Jack Niland, a dear friend and sangha member, passed away today in New York City. Jack (and Sara Kapp) were my closest friends when we all lived in Karme Choling in the early 1970's. Jack is the lineage holder and, in many ways, the creator of Dharma Art. He worked closely with Trungpa Rinpoche and was a pure "sponge," absorbing Rinpoche's teachings and creativity and expressing all he learned through banners and art that are still in use today in the Shambhala communities. He was a true pioneer and created a path for future pioneers to tread in style.