Tribute to Simon Luna

Dear Good Family and Good Friends,

15 August, 2023

Life has gone on without Simon physically here, but not a day goes by that he is not in my heart. So many events, life changes, and sometimes a lot of mental and/or physical anxiety and pain and I reach out to him. He always answers me. I trust that he is close by as our lives move on with so many mixed emotions. The world has changed, and we seek his guidance in so many ways. He stays close by and I feel we stay connected. I feel his presence until we meet again.

Our sweet sister Juanita broke her elbow and is awaiting surgery, so that has kept her from adding to Simon’s journal this year. She hopes to add more for him in the coming weeks.

Simon’s sister,
Mary Louise

Dear Good Family and Good Friends,

23 August, 2022

15 years.  15 years?   Amazing that Simon left this world 15 years ago.  I have him in my heart and that’s where he belongs.   Still, this anniversary feels sad.  That’s selfish – so much in our world and I want to hear his soothing voice of understanding, wisdom and comfort.

Sharing at Gampo Abbey, he wrote of feelings that he was only ten years younger than our mother when she died.  And as it turned out he did not live as long as she.  Simon’s gifts of writing continue today:

I think it’s important you are aware of the turmoil of our society.  It’s worldwide.  That is a very large part of the motivation for mediation practice.   How can we be of benefit to others?  Part of that is that all the influences that manifest crazily and tragically and confusedly out there are in us.  So we begin by making peace with all the parts of our life, of our minds and hearts.  Then extend that peace and the warm of kindness to others.

He later continued:

These are strenuous days in their own way, though certainly filled with blessings.

And from a very long time ago, in my first year of college, when he was about to begin his journey that ultimately became so fulfilling:

I’m really looking forward to a fine winter.  Just being alive, sometimes, more and more often for me, being alive feels so good.

It’s been a remarkable year for many of us.  There have been global challenges, health challenges and loved ones have passed away.  As we age, we continue to be grateful for our time in this physical world.

As I noted last year, this tribute is about Simon, but I wish to update you on family news.

Last winter, Simon’s daughter Sarah was diagnosed with an early-stage cancer, different than mine.  Amazingly, she recovered well from a very successful surgery.  Sarah stays positive and is very special.

My sister is doing well.  I was anxious about writing this year’s posting, and she settled me quickly and said my words back to me, that Simon is in our hearts and that is the most important of all.  It is just a different time.  Mary Louise counseled not to be sad, and I am smiling as I write this.

Last year I shared that I had been in treatment for a very rare cancer. Treatments were extremely difficult…. and so far, successful!  I am now in remission.  Some challenges but I manage them and they have become familiar. In a few more years I am hopeful and anticipate that I will be cancer free.  Life is hard but as Simon wrote, being alive feels so good.

Please stay safe and keep your loved ones close.  I have loved hearing from many of you.  I will be thinking of all of you in the months ahead and wish you peace and comfort and good health.

With love and affection,
Juanita
Little Sister of the Sun (Sister of Simon, Joyful Sun)

Juanita Luna
juanitacluna@gmail.com
415-568-8813

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14 August 2021

Dear Good Family and Good Friends,

Another year is behind us since Simon’s passing in 2007. Our world continues full of too many heartbreaking challenges. Very often I think of you with much hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

I re-read a few letters Simon wrote many years ago, including some from his times at Gampo Abbey. What we all know about Simon and what continues to come through is that he had a very, very big heart full of much love for all of those he knew. He spoke and wrote lovingly and beautifully. He loved our world and its different cultures, loved nature and appreciated the most simple things in life.

There are themes from his writings, at different times referencing his worry about our world then that resonate today:

I’ll definitely have you in mind during this coming year, along with all those amidst the troubles of our world. It’s not that we can avoid pain and heartbreak, but it’s particularly sad to see unnecessary pain and hatred and confusion.

I do worry about our world. I haven’t kept up with any news of course but do hear bits and pieces.  Sounds a bit grim for sure. Ultimately we can’t control life, but we can move ever closer to sanity and kindness in our own lives, and share that with others. By the way, Buddhism and Christianity agree on many, many things and that’s one of them.

I think it is important you are aware of the turmoil of our society. It is worldwide. That is a very large part of the motivation for meditation practice. How can we be of benefit to others? Part of that is that all the influences that manifest crazily and tragically and confusedly out there are in us. So we begin by making peace with all the parts of our life, of our minds and hearts, then extend that peace and the warmth of kindness to others.

There is also much reference to impermanence:

It is heart-breaking to think of our parents. [This references the illnesses they suffered leading to their respective passing years earlier.]   “Asi es la vida” as Mama used to say.  Heartbreaking and sweet and very, very good. No need for regrets. Within the deepest heartbreak, there can be joy in the goodness of it all. So it is said.

Life is very precious, and impermanent. Many delights and sorrows. What I am doing in these retreats is in some way delving into the magic and poignancy of it all. And also moving gently to a place of peace and wisdom that is beyond it all, and at the same time is not turning away from any of it.

There is a contemplation in Buddhism we do several times a day which begins, “Consider all sentient beings to have been your mother or father.” It means to consider everyone with the same respect and love as we have for our very own parents, or as Mama used to say, ‘Respeto para el derecho ajeno es la paz’ — ‘Respect for the rights of others is peace.’

This tribute is about Simon, but I wish to briefly share that earlier this year I was diagnosed with a very rare cancer. I had no symptoms but after my annual routine physical, a gifted doctor decided to explore something he found curious, despite test results showing good health. An early stage, this very rare cancer was treated with aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments that were extremely difficult. I have an outstanding, caring medical team and now feel increasingly better. There are challenges ahead, but I am optimistic about beating this cancer. I am enormously grateful for the incredible support of loving family, relatives and friends. While physically hard, this has been an emotionally uplifting time for me.

My sister Mary Louise and niece Sarah (Simon’s daughter) are continuing to do well.   Simon is very present among us and we talk about him often.

