memoirs (a ninth draft) by harold dull · 1 memoirs (a ninth draft) by harold dull the version that...

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Memoirs(aninthdraft)byHaroldDull

TheversionthatfollowsisintendedforthosethatalreadyknowWatsu.Ifyoudon't,gotowww.watsu.comandlookatthedescriptionsandvideospostedtherebeforeyourreadthismemoir.

Allthatfollowsaremymind'srenewalorreconstructionofmymemories.Ratherthangoingback(orrathercomingup)periodbyperiod.Irecreatethememoriesupthroughfivelinesorpaths:

Family

Poet

Body

Watsu

Celebration.

harold@watsu.com

IFamily

Mother'smother,GladysJ.Martinson,in1925becamethefirstwomanrealestatebrokerinSeattle.Motherisherseconddaughterand,notbeingasattractiveasherfirst,isadisappointmenttoher.Hermotherparadeshersister,Margarite,asherbeautifuldaughter,andhidesMildred.Thepainofhavingamotherwhosawherasdefectivewassomethingthataffectedmymother'swholelife.Gladyshasasalesman'sdrivetopresentwhatevershehasasthebestthattherecouldbe.Shehastwopoodles,PrinceandPrincess.WhentheybegintoageshehasthemputdownandreplacedwithanewPrinceandPrincess.Whenevershegivesusapresentshehoversoverusuntilwesuccumbtoherpressuretoacknowledgehowgreatitis,somethingthathasturnedmeofftoChristmasandgiftgivingeversince.

GladysisgivenWhidbyIsland'sSunlightBeach,asacommissionforarealestatesale.Someofmyfirstandbestmemoriesareonthatbeachinfrontofherhouse.Thesmoothsandofthetideflatgoessofarout,thehousesbecomeathinlineontheshoreandIcannolongerheartheyellingandshoutingofthefamilieswithin,asIrunandchasethegullsupintothebrightsky.

Thereisn'taholidaythatdoesn'tslipintoadrunkenchaos.Motherdoesn'tdrinkeveryday,butsheisabingedrinker.Shedisappearsfordayswhenthingsgettoohardforher.Cominghomeonenight,shepicksmeupoutofbedtoshowmeoffto

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herfriends,showeringmewithlove.AnothertimeIamsittingbesideherchairatafamilygatheringslippingherthebeertherestaretryingtokeepfromher.

MotheroftenbringsmetoGlady'slittlewhitebrickrealestateonPhinneyRidgewheresheworksasasaleseman.Beingasalesman,motherkeepschangingourhouses,none,lastingmorethanayear.Shealsokeepschanginghusbands.

Myfather'sfather,FredF.Dull,isalwaysinthesameredbrickhousewithabigcherrytreeinthebackyard,threeblocksawayfromtherealestate.Inmyonememoryofmyfather,George,heistossingmeuphighinmygrandfather'shouseandcatchingme.Wearebothlaughing.Iamtwo?Mothersaysaloadoflogsfellonhisheadandhewasneverthesameafterwards.WhentheyseparatemyGrandfather,assumesmyfather'sroleinmylife.AsIgrowup,movinginwithmygrandfatherbecomesachoicetoescapethechaosthatsurroundsmother.

Memoriesaretiedtoplaces.Duringthewar,inahouseinthesuburbswehaveavictorygarden.Ahummingbirdistrappedinthescreenedporch.UnderneathitIhidethegummycandyIdon’tlikeafterIbuythemfromthepenniesIstealfrommymother'spurseandaddtheimagesthatwrapthemtomycollection.Mystepfather,Arnold,findsthecandyandforcesmetoeatit.Igetsick.

MyMotherandArnoldbuyatavernonWhidbeyIsland,CozyCorners.WeliveaboveitwhereIsetmyselfupatawindowtoshootdownZeros.Thewarisstillon.Ifightwithmystepfatherwhotriestogetmetodochores.Myfirstbrotherisborn.TheeightyearsIhaveasanonlychildareover.

MotherdrivesmeandmybrotherouttoafarmonWhidbeyIsland."Youaregoingtostayherefortheschoolyear.IamdivorcingArnoldbecauseofthewayhetreatsyou."Arnoldhasnotbeenthatbad.Ifeelguiltyformakingmybrothergrowupwithoutafather.Ouryearonthefarmisoneofmyhappiest.TheelderlycoupletakingcareofushadbeenmissionariesinJapan.Herchickencurryiswonderful...andthepond...andthehaystackIjumpinto.

Motherhasanewhusband,Roland.Weliveinahouseontheshore,onabulkheadafewfeetabovePugetSound.IhavearowboatandrowallthewayacrosstoHatIsland.Ispendhourstryingtodamupastreambeforetherisingtidetakesitout.Rolandisalieutenantinthenavy.HeisbeingstationedonGuam.WecrossthePacifictojoinhim.Weliveonthegroundfloorofalargequonsethut.TyphoonAllynhitstheisland.Whenthewindswheelaroundtotheotherside,Istandoutsideshelteredbytheflatwallofthequonsetatmyback.Everythingisflyingaround.Mysecondbrotherisbornandisnamedafterthestorm.Afteradelightfulyear,mystepfatherisdischargedbecauseofhisdrunkenoutburstsandwehead,viaWaikiki,home.

Mygrandfatheristheoneconstant.Hewelcomesmetohishousebetweenallthemoves.Hehadbeenasupercargooverseeingtheplacementofcargoonships.Unlikemymotherwhoisareligiousandapolitical,heisafundamentalistandan

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anti-semite:"AngloSaxonsarethelosttribesofIsrael,thetruechosenpeople."HeregularlytakesmetohisPentecostalchurch.Thealtarcallhasapowerfulpull,butneveroncedoIgouptobesaved.Icannotacceptmymother,andeverybodyelse,beingdoomedtohell.ButIfeelthepullandlyinginbedtryingtosleep,whenthecurtainmoves,IpraytoJesustonotendtheworldyet.Idon'twantittoend.InchurchtheycelebratethebombingofHiroshima,welcomingitasasigntheendiscomingand,beingsaved,theyalonewillbetakenuptoheaven.ItellmygrandfatherIwillnotgotochurchagain.Heacceptsit.Idonotlosehislove.

WebuyahouseontheroadonWhidbyIsland.Thefrontofitisconvertedintoarealestate.WearesurroundedbyfarmsandwoodsinwhichItakemy22outtoshootrabbits.Mystepfather'sdrinkingisgettingmoreviolentandabusive.HehadbeenonthefirstsubsunkbytheJapaneseatthebeginningofthewarandstruggledtosurviveinprisoncampsuntiltheverylastdayofthewar.OnedayIwalkinandheisabusingmymother.Iknockhimout.Hedoesn'tabuseherinfrontofmeagain.

IbecometheyoungestlicensedrealestatesalesmaninthestateofWashington.Notoldenoughtodrive,Iaccompanycustomerstoshowthembeachhomes.IalsobecomethejuniorcheckerchampionofWashingtion,joiningatournamentIhappenedontoonedaywalkingaroundGreenLake.WhenIturn16mygrandfatherbuysmeausedDodgewhichIsoontotaldrivingitupanddownarollercoastergravelroad.Iamlyingonmyback,dustpouringdownfromtheceiling,theradiostillplaying.

InamovebacktoSeattle,Iworkforarealestatethatisnotinthefamily.IsellacouplehomeswhichhelpstowardsmyupcomingexpensesattheUniversityofWashington.Mygrandfatherhelpstherest.Idon'twanttohaveanythingtodowithsales,tohavetopressurepeopletomakeasale.Imajorinphysics,andthenextyearinPrelawandPhilosophy,andforthelasttwoyearsinCreativeWriting.Mygrandfathercontinuestohelpmewithmyrent,ratherthaninsistingthatIliveathishousewhichisabusridefromtheuniversity.InmylastyearIshareastorefrontonthewaterfrontthatistheplacewherewellknownblackandwhitejazzmusicianswhoseunionswillnotletthemplaytogetherjointojamaftertheirperformances.AlmosteverynightIamhalfwokentothemostwonderfulmusictwentyfeetfrommymattressonthefloor.Someoftheregularstakemeonasakindofmascottootherjams.

WhethertheyunderstandornotwhatIamdoing(whichIdon’talwaysunderstandmyself)bothmymotherandgrandfatherhavefaithinme,alovethathashelpedsustainme,whetherIstayincontactornot.

Iconsidermyselffortunatetohavethreewomenasmatesinmylife.Imeetthefirst,Dora,beforeIgraduate.Neitherofusbelieveinmarriage.ThewayIwelcomeherbackfromalongvoyagewithanotherboyfreindwithoutanyjealousy,addstoherdecisiontojoinmeinmymovetoSanFrancisco.WearriveinSanFranciscoonJuly2,1957,thesameday,mythirdmate,Pavanaisbornthere,andjointhesceneasa

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couple.Dora'sinyourfacecampynaturecomplementsmyquieterone,andfitswellinascenewheremostofthepoetsaregay.

Inoursecondyeartherewemoveupthecoastfarenoughtostillbeabletodrivedownandjointhesceneeveryweekend.Ihaveaconvertible.Iloweritsrooftokeepmeawakeforthetwohourdriveonthetreacherouscoastroadafterthebarsclose.DorateachesatanelementaryschoolandIdrivetheschoolbus.ThenextyearwemoveintoaoneroomschoolonanativeamericanRancheriawhereIteachgrades1to9.Evenwiththeexpensesofourweekendswiththepoets,weareabletosaveoneteacher's$5000salary,enoughtotravelbohemianstyleinEuropefortwoyears,attheendofwhichmygrandfatherfliesusbacktoSanFranciscowiththetwindaughtersbornonIbiza.

