Towards the end of our three-year retreat, Geshe Michael came into the retreat valley and taught us a yoga class. It was a beautiful desert day, warm not hot, with no bugs, and a breeze blowing through the trees by the Lama House. One of my favorite moments was when Can't Find My Way Home by Blind Faith came up on his playlist.

In the refrain Steve Winwood sings, “I’m wasted and I can’t find my way home”. For most of my life, I felt like that on many different levels…and on that day, I realized it was an anthem of my past. I no longer felt lost. I felt like I had a path that was taking me to where I wanted to go, and even though very much still on a journey, I felt very much at home.

The term “wasted” can conjure images of literal intoxication, but its essence runs deeper, touching on the pervasive ignorance that clouds our lives. It’s the frustration of life’s persistent challenges—working tirelessly yet remaining financially adrift, or navigating the turbulent waters of relationships, even with those we hold dear. To be wasted is to stumble blindly, grappling for a path that offers clarity and leads us away from the cycle of suffering, towards the elusive promise of enduring happiness.

This quest for a way home is intricately woven into the fabric of ACI 9, aptly named The Ethical Life. This course invites us on an exploratory journey to understand the art of living ethically, to gain mastery over our minds, and to discern the intricate link between our actions and the world as we perceive it.

Grounded in the principles of Buddhist ethics, the course beckons us to delve into our core values, to engage in thoughtful discourse, and to embrace the ethical tenets that serve as our life’s compass. As we navigate through the curriculum, our path culminates with Je Tsongkapa’s work, A Song of My Spiritual Life. This guide is not merely a collection of verses; it is a beacon that illuminates our way, offering direction and insight as we chart our own course back home.