By David Viafora in February 2018
Natascha, you are a true gift to the Sangha. A big heartfelt thank you for all your kind and loving work.
– Ali Razzaghipour, Australia
Natascha, I have felt your love for so many years. Your total dedication and care for the Mindfulness Bell was reflected on every page, conversation, and meeting.
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By David Viafora in February 2018
Natascha, you are a true gift to the Sangha. A big heartfelt thank you for all your kind and loving work.
- Ali Razzaghipour, Australia
Natascha, I have felt your love for so many years. Your total dedication and care for the Mindfulness Bell was reflected on every page, conversation, and meeting.
- David Percival, New Mexico, United States
When I first considered joining the Mindfulness Bell Care-Taking Council (CTC) a few years ago, I spoke with Brandon Rennels who was transitioning off the council after his four years of service. He confided in me that one of the reasons he had initially joined the CTC was because he valued collaborating more closely with Natascha, who he deeply respected and admired, and he wanted to learn more. After interviewing with Natascha and then working on the council for the first few months, I understood what he meant. I have learned so much from Natascha’s way of selflessly caring for the Mindfulness Bell, the harmony in our CTC, and for each unique person on our team.
During the last two years, I have immensely enjoyed the lightness, support, laughter, appreciation, and respect that Natascha has brought to both CTC meetings and individual collaborations. Even in my first months, I felt that my presence on our council was appreciated, and that I was wholeheartedly supported to share my unique interests and love to help the Mindfulness Bell grow.
Natascha’s aspirations to offer something healing, inspiring, and transformational to our misguided world have shined through over the years. Her quiet determination and care have fed into every beautiful issue (24 offerings in total!), including those that we read and illuminated our practice, as well as those that we never read.
The Mindfulness Bell has flourished in so many ways over the last eight years, from its website, digital options, broad diversity of authors and guest editors, the magazine’s financial health, the robust vibrancy and growth of our CTC, continued contributions from young people, to celebration of Thay and his teachings through both health and sickness. Like her predecessors, Natascha has continued laying a strong foundation for the Mindfulness Bell to express the fruits of our Mahasangha’s thriving practice around the world.
Many of us on the CTC also deeply respected how gracefully Natascha transitioned from the managing editor position to support a more sustainable role for the incoming editor. It's clear that I'm not the only one who feels thankful, delighted, and even relieved that she’s staying on board with us now as a CTC member! As a CTC, we are in a wonderful position now to share the Mindfulness Bell with an ever growing and diversifying Sangha, geographically, culturally, and with more young people than ever. With the strength of our council, it’s an exciting time to be serving on the Mindfulness Bell together.
Even as I am still a rather new council member, I can feel that our roots, trunk, and branches are strong and healthy, and we are in a position to bloom even brighter in the days ahead.
- David Viafora, MorningSun Mindfulness Center, United States
It has been a joy to work with Natascha, since she submitted her first article to the Mindfulness Bell in 2008. At that time I was thinking about stepping away from the Managing Editor job to start a new life. I sensed that Natascha would be perfect for the job, and I am pleased to say I was right! She has been a brilliant and dedicated editor, bringing us issue after issue filled with wisdom, beauty, and joy. One thing I admire about Natascha is the way she has gathered a Sangha around the Mindfulness Bell, drawing in volunteers of all kinds and refashioning the (previously honorary) Advisory Board into an active and committed Care-Taking Council. Under her leadership, the Mindfulness Bell has developed a stronger online presence and is becoming more financially sustainable. I wish Natascha many blessings in her new life.
- Jane Ellen (Janelle) Combelic, Scotland
