Hi Yogis and Yoginis, we recently lost local yoga teacher Mathew Godebski after his fight with an ongoing illness. I visited Mathew during his time in hospital and he was very positive about recovering from his illness and very keen on getting back to the helm of his flourishing yoga studio in Chorlton, Manchester. He relayed to me the medical tests he had undergone and his then recent operation. I had not seen Mathew for a few years and I was very pleased to have visited him at this time. What came to me when I met him was his concern for his health in the concept of him being able to continue with his passion in life – his yoga practice and yoga studio. It is amazing how purpose is such a motivator in life, and what struck me with Mathew was his motivation for getting better, his will to carry on with his work and for his yoga community.

I suppose there are many points that could go through our minds if we were faced with an unexpected and foreshortened lifespan. As with Mathew his concerns were more for those who he contacted through his passion and work – his yoga friends. What more can we ask of our life if not the wish to be of benefit to others through our own understanding of the mysteries of life and life’s twists and turns?

This feeling of Mathew’s concerns for others was again reflected at the church on the day of Mathew’s funeral on Friday morning last week. Listening to the accounts of Mathew’s life read out in the church,  gave me a much more fuller view of the Mathew Godebski I had no idea of. His involvement with hikeing groups during his University years and the friends he made during those years. He left us a colourful impression of his exploits and the manner of how he dealt with adversity in his life.

The feelings of those who knew him and the genuine loss we felt at Mathew’s passing was very well shared between us all on that Friday morning at St. Ninian’s Church in Chorlton. But most of all I think it is more beneficial to celebrate the passing of Mathew, and be thankful that his time in this life was employed in such a fruitful pursuit. Perhaps we should reflect on this and rejoice in the merit generated by by him.

R.I.P. Mathew, and very best wishes follow as you continue to journey on and learn to understand the purpose of life…… May the longtime sunshine upon you, all love surround you, and the pure light within you, guide your way on………

Peace and Love to you all,

Granville x