I was incredibly sad to learn of your/Giris' death this morning.  I had been listening to J Krishnamurti (via an earlier introduction from you) on the drive to work, as over the last few weeks I had ben thinking of you regularly.  Intending to write you a message and looking on whatssapp I noticed that both profiles were both blank (rather than possibly a new thought provoking profile image to look at) and something struck me as odd about that.  So I googled your name and somehow already felt what the results would be before they presented on the screen.  How welcome though to discover the warm and loving tributes and myriad of photos and stories that have been made available through this tribute site - a powerful and moving use of modern technology to connect with your memory and others in a shared sense of something/someone important passing/changing form.  

I have enjoyed very much reading the messages that have been left.  I also came to know, respect and (now you are gone I realise all to late) love, 'in a certain sense', the man. 

My initial contact with Giris came from working at a law firm as an affordable housing lawyer within a wider real estate practice.  I readily attest to the other messages speaking of Giris' desire to challenge and provoke, and generally enrich everyone's experience of life.  In my opinion, he was a truly transformative individual - both in terms of the developments that he co-created, but also the transformation that all those in his team felt via our interaction with him.

The specific memory I would add from professional contact, is Giris' insistence on providing legal advice that had no caveat, or in his words 'disclaimer'.  He would always spot them, however they were dressed up!  Infuriating, but as others have pointed out, it was one of his many ways of removing the logs from the stream and allowing the project to flow.  An example of how he did not sacrifice/fail to practice his approach in any aspect life, from what I knew of him.   

I lost out on regular contact with Giris after I had left the firm that was handling his work, aside from the odd seasonal message of goodwill (often accompanied by a beautiful piece of music), and generous charitable donation from him/Sager.  On 10 April 2020, as we went into lockdown in UK, Giris sent me a message accompanied by a link to Celine Dione and Andrea Bocelli singing 'the Prayer' live.  As I was listening to the recording he rang me out of the blue, and by the end of the call we had agreed to speak the next week.  I was terrified and full of fear of what this was all about.  I had no need to be.  Over the course of a number of discussions Giris painstakingly introduced me to the concept of breath and bringing the form (mind and body) under control.  Despite my sadness in not having more time together in that vein, Giris, I am thankful that you helped to open the door - an example of your generosity which others have spoken about, particularly period in your your life over which this exchange happened.         

I'll end with the sentiment and enjoyable memory that it was you not me that really did give fantastic advice in all areas.  On father's day last year I sent you a picture of me at the top of Ditchling Beacon in Sussex to which you responded with another musical interlude, this time it was to be Rosaleen Linehan singing 'Soap your arse and slide backwards up a rainbow'.          

Ben Halsey