  You will get the best piece of

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-73951963367121561622010-10-28T17:51:00.002-07:002010-10-28T18:15:27.176-07:00

     Today was a great day.  A big group of us went up to the Lama dome and put the second to last coat of plaster on the exterior.  The next coat will be the color coat.  It was me, Johneo, Burt, Nicole, and Della on the trowls.  Gunner and Iron Cram kept the plaster coming.  We had Ricci, Dylan, Ron from Israel, and Dennis serving it up.  The trowel-ed ones scaled the dome using the foot holds

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-90354893029354733232010-10-18T18:57:00.002-07:002010-10-18T19:13:50.877-07:00

As Steve, Johneo and I were leaving Big Papa Brady's site this evening, climbing impossible steep roads as the sun set, Steve laughed and said "Do we love Geshe Michael or what?" I don't think any of us would be here if not for him and Lama C. Diamond Mountain Retreat Valley is entirely built on Love. It's a riduculous place to work if looked at from the outside. We're all going into the hole

Matt Galluphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01827626389079892870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-45814889573214449582010-03-19T10:46:00.001-07:002010-03-19T10:48:11.178-07:00

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-46305766279312254592010-03-07T16:17:00.003-07:002010-03-07T16:36:57.441-07:00

I just posted a bunch of photos from this term so far. Photos are from a couple of workdays, couple of incredible yoga workshops, a pancake breakfast, some classes, lots from the continuing progress in the three year retreat valley and then of course plenty of shots of the beautiful, happy people at DM.

Bliss Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569302625921666846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-85798877954036490032009-11-20T14:29:00.002-07:002009-11-20T16:30:50.775-07:00

Hi Everyone,My name is Bliss and this is my first blog post. If you go to the DM flickr site that Evan has been maintaining over the years, you'll see that I've posted 100+ photos from the last three terms. I'll work on titling them and adding captions soon. Also, if any of you have photos from DM that you'd like to share, I would love to post them. So what's new? Building: So far we have two

Bliss Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569302625921666846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-61161222221229517872009-07-05T16:17:00.002-07:002009-07-05T16:25:15.340-07:00

Just completed is the Diamond Mountain 2008 - 2009 retrospective newsletter. The online newsletter features some of the coolest projects, activities, and events from Diamond Mountain or organized by Diamond Mountain students and teachers. You wouldn't believe all the stuff we do until you take a look at this newsletter, and this is just a few highlights. This is what happens when you get a

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-51754524860480655082009-06-25T16:44:00.005-07:002009-06-25T17:04:21.705-07:00

It's been more than a few months since the release of the Je Tsongkapa biography supreme, King of the Dharma, which features the first ever English translation of one of the most famous Tibetan biographies of this founder of the Gelukpa lineage. Leafing through the book one's attention is immediately drawn to the artwork within. Much of the art is from original Tibetan sources, but throughout

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-30688871994932374442009-05-30T11:29:00.002-07:002009-05-30T11:37:03.531-07:00

Why is this term different from all other terms? Because there's a two week class break right in the middle. From June 3 - 17 no classes will be held at DM. So what meaningful thing are we to do for that time? Get out of the classroom and into the dirt. From Diamond Mountain board member Nicole Davis:Jobs include the Lama Dome, water system, helping build retreat and caretaker cabins, and

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-81214649283837208262009-05-25T11:56:00.003-07:002009-05-25T12:07:54.238-07:00

Thanks to the hard work of Jessica Kung we all now have the morning yoga teaching schedule for the first half of Spring term 2009. If you don't know what that's supposed to mean, allow me to explain. Every morning, except Wednesdays, a different skilled yoga teacher leads any willing attendee through one of the seven Tibetan Heart Yoga series. And like everything else at Diamond Mountain,

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-89911464234520766442009-05-23T15:22:00.002-07:002009-05-23T15:28:33.471-07:00

Dancer and choreographer Elisa Monte will be spending a week at Diamond Mountain starting May 25th. Ms. Monte, who is Geshe Michael and Lama Christie's favorite choreographer, will be giving daily dance master classes during her stay. For the class schedule see the Diamond Mountain events page. From Elisa Monte's bio:Elisa Monte founded her own company following early training at the School of

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-38586340496701111272009-05-19T12:59:00.004-07:002009-05-19T13:27:38.019-07:00

