Mike Lesser

Subject: Mike Lesser 7/5/2015, 10:47 am

On 1st July my old friend died aged 71. We first met when we both thirteen, joining a new school on the same day together. He had a long term heart condition having his first full heart bypass aged about thirty, 40 odd years ago, when he was told that he probably wouldn't make it to 35! However he had recently had a diagnosis of lung cancer with multiple secondaries and been given a few months to live. Rather than suffer the indignities of a rapid deterioration from his already frail condition he left at a time of his own choosing.

Most of you won't have known him but those of you who did will know that once met he was not to be forgotten. He had an enormous range of interests that included a life long commitment to radical politics having gone to prison with Bertrand Russell after a ban the bomb demonstration in 1968. A more recent interest and research into the nature of autism. A prestigious book on cellular automata published by the Santa Fe Institute. A lifelong active interest and involvement in art ad poetry. And many other things,I could go on for pages and pages.

He was a colourful character who lived a rich life but had a great belief in the truth that meditation unfolds, after a retreat at Sarum House when Jiyu Kenneth first returned to England.

His last words were 'I am just going for a long meditation'

A life lived swimming against the stream.

Subject: Re: Mike Lesser 7/5/2015, 1:29 pm

mstrathern wrote:: On 1st July my old friend died aged 71. Rather than suffer the indignities of a rapid deterioration from his already frail condition he left at a time of his own choosing.

He was a colourful character who lived a rich life but had a great belief in the truth that meditation unfolds, after a retreat at Sarum House when Jiyu Kenneth first returned to England.

His last words were 'I am just going for a long meditation'

A life lived swimming against the stream.

Sorry to hear about Mike's passing, though I'm glad he exercised choice. I do remember him, but I'm not sure how. Did he ever come to Shasta? I didn't attend a retreat with JK at Sarum House, but I did go there occasionally when I lived in London around 1969.

Godspeed Mike...

Posts : 1640 Join date : 2010-11-17

Ah not sure what to say Mark
I was very fond of Mike all good memories
the way he converted his fathers house into flats, the loo was at a long flight of stairs behind a door that went nowhere.
Certainly writing about your return from Shasta in International Times in a squat somewhere in Ladbroke Grove
His expression at Sarum House 'There is countrysides of personality to explore'
And I admired him for breaking into the secret nuclear bunker which apparently did not exist
I saw him last in Cornwall
I do feel sad
and have nothing but admiration for this great unusual person

Posts : 364 Join date : 2009-11-10

Thank you for sharing his last words from your friend. Wisdom for all of us.

Subject: Re: Mike Lesser 7/13/2015, 8:05 pm

Mike's good friend the poet Heathcote Williams has written a elegy for him, Conversation with a Dying Friend.

I would quote it in full but I fear the language would not pass this censorious forum, the link though will get you there. However I will quote the last couple of verses:

Quote :: On the floor were several scrumpled drafts
Of his final message to the world:
“This morning I awoke with the certainty
“That it would be my last.

“I have rarely spent a more pleasant morning…
“No thoughts of the future or of the past…
“Just fleeting images of those I love. I have gone nowhere…
“An appropriate place for the imaginary. (Signed) Mike.”

and haiku 267 by Mike

Quote :: Ego is someone
Watching you when know that
You are alone.

Subject: Re: Mike Lesser 7/13/2015, 10:02 pm

Mark, thank you for this thread.

I'm not sure how, but from the time that we met at our collective ordination on July 5th 1970, I came to know Mike Lesser's name, vividly.

All sympathy to you, my friend.

Posts : 1640 Join date : 2010-11-17

Lovely poems Mark
I felt very sad to hear the news and went for a walk up on the cliffs
Me the Ocean, America
I took a photo thinking of MIke and have aske Lise if she will put it on here as I cant work it out!

Subject: Re: Mike Lesser 7/14/2015, 4:50 pm

chisanmichaelhughes wrote:: Lovely poems Mark
I felt very sad to hear the news and went for a walk up on the cliffs
Me the Ocean, America
I took a photo thinking of MIke and have aske Lise if she will put it on here as I cant work it out!

CMH here's your photo:

Mike Lesser <a href=

Posts : 1640 Join date : 2010-11-17

Thank you Isan

Subject: Re: Mike Lesser 7/14/2015, 9:34 pm

Beautiful photo CMH!