Rainer Maria Rilke in Letters to a Young Poet:
An excerpt from the seventh letter, written on May 14, 1904:
…..it is a high inducement for the individual to ripen, to become something in himself, to become world, to become world in himself for the sake of another person; it is a great demanding claim on him, something that chooses him and calls him to vast distances.….
Whoever looks seriously will find that neither for death, which is difficult, nor for difficult love has any clarification, any solution, any hint of a path been perceived; and for both these tasks, which we carry wrapped up and hand on without opening, there is no general, agreed-upon rule that can be discovered. But in the same measure in which we begin to test life as individuals, these great things will come to meet us, the individuals, with greater intimacy. The claims that the difficult work of love makes upon our development are greater than life, and we, as beginners, are not equal to them. But if we nevertheless endure and take this love upon us as a burden and apprenticeship, instead of losing ourselves in the whole easy and frivolous game behind which people have hidden from the most solemn solemnity of their being, – then a small advance and a lightening will perhaps be perceptible to those who come long after us. That would be much.
Those of us who were fortunate enough to spend time with David had the opportunity to make the small advance that Rilke talks about. Maybe to leave the world better for those to come. David certainly succeeded in making the advance himself. He is handing over his legacy to people willing to keep being "apprentices" in the challenging task of becoming mature and decent,
I feel deeply saddened by the loss of David and the opportunities that lay ahead and I am mostly grateful, Tina
In the Russian fairy tale "the firebird," the hunter is put through a series of "tests" that are challenging and force him to face his own limitations. In the final test he is asked, by the King, to jump into a cauldron of hot boiling water. Facing his death, he runs and jumps into the water only to come out polished and renewed, with a new sense of life and purpose.
I have been blessed to have found a number of teachers/mentors in my life that have had a significant influence in my life, but none have had the impact and have challenged me both personally and professionally as David. The crucible is a great word to describe his teachings and the journey one undertakes to push themselves beyond their comfort zone and limitations. David believed that people could truly achieve the best in themselves and therapy was a means to confront themselves. What a gifted teacher he has been.
I am forever grateful to David for being that person who has helped me face my limitations, renewed my hope, and pushed me to find the best in myself. To trust that jumping into the cauldron means you are taking a leap toward greater individuation. David's teaching will live on through the many people he has touched. David has made the world a better place. I feel forever blessed.
My heart goes out to David's family, Sarah, Ruth, Steve. David will be so deeply missed. Although my knowing David as a teacher was just the past couple of years, he has been the most influential person in my life. I have such appreciation for who is has been as a person and how he showed up with such passion and dedication to his work and to his students. I am forever changed in how I work and in my life. I had gone through life completely mind blind and David has given me the gift of waking up to reality and to have clarity of vision. It has been extremely challenging and the greatest gift that can be given. I am committed to continue on this journey and to live David's mission. His loss is greater than what words can express. David, you left us far too soon and I so desired to continue to learn from you. I loved your laughter, your joy, your smile, your brilliance, your caring, your mind, your generosity of heart and soul. I loved you David and will continue to carry you in my heart for the rest of time. Roberta
David had an absolutely brilliant mind and determined and resolute spirit that I had the deep deep good fortune to encounter these last 5 years. His teaching has informed my clinicial practice as a therapist far more than any other person, and I am certain that his mind and passion to liberate people will continue to greatly influence me and my family my whole life. He has challenged me personally and professionally and I am deeply grateful for his honesty, integrity, and drive to make me and my colleagues stronger, resilient, flexible and wise. I have been reading articles he’s written and listened to talks he has given these last few days and it has been good to hear his voice and read his words and feel the funny, witty, solid and kind man that he was. I am so grateful to have been impacted by David. I count his influence in my life as one of the most precious human encounters I know.
David, I will miss you deeply as a living man, but I will continue to be your student and keep your words and teaching alive in me. Thank you for being an honest, robust, tender person and teacher. I LOVED your laugh and your mind and the mystery of beauty you guided people to discover in themselves. You filled the whole room. Thank you, David for being such a treasure and teaching me the path to beauty is the next step in front of me. All my love and respect to you and your dear ones.