For David LaChapelle
by Julie Pigott
Deep Breath
The last time I saw him
I brought sage and
a feather wrapped in red
Grieving
I bowed before him
tried to speak
“STOP,” he commanded
“Take a deep breath
and start again.”
So I took a long deep breath
and another
while he waited
“A gift from eagle, left
on the beach for you,”
I spoke, offering the bundle
Nodding in gratitude
trembling hands lifted the
eagle feather
Picked up sacred sage
took a long deep breath
and another
While I waited
-By Julie Mae Pigott
Showing posts with label Sharing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sharing. Show all posts
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Happy Birthday David, October 8th
On this day you were born...
... we give thanks for your loving and ever-present be-ing
... we give thanks for your loving and ever-present be-ing
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Ashland, Boulder and Princeton circles on July 21
From: Barbara Cecil (Ashland)
Date: July 22, 2010 7:37:45 AM MDT
To: Ananda Elise Foley
Subject: yesterday and today and tomorrow
Dearest Ananda, I wanted to write to you about our gathering last night at Carol and Paul's. You were so loved and cherished there. Please know the home home you have here. (Ashland)
We chanted, through open heart and eyes brimming over. Present were Carlos, Huly, Serena, Melanie, Carol Carlson, Carolyn, Paul, Carol, Steve, Rita, Norton, Suzanne, Michael, Carol H., Sandra Faulk, Jeralyn. Many more wrote in who were present in spirit. It was a needed, exquisite time of remembering specific moments in our personal and collective lives here, articulating the nature of the seeds planted in each of us, finding peace with unfinished segments of the story, seeing the truth of one another as the truth of David was pieced together through all the ways we have known him. We chanted Om Nama and We Are Coming Home. I would say the enduring river of spiritual connection with our own Selves and with David was strengthened.
Please know Ananda, that you are ever present as the weave of the past, present and future braid through your new life. Hugs, Barbara
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Linda Weber (Boulder)
Date: July 22, 2010 9:20:12 AM MDT
Subject: Re: our circle
We had a celebration and remembrance circle for David on Tuesday night. It was sweet and beautiful with chants and a talking circle and of course meditation.
Yesterday I drove up Sugarloaf mountain just outside of Boulder in order to sit on the side of the hill at the same time that Silverton was having its ash ceremony. A few miles up the road I had to pull over and sit for there was a camel munching on brush near the other side of the road. A CAMEL. Not a llama, a camel. It was the kind with two humps. Never have I seen one in the area and I was stunned. A camel in the Rocky Mountains? How really strange and funny. The animal turned its head and looked me straight in the eye for a few timeless seconds. I sat and watched it for a little while as it went back to its eating, and eventually went on to my sit where I prayed and rattled. Last night, a friend of mine reminded me that David had quite a sense of humor. Yes he did, didn't he.
care and love,
Linda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: "jan Birchfield" (Princeton)
Date: July 22, 2010 3:21:22 PM MDT
To: "'ANANDA Foley'"
Subject: excerpt for sending
Ananda, I just got your voice mail, and it would be fine to send out what I wrote. I spoke to someone from the circle, who suggested that I include the story of how the intention for that circle arose. If you have not yet sent something out, please send what I wrote, below. It was sweet to hear your voice! Much love, jan
This month, I had the honor of spending time with Amma. During a question and answer session with her in Boston, someone asked, “Amma, I have heard that when someone dies, if we continue to mourn them we can actually keep them tied to this plane of existence. Is this true?” Amma responded, “It is natural to feel sad when someone we love dies. However, if we do not release our sadness we actually do hold them close to this plane of existence. The greatest gift that we can give someone when they pass away is to pray that their soul moves to the highest level of consciousness possible. Releasing them from our grief is important for this reason.” I immediately thought of July 21st - the anniversary of David’s passing - and decided to devote our celebration of his life to the healing and upliftment of his soul, and the release of any residual attachment or unfinished business that keeps us tied to him.
I bought 12 white balloons, and filled the living room with them. Candles were lit and flowers were set out. I invited the circle to use this as an opportunity to offer prayer, that David's soul might transcend to the highest plane possible. We chanted alleluia with joy - great joy. We meditated together, and it was a soaring silent meditation. We then went outside to a fire in silence, saged, and prayed to the 7 directions. About 10 people turned and prayed to the directions with me, and so each time I turned, I spoke the direction. After praying to the north, I lifted up my arms and said, "Father Sky, hear our prayer." About 3 seconds went by, and in perfect timing we began to hear the rumble of thunder. There had been none up until this time. The thunder gently rose in pitch, gathering energy, lasted for about a minute, and subsided. It was absolutely stunning. We were all utterly transfixed. I had put out corn meal and tobacco, with an invitation that people offer to the fire a pinch of each, with a prayer either for David's transcendence, or to release any attachment to him or residual mourning. The invitation was to do this either in silence, or out loud. I then kept a steady drum beat, deep in meditation. People went up one at a time, and most of the prayers were in silence. There were 3 prayers that were not, but what was amazing was that these were all offered in another language - Arabic and Spanish. After this found its completion, I continued the drum beat, and said that prayer and healing coming from this earthly plane to the spirit world comes only through humans, and that it was therefore a great gift to offer a spirit out of the body, healing from this plane. I asked people to meditate on the drum, sending its medicine to David. The drum broke out from the rhythm that had been held, and went into a more ecstatic rhythm, with a few chants arising as well. This found its conclusion. We sat in silence for about 10-15 seconds, and all of a sudden it thundered, and began to rain - large cleansing rain drops. All elements were present - air, earth, water, fire - in unity. We began to laugh, and ran inside, and the dining room table had been set with tea and sweets, and so we moved right into informal celebration. People sat together in small groups and talked for about 20 minutes or so. Jeff asked if he could read something, and so we regathered for a short time, and I invited anyone that had something that they wanted to read or say to do so. Jeff read beautifully, and Cynthia read a story she had written. We all went back over the thunder moment, and there was great joy in the room. I asked Samar to end with an Arabic prayer. We were holding hands, and she said, "first I have to kiss Yvonne." She smacked Yvonne with a kiss, and told Yvonne to pass it on. The kiss went around the circle, followed by Samar's prayer, and then “om, loka samasta...”
