some French tears

It is with great shock and deep sorrrow that I am learning today of Mike's death. I was just checking his website to see how his news were. I certainly was not expecting any of this kind. Although I cannot really believe what I've just read - one of his jokes, maybe? I would like to let him know what my feelings are. I met Mike in 2001, when I moved from France to the Buddhist institute in the Lake District in which he was living . During the couple of years that I spent there, he was one of my best friends. As fellow musicians, we had a lot to share. Mike encouraged me into recording my music in his studio, and from there a whole adventure started - recording pop music in a Buddhist studio was a premiere at the Priory, and it was pretty tricky in many ways, but also very inspiring. Our team worked with confused energy, a lot of humour and loads of cups of tea. I will remember Mike's infinite patience and amazing kindness all of my life. A lot of things went wrong, and it was sometimes very funny - as for instance when my music was played by mistake in the temple at a puja - God knows how it got there - that was one of Mike's tricks! - but always, Mike would make every possible effort to make things work, to volunteer on improving things, to constantly try to fulfill all my demands. The computer froze many times, but Mike never got angry one single time, however particular and insistent I could be sometimes. Mike helped me tremendously with my music and I will always be grateful to him for that. The album we worked on together is still developing here now that I am back in France, in other studios, and on some of the tracks, a bit of Mike's recordings will appear. I stepped out from the Priory quite soon but continued to meet Mike as I was living in town - he was one of the few who could challenge my questioning, as under the appearence of the 'foolish bear' he could look sometimes, lay actually a fine old practioner of Buddhism, who could be very wise - although it seemed to me he was not aware of it . He was too modest, maybe. Well where you are now, Mike - may you acknowledge fully what you are, very very gentle man. And may you carry on playing your piano! I would like to hear it one day... All the very best for your future life, Merci mon ami,

Armelle.

A tribute from Keith

Maha Mike

Big Man
Big Breakfast
Big Laughs
Big Talent
Big Smile
Big Presence
Big Lunch
Big Help
Big Devotion
Big Example
Big Heart
Big Tea
Big Spirit
Big Inspiration
Big Loss
Big Gap
Big Memories

Monk : "What happens when the leaves are falling, and the trees are bare?"
Unmon : "The golden wind, revealed !"

Some photos of Michael when he was younger

1952
1958
Unknown

Some pictures of Mike in Skywave Studio

http://www.skywavestudio.com/

Some pictures of Mike and his family

From Roy W

Thank you Mike
For being a good friend for 25 years
For your sense of humour and all the hilarious times we shared, from the most sublime to the ridiculous!
Neither of us were natty dressers (laughter from the congregation) but we shared the Buddhist path and cheese toasties in the infamous Clocktower kitchen.
Over a cup of tea we spoke of death many times; Dakini Land or bust was our motto - whoever got there first would save the other a place.
We even practiced dying with our mutual friend Keith Milton in the Death and Dying Exploration Group many years ago.
Keith said recently ‘what would the world be like without Mike Sington?’
We miss your physical presence, Mike.
Thank you for your voice and music, the talking books, the hundreds if not thousands of copies of Bubbles in the Mind that you made for my acupuncture patients
I keep expecting to see you again; a car goes past and I see your smiling face… Sheila answers the phone and says it’s Mike… There are at least three Mikes here today.
After the beautiful Powa at the Priory, I feel that you have left your body behind and ascended to merge with the all pervasive infinite compassionate mind that we were priviledged to glimpse at sacred and holy moments during retreat, and in the presence of our Spiritual Guides.

I feel that your compassionate and joyful presence will be with me always.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God and indeed if not Buddha hold you in the palm of His hand.
(Traditional Irish blessing)

From Peter Le Blond

Michael and I were as different as chalk and cheese and in some ways it is a tribute to the diversity of human personality that we became friends. I think that friendship was forged out of, and sustained by, our common love of the great outdoors. So it was during our many walks on the fells that I came to know and enjoy the company of the gentle man that Michael was. Some of these walks were real tests of our respective characters. Coniston Old Man in March can be a forbidding place - snow all around, ice flows in the tarns and an anorak defying icy wind roaring through one of the Lake Districts aptly named Windy Gaps. Once, returning from a day on the Scafell range, Michael's left shoe decided to disintegrate at Hollow Stones leaving him with a nasty sharp tack sticking into his heel. Beyond attempting to bandage his heel there wasn't much to be done as he had to wear the shoe. I'll always remember the stoicism and fortitude he showed that day as we, somewhat delayed, descended to Wasdale in the glorious evening sun. He showed the same qualities in his work, tenaciously recording the works of Geshe Kelsang. He had a wonderful microphone voice which he combined with his gift for musical composition both talents being put to marvellous effect in his relaxation tapes. I've said to more than one person recently that the world needs people like Michael so, Michael, when you're ready, do come back to the world - it needs you .