Memorial Eureka Lodge, Silverton

Silverton memorial pamphlet. Click to enlarge.

Katrina & Jolynn singing Ocean of Mercy written by Julie Pigott in August 2008, almost exactly a year from today, at the last retreat of ours in this room ....their singing, so beautiful

Refurbished miner's lodge just over the Animas river, big deck. About 40 of us. Tender

Blurry image, but so was the day. So much happened today. Shared from my heart, sang, held space, welcomed creative guests; musicians, elder blessings, prayers, chants, talented food artists, poems and personal sharing

Kyle read something heartful he had written.

arn't iPhones great....

{ many more moments, time-treasures without photos happened here}

with Terri, kind hearted owner & rescuer of the lodge

Re-packing the car

Punyavati (Lisa), C. Foley, me, Dillon

Looking Amma-blessed, as David would say

Sweet sweet day. More photos to share, this for now.

Rich, full and fun

Reverent, timeless and loving

it's tomorrow now (12:15am)

and everyone keeps saying to "take care of yourself"

so better go to bed

blessings

Hands, Altar & baby Randy

David's hands after his spirit flew free, June 21 2009

In the kind doctor's office, Durango, CO

David's altar at home. His ashes are in the center surrounded by many photos of various ages throughout his life. Today will be our local memorial, a gathering in the space David's retreats were held on the Animas River, Silverton Colorado, with friends old and new.

Photos on the altar:

Randy (David) La Chapelle, weeks old

Not intentional, noticed these three images on the altar have something in common.

Love that image of David dancing in the Addicott's loft. The others from that same moment are treasures too... will look for them and hope to post. Surrounded by Ammachi and St Francis

Piece for Thursday's Silverton Standard

For local paper:

Silverton Didn't Get Chance to Know David La Chapelle

by Ananda Foley

Mt Rainier, WA

Spring 2004

When Silverton lost community member and "legend" Dolores La Chapelle, she had lived in town over 30 years and had built many connections and friendships over time. Now that her one and only son, David, has been lost from our community, many locals don't know what they missed. David is a legend in his own right and we are fortunate to have his lingering contributions, even for as brief as they were offered. And if we are open to the idea of the continuation of the soul, David's blessing may still be available to us.

I met David in 2003, in Ashland OR where we were brought together by mutual friends. Two weeks prior, I was held in a large ceremony marking my 30th birthday, where I spoke publicly to 50 or so people, with personal declarations of gratitude and of the steps I was initiating into a new chapter of my life. Something big was on the horizon and I was requesting compassionate witnessing from my support circle to help shine light in the new direction I was headed. In this circle, among other things, I publicly welcomed my spiritual partner, yet to show up, who was just around the bend. Two weeks later David was in my life. It was then I began traveling with him and contributing to his mission with my own gifts. We worked harmoniously together and I know I will miss this enormously.

I can still remember in those early days of getting to know each other, his focus on my every motion. It was incredibly exciting and intimidating. Over the years, I have heard the same from countless people, and that is because of his remarkable gift as a "seer". People report how very "seen" they feel by David, how his vision goes right to the essence of the soul (rather than the surface activity on the personality level). This gift, he brought to Silverton school students in the form of spontaneous, unique soul-stories based on each of their individual inner landscapes. And he offered council to several Silverton friends who were able to attend local retreats we held over the last few years at the Eureka Lodge.

Being raised on a glacier, David's clairvoyant capacities developed spending hours engaged in solo play, bathed in the crystal clear vitality of pure earth-force. As he matured, his philosopher's mind deeply longed for understanding for the mystical experiences of great beings. He constantly studied the lives of saints, holy persons and servants of humanity.

David started explaining his findings to others at a young age, and so began his life-long service of teaching and authoring of several books on the science of the mind, the natural world as sacred teacher, and ancient yogic practices for tracking the subtle layers of consciousness. He helped others learn, experientially, how this physical human realm serves as a "classroom" for the advancement of each soul and how to cultivate the unique creative gifts we each bring to the world. Over the years, his venues grew to hold larger and larger groups and he would travel between dedicated communities of practitioners in multiple cities, spanning several states including AK & HI.

Even during David's illness, he continued to serve his students; sending out teachings thru emails, receiving visitors from all over the country and sharing his artwork and written word; some remain in-the-works, and will soon be published.

His professional artistic creations include a series of paintings for each of the 64 hexagrams of the ancient I Ching; a series of photo-collage images based on segments of the Zohar, an ancient Hebrew text; as well as published cards, books and calendars of his colorful uplifting images. His art can be viewed on his website www.umya.com which will continue to operate.

Services for celebrating this remarkable man will be offered Sunday August 9th. 3PM at the Brokering's Eureka Lodge, Silverton, CO (Parking limitations require car pooling or lower lot parking) Close friends will offer main ceremonies. Friends and family will be invited to share during a talking circle.

