Nyingma Institute, longtime OPEN EXCHANGE lister, offers a contemplative retreat nestled in the majestic Berkeley hills.

The Buddha taught that enlightenment comes through our own efforts in cultivating the mind and acting to benefit others. We cannot wait for the world to present us with the ideal circumstances for our spiritual development. If we value wisdom and want to find peace, we must make efforts to bring them to life even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

The Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha and his followers, can guide our actions. As Tarthang Tulku has written in Mind over Matter: "The blessings of the Dharma manifest as light, imbued with the magical power to illuminate darkness. By working to embody the Dharma, we can experiment with this remarkable power. We can cultivate knowledge in the laboratory of human life, discovering for ourselves how to activate the process of transformation. We can learn how mind reaches peace, how old patterns are washed away, how deep-rooted hatreds can lose their power, and how enemies become friends.

"The more closely we embrace the mind and the heart, the more brightly the light of wisdom and compassion shines, revealing new dimensions of meaning in all we do. From within the darkness of grasping and confusion, goodness begins to sparkle and shine—first a glimmer, then a glow, until we recognize that light is available everywhere, unrestricted and unlimited. This way of working is complete and fearless."

This vision inspires us at the Nyingma Institute to engage in an "experiment in wisdom." Our hearts, our minds, our actions are the laboratory; the Buddha's teachings are the catalyst. The results may still seem like a mere glimmer, but we know that they open a luminous door of extraordinary benefit.