I found comfort in one of Simon’s notes written at the beginning of his time at Gampo Abbey:

Tomorrow, we go through some opening ceremonies, including a hair cutting ceremony (which symbolizes letting go the things of this world), and on Saturday we begin.

I have lost much of my hair, and my brother’s words find me and calm me and make me smile.   In letters he would often refer to me as “little sister of the sun” because his Tibetan name meant “Joyful Sun.”

Please stay safe and keep your loved ones close.  I will be thinking of you in the months ahead and wish you peace and comfort and good health.

With love and affection,
Juanita

Juanita Luna
juanitacluna@gmail.com
415-568-8813

***

Dear Good Family and Good Friends,

14 August 2020

Another anniversary of Simon’s passing, thirteen years.  I think of you with hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy and protected from many crises.  The world’s heart is breaking and we are all challenged.

As is always the case with my brother, he finds me now and then and often when I am just trying to get through.  Somehow a printed copy of an old email from him was waiting for me tonight.

Simon wrote to me shortly after the 911 tragedy.  This was his last email session before his incredible retreat.   The following day would be some opening ceremonies, including a hair cutting ceremony which he explained symbolized letting go the things of this world.   The day after that he would commence his journey.

I must have written to him of the pain of the 911 tragedy in the U.S.  He responded as I think he might to us today:

I’ll definitely have you in mind during this coming year, along with all those amidst the troubles of our world.   It’s not that we can avoid pain and heartbreak, but it’s particularly sad to see unnecessary pain and hatred and confusion….My [original] buddhist teacher said it was good to love our country.  We should care for it deeply, take care of it, teach our children to respect it, to respect the land….

All my love to you…

On Simon’s birthday earlier this year, Gwen surprised us with the attached photo of Simon.  It is from a Buddhist three-month study and practice retreat in the spring of 1979 in Lake Louise, Alberta.  Gwen and her husband Jim and their daughters were friends of Simon’s in Austin and then Halifax.

More recently, Denma reached out.   Denma and Simon traveled to Machu Pichu together a few months before Simon passed away.   Denma is a vivid story teller and shared much of their journey with me.   I could listen to him for hours and hours.   Denma shared the attached photo with me as well.

Simon’s words still hearten and his photos make me smile so much that I almost laugh.

With love and affection,
Juanita

***

Dear Family and Friends,

August 14, 2019

Another anniversary since Simon’s passing, twelve years ago. My dear Simon, the world today is not the world you lived in. Your inner peace and wisdom and calming presence are wanted so much at this time. What would you tell us in how to cope with life today? There are no immediate answers but you would give us a pathway leading us to calmness when there are no quick answers and no  immediate resolutions.

I always wonder what were the major influences in Simon’s life that shaped his values and determined his life path?  I think back to his junior high and high school days.  Simon’s small bedroom was wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling books. I remember seeing Simon and my Father building the first set of shelves on one wall. Before I knew it, they were building shelves on another wall, which was filled floor-to-ceiling in a short time. Then a few months later, on the wall where there were windows, more shelves and more books under the windows.

Memorial fund: To honor Simon, we have established the Simon Luna Memorial Trust Fund. To make a donation, please make checks payable to “Simon Luna Memorial Trust Fund”, and send to: Juanita C. Luna, 355 Bryant Street, Loft 109, San Francisco, CA 94107. 100% of donations will be transferred to CTR or you may donate on the website directly in his memory. Alternatively, others have donated to their charities of choice in Simon’s name. We continue to be grateful for your tributes for Simon. Simon’s legacy continues and we extend our most sincere gratitude. Juanita, Mary Louise and Sarah.

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Simon was born April 28, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas. His parents were Maria Luisa and Simon J. Luna (both deceased). He is survived by his daughter Sarah Luna of Boulder, Colorado, and his sisters Juanita Carmela Luna of San Francisco, CA and Mary Louise Luna of Tucson, Az.This tribute page will remain on the Chronicles as a permanent memorial.

 

Simon read every single book…thousands of them. I should have talked more to him then and learned from him.   I do remember one of his favorite writers – Rod McKuen*, who wrote books, poems, and songs. His most famous book, and one of Simon’s favorites during his teen years was Stanyon Street and Other Sorrows. And I remember Simon had the album which he often played. McKuen’s first poems were about alienation, loneliness, awkwardness and love—to love and be loved and lose love. I think those poems spoke to Simon in a special way and helped create his sensitivity to people and the world around him at that time. I cannot be profound about Simon, but this is a memory from our teenage years that I always carry. And it reminds me how important it is to talk about things as they occur, and not to think that there will be time later on to talk about them. I really needed more time with him and look for ongoing messages from him…always in my thoughts.

Simon’s website on the Chronicles of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche is wonderful and will soon be updated again. We hope you will Support The Chronicles in your giving plans.

My sister Juanita usually writes the annual message, but she recently had a fall and sprained one wrist and broke her other wrist. She is not able to communicate on the computer. She is having reconstructive bone surgery this week, will be in casts for almost 8 weeks, and then several months of rehab. Please keep her wellness in your thoughts and prayers. She is staying positive, and with me, extends warm wishes.

Fondly,
Mary Louise

*Note: Rod McKuen was quite controversial. Some say he was a shallow poet and writer. Others say he was the spokesman for the 60’s generation. I think this Washington Post obit gives an objective overview of his talents. You be the judge.

Simon was a great, great person.  Eleven years of missing him.

August 13, 2018

I was grateful to be with Simon in Washington D.C. when he had his special ceremony.

While I was filled with pride and joyfulness, this was a time when I was struggling with the basis of my beliefs. At that time, the United States had initiated a war, and the institution of the Catholic Church (I was raised Catholic) was in crisis.

