Vietnam |
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Happy 1968 High School
Graduation, Hello... Mekong Delta! Draft 1A top lottery
number.
Called to report to Los Angeles California from Asia Foreign
Board Local 100 for a medical exam.
Elected a 4A
Technical Deferment for a one year degree at Edison Technical
Institute Van
Nuys CA. I rented a Laurel Canyon apartment in
the foot hills. Another year attending San Fernando Valley
Junior College a permanent draft deferment was provided.
I headed back to Asia and started Sophia University courses.
All ships get knocked off course. Vietnam's side track
cost extra years to finish degrees, island fever.
Jackson
Browne's father, a music writer, lived in Japan. His
younger brother Eddie Browne lived with him.
Eddie Severin Browne introduced
me to his sister Gracie Browne and older brother Jackson Browne. |
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We visited Jackson Browne
and the Chilly Peppers at their lodge near Sacramento. A
heavy set bearded man resolved disputes over women, money,
drugs, attitudes and raw violence. Spent time
in Sunset Strip clubs and traveled up and down the California coast
in search of intelligent life.
In summer 1970, before
returning to Tokyo, I arrived in Monterey
CA for the festival. The Theosophical Society was hosting a month long seminar
with courses. Theosophists believe enlightenment comes from
self-control, strength of will, and meditation.
I bought
their books with very colorful illustrations, read the
material, listened, and understood. Down the road there was
another seminar, enlightenment thru marijuana heightened
intimacy. Masses looking for "enlightenment". I grabbed
a new friend and off we went for discovery. |
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Without knowing what I was
looking for I was swept up in the search for
Why and Why Me.
The gods and goddesses ofWhyare around every corner
offering enlightenment. A generation of souls seeking
understanding, insight, awareness, and awakening.
There
has got to be more to life than than what our parents did, fall
in love, marry and raise a family. Where does spiritualism come in.
Why are there so many paths to enlightenment.
Carlos Castaneda explained 1968-1970,
all paths to
enlightenment are skits, illusions of magic.
TheWhywas
the skit. Dropping behind the scenes to see how skits were
created became Me(a). Skits and personas were offered to starry
eyed seekers, their magic pointless for those aware. Magic
comes with a price, skits start and end. Enlightenment is,
securing a never ending skit.
Summer 1970 over, time to close down
Laurel Canyon, pack bags, and back to Tokyo. For the few,
enlightenment is performing skits on a stage for the starry eyed
seeking enlightenment. For many, enlightenment
is love, marriage, family, and career. Six years later, Waimea.
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