Bob Morrison’s passing, A letter from Lama Willa
October 13, 2021
In loving memory of Bob Morrison
Dear Sangha and Friends,
Our dear dharma brother Bob Morrison died peacefully yesterday afternoon at 3:45 PM. He was with his beloved wife of 34 years Robin Merrill when he passed, along with their two cats Drala and Tingsha. He had been visited by his teachers and sangha members Lama John, Lama Liz, Julie Forsythe, Camille Hykes, Jai Levy, Jane Vecchio, Steve Bagley, and me in the last 24 hours.
On Monday, he was still speaking, smiling, chanting, recognizing the many people who were circling him. We chanted Tara, Prajnaparamita, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and Poa for and with Bob, who could at that point barely speak but managed to hum along. The pointing out instructions were whispered in his ear several times before and at the moment of his death.
Throughout his illness, we all felt that he was surrounded by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, by his benefactor Tara, and by the guides who had supported him all throughout his life. His longtime friend Dan Clurman also felt present from afar. Bob was a deep practitioner who embodied the essence of boundless love and wisdom. His peace and the depth of his practice resounded like thunder in the room immediately after his passing.
A prayer circle is being organized for Bob by his sangha friends. You are welcome to participate over the next 49 days. If you plan to participate, please save this schedule:
Schedule:
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 8:15 am ET
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays: Noon ET
Sundays: 7 pm ET
All sessions will be held on Zoom. Please email to register for the link.
At this sangha-led prayer circle, the traditional prayers from the Tibetan Book of the Dead will be offered up for the benefit of Bob and all beings. Many people are surprised to discover that prayers have as profound an effect on the chanters as they do on the person they are chanted for.
With loving memories of a bodhisattva who walked this earth,
Willa