New on the Diamond Mountain website is a calendar of events. This Diamond Mountain Calendar lets you look at what's happening at Diamond Mountain each day and see actual class times and locations right in your browser. The calendar also features the schedule of Geshe Michael and Lama Christie so you can see what our spiritual directors are up to and what exotic country they'll be in month by

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-33993971174712030572009-04-17T15:50:00.002-07:002009-04-17T16:01:37.190-07:00

Project 108 is a fundraising event developed by Lisa Schrempp and Earle Birney initially to help raise money in order to aid children in Iraq who have been affected my this most recent war. Now Project 108 turns its sights on the Diamond Mountain Three Year Retreat. If you know Lisa and Earle then you won't be surprised to find out that Project 108 involves yoga asana, a lot of it. Yogi

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-87283968391969164162009-04-17T15:47:00.002-07:002009-04-17T15:50:00.678-07:00

Online registration for the much-anticipated Spring term 2009 is now open until May 15th. Register now..

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-91288619119610168202009-03-26T15:14:00.004-07:002009-03-26T15:30:11.923-07:00

Volunteer Coordinator extraordinaire Nicole Davis has setup up a Building with Straw Bale workshop at Diamond Mountain for this summer, June 6 and 7. Expert straw baler builder Jon Ruez will be leading the workshop, showing all how to use this efficient and sustainable material to make retreat cabins and homes. In her message Nicole says:In two days, you will see the site go from a foundation

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-22930769668513975322009-03-26T15:08:00.002-07:002009-03-26T15:30:03.955-07:00

Diamond Mountain University's Winter term is not even over and already 'tween-term events are appearing on the Diamond Mountain schedule. Immediately preceding Spring term 2009 will be a Vajrasattva retreat lead by Venerable Gyelse, May 11 - 20, 2009. If you're not familiar with Warrior of Diamond practice (Vajrasattva) it's all about purification. Like the poster says, it's a great way to get

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-29459153561916015642009-03-25T17:03:00.004-07:002009-03-25T17:10:41.293-07:00

Our good man Edward Arrowsmith has uploaded and shared some fun images from this Witner term 2009 that's drawing to a close. In his email Edward says:More to come so hit the RSS button to get automatic updates.If you or anyone you know has Diamond Mountain photos you'd like to share just let me (Evan) know and I'll happily post them here and on Diamond Mountain's flickr site. Thanks to all for

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-59096847454871449122009-03-03T00:49:00.002-07:002009-03-03T00:58:00.506-07:00

Jason and Jenny, the founders of AcroYoga, have returned to Diamond Mountain to help us have even more fun with our yoga practices. If you've never seen or heard of AcroYoga, check out this video. It really is that great. And Jenny and Jason have brought their friend Johnny, expert in Thai massage (which is an integral part of AcroYoga and a darn pleasant practice too).This time the team is

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-57523994152881916222009-02-23T23:43:00.003-07:002009-02-24T00:01:58.663-07:00

After what feels like a long break, Diamond Mountain University is back in session.  The first term of 2009 looks like it's going to be a good one: the weather is warm, the veterans are back, and rookies are setting up their tents.  What strikes me about this term is the slew of new courses being offered (as always, for free) at Diamond Mountain.  Ticket to Heaven, Light and the Wish, Song in My

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-20035777125176681762008-12-27T15:55:00.004-07:002008-12-27T16:05:29.144-07:00

It's that time of year when Rashi Gemphil Ling in Howell, New Jersey releases their annual calendar.  What makes this calendar so special?  Aside from being a product of Diamond Mountain's parental center, this calendar has the date for Buddhist holidays as approved by the Tibetan monastic system.  What this means is that we can be in-sync with our dear Sera Mey Monastery and celebrate these holy

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-16138295594958074012008-12-22T00:03:00.008-07:002008-12-22T14:12:24.061-07:00

Through the and tired and tear-filled but smiling eyes of Ben Kramer.Today was our last day of work before the inspection. It's Tsechu, Je Tsongkhapa Day, Solstice, and the first night of Hanuka.At the end of our efforts here to reach this deadline, there is a building. This physical structure is a symbol of an effort of will that has had to move through layer upon layer of thick mental barrier

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-64770352623056620182008-12-21T00:22:00.011-07:002008-12-21T11:19:47.394-07:00

