Hatsumi Soke recently said; “Some people don’t learn, and they die. Some people are unlucky, and they die. There’s nothing we can do about this. Just keep training”.
In the context of the reason why I am writing, those are harsh words. They’re brutal in fact.
One of my sword students, Nich Ermak, fell from a 50 foot cliff yesterday. He is not expected to survive.
And that’s it.
Life and death in a single moment.
Nich was very young, in his early 20’s I believe. He recently went on pilgrimage with myself and our group to Japan to train with our sword teacher in Noda and Soke Hatsumi, the last Ninja. He trained excellently. He is a very talented martial artist. One early morning in Kashiwa Plaza hotel Nich came to my room and stayed to chant Daimoku. We chanted for 15 minutes. Quite a long Daimoku for someone who is chanting for the first time.
I looked forward to more discussions about Buddhism with Nich, but since arriving home he has been very busy with college finals.
Flowery words of consolation and encouragement escape me at the moment. Fact is that I am not unlike a child in the face of these events, questioning and clutching desperately for a little understanding of something that simply and ubiquitously will never be understood, at least not during my own time on this planet.
Losing someone we care for is one of the sufferings of being a human being. Certainly most would agree that the experience is worth the price, but in these painful moments it’s difficult to be reminded of that.
Nich was a special young man. Intelligent, quiet and self-directed in ways that are unusual for someone his age. I wouldn’t say that about everyone I’ve ever known or trained with, rather I’d just say nothing.
People pass from this world everyday and leave planet Earth better for it. Men like Nich depart unexpectedly and leave a wound in the hearts of those who know and love them, a wound that - for some - may never heal.
Nam myoho renge kyo
Have a wonderful journey Nich Ermak.
Rev. Greg Dilley
Breaking bonds of life and death...maybe Nich is starting now to learn. How hard it is, how painful...It must be for s o m e good, it must! Let everyone who knew, loved, or just heard for young Nich Ermak, let us all be very gentle, very thoughtful...
Jelena.
Shattered Diamond
I have so much to say about this amazing person. I have said so much to so many people over the last few days. But each place is different, and each listener is different, and each time it has brought me to different place from which to look on this magnificent person that has passed.
I am not a Buddhist, and I am not a Christian. I am not of any religion that any of the regular readers here has a name for (I don't think). But still I believe many things. I choose to believe only what I feel I know, and I feel that I know only those things which I have observed many times. I know that maybe nobody needs to know these thoughts of mine, but I want to share them, so if you don't mind just indulging me, I would be greatful for even just that.
We all live in a vast space, both inside of our body and outside of it. We are present in the perceptions of a few at any moment, but in the universe of many at that same time who can not see us. We know of those who are distant, and those in the next room even though we can not see them. Their body is a fountain of continuous renewal of what they are, and when we are near them, our sense of them is refreshed and re-invigorated.
When Nich's body was shattered, all that he was flew free, but we who were around him, like the dreamcatcher or the spider's web, are here to be the new anchor that connects him to the universe. All of us who knew him hold him in our minds, and our hearts. We, his friends and family, keep more than his memory, we have his soul.
Yesterday I was with many of Nich's friends. Among them one whom, though I have known for some time, I have never quite connected with in the past. A beautiful perosn to be sure, but one with whom, for whatever reason, I had never quite found the way to be close to. For reasons unimportant here, the course of events of that day led me to be staring deeply into this person's eyes, and they into mine. In those eyes, I could see Nich staring back at me, and I knew that, one way or another, they and I would be linked forever by what had happened. In their eyes I could see his eyes superimposed on their own sadness. We would never truly be seperate, now that we were both holding the soul of this person we loved so much. I knew that we were friends now.
I take great solice in the fact that Nich had so many beautiful aware friends who were there to catch so much of his being as it left his body. I will look for him in them in the years to come, and I will do my best that when they look to me, they will see the little glimmer of him for which I am now the keeper.
Peace to you all
- Adrian
In the first week of May, Nich came in a cohort of American Samurai, and a few of them, including Nich, were on their first mission to Japan. They were a little jet-lagged, but a delight. Such excitement and energy in them.
I fell for Nich right away. His energy, thoughtfulness and big smile won me over pretty fast.
I keep thinking, how lucky I am to have met him.
e
Posted by: Elizabeth at June 11, 2006 01:42 AMRev. Greg -
Nich will be in our prayers as well. May he achieve enlightenment and may his family and friends not suffer overmuch at his passing.
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at June 10, 2006 12:33 PMAt 11:30 a.m. on Thursday June 8, 2006, Nich Ermak passed on. His body is still on a respirator awaiting the harvesting of his organs. There is a 90,000 person waiting list of potential organ recipients. Nich’s death will enable others to continue to enjoy life.
Both friends and family will be attending a memorial service on Wednesday, June 14th at Wilson and Kratzer Chapel, 825 Hartz Way, Danville, CA., phone number 925-820-2999. Gathering time will be 3:00 p.m., service will begin at 4:00.
Hi, Greg - I am so sorry to hear about your young friend. I have also been dealing with the death issue lately - a 9-year old girl died in my district of undiagnosed diabetes. Last night, I head about another young member who had died of leukemia. Sometimes it's kind of a head-shaker.
I will remember Nich Ermak in my prayers. Please let us know what happens with him. Byrd in LA
Posted by: Byrd in LA at June 9, 2006 05:14 PM