(14 March 1974 – 25 July 2024)
Beloved Anish (Jack Jones) left his body unexpectedly in June this year, leaving an Anish-sized hole in many people’s lives. He was a gentle giant of a man, with a generous, loving heart whose presence was treasured by so many.
In spring, we will come together at his heart home, Osho Leela, to plant a fruit tree in his memory – a tree that will feed and nourish the community for years and generations to come. A perfect reflection of our friend’s ever-giving and loving nature.
Heart of Gold
Anish lived with us at Osho Leela, 2008 & 2009. He had a heart of gold and was always up for a laugh… He brought an uplifting energy to any project he was involved in here and was a great friend to many.
Amura
I knew Anish when he was living at Osho Leela Community. He was a great uplift, had a good sense of humour, and was a lot of fun to be with. He was also very caring and understanding of others.
I was organising the community work rota and Anish was always willing and enthusiastic to do whatever was needed. He was also happy jumping into workshops and meditations.
Anish – may your spark of joy remain in all those who have been touched by you.
Lalitya
I’ll never forget the first time I met Anish. It was at Osho Leela for the Aflame workshop where there was a Firewalk.
It was wintertime, freezing cold, and the ground outside was frozen solid. I was struggling, feeling way out of my depth, and skulking around the edges of the group. I had never met Anish before, and yet he took absolute care of me and held my hand.
I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have done the Firewalk if it wasn’t for him. He absolutely scooped me up and totally took care of me.
Anish was a good man, full of kindness.
Angie
Anish and I bonded over our shared sense of irreverent humour. I remember spending many an hour just laughing at the absurdities of life with him. The thing which drew us into friendship, though, was a deep caring and kindness.
One time, I remember very clearly, he was sharing some of that incredible caring with me, in a moment of deep vulnerability. Someone passing by said to him, ‘You should bottle that and sell it.’
He turned to the person and said, ‘No mate, you can’t put a price on kindness.’
This is how I remember you, Anish, always willing to share your innate generosity.
I feel privileged and grateful to have called you my friend.
Go well, Beautiful man x
Pavani
Anish was a dear friend I spent a lot of time working at Leela. I feel very grateful and honoured to have spent this time together and I grew to see a beautiful being.
Rest in peace, my friend. God bless him.
Premen
Darling Anish,
I heard your laugh before I met you… that loud belly laugh floating through the air of Osho Leela. I heard that laugh many times… along with your cheeky grin.
Those Humaniversity days were tough… full of gut-wrenching lows and beautiful highs and somehow we navigated through them. We cried together in the addiction group and I was so in awe of you for showing such vulnerability in your honesty.
Such a beautiful man with the biggest heart, who gave the biggest hugs…
I’m so grateful for you being part of that journey. Fly high sweet Anish… you made a difference ❤️
Dhara
Anish, we met when you first moved to Osho Leela in 2008. We subsequently became a couple when you moved out of Leela several years later and made Cheltenham your home for 9 years with me and Vishnu.
You were one of the most big-hearted, kind, generous, hilarious and loving men I’ve ever met. Even after we split up we were, and will always be, friends and soul mates. It was beautiful to celebrate your 50th birthday with you a few months ago.
With your big protective energy I always felt safe. You were so open and easy to talk to, always calm and gentle.
My darling man, I love you so much. Sitting here with a huge Anish-shaped hole beside me, I remember the love and laughter that I’m so grateful we shared for so long.
Fly high, my beloved friend,
Amrita
Anish stayed at Osho Leela for a while when I was living there.
I remember him as a bit of a Jack the Lad – boisterous, with a boyish grin and a “Gert Lush” Bristol accent which I found refreshing – but also welcoming, friendly, hard-working and fun-loving.
He was strong and forthright, but he didn’t have a bullying bone in his body, and he stood up for the underdog.
He was very protective of me when I was feeling left out of a group.
When he was at Leela he worked hard to leave behind bad company, make new friends and build a new life. He was a lovely guy and he will be missed.
Naropa
My dear friend Anish, what a journey we shared living at Leela! You were my lover in those early days, a protective (and sometimes annoying) brother at other times – but always my friend, first and foremost; always there with your big heart and open arms.
I remember your hearty laugh, your wicked sense of humour, and those fun, wild times dancing with abandon on the Leela dancefloor in crazy outfits and wigs!
I recall the love and devotion you had for your children, whom you always spoke of with such reverence, from the first time I met you.
I was so happy to hear that you’d moved to Wales with your brother and were doing so well with NA, knowing that they all loved you – the beautiful man you were and still are, as we all do.
Absolutely gutted to hear that you left us too soon.
Playing some Massive Attack and smokin’ reggae tunes for you.
Love you, my precious friend. Thank you for your kindness and friendship that transcend the realms of this physical world. xxx
Mala
Oh darling man, so sorry to hear this. I only thought of you yesterday!
I loved your humour, your kindness, your beautiful heart – You!! I loved our sweet months in lovership all those many years ago.
Sweet beloved Anish, I love you. I’m sad you have nipped off too soon.
Tears as I sit here with you.
Fly high, you cheeky Beauty. Fly high with full-fat reggae vibes pumping all around you.
Rachana
Anish was one of the funniest men I ever met.
Very fond memories of you.
Rajani
Very sad news about Anish’s passing.
Once we were travelling from Bristol back to Osho Leela, and Anish was being really funny. We were all laughing so hard we missed our turn-off and ended up near Exeter in Devon, before realising we needed to make a detour back to Dorset!
Samudra
Lord Jack was, and still is, a wonderful character and human being.
He used to call me Lord Vee-jiieey
Vijay
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