Consulting the Oracle, the I Ching and absorbing darkness.
In 1970 I had a cheap rental house in Springfield, Oregon. I lived about
two miles down the road from Ken Kesey. I saw him here and there about town
and in next door Eugene. I went to hear him speak at the U of O. He threw the
coins, and consulted the corresponding verse in the I Ching. I was captivated,
I had my own copy at home.
Then he began to explain his idea of absorbing darkness. He related a tale of he and a pal who entered a country bar near Eugene where a fight was about to break out.
His pal walked between the two guys and pulled out a pack of gum.
In a mock tough tone he said to the guys "You wanna piece of gum? How about you You wanna piece of gum?"
Ken said the vibe was instantly broken, the fight was off, the potential combatants
were amused. Everything changed. The darkness had been absorbed.
Ken said that this was not always an easy thing to do, that humor and wit were key.
For those of us strong enough to absorb darkness, it's a good thing.
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