September 17, 2005
Dear Sangha,
As many of you already know, one of our dear friends and vajra brothers, Fred Williams, is very sick and most likely nearing the end of his life. Anne Kerry-Ford and others are working to organize a practice situation where we can support Fred during this time.
Currently Fred is experiencing tremendous physical pain, although his mind is very good. Until a practice situation is organized and announced, please include Fred in your tonglen practice.
September 19, 2005
Dear Sangha,
This is an update about the schedule and practice that will be happening as we support Fred and Lynn through Fred's process of dying. Below is a letter from Anne Kerry Ford who is coordinating the practice situation and communicating directly with Fred and Lynn.
In addition to the practice that will be happening at Fred and Lynn's house described in the letter below, there will be daily practice at the Ojai Valley Dharma Center led by Patrick Sweeney beginning Wednesday, September 21 at 6:30pm. On Wednesday Patrick will be initiating the view and practice relating to how we can support Fred during his process of dying, and the practice will continue as long as it needs to. The emphasis of the practice will be the Padmasambhava Guru Yoga, Protector Chants, and tonglen. All community members are welcome, regardless of their level of practice.
Letter from Anne Kerry Ford:
Dear Sangha,
Today is Monday and it is 4:30 as I write this. Currently, Fred is on his way home from the hospital, where hospice care has been set up for him.
His physical pain has been eased by the medication he is being given, and right now he appears lucid and relaxed. The sangha has been invited to practice at Fred and Lynn's house beginning on Tuesday, September 20. A simple shrine room with cushions has been set up in their living room where people can practice. Initially, practice will be happening from 12 noon to 6 PM, and people are encouraged to come and go as necessary. As the situation progresses, the practice will gradually stretch to 24 hours, around the clock. The practice will be shamatha and tonglen and is open to everyone.
I know Fred appreciates the tonglen people have been doing for him, and he told me that he very much wants for the sangha to practice with him at his house during this time.
Yours in the Three Jewels,
Anne Kerry Ford
September 20, 2005
Dear Sangha,
It was a wonderful outpouring of support for Fred and Lynn today. Thanks so much for all of your love and effort! Fred was very happy to see so many people and to practice with everyone. However, with so many people in the house, it can get a bit taxing. So for tomorrow the practice period will be noon to 4:30. This will be the period when people are invited to come and practice at Fred and Lynn's until further notice.
Also, a reminder about the talk by Patrick Sweeney on Wednesday at 7:30pm at OVDC concerning the view and practice of how to support Fred and Lynn during this period.
September 22, 2005
Dear Sangha,
Fred continues to do well by all accounts, and he and Lynn very much appreciate all of your support.
The Ojai Valley Dharma Center will not be available for our practice this weekend, from Friday through Sunday, because we have rented the space to the Core Energetic Institute. As a result, please continue to practice to support Fred at home. Mr. Sweeney suggests that we practice the Padmasambhava Guru Yoga, with particular emphasis on tonglen for Fred and others who are dying, and the protector chants. We will resume practice at the Dharma Center at 6:30pm on Monday.
Fred and Lynn's home remains open for practice from 12:00pm to 4:30pm for now.
September 23, 2005
Dear Sangha,
On Saturday and Sunday there will be practice at Lynn and Fred's from 12:00 to 4:30 again. Feel free to come and go until 3:30, when Mr. Sweeney will lead a formal session of the Padmasambhava Guru Yoga and protector chants. Please bring your Padmasambhava Liturgy if you would like to do the practice. We should be done at 4:30.
September 25, 2005
Dear Sangha,
Thank you for all of your effort and support for Fred and Lynn. The practice at the house has been tremendous. The warmth and stability in the environment is apparent and will support Fred well on his journey.
The practice schedule on Monday will be:
12:00pm to 4:30pm at Fred's house, with the Padmasambhava Guru Yoga and Protector Chants starting at 3:30
6:30pm to 7:30pm at OVDC, Padmasambhava Guru Yoga and protector chants.
September 26, 2005
Dear Sangha,
Fred was bright and cheerful today, a true warrior. His practice is amazing.
The schedule at the house and the Dharma Center remains the same for now.
