Karim it has been such a shock to learn of your leaving this plane so suddenly. Such a confusing time for us all. Some times things in life dont make sense, but we must continue on and learn and grow.
I was so fortunate to have known you even just the little I did. You became part of the story of my life when I was blessed enough to move to Grove park and meet Joe and then all of his friends and the WU sangha. i was so lucky to have met the Wake up community and to then be exposed to PV and the teachings. It was at this point in my life that things really seemed to begin to fall into place a ljttle and make sense. An almost golden era of my life i would say. And you Karim were a part of that. So thank you for being there with your warmth and silliness. I always felt so seen and heard with you and loved your lightness and humour you brought to the practice balancing the depth and sincerity
I only saw you three times in the last year but they all stand out to me to be very happy moments, some of chance happening.
at Buddhafield last year i was so touched that you had made the effort to come and watch me perforn a couple of songs at an open mic. We sat down together and had a really nice catch up after what had probably been some time since we’d seen eachother. It actually took a long time for me to go in stage and you had to leave for something else, but you had made time out of your day to see me and had you not done that, we wouldnt of had that lovely check in.
the 2nd time we were in each others presence was at Noah and Lisas lovely lunch in December. We had such a good catch up and you were sharing about your studies with me, as well as your commuting and your living situation. I remember really enjoying how engaged we both were in that catch up. It was always so easy to talk with you abd again you always had this way of making me feel really heard.
the last time, and most interesting i think was a chance encounter with you on my Birthday in January. I had decided to come to Brighton for the the day with a friend and was walking along the sea front when all of a sudden, there you were! We caught eachothers gaze and were both taken aback and there was this lovely moment of joy at the chance of it. You were down for your studies and just taking a walk along the front. I got to introduce you to my friend and it felt good to share how we knew eachother.
Karim, thank you for being there and for contributing all you did in your rich and interesting life, eapecially to Plum Village. You’ll continue in all of us.
I also wasnted to share that I was so sorry not to be able to make your online memorial. The conditions were just not right as I was completely swamped with the edit of the new Abenhall fundraiser film. I was leaving for my first proper break in some years on the Monday to Morocco and had to get the edit finished and sent to Twan and the crew before I left so i was unabme to attend. But I lit a candle for you and have been holding you in my heart during this much needed break :)
sending love Karim brother. See you there one day xx