From under midnight stars, Katrina Siazik types:Sometimes we work late into the night with the generator humming in the near distance and lights shining in the valley below us. Tonight is one of those nights. I sit here under the completed dome structure listening to the quiet rhythm of cobbers still slapping on the mixture of mud and straw to shape our precious dome walls. With only one more

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-61879669695485467732008-12-19T23:27:00.004-07:002008-12-19T23:31:49.153-07:00

From the tireless servant we call Nicole Davis:Today the dome got its cap. Earle and Will fastened it on just as the sun went down behind the mountain. I stared gaping while Earle carried the skylight up the ladder by himself, both hands on the skylight, no hands on the ladder. The masterful Canadian-made concrete ring, all fastened with bolts, now proudly anchors down the skylight...and now the

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-90509431684005391502008-12-18T21:57:00.007-07:002008-12-19T11:42:10.676-07:00

From the shining mind of Elisha Knapp:Today began with a light dusting of snow. Tempatures were still freezing by the time we clibmed the mountian and the wind was blowing. Mid day the sun descided to grace us with its glory.Today was our Canadian contingent's last day on the mountiain (John, Roger and Christine). Its difficult to go and to see people go, but we must pass on what we have gained

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-11937651523652290742008-12-16T22:55:00.005-07:002008-12-17T12:59:50.405-07:00

From John "The Hammer" Buchanan:I worked for one of the largest concrete companies in Vancouver and my Portuguese boss always told me with a thick accent; "John, keep it low profile". He was of course referring to my pay raises and not my ability to finish concrete. Anyway, I find myself on top of the Lama Dome on a windswept mountain pouring the circular concrete rim for the clear plastic

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-12211458112074307322008-12-15T20:21:00.003-07:002008-12-15T22:40:30.910-07:00

From the fragmented pile of a stoneworker, Dennis.Well, the ladies and gentlemen behind this operation need their time off every evening. On most occasions, much sought after delirium in the Kitchen Yurt eventually leads to activities in the temple. I am proud to have dozed off through most every movie projected onto the wall. The safe shelter of adobe blocks also frequently hosts a battle on the

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-25240388232626208922008-12-14T18:58:00.003-07:002008-12-14T20:57:46.955-07:00

From the beginningless mindstream we now call John E.O.:The steadfast continue...Despite intense winds in excess of 40 miles per hour last night andcontinuing into the afternoon (the temple yurt fell down and its latticework needs to be replaced, as it was shredded into pointy bits andshards), we climbed up the hill. We went up the back way, and will do sountil the inspection.Sometimes you show

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-10831827236354343522008-12-13T19:47:00.006-07:002008-12-13T21:30:59.421-07:00

From the MacBook of Venerable Gyelse:On top of the mountain, blue sky, wind, and more wind, the wind blowing so hard that it almost blew Jim Dey and Gyelse off the dome. Dust in the eyes, jack hammer going, countless trips with the kabota to bring up dirt to make cob with, chain saws, firewood, the crawler bringing firewood up the hill, stoking the stove to dry the bag, the cob, more water, dirt,

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-85608596990403277592008-12-12T20:29:00.011-07:002008-12-12T23:10:50.318-07:00

From the noodle of Matt Gallup:It’s difficult to summarize one day of work on the Lama dome. My man, john.e.o, tasted the rock we were digging out of the new drainage trench today. This is a normal thing to do up at the dome. I tasted the mud I was making for the bags one day. It seemed perfectly normal to do this. What’s this rock taste like? Is the mud ready? The connection to the

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-75344880921314523012008-12-11T22:36:00.004-07:002008-12-11T22:53:56.039-07:00

From the laptop of Nicole Davis:Yesterday was a day off (even though Bert and Jesse went up to the dome anyway, just for fun) and today it feels like we did as much work as we normally would have in two days. The sun was shining, the day was warm, and we were working high speed today. There is a lot to tell you about.We found out yesterday that the permit inspection has been officially scheduled

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-65774230533249707212008-12-09T20:47:00.006-07:002008-12-11T22:36:03.008-07:00

In our continuing series on and from the Lama Dome...  From Nicole Davis:JohnEO and Ehrin put 2 new courses on today. The second course they ran was a single shot. That means they got all the way around the hole with a single bag for the first time in Lama Dome history. The hole is now only FIVE FEET ACROSS! We are down to medium bag, which goes a lot quicker than big bag. Maybe only ONE MORE DAY

