A Big Sur Podcast

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A middle aged couple walks in to the Henry Miller Library sometime in 2019. They come down the path under the redwoods like so many others have done before them. This time however I wonder:
Who is the woman accompanying them!
She looks like she’s from the island.
Turns out the woman is Sonia Haoa Cardinale from Easter Island/Rapa Nui.

We had a wonderful afternoon!
We are now connecting again via Zoom for this podcast.
I am touched by much of what Sonia says.
Please share this episode with anyone you think may enjoy it.
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Rapa NuiSonia Haoa CardinaliThor HeyerdahlAnakenaKon TikiMata Ki Te RangiLink to some of Magnus' photos from 1983>>>>>>
Henry Miller refers to Easter Island many times when he dreams himself away from ‘civilization.'“If you elect to join the herd you are immune. To be accepted and appreciated you must nullify yourself, make yourself indistinguishable from the herd. You may dream, if you dream alike. But if you dream something different, you are not in America, of America American, but a Hottentot in Africa, or a Kalmuck, or a chimpanzee. The moment you have a "different" thought you cease to be an American. And the moment you become something different you find yourself in Alaska or Easter Island or Iceland.”

― Henry Miller, Tropic of Capricorn

"Christ will never more come down to earth nor will there be any law- giver, nor will murder cease nor theft, nor rape, and yet... and yet one expects something, something terrifyingly marvellous and absurd, perhaps a cold lobster with mayonnaise served gratis, perhaps an invention, like the electric light, like television, only more devastating, more soul rending, an invention unthinkable that will bring a shattering calm and void, not the calm and void of death but of life such as the monks dreamed, such as is dreamed still in the Himalayas, in Tibet, in Lahore, in the Aleutian Islands, in Polynesia, in Easter Island, the dream of men before the flood, before the word was written, the dream of cave men and anthropophagists, of those with double sex and short tails, of those who are said to be crazy and have no way of defending themselves because they are outnumbered by those who are not crazy."
― Henry Miller, Tropic of Caprico

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This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County!
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Magnus speak with Michael Paduano about the soon to be published bookThe Book of Conversations with David Edgar
and also about the literary archival detective work that eventually resulted in its publication...it is an exciting story!
Some of you remember Michael from Episode 31 of a Big Sur Podcast - I recommend listening to that episode as well of course.
The Paris Review w/ excerpts from The Book of Conversations with David Edgar
We will have the book at the Library soon, so please stop by and get it here!
Preorder the paperback here.
Order a copy of the 100-copy limited edition hardcover here.

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The Waters Reglitterized
Letters to Emil
Order and Chaos Chez Hans Reichel
The Berg Collection
The Rosy Crucifixion
Lawrence Durrell
Keely Richter, archivist at HMML
etc. etc. ...marvelous!

Support the show

_________________________________________________
This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County!
Let us know what you think!
SEND US AN EMAIL! 😊
[email protected]
FaceBookInstagram

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Stephen D. Edington, a Unitarian Universalist minister, discusses his personal journey and the influence of Jack Kerouac on his spiritual beliefs.
Good links:
Register for the event on August 30 at the Henry Miller Library
Lowell Celebrates Kerouac
Unitarian Universalist Faith
Books by Steve Edington
Summary
Stephen D Edington, a Unitarian Universalist minister, discusses his personal journey and the influence of Jack Kerouac on his spiritual beliefs. He shares how he transitioned from a conservative Baptist upbringing to a more liberal interpretation of Christianity and eventually found his place in the Unitarian Universalist faith.
Steve explains his belief in a higher power and the importance of self-discovery in his spiritual journey. He also discusses his involvement in the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac festival and the continued interest in Kerouac's writings among different generations.
Jack Kerouac was a complex figure who embodied multiple identities and roles. He was seen as an intellectual, spiritual, romantic, and cultural icon. While he was not overtly political, he had revolutionary and messianic qualities.
Kerouac was both an intellectual and an athlete, excelling in academics and sports. His driving force was his duty to write, which he considered his purpose on Earth. He sought recognition as a major American writer and inspired others to pursue their own creative journeys. Kerouac's life ended tragically, but his writing continues to inspire and resonate with readers.

Sound Bites!

• "I was raised in a pretty conservative Baptist church in southern West Virginia."
• "I believe there is some reality or some power that is greater than myself."
• "I've always felt like I've been on some kind of a journey of discovery throughout my life."
• "He's an intellectual, he is spiritual, he is romantic."
• "He might have blanched a little bit at political."
• "He was both intellectual and athlete."

Below is the Kerouac presentation/sermon Steve Edington will be presenting at the Palo Alto Unitarian Universalist Church on the 25th of August.
Why Jack Kerouac Matters

In 1988 I came to Nashua, New Hampshire to begin what turned out to be a 24 year ministry with the Unitarian Universalist Church there. One of my colleagues in our district ministers’ chapter was your minister, Amy Morgenstern, who was serving a congregation in Vermont. She eventually made her way westward here to Palo Alto, and I stayed in New England. We’ve kept up our friendship over the years.

One of our points of connection was and is our affinity for some of the Beat Generation writers; and, for me, Jack Kerouac in particular. I don’t think Amy became the “Kero—wacko” that I have become

Support the show

_________________________________________________
This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County!
Let us know what you think!
SEND US AN EMAIL! 😊
[email protected]
FaceBookInstagram

Thank you Mary Alexander for speaking with me.
People who care about Big Sur and its history will enjoy hearing you.
Thanks also to you, Bianca Branaman, for the great recent photo of Mary.
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Below are some links and names of people we mention:
Jerry de Wilde photosGurdjieffAricaEsotericismDaniel Ellsberg

People:
Jeff & Kevin Alexander
Erin Albrecht
Darius, Tenere and Mohave Richmond
Michael Alexander
Richard Albrecht
Rodney Richmond
Branaman Family
Patrick Cassidy
Horst & Rowena Mayer
Storm and Ron Achioli (sp?)
Roland and Irene Hall
Fred Farr
Neil and Honey Rose
Zeebo (sp?)
Melanie Hogan
John Bleibtreu
Josh Bleibtreu
Jeffrey Stewart
Casey Sonnabend
John Andersson
Norman Godbe
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Jack Kerouac
Bradley Marx
Emilia Newell
Rosie
et alia...

_________________________________________________
This podcast is a production of
the Henry Miller Memorial Library
Big Sur, CA
FaceBookInstagramLet us know what you think!
SEND US AN EMAIL! 😊

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Email us [email protected] with suggestions and comments.
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Nuclear Arms, Tactical Nuclear Arms, Biological and Chemical Warfare - we discuss it. Thank you to Jeffrey Lewis for talking with us.
Recent podcast also pertaining to the tragedy in the Ukraine:
David Price
Anna Vassilieva
Books we talk about: (you can stop by the Henry Miller Library to buy a copy!😊)
Command And Control by Eric Schlosser
The Plague by Albert Camus
The 2020 Commission by Jeffrey Lewis
On The Beach by Neville Shute

Support the show

_________________________________________________
This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County!
Let us know what you think!
SEND US AN EMAIL! 😊
[email protected]
FaceBookInstagram