It was such a celebration of David's life, and we were full of gratitude - grateful for the wordlessness of the evening, the opportunity to serve him, and the chance to enjoy the way in which he had tied all of us together through his love for us. Throughout the day I kept saying to myself, "we are celebrating David's rebirth day." Ah ho.
Much love, jan
Date: July 22, 2010 7:37:45 AM MDT
To: Ananda Elise Foley
Subject: yesterday and today and tomorrow
Dearest Ananda, I wanted to write to you about our gathering last night at Carol and Paul's. You were so loved and cherished there. Please know the home home you have here. (Ashland)
We chanted, through open heart and eyes brimming over. Present were Carlos, Huly, Serena, Melanie, Carol Carlson, Carolyn, Paul, Carol, Steve, Rita, Norton, Suzanne, Michael, Carol H., Sandra Faulk, Jeralyn. Many more wrote in who were present in spirit. It was a needed, exquisite time of remembering specific moments in our personal and collective lives here, articulating the nature of the seeds planted in each of us, finding peace with unfinished segments of the story, seeing the truth of one another as the truth of David was pieced together through all the ways we have known him. We chanted Om Nama and We Are Coming Home. I would say the enduring river of spiritual connection with our own Selves and with David was strengthened.
Please know Ananda, that you are ever present as the weave of the past, present and future braid through your new life. Hugs, Barbara
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Linda Weber (Boulder)
Date: July 22, 2010 9:20:12 AM MDT
Subject: Re: our circle
We had a celebration and remembrance circle for David on Tuesday night. It was sweet and beautiful with chants and a talking circle and of course meditation.
Yesterday I drove up Sugarloaf mountain just outside of Boulder in order to sit on the side of the hill at the same time that Silverton was having its ash ceremony. A few miles up the road I had to pull over and sit for there was a camel munching on brush near the other side of the road. A CAMEL. Not a llama, a camel. It was the kind with two humps. Never have I seen one in the area and I was stunned. A camel in the Rocky Mountains? How really strange and funny. The animal turned its head and looked me straight in the eye for a few timeless seconds. I sat and watched it for a little while as it went back to its eating, and eventually went on to my sit where I prayed and rattled. Last night, a friend of mine reminded me that David had quite a sense of humor. Yes he did, didn't he.
care and love,
Linda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: "jan Birchfield" (Princeton)
Date: July 22, 2010 3:21:22 PM MDT
To: "'ANANDA Foley'"
Subject: excerpt for sending
Ananda, I just got your voice mail, and it would be fine to send out what I wrote. I spoke to someone from the circle, who suggested that I include the story of how the intention for that circle arose. If you have not yet sent something out, please send what I wrote, below. It was sweet to hear your voice! Much love, jan
This month, I had the honor of spending time with Amma. During a question and answer session with her in Boston, someone asked, “Amma, I have heard that when someone dies, if we continue to mourn them we can actually keep them tied to this plane of existence. Is this true?” Amma responded, “It is natural to feel sad when someone we love dies. However, if we do not release our sadness we actually do hold them close to this plane of existence. The greatest gift that we can give someone when they pass away is to pray that their soul moves to the highest level of consciousness possible. Releasing them from our grief is important for this reason.” I immediately thought of July 21st - the anniversary of David’s passing - and decided to devote our celebration of his life to the healing and upliftment of his soul, and the release of any residual attachment or unfinished business that keeps us tied to him.
I bought 12 white balloons, and filled the living room with them. Candles were lit and flowers were set out. I invited the circle to use this as an opportunity to offer prayer, that David's soul might transcend to the highest plane possible. We chanted alleluia with joy - great joy. We meditated together, and it was a soaring silent meditation. We then went outside to a fire in silence, saged, and prayed to the 7 directions. About 10 people turned and prayed to the directions with me, and so each time I turned, I spoke the direction. After praying to the north, I lifted up my arms and said, "Father Sky, hear our prayer." About 3 seconds went by, and in perfect timing we began to hear the rumble of thunder. There had been none up until this time. The thunder gently rose in pitch, gathering energy, lasted for about a minute, and subsided. It was absolutely stunning. We were all utterly transfixed. I had put out corn meal and tobacco, with an invitation that people offer to the fire a pinch of each, with a prayer either for David's transcendence, or to release any attachment to him or residual mourning. The invitation was to do this either in silence, or out loud. I then kept a steady drum beat, deep in meditation. People went up one at a time, and most of the prayers were in silence. There were 3 prayers that were not, but what was amazing was that these were all offered in another language - Arabic and Spanish. After this found its completion, I continued the drum beat, and said that prayer and healing coming from this earthly plane to the spirit world comes only through humans, and that it was therefore a great gift to offer a spirit out of the body, healing from this plane. I asked people to meditate on the drum, sending its medicine to David. The drum broke out from the rhythm that had been held, and went into a more ecstatic rhythm, with a few chants arising as well. This found its conclusion. We sat in silence for about 10-15 seconds, and all of a sudden it thundered, and began to rain - large cleansing rain drops. All elements were present - air, earth, water, fire - in unity. We began to laugh, and ran inside, and the dining room table had been set with tea and sweets, and so we moved right into informal celebration. People sat together in small groups and talked for about 20 minutes or so. Jeff asked if he could read something, and so we regathered for a short time, and I invited anyone that had something that they wanted to read or say to do so. Jeff read beautifully, and Cynthia read a story she had written. We all went back over the thunder moment, and there was great joy in the room. I asked Samar to end with an Arabic prayer. We were holding hands, and she said, "first I have to kiss Yvonne." She smacked Yvonne with a kiss, and told Yvonne to pass it on. The kiss went around the circle, followed by Samar's prayer, and then “om, loka samasta...”
