Re: Acharya Luna

Last month, I called my wife, Sue at home to tell her how deeply touched I
was with Acharya Luna, who was directing the 2007 Vajrayana Seminary. I told
Sue how I couldn't believe how a person could be both so gentle and have
such a strong core. Sue, who already knew him said,"Oh yes, Simon's a
mountain!" I mentioned the same thing to Acharya Rosenthal, who said, "Of
course! He has completely embodied the view! How else could he be?"

Simon was the perfect example of a shinjanged meditator. His devotion and
loyalty to Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham was deep and joyful, and his
every movement was marked by kindness, patience and humor.

On a personal note, I learned a lot from him -- seeing how humility and
confidence could be joined together. Although I was a rookie faculty member
at Vajrayana Seminary, Simon asked me to instruct the new tantrikas in the
Primordial Rigden Ngondro. He offered me the teacher's chair and microphone
and sat by my side --- and almost every time I asked him if he had something
to add, he would nod to me, indicating that I was doing just fine. He was so
gracious and humble, because he had nothing to prove or protect. His
egolessness was the true dharmic display.

One thing I will always remember is how he started so many meetings and
talks with a spontaneous and touching contemplation that brought our hearts
and aspirations together, on the spot. These were such skillful offerings --
so tremendously grounding and profound.

Simon walked the walk, thereby fully carrying forth the lineage of the
Sakyongs. This is a huge loss for Shambhala and the world.

Please do tonglen for Simon - one of the most beautiful human beings I've
ever met.

With Love,
Alan Anderson