Happy New Year! I would like to take this opportunity to share a little bit about the work of Nine Ways in 2025 and what is on its way in 2026. First, I would like to thank all of you who donated towards the work of Nine Ways in the past year. It is these donations that make Nine Ways possible and support my ability to translate Yungdrung Bön texts and publish articles and books to support the worldwide sangha. I appreciate each and every donation and offer my heartfelt gratitude. In this time when it seems as though everything is becoming monetized, I remain committed to keeping Nine Ways free and accessible without a paywall in 2026. However, this is only possible through your support. Supporters giving once a year or monthly donations are the reason Nine Ways is still available. Thank you!
2025
In 2025, Nine Ways published 30 articles with over 55,000 views throughout 139 different countries. Many articles were subsequently translated into other languages and, with permission, published on other websites to extend the reach of Nine Ways even further.
The Nine Ways website expanded to include the Nine Ways Shop ( https://ravencypresswood.com/nine-ways-shop/ ) that offers practice support and ritual items for Yungdrung Bön practitioners in the continental U.S. Purchase of the current items supports the memorial chorten for Yangtön Lama Tashi Gyaltsen Rinpoche that will be built in his home village of Tsarka in Dolpo, Nepal. To date, Nine Ways has raised over $1,500 for the chorten. These funds have been sent to his nephew, Geshe Tenzin Yangtön, who is overseeing the planning of the chorten. With these additional funds, he is now happily planning a larger and nicer chorten than he originally thought was possible.
In September, A Blazing Mala of Wish-fulfilling Jewels: A Compilation of Daily Prayers from the Yungdrung Bön Religious Tradition was published. For more about this book, see the announcement article here: https://ravencypresswood.com/2025/09/28/now-available-a-blazing-mala-of-wish-fulfilling-jewels-a-compilation-of-daily-prayers-from-the-yungdrung-bon-religious-tradition/
Throughout the year, due to the visibility of Nine Ways, I am contacted by Yungdrung Bön practitioners around the world requesting help in arranging personal rituals or prayers, seeking clarification regarding Tibetan language or translation advice, and/or help in connecting with a community sangha or nearest Yungdrung Bön lama. Please continue to reach out. I am happy to help when I can or connect you with someone else who can help.
2026
In 2026, Nine Ways will continue to offer articles related to the Yungdrung Bön tradition free of charge. If there is a particular subject that you would like to know more about and think it might also be of interest to the wider community, feel free to email me at RCW108@Gmail.com and suggest topics for articles.
In 2026, I will be expanding my online and in-person mentorship of Yungdrung Bön practitioners seeking guidance or advice regarding their practice or in preparation for an intensive personal retreat. These can be one-time consultations or regular meetings based upon what is most needed at the time. I am also available on a more limited basis for those wanting to have in-person support or guidance for their practice or personal retreat for one or more days. Email me at RCW108@Gmail.com for more information or to set up an appointment.
In response to many requests over the past couple of years, online classes are coming! I am in the process of planning a series of one-day as well as multi-day classes and support groups. Stayed tuned for more updates.
Nine Ways will publish my book of prayers and practice guidance that are for the benefit of those recently deceased. This book is entitled Planting a Garden of Virtue for the Deceased. This book will contain prayers and rituals that are performed throughout the first three days after death and the subsequent 49 days of the intermediate state before rebirth. Among the prayers that have been translated to include in this book is The Sutra of Destroying the Doors to Negative Rebirths. This text is one commonly recited in the Yungdrung Bön Tibetan community especially if a death was the result of a sudden accident or any kind of violence. In February 2025, a dear friend of mine was shot and killed in a random act of violence. This is the prayer suggested to me by His Eminence Menri Pönlop Yangtön Trinley Nyima Rinpoche. Having recited this prayer for 49 days, I was inspired to translate and publish it for the benefit of others. This is an excerpt from The Prayers of Aspiration within The Sutra of Destroying the Doors to Negative Rebirths:
“Having stopped the continuation of the heat and cold of the hell beings, may hatred and anger transform into an expanse of loving kindness! Having stopped the continuation of the hunger and thirst of the hungry ghosts, may desire and attachment transform into an expanse of generosity! Having stopped the continuation of the stupidity and muteness of the animals, may dull-mindedness transform into an expanse of wisdom! Having stopped the continuation of the savagery of humans, may jealousy transform into an expanse of openness! Having stopped the continuation of the fighting and disputes of the demi-gods, may pride transform into an expanse of peacefulness! Having stopped the continuation of the loss and downfall of the gods, may laziness transform into an expanse of diligence! Having stopped the continuation of the delusions of the beings in the intermediate state, may they transform into buddhas of happiness!”
The Tibetan New Year, or Losar, will be on February 18th and will be The Year of the Fire Horse. Because Buddha Tönpa Shenrap manifested in his human form during a Horse year, this will be a special year for all Bönpos. The article describing the significance of the Fire Horse year and its meaning according to Tibetan astrology will be published on Nine Ways in the coming weeks.
I hope that everyone and their loved ones are all doing well and that 2026 brings you abundant happiness, indestructible health, prosperity, merit, and positive circumstances!
Raven Cypress Wood ©All Rights Reserved. No content, in part or in whole, is allowed to be used without direct permission from the author.
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