Simon and I went for a walk and grabbed a bite and with much emotion I shared with him how lost I felt that my entire belief systems were cracking. His understanding and words of empathy and comfort and reassurance and hope resonate with me so often today as belief systems are again significantly challenged for some.

Simon remains my inspiration today. I reflect on his teachings of meditation that day, that I referenced a few years ago to you and on his CTR website.

… find a few minutes to just sit quietly with yourself every day, even if you’re really tired! (Although mornings are usually easier.)  Feel your body and your breathing.  Or sometimes the best we can do is just feel our tired minds thinking! And after settling down a while, feel some kindness around you, coming to you, and think kindly of those we love, and send good wishes out as light rays to everyone else in this troubled world….

Simon was a great, great man.  He is fully present in my life and keeps me intact.

Simon’s website on the Chronicles of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche is wonderful.  We hope you will support CTR in your giving plans.

With love and affection to you all,
Juanita

Dear Friends and Family,

August 17, 2017

Love and affection to you this August and always.

When Sarah, Mary Louise and I lost Simon ten years ago, we felt unmoored from life. As though our ground was gone.  In time, we emerged to realize that you were all there for us, and have been since. We value you in our lives – near and far – and always grateful. We have looked forward to reconnecting at least annually in August, in memory of Simon.

Last winter I had a magical dream on my birthday, in Kyoto with Blane. In the dream I was in an unfamiliar place, and hurried and nervous, and could not get to my destination. The sun was very bright and I was on a journey, racing through a bustling, crowded area. And then I stopped suddenly to stare at a man way ahead, walking towards me. A brighter light was shining on him and it seemed as though he was a scholar.

He was full of peace, had a wonderfully happy expression, and he was focused on me. I kept staring at him, trying to focus. I dropped my belongings and walked quickly to him and when I reached him it was Simon. I was completely overcome with joy, and collapsed in his arms and felt the warmth of his embrace. I could hardly catch my breath.  And I’m still happy from this dream. On this tenth anniversary.

The Chronicles of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche has recently revamped its website, and it is wonderful.  Please take a look.  Simon’s website is more beautiful, more crisp, and as meaningful as ever.  We hope you will support CTR in your giving plans.

Ten years has been long and it has gone quickly. And every year is eventful. And challenging. And wonderful. And Simon continues to embrace us.

With love and gratitude,
Juanita

Dear Friends and Family,

Friday, August 17, 2016

Love and affection to you this August and always.

Sometime this month this note and photos will be posted on the Chronicles of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche Tribute to Simon Luna website. We continue to appreciate the great work of CTR and encourage you to support their efforts in continuing Simon’s legacy. http://chronicleproject.com/simon_luna/simon.html

Today is nine years since Simon’s passing. It’s hard to consider — he stays close. I wasn’t sure what I would write this year, and then caught a quote that reminded me of Simon. From the French author Arnaud Desjardins:

An adult is one who has lost the grace, the freshness, the innocence of the child, who is no longer capable of feeling pure joy, who makes everything complicated, who spreads suffering everywhere, who is afraid of being happy, and who, because it is easier to bear, has gone back to sleep. The wise man is a happy child.

This prompted me to take a look at a box of photos I had not opened in some time. I wanted to share two of these with you.

A wise man indeed, Simon continues to influence and inspire. During one of our visits, he guided me (a novice) with mediation instructions. He responded to my note of gratitude with:

I’m happy we shared some “glow” together from the teachings … If that meditation instruction still stays in your mind, find a few minutes to just sit quietly with yourself every day, even if you’re really tired! (Although mornings are usually easier.) Feel your body and your breathing. Or sometimes the best we can do is just feel our tired minds thinking! And after settling down a while, feel some kindness around you, coming to you, and think kindly of those we love, and send good wishes out as light rays to everyone else in this troubled world. Nice and simple and loving.

Simon often signed his emails to me — Enjoy every day of this precious life, or Enjoy your life dear sister! I think about that always.

I hope your life is nice and simple and loving these days, and that this greeting finds you enjoying life.
Much love and affection,
Juanita and Mary Louise

Link: Acharya Simon Luna and the Santiago Gong

Dear Friends and Family,

Denma’s Photos from Simon’s 2007 journey across Bolivia and Peru

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Continuing gratitude to the great work of the Chronicles of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. We are heartened that they continue to maintain this tribute to Simon. We hope you enjoy their work as much as we do, and will support them.

Many thanks to Simon’s friend Denma Peisinger who has graciously shared the photos (shown below) of his adventure with Simon in 2007. He has described his “adventurous and sometimes humorous pilgrimage across Bolivia and Peru, introducing the dralas of South America and the Dralas of Shambhala. It was a magical and intense journey that Simon often said felt like the completion of his life’s work.”

-Mary Louise and Juanita Luna

Broke down in Bolivia

 

The Path

 

Approaching the Salcantay pass 4,600meters

 

Machu Pichu 7am

 

Machu Pichu Abiding

 

Machu Pichu Rainbows

 

On the 5th Anniversary of Simon’s Passing

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Dearest Friends and Family,

We send our good wishes and keep you in our thoughts as we approach the fifth anniversary of Simon’s passing on August 14. We continue to express our gratitude to the great work of the Chronicles of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. All of their content is offered free of charge to thousands of readers and listeners around the world. We hope you enjoy their work as much as we do, and will support them.

As every year, the anniversary update will be posted to the Tribute to Simon Luna website maintained by the Chronicles. Website: https://www.chronicleproject.com/simon_luna/simon.html

It meant everything to me that Blane and I spent the week after Simon’s passing in 2007 with his loving friends in Santiago. After a few days of the most heartfelt services, Veronica and Sergio accompanied me to his home in Santiago to go through Simon’s belongings. (He was very well organized!) When we opened his suitcase that he brought on that final flight to Santiago, a handwritten note was laying on top of everything. Simon had written instructions of his wishes upon his death. All of these have now been completed.