WhenwejointhepoetsintheafternoonsinAquaticPark,thetwinsrunineverydirection.IworkforthepostofficedayandnightconfidentthatifIfailtomemorizeallthezipcodes.,theywouldputmeonunemployment.Ifail.Doraalreadyhasajoblineduptoteach.WehaveadepositonahouseoverTomalesBaywhereIplantowrite,drawunemployment,andtakecareofthetwins.

OnemorningIcomehomefromthepostofficetoanemptyhouse.Dorahastakenthetwinsandranoffwithoneofmybestfriends,agaypainter.Iamdevastated.Ihadtakenhersoforgranted.IfollowthemtothelowereastsideinNewYorkwhereIrentacockroachinfestedroominwhichIhavemytypewriterstolenthefirstnight.IcollectmyunemploymentandtakethetwinsoutintoWashingtonSquareeverydayuntilmyunemploymentrunsout,theworstsixmonthsofmylife.IloveNewYorkinothertimes,hangingoutintheCedarwiththepoetsandpainters,givingapoetryreadingatSt.Marks,meetingNinaSimone,gloryinginthedeKoonigRetrospective,regularlyhearingTheloniousMonk,showingmyyoungestbrotheraroundaftertakinghimtotheMontrealWorldFair,atripbackacrossthecountrywhereIclimbintomyfirstwildhotspring,butthistimeIamreadytogetoutofNewYork.

Iamhiredtodrivesomeone'sVolkswagenbugtotheOregoncoast.MyspiritslighteneachmileIamclosertomycoast.FinallyIstepbackintothepoet'sbar,GinoandCarlos'.Sittingalongsidemyfriendsisabeautifulwomanwithaslightlysadsmilethatattractsme.Shebecomesmymateinmynextfamilyfornineteenyears.Ilahasason,Byron,whoissevenandunderpsychiatriccare.Wetakewelltoeachother,andthethreeofusmovetogethertoahouseinStinsonBeach.

MygrandfatherhelpsmeenteragraduateprograminteachingEnglishassecondlanguageatSanFranciscoState.Icommutetoclassesfromthebeachthreedaysaweek.OngraduationwemoveuptoBritishColumbiawhereIteachEnglishatVancouverCityCollege.Itrainseveryday.

ThenextyearwemovedowntoMexicoCitywhereIhavemyownEnglishprogramanddevelopmyownmaterialatasmallgraduateuniversitywithagreatlibrary.I

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sinkmyselfintotheincrediblepre-columbianworld,studyNauatalandreadtheSpanishtranslationofSahugin'sinterviewswithitssurvivors.AlmosteveryweekendByronandIjumponabusortraintovisitanotheroneoftheruins.

Ilaispregnant.Aftermuchsearchingwefindadoctorwhowillallowmetobepresentatthebirth.Comingoutofthebankwiththecashtopaythedoctor,Istepontoabusintooneofthecraziestactsofmylife,whicheasilycouldbemylast.Threeburlythugspressinaroundmeandslipthemoneyoutofmypocket.Iamcloseenoughtothedoorstoreachbackandkeepthemopenspreadingmyarms.Blockingthebus'sprogressIshout'MehanRobado'overandover.Someoneslipsmethemoney.AftermakingsureitisallthereIstepoffthebusandfindanotherwayhome.

ItistheyearoftheOlympics.Policeareroundinguppeoplefromthestreet.Studentsandothersareprotesting.IslipintothelargestmarchIhaveeverseen.WefilltheZocolo.FortunatelyIdon'tjointhenextnight'smarchthatfillsTlatelalcoSquare.Thearmysurroundsandfiresintoit.Theycarryoffandburnhundredsofdesapericidos.Noneofmystudentsdisappear,butthefrontofouruniversityhasbeenshotup.ThreeyearshasbeenjustenoughtimetobeinMexicoCity.OurfamilyreturnstoSanFrancisco

IgetajobteachingwithSanFranciscoCommunityCollege.Thefouryearswehadbeenawaywereyearsofmajorchanges.WerentahouseinNorthBeachbutmostofthepoetshavediedormovedaway.Ila'ssecondchild,myonlyson,isborninthathouse.WebuyalargehouseonfifthAvenuecloseenoughtotakethekidsdowntoGoldenGateParkeveryday.

IdiscovernaturalhotspringsandseekoutasmanyasIcanoutinthewoods.Ilacompletesherstudiestobecomeanurse.ByrondecidestojoinhisfatherinNewMexico.OnedayhecomeshomewithafeversohighthatIlatakeshimtothehospital.Latershecallsmethathehasdied.Nobodyknewwhatkilledhimbutasamplewasstoredthatwaslateridentifiedasthehuntavirus.

Devastated,IlathrowsherselfintoaveryintenseprogramtobecomeaNursePractitioner.IstartstudyingZenShiatsuandoffersessionsandsmallclasses.OneofmyclientsisarecordshopownerandthecredithegivesmehelpsmebuildupthecollectionofclassicalmusicthatIstillhave.AnotherregularclientisIla.MyTantsuseemstodiminishthesadnessthatfirstattractedmewhenIwassufferingthelossofmytwins.AsadnessIlatercometorealizeistheoccasionalsurfacingofadeeplevelofdepression,inspiteofwhichIlacontinuestobealovingandsupportivecompanionandmother.

IcontinueexploringhotspringsandeventuallyfindmywaytoHarbinHotSpringswhereIstartofferingclassesweekends.Anidealsituation:alovingwifeandchildrenIreturntoeveryweek,andaplaceasopenasHarbinwhereIamfreetoconnectwithothersaslongasIliveuptoouragreementnottobecomeattached,

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butHarbincomestothecity.HarbinandtheschoolIhavesetupthere,co-sponsoraboothatanexpositioninSanFranciscowithavideoofmegivingaWatsu.IofferTantsusessionsattheexpo.ThelastoneIholdisabeautifulyoungwomanwhocriesinmyarms.

ThreemonthslatershecomestoHarbinandgetsaWatsusession.ShelivesclosetoGoldenGateParkandasksifshecanridewithmetoHarbinontheweekends.SheattendsmyTantsuclassesthere.Shegrowsonme.Shetellsmeshefellinlovewithmyharainthatvideo.MyrunsthroughGoldenGateParkstartdetouringtoherhouse.Iaminlovewithtwowomen.Forayear,Ifantasizethatitcansomehowworkout.

Finally,unabletolivethatlieanymore,ItellIla.IgointoretreatatHarbinwithoutseeingeitherone.ItradeaWatsuwithabio-energetictherapistwhohasmelyingonatablewhereahugeglobeoflightpoursinfromabovemyfeetastearsandachantpoursoutofme;"Ihavenopowerofmyown.Ihavenopowerofmyown.Ihavenopowerofmyown."

IlainsistsIgotoatherapistwithher.ThereIamfinallyabletotellherIwanttoleaveherandmovetoHarbin.ImovetoHarbin.Mysonwantstobewithme,buthedoesn'twanttoliveatHarbin.ForthenextmonthsIgodowntothecityeveryweektotakehimandmydaughteroutuntilhedecideshedoesn'twanttogooutwithme.Ilarefusestospeaktome.TheramificationsofmyactiongofarbeyondwhatIanticipated.

AtHarbinPavanamovesinwithmeintothelittlebuildingwhereIofferclasses.AfterthedivorceisfinalwearemarriedinHarbin'swarmpool.Acoupleyearslaterachildcomestomeinthemiddleofthenightamonthbeforesheisborn.Lookingaroundshesayssheishappythatsheisbeingborninahousewithbooks,"Ilovebooks".Iaskherwhathernameis.ShesaysCalias.

Ialreadyhavehadenoughchildrenandexperienceinco-opnurseryschoolsbutPavanahasnot.Idon’twanttodenyherthat.I'mgladIdidn't.Caliasisajoy.HerfirsttwoyearswelivetogetherafewstepsawayfromthepoolinwhichWatsucameintobeing.Dunkingherinitsheswimsbeforeshewalks.

WemoveintoahousetwentyminutesuptheroadfromHarbinatEttawaSprings.Thehouseisonabankoverayear-roundstream.Standingonitsdeckwelookstraightdownintothewaterflowingunderus.WegodowndailytoHarbinwherePavanarunsthebodyworkschoolandIteach.ThecommunityisstillhelpingraiseCalias,buthavingourownplaceinthewoodswithnoothersnearby,sharingthechangesfromseasontoseason,walkingupthestreaminthesummerandfeelingthehouseshakingfromthebouldersbeingpusheddownthestreaminthestorms,foralmost25years,andremodeling,perfectingit,anddealingwiththelegalproblemsanastynewneighborbringsus,alladdtoourbondingasafamily.AndallthreeofushaveourplacesintheHarbinCommunityandtheWaterFamily.

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AtanearlyageCaliasbeginsstudyingWatsu.BeforeherbirthPavanaaccompaniesmeonallmytrips.WhenCaliasis13IhaveherflytoRometojoinmeand,afterextricatingherfromcustoms,ItakeherthroughmyfavoritemuseumsandchurchesinRome.FlorenceandVenice,wheretoourdelightthebiennialisopentous.InotheryearsIbringhertoParis,Barcelona,andMadrid,thewholePrado.

Tocelebratethe25thanniversaryofWatsu,WatsuinstructorsrentahotelwithalargehotspringspoolinItaly.PavanaandCaliasjoinmeandWatsuerstherewhenIflyinfromaroundtheworldteachingtour.WeenjoytremendouslyourweekendtherewithourWaterFamily.

