Tributes to Brian - from his friends and colleagues in the world or Tai Chi
Part 2 of the tributes for Brian, these tributes have been taken from the Special Needs Forum website.
Though I only met Brian the once at the Abbey, it feels like a lot more - it was a very real contact with an amazing man .
I'm not sure that an email from a complete stranger to his family will mean much at such at time - but if you were to be in contact with them I would love for them to know how much I enjoyed his wonderful mixture of humour and commitment. I am so pleased to have met and worked with him - even though it was not long - and have to confess to feeling cheated at not being able to continue along the path a bit more with him.
And if I can feel this sense of loss, I am only too aware of how much more it must be for his friends and family. I will be thinking of you all on the 2nd March, and will raise a glass to him.
with metta
Jos Hadfield
Please add my name to the rest of the "shocked people. Brian will be sorely missed by all involved in the Forum.
Janet Lindsey
My memories of Brian always drew a smile on my face. Being more of an acquaintance to him than a close friend, our occasional meetings were always warm.
In pleasant surroundings, always related to activities of life, his character would always stand out. Joking, singing or playing Taiji, his life seemed full.
One of the unique human beings we encounter on life's travels, has moved on. My condolences to his friends and family,
Bob Lowey
I was so sorry to hear about Brian. The sessions that he led were an inspiration and I remember and use pieces of his teaching in my practice. He will be sadly missed.
Lesley Lancey
Brian? I have many happy memories and feel privileged to have spent time with the man--- one of my heroes and teachers.
LiBi Welthy
Have I words to say?
---- only to say that the Seagull school shall continue as you wished, and I will share the teachings as you shared them so generously with me.
Peter Bingley
What would Brian say?
for Brian Cookman
What would Brian say faced with an empty page?
What would Brian say faced with an empty screen?
What would Brian say faced with an empty head?
He’d probably smile & say you’ve already begun.
He wouldn’t worry about making it perfect.
He’d just tell me to get on with it, stop pissing-about.
Brian knows his stuff but he never struts it.
No fuss no bother, with a matter of fact manner
loving what he does, he lived for the moment.
Maybe his body is dead but his spirit lives on
imbedded deeply into every being that ever knew him.
Brian says when your head's empty, your heart's full.
Then it’s easy to remember.
Larry Butler
Dear Family and friends of Brian,
I have always loved this extract from ‘The Prophet’ and it seems fitting as we come to say goodbye to my beloved teacher, Brian Cookman.
’ Let not the waves of the sea separate us now, and the years you have spent in our midst become a memory. You have walked among us a spirit, and your shadow has been a light upon our faces’.
Much have we loved you. But speechless was our love, and with veils has it been veiled.
Yet now it cries aloud to you, and would stand revealed before you.
And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.
Kahlil Gibran : Lebanese Poet
I first met Brian when I was referred to the Pain Clinic at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. The consultant I saw put together a package of care for me which included Tai Chi classes that I was told was being run at the hospital. I remember him saying to me that he couldn’t force me to take on board these classes as part of my pain relief plan but that he strongly recommended that I give it a try. He said to me that it was worth going, even if it was only once, because there was a very special man called Brian Cookman who taught the class. It is worth going just to meet Brian he said. And how right he was. Meeting Brian quite literally saved my spiritual and emotional life and helped me in so many different ways to deal with long term illness, pain and all that goes with it.
I had been somewhat house bound for some time when I first came to Tai Chi. Many years of illness, pain and lack of mobility had all but destroyed my confidence and broken my spirit when I arrived that first afternoon at Brian’s class. To say it took all my courage to enter the practice room would be an understatement, and if it wasn’t for the gentle and kind encouragement I received that afternoon, I may have missed the most wonderful journey of self-discovery filled with hope and laughter.
Though I had learned a lot during my years of introspection and solitude brought on by my illness, I am so glad that when the time came to dip my toes back in the world it was into the arms of Brian’s Tai Chi class that I stumbled. It has brought me great joy and friendship and helped to heal a wounded spirit.
In his classes and with the help of his co-teacher Matthew Brewer, there was an atmosphere of acceptance, compassion, kindness and encouragement to help us all to find hope and meaning in life again. His combination of strength and gentleness helped to dispel the fear and lack of confidence that had grown out of long periods of immobility and isolation. I shall also always remember his wonderful visual teaching aids! Nothing too high tech for him just an expandable rubber band and a little child’s toy that he could make collapse when he needed to demonstrate kwa openings and closes!
I hope he knows the part he played in helping me to be the person I am today and that I feel so blessed that he was my teacher. And for all you, his family and his friends, who knew him best I send all the love and affection that is in my heart. You are all in my thoughts during this time of loss. I’m sure that, like me, you value the precious time you shared with him and his memory will be with us always.
Respectfully yours,
Shirley Batt
Brian was the most charismatic and generous person I have ever been privileged to know. He taught me as much about myself and tolerance of others, as he did Tai Chi and Chi Kung. He didn’t just Teach the forms and philosophies of Tai Chi, He truly lived them.
With Love,
Andy Wiseman