As you know, in recent years Simon’s ashes were spread on Shambhala Mountain in Colorado and in Cuncumen, Chile. His final wish was completed last autumn thanks to the wonderful efforts of many very special friends, led by Gwen D’Ambrogi.

I have copied Gwen’s notes of that day below, and attached two of the photos she sent to us.

“On Saturday, October 22, 2011, Simon’s ashes were scattered at Gampo Abbey, Pleasant Bay, Nova Scotia. It was a beautiful warm autumn day. Jim and I, our daughter Kim, and four other old friends of Simon’s drove to the Abbey from Halifax… Most of us met Simon in Austin around 1975 and then remained friends throughout the years. In photo from left: John Sell, Jim D’Ambrogi, Steve Ritchie, Gwen D’Ambrogi (holding ashes), Karen Ritchie, Kim D’Ambrogi, Conner Loomis, and Mary Mendel. We are standing in an area in the woods above Gampo Abbey that is designated for scattering ashes. Until we saw this photo, we didn’t realize that the sunlight was centered perfectly on Simon’s ashes.

The second photo is of Pleasant Bay, Nova Scotia: Gampo Abbey is towards the tip of the cliff that you see to the distant left.

Remembering Simon: we each spoke about Simon, his big heart, generosity, sense of humor, love of life, and genuine interest and caring about people. There were some tears, smiles, and laughter that accompanied our reminiscences…It was such a special weekend. Thank you again for giving us the honor of taking Simon’s ashes to Gampo Abbey for you.”

It is compelling to consider that it has been five years since Simon’s passing. I still have not gotten around to compiling his writings, and hope I surprise all of us with this project before too long. I continue to enjoy many of Simon’s writings. His emails continue to inspire, and this year I wish to share a few notes. The first grouping is simply a list of “subjects” of some of his emails to me. It is wonderful to just glance through one of my “Cy” folders and see these titles:

“Time to appreciate what we have”
“Enlightened!”
“Knock knock knocking on heaven’s door…”
“Things working out for the best”
“Looking at the full moon!”
“Whatcha doin”
“Praying for happiness”
“Shelter from the storm”
“The gods must be smiling!”

And a couple of messages:

“It’s definitely a time to appreciate all we have, and to send good wishes and prayers to those who have less or are having difficulties.”

“In Buddhism, contemplating death is a way to help us remember our priorities, and to connect the preciousness of this magical life.”

Finally, I read this following message from him often and on this milestone anniversary wish to share it with you. It is the last message I received from him, the day before he died:

Hi Dearest Juanita,

Your message is so lovely and straight from your heart. We’re lucky to have each other in our lives!

Something about White Tara makes me feel she is a good and important presence for you in your life. In truth, she is essentially the same unconditional love we felt with mom and perhaps too with the Virgin of Guadalupe. It is the same as your heart, and our hearts together. Isn’t that fortunate to know that! Someday I will tell you more about all of this, it’s all very beautiful.

I very much look forward to a time when we can spend more one-on-one time together. I know we both wanted it to happen, but it just didn’t work out during this too short visit. All you want from me, I will find a way to share with you! And as Mama always would say to us, you are always in my heart, and I in yours.

January could be a very good possibility, but let’s see how that looks in a month or so when all the dust of our travels settle down.

By the way, there is a lovely album with Tara music called “Refuge”. It is a bit rare and hard to get it, but maybe you can find it somewhere. It is performed by Boris Grebenshikov and Gabrielle Roth and the Mirrors, and put out by Raven Recordings, PO Box 271, Cooper Station, New York, NY. I only know that because I was searching for it myself at some point.

Sleep well tonight dear sister! Dream of angels and buddhas and blessings.

Your brother, Cy

I enjoy the referenced music often, and I am grateful for all that my brother continues to share with me as he noted.

We appreciate and value your friendship, and our shared love with Simon. With best wishes for good health and wonderful spirits.

-Juanita and Mary Louise

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On the Fourth Anniversary of Simon’s Passing

August 14, 2011

Dear Friends,

We send our good wishes and keep you in our thoughts as we approach the fourth anniversary of Simon’s passing on August 14. We express our gratitude to the great work of the Chronicles of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and plan to post an update in observance of Simon’s anniversary every year.

This year brought more challenges to our lives. Keeping Simon close, we find ourselves with much hope and encouragement for better times ahead. Challenges are not new to any of us in this world, and we wish to share these inspirational writings from Simon.

-Juanita and Mary Louise Luna
Excerpts from Simon Luna’s letters to his sisters

2003:
Life is challenging, and as always, one step at a time. Mama used to say one day at a time, and when it was really difficult, one hour at a time. Maybe sometimes even one breath at a time.

May many of [your] blessings from all this rain gently into yours and Blane’s life!

2004:
If that meditation instruction still stays in your mind, find a few minutes to just sit quietly with yourself every day, even if you’re really tired! (Although mornings are usually easier.) Feel your body and your breathing. Or sometimes the best we can do is just feel our tired minds thinking! And after settling down a while, feel some kindness around you, coming to you, and think kindly of those we love, and send good wishes out as light rays to everyone else in this troubled world. Nice and simple and loving!

There is so much love in our family, and wisdom too. May it melt away all the obstacles so that we can all appreciate what we have and each other.

2006:
Stay well dear sister, appreciate every moment of this magical life, trust and share the love we have shared in our family.

-Simon

 

On the 3rd Anniversary of Simon’s Passing

August 14, 2010

Dear Friends:

Thank you to so many of you who continue to remember our brother Simon with such affection. We recently found great comfort in finding an email he sent upon his arrival in Santiago, and want to share it with you:

Well, here I am in Santiago, Chile, seemingly far away from Colorado and California. But it’s been very interesting in that as soon as I arrived yesterday (after a day in Sao Paulo, Brazil), I have been feeling very much that I’m coming home. This feels like very much the place I should be at this point in my life. And so far, this city and the new friends I’m making are very warm and receptive.

