Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel

Elizabeth has studied and practiced Mahayana Buddhism, as well as the Vajrayana tradition of the Longchen Nyingthik, for over 30 years under the guidance of her teacher and husband, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. She has been intimately involved with Rinpoche’s work in bringing Buddhist wisdom to the West, in particular the development of Mangala Shri Bhuti, an organization dedicated to the study and practice of the Longchen Nyingthik lineage. She is also a founding member and teacher of the Wilderness Dharma Movement and on the advisory boards of Prison Mindfulness Network and the Buddhist Arts and Film Festival.

Elizabeth has an academic background in anthropology and Buddhist studies. After many years of solitary retreat, Rinpoche appointed Elizabeth as Retreat Master at Longchen Jigme Samten Ling, Mangala Shri Bhuti’s retreat center in southern Colorado. Elizabeth is the author of The Power of an Open Question and The Logic of Faith. She has edited Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche’s two books, It’s Up to You and Light Comes Through, and teaches the Buddhadharma throughout the United States and Europe. When she is not traveling, she enjoys riding her horse through the vast planes of the San Luis Valley in Crestone, Colorado.

"There is joy in discovering the truth of the Buddhist teachings as a living experience. Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel takes us on a personal exploration of the Buddha’s most essential insight: pratityasamutpada—a.k.a. dependent arising. A bold, playful, and engaging book, full of insight and heart." —Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall Apart and Living Beautifully

"I welcome The Logic of Faith with both excitement and relief. To generations of Western practitioners habituated to linear thinking, the Buddha’s central teaching of pratityasamutpada has remained a hidden jewel, taken as either too obvious to be interesting (as ‘everything has a cause’) or too arcane to be relevant to real life. Elizabeth Namgyel not only grasps, but conveys with fresh immediacy and delight the essence of this key to the Dharma. She helps us to experience the reciprocity at the heart of the universe—and, in so doing, rediscover our mutual belonging and the sheer grace of our existence." —Joanna Macy, author of Coming Back to Life and Mutual Causality in Buddhism and Systems Theory

"The Logic of Faith by Elizabeth Mattis Namgyal is a book that Americans who identify as spiritual-but-not religious and also those who are practicing people of faith will find helpful. Elizabeth explores not only faith but also grace, as a person who has relentlessly pursued truth and understanding throughout her entire adult life. As a contemporary American who has devoted herself to the most profound teaching and practices of Tibetan Buddhism, she is uniquely poised to translate esoteric and subtle insights into language that is accessible and inviting. Elizabeth’s language is direct and her style is friendly—as it is with the most helpful writers in the area of spirituality and religion. Reading Elizabeth’s book is like sitting down for a conversation with a good friend, exploring together areas of great mutual interest. I believe you will find The Logic of Faith a deceptively simple book of real significance." —Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California

"The beauty of this book by Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel lies in its remarkably creative presentation of this insight of dependent arising. Constantly relating to our everyday experience and gently guiding through a series of self-inquiry, as well as drawing on insights from contemporary science, psychology, as well as literature, the author brings this fundamental insight of the Buddha to life for the contemporary reader." —Thupten Jinpa, author of A Fearless Heart: How the Courage to Be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives

"Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel presents the central Buddhist principle of pratītyasamutpāda, or dependent arising, in a way that is completely original. She successfully combines the spirit and authenticity of the Buddha’s teachings with the language and mindset of the twenty-first century." —Dzigar Kongtrul, author of It’s Up to You and The Intelligent Heart

"The Logic of Faith looks into how we tend to seek comfort in ideas, even though they can't provide real comfort. Elizabeth beautifully illuminates the possibility of getting free from the prison of our ideas by softening into uncertainty and developing real faith. A rich and helpful book." —Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Love

"Namgyel’s handling of a complex, potentially intimidating topic is exquisite, and students of all levels will find something useful in her teaching." —Publisher’s Weekly starred review