Mike Sturm
“Walk joyfully on the earth and respond to that of God in every human being.”
Mike Sturm, the creator of 5 Dynamics, passed away January 3, 2012 in Santa Cruz, CA.
In his life and his life’s work, he did his utmost to live day by day, minute by
minute, according to this precept of George Fox, the founder of his Quaker faith.
Mike often cited these words as the compass for his own journey.
We love you too, Mike.
Namasté.
Share A Message About Mike
Have something you would like to share or a story to tell about Mike? Feel free to write about it.
Posts
I have so many fond memories of Michael and his family, when they were here in Florida. William Penn, another Quaker, wrote about this in, More Fruits of Solitude: Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is omnipresent. In this divine glass they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure. This is the comfort of friends, that tough they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal.
You were the best person to talk to about an emotional event such as this. You were the best listener because you listened with all your senses not just hearing. You listened with more than your ears. You listened with your heart. I am just needing to talk to you about your not being here. But you need to be here in order for me to do that. We are both extreme in the first and effortless in the second so we could really be with one another with great understanding. Gosh, I miss that.
I have a funny question for you. Do people in heaven still retain their 5 Dynamics score? I hope you are laughing at that somewhere. I miss you so very, very much.
Mike believed that each person's gifts are inherently valuable, that there is no "better" way to be. Fueled by his passion for learning and discovery, he devoted his life to bringing the 5 Dynamics tools to life. I am richer for having met Mike and grateful for his legacy that will continue to help us accept ourselves, understand others, and collaborate more effectively. Mike's indomitable spirit and incredible gifts live on through the elegantly simple and amazingly rich tools he shared with us.
Rarely have I met a more gracious and generous human being. Mike lived his legacy daily through his work with 5 Dynamics, the people he touched, and his kind heart. Mike - you will be missed.
I had the privilege of meeting Mike at one of his 5 Dynamics workshops. I felt understood and known in a way that is rare and something I will always remember. It was a gift to be in his presence.
I only met Mike twice, but I am honored to have spent that time with him. His kindness of wisdom left a profound and lasting impression--that I will always carry with me.
What a loss for those of us that knew him and the world that felt his love and caring. His energy is now EVERYWHERE not limited by his earthly body. I will miss his kind smiles, words, and energy (which was always easy to feel).
Love to you Mike and love to your family...
--Bill Daul
Mike: Your love and wisdom, and your joy in living and in people, was a most rare gift to us and we are grateful and changed forever for knowing you. ....You were more robustly alive than most people, and you stirred others to be that way, too. Your love and support was very meaningful to us, and to many.
You excelled in many things, but in the competence that counts most - love -- you were astonishing. ...I'm also grateful at how you understood Doug's challenges as a visionary, as he had not always been well understood; your dimensional understanding of him meant a lot to him, and he quoted you often.
We love you and will miss you.
Karen and Doug Engelbart
I never had the salutary privilege of meeting Mike Sturm. But every time I use the 5 Dynamics with a client, I'm impressed anew at the genius that it reflects. The commitment and inspiration that Mr. Sturm put into his calling will echo in relationships and work places across the continent and beyond. What a gift. My profound condolence to his family and close associates.
Mike was a brilliant educator, and thinker and an innovative curriculum designer. I loved working with him designing experiential curriculum for community college students. But what I will remember the most about Mike over these ten years is his heart. He brought passion, insight and love to the things he touched. I will always remember the gleam and twinkle in his eyes.
Two years ago I met with Mike Sturm to finalize a deal that was three years in the making. Mike and I had an immediate connection when we met at a WPO meeting and that connection led to Mike asking me to carry his life's work forward. Today I am back in Half Moon Bay preparing to attend a private celebration of Mike's life with his closest friends and family. Mike, words cannot express how honored I am by your faith in me and your love for me. Believe me, the feeling is mutual. Namaste!
While I have not seen Mike in a number of years, I can close my eyes and hear his laugh and feel the love, compassion and tenderness he exuded. He was a model of acceptance always seeing the unique gifts we each brought to the world. His research, insights and creativity allowed us to have tools to do our work more effectively with the hope of making individuals, teams and organizations more effective. I thank you for your wisdom, compassion and tools that have helped me gain insight into myself and do my work more effectively. Your legacy will continue to be an inspiration to thousands of people. THANK YOU
Mike struck me as a very kind and gentle person. I did not know him too long, but one quality I admire was that he never seemed rushed. When he was there he was talking to you, not being somewhere else with his mind... He seemed very connected and his openness led to many lovely conversations. It was clear how much he loved his family and children and how much he admired them. Thank you for sharing part of your life with me, Mike.
Mike you were generous, kind, amazingly insightful, funny, passionate, imperfect like the rest of us, friend, and fellow traveler. You loved us, inspired us and taught us by who you were how to be better human beings. We love you and will miss you. Namaste, dear friend.
I liked myself and the world when I was around Mike. He was kind, authentic, creative, and immensely capable of seeing the possibility in every person and situation. I thank you, Mike, for providing so many of us with fabulous tools to continue our joint work - unleashing the authentic potential of every living being with whom we have the honor of engaging. Your contribution is huge, as is your legacy.
Mike was a dear friend, a mentor and a profound inspiration to me. He was my role model for authenticity, self-acceptance and appreciation for the gifts of every individual. I felt seen and deeply understood by him, and encouraged to be my full self, and I will miss him more than I can say. I am so grateful for the amazing tools he introduced to the world, They have helped me understand myself and be a better consultant and coach. I know that his legacy will live and grow, and that many others will recognize his genius and creativity, but they will never know his wonderful laugh and the warmth of his love.
Always open to a story or a conversation, Mike was very generous with his time and his heart. Aside from working with Mike at 5 Dynamics, he was also my neighbor. I have fond memories of running into Mike in the 'hood and chatting in his car. There was no such thing as a 5 minute conversation with Mike. I will miss him.
I never met Mike, but I believe that his work in developing the best personal / relationship tool on the planet is an amazing legacy!
Mike's amazing gifts to me (and everyone he touched) of warmth, caring, & love and understanding, perceptiveness, & insight are only a small part of the generosity and creativity of mind, heart & spirit that will be his personal and professional legacy.
He will live on always in my memories and remembrances of times we shared together... working, playing, laughing, and reflecting on life and its serendipitous twists and turns.
Thank you Mike ... for your profound influence on my life and my choices, I love you and will miss you always, Namaste.
Mike and I shared many wonderful moments together - in Canada, Colorado, Nebraska, the Carolinas,and elsewhere. We worked on client assignments together, helped to tweak the 5 Dynamics instrument, collaborated on his and my books, and philosophized about the world. He called me his "Soul-Brother". We trusted each other in ways that soul-brothers do. We loved each other and always will. Until we meet again anam cara - I love you. I send much love to all of the family too.