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-48949460749244230042008-12-09T12:02:00.007-07:002008-12-09T12:13:36.452-07:00

Only a true Diamond Mountaineer knows the glory that comes with a Winter term at Diamond Mountain University.  The weather gets cold, the classes get hot, and the debate ground feels more and more like a football game.  So how does one prepare for such a term?  As a good Gelukpa, I've made a nice list for all of you.decide that it's time to travel a spiritual pathlook at the 2008-2009 course

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-28795485492642866042008-12-09T10:24:00.006-07:002008-12-09T10:36:22.035-07:00

With all the immediate interest in progress of the Lama Dome some folks up on the hill have offered to give daily updates to the world on the upward movement of the monumental earth bag dome.  And of all the relevant media outlets, they've chosen the Diamond Mountain Blog to carry the exclusive story.  The hope is that we will have daily images and perhaps even descriptions of the day's work,

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-26177155127538434942008-12-07T21:38:00.004-07:002008-12-07T21:49:42.631-07:00

The crew up at the Lama Dome — the future 3-year retreat home for Geshe Michael and Lama Christie — is seeing their joyous effort pay off.  According to the latest images to make their way out of the remote location, serious progress is being made.  Cobbing of the outer walls is well underway, the windows are installed, and the opening at the top is now smaller than 8 feet.  With an inspection

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-90605819147834122782008-11-26T12:06:00.002-07:002008-11-26T12:14:30.652-07:00

As many know, the Lama Dome (the future three-year retreat home of Geshe Michael and Lama Christie) has been a multiple year labor of love for many at Diamond Mountain.  For over three years the physically demanding, mentally exhausting, karmically loaded work has been a big part of many Diamond Mountain lives.  To add more excitement to the mix the building permit is set to expire on December

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-44381451419263559352008-11-15T10:54:00.004-07:002008-11-15T11:04:40.763-07:00

Sister blog Worldview Travel and Teachings has posted an article about the recent visit of our friends from China and links to their teachings.  It sounds like Master Chen Chao, Mr. Zou Zhengran, and Mr. Huang Jin had a great time at Diamond Mountain.  Last spotted, Mr. Zou Zhengran was working up a fun sweat on Geshe Michael and Lama Christie's retreat dome.  You can read more in the article

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-8692922444107519632008-11-11T10:21:00.009-07:002008-11-11T10:46:01.328-07:00

It's been far too long since we had a near-official group photo (Fall 2004, Spring 2005).  And while the preference is to take the group to the great outdoors, our latest in-temple group photo isn't too bad at all.  Look carefully and you'll spot all your favorite Diamond Mountaineers.  The image also captures some guests, including our Chinese visitors who came so far to study and teach the Dao

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-68203029617459583492008-11-08T13:36:00.008-07:002008-11-08T13:56:09.321-07:00

That went fast.  Diamond Mountain's Fall term 2008 is just about at its end.  The five weeks, as usual, went by like a dust devil.  But what to do with the void in your life that was once occupied by courses, debate, morning yoga, and sunburn treatment?  Fear not, there are still more events at DM after this term.  For the week following Fall term (November 10 - 15) there is a buffet of wonderful

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-71060763525874121492008-10-27T19:53:00.006-07:002008-10-27T20:06:14.189-07:00

Some know, a few don't, and many often need to be reminded that shutter-happy Diamond Mountaineers have a cache of Diamond Mountain photos online.  The ever-increasing photo archive can be found at http://flickr.com/photos/diamondmountain.  If you're one of those shutterbugs, and you'd like to see your images online, talk to me (Evan) and we'll get 'em up for all to enjoy!The latest pictures as

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-24850050714719582008-10-17T17:52:00.006-07:002008-10-17T18:04:56.913-07:00

On Sunday, October 26th yoga teacher extraordinaire Darren Rhodes will lead an all-levels yoga class in the temple.  The event, which will take place from 1:00 - 3:00 PM, will be scored by live music performed by our own talented Diamond Mountain musicians/students.If you're not familiar with Darren he is one of the premier Anusara yoga teachers in the world and his remarkable asana skills have

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-78515977994973763592008-10-06T16:15:00.005-07:002008-10-06T16:24:20.560-07:00

