The Dreamweaver And The Mystic: Gary Snyder Turns Zen Buddhism Into The Art Of Tradition

interested in the poetry that was happening that evening. In remembering the beauty of that earlier time, Gary Snyder would always be carefull in seperating himself from the founders of the now famous literary movement, but he would write his memoirs from those early days in North Beach in, "The Old Ways",

In the spiritual and political loneliness of America of the fifties you'd hitch a thousand miles to meet a friend. Whatever lives needs a habitat, a proper culture of warmth and moisture to grow. West coast of those days, San Francisco was the only city; and of San Francisco; North Beach. Why ? Because partly, totally non-Anglo." (1-45)

His essay not only describes the beauty and charm of North Beach, but exemplifies the humility that gives a great deal of Snyder's such power. This quality to step outside the self, and observe a situation, person, or place with prose and poetry is one quality that gives the writing of Gary Snyder such strength. Somehow, the me-ism that pervades the writings of so many authors in the post-modern era. This transcendence of reality and his comittment to capture a spiritual essence with-in the scope of his writings is one characteristic that portrays his writing and his life.

Born on May 8th, l930 to Lois and Wilkie Snyder in San Francisco, Gary Snyder grew up around nature; developing a symbolance with nature that he would carry with him through-out his life. He soon came to love nature; feeling a part of her domains instead of being seperated from the earth around him. In, "The Practice Of The Wild", he remarks that,

"I know now that the area had been home to some of the largest and finest trees the world has ever seen.....And I suspect that I was to some instructed by the ghosts of those ancient trees as they hovered near their stumps." (2-1)

Even though Snyder grew up in the depression, his life was care-free and adventursome. Freedom seems to be one trait that stands out, when observing his life. From spending his youth in the forests surrounding Mt. St. Helens to his later rebellious days at Berkley, he lived a life attached to nature and the forests of the Pacific Northwest.

End Of Part One.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic