What do we say to a friend masked, barricaded behind plexiglass, operating a used book store
A 35 year friend at that
In my head exists all the San Francisco’s I have known since 4th grade staying in the St. Francis Hotel with my mother on a tour. Then there is my San Francisco within this head space also pieced together but since 1987 and not 1967. My wife not walking with me I go far into town on my feet examining places I rarely go and today after my job interview to sell E-Bike management service I walk from Civic Center to Japantown desiring to visit an old friend’s bookstore. I worked for Greg when his store was on 16th street and Valencia 23 years ago and had been a customer and friend for 15 years then. He is a Zen teacher and runs a general interest used bookstore with an emphasis on Eastern Religion and Zen. Amusingly I have never sat Zen. I have though tried Tai Chi. I think the last time I saw Greg was a festival in Japantown two years ago but Judith was in a rush so I said hello for only a few minutes. Today I went with the express purpose of making an appointment to have tea next week and catch up.
Remarkably he was present and training an employee.
However, I was quite dismayed, shocked, stunned that he wore a tight mask, had plexiglass up, and a sign saying masks required in July of 2023. In Sacramento a few weeks ago this happened as well. I go to a used bookstore and masks are required and worn. And yes in this store also plexiglass protecting taking money. This is uncommon in San Francisco sort of - many retail establishments are mask optional. One see’s perhaps 10-20% of the population masking. Even drivers are masked and I won’t bother to discuss the obvious craziness of this in a world upside down. I made my appointment for tea, in the AM, and I call him to set it up next week.
On the other hand I may be employed by next week. And if so it can’t be in the AM that we meet. That bridge I cross after the second interview.
Still what do I say to my masked friend who doubtlessly is fully vaccinated?
Do I say Greg I would like to share some important Covid information about masks and plexiglass? Do I say you are making yourself sick? What do I say to a man who believes in science and medicine and who does not trust the government but masks and vaccinates? What do I say to wake him? I am no Roshi. I have no stick. A bookstore is not a monastery nor a Zen Center. Am I to look him in the eye and say “Without speaking, without silence, how can I express the truth?” OR “Is there a teaching no master ever preached before?”
Greg’s eyebrows will arch. “Yes, there is. It is not mind, it is not Buddha, it is not things. It is a jockomo lives inside your head.”
https://ko-fi.com/thejournaloflingeringsanity
I agree. We are audience and extra and actor but never the director or producer with the flood of information drowning us in pixels and images and type as well as the TV. Or Podcast. When I was 17 and 18 and in college as a very serious young man reading Plato I encountered an idea from Socrates that I think really sank in. "What a lot of things there are a man can do without." And "I have not sought during my life to amass wealth and to adorn my body, but I have sought to adorn my soul with the jewels of wisdom, patience, and above all with a love of liberty."
I think this reading and the culture combined to have me prefer freedom to full time but I will work full time and put my heart in it and my head and know I am disposable as another Stakhanovite. Good when needed, now needed no more. Adieu and here the Chinese watch of fools gold and a letter of recommendation and a check of thanks equal to the highest two weeks earnings since you began service. Godspeed and you know the door.
Even more ironic, I think with your friend being Zen teacher and all that.
Oh the mystery of human mind. Best wishes :-))