CaliascompleteshertrainingtobeaWatsuinstructorandtheBoardvotestoacknowledgethatPavana,whohasdonemuchtohelpthedevelopmentofWatsuandkeptmyfeetontheground,andCalias,areinlinetoinheritthetrademarksandtheRegistry.

In2015aforestfiretakesoutHarbin.InthreedaysIgetonmyupcomingflighttoEurope,surethefirehastakenoutourhouse,too.Parting,IaskPavanatotelltheInsurancecompany,Farmers,tofindusahouseinBerkeley.WhenCaliasandIgetbackfromEuropeallourfurnitureandbooksthatincludemanyfrommydaysintheUniversity,andallmyvinylrecords,allthatIhadassumedlostinthefire,wereinournewhouseinBerkeley.Farmershadthemcartedout.Thefirehadtakenoutthebridgetoourhouseandeverythingaroundit,butnotthehouse.WhenourinsurancemoneyrunsoutwefindacouplehousematestoshareourhouseinBerkeley.

Havingbeenhealthymywholelife,in2010Ihadmyfirstboutwithcancer,atumouratthebaseofmytongue.Radiationtookitoutandwithintwomonths,Pavana,CaliasandIwereflyingtoIndiatoteach.Sevenyearslatercancerreturnedtomytonguebutthistimeitspread.AfteracompletelaryngectomyIcannolongergetintoapool.CaliastakesaweekofffromherSpeechPathologyMaster'sprogramandjoinsme.Serendipitously,myfirstdaughter,Maude,hasrecentlytransferredintothesamehospitalasadoctorinpediatrics.ThelasttimeIhaveseenherwaswhensheflewoutfromtheEastcoasttobewithmeduringmyfirstepisodeofcancer.Havingthembothtogethermeansalottome.

Familymatters.

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IIPoet

ThefirstpoemsIamdrawntoarethoseofDylanThomas.ItismysecondyearattheUniversityofWashington.Iaminbed.Thefullmoonisatmywindow.Isitupinbedandthemoonentersintoalongrhapsody.AttheendofthatyearIswitchmymajorfromPhilosopytoCreativeWriting.

InmythirdyearattheuniversityIsitacrossthetablefromStanleyKunitz.Onetimeheisleadingtheclassthroughadiscussionandpraisesofmyfirstpoem,IceAge;anothertime,mypoem,Corners.ItispublishedinNewWorldWriting.Iamapoet.UptonowIhavefearedgrowingupashavingtofinallychoosebetweentheworldsofmymotherormygrandfather.Thereisathirdworld.Iamapoet.

AlmosteverydaythatyearIsitatthattableasKunitzleadsusthoughWilliamButlerYeats'spowerfulpoems,afoundationImuchappreciate(sixtyyearslaterIstillhaveYeat'sbooksonmyshelves).

LikeallstudentsbetweentheKoreanWarandVietnamIhavetojoinaReserveOfficerTraining,ThefieldIselectisPsychologicalWarfarewiththecrazyideathattheremightbepsychologiststherewhowillrecognizemeastoounstableforthemilitary.AtthemeetingsIstartdrawingNavahoSandPaintingsonablackboard.MybehaviorconvincesthemthatIamarepressedhomosexual.Theydischargeme.

InmyfourthyearIamsittingacrossthetablefromthepoet,TheodoreRoethke,whohasreturnedfromhissabbatical.HechristensmethePrinceofLassitude.

TwopoetsturnuptogivereadingsattheUniversity,AlanGinsbergandGarySnyder.Theyopenmyeyes(andears)andstrengthenmydeterminationtomovetoSanFranciscowhenIgraduatein1957.

InthefiftiespoetsareflockingtoSanFrancisco.ThethreewhohadstartedtheBerkeleyRenaissanceafterthewar,JackSpicer,RobertDuncanandRobinBlaser,havemovedtoSanFranciscowheretheyareatthecenterofthenowmuchlargerSanFranciscoRenaissance.

Reconstructingmyownexperienceofitfrom60yearoldmemoriescanbarelyscratchthesurfaceofallthatisgoingoninthatuniqueandremarkablescene.Oneoftheparticipants,LewisEllinghamalongwithKevinKillian,writesabookthatgoesintogreatdetail:

PoetbeLikeGodJackSpicerandtheSanFranciscoRenaissance

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Icanonlycallupshredsofmemoryandwhatisstillpreservedinmypoemswrittenatthattime,thoughtheeffectsandgratitudeofbeingapartofthatscenecontinueinme.

AlmosteverynightwemeetwithJackSpicerinthepoet'sbar,thePlace.WhenthePlaceisshutdown,wemeetinGinoandCarlos.SomeafternoonswefindeachotheronthelawnatAquaticPark.Wejoininpublicreadings.OnSundayswemeettoshareourlatestpoemsandhelpeachotherferretoutthebest,themostspontaneouspartsofthem.Itisanexciting,vibrantcontinuallycreativescene.Poetrymatters.

JackSpicerandRobertDuncanbothhavebooksorserialpoemsinprogress.TheybringthelatestepisodestotheSundaymeetings.Sometimeswebringpoemsthatunbeknowncomefromsomecommonsourceintheair.

ThefirsttimeIattendtheSundaymeeting,IreadpoemsIhadwritteninSeattle.JackasksifIhadthelastlineinmindbeforeIfinishedthem.Iprobablydid.Hesaysthatisoneofthethingsthatcharacterizeacademicverse.ThenextpoemsIreadatthemeetingaremynewmuchmoreopenBirdPoems.Jackispleased.HeencouragestheWhiteRabbitPresstoprintthemasachapbook,myfirst.AtasubsequentmeetingIreadmypoem,theDoor.RobertDuncanincludesitinhisownbookalongsideapoembyJoanneKyger.

Joanne,GeorgeStanley,EbbeBorregardandIarechristenedtheWhiteHopes.

IamcalledinforaphysicalforthedraftwhichIthoughtmydischargeexcusesmefrom.SittingacrossfrommetheexaminerasksifIhaveseenapsychotherapisttodealwiththeproblemthatcausedmydischarge.OutragedIstandupandsay,"No.Iamapoet!".Theydon'tdraftme.Itistrue,Iavoidpsychotherapyanddrugsandreligion,anythingthatmightdisturbthemysterioussourceofthepoem,thelightthatappearstowritethebestofthepoems,thesamelightthatdrawsmeupintoitorpoursdownintomeyearslaterwhenWatsuandTantsucomeintobeing?

DoraandImoveupthecoast.Wecomedownweekendstothepoet'sbarandtheSundaymeetingsanddrivebackupafterthebarsclose,thetopofmyconvertibledowntokeepmeawakeforthetwohoursonthetreacherouscoastroad.Mostpoetsvisitusforrestsinthecountry.

Wesaveuponeofoursalaries,puteverythinginstorageandheadforNewYork.AYugoslavfreighterwithaneverendingdietofpotatoes,andstopoversinCasablancaandTangiers,slowlytakesusacrosstoItaly.

StanPersky,apoetwhohadbeenonthescene,isstationedinthenavyinNaples.Itisourfirstdestination.WesettledowninAmalfiandrentanapartmentovertheMediterraneanforthemonthofNovembertowrite.Beingoffseasonitisaffordable.Weexplorethewholearea.InDecemberwestayinRome,freezeinaroomthathasnoheat,receivethepope'sChristmasblessinginfrontoftheVatican.Whereverwe

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goinEurope,welookforascene.ExceptformaybeSchwabinginMunich,andtheleftbankinParis,wedon'tfindapoet'sbar.Icontinuewritingpoems,andtakeastabataEuropeaneditionofJ,ourownjournal,butnothingthatIwriteinEuropeisuptowhatcomestomewhenIaminthemiddleofthescene.

WefallinlovewithFlorence.Ibringastudentcardandvisitallthemuseums.Ilearnaboutart,somethingIhadneverstudiedinschool.WehangoutwithacoupleAmericanartistslivingthere.IbeginstudyingItalian.IobtainacompleterecordingofDante'sComediainItalian.IbecomesoattachedtothestonesofFlorenceandtheclearlinesinitsartthatitbecomeshardtoappreciateVenicewhenwegettoitnext.WetravelaroundaslonghairedbohemiansandareusedtobeingstaredatwhereverwegoinItalysoitcomesasasurprisewhenpeoplelooktheotherwayinVienna.

WestayinBerlin,Amsterdam,Brussels,LondonandDublin,visitingmuseums,makingfreindsandsometimesbeinginvitedtotheirplacesinthecountry.ButtheplacewherewemostfeelathomeisParis.ThedaywearriveeveryoneiswalkingaroundlookingupforparachutersfromNorthAfricawhoaresaidtobeabouttodropdownfromthesky.

AlanGinsberg,whomIhadreadtogetherwithatpoetryreadingsinSanFranciscoandhadvisitedinhisflatinNewYork,isstayingatwhatiscalledtheBeatHotelbehindPlaceStMichel.Hedirectsustoaroomthere.WhenhemovesoutAlanturnsovertoushisroomthathasabalconyoverthestreet.StanPerskyhappenstobeonleaveinParis.WhenheisnotlookingforboysupbytheUniversity,hejoinsDora,Alan,GregoryCorso(orPeterOrlovsky?)andIonournightlyroundstobarsandstripjointsthatalwaysendupinLesHalles,thegreatearlymorningmarket.Iloveit.