More unfolding of David's life contributions and quality of his being are happening at:

http://celebratingdavid.blogspot.com

Dolores and David La Chapelle in front of Cement St. home June 2004 Photo: Ananda Foley

from: Stephen

Wed. Aug. 5, 2009

Dear Ananda-ji,

The idea of compiling and organizing retreat notes for the two Hawaii retreats I attended, and the one Alaska retreat, is burning in my mind. I believe A mentioned the idea, with you responding positively. Are you still feeling that way?

My original thought was to type my hand written notes, then supplement with notes from others, just as I did for the Silverton retreat notes.

Another idea is to transcribe iPod recordings from the retreats, adding some organization to help make the reading more smooth. To help make the reading more coherent, I may piece some of the common threads together to break a bit of the temporal order, much as I did for the Silverton notes. Having the recordings would remove any problem associated with incomplete or incorrect note-taking.

I believe there were extensive recordings made during the retreats I attended. Do you have them?

So in summary, if you are interested, my offering is to participate in the process of compiling some of the David's retreat notes to help spread the teachings amongst his circle, and beyond. If you feel I am stepping into a process that is better served by others, then please do not hesitate to let me know.

I hope you are well and find the unending paperwork and organization gaining some control. I look forward to seeing you in Yosemite.

Love,
Stephen

Sir Stephen

You have my most complete and loving blessing for this undertaking
I couldnt think of a better person to carry the essence of David's teachings from audio to comprehensive notes available for others to benefit

Your love and humble approach are in the spirit of David and what he would want

My only reservation reading your email was the crash of some illusion I had that I was going to get to do the transcribing and rendering myself (someday) but I can tell you, about a month or so ago, one day, I was thinking of all the potential around David's and my creative contributions
and I had this clear thought/ inner voice that said "with all there is to manifest, of your potential endeavors, when an alignment and enthusiasm for service shows up, in someone wanting to take on a particular piece, bow gratefully, and turn over unnecessary claim"
.... or somethign like that
It was so clear

I couldnt think of a better example than exactly your idea

I will do my best to send you an mp3 or two as soon as possible
but it may be that it waits until after this Silverton memorial Sunday

gratitude for your recent visit my friend

Ananda

Sun-lit Reciprocity

I took this image in David's "last" retreat, in terms of speaking to a large circle (about 30). Addicott's loft November 2008, Ashland Oregon

I remember his heart, how touched by the way he, and we, were held and truly loved that weekend, and in general.

Something in particular I remember David confiding in me after the passing of his mother, communicated with such a tender heart, was that he was so pleased her last month was spent "going receptive".... receiving her community, welcoming the gifts, becoming humble and supported by the hardy and compassionate residents of her small town, Silverton. He continued, that it filled his being knowing she had that good month.

His only regret; was that she didnt get to be in that "wash" of reciprocity longer (her community and the world allowed the chance to offer back and recognize all her contributions) ... if only she'd spent several months in that experience. To really let it transform her and bless her.

It was important to him

And here is this sun-lit image of a man, letting in the regard, earned respect and softest softest love-waves one could ask for.

One of the first times I met David was on this property, an enchanted place. He met the stewards of this land years before and they offered him their "barn" to teach in. He thought "BARN...?" and then pictured the worst. When he was actually in the space, he soon learned the barn they were referring to was/is a temple space, a heavenly white lofty place, a retreat overlooking cottonwoods-surrounding-a-coi-filled-pond-laced-with-flowers-and mosses-place. Well that was the beginning of a long love, regenerated each and every time he would come to town, offer teachings, feel the love, and travel on along.

Well magical places like this don't just sit there, being sweet for the fun of it...

It constantly infuses and "twitterpates" (a David LaChapellian term he invented long before Twitter)... where was I?.....

oh yes, the land was twitter-pated long enough to bring two familiar souls together (again).

For it was here, we first really talked. We walked, "remembered" our connection. And it was here we returned (after a year of living in a house in town then moving into storage to travel) over and over again to stay for extended periods with Warren and Suzanne. A little family was formed and we took care of each other in small ways.

In June David and I learned that Warren's liver was working hard on cancer. And on July 11, in the earliest of the quiet hours his being merged with Existence, his body died and the life of his beloved changed instantly.

When we found out, David and I drew pause-breaths, held the love they shared, the joy, creativity and beauty Warren brought the world, and Suzanne's heart letting him go.

When I think back on the proximity of dates these wise and important men passed (and there are the others choosing these times to serve, I believe, from close co-existing dimensions) it could be that Warren aided David possibly... offered tender guidance... that an unchanging thread of existence lives on and that he was safe, is safe, to let go.

We all believe differently about "the other side", I offer my own spin from observation, intuition and initiation. Just another curious moment in witnessing this complex universe of ours. Ananda

Announcing...