Also, it’s summertime here, and very California-like in the temperatures. So that’s been nice too. And the streets in the part of town I’m in are very safe ……. So this is just a short note to let you know that I’m safe and doing well on my new adventure ……. And now more than ever, I know this is the place I need to be.

From Simon’s sisters Mary Louise and Juanita

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On the 2nd Anniversary of Simon’s Passing

August 14, 2009

Dear Friends:

We remember our dear brother Simon on the second anniversary of his journey. We wish to express our thanks to his many friends all over the world who keep close to Simon and to us.

Juanita and Mary Louise

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On the Anniversary of Simon’s Passing

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Our first year without Simon has been full of wonderful memories, discovery, sadness, smiles and hope. At some point we found the courage to get through unexpectedly dark days. Sarah, Mary Louise and I are grateful to have connected with many of Simon’s dear friends this year. And we appreciate many donations in Simon’s memory to the Santiago Shambhala Center.

Please click on the photo below to see a slideshow from the ceremony in Chile.

In May, Dennis McMahon (Simon’s lifelong friend from San Antonio) and I rendezvoused in Colorado to join Sarah to spread Simon’s ashes. Judith Simmer-Brown led the three of us on a beautiful day’s journey at Shambhala Mountain Center. The weather was glorious. Judith was our energetic spirit, enlightening us throughout the day. The sadness of the day was further lifted in a few comical mishaps and we are certain that Simon was bringing levity to the situation.

This week Sarah and I will spend time with Simon’s very special community at the Santiago, Chile Shambhala Center. We will spend a very special day with his and our dear friends spreading his ashes in Cuncumen, the beautiful place where he had last year’s Seminary and other Shambhala programs.

Simon is still with us. Some of you have shared your “Simon sightings” in a glimpse, a look, the moon, the wind, or a dream. We miss our brother and father very much and have enjoyed hearing of your experiences. I do not dream of Simon as often as I would like, but in my recent dreams he is in his next world and very happy. He looks like he did in our world, but I recognize him in many different ways.

Simon was a wonderful writer. In the coming year we would like to assemble a collection of Simon’s writings, with a goal toward sharing them by the end of 2009 We look forward to continuing his enormous legacy.

We need your help! If you have a writing of Simon’s (in any language) that you are comfortable sharing with us, we would be enormously grateful. Any format you wish to provide is fine — copies of letters, e-mails, articles and poetry. Please do not assume we already have it. My contact information is below. I look forward to hearing from you. Much love to you all.

Juanita C. Luna
juanita.luna@mindspring.com
and/or

Mary Louise Luna
mlluna@comcast.net

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Offering for Simon Luna’s Tribute

A reminder from afar – reformatted from a letter to a friend

Once we have met the guru and the true teachings, the most important thing to keep in mind is forward vision.

Outwardly, this is remembering that we and all sentient beings have Buddha nature, and also to begin and end each day remembering the Three Jewels.

That is, remembering we are on the path.

Inwardly, forward vision is to bravely, and gently open to whatever arises. When difficulties arise, we can lean into the fire. It is the guru’s heat.

Secretly, each moment we can remember the pointing out transmission, that all our castles of conceptual mind can dissolve in an instant.

There is just that, guru’s face.

When we feel lost and far away, we cry from afar, and melt into yearning, relax into our own goodness.

Acharya Simon Luna

My friend

Simon was my friend of many years and I will miss him dearly. Although we lived in the same neighborhood while we were growing up, and although I had seen him at various times in grocery stores etc., I only actually met Simon several years later when we were both college age. We met in, of all places, a pool hall. Simon had become enamored of the game during his first year of college at University of Notre Dame. When he came home after that first year, Simon bought a full size tournament caliber pool table and put it in the garage of his parents’ house. He practiced pool like a man possessed (Simon never did anything half-way), and within one year he had gone from novice to one of the very best pool players in San Antonio. This is no hyperbole—he was that good.

I remember fondly nights spent in that garage, shooting pool and listening to Loggins and Messina on the radio. Some of these sessions would last a full day or more. I recall one night when we turned out all the lights and lit but one small candle for light. We placed the candle about ten feet from the table, and by its faint light we attempted to pocket an extremely difficult shot on the (black) eight ball. In that very darkened room, I think we imagined that eight ball more than we actually saw it. This was vintage Simon — always testing his limits.

Simon and I remained close friends all during my college days. After a brief 2 year stint in the Army, I reconnected with Simon in 1971. By this time he had begun to be involved in his spiritual journey. The fires that had powered his pool playing prowess had been redirected toward his studies of Buddhism. I remember him speaking to me of Gurdjieff (not sure of the spelling) whom he had read about in Ouspensky’s In Search of the Miraculous. We had some talks about spiritual matters and I remember attending a meditation session with him. But this was still very early in his journey. We still had some pool to play (though not as much as before). And we also had some traveling to do. In the Summer of 1971, Simon and I took a trip to visit a friend of ours in San Francisco. Upon leaving San Francisco, we drove to Washington D.C. to visit my old Army roommate.

A few memories of that trip remain vivid to me to this very day. Somewhere in the Dakotas or Wyoming, Simon suddenly pulled the car over to the side of the road. I asked Simon what was wrong. He pointed back a few hundred yards to where a young calf had poked its head through the barbed wire fence to feed on the grass on the other side. The calf had become entangled in the wire, unable to extricate itself from it. Simon calmly walked back to it and spent several minutes working the barbed wire until he had freed the calf from its misery. This simple act of kindness was at the core of Simon’s being.

At an earlier point in our journey, Simon’s car had broken down. The transmission was shot. It took us hours to get a tow into the nearest town, Yarrington, Nevada. The man who gave us a tow was a local farmer or rancher. He was a very nice man and as we talked, he told us about the area and how there had been a drought in that already driest of places. We asked how he could put up with such conditions. I remember Simon nodding sagely at his reply that “it’s just part of life.” This acceptance of all things with equanimity was another hallmark of this great friend of mine.