OnenightweareinvitedtoapartybeingheldbythepublisherofOlympiabooks.Ihavemyfirst,andonly,tasteofHeroin.BlinddrunkIamwanderingaroundthestreetsofParis.TwoArabspickmeupanddrivemetomyhotelwithoutexpectinganything.WestayinParisthreemonths,gettingtoknowthepaintingsinallthemuseumsandstudyingFrench.OurfundsrunlowandweheadforthecheapestplaceinEurope,IbizainSpain.Itisoffseason.WerentavillainwhichIwriteanovel.Dorahastwins.MygrandfatherbuystheticketstoflyushometoSanFrancisco.

DoraandIareinvitedtoRobertDuncan'shouseinStinsonBeach.WegetsomeonetowatchthetwinsandmakeourwaytothetopoftheMattDavistrail.Wedon'tgiveourselvesenoughtimetogetallthewaydownbeforedark.AfterRobertandJessretire,IsituplisteningtoBach'smassinBminor,tryingtocatchinwordstheexperienceofgettinglostonourwaydown,butIcant.Istartitoverandover.AfewdayslaterIopenthenotebookandrealizethepoemisthereinallitsstartsandstops.ItbecomesmynextWhiteRabbitBook,"TheWoodClimbDownOutOf".ItforetellsthecomingtoanendofmyrelationshipwithDora.

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ThathouseinStinsonBeach,whichhassincepassedintothehandsofLewEllingham,becomesthehousethat,whenIgetbackfromNewYork,Ila,ByronandImoveintoforthenexttwoyears,thehouseinwhichmynextWhiteRabbitbook,the'StarYear',comesintobeing,andthelasthouseinwhichIseeJackSpiceralive.

IntheStarYearIlaandIlieoutonthelawnlookingup,learningtheconstellations.IcontinuetodriveintoSanFranciscofortheSundaymeetings,and3daysaweekformyclasses.Igodowntothebeachalmosteverydaytobodysurf.Thewaterisverycold.Ihavenowetsuit.Ifocusonthebrightnessineachwave'sbreaking.Idon'tfeelthecold.OnedayIsitonalogoutoverthewaves.AsthebrightnessofeachwavebreaksavoicecomesoutofmymouthinalanguageIhaveneverheardbefore.Onelastvoiceanswersallmyquestions;'yourvoiceiseverybody'svoice'.

StanPerskyhasreturnedtoSanFrancisco.HestartsOpenSpaceinwhicheachmonthforyearafewofusintheSanFranciscoRenaissancecanhavewhateverwewantofourlatestworkpublished.Itisgreatandamazingcorrespondencesbetweenourseparatelycreatedpoemsamazeus.Weareallpartofascene.

GarySnyder,whohasaclassinpoetryattheUniversityofCaliforniaasksmetocomeandreadmynewbook,"StarYear",tohisstudents.Idoand,likingthegroup,Isuggestthat,iftheywant,theycouldhavetheirendofcoursepartyupatmyplaceinStinson,underthestars.Theyallcome.

AnothervisitorisJackSpicer.HehadlovedalongpoemIhadpostedinOpenSpace,the"NightofthePerseids",andsurprisedmewith500copiesofabeautifulWhiteRabbitbook.TomyeternalshameIdidn'twelcomehisgift.Ihadalreadymadechangestothetext.LaterhereturnedfromVancouverwherehehadbeentryingtorecoverfromtheravagesofhisalcoholismandstayedwithus.Itfeltlikehehadcometosaygoodbye.HereadhisbeautifulnewpoemsatthewatershedBerkeleyPoetryConference.

Iaminvitedtoreadattheconference,butnothavingtheplaceontheprogramIhadhopedfor,andlisteningtomyfriendStanPerskysabotagetheconference,Ideclineandjustattendthereadings.Thatisaturningpoint.IfIhadreadmynewStarYear,mypathasapoetmightcontinueonitscourseandnotbedistractedintothewater.Watsuwouldnothavecomeintobeing.Maybe.

ThenexttimeIseeJackheisdyinginahospitalbedinSanFrancisco.Ispendthenextyears,inVancouverandMexico,writingmybookforJack,FlightOverStillWater,which,exceptforitsplaceinmycollectedpoems,hasnotappearedasaseparatebook.

ItcontinuestosurprisemethatJack'spoetryhasnotreceivedasmuchrecognitionasitshould.Itshouldn'tsurpriseme.HepositionshimselfbetweentheAcademicwithits'WellWroughtUrn'andtheupcomingBeatswiththeirperformancepoetry.IhadalreadyidentifiedmyselfasaBohemianbeforetheBeatnikscamealong.TheBohemianissomeonewhodedicateshimselftohisart.Formethesourceofthatart

12

isthepotentialforwhateveriswithintobedrawnupintothelight,upintoacreativedance.Thepoemisthatdancewhich,likethedanceofbees,directsustosomethingwehavenoideaexists.

ThefirstyearoftheSundaymeetingsanotherpowerfulpoetregularlyattends,RobertDuncan.ThespacecreatedbetweenSpicerandDuncanremindsmeofthespacebetweenmymotherandgrandfather.IcontinuetooccasionallyseeDuncan,beingoneofmyfirstWassageclientshespansmytwoworlds.

Spicerwasthefirstpersonclosetomethatdied.Mexicowastheperfectplacetogetclosertodeath,somethingcontinuallycelebratedinitspre-columbiancultureandre-enactedinitstreatmentofdemonstrators.Afewpoemscameout.Jackwasandstilliswithme.

WhenIreturntoNorthBeach,thepoetsaregoneandtheFlowerChildrenareintheHaightAshberry.Somedoorsareclosedandsomeareopen.Idiscoverthebodyinanewlightandtakepoetryintothewater.

ViewHarold’sbookofpoetry,“FindingWaystoWater”

andhearHaroldreadingOntheOriginsofWatsuandotherpoemsat

https://www.watsu.com/PoetryBook.html

13

IIIBody

MyfirstloveisSheila(orhertwinsister,Shirley)whocomestomytenthbirthdaypartyattheTavern.IgrababoxofHersheysofftheshelfandgiveittoher.Sheopensitandpassesthemouttotheothers.Iammortified.

AcrossfromtheTavernisawoodswhere,behindthetrees,weshoweachotherourprivateparts,andanautoshop,onthedoorsofwhich,Iscribblethenamesofallthoseparts,whichIamlaterrequiredtoscruboff.

Later,alongsideourhouseonthebulkhead,Irecitethosenamestoagirlandunbeknownsttome,tohermotherinthehousebehindus.Shecallsthesheriff,whowarnsmetheymighthavetosendmetojailwhichIescapebybeingtakenofftoGuamintwoweeks.OnthewayIstopatmygrandfather'shouse.Thegirlsacrossthestreetcallmeuptotheirbedroomwhere,lyingonbeds,legsopen,theirclothesaredisarrayedtoshowmetheirprivateparts.Idon'tknowwhattodo.Mystepfather,sharinghissailor'swisdom,tellsmethateveryoneImiss,Iamonebehindtherestofmylife.Thisisthefirstone,anumberthatcontinuestogrow.

StoppingtoswiminthepoolatthezooinSanFranciscobeforeIgetontheshiptoGuam,someoneslipsbehindmeandholdsmypenisunderthewater.Idon'tknowwhattodo.Itfeelsgood,butwhoisthisguy?OnGuamafriendandIstartholdingeachother'sprivatepartswhenweareinabeautifultropicalpool.Heslipsunderthewaterandtakesmineinhismouth.Idothesame,onlyrealizinglaterheisjustpretendingwhenIseemyejaculatebeingeatenbythefisharoundus.

OnthewayhomefromGuamagirlandIslipupontopand,leaningagainstasmokestack,kissandfondleeachother.Apassingseamansmiles.Itwasabeautifulvoyage.

OnWhidbeyIslandIwanttotakeagirloutbutdon'thaveacaryet.Iaskafriendonthefarmacrosstheroadtodriveus.Comesthetimetogoandhesaysasteergotoutandhehastogetitbackbeforehecantakeme.IjoinhimandjumpingonthesteerIgrabitshornsandbringhimdown.Whenwegetbacktomyplacewiththegirl,heistheonewhomakesoutwithher.

Anothergirlatschoolinvitesmetocomeinthemiddleofthenightandjoinherinthebarnwhereshesleeps.ItellherIdon'tdriveandmightbringafriend.It'sO.K.

Wecrossthepitchdarkfield.Iclimbintothebarnwindowandtakeholdofher.Shehadn'ttoldmethatherlittlebrothersleepsouttherewithher.It'shim.Myfriendisalreadymakingoutwithher.Finallyit'smyturn.Thatmostimportantmomenthascome.Icomerightaway.

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LikemanyadolescentsIhavelittlecontrol,butIhavealotofenergy.TheonlytimeIhaveaproblemiswhenIamatmylowestpointinNewYorkCity.Imeetagirlatabarinthevillagethathasalargebarrelofpeanuts.ShetalksonandonaboutWilhelmReichandtherightkindoforgasm.Itakehertomyroom.IgetherinbedandIcan't.Thelowestpoint.100behind.

AnothergirlImeetatthatlowpointisonethathangsoutwithuswhenItakethetwinstoWashingtonSquare.IspendacouplenightswithherbutshehasthedisconcertinghabitofdisappearingifIstopmovingwhilemakinglove.Shegoesintoacoma.Isthattobeconsideredoneaheadoronebehind?Orisitaweirdnumberfromanotherreality?Iamhappytobebackonmyowncoast.

Thereisoneperfectmomentwhosedetailsarelost,arenotneeded.ImovetoSeattleformylastyearofHighSchool.IinvitesomeonetocomeuptoourplaceonWhidbyIslandfortheweekend.Idon’trememberhername.Idon'trememberwhatwedid.Weareinmybed.ThereisanincrediblesweetnessIwillneverforget.