It was such a celebration of David's life, and we were full of gratitude - grateful for the wordlessness of the evening, the opportunity to serve him, and the chance to enjoy the way in which he had tied all of us together through his love for us. Throughout the day I kept saying to myself, "we are celebrating David's rebirth day." Ah ho.
Much love, jan
Monday, April 19, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Reflections on Hawaii. By Maria (Adi) Benito
Dear sisters, I wrote this on the plane back to Princeton. I wish to share with you. In love and in death , there are mysteries and in both there is healing. The quality of our gathering was very feminine and magical, such as the owl represents, the owl that came in on our last day together. The medicine I received washes over me like the caresses of a wise mother, a loving sister, one who is not perfect yet; yet sees with no judgment: a sisterhood medicine. To be welcomed with flowers, a lei of beautiful scent, to welcome a tired body and a tired soul, to be the pillar to allow for tears to flow. To be lifted from the ashes to my truest essence, to see the shadow and the light, and to hold them both; a metaphor. Before departing, crows appeared and a sense of shadow-material emerged. Crows are the guardian of ceremonial magic and healing. In any healing circle, crow is present. Crow guides the magic of healing and the change in consciousness that will bring about a new reality. Crow has been thought to represent the shadow within, the quest within. And it truly was so. The healing circle began with the spread of ashes of David's. Much grief had been shared before the ceremony, therefore we were ready to welcome a new reality. We meditated on the I-ching throw that we collectively did at the memorial site. Revolution turning to abundance. We meditated and reflected how to move forward and keep David alive in our worlds. The healing circle saw many reflections, another healing within the healing, and a satsang with a teacher who not knowing us, exposed some shadow material and held a light for new adventures. Her advise to me was "go outside the box"; "say yes only when it brings you in connection with God"; a true teaching. Without saying so explicitly, my dear sister understood how my quest was that of purpose... a blessing. With much love, Adi
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
STORAGE !!!!
Almost home again from recent trip to Hawaii (in Santa Fe now on my way back to Silverton first time, to stay, since December).
Returned to the land in North Kohala where, 3 years ago, David and I stored the many items we'd built and sewn by hand to create a home, live-in teen teaching space and retreat center at the sugar-planation-fixer-up-er we rented for a year in 2006
After everyone for Hawaii memorial had gone, I faced two solid weeks pulling it all out, parting with and hauling 8 full truck loads for give-away (rather than nickle and dime-ing each object, very relieved, every object kept value for me that way), wiping down, cleaning out, throwing out, shipping home, going back for more.
We'd also stored our island car, Pueo (after the white Hawaiian owl who'd been our sign for landing here). Before it would sell, had to clean it; before that, get a key made; before that, had someone take the door apart to get the lock to a locksmith miles away.... After several airing-outs, and some spectacular rainbow blessings, Pueo was ready to be adopted by its new family with a second baby on the way... horray! What a great feeling that day.
Very proud of accomplishments of the last few weeks, and fueled by some added inner strength for facing the Ashland 10 x 10, two cabins and another car in Alaska and LaChapelle build-up in Silverton garage...
As "letting go" changes my own life, I send out the message you've already heard plenty... time to reduce, reuse, recycle and stop buying more stuff!
dining set, drapes and hangings by me, altar table by David, carpets, lamps, full kitchen wares, beds, desks, floor cushions, outdoor shower, art materials and art work, books, christmas stuff, pillows, lumber, snorkel stuff, tools, and more tools...
helper elf Shawn, thank heaven he could help, such a big job
the carport David built from 2x4s, and surrounded with heavy tarps for walls, to protect our island vehicle (sat for 2 years before my return to get it running)
one tired soul, two tired soles
Pueo's new family
Goodbye dear friend..
Pueo waiting for me coming home the night i finally sold the car!
Returned to the land in North Kohala where, 3 years ago, David and I stored the many items we'd built and sewn by hand to create a home, live-in teen teaching space and retreat center at the sugar-planation-fixer-up-er we rented for a year in 2006
After everyone for Hawaii memorial had gone, I faced two solid weeks pulling it all out, parting with and hauling 8 full truck loads for give-away (rather than nickle and dime-ing each object, very relieved, every object kept value for me that way), wiping down, cleaning out, throwing out, shipping home, going back for more.
We'd also stored our island car, Pueo (after the white Hawaiian owl who'd been our sign for landing here). Before it would sell, had to clean it; before that, get a key made; before that, had someone take the door apart to get the lock to a locksmith miles away.... After several airing-outs, and some spectacular rainbow blessings, Pueo was ready to be adopted by its new family with a second baby on the way... horray! What a great feeling that day.
