In memory of Zach Forrest

Zach’s Celebration of Life Gathering was held on May 27, 2008 and was attended by his many adoring friends, family and the Vancouver Burning Man community.

I was asked to do the opening circle. This invocation was written in loving memory, containing both dark and light, to reflect the nature of Zach’s playful spirit...

May 27, 2008

We have gathered many times before, in this life
and in many other lifetimes.

We have come together before, to celebrate Life.

...to party
...to make art
...to make love
...to make memories
...to make friendships that last beyond the afterparties
...and beyond the afterlife.

Zach is a beloved member of our tribe who touches all of us in some way.

...he might have touched your ass
...or your heart
but dammit, he did touch you.

Zach’s transition affects us in many ways. We may feel

...shock

disbelief

anger

confusion

resentment

betrayal

regret

...guilt


We may feel some deep sorrow, a gaping hole that we cannot fix, cannot fill.

As we flow through these natural states of grief and loss,
we move through the finite paradigm

...where we are born, we live and we die.

A finite paradigm is where

time and space matters
quantity and “size” matters

what you said or did not say… matters
what you did or did not do… matters.

The finite paradigm is where all these things matter
and they may weigh upon us.

But as you feel ready, I ask you
and Zach asks you

to move into the Infinite paradigm...

where your love and Zach’s love is eternal
where you cannot measure the love...

No, this love cannot be measured by what we did or did not do.

It cannot be measured by how long we knew him.

not by how many parties we were at together
not even by how many hugs we shared

For this love that we have is infinite and simply cannot be measured by
time, space, quantity or size.

So please sit in this infinite love
and let it transform our sorrow and grief
into an everlasting awareness of his presence and of our love.

When we think of Zach
what about him do we wish to hold close to our heart?

(these comments about Zach were given by friends in the circle)

....His eyes
His humour
His glowing love for his son
His love for life
his kindness
his cheekiness
His irreverence
his rockstarness
His incredible friendship
His ability to be himself in every situation
His generous heart
...His willingness to give and give

When we think of Zach, let us remember all that we love about him…

Let that love heal you
and move you through into the infinite
...where Zach still lives

Because Zach is still here you see.

He’s just changed
...costumes.

So here is a last message for all of us…

We who are a community, a tribe, a family.
We who have dreamed of each other for so long
… and managed to find each other in this lifetime.

We have created a special world for each other in Vancouver
and in the desert of Burning Man
where it is safe to bare our bodies…and share our art.

So let us also make it safe
to bare our sorrows…and share our heart.