Thereissexeducationinhighschool.Ourscienceteacherwalksinandlaysabookonthetableinfrontofeachofusandwalksout.Anhourlaterhewalksinandpicksupthebook.Imusthavemissedtheclitoris.Itisn'tuntilIamalmostthirtythatIrealizewhatitistherefor.AndanotherthirtyyearsbeforeIrealizethatmypenisisoneofthetwokindsexpertscategorizeasshowersorgrowers,andthat,beingagrower,itsflacidsizewasnothingtobeashamedof,notthatitwasthatflacidinHighSchool,whichiswhyIprayedtoGodthattheteacherwouldnotaskmetostandandansweraquestion.

Wegetthrough.

Ireadabouttheclitorisanditsrole.Ifeelwhatisrisinginmypartner.IcanlockintothatrisingsocompletelythatIcannotorgasmuntilshedoes.LaterIhaveapartnerwithmultipleorgasms.IlearnIcanorgasmwithherwithoutejaculatingandstaylockedinuntilthenextone.Attheendthereisnoneedtoejaculate.Theorgasm,byitsnature,iscomplete.

Havingcometothisinmyownpractice,IstartreadingaboutthiskindoforgasminTantrawhereitisaspiritualpractice.

WhenIlearnZenShiatsuIamsurprisedtofeeltherisingundermythumborelbow.Icanlockintoituntilitcomestocompletionanditistimetogotothenextpoint.Icarrythisintothewater,intothebodywavewhichisnotareleasebutanaccesstothegroundofourbeing.IcalltheTantsuandWatsuwearedeveloping,BodyworkTantra.

GoingintothepoolatHarbin,nakedinthemiddleofthesexualrevolution,wasaninvitationtohealwhateverpainlingeredfromtherejectionsofadolescence.AsWatsuwasdeveloping,adoorwasopeningtogobeyondthatpain.ThelovewefeelforwhoeverisinourarmsinWatsu,theheartwrap,iscompleteinitself,issacred.

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TheBodyWavethatappearsissharingthatloveinthegroundofourbeing.Themorewerecognizethebeautyoftheoneinourarms,themorewecancelebratethatbeautythroughthebodywavewhetheritisstrongorbarelyperceptible,withouthavinganythingtodowithsexualneeds.

ItellPavanawhenshejoinsmeatHarbinthat,aftercomingoutofayearofpainfullyingtomywife,IwillkeepherinformedofwhateverIdo.(Thoughinretrospect,itwasmypain.Ilovedboth.Ididn'twanttolosemyfamily.IneededtobeatHarbintodevelopthepotentialinwhatwascomingthroughwithPavana'shelp?)

MyOshosanyasinTantsuorganizerinGermanyasksmeifIsleepwithmystudents.Isay'no'andaskifotherinstructorsdo?Shesaysabouthalf.Icertainlydon'tduringaclass.Mysanyassinstudentsoftenhousemeandshowmearoundafteraclass.OnenightintheircenterinMunich,inawethatmyTantsuwasbeingsowelcomed,Idancedupintothestreamoflightthatkeptpouringandpouringintome.ThoughIprobablycouldhavedoneanythingwiththem,whenwewerealone,iftheywanted,IdevelopedaformofTantrainwhichtherewasnopenetration,joiningthemenergeticallyasIhelpedthemthroughtheirorgasms.

Iamplayingwithfire.

OncebetweenclassesinGermanyastudenttakesmetoabeautifulbaroquechurchinBavariawhere,lookingup,thetwoofusrisetogetherupintoitsveryhighwhitespires,soulmatesdrawnupintothelight.Ididn'twaittilltheendofthesecondweektostartmypracticewithher.AfterwardsshedrivesmearoundGermany.IreturntoPavanainastateofconfusion.ShetakesCaliastovisitafriendinPhiladelphia.

Pavanareturns.Istayandgraduallyrebuildtrust,thankfulIdidn'tgetsweptawayandloseeverythingthatPavanaandIarebuildingtogether.IdecidetonotpromoteaNon-entercourseTantra..

WABAwiththehelpofveryableprofessionalsdevelopsacodeofethicsthatIamhappytofollow.

IdevelopsimplerformsofWatsuandTantsuthatcanhelpeveryonegetintouchwiththeirBodyWave.

Iage.

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IVWatsu

Isearchthroughthewoodsforhotsprings.Ihappenuponawomansittinginapool.Iaskherifshewouldlikeamassage.Iamfortyyearsold.Ihaveneverhadamassage,letalonegivenone.Shesaysyes.Sheshowsmehowtogetunderhershoulderblade.Webecomefriends.Sheteachesmemassage.IsetupapaddedboardinthehottubpoolIhadbuiltinmybackyardtomassagepeopleon.IcallitWassage.

MyfriendpracticesonmetheZenShiatsushehadjuststudied.Iloveit.ItakeclasseswithReuhoYamada.Igotohotspringsandpracticeonwhoeveristhere.OnemorningatahotspringsIwakeupbeforedawnandgodowntothepool.Awomanisinit.IgiveheraShiatsuwhileshesitsinthewater.WhenIfinishsheturnsherheadfromsidetosideandsaysshehasn’tbeenabletomovelikethatsinceshehadbeeninanaccident.Shesaysshefelthealinginmyhands.Ithankher.MyjoyathearingthatstayswithmeasIstrideupthesideofamountain,inawethatsomethinglikethiscouldhappenthroughme.Atthetopthecircleoftreesarefilledwithlight.Godishere.Idroptomyknees.Hebendsdownandliftsme.Holdingmyarm,Hewalksatmysidealongtheridge.Heguidesmedownastream.Thestreambedbelowistangledinbrush.Thereisaneasierpathalongthegully’sside.“WhichwaydoIgo?”“WhicheverwayyougoIamwithyou.”-wordsthatneverleaveme.Isitoutonthebankoverthepool-suchbrightness-thepool,thechildrensplashinginthewater,thetrees,thebirdssinginginthebranches,areallsittinginGod’shand.WeareallsittinginGod’shand.Ilookdownatmyown,opentoholdothers.

IcontinuestudyingZenShiatsuwithWaturuOhashiinNewYork,andofferZenShiatsuclassesinmyhome.Istudywithitscreator,ShizutoMasanaga,inJapanandofferclassesatHarbinHotSprings.

Awomanfloatsmeinthewarmpoolonenightandabodywavetakesmeupintoaworldoflight.Iwanttotakeotherstothatplace.IapplythestretchesofZenShiatsuwhilefloatingpeople.MystudentswatchandwanttobeshownhowtodowhatIjustdid,butasinZenShiatsu,stretchesopentheflowofenergy.Ifollowwhereverthatenergytakesusaroundthepool.Ican'trepeatit.WhenIleansomeoneagainstthewall,asIliftmyhandofftheircrownchakra,wespiralheavenwards,twointertwiningdragons.

Islowdown,stayinoneplace,anddropintotheemptinessatthebottomofthebreath.Thegettinglighteroftheoneinmyarmsdrawsmeupoutofthatemptiness.ThisWaterbreathDanceopenseveryWatsu.IamamazedathowmuchonenessIhavewithwhoeverIfloatatmyheart,eventhoseIwouldneverhaveimaginedbeingonewith.Iamnolongeramazed.Theheartholds,wrapsaroundwhomever

17

wefloat.Itisouronenesswitheverything.Oncefelt,thereisnowaywecanviolatethetrustwithwhichsomeoneliesbackinourarms.

ZenShiatsu'sprincipalofbeing,notdoing,findsahomeinthewater.Themoreweholdsomebody'swholebody,themorethestretchesandmovescomeoutofthedepthsofthebreaththatweshare.Withthehelpofmany,thosestretchesandmovesevolveintoaformthatcanbelearnedandadaptedtoanybody.

I,andsomeofourstudents,startintroducingWatsuintofacilitiesaroundthecountry.Iamsurprisedhowquicklyitisacceptedassomethingtheirclienteleneed.

Myassistant,Minakshi,andIdrivetothefirstfacilitythatinvitesustoteachtheirstaff.IwonderifIshouldleaveWatsu'smoreintimatemovesout.Idon't.Theyinviteusback.ItellthemIwasconsideringleavingthosemovesout.ThestaffaregladIdidn't.Thosearewhattheirspecialneedsclientelemostneed.

IaminvitedtoIsraeltoteachthestaffattheirlargestfacility.TothisdayhundredsreceiveWatsuthereeveryweek.

IaminvitedtoPhoenixtoteachthestaffattheirlargestfacility.IdoandreceivereportsathowmuchitishelpingtheirclientsuntilIamtoldthecorporationisshuttingdownthepool.Abuildingwithdoctor'sofficeswillgeneratemoreincome.

IaminvitedbyCameronWesttoteachatanEasterSealspool.ShebecomesaWatsuInstructorandtothisdayvolunteerstohelpusonthenewWABAboard.

MicheleChelenzabecomesaWatsuinstructoranddevelopsaWatsuInstructorTrainingProgram.ShealsodonatesalotoftimeandmoneyingettingWatsuouttospas.

AnotherearlyarrivalonthepathtobecomeaWatsuInstructorfromtheTherapycommunityisPeggySchoedingerwhostillintroducesWatsuaroundtheworld.Astheheadofacommittee,sheblocksthePhysicalTherapistsattempttohavealawpassedthatonlyPhysicalTherapistscanworkinthewater.ShecontinuestoaddtothelistofconditionsWatsuisfoundtoalleviate.