Very proud of accomplishments of the last few weeks, and fueled by some added inner strength for facing the Ashland 10 x 10, two cabins and another car in Alaska and LaChapelle build-up in Silverton garage...
As "letting go" changes my own life, I send out the message you've already heard plenty... time to reduce, reuse, recycle and stop buying more stuff!
dining set, drapes and hangings by me, altar table by David, carpets, lamps, full kitchen wares, beds, desks, floor cushions, outdoor shower, art materials and art work, books, christmas stuff, pillows, lumber, snorkel stuff, tools, and more tools...
helper elf Shawn, thank heaven he could help, such a big job
the carport David built from 2x4s, and surrounded with heavy tarps for walls, to protect our island vehicle (sat for 2 years before my return to get it running)
one tired soul, two tired soles
Pueo's new family
Goodbye dear friend..
Pueo waiting for me coming home the night i finally sold the car!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
From Evan: Back from Brazil
Sure, you’re welcome to post whatever you’d like to on the blog. To add something to my original post;
About David – first, he just kept coming to mind in a very intimate way, actually more intimate
than I was ever with him in form. It wasn’t an intentional thing on my part at all. Sometimes with the images there was an energetic component, a gentle, supportive presence. Hard to explain, but it was palpable and happened repeatedly. As you say he did have a connection with what’s happening there, if from a distance. In any event I think he would’ve felt much at home
in the unique healing / spirit / psyche environment known as the Casa de Dom Ignacio where
John of God offers his healings.
You’re welcome to include my name on it if you like.
Glad to hear you are doing well and a week with Snatam sounds beautiful. She will be here in Ashland in a couple weeks, I always try and make her shows but alas this year I’ll be in CA working.
Wishing you safe and supportive travels to Hawaii, may we all find peace in the endings and beginnings that unfold before us.
love -evan
Hi Ananda,
I hope this finds you well and enjoying the lengthening days in the northern hemisphere.
I recently returned from Brazil, where I spent a month with friends, and also experienced the healing work of John of God. It was a good trip for me in many ways, andgetting outside the American cultural bubble was a real breath of fresh air. The thing I want to tell you is that I really felt David’s presence in Abadiania, which was unexpected and somewhat mysterious to me. He came to mind/heart many times and in different ways, sometimes quite strongly. In fact I can’t help but wonder if he’s connected to the healing work that is going on there somehow, as there are many beings beyond this reality that do the work there. It was quite something to experience first-hand, also difficult to explain but very powerful. Strange as it is, I think David would have felt right at home with the whole scene there. I heard stories of spontaneous cures from various illnesses and witnessed a few physical surgeries, which were intense but helpful in dispeling doubts that something extraordinary is happening there.
Mostly I just wanted to share this with you, hope you’ve had a good winter and finding your way withnew directions and possibilities.
all the best, love -Evan
About David – first, he just kept coming to mind in a very intimate way, actually more intimate
than I was ever with him in form. It wasn’t an intentional thing on my part at all. Sometimes with the images there was an energetic component, a gentle, supportive presence. Hard to explain, but it was palpable and happened repeatedly. As you say he did have a connection with what’s happening there, if from a distance. In any event I think he would’ve felt much at home
in the unique healing / spirit / psyche environment known as the Casa de Dom Ignacio where
John of God offers his healings.
You’re welcome to include my name on it if you like.
Glad to hear you are doing well and a week with Snatam sounds beautiful. She will be here in Ashland in a couple weeks, I always try and make her shows but alas this year I’ll be in CA working.
Wishing you safe and supportive travels to Hawaii, may we all find peace in the endings and beginnings that unfold before us.
love -evan
Hi Ananda,
I hope this finds you well and enjoying the lengthening days in the northern hemisphere.
I recently returned from Brazil, where I spent a month with friends, and also experienced the healing work of John of God. It was a good trip for me in many ways, andgetting outside the American cultural bubble was a real breath of fresh air. The thing I want to tell you is that I really felt David’s presence in Abadiania, which was unexpected and somewhat mysterious to me. He came to mind/heart many times and in different ways, sometimes quite strongly. In fact I can’t help but wonder if he’s connected to the healing work that is going on there somehow, as there are many beings beyond this reality that do the work there. It was quite something to experience first-hand, also difficult to explain but very powerful. Strange as it is, I think David would have felt right at home with the whole scene there. I heard stories of spontaneous cures from various illnesses and witnessed a few physical surgeries, which were intense but helpful in dispeling doubts that something extraordinary is happening there.
Mostly I just wanted to share this with you, hope you’ve had a good winter and finding your way withnew directions and possibilities.
all the best, love -Evan
Monday, March 8, 2010
From a happy reader
David LaChapelle's book is really a find for me that brings balance to my I Ching practice. Of all the I Ching books I've seen, it is the most poetic, clear and gentle. In LaChapelle's words I hear the voice of a wise and joyful teacher who points me in the direction of the Truth, both personal and universal. He allows for mistakes, sudden inspiration and transformation. I love the way he links each hexagram together to give a sense of their ebb and flow. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the I Ching or spiritual growth.
To Devin (layout design, Chinese medicine element keeper)
I am sorry you have lost your teacher, but am glad he left this incredible book. I hope it gives you comfort and continued guidance, as I know it does.
Let me know how you are doing.
Thank you!
Blessings,
Erin
To Devin (layout design, Chinese medicine element keeper)
I am sorry you have lost your teacher, but am glad he left this incredible book. I hope it gives you comfort and continued guidance, as I know it does.