You may think that as Buddhists all we do is meditate and debate, but there's more to Diamond Mountain than just the monastic goodies.  A big part of daily practice at DM is yoga... a big, sweaty part.  Daily group yoga practices are led every day (except Wednesdays) in the temple from 9:30 - 11:30 AM.  And if you didn't know, DM has some of the finest yoga instructors in the nation and they all

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-34835983948630549652008-10-06T12:49:00.007-07:002008-10-06T13:01:58.203-07:00

This may be old news to some, but perhaps many don't know; you can listen live to several Diamond Mountain University courses live via streaming audio. And it's not just a one-way relationship, you can also chat online live with other students during the class to ask questions or discuss points. For all of those people who love DM courses but can't make it out for a term (and there are

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-319099376101667402008-10-03T19:35:00.006-07:002008-10-03T19:48:02.434-07:00

After four months of break Diamond Mountain University is about to begin its 13th academic term; Fall term 2008. As happens every Fall term there are rumors of an influx of quite a few DM rookies.  Along with the new mountaineers there are a number of new courses and study groups to be offered this term.  So how does one decide what to register for?  Thankfully our esteemed Registrar has been

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-54544768992078792622008-08-19T11:42:00.005-07:002008-08-19T11:53:36.939-07:00

The Diamond Mountain executive board and/or the building committee (I think that's what it's called) has just released a handy powerpoint presentation for anyone interested in the building of a cabin for the three-year retreat.  The slideshow is kind of a step-by-step instruction manual on what decisions one needs to make soon and how to make them.  Diagrams and blueprints of potential cabins are

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-21560642187283819422008-08-10T19:33:00.002-07:002008-08-10T19:48:29.244-07:00

Well underway is the first cabin for the upcoming 3-year retreat.  The retreat will begin in 2010 and so the Diamond Mountain cottage crew has begun the work.  The first cabin is in a sweet spot in the middle of the retreat valley, which is historically know as Bear Gulch.  It's a pretty neat place that includes (or will include) a bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, and screened patio.  I

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-71199189504647679672008-08-07T16:45:00.005-07:002008-08-07T16:56:37.151-07:00

The incomparable Benjamin Worden has compiled a plethora of Diamond Mountain and Diamond Mountain related videos which are hosted on Google Video.  The listing includes DM yoga classes, DM courses, and teachings from various tours as well.  My favorite aspect of these vids is that they are of over a dozen different teachers and gives you a well-rounded feel of what it's like to study at Diamond

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-25571938028864308882008-08-03T17:14:00.004-07:002008-08-03T17:32:27.603-07:00

From August 15 - 24, the honorable Susan Stumpf, who is just back from a teaching stint in Singapore, will lead the second annual Diamond Mountain Je Tsongkapa mantra retreat.  This is a great way to get comfortable with silent retreats, mantra recitation, and Lama practices.  Susan is a true pro at all of these things and will no doubt lead a powerful retreat.Retreat is a bit like a wing for

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-14757487631665482052008-08-03T17:04:00.003-07:002008-08-10T19:50:57.585-07:00

The first retreat cabin for the upcoming 3-year retreat at Diamond Mountain is well underway. The four room house features passive solar heating, an adobe floor, a composting toilet, and a really neat layout.  I'll do my best to have pictures up after my next visit to the site.  Doug Veenhof and crew are working five-day weeks and plan to have the cabin finished before September.If you want to

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-4438364015622770382008-06-08T20:44:00.005-07:002008-06-08T21:11:16.796-07:00

I just got back from working on the land [throat-clearing noise] to find an email from the Worldview org waiting in my inbox.  The email lists dozens of events happening all over the world this summer.  Most of the events are remarkable Dharma teachings and/or courses.  According to my count Worldview teachers will be doing their holy things in 32 different cities in 10 countries over the next 4

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-43020770939292976972008-06-03T12:59:00.009-07:002008-06-03T18:03:37.896-07:00

At Diamond Mountain we aim to be well-balanced Buddhists.  And nothing balances three terms of homeworks and quizzes like four months of hard labor under the Arizona sun.  This summer there is plenty of work to go around and thus plenty of virtuous-merit-goodness mind-seeds to be planted.  For those unfamiliar with Buddhist ideals we believe that happiness, and in fact all good things, comes from

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-1925860967160693912008-05-28T10:36:00.005-07:002008-05-28T13:52:36.283-07:00

