Update: Buddhist Teacher Michael Stone’s Family Says He Likely Died from Opioid Overdose

Buddhist teacher, yogi, and mental health practitioner Michael Stone was taken off of life support on Sunday evening, according to a statement by his family posted on Stone’s Facebook page.

Stone was hospitalized on July 13 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, after not returning home, and had lost all brain function by the time he arrived, according to the statement. Stone’s friends and family traveled to be with him in the hospital over the weekend.

We are still piecing together what happened and will need some time to learn, process and share more with you. In the meantime, we would appreciate your patience, understanding, and support as we move through this experience,” the statement read.

Stone recently led a Tricycle Dharma Talk series, Finding Stability in Turbulence: Meditating When Things Get Tough. We invite his students to leave memories in the comments below, and to take solace in his teachings on finding peace during difficult times.

Stone was working on four books set to publish in the next two years at the time of his death.

“The 10,000 joys and the 10,000 sorrows are the path. With great sorrow, the death of dear Michael Stone, husband, brother, father, teacher, son, and person reminds me to appreciate every moment,” said Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, co-founder of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care. “The day before he went into the coma, we spoke about the most important thing—to be as loving as possible to each person we encounter—even the one in the mirror. This is the barometer of practice. The joys are endless. Michael inspired, loved, struggled, and used all of it in a deep investigative practice. We called each other brother, and it is an honor to love him as a brother. I join the many who continue to love and appreciate him. May his beloved wife Carina, his boys, his family and sangha have ease and tenderness in this vulnerable time.”

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