Let me know how you are doing.
Thank you!
Blessings,
Erin
Monday, February 8, 2010
Dear Ananda,
I have read almost all of David's work. Anne and I were having lunch yesterday, and we were reading David's book together. I was so touched as so many descriptions of spiritual truths rang so true. Anne and I were really in awe of his powerful imagery and spiritual knowledge. I know it is hard for those David left behind, but our gratitude for his brief presence in our midst is immense! Thank you for the opportunity to see more of his work. Thank you for your loving efforts. Respectfully, M (anonymous)
I have read almost all of David's work. Anne and I were having lunch yesterday, and we were reading David's book together. I was so touched as so many descriptions of spiritual truths rang so true. Anne and I were really in awe of his powerful imagery and spiritual knowledge. I know it is hard for those David left behind, but our gratitude for his brief presence in our midst is immense! Thank you for the opportunity to see more of his work. Thank you for your loving efforts. Respectfully, M (anonymous)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A Contribution from Stephen Griffies
Hi,
During the Silverton retreat Aug2008, I was awake one night for a few hours in the library (as was Barbara Cecil, as I recall, also downloading some ideas) contemplating information, entropy, energy, and consciousness. In sum, I was downloading a conjecture that a rational description of consciousness would involve notions from information theory. As consciousness, using David's broad sense of the term, forms the underlying foundation for reality, information theory in turn must play a basic role in describing our universe through the laws of physics.
The notions regarding information theory and consciousness are not new nor unique, but they seemed to gel in my mind through a convergence of past thoughts, osmosis from the retreat, and David's ability to open portals to new mind states.
Shift ahead 1.5 years.
Friday at work, I found an article on my desk, placed there by a friend who shares my love of compelling theoretical physics ideas. The article is titled "On the Origin of Gravity and the Laws of Newton" by Eric Verlinde, one of two Dutch twins, both renowned leaders in string theory. (His brother Hermann is a Princeton physics professor.) In this article, which you may find on the web and throughout the blob-sphere, Verlinde describes gravity as an emergent phenomena, much as pressure from a gas emerges from the zillions of molecules hitting the side of a container. Gravity is thus not a fundamental force of nature, rather it emerges from something deeper. Verlinde is the first to pose some nontrivial and semi-concrete arguments to support this conjecture. The connection to my retreat experience is that central to the "deeper something" in Verlinde's paper is information. Specifically, gravity arises as an "entropic force" associated with the maximization of entropy related to the information contained in the position of material bodies (or something like that...).
Information theory has been around since the 1940s (Claude Shannon at Bell Labs invented it to help understand the transfer of information through electrical circuits), and has arisen over time to be of such a fundamental nature that it now, potentially, is at the root of how physical reality (e.g., the forces that make up our physical world) works. That, to me, is a mind blower, with that late night in Silverton a tiny tip of the iceberg of what appears to be unfolding in the physics community...
I remain amazed with the elegance and deep insights in Verlinde's paper, which, though nontrivial to grasp, is readable in essence by nearly anyone with a basic graduate physics education (OK, so not everyone has a physics graduate degree, but still, it does not require a specialization in string theory nor loop quantum gravity!). Interestingly, his paper appeared just over 100 years after Einstein's insights regarding special relativity.
There is a nice article in New Scientist about Verlinde's ideas
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527443.800-the-entropy-force-a-new-direction-for-gravity.html?page=1
Thanks for indulging me as I share this synchronicity. A significant portion of my excitement sits not so much with the details of Verlinde's ideas (which will take me years to digest), but with the wondrous connections that David orchestrated, with that orchestration continuing to unfold in elegant ways.
Deep love,
Stephen
--
Stephen.Griffies@Gmail.com
During the Silverton retreat Aug2008, I was awake one night for a few hours in the library (as was Barbara Cecil, as I recall, also downloading some ideas) contemplating information, entropy, energy, and consciousness. In sum, I was downloading a conjecture that a rational description of consciousness would involve notions from information theory. As consciousness, using David's broad sense of the term, forms the underlying foundation for reality, information theory in turn must play a basic role in describing our universe through the laws of physics.
The notions regarding information theory and consciousness are not new nor unique, but they seemed to gel in my mind through a convergence of past thoughts, osmosis from the retreat, and David's ability to open portals to new mind states.
Shift ahead 1.5 years.
Friday at work, I found an article on my desk, placed there by a friend who shares my love of compelling theoretical physics ideas. The article is titled "On the Origin of Gravity and the Laws of Newton" by Eric Verlinde, one of two Dutch twins, both renowned leaders in string theory. (His brother Hermann is a Princeton physics professor.) In this article, which you may find on the web and throughout the blob-sphere, Verlinde describes gravity as an emergent phenomena, much as pressure from a gas emerges from the zillions of molecules hitting the side of a container. Gravity is thus not a fundamental force of nature, rather it emerges from something deeper. Verlinde is the first to pose some nontrivial and semi-concrete arguments to support this conjecture. The connection to my retreat experience is that central to the "deeper something" in Verlinde's paper is information. Specifically, gravity arises as an "entropic force" associated with the maximization of entropy related to the information contained in the position of material bodies (or something like that...).
Information theory has been around since the 1940s (Claude Shannon at Bell Labs invented it to help understand the transfer of information through electrical circuits), and has arisen over time to be of such a fundamental nature that it now, potentially, is at the root of how physical reality (e.g., the forces that make up our physical world) works. That, to me, is a mind blower, with that late night in Silverton a tiny tip of the iceberg of what appears to be unfolding in the physics community...
