Chopra Center co-founder David Simon, M.D. passed away at home today, January 31, 2012, surrounded by his family, according to press release by The Chopra Center.
Known for his pioneering work in the field of mind-body medicine, David Simon, M.D. played a key role in bringing the healing practices of meditation, yoga and Ayurveda into the mainstream medical world and to countless people throughout the globe.
The Chopra Center staff and friends throughout the world expressed their sorrow at the news, responding with an outpouring of love on a special Web site, created for the community to share their stories and celebrate the life of a man who touched so many lives.
“David has been my friend, partner, teacher, trusted colleague,
and younger brother for more than twenty years,” said Deepak Chopra, a longtime medical colleague and friend who co-founded the Chopra Center for Wellbeing with Simon in 1996. “He has touched my heart, influenced the way I think, and expanded my spirit. David approached life from a place of pure potentiality and unlimited possibilities. His wisdom, courage and love will continue to inspire all of us for decades to come.”
Dr. Simon is the author of many best-selling books on health and well-being, including “Free to Love, Free to Heal: Heal Your Body by Healing Your Emotions,” “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga Guidebook,” “Return to Wholeness: Embracing Body, Mind, and Spirit in the Face of Cancer,” “The Wisdom of Healing; Vital Energy,” and “The Ten Commitments: Translating Good Intentions into Great Choices.”
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to support Glioblastoma Cancer Research at U.C. San Diego.
Please visit the Remembering David Web site for the mailing
address or to make an online donation.
My brother-in-law David was a compassionate, patient young man, whose deep spirituality went undetected my most of us who knew him as a very young man. He was so ahead of his time, we could not recognize his greatness back then, but we certainly came to appreciate his intellect, love, understanding, and uncanny wisdom as he grew into the adult, that those of us who were priviledged to know him developed. Our world today has lost some of its soul with his passing. To his wife and children, to his parents and brother, to his nieces and nephew, and his other relatives, friends and associates, we all share a deep feeling of loss. As long as we remember and draw closer to one another, we can continue his mission and make his smile down upon us. David will be sorely missed.
David Simon changed the course of thousands of lives. I have been blessed to experience his teachings since 2009, and assist him as a point person in Sonoma County while promoting his brilliant book “Free to Love, Free to Heal”. . David lived through his heart, gracefully, and authentically, vulnerable and in accordance with profound inner peace.
I remembered David asking me, while signing one of his book, “What are you doing in Sebastopol?”, I replied, “Healing.” He taught me that by sharing my story of healing openly, I will heal my own body. David continues to inspire, I am saddened for his family, but he strong spirit will continue to bring light to this world. Out beyond body, David’s spirit will shine, we are blessed to be part of his collective spirit.
There are no words to adequately express what we feel in the loss of David. He was a part of our lives and family from the day he was born and grew up with our children, sharing all the good and bad times over the years. Over the years distance has kept us from all we would have wanted to see, but the bonds of love never disappear. His parents were always there to give whatever they could, his brother was at his side with such visible love and caring, and most of all, his wonderful wife and beautiful daughters and loving son were giving of themselves with every breath. I don’t know how to verbalize all that he gave of himself and his accomplishments, but I do know that in time, the reality of his life will overshadow the reality of his death. We are so grateful to have shared the happy moments that we had together. Our hearts are filled with love for all of you.
Such a nice man. Such a loss