September 28, 2005
Dear Sangha,
While Fred's body seems weaker, his mind is still clear, his awareness bright, and his sense of humor strong. He continues to teach us brilliantly through his example.
Until further notice, practice will continue as before, 12:00 to 4:30 at Fred's and 6:30 at OVDC. This weekend there is a Shambhala Education Level E, so there won't be practice for Fred specifically at the the Dharma Center during that time. Please practice at home if you would like to support the outer mandala this weekend.
October 3 , 2005
Dear Sangha,
In the last 24 hours, Fred's condition has declined dramatically. He is semi-conscious, and clearly the end is near. Lynn would like as much support as possible for Fred in his final hours, and has opened the house for practice all day and night until Fred has died. Please come practice whenever you are available.
It is important that there is at least one person holding the practice space at all times. The environment surrounding Fred at the time of death should be calm, stable, and endowed with loving-kindness, confidence and awareness. If you are available through the night, please come to the house and practice.
Unless otherwise instructed, practice should include shamatha-vipashyana, tonglen, and Vajrasattva mantra (for those who know it). And then, periodically connect with non-dual awareness and rest.
October 5 , 2005
Dear Sangha,
Fred's condition has deteriorated, and 24-hour practice continues. Although he isn't speaking, Fred is visibly inspired by the practice with Patrick and others that takes place in his room.
From now on there will be at least one practitioner holding the space at Fred's house at all times. The door is open to anyone who wants to support Fred with their practice, at any time of day. If you would prefer to support the outer mandala, please practice shamatha/vipashyana and tonglen at home or at OVDC at your convenience.
A formal practice session will take place at Fred's house every day at 5:00pm.
Following Fred's death, there will be a practice period of several days at OVDC.
October 6 , 2005
Dear Sangha,
Fred Williams died today, Thursday, October 6, 2005, at approximately 2:40pm. Throughout his death process his practice was extremely strong, and he died peacefully. He maintained awareness through his last breath, and his consciousness left his body without struggle. Noreen Morris and Avilda Moses were at his side when he died. Patrick Sweeney and Noreen performed the powa practice at the appropriate time, and Fred's heart center began to cool within three hours of his death.
Lynn, although very sad at losing her life partner, supported Fred perfectly through the end of his life. Her love for him and her appreciation for his practice created an ideal environment in which he could complete his journey. By inviting the sangha into her home, she allowed us to support Fred in his practice and to be exposed to the extremely profound teachings that Fred gave us.
Fred's body will arrive at the Dharma Center tomorrow morning. There will be continuous practice at the Dharma Center through the Sukhavati on Sunday night. After the Sukhavati, Fred's body will be cremated.
All sangha members are invited to the Padmasambhava Feast at 2:30pm on Sunday. The Sukhavati for Fred will take place following the Feast. Anyone who would like to take part in Fred's Sukhavati is invited to attend at 5:00pm
There will be at least one person at the Dharma Center at all times to attend Fred's body through Sunday.
It has been amazing to see the sangha coalesce around Fred's dying process. Your support and practice have been impeccable. I look forward to continuing the journey with you.
October 11 , 2005
Dear Sangha,
Thank you for all of your support for Fred Williams through his dying process. From the beginning of this final period of dissolution through Fred's death and Sukhavati, the sangha has manifested brilliantly. The practice in all its forms has been extremely strong, and the balance of precision, love and sacred outlook has expressed the profundity of the buddhist teachings in general, and the vision of the Vidyadhara, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in particular.
On Sunday, October 9, the vajra sangha offered a ganacakra in the form of a Padmasambhava Feast. At the subsequent Sukhavati ceremony, with over 75 people attending, Mr. Sweeney clearly pointed out the impermanent nature of samsara and the possibility of connecting with the unborn, non-dwelling and undying nature of mind, especially the aspect of love without attachment, in the midst of it. In this powerful and dignified ceremony, Fred's consciousness was encouraged to cut the attachment to his former embodiment as Fred and move forward to the next phase with fearlessness. After the ceremony, Fred's body was removed from the shrine room, and has been cremated.
Lynn has expressed her tremendous gratitude for the support that has been offered during this time. I would like to also thank her for her generosity and love in allowing us to participate in Fred's death. It has been a profound teaching for all of us.
In the three jewels,
William
|