Announcing the birth of
Drake Fisher Wier

August 2nd 7:52 AM

Weighing in 8 lbs 12 ounces

to Ashland community members Karsten & Eugene

Drake's full name is Drake Fisher Tej ( sanskrit for light, radiance and illuminated) Wier.

Karsten writes in her announcement email: "i was actually very much kidding about naming him barack, sorry guys..."

Cute.

From: Karsten

Subject: RE: introducing..... the dreams

To: ananda@jeffnet.org

a few days before [David] passed away, i had a dream that he had passed away, or it was strongly implied through images of a memorial service. afterwards, i sat on a surface level with him in a lucid state, knowing very well that i was speaking with his soul or light body (told to me in the dream) he was younger, strong, and had a clear powerful voice. i remember being shocked at how much strength his words held. his tumor site was shriveled, and i could not help but liken that energy to the christ' s wounds after ressurection. much like it was there as merely a symbol of an earthly body, but did not hold much REAL significance. David's eyes were so bright! They clearly were of another world, and saw expansively. We talked for what seemed like hours, and I only wish that I remember more of the conversation! What I do remember was that he commented on the child within my womb ( which he really had not done before). He told me that this child was divinely connected, and that there was much importance in his life on earth, as well as destiny for his entry into our family. It seemed very important. Drake Fisher Tej Wier entered the world after a long thunderstorm the night before. He was born quickly, much like lightening, in the caul, which among many cultures is thought to be auspicious. He also has unique stars on his feet and a lightning bolt "angel kiss" on his forehead. When I had darshan with Amma while I pregnant, it too felt like lightning. Even though David passed away over a week before Drake was born, I felt him connected into my child and our birth. I continue to feel him strongly.

The last dream I had was a few nights ago. There was a group of his students standing in a circle. David' s spirit was more translucent this time, but still had form and was speaking more telepathically. He walked right through each student in a clockwise direction and told us he was still spending time working with us in a alternate time space reality. He also said that he could stop in a person for longer periods of time, to work with them. This however could feel fairly intense for that person, and was among permission. He stopped in an older man who I did not know ut was standing to my left.

I hope this is appropriate to share with you, feel free to blog if you think that it would be helpful.
love to you, karsten

Obituary: Durango Herald

Obituary: Durango Herald

Silverton resident David La Chapelle died from complications of throat cancer in Durango on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. He was 56.

Known as "Randy" as a child, he was born to Edward R. and Mary Dolores Greenwell La Chapelle in Denver on Oct. 8, 1952. He and one other child were taught in a one-room schoolhouse by his mother in Alta, Utah, during the winter months, and he attended public school in Kirkland, Wash., during the rest of the year.

Mr. La Chapelle spent summers with his parents in a small cabin on the Blue Glacier in the Olympic Mountains and learned the complexities of glacier research. Mr. La Chapelle later attended Woodside Priory in Northern California and the University of Washington for a short time.

"David's quest for knowledge and research continued throughout the entirety of his life," his companion and caregiver, Ananda Elise Foley, wrote.

His parents moved to Silverton about 30 years ago for avalanche research. After their divorce, Mrs. La Chapelle became well-known for her writing and teaching in the San Juan Mountains until her death in January 2007. At that time, Mr. La Chapelle and Ms. Foley moved into her Silverton home.

Married Amy Stevenson in White Salmon WA, 1971- 79

From a young age, Mr. La Chapelle was an expert skier and wilderness guide. He later took more than 200 groups into the wilderness.

He was trained in a variety of body therapies and yoga psychology, received eight years of clinical supervision in psychology with a physician and was initiated into Native American healing traditions by John Fire Lame Deer, a Lakota medicine man.

In 1981, he co-founded Wellspring Partners in Health, a holistic medical clinic in Boulder, where he had a private practice as a transpersonal psychotherapist and spiritual counselor. Throughout the 1980s, he was an adjunct faculty member teaching group process at Naropa Institute and directed the counseling program at the September School, a private high school, both in Boulder.

In 1988, he moved to Juneau, Alaska, where he continued his work with groups and where "Stories of the Soul" became the focus of his work. His creative focus turned to writing, and his books included Navigating the Tides of Change, Mountains of Light, A Voice on the Wind, A Hymn of Changes and The Storyteller's Mirror.

Married Shar Fox in Juneau, Alaska 1988- 93

He also had long-term relationships with companions Maggie Jacoby and, since 2003, Ananda Elise Foley.

Mr. La Chapelle is survived by his companion of six years, Ananda Elise Foley, of Silverton; his father's companion of 25 years, Meg Hunt, of Olympia, Wash.; and several aunts and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, in Silverton. Regional services will are being held in Boulder CO, Ashland OR, Seattle WA, Sonoma, CA, Princeton NJ, Alaska, and in Yosemite National Park in California during August.