When we finally got to Yarrington, we realized that we were going to be stuck there for a few days while the car was being repaired. Faced with this delay in our plans, I remember Simon saying “I wish we could just poke a hole in time and then we would come out the other side exactly where we wanted to be.” I have thought about this statement many times in the last few days.

Simon and I eventually made it to Washington D.C., and spent several months there visiting with my old army roommate. It will surprise no one to learn that the two of them became very close friends. That roommate of mine, Mike Meehan of St. Louis, Mo., was also very saddened by the news of Simon’s death. Though time and distance and circumstance have conspired to keep the three of us apart for the majority of our adult lives, we all remained close friends who were always in each others hearts.

I have one other poignant memory to share. My girlfriend at the time and I spent one New Year’s Eve with Simon and Lynn. When it came time to announce if we had a New Years resolution, most of us had rather predictable and mundane resolutions. Mine was doubtless to quit smoking. Another resolved to lose weight, etc. To this day I clearly remember Simon’s resolution — “To jump as high as I can as often as I can.” Wow.

In the last three decades I had seen Simon only a few times. On those occasions when he returned to his home town of San Antonio, he would always look me up, and we would spend at least one evening catching up on what the other was doing, reminiscing about old times and, yes, enjoying our favorite beverages while playing a little pool. I remember those times with great fondness.

I have written this recollection of some of my time with Simon so that those of you who knew him from a different vantage point could see another side of him. However, it is clear that it is actually the same side. Simon’s goodness and compassion showed through in everything he ever did. He was quite simply the finest human being I have ever known I am honored to have known him. He was my friend.

Dennis McMahon

Dear Simon

We are very sad here in Petropolis (city in the mountains close Rio de Janeiro). Simon had been here two times for weekends retreats. He was friend, sweet, sensitive… An excelent master. Very familiar, very close, accessible. Simon is in my mind, in my heart.
I had been with him too, at Kadhro Ling ( Chagdud Rinpoche Gonpa south of Brazil), in retreat with Dzongsar Rinpoche.
Clear light for him.
Thank you, dear Simon. See you soon back in this dream world.
Miguel Ferreira
Petropolis – Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

Simon Luna

The clear eyes and radiating smile of interest are gone; As the sun shines, warming my yard, The inner warmth remains. jeff leroux

Sukhavati en Shambhalacalli, Tepoztlan, Mexico (bilingual – english below)

(English below)

Queridos amigos de la sangha,

El viernes 17 de Agosto, en Shambhalacalli Tepoztlan, Mexico, nos unimos a la energia de los Sukhavatis para Acharya Simon Luna que estaban sucediendo en Boulder, en Santiago de Chile y en otros centros alrededor del mundo. Nos avisaron a ultima hora y muchos de la sangha estaban fuera de Mexico, algunos en Halifax para el festival Kalapa, otros en el Centro Shambhala de las montanas en Colorado o de vacaciones. Pero nos dimos cuenta de que ya era el 3er dia de su muerte y era importante que la sangha Mexicana le hiciera un tributo a nuestro hermano Vajra, guerrero Shambhala y querido amigo: Simon Luna.

Tuvimos el honor de que Simon viajara a Mexico recientemente en Mayo y recibirmos sus ensenanzas por primera vez en Mexico (favor de ver 2 fotos incluidas). 10 de nosotros teniamos una fuerte conexion con el pues asistimos al Seminario en Chile en 2006. Simon regreso a la tierra de sus ancestros despues de una ausencia de 30 anos. El menciono muchas veces durante su visita, que era personalmente importante para el su retorno a Mexico. El parecia estar conmovido y contento por la presencia de los dralas en la tierra de sus ancestros sanguineos. Y tambien para nosotros como sangha de Shambala, el recibir sus ensenanzas de Drala y Mahamudra. – su primera y unica ocasion en que impartio ensenanzas de Mahamudra – en espanol por primera vez.

Hubieron algunos obstaculos para organizar rapidamente esta ceremonia de Sukhavati… cuando la noche llego, descubrimos que no habia electricidad en el salon de meditacion, algunas reparaciones se estaban haciendo porque nadie esperaba que el salon se utilizara esa noche. Entonces trajimos muchas velas y comenzamos la ceremonia a luz de vela. Un rato despues llego el electrico y resolvio el problema y de pronto tuvimos luz aunque las velas quedaron encendidas todo el tiempo.

Los testimonios e historias compartidas a cerca de Simon fueron abundantes y conmovedoras, todos en nuestro pequeno grupo hablo, revelando diferentes aspectos de su enorme corazon y vasta mente siempre abierta al momento. En ese instante nos sentimos completos….. tantas de sus facetas estaban presentes en el salon, entonces leimos la liturgia del Sukhavati. Su fotografia tomo tiempo en ser consumida por el fuego….. y una vez que las ultimas cenizas cayeron en el gran plato de barro Mexicano, hubo una sensacion de alivio en el ambiente…… unos minutos mas tarde el cielo comenzo a tronar y tuvimos una de las tormentas mas salvajes de la epoca de lluvias: un sonoro despliegue de las fuerzas naturales. Tan solo nos quedamos sentados en nuestros “bardos” por un rato, sin poder hablar con la persona a nuestro lado. Brindamos con vino Chileno y compartimos deliciosas botanas para desearle un buen viaje a Simon….. terminamos con un tremendo KI KI SO SO y nos fuimos sintiendonos bendecidos y con nuestros corazones tiernos y rotos.

Con carino a todos,

Geo Legorreta y Gary Hubiak

Shambhalacalli, Tepoztlan , Mexico.