I remain amazed with the elegance and deep insights in Verlinde's paper, which, though nontrivial to grasp, is readable in essence by nearly anyone with a basic graduate physics education (OK, so not everyone has a physics graduate degree, but still, it does not require a specialization in string theory nor loop quantum gravity!). Interestingly, his paper appeared just over 100 years after Einstein's insights regarding special relativity.
There is a nice article in New Scientist about Verlinde's ideas
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527443.800-the-entropy-force-a-new-direction-for-gravity.html?page=1
Thanks for indulging me as I share this synchronicity. A significant portion of my excitement sits not so much with the details of Verlinde's ideas (which will take me years to digest), but with the wondrous connections that David orchestrated, with that orchestration continuing to unfold in elegant ways.
Deep love,
Stephen
--
Stephen.Griffies@Gmail.com
Monday, December 21, 2009
David quote
Quote from David's book for Solstice
by MF, Boulder CO
Light up the lights for this Winter solstice night.
Today I went to a friend’s house to work on deer hides to make drums. After soaking for days in a water and ash solution, the hides are tacked to a board. The fat and deeper layers of flesh are scraped off, and then flipped over. The hair is then scraped off. I was only able to help for a little while since it was a work day for me.
Since I came in the middle of the process and left after about 40 minutes, I didn’t think about a ritual honoring these deer. (My friend) got the raw hides from a taxidermist.. They would have been discarded. In any case I thought of the story that David wrote about Deer in his book “Mountains of Light, Pathways of Love”. After reading it, I remembered that I had wanted to share the quote about grief.
Today I felt the grief of David’s death, and just the pure missing him. So it seems appropriate…..
“There is a grief which weighs down the spirit and there is a grief which is the cry of the soul. When you have lost someone you truly loved, then your grief is a gift. This is the grief which reaches beyond this world and opens a doorway to the path of light. This path is the journey of the soul. Yours is such a gift, and I would ask for it in return for my fur.”
by MF, Boulder CO
Light up the lights for this Winter solstice night.
Today I went to a friend’s house to work on deer hides to make drums. After soaking for days in a water and ash solution, the hides are tacked to a board. The fat and deeper layers of flesh are scraped off, and then flipped over. The hair is then scraped off. I was only able to help for a little while since it was a work day for me.
Since I came in the middle of the process and left after about 40 minutes, I didn’t think about a ritual honoring these deer. (My friend) got the raw hides from a taxidermist.. They would have been discarded. In any case I thought of the story that David wrote about Deer in his book “Mountains of Light, Pathways of Love”. After reading it, I remembered that I had wanted to share the quote about grief.
Today I felt the grief of David’s death, and just the pure missing him. So it seems appropriate…..
“There is a grief which weighs down the spirit and there is a grief which is the cry of the soul. When you have lost someone you truly loved, then your grief is a gift. This is the grief which reaches beyond this world and opens a doorway to the path of light. This path is the journey of the soul. Yours is such a gift, and I would ask for it in return for my fur.”
Friday, November 20, 2009
Sharing from the heart
Nov. 20, 2009
lots of requests to know "how I am"... thanks for asking I know Im behind
I am frazzled and reworked,
new and sincerely puzzled
loved and loving
... emotional
INSPIRED
dancing with courage and fear
listening
Wintering (mostly) in Silverton
Missing Amma tour
Sad I cant keep up with everyone
Newly exploring FaceBook
Tired
New snow sparkles in my eyes, new flush on my face
teaching yoga and learning bellydance
theraputic sessions with skilled friends (thank goodness)
feeling art & movement workshops in my future... after some settle
Have way too much stuff (mine and D's from Ashland and Hawaii, his PARENT'S things)
Paperwork, email & phone are the time-consuming toppers... still much to do
Recently created a retreat plan for a local group, some new and old facilitation skills integrating
every day is a bow
and yet...
when will things feel normal?
when will I find a balance between extremes: like feeling tired of answering the question " how are you" but hurt just the same if no one asks...
ready for things to move on without him one minute, then just as pained when I'm out on errand and the pulse steadys on at the grocery or post office as if the world is the same
I know i need more quiet yet there is much stimulation
...more nature, less laptop
I get out on brilliantly sunny white walks in the hills... the contrast of hot sun and cold ground
Taking many pictures and building a portfolio for later times.... its the most fun treat right now
Im in a sweet something with a new/old "friend"
... it's supportive I think, Im enriched in new ways
and also aware of the raw element ... careful yes....
Important part is Tara expressing through me
And creative partnership with eye for photo images
loving David and letting him go
sharing his creative voice with emerging book
he's been giving me space but staying close if that makes sense
New language we now speak
Ibn expresses David often too
Tell me your unrelated segments of streaming thoughts some time ...
