The Passing of Ish (“Ishwara”), aka Steve Futral

It has been 20+ years since seeing Ish.
This sad news brings vivid memories of Tail of the Tiger Days. He seemed to be always all inclusive without any phoniness.
Heart to heart. Weighty in good qualities.
Thank you and may your travels go well…
Lights lights light….and I hope we meet again.

Offerings of light were made for Ish at Vajra Vidya in Crestone, CO and Pema Ösel Ling in Watsonville, CA:
The offering of light symbolizes dispelling the darkness of ignorance and increases merit and especially wisdom – from the practical wisdom of knowing what to do and not to do up to the realization of wisdom mind. Light is particularly beneficial when offered on behalf of those who have passed away, helping them find clarity in the bardo and guide them toward positive rebirth and awakening.
As Lama Tharchin Rinpoche said:
“When we offer light, the results are the realization of Clear Light wisdom phenomena in this life; the clarification of dualistic mind and the dispersal of confusion … and the increase of wisdom in each lifetime until one has reached enlightenment.”

A Light Offering Prayer by Thinley Norbu Rinpoche:
I offer all the light that there is,
Corresponding to the Lord of Infinite Light's
Immeasurable wisdom light qualities,
As an offering of vividly illuminating light.
May I and all other beings go from the light of the higher realms
To the ultimate light of the supreme, definitively excellent state
Effortlessly and automatically
And may the illuminating light of wisdom forever blaze brightly for us all.

This was written at the request of Sonam Chödzom by Thinley Norbu in front of the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal. May it be virtuous!

It was with great sadness that I heard of the great Ish’s passing. We were good friends and housemates for two years during COVID, at a time when we were essentially locked down in his house. Amazingly, we enjoyed each other’s company in a situation which could have caused friction for others, it created friendship for us. Over time, I became his caregiver and medical advocate as his health began to fail. In our last message, I told him what an inspiration he was and how happy I was to see his memoir published.

My deepest condolences to Ish’s family, Ariella, Janina, and Clare.
Fly free, my friend.

I met Ish in 1971 at the Tail of the Tiger along with his colorful band of Satchitananda students- Narayana, Krishna, Lila, and Helen. I was struck by his good looks and by his excellent tabla drumming at our evening parties. I partially loved Ish's combination of gritty Neworkerness, devotion, and playfulness. Over the years even as he struggled with illness and aging, Ish remained steadfast, rooted in the dharma. He did not hide outing he was not pretentious, but he showed up as he was -genuine, human, vulnerable. I will miss seeing him.

It is with deep sorrow that we share that on Saturday, December 6th, our father life-long artist and poet, Stephen Ira Futral aka Ishwara, passed away in Boulder, Colorado surrounded by his loved ones, all his favorite music, a rosy cotton candy sunrise over the Rocky Mountains, readings on death and dying, songs sung by his daughters, surprise visits from very old friends, and as much humor as we could muster.

Stephen was a student of Swami Satchidananda, as well as a life-long student of his root guru Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, friend and student of the Vajra Regent, and a member of the Boulder and Crestone sanghas.

We have felt him in the rustling of the leaves, the hawk floating in the sky, the coyote spotted in the morning, and the little breadcrumbs he leaves us from his new adventure.

Got to know “Uncle Ish” and Claire at Karme Choling, ‘78 Seminary and then once we were all in Boulder. Wonderful family. Always enjoyed Ish’s humor and indomitable spirit. I suspect his wings will be fully extended. Adios, amigo. 🙏❤️

It's funny how certain situations in life stay with us. I met Ish@ our Seminary in 1978 at the Balsams in Dixville Notch, NH along with his then wife Clare & family. Being married with a family we shared the section of residence that was dedicated to families. Along with Bob & Lindy King with their kids, quite a wing. I immediately connected with Ish, our backgrounds were somewhat similar, I too originally in my spiritual career was a student of Swami Satchidanada, though I grew up in Southern California, I came from New York and had an immediate affinity with Ish. I being Italian-American and Ish being of Jewish heritage we both connected appreciating food, family, music and of course loving the Regent. The recollection that I recall was when we had a day off. Ish was going down to NYC, he was planning on picking up bagels, which I hadn't had a NY bagel since I was a kid visiting my grandparents in Brooklyn. When he returned with the bagels he also brought back bialys. Turning me on to what a bialys was. His generosity was so endearing. To this day when i buy a bialy, the memory of Ish still pops up.
I hadn't connected with ish until a number of years back on Facebook, we reconnected, sharing our lives since seminary, then again when a friend attended the 2017 or 2018 PTR-West, meeting Ish who then finding out that he knew me, sent his regards. Good-bye dear friend and thanks for the Bialys!

Oh Ish! Glad you published the memoir before you took off. What a complete and seasoned character and practitioner. Looking forward to seeing you next time.

I met Ish at a Profound Treasury Retreat in Crestone in 2019. His open and playful nature made it easy to relax and connect with him. I felt like we were old friends from our very first encounter. He nudged me to take a risk and deepen my commitments to this lineage. I am so glad I did.
I was an early reader of a draft of his memoir. Reading it I completely resonated with scenes from his early childhood and so much more. When reading his words I can hear his voice.
He was a frequent participant in a study circle over the last years. So often he used humor to make a point about dharma or life. Ish was a great artist and I am glad to have a colorful painting/drawing of his on the wall.
I will miss him.

Steve Futral aka Ishwara "Ish" a name given to him by Swami Satchitananda, translated by Steve as "Lord of the Universe", an apt name for him. He was early on, a skinny Hindu yogi and later in life a very enormous, Ratna-Ish Sangha member. A prolific artist, as a jeweler, painter, calligrapher. I knew him initially in Boulder in the early days and later in Crestone.
He was on stage with the Swami at Woodstock. Always good with a pun or a joke, a great sense of humor.
Thank you Ish, travel safe!

Knew him for many many years, through his close connection with the Vajra Regent since Swami Satchitananda days when it was Ishvara and Narayana.
Never lost his sense of humor, through all the physical challenges he faced. Happy that I got to visit with him in Crestone last fall, watching the videos of him at Woodstock, seeing the art he never stopped creating. A journey of light and awakening ahead, the wish for Ish.

I knew Steve from the old days in Boulder. He was always there at gatherings and at RMDC. A good guy, great sense of humor, clear mind.
Frankly, I’m a little surprised and delighted that he lived this long, since I remember him as a somewhat physically overly large person. A unique character and always a valuable asset to the community. Sayonara and sweet travels, my friend.

I wrote this about a dream when I woke this morning. Then, I saw about Ish, so, it’s for him.

Reality Bleeds A Dream

A dream I just had so long and complex,
with my Buddhist sangha in surreal environs,
together again as we once were, mixed with
the hippie milieu in a structure that was more
than a tent but less than a building, communing
together, why was I there? I moved through the
dream fascinated by what I was seeing, got some
good food awkwardly on small dishes and sat
down at a table with Ken Campbell, a dude long
gone that I hadn’t seen for decades, he said my
name and I woke up.