Just Ask Yoda

Now who wouldn't want to sit down with Yoda if he was in some coffee shop or bar, and nothing was really happening in your life that hour— or maybe hadn't for days— or maybe really hadn't for years? And he gave you a big wink with those star-filled eyes? And then, even held up a little sign that said: Just Ask Yoda, For I Can Crank Your Party Up!

Just Ask Yoda. That is a title to a new book I want to get out this year. Maybe first as just an e-book, to see how much that might rock-n-roll, and then maybe shop it to a publisher.

I like the lightness in the title. All the lightness we can offer these days to ourself, others and this world, is a real gift.

But I will confess: it is a serious book undercover. The book is in some ways really: Buddha & Jesus and Lao Tzu and Rumi & Hafiz & the Sun & Moon & Carl Jung & a gold fish…. incognito.

I mean, think of all a goldfish must know, who lives in a tiny glass bowl all alone, but can still look so happy at times and content, and seems to be having lots of fun. Tell us your secrets.

Yeah, Yoda, tell us your secrets: how to get mid-air on a butterfly wing, high-fiving everything, everything the way you and a real Zen master might.

Mid-air on a butterfly wing. I remember I was living in San Francisco, Ca. at the time that book came out: The Unbearable Lightness of Being, by Milan Kundera. I loved that title; there were worlds in it to me. And I guess one could say that "Lightness"... is one's joys, or moments of satori, as defined as: "Awakening; comprehensive understanding,” or, as kensho, a Zen Buddhist term meaning: "Seeing into one's true nature.” 

Scotty, beam me up into some of that; into some comprehensive understanding, and the precious dance and marriage again, with my true nature ...

Cause being separate from my true Self, not being able to marvel at my own miraculous being: hell, no wonder then so many things really don't seem to fit or make sense, and can then cause worry and conflict with the Truth, and cage my heart and wings. But we got Yoda to help. And I have actually lived with one in India; and have some beautiful stories I will tell, and of utility. Real knowledge you can pawn for rolling in the Sky meadow; for sitting on Buddha's knee— like he is Santa— and then pickpocketing the Infinite.

Pickpocketing the Infinite. That could be another good book title.

Gosh, I have swam in the oceans of Hafiz's & Rumi's wine barrels; and my teacher's in India; and Meher Baba’s— for most of my life. I know all about how to help turn us into goldfish again, and be illumined— all alone if needed— in a tiny bowl, and party in the wonder of existence. I know, too, in some ways, about that— unbearable lightness of being— where I can sometimes barely lift my head from the altar of every moment — from the feet of every form's wonder. All to say…

All to say, I bet Yoda can high-five ya’ in this book and help turn ya’ into a Jedi Master and a munchkin Queen. One who is wise enough and powerful enough to more love, boogie and be happy, and so care about this truly miraculous, wondrous planet, and all the truly miraculous upon it— which is everything! 

I think I have a wonderful kind of interactive way I have put this book together. But don't want to tell now. But at times Yoda will be reciting some original free-style haiku in appropriate situations, and sharing his inner thoughts and experiences. 

Like once a young, Tibetan girl showed Yoda her pet turtle and her pet frog in a box who seemed to be best friends. And upon meeting them, Yoda said, Buddha, it is so nice to see you. And the young girl smiled so sweetly, and heaven was glad it was— and waits for all.

And then later, he wrote this down in a private journal he kept:

We are deceived when we can't call everything God.