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from Charlie Warren

 Love your book

I’m a direct darhma heir of Master Suzuki 

And it’s a whole story..lol

But I’m here 

nothing special 

 

Also David I’ve written a book 

Any help with direction sir

would be honored 

 

--

Charlie

 

oh I’ve been to the center in SF

few people knew of Master Suzuki 

most did not know who the man was

and Richard Baker didn’t return my call

 

lastly my chosen name is Sasha 

Charlie Warren my given

 

Nothing

But yet something 

I received a direct darhma transmission 

in the form of a swan

from Master Suzuki but so what

I’ve written a book and need some guidance 

 

Thanks!

--

Charlie

 

studied the man since I was 20

60 now

dad wasn’t around much so 

Zen Mind Beginners Mind

Not Always So

Mostly staring at his face..knowing something was there

before the first of the year me and a friend 

we’re in Galveston 

we walked down a pier and saw a pelican 

It had a big piece of plastic stuck in its gill

I saw..in his eye..he needed help

 

my friend also saw the bird needed help

but I didn’t want my friend caught up 

In a rescue I wanted her to myself 

I was aware of that slight selfishness 

And told her to call for help

 

She called a rescue service 

and they were aware

Of the bird and we’re so nice to her

The next day I felt the plastic 

Being pulled from my neck

I knew all was well 

 

But I wanted to see

So we waited a day before 

Going back

 

when we arrived at the pier David

We both felt a welcoming 

like “welcome back”

my partner knew the bird was fine

so she doesn’t go back to the spot 

but I do

 

I see the bird

It has its back turned towards me

I look closer and see it has a huge fish

In its gills, and it’s playing with it

Out of the blue 

The fullest whitest swan swims into view

 

nudges the pelican as if to say

turn around 

the swan swims away

but comes back as to make sure I saw it

swims next to the bird and they both face me

they jump off the rock and swim under me

and the pier to disappear 

 

this is 12/24

 

theres this conviction…since the transmission 

to go to San Fran and the Zen center 

and I’m speaking some Japanese (slang probably)

but it’s coming out and one day I record it

on the language translator AP to see if it’s anything 

rain rain rain rain

are the only words I’m evidently saying 

and another thing happened that

had to do with plumbing and water

all before we fly to San Fran

I sell my truck etc ..to get our tickets 

we show up 15 minutes prior to the new year

at the zen center 

 

and it’s raining and it’s been raining 

I asked where did Master Suzuki give his lectures 

nobody really knew who I was talking about 

but one lady said it was in the basement 

but it was flooded 

 

but what I observed shocked me

nobody knew the man

not even around town

even tried to call Richard Baker

not sure why I was even there

but knew I should be

 

back home in New Mexico 

after a few weeks in the rain

feel a lot of peace David

and listened to your book

yeah there were a few “old” guys in SF

who knew Suzuki but they didn’t call

and David as you said Suzuki himself

had no Aires about himself 

and I didn’t say I had this or that happen

but it did I want to help

it’s in my book

“One Love (never) Left”

 

Thanks

For hearing me out

for your love of the man Shunryu Suzuki 

And your book about him

I love him too

 

and I’m just practicing 

step by step 

not expecting anything 

 

but I’m here