monkey see, monkey do serves as a personal blog and creative outlet for
my heart is broken at our loss
i did not know him well, but just the short time i spent with him was profound. he was one of the sweetest, most loving people i’ve ever known. he was inspiring to me, giving me a sense that meditation practice can have a deep and positive effect on a person. he was a living example of compassion and insight.
senior buddhist teacher simon luna died unexpectedly of heart failure yesterday. he was 62.
after my last retreat in vermont, i carpooled south to boston with him. what good fortune it was to spend three hours in the car. it felt like i was a small sapling and he was a cool rain. i talked with him about long, intensive retreats. he had completed a series of three year long retreats - 14 or more hours a day of meditation practice and contemplation - without days off. i’ve been considering doing the same. he encouraged me to proceed. if i were to obtain even a small measure of his kindness, his open heartedness and generosity from my meditation practice and studies i would consider it a tremendous success for my life.
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15. August 2007 at 1:47 pm :
Sorry for your loss.
You seem pretty good the way you are though; I’m not sure you need three years of retreats to get better.
17. August 2007 at 9:46 am :
Sogyal Rinpoche writes, ‘Bereavement can force you to look at your life directly, compelling you to find a purpose in it where there may not have been one before. When suddenly you find yourself alone after the death of someone you love, it can feel as if you are being given a new life and are being asked: “What will you do with this life? And why do you wish to continue living?”‘
19. August 2007 at 10:37 am :
dear mr. evans, you ought to post this to sangha-announce. having never met him, i find it very helpful to hear from those who did. i bet others would appreciate your words as well. love, ms. heather crone
6. September 2007 at 9:14 am :
Re: Sogyal Rinpoche quote
Have you ever experienced that sort of grief?
6. September 2007 at 11:19 am :
RE: Sogyal Rinpoche quote
no, i’ve not yet lost a parent or lover. my best friend from school died accidentally two years ago, but we were astranged then. i’ve seen loss, but I’ve yet to lose those closest to me.
17. September 2007 at 5:32 am :
You never answered my question. I guess you haven’t then.
I don’t think many experience that sort of loss until they’re very old; most don’t love others that much when they’re younger, they just tend to use people for various needs. We’re more selfish and less able to love - not really knowing how to love ourselves yet. More fearful.
It’s a shame we don’t feel more earlier in life. It would be beneficial if we did, I imagine. More painful too, though.