Naya Rememberance Ceremony

I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Naya.

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Naya at the EWODOR conference in Rome (2016) when Coolmine TC were commencing with our planning for the EFTC conference in Dublin 2017.

Naya’s charismatic presence, her remarkable knowledge, expertise and kindness left a deep and lasting impact on me.

Naya’s presentation at the EFTC conference 2017 Dublin was the absolute highlight of the conference programme, and inspired me and my colleagues in Coolmine, to drive forward with services for women & families impacted by problematic substance use.

Our thoughts are with you at this time and we are so deeply sorry for the insurmountable loss of Naya.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam

I heard from Rod that she was sick and recovered in November, so when I heard that she was being hospitalized again in February, I thought she would live. That's why I can't accept that Naya is no longer in this world. I know in my head that she lives on in each of us in this community called Amity, but she is too big for me and it will take a while to settle down. Naya opened the door to a completely unknown world for me, a young woman in her 20’s, in the Japanese television industry in 1995. I was preparing to make a documentary on Alice Miller for a Japanese public TV channel and was looking for some activities that use her methodology. Looking into childhood abuse and breaking the cycle of abuse. We filmed a weeklong retreat at the circle tree ranch in Tucson which Naya organized and led. It was a mind blowing and life-changing experience for me.

Naya was very humble without ego, fully inclusive and always learning and challenging. She gave me a lot of assignments, so I'm going to keep in shape for myself.

Thank you Naya. I miss you.

Naya Arbiter was a constellation of bright stars illuminating the night sky, showing thousands of people a path out of darkness. She radiated unconditional love, and a deep knowing. Her crystal blue eyes saw to the core of human beings, drew out their best qualities. She also saw the big picture and where all issues of justice intersect.

Many of us showed Naya our worst, and yet she insisted all the more that we were good, brilliant, inspiring. No matter what we had done, we were great activists and able to be part of a conspiracy of goodness.

Her beauty, dignity, and razor sharp mind reminded me of my parents and I instantly felt a connection to her of absolute trust and reverence. And like my parents, she showed me fierce support and unwavering positive regard.

When I asked her if I could go to the Climate Reality Leadership Conference, she offered a space for me and made it happen. An experience I cherish.

I am so grateful for her lifetime legacy of making the world a just, more equitable, compassionate, verdant place. She often used Mariam Wright Edelman's quote, "Service is the rent we pay for living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time." Naya Arbiter paid her rent in full, and paid the way for so many of us.

Naya was a change maker. A friend. A teacher and mentor. A poet and writer. A guiding light. A frank, direct speaker. Fascinating. Tough and tender. A remarkable mind; a soul on fire.

The task for all of us who continue her work will be to "take care of each other," as her mentor Betty D instructed. We must be steadfast friends, expand our patience, delight in one another's joys and hold space for our sorrows. We must defend each other rather than criticize, especially in the moments where it's most tempting to find fault and judge. Those fiercely loving qualities that she demonstrated are what inspired us in the first place.

Carrying on the Teaching and Therapeutic Community Model, I will do my best to make Naya Arbiter proud.

"Farewell to thee! But not farewell

To all my fondest thoughts of thee:

Within my heart they still shall dwell;

And they shall cheer and comfort me."

--Anne Brontë

Naya was a shining star in our field, a gifted clinician and teacher. Her work strengthened residential treatment of drug abuse in America.

Naya

The Universe wept the moment you entered your sacred rest

As Warriors of the past sound the alarm to make space for

Another soldier

The world is less

Judicial

Sweeter

Loving

Caring

Generous

Naya lives!

within the cries of the

Climate crisis

Social and economic justice

Homelessness

Hunger

Voting suppression

Mental health

Immigration rights

War

Unjust sentencing laws

Poverty

Oppression

Naya lives!

In you, in me, in us, in each room at the

Rainmaker

Amistad,

La Entrada,

Vista,

Beacon,

Broadway,

Mercado,

Dragonfly

and Circle Tree Ranch

Naya lives!

In the beauty of all people

In the harsh lines of aged faces

In the scarred hands of those who picked cotton and cast votes

In the bent-over backs of migrant farmers

In the tribal dances of Native Americans

In the survivors of domestic violence

In the heart of Armenians' victory for recognition of the genocide

In the sober souls of recovered addicts

In the cries of those who protest the climate crisis

In the innocent eyes of the children at Dragonfly

In the prison cells swinging open releasing students to our campuses

In the laughter of those who love openly and freely

In the hummingbirds that flutter about

In the tall oak trees with branches reaching the heavens shouting Hallelujah!

In the glorious sunrises

In the breathtaking sunsets

In the harmonious sounds of the ocean waves

In the whispers of the wind

In the soft rain of spring

In the heat of summer

In the chill of fall

In the crisp air of winter

In each workshop

In our hands and hearts as we honor Naya's legacy in

Not cutting what we can untangle;

because it is yours for changing the narrative

as there is more to follow

more to follow

more to follow

SIRI-What is the meaning of the name NAYA

IN Arabic-the name means good

IN India- the name means new, fresh, renewal

IN Aborigine-Mother

IN Africa- “Khosa Language”- true to God or loved by God

IN Native American (Shoshone)-my beloved or beloved daughter of God

This is what SIRI gave me when I asked the meaning of the name NAYA. I was not surprised by the spiritual and nurturing descriptions of this name. They painted a picture of an extraordinary person that I was honored to call a friend and be viewed by her as a colleague and fellow wounded healer during these many decades.

NAYA will be sorely missed by all who knew her. The countless souls that she touched in her wise and gentle way, from her peers in Synanon to her family of Amity and the men of the Prison Programs and Community based facilities that she helped develop. Her international accomplishments are far too many to mention. All who were privileged to have known her understand the meaning of the name “NAYA”

Dear TC family,

It is with deep regret I have to inform you of another loss to our family. Naya Arbiter died on March 3rd, 2022. Naya’s impact has been significant and she will be dearly missed by the Therapeutic Community across the world. Our thoughts are with her family, her dear partner Rod, and all at Amity in their time of grief. Naya’s life work has been to construct chances for those and seemingly impossible situation. Naya’s power came from her ability to use her life experience, and her deep professional knowledge to connect with anyone she came into contact with; people in addiction, colleagues, politicians, policymakers. A fierce advocate of individual rights and the power of recovery, Naya never missed an opportunity to teach – and we all learned much from her. We will miss her smile, her generosity, her creativity, and her wisdom. Rest well sister.