Dear Reader,

It is with a full and tender heart that we share the news of the passing of our friend, guide, mentor, and teacher, Dr. Lorin Roche in the early hours of Saturday, April 18th.

Lorin passed peacefully at home, held and supported by his beloved Camille, after a brief period of declining health. In recent days, Lorin and Camille were supported in the loving embrace and awareness of many of those closest to him. We hold all of those who are grieving deeply at this time in our hearts.

To know Lorin was to experience his extraordinary gift for deep, soulful connection. He had a rare and beautiful ability to meet each person exactly where they were, to tune in so completely that, in his presence, you felt like the only person in the room. He cherished one-on-one connection and showed us what it means to truly listen, to understand, and to love deeply. To be with Lorin was to feel seen and heard in ways that left us changed in indescribable ways. Just to walk into a store with him was a lesson in connection.

Lorin was incredibly full of life. His enthusiasm, joy, and sense of wonder infused everything he did. Whether speaking, teaching, or simply sharing a moment in silence, he embodied a kind of aliveness that was contagious. His lifetime love of the ocean infused his life, and his enthusiasm for technology was palpable and, at times, endearing. He loved a back-and-forth debate with ChatGPT. More than anything, though, he was a lover of life itself and often enthusiastically showed the wonder and curiosity of a child. How could the crunch of iceberg lettuce, or the attention of a dog for its owner be so riveting?

For nearly 60 years, he devoted himself body and soul to meditation—not as an authority, but as a lifelong student, exploring, developing, refining the practice, and sharing it with tens of thousands. He and Camille held a fierce and unwavering wish never to be put on a pedestal. Instead, he saw himself as someone who was always learning from every interaction with his students and from the unfolding mystery of life itself.

His devotion to Camille was a profound expression of his love and so beautiful to see. Together, they offered a living example of what it means to be fully oneself and, at the same time, intimately woven together with your lover. The tapestry of their lives was a rich artwork—independent yet deeply connected, devoted, playful, and tender. To witness their love in action was a true gift, and an example to aspire to.

As we take in this loss, we also feel immense gratitude for the generosity of Lorin’s spirit and the countless moments of genuine connection he gave so freely. He offered himself in service. And we honor the decades of devotion that brought forth The Radiance Sutras into the lives of so many. Who else could have written?

“There is a space in the heart where everything meets”

“The roar of joy that sets the worlds in motion”

“The senses declare an outrageous world”

“This ache in your heart is holy”

or “Wound becomes portal”

His legacy lives not only in the brilliant intimacy of his writing but also his desire for us to go out into the world sharing “The Yoga of Wonder and Delight”.

In his final days, Lorin spoke of a simple but deep desire for the world: that we love each other, and that we remember what a miracle it is to be alive. In the most tender of times, his heart was aching for humanity in these simple and profound prayers.
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As you receive this news - if you want to offer your love and support here are some ways to do it: Love for Lorin and Camille​

We will share more in the coming days about ways to gather, remember, and honor his life together.
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With love,

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The Radiance Sutras Team

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