Stuart Alve Olson

[Dainin]

Yesterday I received an email with this sad news about Stuart Alve Olson entering hospice care. I've found some of his materials (books and courses) to be both interesting and useful over the years, and wish him a peaceful transition.

 

Dear friends of the Sanctuary of Tao,

 

We write to you today with a heavy heart to share that our beloved friend and teacher, Stuart, is now in hospice care at home. Patrick and Suzanne are taking care of him, offering comfort, warmth, and companionship as he enters this time of sacred passage. His vital signs are gradually declining, and he is now receiving medication to keep him peaceful and free of pain. The hospice nurse has said he will likely pass in the next day or two.

 

Patrick and Suzanne are holding vigil — reciting for him and staying by his side. We invite you to join this vigil from wherever you are: through chanting, prayer, meditation, or simply holding him in your heart and sending love. If you know it, you may wish to chant the Da Bei Zhou, or offer any mantra, spiritual text, or prayer that carries meaning for you.

 

This is a time of deep grief and sorrow for our community. As you receive this news, we extend our hearts to you, knowing that many of you have walked closely with Stuart in one way or another.

 

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the love, support, and prayers you have shared throughout this most difficult journey. We are deeply grateful for your care, and for holding Stuart in your hearts and prayers in the hours and days ahead.

 

With heartfelt gratitude,
Sanctuary of Tao

[Dainin]

Received the following last night:

 

Dear friends,
 
We are writing to share the heartbreaking news that Stuart passed away two days ago, on August 14, 2025, at 4:08 pm. He was in the comfort of his home, and Patrick and Suzanne were at his side until the very end when he passed as they held him.
 
They ensured he was cared for and loved, and they let him know how much all of you loved him, sharing your letters to him and how much he had touched the lives of others. Even though many of you were unable to see Stuart during this most difficult journey, he knew how much he meant to all of you, how loved he was, and how much his life positively impacted the lives of others.
 
He leaves behind an immense void in our hearts as we will miss him greatly. As we come to grips with not having our beloved friend and teacher physically with us, we will carry on through everything he taught. It is through what he taught us and through the moments we shared that he will always live inside of us. 
 
It was also always important to Stuart that the teachings survive him so that others can find wisdom and compassion even after his own time. So, just by remembering what he taught all of you, what he shared with each of you, you are carrying his legacy. May his life continue to shine positively on each of us.
 
We will keep you informed as we take the first steps towards arranging a memorial service for Stuart. It will most likely be in October in Minneapolis, MN. We are also planning an online memorial service for the Sanctuary of Tao community in the coming weeks, and we'll send an email as soon as we have the details regarding this event. If you would like to send a memorial gift instead of flowers, we would be deeply grateful for a donation to the Sanctuary of Tao as a way of helping fulfill Stuart’s vision and carry forward the work he dedicated his life to.

Once again, we would like to thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your support, love, and prayers for Stuart during the time that we needed it most. We will forever be grateful, and we will never forget it.
 
With heavy hearts but with all of our love,
Sanctuary of Tao