AnothertherapisttobecomeaWatsuInstructor,MarySeamster,invitesmetoteachathercenterinNorthernWashingtonwhich,unfortunately,hassincebeenclosedbytheauthoritieswhentheysawaglowingreportaboutclassesthereinanewspaper.ShehassincebuiltabeautifulcenterinsouthernWashingtonwhereclassesandInstructorconferencesareheld.Shetoo,continuestovolunteerherserviceontheWABAboard.

ThelatestWatsuinstructortohavehercentershutdownisAnatJuranwhohasbeenworkingforyearstoestablishaWatsuSchoolinAustraliaandhasbeentakentocourtbyaneighbor.

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ThesameyearIdevelopWatsu,IbringitscloseunconditionalwholebodyholdingbackontolandinTantsu.StudentsatHarbinfromEuropeaskmetocomeandteachTantsuinGeneva,ParisandMunich.MyorganizerinParisistheheadoftheFrenchShiatsuAssociation.HebringsmebacktoPariseachyear.InGenevaIdothefirstWatsuinEuropeinLaveylesbains.InGermany,HelenSchulzandothersfindpoolswhereIcanteachWatsu.Theybeginlearningandtrainingtoteachit.

AstudentinaWatsuclassinGermanyofferstogivemetheexperienceofawonderfulformofAquaticBodyworkthathejustlearned,Waterdance.Hehasmeputonnoseclipsandtakesmeunder.Hedoesn'tbringmeupattherighttimetobreatheandmyheadhitsthebottom.Iamafraidthatifthisissomeone'sfirstexperienceofAquaticBodyworktheywouldneverwantaWatsu.

NextyearAmanShroeterandArjanacometomyWatsuclassinGermany.TheyhadbeendevelopingWaterdance.ArjanagivesmeaWaterdancesessionand,nothittingmyheadonthebottom,bringsmeupwhenIneedtobreathe,Ienjoyit.ArjanagoesontostudyWatsuwithmeandMinakshiatHarbin.ShebecomesaWatsuinstructor.

MinakshiproposesweinviteArjanatoteachWaterdanceatHarbin.Wedo.I,andseveralWatsuinstructorsatHarbin,enjoysharingthatfirstclass.ItisacompletelydifferentexperiencethanWatsu.MybodywavegoesintomultipledimensionswhenArjanaorMinakshiWaterdanceme.WhenIambroughtupIwanttogorightbackunder.Noteveryoneisreadytofacethechallengeofbeingtakenunderwater.IencourageitsbeingaddedtoourprogramaftersomeonehashadorstudiedWatsuwithouthavingtofacethechallengeofsurrenderingtheirbreathing.

SomeonemoveshismassageschoolfromSantaCruztoHarbinandthen,sellsittoaresidentwhohasbeenassistinghim.ThenewownerasksifIwouldliketogointopartnershipandofferZenShiatsuattheschool.Ido.HewantstomovetoThailandandsellshishalftome.InowowntheSchoolofShiatsuandMassage.Ineverintendedtoownaschool,butPavanaisheretohelp.

WeestablishaWatsupractitionerprogramthesamelengthastheschool'sMassagepractitionerprogram,100hours.Itisthelastyearanyvocationalschoolcanestablishaprogramwithoutfirstprovingtherearefulltimejobswaitingoutthereinthefield.Eventhoughtheprogramgotunderthewire,tocontinueaprogramaschoolstillhastoproveallitsprogramsleadtofulltimeemploymentinthefieldformostofitsgraduates.Theonlyexceptionisaprogramatanon-profit.Wedevelopaneducationalnon-profit,WABA,theworldwideAquaticBodyworkAssociation,andselltheschooltoit.Iamtherightpersonintherightplaceattherighttime.AyearlaterwecouldnothaveaWatsuprogramattheschool.

InEuropewehadtalkedabouthavinganon-profittooverseethedevelopmentofWatsu,TantsuandWaterdance.Nowthatwehaveanon-profittoowntheschoolitislogicaltoextenditsusetopromoteandoverseeAquaticBodywork.Itisnotamemberassociationbuthasaboardofdirectors.

19

Ihavealreadystartedaregistrytostoretherecordsofourstudentsaroundtheworld.SomeoneturnsupinourclassesatHarbinwhosetsupdatabasesontheinternetforbanks.HeofferstosetuponeforWABAinexchangeforclasses.Iconvertalltherecordsintheschool'sdatabasetoonethatworksontheinternet.Theofferiswithdrawn.IlearnHTMLandthemarkuplanguageneededtopresentandsharedataontheinternet.IworkontheRegistrythatstoresthetranscriptsandauthorizationseversince.Itholdsthewaterfamilytogether.InstructorshavetoaddtheirclassestotheRegistrytogetstudents.PractitionersneedtobeontheRegistrytolistthemselvestothepublic.

Harbinofferstobuildtheschoolitsowncenterwithpools.Weinvestoursavingsinit.EugeneTsuidesignsacomplexoffivegeodesicspheres.Theactualcostofitexceedsthearchitect'sestimatebymanytimes,acostonwhichourmonthlyrentisbased,anamountthatisdifficulttogenerate,particularlysinceweopenthesamemonthasthe9/11takedownofthetwintowersandmanyprospectivestudents,afraidtofly,decidenottoattend.

WatsucontinuestogrowatafasterrateinEuropeandelsewherethanintheU.S.,primarilybecausetherearemorepoolsandaculturethatvaluessocialservices.IteachWatsuinalmosteverycountryinEuropeaswellasIsrael,Turkey,India,Japan,Australia,NewZealand,Brazil,Chile,Argentina,Canada,MexicoandCostaRica.

IaminvitedtopresentWatsuataconferenceofbirthpreparersinMonaca.There,RobertFraioli,adoctorwhoheadsItaly'sNaturalchildbirthassociationinvitesmetoteachWatsutomidwivesandchildbirthpreparersinNorthernItaly.TheyareamusedbymyItalianwhichisinfluencedbymyyeargoingthroughDante'sComedialinebyline,cantobycanto.IteachinItalyeveryyear.Therearenowmorethan20WatsuinstructorsinItalyandawealthofpoolsandapopulationthatwelcomesholdingandbeingheld.

WehaveaWatsuInstructorConferenceinEuropeeveryyear.Ifighttoavoidterritoriality,toensurestudentscancontinueourworldwideWatsuprogramwithauthorizedinstructorsanywhere.IinvitemyfirstorganizerinGenevatotheconferenceinItaly.IamshockedwhenArjanaannouncesthatsheownsWatsuinSwitzerland.WhenArjanaandHelenSchultzstartedtheirIAKAschoolsinSwitzerlandandGermany,theyobtainedtheWatsutrademarkineachcountryandsignedagreementsthattheywereobtainingitasmyrepresentativesandthatIhadoversightastohowitwasapplied.IassumedthattheywereforGermanspeakingareas.Fortunately,ArjanahasnotblockedotherWABAinstructorsfromteachingWatsuintheFrenchandItalianpartsofSwitzerland.

Overthethirtyyearsmanyissuescomeup.

20

LindaDelehman,aWatsuinstructorfromAmericawhohastaughtmanyclasseswithme,movestoEuropeandbeginsteachingthere.TheGermansobject,claimingthatherteachingthereshouldbeapprovedbytheEuropeaninstructors.

Oneyear,theInstructorConferenceisheldinAustria.TheGerman,SwissandAustrianinstructorsannouncethattheywillnolongerhonortheagreementtheyhadmadetofollowtheworldwideWatsuprogramandaddtheirstudentstotheRegistry.TheyhaveformedtheirownprograminIAKA.IamtoldtheywanttheirstudentstoexperiencebothWatsuandWaterdanceintheirfirstclass,sothattheycanprocesswhatevertheworkbringsupbeforeattendingtheirtraining.IfeelWatsucantakemostpeopletoalevelofacceptingwhateverhadhappenedwithouthavingtoreliveit.

HelenSchultztellsmeIcanlookattheinstructorsattheconferenceandretirewiththesatisfactioneveryteacherseeks,knowingthattheirstudentsturnoutbetterthanthemselves.Idon'tretire.

TheGermanIAKAinvitestheotherinstructorstojointheminformingaEuropeanschool.IhadresistedtheGermansattemptstohavemorecontrolinpreviousconferences.Now,tomyrelief,theotherEuropeaninstructorschoosetostayinWABAinsteadofjoiningthem.ThenextyeartheItalianinstructors,whoworkmostlyinteams,askmeiftheycandevelopclassesthatcomplementtheprogramthatallinstructorsfollow.IagreetogiveitatryandsetupanItalianTrainingInstituteontheRegistrytowhichtheycanaddandlisttheirsupplementalclasses.Itworkssowellthatnowmorethan30TrainingInstitutesareontheRegistryandcomplementourworldwidecoreprogramwithclassesdevelopedfortheirpopulations.

Issuescontinuetoarise.

JunKonnoasksmetocometoJapantoteachWatsu.MyscheduleisfullbutoneofourWatsuinstructors,BasciaSzpak,isinthearea.Ireferher.JunwantsfurtherclasseswithmeandbringshisstudentstoclassesatHarbinandHawaii.HebecomesaWatsuinstructorandopensaTrainingInstituteinJapanwhereheorganizesseveralclassesformetoteach.JunhadbeentheheadcoachoftheJapaneseswimteamwhenJapanjoinedtheboycottoftheOlympicsinRussia.HequitandattendedconferencesonAquaticExercisewhichheintroducedintoJapan.HesawWatsuatoneoftheconferences.WhenhelearnedBasicWatsuhetoldmethatitwouldbehonoredandtaughtforcenturiesinJapanwithoutchangeliketheteaceremony.ThenIdevelopedanewBasicWatsu.TheWatsustudentsathisInstitutemeetonceayeartoreviewboththeoldandthenewBasicWatsu.HavingtaughtcountlessWatsu1and2studentsinJapan,IkeepaskingJuntoorganizeaWatsu3thatcompletesourcoreprogram.JunkeepstellingmethattheyarenotreadyforitsFreeFlow.InthemeantimeanotherJapanese,ToruOgasawaru,hascompletedhisWatsuinstructortraininginAmericaandattendsJun'sreviewweek.WhiletherehedemonstratessomeWatsu3movesandFreeFlow.