As many as 100 people have just completed a 10-day group retreat at Diamond Mountain thus drawing Spring term 2008 to a close.  The retreat was a four-session-per-day Tantric retreat for those in the Tantric Course Series and took place in the valley of the future 3-year retreat with almost eveyone staying in tents.  Here's a run down: it was hot, really hot, then it got windy, very windy, then

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-62261589879186904512008-05-15T13:20:00.006-07:002008-05-15T15:23:06.377-07:00

About two weeks ago a New York Times reporter and a photographer showed up at Diamond Mountain, walked around the land, attended classes and made us all feel giddy.  Well, the wait is over, and in today's Home and Garden section of the New York Times, is the article about Geshe Michael and Lama Christie that we've all been waiting to read: Making Their Own Limits in a Spiritual Partnership.  The

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-25582419522945593202008-04-26T16:32:00.006-07:002008-04-26T16:55:21.132-07:00

Tireless servant Venerable Jigme Palmo has setup a Worldview Travel and Teachings blog to showcase all the events and teachings happening around the world as part of the Worldview organization. If you don't know what I mean by Worldview organization it is, in a way, the name of our big family that includes Diamond Mountain, the Yoga Studies Institute, all of the regional Asian Classics Institutes

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-2948494921269967102008-04-23T12:21:00.004-07:002008-05-02T20:58:47.848-07:00

Ah, Spring at Diamond Mountain.  The birds are chirping.  The sun is shining.  And the yogis and yoginis are sweating.  And there are many of them.  Last night at the community meeting we all got a chance to meet each other again or for the first time and hear some never-before-told stories about our own journeys to DM.  It was quite inspiring and left many feeling even more grateful for the

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-88075045215608526372008-04-12T13:21:00.007-07:002008-04-12T13:42:38.426-07:00

In Buddhism lineage is vital.  For 2500 years the precious teachings have been passed down from generation to generation with care and precision.  Without a teacher to pass the words to us, there is no way to progress.  Such is the case with Diamond Mountain and Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin.  He is DM's spiritual grandfather.  Without his decades of tireless efforts there would be no

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-72253710282198490502008-04-08T22:13:00.003-07:002008-04-09T01:30:55.913-07:00

That's right, Spring term registration is up and open on the DM website.  Short break, huh?  Not short enough.  This upcoming Spring term will be power-packed, condensed, and über-concentrated as the last ten days will be a group retreat for those in the Tantra Course Series.  More on that later.  For now click on over to register now..

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-7226341046490240792008-03-09T14:56:00.004-07:002008-03-09T15:10:45.460-07:00

DM sister center Three Jewels Tucson is exploding with Dharma events this break.  Courses, classes, and meetings are happening almost every day at what we like to think of as Diamond Mountain's heart in the city.  Some exciting courses will be taking place such as Bok Jinpa, ACI Course 9, and Path of Realization.  There are also daily Zazen meditations, as well as yoga classes, and a Buddhist Gay

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-33994049128938426112008-03-07T02:15:00.004-07:002008-03-08T23:25:30.921-07:00

Winter term has ended and we at DM just can't keep busy enough.  Five weeks of classes, homeworks, debate, and lack of sleep hasn't phased us.  Now we've switched over to shoveling, hauling, tamping, and raking.  For the entire week following this term DM has been having an official service week that includes projects large and small (and all of them dirty).A few pics from the work have made it

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-67839465353873771772008-02-11T15:53:00.001-07:002008-03-07T02:25:43.509-07:00

This coming Sunday is the third and final community service day of Winter term. The standard work usually includes various methods and locations of dirt transportation at DM, but not this week. This Sunday the service day will be held in the Tucson community. 150 DM students will descend upon the fair city and help out for a day. Many of the projects include working in adult care homes;

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735636.post-39280649175378074692008-02-09T10:19:00.000-07:002008-02-09T12:59:20.358-07:00

Here's the common scenario.  People from all over the world journey to Diamond Mountain for the university term.  Five weeks of Dharma tornado occur and then... they all disappear as quickly as they came.  This leaves only a handful of people on the land to do the grunt work.  Not this time.  Following this Winter term Diamond Mountain will hold a work week in the retreat valley.  That's right,

Evan Osherowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13339656797303267262noreply@blogger.com0