The Future of the Sanctuary of Tao

Dear friends,

Since Stuart’s passing, many of you have been wondering: What will happen to the Sanctuary of Tao?

The good news is that this is exactly why the Sanctuary of Tao was created: to preserve the teachings Stuart sought to transmit so they could live on beyond him. None of us expected that moment to come so soon, which is a tragedy both personally and for the organization. Yet we are grateful that the heart of what Stuart dedicated his life to share has already been recorded and preserved through Sanctuary of Tao programs.

Where do we go from here?

Stuart left us a treasury of teachings—more than any of us could absorb in a lifetime. The best way to honor Stuart is not only to remember him, but to put into practice the teachings he devoted his life to passing on. Together, our shared efforts can transform this tragic loss into a catalyst for good. As the Tao Te Ching reminds us, and Stuart would often say, within misfortune comes good fortune.

Our task now is to create the structures and support we need to cultivate those teachings fully in our lives.

Taoist practice has always been deeply individual—each of us must follow our own endowments and personal Tao. Yet in a culture that keeps us busy, distracted, and overwhelmed by demands, even hermits need each other. By practicing within a community, we create a shared field of support that allows us to do what we could not do alone.

With that said, the following are some of the ways that we will be continuing to support you in your Taoist practice.

Upcoming Programming

The Membership:

Our membership program will continue with weekly Sunday gatherings, alternating between meditation, talks, and review sessions:

• Once a month: a community-led review and discussion of one of Stuart’s recorded Member Talks, sent out in advance with reflection questions.

• Once a month: a live talk with Q&A by Tim Burkett, former Guiding Teacher of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center (where Stuart practiced before meeting Master Liang).

• Other Sundays: Taoist meditation led by Patrick, focusing on Qi Center work (preparation for internal alchemy), contemplation of Taoist scripture, and Tranquil Sitting.

For the rest of September, weekly meditations will continue every Sunday at 12:00 pm Central Time. Tim‘s first talk and Q&A will be on October 5th at 1:00 pm.

Beginning next year, we will also bring back our one-day online seasonal retreats as part of the membership, offering guided practice in Eight Brocades, Seasonal Seated Qigong, Standing Qigong, and meditation.

Become a Member

Upcoming Courses:

Eight Brocades Review (November 2025)

 In November, we’ll be reviewing the Eight Brocades Seated Qigong Coursetogether.

• Opening Session: a live class with Patrick in early November to kick off the program and prepare you for the course.

• Self-Paced Review: throughout November, we invite you to revisit the four-week pre-recorded course, and to begin—or re-commit to—a month of regular Eight Brocades practice.

• Closing Session: a live class in early December to conclude the program and answer your questions.

If you're a past student of the course, you may join the review at no cost. If you haven't take the course before, you can enroll at a special reduced rate of $200 (regularly $300) leading up to the review.

If you’d like to try Eight Brocades before deciding whether to enroll, we offer the full practice with simplified instructions inside the membership under the Nourishing Life Practices area. The full course provides more in-depth guidance for those who wish to deepen their study.

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Internal Alchemy Review (Beginning Jan 2026)

 Beginning next year, Patrick will host a live review session once a month for all past Internal Alchemy students, as well as for new students. Laying the Foundation of Internal Alchemy is a year-long program of pre-recorded talks by Stuart (three recordings per month), supported by these new ongoing monthly review sessions and optional one-on-one meetings with Patrick.

Join Here

Taijiquan (Beginning Spring 2026)

Around the Spring Equinox in March, we will begin our final online Taijiquan program that covers the weapon and two-person forms. We’ll announce the details as we get closer to that time

The Big Picture

Patrick and Suzanne will be moving back to Minneapolis—Patrick’s hometown, and also Stuart’s—the place where Patrick and Stuart first met. Lily already makes her home there. From there, they will continue running the Sanctuary of Tao, focusing on:

• Serving the Sanctuary of Tao Community Online—continuing to offer resources and programs accessible to all.

• Establishing an In-Person Presence in Minnesota—beginning with regular local classes for the Twin Cities community.

• Hosting Retreats and Workshops in Minnesota—open to both local students and members of our wider community who wish to travel and join in person.

• Working Toward a Retreat Center—fulfilling Stuart’s dream of creating a Sanctuary in Cusco, Peru (where Suzanne has deep family connections).

Carrying the Thread Forward

Stuart often emphasized that if we identify with the Tao, the Tao will gladly accept us—it is right here, waiting for us to recognize and align with it. With his passing, our task is to keep finding our own ways to step into that flow and, by doing so, help the world around us to come into harmony with the Tao.

We are committed to carrying this work forward as a community, taking up the spirit of what Stuart gave us. The Sanctuary of Tao was always meant to outlast him. It exists so that these teachings can continue to be studied, practiced, and renewed for generations to come. That is how we honor Stuart, and how we serve the Tao itself: by showing up, practicing sincerely, and supporting one another on the path.

We are grateful to be walking it with you.