In Memoriam

Alex Berks

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. 
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. 
And how else can it be? 
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. 
Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? 
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives? 
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. 
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. 
Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater." 
But I say unto you, they are inseparable. 
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed. 
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. 
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced. 
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
- Kahlil Gibran

A Tribute to Alex

Our dear friend and colleague, Alex Berks, entered the mysterious pass to another realm 1/1/2012. We will miss him terribly. Alex was an elder with the CEFP, and infused our group with his gentle and enormous spirit, which will always be with us. Alex had a gift for treating cancer, and we spoke on many occasions about the interface between life and death, on letting go of control, and going where the Tao leads us, even when it leads us Home. He embraced the challenge with all that he had, and shared the gift of his process with us. Alex's spirit will remain as a guiding force of the CEFP.

We are starting a CEFP Alex Berks fund; those who wish to honor Alex may contribute to this fund; proceeds will go to our sister, CEFP elder, Denise Weisner. 

Donate in Honor of Alex here:

You can contribute to Alex's fund through our online link (above) or send directly:

Checks payable to The Fertile Soul CEFP

The Fertile Soul CEFP
Alex Berks Fund
10443 Main Street 
Roscoe, IL 61073