Dear Sangha friends,

On Friday August the 17th, at Shambhalacalli Tepoztlan, Mexico, we joined with the energy of Sukhavatis for Acharya Simon Luna that were happening in Boulder , Santiago, Chile and other centers around the world. It happened on short notice and many of our sangha were out of town, some in Halifax for the Kalapa Festival, others in SMC in Colorado or away on holidays. But we suddenly realized that it was the 3rd day after his death and it was important that the Mexican Sangha pay tribute to our Vajra brother, Shambhala warrior and dear friend: Simon Luna.

We had had the honor of having Simon recently come to Mexico this last May, and we received teachings from him for the first time in Mexico (please see 2 photos attached from the Mahamudra Weekend). 10 of us had a strong previous connection with him from having attended Seminary in Chile in 2006. Simon came back to the land of his ancestors after an absense of 30 years. He mentioned many times during his visit that it was personally important for him to have returned to Mexico. He seemed to be particularly moved and delighted by the presence of the dralas in the land of his blood ancestors. It was also very important to us as Shambhala sangha to receive his teachings on Drala and Mahamudra – his 1st and only teachings on Mahamudra – and in spanish for the 1st time.

There were some obstacles to quickly pulling together this Sukhavati ceremony…. as it was getting dark, we discovered there was no electricity in the shrine room, repairs were being done because nobody was expecting the shrine room to be used. So we brought many candles in and we started with a candle light ceremony. Some time later the electritian came and fixed the problem and we suddenly had light, although the candles stayed on all the time.

The testimonies and stories shared about Simon were abundant and moving, everyone in our small group spoke, revealing many different aspects of his enormous warm heart and vast mind, always open to the moment. At that point we felt complete…….. so many of his facets were present in the room. Then we did the Sukhavati liturgy. His photograph took time to be consumed by the fire , turned sideways on the stick and he burned horizontal like a funeral pyre ….. and once the last ashes fell on the big clay mexican plate there was a strong feeling of relief in the atmosphere…… and within a few minutes the sky started to rumble and we experienced one of the wildest storms of the rainy season: a tremendously loud show of the force of nature. We just sat in our own “bardos” for a while, virtually unable to speak to the person next to us. We toasted with Chilean wine, feasted with some snacks for Simon’s safe journey…. we ended with a tremendous KI KI SO SO and left feeling blessed and with tender broken hearts.

With love for you all,

Gary Hubiak and Geo Legorreta

Shambalacalli, Tepoztlan, Mexico.

The most tender, funny and playful being I ever met

Simon was my teacher and my very close friend.

I learnt a lot from him but, more than learning from his teachings (he was the greatest teacher), I learnt from HIM, from his behaviour, from his way of being always open, always loving, always compassionate.

He could go from teaching a class to wetting his feet with the hose’s water to trying to save the ants that were always trying to get into his honey jar. Pooh’s honey jar, as he was a big, beary man, the most tender, funny and playful being I ever met.

Here, in Chile, everybody has been doing Tonglen for him, to accompany him in his trip, taking turns in helping and in dealing with our own sadness regar1ding his loss. We have lost the greatest man and the greatest teacher. I, personally, feel like an orphan.

A few days before coming back to Chile, he sent me a ver strange mail: he talked about how things happen when they have to happen, especially things that are important for us, about crossing thresholds, about changes he had undergone during this trip…subtle changes. I wonder if he knew something. I wonder if we will all end up learning about impermanence through his unexpected and painful death.

I loved him

I love him.

He is an inspiration for my life, always, every single day.

May he have a good transit and always be surrounded by light. He certainly deserves it.

Goodbye, dear friend

Andrea Maturana

Mister Moon

Full moon of compassion

Red moon of laughter

Blue moon of broken heart

Full moon of mahamudra

Red moon of desire

Blue moon of space

White-light moon

Clear of moon

Soft of moon

Strong of moon

Crazy moon

Great devotion moon

Great

devotion

moon

Love moon

Shine, moon, shine, moon, shine

Fred Jaben, Denver

Tribute to Simon

Simon was one of the biggest hearted, kindest and most generous people I know. I will miss him. I had thought that one day we would put the idea of a 4 Karmas Chakrasamvara Fire Puja into reality. May his great generosity and devotion speed his awakening. Hellen Newland
Since death is certain and the time of death in unknown, what is the best thing to do.
Pema Chodron, Getting Unstuck

The tributes now pouring in for Simon remind me of how, when I first began to meet some of the closest students of the Vidyadhara many years ago, they seemed to me to be like the satellites of some great sun, each reflecting that sun’s warmth and light in their own different, unique ways. Though I never met Simon, I’m glad that he had such a deep effect on so many people, and I’m personally grateful for this reminder of the power of the path.

Rick Finney

Our dear friend Simon Luna

In 1974, I was flying into Denver with the Vidyadhara. As the flight attendant announced our imminent landing, although I was not feeling particularly nervous Rinpoche leant over to me, shook my hand and said, “Well, if we crash, I’ll see you in the bardo.” Up to then, Rinpoche had said nothing at all about the possible reality of
the bardos so I was rather taken aback. Nevertheless, I asked “But how will I find you, Rinpoche?” He replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll find you.” I take this to apply to all of his students, whether they met him in this life or not, including of course our dear friend Simon Luna.

warm regards,
Jeremy

one of the sweetest

i did not know him well, but just the short time i spent with him was profound. he was one of the sweetest, most loving people i’ve ever known. he was inspiring to me, giving me a sense that meditation practice can have a deep and positive effect on a person. he was a living example of compassion and insight.

after my last retreat in vermont, i carpooled south to boston with him. what good fortune it was to spend three hours in the car. it felt like i was a small sapling and he was a cool rain. i talked with him about long, intensive retreats. he had completed a series of three year long retreats – 14 or more hours a day of meditation practice and contemplation – without days off. i’ve been considering doing the same. he encouraged me to proceed. if i were to obtain even a small measure of his kindness, his open heartedness and generosity from my meditation practice and studies i would consider it a tremendous success for my life.

-davee

Tributo a Simon Lun

Simon.

