November 5, 2013
November 5

Abbot Steve’s pain level fluctuates a great deal, and periodic supplemental doses of medication are needed around the clock to keep it manageable. Also, fatigue and weakness make simple ventures from the bed seem like major efforts.

Somehow, even through his weakness and discomfort, Abbot Steve shines through like this at various moments.

 

11 Comments

  1. Pat Hendricks

    Beloved Abbot Steve,
    May my words join with those of many others. Words that tell you of the puddles of tears soon becoming rivers. Tears of sublime joy to behold your blooming, forever happiness. Tears that say ‘yes, I am willing to walk with you on the path of these days’.
    Remember “This land is your land, this land is my land” as you joined us to bid farewell to the trees of the Hayes Valley Community Farm with your deep voice and guitar.

    All my gratitude is yours, Myogen Steve.
    with all blessings and bows,

    Pat Hendricks

  2. John Renwick

    Hi Abbot Steve

    Construction guys working on re-sealing the windows got an eyeful of your well-being ceremony just now. I suppose they don’t see things like Buddha altars and chanting much. I hoped they would receive a little of the offering and … then came the thought, what will i receive of their sensibility?

    with love
    john

  3. Donald Abel

    Dear Myogen Steve Stucky.

    I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the same time you were. The first reminder speaks of the preciousness and rarity of human form at every moment of our lives; nonetheless, there seems to be something especially precious, like a jewel within a jewel, about the time we have left between when we are awake to the truth we are going to die and our death. A lot of nonsense just falls away. We must be grateful.
    The way of all things:
    Only a single leaf falls,
    Yet every leaf falls.

    with deep respect and compassion

    Donald

  4. Daya Goldschlag

    My heart cries. I send love to you, Steve, and to Lane. With wishes for less pain and more ease. Am thinking of you both very often, Daya (Dianne)

  5. Barbara Banthien

    Dear Steve and Lane,
    I keep you both in my heart and mind.
    Barbara

  6. Larraine McGraw

    Dear Abbot
    Steve,

    We are sitting with your intention here in far- off Milwaukee. Be well!
    Thanks for your smile.
    Gassho,
    Larraine

  7. Aunt Judy

    Steve and Lane,
    I thank God and ask blessings everyday for you. I walked this walk with Suzy and still marvel at her strength, clarity and courage. I feel your strength even from Ohio. I am a better person for knowing you and our family is forever grateful for you.
    Much love
    Judy.

  8. Grace Dammann

    Dearest Steve and Lane,
    Thinking about you, moment by moment. I feel like my physical being is here, because of the collective power of this Sangha. Who knows “why” or”how”. I just want you both to know that I’m often pleasantly awake in the middle of the night…and readily available for any questions, or chat.

    I love you both…and am beside you, “walking” hand in hand…
    Grace
    415-383-3273

  9. gregbilke

    I had HPV-induced tongue-base cancer 3 years ago — 6 weeks of radiation and chemo, plus more radiation (brachytherapy) — and they killed the cancer (I was lucky, they knew early on that it was highly treatable, and besides they caught it early), but it was rough, lots of mouth and throat pain, a feeding tube for almost four months. I came from Sweden to attend the Tassajara “veterans” retreat in the spring of 2012, thank you for that. I loved the Bodhisattva Blues or whatever it was you sang for us. I’ve even started sitting regularly again, something I hadn’t done for decades. Thank you for your practice, for helping to keep Zen Center going for all of us.

  10. Sherri Nordwall

    Dear Steve,

    You may not remember me, as we had only brief contact before I stopped being a regular at CC, but I have never forgotten your warmth, kindness and sense of fun and humor. Your practice touched me then and now through the reports of others is incredibly inspiring. I have deep gratitude for this teaching you so openly and generously share at a time that is so very difficult for you and your loves ones. Thank you and may things become more stable and less painful

  11. Steven Harper

    Co-leading retreats with you at Tassajara has made my life richer and more wakeful. The 2008 fire brought us together. I want to let you know I will continue to watch for the Coulter Pines in the Pines area of Tassajara. I am blessed to have shared trail time with you on the path in and around Tassajara. How lucky to I feel to know someone who deeply loves the earth in such an intimate manner. Coulter pines after the fire and Myogen Steve will always carry new meaning… and with them the reminder of life’s wildness and gratitude for our capacity to open our hearts. I hear the bell ring out across the horse pasture and attend with wakefulness three breaths and the flood of life pouring in every sense portal. Gratefully… two claps, and a deep gassho!