YOUR MIND AT THE MOMENT OF DEATH
Allen Ginsberg & Philomene Long - Conversation
PHILOMENE LONG: What do you think would be your last words?
ALLEN GINSBERG: I wouldn't even... I haven't thought of it. There is a very interesting poem by Antler called "Last Words" in which he quotes the most interesting last words of everybody. Do you know the poem?
PHILOMENE LONG: It's a preoccupation with me--people's last words.
ALLEN GINSBERG: Really? Look up this poem. It's this great poem which is a great collection of last words like "It is cooked already" said somebody, or "Oops!" or "Is this happening to me?" or "Is it really me?"
(Laughter)
PHILOMENE LONG: Huidobro wanted to see his own image ...
ALLEN GINSBERG: Vicente Huidobro?
PHILOMENE LONG: Yes.
ALLEN GINSBERG: Really?
PHILOMENE LONG: Yes. He wanted to see his own image while he died. Yes. Asked for a mirror to be held up.
ALLEN GINSBERG: No kidding? Very conscious guy. Do you know his writing?
PHILOMENE LONG: Yes. THE poet.
ALLEN GINSBERG: I spent many months with his ex-girlfriend in Chile.
PHILOMENE LONG: You mean Rachel?
ALLEN GINSBERG: Raquel. She was a great friend and protectress when I was in Chile for several months. She's alive in Chile. I'm still in touch with her... look her up...
PHILOMENE LONG: I will. You know, my husband John Thomas was in a car with Neal Cassady...
ALLEN GINSBERG: I know John Thomas. The big guy. How is he? Say hello.
PHILOMENE LONG: I will. Yes. He is my love, my millennium. Well, he was in the car with Neal Cassady and Neal Cassady had made a wrong turn and decided to go backwards on a one-way street.
ALLEN GINSBERG: Uh oh.
PHILOMENE LONG: He drove (seemingly 50 miles-per-hour), looking solely through the rear-view mirror, weaving through car after car, and carrying on four simultaneous conversations.
ALLEN GINSBERG: Sounds a little exaggerated
PHILOMENE LONG: (Laughter)
ALLEN GINSBERG: ... but not too much.
PHILOMENE LONG: John Thomas also said, if you see Phillip Whalen, to give his regards.
ALLEN GINSBERG: You know Phillip Whalen is now the abbot of the Hartford Street Zen Center?
PHILOMENE LONG: Oh, he is... Ah!
(Pause)
ALLEN GINSBERG: I know so many lamas have hypoglycemia or high blood pressure from lack of exercise--because they have long periods of sitting, even in one room for three years... Did you know that?
PHILOMENE LONG: No, I didn't know that. But I do know about six Zen monks that are fat.
(Pause)
PHILOMENE LONG: In the light of Buddhism, how do you look at death?
ALLEN GINSBERG: Well, I am really interested in what do you do with your mind at the moment of death, particularly after you stop breathing. I understand that if you are drowning, there is still about eight minutes without breath in which you can still be brought back. So there still must be some life. Obviously on your deathbed all the struggle and pain is over by the time you stop breathing. You are out, things have stopped, and there is nothing you can do anymore, but you are still conscious on some level. I am always interested in what consciousness is there. What recourse is there? There is the traditional Buddhist view that at the time of death, Dharma will be my only refuge. Because I create karma, I must abandon evil deeds and always devote my life to virtuous action. Therefore, everyday I will examine myself so that it's a continuous self-examination to make sure I'm not building up and indissoluble barrio that will make me panic because I didn't get things right. Then the question is, what do you remember at the point of death? So many Buddhist practices are preparations for taking off--not panicking, to being bound to look back and trying to rearrange your bookshelf--but going out with a clean slate.
PHILOMENE LONG: Yes.
ALLEN GINSBERG: Did anybody -- I wonder if anybody taped yesterday?
PHILOMENE LONG: Did somebody?
ALLEN GINSBERG: They never think of it. Not realizing the words of wisdom.
PHILOMENE LONG: Right!
http://www.mindspring.com/~sagriffin/GinsbergLong.html