Memorial contributions to help pay for the medical expenses accrued during his care are gratefully welcomed by Ananda Foley, P.O. Box 542, Silverton, CO 81433

Memorial in Silverton

Hi Friends
Please reserve the afternoon of Sunday August 9 to join in remembering David La Chapelle in Silverton. The location and times will be posted in the Standard, go out in another follow up email and be posted on this blog.

Please feel free to forward and make announcements to people who would like to know about this event.

Kindly, Ananda

Note of Service from JH

Hi, Thank you all so much for organizing this.
I wanted to let you all know that I would really like to help with anything needed. I'm open to flying out early to help set up, buy groceries, make airport runs, whatever is useful. I could also stay late, and fly back from Yosemite monday or tuesday. Please just let me know how I could be helpful. I'm so with you all right now.

So Much Love, J H

Heartfelt Thanks from Ananda & Lexi

Lisa, we took this picture just for you! Lexi and Ananda saying "Thank YOU Lisa" to the camera...nestled between the mountains of Silverton. Lexi's visit was supportive, loving and intuitively led. She brought her heart, her hands, her multitude of gifts and a whole lot of love. I consider these gifts from both of you because you made her trip happen. We held you in our hearts during a sweet mountain walk among the wildflowers yesterday afternoon. Your arms stretched all the way here, to hold me in this gesture. For that we both love and thank you dearly.
Love, Ananda and Lexi!!!

Assembling for Ananda's Constellation: Much Sorrow and Much Joy

Ananda and Momma Cheryl

By Karen:
This gathering created a Constellation (Bert Hellinger Approach) for Ananda, held by Lexi. There appears to be much joy in these photos below. There was indeed much joy... intermingled with an infinite amount of shared sorrow, laughter, tears, shaking knees, clutched hands, opening, holding, chaos, time, roots, representation, form, formlessness... a road map of Ananda's grief. Not something we will soon forget.

Kelly

Karen, Devin, Kyle, Kelley, Kara, Becky, Cheryl, Margie

Becky

Margie

Lexi

Cara and Ananda

Kyle and Devin

The Phoenix, from Adi

Dearest Ananda,

I have been thinking much of you, while the news of David's body gone sink in...many things come to mind, the most potent of which are your selfless giving to David and his selfless giving to others.

A meditation I wish to share. On the night of David's passing, at the circle Jan offered at her house, and while sitting down to meditate on David, the image of a Phoenix came to me... Phoenix, I have found out is a bird of the sun, worshipped in Egypt, Christian and Jewish faiths. It is the bird of death and rebirth.

PHOENIX
"Phoenix, hear my heart's desire.
Fill me with renewing fire.
Renew my body, mind and soul.
Loving Phoenix, make me whole.

Keeper of the Fire of Creation

Represents death and rebirth.
Transformation and Regeneration.
Protector of all fire.

This totem gives hope in the midst of despair.
Helps you transform your life into something purer
and brings you closer to spiritual awareness.
Call upon the Phoenix for strength and renewed energy when facing trials of life.

Symbolizes the Sun, dying every night to be reborn with the dawn.
The Chinese believe that the Phoenix has been sent to Earth
to help the development of mankind. Known as the Feng-Huang.

The Phoenix that I know is a traveler
going through the inky vastness of space;
it can take mortal form when it wants to -- during one of my lifetimes as a large red bird."

We are deeply saddened by his passing. We hold you sweetly in our hearts and we send light and love for you and David's spirit.

I love you,
Adi

Thoughts from J

My dear precious Ananda,

Our ouija board friends have heard from David. He said, "There is no death, exclamation point. There is only the taking off of the old physical overcoat, and letting the soul soar free".

I'm so excited to know that the contact is already happening. My late husband did the same thing with the ouija board connection and it only got better as 'time' went by.

I love you so much, DearHeart, and cherish the sharing we had at Merci Hospital.

Always and always, in whatever Dimension,

J

Thoughts from a friend

hello Ananda, I am an old friend of David's

I have been kept abreast of hiss medical condition pretty steadily in
these last months. I had a vivid dream the night before he died so I was not surprised to
hear that he had passed. David and I were old, what I would call Namaste friends, but not
close, though we had spent some of fun spiritual exploring together.

Dream: very very simple. David is standing in front of me. He is
standing tall and not stooped over. And he is just beaming. He is
beaming with a smile on his face and his whole body is healthy and
vibrant and also beaming. He is happy in the deepest sence. The "voice
" in the dream says, "Look, David has had a complete healing. It is
what he wanted."

It was a very direct dream and not at all ambivalent.

I send you my love at this sad time for you and also my appreciation
for all you did to make him happy and comfortable in his last months
and probably years. His love for you and yours for him changed his
life completely. I amsure you know this. Much love to you as you move
throughthis time.

Namaste, F