For the past 40 years, CIMC has been the heart core of my beloved community. We opened our doors on July 21, 1985, which happened to be the day before my 30th birthday. On July 21st of this year, 2025, I was a day away from turning 70. So, I’ve lived the major portion of my adult life in a wonderful place where I never imagined I’d be. When I was younger, I thought my fantasy life would be one of never being tethered in one place – especially a city – but rather, to be free to go wherever the spirit moved me. And yet, to stay here, to deepen in love where I am and with those I am with, has made for an unimaginably rich and satisfying life. It turns out that wise commitment is an aspect of freedom.
Throughout these 40 years I’ve had the privilege and honor of serving this sangha, this community, in as wholehearted and sustained a way as I’ve known how. The commitment I made to remain at CIMC in my capacity of teaching and guiding the center has been one of the best choices of my life (another being to marry my beloved Jonathan!)
One of my close friends, Christina Feldman, once pointed out that those of us who started Dharma centers did so because of our deep calling to share the Dharma, not because we knew anything about running an organization. There has been a learning curve, and it has been part of the practice itself to hold both the Dharma and the need to nurture CIMC as an organization and a community. I ask the forgiveness of anyone I have negatively affected as I’ve tried to find my way. Nonetheless, with the immense contributions of so many, including our stable body of CIMC teachers, we have survived and continue to thrive. It’s been fascinating to observe the various phases of growth, from babyhood to adolescence to being a mature center that can help so many. I celebrate our life together with deep gratitude to every member of the CIMC community for your presence and practice.
Now as we celebrate the past 40 years, we have a firm foundation upon which to rest and to build. Let’s use this foundation to ensure that all who want to practice at CIMC are warmly welcomed, and to aspire to deepening contemplation, compassion for all, and courageous engagement in this world that desperately needs people of peace. As Gandhi said, let’s be the change we want to see happen, and embody that peace in this suffering and wondrous world.
Love,
Narayan