(Red Pine)

I feel compelled to share this with my circle. For some time now, I’ve been seeking new readings—perhaps sutras—to accompany my daily practice. After nearly two years with the Radiance Sutras, I sensed it was time for a shift. I’ve read the Yoga Sutras and am nearly through the Heart Sutra, in a translation and commentary by the renowned Red Pine (Bill Porter). At the end of the book’s long introduction, I was surprised to discover he now lives in the same town as I do.

Curious, I did a bit of searching to confirm where he lived, though I had no intention of approaching him—not until I felt more grounded in his work. I learned there’s a documentary about his life called Dancing with the Dead, which chronicles his thirty years in China.  

I watched it, it was amazing. What a remarkable life, translating ancient Chinese poetry, visiting mountain hermits, and offering so many luminous works to the world.

Then today, while walking my two dogs in Chetzemoka Park, I started down the path to the beach but turned back, thinking it would be too muddy. And there he was, Red Pine. We greeted each other, shook hands, and had a lovely conversation. I’ll admit, I was a bit awe-struck.

Next week, two of his translated works are set to arrive: The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain and The Mountain Poems of Stonehouse. I plan to draw my daily readings from these.  I definitely feel they found me...

I turn my head a moment

A second glance to take

Upon a life provided

The choices I did make

The pain and all struggles

The lessons in their wake

The milestones of my wisdom

The collection of mistakes

We each have those life-changers

That somehow stop our world

And in our misdirections

They help to find its pearls

Of all the endless searching

They’ve showed us who we are

The secrets now so simple

Found we alone did guard

R Sullivan 2016

Afternoon visitor