Remembering Sharath Jois

Hello Friends,

There was sad news last week. Sharath Jois, my beautiful teacher of over 20 years, died on 11 November, aged 53.

This has been a shock and for so many of us who knew him (and also many who did not), there is deep sadness. He was light, clear, steady, kind, and funny. He was full of love. He loved his family, loved nature, and loved his students. And we loved him.

I’ve been looking at a lot of social media posts where many of my peers and friends are expressing their grief, their love, and their gratitude. I’ve been thinking how amazing it is that one humble person could have connected with thousands of people in such a way that feels so personal and so important. We share photos of ourselves beside him, as symbols of our connection. If you go looking, you’ll see it, thousands of photos just like mine.

Sharath always said you should have one guru for your whole life. Only a few years my senior, I thought he would be around for more of mine.

Since news of his death came to me on Tuesday, I had been noticing how, now that he is no longer living in external form, his presence within me and in my life (and within so many others) is crystallising. That’s what happens when we lose someone. We come to know more clearly how they live within us.

I’m no great master of ceremonies, but still, I would like to invite you to join us at the shala at 9:15am on Saturday 30 September to remember Sharath Jois. We’ll do a small ceremony, some chanting (optional of course), and I will make some chai. All are welcome, even if you aren’t practicing with us currently. Please RSVP so that I know how much chai to make.

In Love and Light,

Amanda