“There’s a longing for us to embody our capacity to love and by meeting the pain, the fear, the vulnerability in the name of love – it opens the door for us all.” – Rafael Bejarano, Shaman

Rafael Bejarano was killed by Egyptian military on Sunday in what is being described as an accidental shooting, mistaking the lunching tourists on a spiritual mission for a camp of Islamist militants operating in the area. The error killed more tourists than any terrorist attack in recent years.

Rafael’s sister, Gabriela Bejarano Rangel, says that instead of focusing on the violence, focus on the possibility that love is a healing force.

Rafael died suddenly and painlessly while dancing and celebrating life. His commitment was to awakening the love in our hearts and he would not want this event to generate hatred and violence. His photo tells the story in a different way, one which reminds us that we are all love in action. We believe that there are really only two motivating forces in life — love and fear. Everything that is good in this world is motivated by love.

Love is our truth, it sits at the core of our being. @loveistrueblack (Click to Tweet!)

Many are telling stories of Rafa coming to them with messages and believe he has a higher calling. One of everyone’s favorite Rafa stories is of the day he visited a school. He got out an ancient Mexican whistle and played it for the kids. And then he asked if anyone would like to hold it.

The kids cautiously touched it and passed it around. And as it came to the last child, the teachers said, “No, not her.”

They were pointing at a young girl who clearly had special needs. And they were worried she’d drop this expensive and ancient instrument.

And the girl looked so sad.

Rafa didn’t hesitate.

Please take it, he said to the young girl, with a smile.

She gave a huge grin and as she took it from his hands it slipped — and almost in slow motion it crashed to the ground and smashed into a thousand fragments…

The room froze.

And Rafa didn’t miss a beat.

THANK YOU! He shouted!

Thank you, he said to the young girl who looked terrified.

Thank you. Because you just set free the spirit from this ancient instrument and you were the ONLY person who has ever had the power to do that.

In that moment all the other kids were suddenly amazed by the power of this little girl.

Rafael touched the hearts of everyone he met – from politicians to villagers. One day his friends saw him wearing funny rubber sandals and he confided that he’d given his running shoes to a local who he thought needed them more than he did. He carried a bag everywhere he travelled and would pull out an endless assortment of gifts for people he met. His generosity was boundless.

He shared his ‘chicken-sh*t’ story with groups and handed out tiny plastic chickens upon which he’d hand-painted a little heart. Chicken-sh*t was a laugh out loud reminder to us of the power of embracing our fears and our doubts.

Rafael was a Shaman, a healer, a musician, a world class Didgeridoo player, and a coach. He had a close relationship with the Gandhi family. He coached billionaires. He performed at Carnegie Hall; played on stage with Pavarotti, Santana, DJ Paul Van Dyk, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and Deepak Chopra; performed in exclusive circles with members of the UN, the parliament and royalty. Music transcends culture, countries and language, as Rafa did, and he would pull out his didgeridoo and make music wherever he traveled.

The heart of Rafael’s work was to create environments to assist us to embody the power of our authentic self. His approach was filled with humor and depth, acting as a conduit to unforgettable experiences of inspiration and transformation. Rafael believed that love is a living dynamic force that has the power to transform our lives and our world. Rafael is truly love in action. All who knew him know that his work continues . . .

Is it a coincidence that this incident happened leading up to the UN’s International Day of Peace on Monday, the launch of Love is the True Black, Oprah’s launch of her Belief series?

Rafa’s sister wants him to be honored through our commitment to awakening the heart of humanity rather than focusing on finding who’s guilty or who’s to blame. She understands the indignation and the sadness we are all experiencing and asks that we transmute that energy into bringing peace into each of our homes. She invites you to focus the energy of this incident in a different way, so that this never happens again. She invites you to stop judging, to reach agreements, to develop the acceptance and tolerance we need make a change. She invites you to love, to laugh, to celebrate life as Rafa did right up till the end.

May Rafael’s memory live on . . . and that of that ancient Mexican instrument and the little girl whose life is now forever blessed . . .

To make a donation in Rafael’s honor, to carry out his legacy of love in action worldwide through the Chicken S#!T Foundation, go to www.loveisthetrueblack.com and click on the donate button for more information on Rafael’s first wish. Share your impact with the world.

Co-Founders of Love is the True Black™, Wendy Newman and Natalie Alexia are both wildly passionate about transforming the world and creating more positivity within each person. Wendy, Innertaining™ Media and Oprah Belief Team Member, produces entertainment and media content, and creates worldwide social impact movements to reach the masses. Natalie brings deeper levels of awareness and transformation into the general space. Together, they do this through Love is the True Black, a photographic movement launched with the UN’s International Day of Peace, rooted in social change with a mission to unite us as humanity. To learn more about them, visit www.loveisthetrublack.com, www.innertaining.com or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.