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IgetanemailfromJuntellingmetowatchoutforhim,thatheisnotrealJapanese,thatheisabadperson.Itdoesn'tfitwellwithmyownexperienceofToruinmyclasses.Histrainingofpractitionersinspas,wouldopenanewworldforWatsuinJapan.Jun'sstudentsaremostlyAquaticExercisers.ThenexttimeIteachinJapanIarrangeameetingofthethreeofus.Tonoavail.MytenyearcontractwithJunhappenstobeending.ToruorganizesmyWatsu3inJapanandopenshisownTrainingInstituteinOkinawa.

WhenJunistrainingtobeaninstructor,heassistsmeinmyfavoritepoolintheworld,onethatahotspringfillsalongsidetheOceaninHawaii,orusedtofill.Thisyearaneruptionofthevolcanofillsitwithlava.WearedoingourWatsuchanics,goingthroughthemoveswithoutapersoninourarmslikeTaichi.IsuggesttoJunthathedevelopaformofAquaticExercisethatopenswiththesemovesandconcludeswithparticipantsfloatingeachotherintheirarms.HeseesitspotentialforJapan'sagingpopulationanddevelops,whathecallsAiChi.

About10yearsafterJunlefttheRegistryasaWatsuInstructor,hehappenstobeofferinganAIchiinstructorcourseataWatsuCenterinFrancewhereIamfinishingaWatsu3.Weareveryhappytomeetagainandwelcomeeachother'ssuccesses.

AnotherissuedevelopsinBrazilwhereIteachseveraltimesanditishardtogetstudentstocompletetheirWatsucoursesbeforetheystartteachingitthemselves.Aproblemthere,andelsewhere,stillbeingworkedon.

OnemomentousoccasionisthecelebrationofWatsu's25thyearandmy70th.TheWatsuinstructorsinEuroperentawholehotspringhotelinItalyfortheweekend.IhavebeenteachinginAustraliaandNewZealandonaroundtheWorldtrip.Pavana,CaliasandWatsuersfromalloverjoinmeinItaly.IreceivewordfromHarbinwhileIaminAustraliathatwecannolongerhavetheWatsuCenter.Ijointhebeautifulcelebrationwithouttellinganyoneuntilmypartingwords.Everyoneisstunned.CristinaLevioffersasizeabledonationtohelp.Idon'taccept,knowingitwouldnotmatchtheamountHarbinplanstomakefromthecenter.CristinahasboughtanagroturismwithlargestonebuildingsonapieceofpropertyalmostasbigasHarbin'sandisbuildingabeautifulWatsupoolandaTantsuspaceoverlookingthehillsofsouthernTuscany.SheofferstohelpusmovetoItalybutIwouldlosemymedicareandstillhavetoomanythingstodo,butIgladlycometheretoteacheveryyearandmeetourWaterfamily.

ThelossoftheWatsuCenterwasablow,butwewereabletodomuchforWatsuinthefiveyearswehadourowncenter,enoughtimetofullytestand,withthehelpofmanyothers,establishourprograms,includingthosethattraininstructorsfromallovertheworld.TheschoolchangeshandsandendsupbelongingtoHarbinHotSprings.IcontinueteachingthereandallwaterclassestherecontinuetobeaddedtotheRegistry.

22

Anissuedevelopsaroundthenon-profitWABAthathadpurchasedtheschoolfromus.IhadoperatedtheRegistrythroughitandwehadaBoardofDirectorsmadeupmostlyofWatsuInstructorswhooverseeourprograms.Aseniorinstructorwaselectedbytheboardtobeitspresident.HetriedtotakeovercontroloftheRegistrynotrealizinganearlierboardhadvotedtoacknowledgemyownershipoftheRegistryforwhateverWABAstillowedmeforthepurchaseoftheschool.Nolongerhavingaschooltojustifyitsnon-profitstatus,WABAwasdissolved.

TheinstructorwhotriedtotakecontroloftheRegistry,formshisownInternationalSchoolofWatsuandinvitesWatsuInstructorstoteachinit.Exceptforacouplewhoweretrainedinaninstructortraininghehadsetup,almostnonejoinhim.

Twoinstructors,TomaszZagorskiandGiannideStefani,comeupwiththeideaofforminganewWABAthatisamemberassociationthatincludespractitionersandinstructorsofthemanyformsofAquaticBodyworksuchasWaterdanceandHealingDancethathavelongbeenwelcomedontotheRegistry.ThenewWABAissetupinSwitzerland.WeworkouthowitcouldcloselyworkwiththeRegistrywhichcontinuestostorethetranscriptsandauthorizationsofthemembersandcollectstheduesthatgotothenewnon-profit.GiannideStefani,aSwissItalianwhoisactiveonWatsuItalia,helpsusoverseetheWatsutrademarksthattheItaliansoriginallytookoutforusintheMadridconvention.TherearesomanylikeItaloBertolasiandKeliProcopiothathavecontinuedtohelpusestablishWatsuandTantsuinItalyandelsewhere.ThomasZagorski,whoheadsthePolishInstituteandbringsWatsuintotheprogramsofOlympicAthletes,helpssetupprogramsandinstitutesinRussiaandEasternEurope.

ThenewWABAworkssowellthattheIAKAinstructorsjoin.IaminvitedtoGermanytocelebratethe20thanniversaryofIAKA.Ishowthemourlatestdevelopments.TheyhaveapowerfulpractitionerassociationandhavedonemuchtogetWatsuacceptedintheircountries.ButnowthattheyaresurroundedbyWABAtraininginstitutes,theyagreethatwhentheyteachoutsidetheGermsnspeakingcountries,theywillteachtheWABAformsandaddtheirstudentstotheRegistry.

InorderforstudentstobeabletocontinuetheirWatsustudieswithmorethanahundredinstructorsaroundtheworld,therehastobeastandardformandlevelsonwhichitistaught.The50hourWatsu1introducesthetransitionsintoWatsu'smajorpositions.Watsu2exploreswhatcanbedoneandadaptedinthosepositions.Watsu3introducesadvancedmovesandFreeFlow.Thefirst16hoursofWatsu1canbetaughtasaBasicWatsu.WorkingtogetherwithcountlessinstructorsinAmericaandabroadhashelpeddevelopandtesteachpartofthiscoreprogram.TrainingInstitutesallowsittobesupplementedwithcoursesappropriateforthepopulationserved.

Gettinginstructorstocatchupwiththelatestchangesintheformhasbeenachallenge.IhadauthorizedthefirstWatsuinstructoratourschoolbeforesinking

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intotheemptinessoftheWaterbreathDancehadbeenincorporatedtobethestartofeveryWatsu.Sheinsistedoncontinuingtostarteverysessionbyrockingtheoneinherarmsasababy.Shealsoinsistedthatthe100hourclassthatstartedthatwaywasallthatpractitionersinspasneededwhenweaddedWatsu3asarequirementina150hourprogram.ShelefttheschoolandtheRegistryandtaughther100hourprograminspas.

InthefirstyearsBasicWatsuwasintendedtobeanintroductiontoWatsu.Studentsfollowedwhattheinstructorshowedwithsomeoneintheirarms,stretchesandmovesfromdifferentpartsoftheWatsu1formjusttoexperiencethem.Itwasnotintendedtobelearnedasasequence.Butmanyinstructorswentontoteachitthatway,creatingstressinstudentsbeingforcedtolearnthemovesinonesequenceandagaininanotherwhentheyattendtherestofWatsu1.Also,followingalong,watchingwhattheteacherdoeswithsomeoneintheirarms,doesnothelpthestudentbewiththeoneintheirarms.

IdevelopanewBasicWatsuthatcouldbelearnedinaweekendwithouteverhavingtofollowalongandbringseveryonetoalevelofWatsuconnectionfromthebeginning.Itgivesparticipantsaformtheycanpracticewithfamilyandfreinds.SinceitistheopeningmovesofmostWatsus,itdoesnothavetobere-arrangedinWatsu1.IdevelopthisnewBasictestingeverymoveofitwithmanyofourinstructors.WhenIfeelitisasgoodasitcanget,IpresentitatinstructorconferencesinEuropeandAmericaandmostinstructorsnowuseit,excepttheonewhotriedtotakeovertheRegistry.HehadjustdevelopedhisownmaterialandDVDsbasedontheoldform.

NowthatwehaveaBasicformthatreallybringspeopleintothesoulofWatsu,withthehelpofmany,we'vemadenecessaryadjustmentstothecoreformthatgrowsoutofit,andIpromise100instructorstonotmakeanyfurtherchanges,IturnmyattentiontosomethingI'vebeenwantingtodosinceWatsufirstcameintobeing.