Voce nos deixou.

Voce que nos disse tantas vezes para meditar.

Para sair do casulo… Para sermos guerreiros Shambhala, adultos, fortes, corajosos, amaveis, generosos e amorosos…

Nos sempre achamos que o ter­amos como nosso mestre, guru, pai.

Creio que agora voce nos diz: eu ensinei, agora voces ensinam, voces cuidam dos novos guerreiros. O mundo precisa de muitos deles, agora e com voces…

Christina.

The great and gentle mountain

I knew Simon in a retreat in petr³polis, Brazil, in 2004. His gentleness, patience and the deep way he transmit the teachings captivated me right in the first moment. After that, we kept our communication through e-mails. In 2005 we met in a another retreat, and my respect and admiriation for me just increased. I felt a deep connection whith him, although the distance. We were still writing to each other, and through this i was learning a lot and getting deeper in the the teachings and connecting more and more whith his lineage and it s aproach. I was looking forward to meet him in october here in Brazil. Yesterday i opened my email box and became aware of what happened, it me made very sad and shaked, it was a shoking strike of impermanence. I hope that the whole process of bardo occur in the best possible way.

-Receba GRATIS

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

About Simon

I have known Simon Luna for many years. Mainly our
connection was Dharma, through the air of devotion.
During the difficulties that beset our sangha
following the Vidydhara’s paranirvana, Simon and I
found ourselves on diametrically opposing sides of a
very high fence. Throughout this very embattled
time, both of us recognized the deeper reality of
having the same guru, and of possessing a bond within
the guru mandala that is in fact indissoluble. This
was not the most common understanding of that time.
In order to recognize and preserve our bond, we called
each other, “Vajra Brother,” whenever we met, or, “My
Vajra Brother.” This reality burst through the fog
of dismay like the sun, and always caused us both to
smile.

Over the years we always discussed Dharma. I recall
the moment when he answered a teacher’s exam question:
“At what point do all Dharmas agree?” “Egolessness!”
came the immediate reply. I remember the time when
he addressed the Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche in a toast
as, “Your Hunkiness,” to the delight of the crowd and
of the Sakyong himself. I respect greatly that Simon
did the three-year retreat. I remember he took his
entire inheritance to pay for it, without a second
thought. This 100% quality, moving ever forward
into the auspicious coincidence, mindful of the
shortness of life, accompanied Simon on his path; and
his path benefitted greatly.

When he led his first Fire Puja he consulted me on how
to conduct himself, as I was somewhat senior to him at
that time, and when he left to serve as the Acharya
for Latin America, he consulted me again on how to
hold his mind, as I had more experience in teaching in
other cultures. Likewise, when I was teaching more
widely later, I consulted him, and he asked me
rhetorically, from where is it that the source of
blessings come: he reminded me they come from the
guru, and only the guru. And again that smile lit up
his face. The irony of choicelessness was never far
away.

His path accelerated after his Acharya appointment–a
development everyone who knew him noticed, as it was
so unmistakable. He did not develop what his
daughter Sarah so accurately described at his
Sukhavati in Boulder last night (August 17th) as an
“acharyahead.” Simon worked with theism on his path,
and he made great strides in dealing with it, quite
possibly penetrating through. In his latter years, he
developed greater genuineness, greater humility,
accuracy and confidence, and gentle authentic
presence. In March of this year, 2007, he and I
engaged in a lengthy and wonderful email exchange,
which cannot at this time be shared, owing to
confidentiality which Simon and I agreed to maintain.
It was the most authentic correspondence I can recall
having experienced, in the sense of straightforward
honesty and kindness conjoined in one expression. It
was beautiful, owing to the eloquence of his speech.
We discussed affairs of state, personal matters, and
obstacles mutually understood; somehow the subtle and
profund inexpressibility of the yogic path became the
implication. I told him that such communication is
very hard to come by. It was like a drop of honey
leaking from a shooting star and landing on the
tongue, this taste of coemergent vajra truth, and it
stays with me in a present way, even though I now
practice letting my old friend and vajra brother go
on.

It is said that those who complete the three-year
retreat enter samadhi after death–samadhi in the case
of even sudden death being defined by knowing one has
died, and maintaining a stable mind. Simon is surely
such a one as this.

Bill Karelis

Thank you, Simon

Simon was my first meditation instructor back in Austin in the early
80’s when I was younger and wilder. He was my friend, I cooked him
dinner and we sat under my pecan tree looking at the night sky,
talking. His warmth and spaciousness were a gift. My infant son and
I went to Sarah’s birthday party, Simon playfully swung the pinata
all around, we sang Feliz Cumpleanos in the park and I liked how much
he loved his daughter. Simon found humour in life, and I could not
help but laugh at my seeming complexities with him.
It has been many years since I have seen him, but one does not forget
someone like Simon. I am grateful for his kindness and for being my
friend in that restless time of my life. Both Simon and Robin
Kornman, who was my second meditation instructor, gone, gone, in one
month. Along with the Vidyahara, three teachers gone…
May I quickly and thoroughly put into action all that they have so
kindly and generously shared with me.

Denise Kilshaw

Kelowna, BC

For Simon (on his passing)

Jim saw you in a dream last night.

You were standing in his backyard,

smiling and waving.

Last time I saw you

was at Encampment in August 2006.

You arrived as a VIP guest,

but quickly assumed the role of

Court Kusung.

You volunteered for every available shift

and spent long hours

tending to the kitchen sink, day to day

needs of his Majesty€™s environment

with gentleness and precision;

with curiosity and humor;

never seeking attention;

always supporting others;

genuinely appreciating the process

of service.

Simon, I think you got it right;

all the way from San Antonio

to Santiago;

You never strayed from the path.

See you next time around.

Mountain Drum (Dave Whitehorn)

Halifax

17 August2007

Thursday, August 16, 2007

La ensenaza final de Simon

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Tuesday, August 14, 2007