The Etiquette of Freedom: Gary Snyder, Jim Harrison, and the Practice of the Wild Hardcover – 1 October 2010

I read all of Gary Snyder's poetry and even lived a few years near his place in Northern California, and met him once. I also read all of Jim Harrison's work, though never had the chance to talk face to face like I did with Gary. This book comes as close as it gets to unedited insights into two lives well-lived. Zen, literature, the 1960s and a growing Earth-based consciousness owes a debt to these two.

This is a fascinating distillation of reflection and commentary which, though centering on Gary Snyder's life and work, takes you through a social history of the Beat poets, Buddhist teachings, and an overarching reverence for nature at scales large and small. Though primarily a recording of conversations between two old friends, the voices of other poets, friends, and teachers add a lot of depth to the book.

I found the most meaningful element in both the book and in the DVD that of the human contrast between Snyder and Harrison. I can imagine Harrison having sex and enjoying it immensely, sloppy, sensual, erotic, but can't imagine the same for Snyder. I find Harrison, both in listening to him on the DVD and in his writings (novels and poetry) as a fully human, vulnerable, creature. I find Snyder, in contrast, as stiff and self-absorbed in both listening to him and reading his poetry. Even the visual scene of the two of them together, the contrast in clothing (Snyder dressed in standard form; Harrison dressed as if he just got up from the nap). The contrast hit me hard. I prefer the Harrison Zen to the Snyder Zen. I hope someone does a documentary on Jim Harrison, a life fully lived.

This is a really interesting book on so many levels. I have always been captivated by Mr. Snyder ever since DHARMA BUMS. I have read his poetry and his essays. Mr. Harrison, not so much. On one hand it's amazing that their discussions on nature are transmitted to the reader/observer via DVD or an order through Amazon. On the other hand I had the impression I was watching another reality show. Conversations directed to a camera crew. A hop, skip and jump to THE REAL HOUSEWIVES. Mr. Harrison seemed uncomfortable or tongue-tied. Truthfully, all I can recall of his conversation were yeah, truly and uh-huh. Mr. Snyder, on the other hand, boggles the mind with his intelligence and questing nature. As long as there are minds like his in the universe all is not lost. Read, enjoy, learn.

We in the west have so bought into achievement and acquiring, we are like PacMan, only we will soon devour the screen and ourselves with it. Listen to these wise men and tap into your wise man. No one knows the furture, but there is a better now.