Isawinourfirstdropinclasseshowmuchparticipantsgotfromfloatingeachother.IalsosawhowmuchWatsuwasneededinclinicsandspas.FulfillingthatneedonwhatIcalltheverticaldimensiondemandedourattention.Nowthattheprogramtofulfillthatneedissetup,Iturnmyattentiontothehorizontaldimension.IhavealreadydevelopedaformofTantsuthatanybodycanshareinroundsofthreecalledTantsuyoga.IexplorehowtheeaseoflearningandthepowerofthreelearnedindevelopingthoseroundscanbeappliedtosharingthesimplerofthenewBasicWatsumovesinRounds.IhavealsobeenworkingonaTandemWatsuinwhichtwoWatsuathirdbetweenthem.IdiscoverthatinournewWatsuRoundtheopeningmovesofthenewBasicWatsucombinebeautifullywiththepowerfulclosingmovesofTandemWatsu.

AboutthistimeahugefireinNorthernCaliforniatakesoutHarbinHotSpringsandtheaccesstoourhouse.WearemovedtoBerkeleyandmydaughterandIsearchpoolswherewecancontinuedevelopingtheWatsuRound.Wefindthatsixpeople

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canshareitina3-4hourclassinapoolwitha12footdiameterandeachhaveaprofoundexperiencefloatingeachother.IshowtheWatsuRoundtoinstructorsatourconferencesinAmericaandEuropeandweareencouragingpractitionerstohelpbringasmanypeopleaspossibletoitsjoyofunconditionalholding.Iincludeitinmynewbook:

WatsuBasicandExplorerPathonLandandinWater

VCELEBRATION

Thememoirsabovelooksofarbackdownthepastthatallmymemoriesarereconstructionsofreconstructedmemories.IrushedtobringthemalloutbeforemysurgeryonSeptember9,notknowingiftherewouldbetimeafterward,oriftherewouldbeanafterward.Butthereis,andIcannowcontinuethememoirsfromthatdatewhenIwasontheoperatingtablefor12hours.Sincethecancerhadstartedtomovefrommytonguedownmythroattheyperformedacompletelaryngectomy.Sincetheedgeofthetumorwastooclosetomycarotidarterytocutitout,Ihavesincehadaseriesofradiationtreatmentstoremovewhatremained.NowIbeginanewstageofmylife.ItisunlikelyIwilleverbeabletoeatfoodorspeakagain.SinceIbreathethroughaholeinmythroat,IwillneverbeabletogointoapoolanddoWatsuagain.ButmymindseemstohavebeenunaffectedandIcanworkontheRegistryandanewWatsubook....andIcanwalkinthewoods...andIhavealotofsupportandlovefrommywifeanddaughterandthewholeWaterFamily.

Isenttheabovememoirtomyfriend,Minakshi,andtodayreceivedthefollowingfromher:

Thankyouforincludingme.ThereweresomanyproblemswithWABAandIrecallthistobetrue.However,Imissedyouroptimism.Usuallyyouwouldhavepresentedapositiveorhumorouspointofview.Attheendyoudidtieittogether.Imissedsomethingearlierlike:"althoughtheproblemsrosetothetopIwasbuoyedbythejoyofteaching."Thensharesomememoriesofspecialclasses.TheoneatPeter'sfacilitystillstandsoutinmymemory.Whatinspiredmeespeciallythattimewashowcleartheimportanceofbeinghappywhilelearningwas.Itwasn'tsomuchaboutlearningthematerialasfindingjoy.Youdon'tteachthatspecifically,yourolemodelit.Ofcoursesomanyclasses/years(ofjoy)atHarbin.Youmusthavespecialmemoriesofclassesindifferentcountries.AtEttawayousharedwithmeonceaboutspecialfriendsyouhavemadeovertheyears.Ifitdoesn'tseemappropriateIguessyoudon'tneedtonamenames.IrememberthehusbandofthedoctorinRomewhowasyourageandacomposer,ifIremembercorrectly.ThefringebenefitsofWatsu.Thespecialplacesyougottovisitonyourtravels.I

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remembertheartist'shomethatwesawwhilewewereinItaly.Perhapsthereweretoomanygalleriestobespecificbutatleastanothermention.YoubroughtmetotearsatthemuseuminNewYorkCitywhenyouexpressedyourjoyoverapaintingofdeKoonig.Youdidn'twanttodoitforsomereasonbutyourcompassionformyignorancewonout,Ithink.PerhapsyoucouldfindmotivationinyourmemoriestoexpressyourselfaboutartinawaythatevenIcouldunderstand.Youmentionedelsewhereyourexperiencewithsharingwithyoursoulmateandperhapsanotherreferencetoartinthewabasectionwouldnotbetoomuch.IrememberthemuseuminBostonwhenthetimewasupandyouwereintheroomwithDegas'dancers.Youwerewhirlingwithjoylikeakidinacandystoreasyousaid"good-bye"toyourfriends,frommypointofview.Howwellyouwerealwaystakencareofduringyourtravels!OhhowIenjoyedbeingapartofitall!

MymotheralwayssaidIhadbeenahappybabyandthepoet,JackSpicer,inhisfarewelltome,saidhewasamazedathowIwasabletoremainsopositive.

Forme,theHeartWrapthatbeginsaWatsuisloveandwhenthatlovemovesusitisjoy,whetherittakesusthroughthemovesoftheformorFreeFlow.Themoreourbodyasawholeisengaged,themoreweengagesomeone'swholebody,themorethecreativeisbroughtintoplay.Thewholeisgreaterthanthesumoftheparts,thegreaterourjoy.

Myexperiencewithpoetryinwhichthelineisanengagementofthebreathandlightthatappearstowritethemostspontaneous,preparesmeforFreeFlow.Iteach562Watsuclasses.132oftheseareWatsu3intensives.EachstudentinmyWatsu3receivesafreeFlowfromme.EachhasbeenWatsuedbefore.IfeelhonoredtobeinvitedintothemiddleoftheirlifelongWatsusession.Bodywavesoftendrawustogetherupintothelight.

TheclassatPeter'sisoneofthefirstWatsu4intensives.FocusingontheBodyWaveandexploringfreelyinthreesandothercombinationsbringsthewholegroupintonewlevelsofjoy.

MyfriendinRome,SusanLevenstein,isaDoctorfromNewYork(andaWatsuer)whoregularlyinvitesmetostayintheirflat.Herhusband,AlvinCurren,istheonlyfriendIhavemyownagewhoisasmuchengagedinhiscreativeworkasIam.HeisacomposerandIhaveenjoyedmanyofhisevents,oneinwhichwolveswereprojectedonthewallsoftheTiberwhilewewalkedthroughanorchestraamidthecriesofwolves.Thankstothem,Romehasbecomemyfavoritecity.

OnmyfirsttriptoEuropeIfellinlovewithFlorenceanditsart.OneachofthefortyplusadditionalvisitstoEuropeIhavecometoappreciatemoreandmoreplacesandartists.BesideshavingsomanypeoplesurrenderinginmyarmsIfeelveryfortunatetohavebeenabletoseeandreturntosomanymasterpieces.Paintingisuniqueamongthearts.Itswholenessisrightthereinfrontofoureyes.AsinaWatsu,when

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IfeelthatsourceoftheCreative,thejoyisabodywave(imperceptibletoothersexceptthoseclosetome).

WhenIgothomefromthehospitalIstartedreadingpoetryagain.IalsoreadabookaboutEmergence,thetheorythattheuniverseisself-evolving.WhenIfirstencounteredwritingsaboutEmergencemorethantenyearsagoIrecognizeditasbeingbehindthosepoemsthatwritethemselves,andbehindthosemomentsinWatsuFreeFlowwhenthecreativeismostpowerful,whenthewholeisgreaterthanthesumoftheparts,thewholenessIsawascharacterizingthecreative.StuartKauffmaninhis“ReinventingtheSacred“carriesthecreativeonestepfurther.HesaysitisGod.Healsowritesthatinthelastthreehundredyearssciencehaspushedthehumanitiesintothebackground.Thecreativeartsandthehumanitiesshouldbeagainhonored.Facingwhatishappeningtoourplanet,allthatIhadbeendoingseemedtobecalledintoquestion,butreadingthisgivesmeencouragement.Nomatterwhatwillhappenthecreativeshouldbecelebratedinthepresent.Ihavebeendoingthismostofmylife.ThepoetrysceneIwasdrawnintoinSanFranciscowasanemergingevent,aswasthewaysomanyhavebeendrawnintohelpinthedevelopmentandspreadofWatsu,aneventcontinuingtoevolveinwhichIstillhaveapartinmyworkwiththeRegistryandmybooks.OtherpoetsintheSanFranciscoRenaissancealsosawtheirpoemsasbeingdictated,asemerging.SincecominghomeIhavebeenlisteningtomusicanddownloadingaudiblelessons,studyinghowmusichasemergedovertheyears,addingtomylimitedlistoffavoritecomposers,justasthousandsofvisitstomuseumsaroundtheworldaddedtothenumberofartistswhosework,andtheuniquewayeachbroughtthewholeintoit,Icametoloveandcelebrate.ThesearchfortheuniquewholeineachcivilizationunderlaymyearlierstudiesoftheEgyptian,theMesopotamian,theGreco-roman,theChinese,and,duringmythreeyearresidenceinMexicoCitywhenIvisitedruinsalmosteveryweekend,theMesoamericancivilizationthatwithitsingrainedviolencetestsourabilitytocelebrateitasanemergingcreation.ButinourswehaveHitlerandTrump.AfterreadingallofJackSpicer’swork,andRobertCreeleyandCharlesOlsenandRobinBlazer,IdownloadedandheardforthefirsttimethepoemsofRumi.IamnowwaitingforbookssoIcanjumpintothecivilizationinwhichsuchbeautifulpoetrywascreated.Thereisalottocelebrate.

Copyright2019HaroldDull