With love in my heart, Ananda
Yosemite Memorial, August 2009 "Relinquishing ceremony" offered by elders.In this photo: Onnolee Stevens with initiating dragonfly necklace from Barbara Cecil. Photos by Cara Cruickshank (thank you so much!)
lots of requests to know "how I am"... thanks for asking I know Im behind
I am frazzled and reworked,
new and sincerely puzzled
loved and loving
... emotional
INSPIRED
dancing with courage and fear
listening
Wintering (mostly) in Silverton
Missing Amma tour
Sad I cant keep up with everyone
Newly exploring FaceBook
Tired
New snow sparkles in my eyes, new flush on my face
teaching yoga and learning bellydance
theraputic sessions with skilled friends (thank goodness)
feeling art & movement workshops in my future... after some settle
Have way too much stuff (mine and D's from Ashland and Hawaii, his PARENT'S things)
Paperwork, email & phone are the time-consuming toppers... still much to do
Recently created a retreat plan for a local group, some new and old facilitation skills integrating
every day is a bow
and yet...
when will things feel normal?
when will I find a balance between extremes: like feeling tired of answering the question " how are you" but hurt just the same if no one asks...
ready for things to move on without him one minute, then just as pained when I'm out on errand and the pulse steadys on at the grocery or post office as if the world is the same
I know i need more quiet yet there is much stimulation
...more nature, less laptop
I get out on brilliantly sunny white walks in the hills... the contrast of hot sun and cold ground
Taking many pictures and building a portfolio for later times.... its the most fun treat right now
Im in a sweet something with a new/old "friend"
... it's supportive I think, Im enriched in new ways
and also aware of the raw element ... careful yes....
Important part is Tara expressing through me
And creative partnership with eye for photo images
loving David and letting him go
sharing his creative voice with emerging book
he's been giving me space but staying close if that makes sense
New language we now speak
Ibn expresses David often too
Tell me your unrelated segments of streaming thoughts some time ...
With love in my heart, Ananda
Yosemite Memorial, August 2009 "Relinquishing ceremony" offered by elders.In this photo: Onnolee Stevens with initiating dragonfly necklace from Barbara Cecil. Photos by Cara Cruickshank (thank you so much!)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A hard photo...
prepare...
Difficult time, march 2008, 15
ashland oregon
David in pain beyond our comprehension
a kind heart transformation
helping others by taking on some pain and burning rapidly
not rapidly enough / a toll on the body
found in every tradition
this service to humanity
D came with his issues
like the rest of us
but
for this loved creature
the ancestors, guides, spirit helpers and light streams
were in his dear favor
as was Ghigs Razi with her class in the February cold
with love songs on Valentines Day
... angels...
Difficult time, march 2008, 15
ashland oregon
David in pain beyond our comprehension
a kind heart transformation
helping others by taking on some pain and burning rapidly
not rapidly enough / a toll on the body
found in every tradition
this service to humanity
D came with his issues
like the rest of us
but
for this loved creature
the ancestors, guides, spirit helpers and light streams
were in his dear favor
as was Ghigs Razi with her class in the February cold
with love songs on Valentines Day
... angels...
Friday, November 6, 2009
Good News Story
Sweet, grateful tears as I write this. Waves of relief... It's awfully personal, but I wanted to share good news and celebration ... in honor of the balance... for all the hard work we have each put in for David, his life and his pain (or if you've been thru the gamut, in terms of health care and medical coverage. This issue is so up for everyone at the moment.)
I just got a call . The oncologists who treated David in Durango have been wondering how they were going to get paid for all the office visits, chemo treatments and hospital rounds. Insurance company's arms were crossed these last few months... "we're sorry, we dont cover that" ... They said the approach was experimental and research based.
I pasted below some of my response letter
... gripping with injustice and raw with loss but somehow pulled this through... and...
... IT WORKED!
The call I just hung up was to tell me the insurance company will be covering everything... everything except one office visit !
For all the letters and calls over the last few months to banks, credit cards, utilities, Dr offices and insurance companies, I CANT TELL you the relief that SOMETHING came back with affirmation. And knowing the team of docs and staff will be properly covered! Uah!
Huge!
Thanks for listening,
with love, Ananda
Sept. 22, 2009
Re: Request for Secondary Internal Review in response to initial Grievance Response from Golden Rule
Attached: Five photos, in chronological order, of patient's tumor over the course of four months.
Dear Golden Rule Grievance Administrator:
I have received a copy of your letter addressed to SW Oncology regarding the initial review determining benefits for services provided by them to patient David La Chapelle. The letter states no benefits are available.
The photos included consist of five images of David, profiling the squamous cell cancer tumor on his neck, spanning from March 4, 2009 to the day he passed away, July 21, 2009.
The initial review states the reason for a decline of benefits is that the treatment in question (David's chemotherapy) by Southwest Oncology would be considered "investigational, experimental or for research purposes" . The photos are relevant to your second review in that they reveal, without a doubt the successful and complete shrinking of the very large tumor. Let the photos show the very sound and relevant treatment plan carried out by the professionals of SW Oncology.
It was their long-lived body of experience, their qualified and competent skills as doctors, not to mention their up-to-date knowledge base (in a field moving at break-neck speed, that of oncology), that their plan of treatment for David was as successful as it was for entirely shrinking his large tumor. Their methods were, in my opinion (and I have lost my partner and best friend here), sound, safe and not based on experimental purposes or for the purpose of research and investigation. Rather, they were based on experience and education, not to mention the mysterious yet valid skill-set of intuition; an important ally for all doctors. As I say, in a field of information moving as fast as oncology, it is a doctor's key responsibility to go with the best plan for the condition, whether it is or is not yet widely accepted by "most doctors" as your letter indicates. And they must balance that, at every moment, with the "approved" or " accepted" mainstream, which, we all know comes with faults, such as being even slightly outdated.
The motive for treating David with Abraxane/Erbitux is that it was in the best interest of the patient, your client, David La Chapelle, as it exposes the rest of the body systems to the least amount of unnecessary toxicity. Given the mission statement repeated in each of the letters I have received from your offices, you "have made customer service of (y)our top priorities". If that is true, I am confident you want for your clients what doctors want for their patients: sound, safe treatment. Anything else would be a disservice to the customer you are so very dedicated to keeping a "high priority".
