[Buddha-l] An Open Letter from Jack Kornfield, Ram Dass, and Sharon Salzberg

[Richard Hayes]

Dear Friends, 

We are writing to ask your support for two beloved friends of ours,
Stephen and Ondrea Levine. They are currently facing significant
difficulty. After a life-time of giving, they are now at a time to
receive from those of us whose lives have been touched by their presence
and teaching.
 
Their greatest needs are financial. Ondrea has Leukemia and the costs of
her insurance and treatment have used up their savings. Stephen's health
is not good either, and he is too frail to travel or teach. When we
heard about this, we felt moved to contribute to a fund set up for them,
and to encourage others to do the same. 

Stephen and Ondrea have been among our generation's most important
teachers, demonstrating and encouraging others to embrace the power of
love and generosity. For three years, they ran a 24-hour-a-day,
seven-day-a-week free phone line for those dying or in need of support.
When the phone bills got too high, they sold their house to keep the
project going. For decades they regularly corresponded with thousands
people who were seeking spiritual guidance, giving freely to those in
need, many of whom were sick or in the final years of their life. 

The circle has now come around, allowing us the opportunity to give to
these two life-long givers. We hope to raise several hundred thousand
dollars in small and large donations to help them through this time. 

Caring for friends and teachers is an essential part of any spiritual
life. As we age, spiritual friends are more important than ever. Stephen
and Ondrea have been dear spiritual friends to us and to thousands of
others through their books, workshops, and correspondence. 

If you are one of these people and are moved to give, below are three
ways to donate to the Levine Fund at Bread for the Journey. Bread for
the Journey informs us that donations are tax deductible. 

With gratitude and love, 
Jack Kornfield, Ram Dass, and Sharon Salzberg 

Mail: Send to: Bread for the Journey, 267 Miller Ave., Mill Valley,
California 94941. In the letter, please enclose a note indicating that
your gift is for the Stephen and Ondrea Levine Fund and in the note
section of your check write "Levine Fund." In honor of the immeasurable
gifts Stephen and Ondrea have given to the family of the earth, Bread
for the Journey has generously offered to manage the fund with 100% of
your donation going to the Levine Fund.

Online: click here and designate the donation to the Levine Fund:
http://www.justgive.org/giving/donate.jsp?charityId=3583&isRecurring=& 
         
Phone: call 415-383-4600 with a credit card number. 

For questions and other means of giving, contact
SorenGordhamer at gmail.com. 

Please feel free to post this letter on blogs or forward it to
individuals or groups you know who may wish to hear news of Stephen and
Ondrea.