There is a Bermudian man of very large stature, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually who I have been privileged to know since I came to retire in Bermuda.

He has been a friend, mentor and teacher to me. He is just like the Bermuda cedar (Juniperus bermudiana) that he loves so very much. Like the tree's trunk he is solid and multifaceted, like its leaves he is open and free, and like the inner cedar wood extremely beautiful on the inside.

Chesley is the most wonderful wood carver, sculptor and artist. He is a great family man and superb teacher to many. He is also an accomplished athlete, a supple 72 year young golfer, with a 12 handicap! He was also an excellent tennis player and has taught tennis to many. He is a collector of orchids and bromeliads and he communicates with them daily. He has given generously so much to his Bermudan community and still continues to do so.

Last week I wrote about the Second Mindfulness Practice - Generosity.

There are three levels of giving, firstly tentative giving or material resources giving; the second level is friendly giving or helping others to rely upon themselves; and the third level is queenly or kingly-giving or giving the gift of non-fear.

Chesley gives of all three types of giving, particularly the third one. He offers joy to others in a way that is not characterised by an outer form. It is not based on showing off, because at its source is a heart of love and compassion. Daily he practices giving joy motivated by generosity.

I first met Chesley at his Dockyard studio. I walked into his magical overflowing cave of exotic Bermuda cedar, tantalising intoxicating aromas, wood chips everywhere on the floor, classical music or was it that day jazz music playing, the best wood carving tools strew higgly-piggly everywhere on the benches and of course his beautiful rounded abstract-style wood sculptures.

In the midst of this exotic cave was the jewel, a multifaceted diamond who greeted me with generous gracious hospitality. Chesley welcomed me into his studio and offered me a small piece of Bermudian cedar. Since then I have since seen him do this many times to all the folk who come to his studio door.

A number of people in Bermuda helped Chesley when he was a young aspiring artist and he in return has spent years returning these gifts that he received then by helping others. His gifts are of time, energy and knowledge, and of sharing his many skills.

In return many other folk have given him small and large pieces of his beloved Bermudian cedar. They find their way into his studio with these gifts. It is then that he creates the images and visions of his mind by carving these pieces of wood into beautiful touchable feel-able sculptures. He tells me he is always in charge of his creations; personally I think it is God who is in charge! Firstly a sculptor of wood, and sometimes of bronze, I think Chesley's greatest gift is his skilful teaching.

He spent years at Warwick Secondary School teaching art and since his retirement he continues to teach those who are interested in woodcarving. One of his greatest pleasures for the last thirty years is to spend time at the Westgate Prison teaching the residents there the skills of woodcarving. However, I know that Chesley gives them far more than woodcarving skills. I suspect he gives them his generous listening skills.

This is a gift of kingly-giving or the gift of non-fear. He is so open and non-judgmental in his listening and in his speech, that the prisoners would feel no fear sharing their suffering with him. With his deep listening skills and generous heart he would help to relieve the suffering of his students in the prison's wood carving classes.

Chesley talks so proudly of his family. "I have a big family", he says. He tells me he has a lovely wife Jean, wonderful children and grandchildren and when he talks about them he visually swells with pride. Each year he goes away with the whole family to spend vacation time with them all, another act of pure generosity. As he says of his sculptures they are visual expressions of his hopes, dreams, experiences and interests. I see his generous actions as expressions of these hopes, dreams, experiences and interests. He truly follows the practice of generosity by sharing his time, energy and material resources with those who are in real need. I have been very blessed to have this wonderful man come into my life and deepen my understanding of the Second Mindfulness Training.

"Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to cultivating loving kindness and learning ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I will practice generosity by sharing my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will prevent other from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth."

The Mindfulness Practice Community meets every Sunday at 71 Victoria Street (at Union) at 5.14 pm. All are welcome, please call 236-4988 or iamhomeibl.bm for more information