Thank you for the time you have given to reading this letter. Please consider me available for any further questions anytime.
Sincerely,
Ananda Elise Foley
Designated Representative for David La Chapelle
I just got a call . The oncologists who treated David in Durango have been wondering how they were going to get paid for all the office visits, chemo treatments and hospital rounds. Insurance company's arms were crossed these last few months... "we're sorry, we dont cover that" ... They said the approach was experimental and research based.
I pasted below some of my response letter
... gripping with injustice and raw with loss but somehow pulled this through... and...
... IT WORKED!
The call I just hung up was to tell me the insurance company will be covering everything... everything except one office visit !
For all the letters and calls over the last few months to banks, credit cards, utilities, Dr offices and insurance companies, I CANT TELL you the relief that SOMETHING came back with affirmation. And knowing the team of docs and staff will be properly covered! Uah!
Huge!
Thanks for listening,
with love, Ananda
Sept. 22, 2009
Re: Request for Secondary Internal Review in response to initial Grievance Response from Golden Rule
Attached: Five photos, in chronological order, of patient's tumor over the course of four months.
Dear Golden Rule Grievance Administrator:
I have received a copy of your letter addressed to SW Oncology regarding the initial review determining benefits for services provided by them to patient David La Chapelle. The letter states no benefits are available.
The photos included consist of five images of David, profiling the squamous cell cancer tumor on his neck, spanning from March 4, 2009 to the day he passed away, July 21, 2009.
The initial review states the reason for a decline of benefits is that the treatment in question (David's chemotherapy) by Southwest Oncology would be considered "investigational, experimental or for research purposes" . The photos are relevant to your second review in that they reveal, without a doubt the successful and complete shrinking of the very large tumor. Let the photos show the very sound and relevant treatment plan carried out by the professionals of SW Oncology.
It was their long-lived body of experience, their qualified and competent skills as doctors, not to mention their up-to-date knowledge base (in a field moving at break-neck speed, that of oncology), that their plan of treatment for David was as successful as it was for entirely shrinking his large tumor. Their methods were, in my opinion (and I have lost my partner and best friend here), sound, safe and not based on experimental purposes or for the purpose of research and investigation. Rather, they were based on experience and education, not to mention the mysterious yet valid skill-set of intuition; an important ally for all doctors. As I say, in a field of information moving as fast as oncology, it is a doctor's key responsibility to go with the best plan for the condition, whether it is or is not yet widely accepted by "most doctors" as your letter indicates. And they must balance that, at every moment, with the "approved" or " accepted" mainstream, which, we all know comes with faults, such as being even slightly outdated.
The motive for treating David with Abraxane/Erbitux is that it was in the best interest of the patient, your client, David La Chapelle, as it exposes the rest of the body systems to the least amount of unnecessary toxicity. Given the mission statement repeated in each of the letters I have received from your offices, you "have made customer service of (y)our top priorities". If that is true, I am confident you want for your clients what doctors want for their patients: sound, safe treatment. Anything else would be a disservice to the customer you are so very dedicated to keeping a "high priority".
Thank you for the time you have given to reading this letter. Please consider me available for any further questions anytime.
Sincerely,
Ananda Elise Foley
Designated Representative for David La Chapelle
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tears from a deep place, thoughts...
How to be with all these things in one body, in one heart... joy for your release, grief for my loss, fist-shaking at God, gratitude for your life....
How to let go, I got to love you like crazy only to have your life veer away from mine
What to do with the questions I have for the day I can sit face to face with God
The songs we sung, your voice
The field created in your presence, unique, un-reproducable.... life blood for so many of us
Your heart still holding mine but the distance makes that easy to forget
The finality, no going back, to the day the infection set in.... reverse the events that started cancer growth in the first place
So many things I cant touch, let alone change about the trajectory, or your life circumstances that set the conditions.
The loss of our friendship, always you felt like family, my best friend
Im fine so much of the time, and in the taxes and legal paperwork I loose sight of the person you are. Your name becomes associated with the mountain of work I wonder if I'll ever summit...
But you are the BE- ing, the life I no longer get to share... That is painfully clear some times more than others, today especially... I've just come from crying deep and hard for the fullness of the loss
When will you just walk through the door, when will we pick up conversations begun, never revisited?
Where does your soul live now that you are free from the body?
How do i know you still love me? or hold me?
No going back, unbearable...
I love you
Ananda
Oct 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
RIP David
Photo I took at Yosemite memorial ...
...how's that for being touched by an influencial life?
Reid Tippets of Alaska
...how's that for being touched by an influencial life?
Reid Tippets of Alaska
David student carries her practice, shares with others
The Rita Lila: a Western Yogini's Journey to Bliss by Rita Ann Shankara is the story the author meeting her teacher, Basil (David La Chapelle) in Ashand, OR in 2003 and the unfolding journey his teachings in her life offered. Over the last several years, she's developed a strong spiritual practice and found remarkable balance in her life from the headaches, insomnia and habitual patterning that earlier kept her from experiencing full radiance and service in the world.
Recent Interview with Rita Ann on YouTube
click on book cover for link to buy book
Recent Interview with Rita Ann on YouTube
click on book cover for link to buy book
Sunday, October 11, 2009
dream on evening of birthday
I had a dream about David -- Very tender, saying that this time around (he was back from heaven) he would just allow life to occur (he wouldn't fight it; even the cancer). It was very sweet teaching --allowing life to occur. Love, Cynthia
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