Full Circle
I think it was earlier this year. I came across Alicia Bay-Laurel's website.
If you grew up during the 70's you might be familiar with her book "Living on the Earth." Or maybe "Being of the Sun." Alicia lived on a commune and wrote beautifully hand-scripted, illustrated manuals.
Reading how Alicia wanted to one day learn Japanese compelled me to write to her. I told her that her books became a sort of inner guide as I navigated through the time and space of Tokyo. During the following decades, as I worked in the World of Media, that guide faded into the background, but one day, as I was cleaning out my mother's attic, I found my old, beat-up copies of her books. How crazy, I thought. Look at me now. Trying to "live on the earth" much as I had dreamed all those years ago. "I feel like I've come full circle," I emailed her. And that I would be happy to assist in any language related matters.
It read like a dumb fan letter. Ready to be ignored. But, no! I got a lovely, warm reply and we started exchanging emails. She made me feel like I had known her for ages. (Actually I HAD! I just had to wait more than 3 decades for her to know me!)
And then the synchronicities started flooding in. We had mutual friends! And now we were going to be in Japan at the same time!
We met in Japan for the first time, although for me it was like reconnecting with an old friend, as the synchronicities kept adding up. Not only had I come full circle, but the circle (en) of connections (en) kept growing. Keeps growing.
But, why should I be surprised? We are ALL connected...really...in the en(d).
(Indigo plant from Alisha and my new friend, B.'s yard. He uses it to dye his silk, made the traditional way.)
If you grew up during the 70's you might be familiar with her book "Living on the Earth." Or maybe "Being of the Sun." Alicia lived on a commune and wrote beautifully hand-scripted, illustrated manuals.
Reading how Alicia wanted to one day learn Japanese compelled me to write to her. I told her that her books became a sort of inner guide as I navigated through the time and space of Tokyo. During the following decades, as I worked in the World of Media, that guide faded into the background, but one day, as I was cleaning out my mother's attic, I found my old, beat-up copies of her books. How crazy, I thought. Look at me now. Trying to "live on the earth" much as I had dreamed all those years ago. "I feel like I've come full circle," I emailed her. And that I would be happy to assist in any language related matters.
It read like a dumb fan letter. Ready to be ignored. But, no! I got a lovely, warm reply and we started exchanging emails. She made me feel like I had known her for ages. (Actually I HAD! I just had to wait more than 3 decades for her to know me!)
And then the synchronicities started flooding in. We had mutual friends! And now we were going to be in Japan at the same time!
We met in Japan for the first time, although for me it was like reconnecting with an old friend, as the synchronicities kept adding up. Not only had I come full circle, but the circle (en) of connections (en) kept growing. Keeps growing.
But, why should I be surprised? We are ALL connected...really...in the en(d).
(Indigo plant from Alisha and my new friend, B.'s yard. He uses it to dye his silk, made the traditional way.)Labels: brain cookies, Japan, matters of the soul
posted by bad-dog at 2:11 PM
2 Comments:
Hi BD, I know it's been a while since you posted this but I had to comment. What a wonderful story! I got my own copy of "Living on the Earth" after coming across it in a cafe in Yakushima (translated to Japanese).
I can see you two really connecting. Sounds like a true full circle indeed!
Oh, I am not at all surprised that you have a copy of Living on the Earth, too! We are all connected!!
Hope life is treating you well in Israel.
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