ABOUT THE BOOK:
  AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY BECOMES A BIOGRAPHY

Although Lucille was constantly encouraged to write about her unusual life, she only composed three autobiographical chapters. In her will, she designated me to revise her autobiography (if it hadn’t been finished) into a biography. As custodian of her materials, she left all her files to me.

Lucille and I had had many long, detailed conversations about her desires, directions, and plans for publication and/or revision of her earlier written materials, her Buddhist teachings, and the completion of either her autobiography or biography. But shortly after her death, the thought of converting her autobiography into a biography was daunting. Her autobiographical chapters, written in blank verse, were fascinating, revealing, and unique. How could I ever replicate that unusual style in a biography?

Later, as I considered this challenging task, I realized I did not have to be the only spokesperson about her life. First, her writings speak eloquently about her viewpoints. Not only do we have her autobiographical chapters, but also her letters, notes, and files. Second, I have asked many people who knew her over the years to contribute some of their memories, ranging from how they met her, to stories about what she was like. This book, then, becomes a kaleidoscope of views about Lucille and her life.

Luminous Sitting, Torturous Walking is composed of four approaches:

1. Writings by Lucille. These include her three autobiographical chapters, her poetry, and two stories.
2. Chapters written by me as if Lucille had been the author. For many of these, Lucille had shared the experiences with me so often that I was able to write the stories just as I recall her telling them to me.
3. Explanatory chapters. I describe or analyze parts of her life or explain the methodology for her process (Science of Impression).
4. Anecdotal memories of Lucille by students and other people who knew her. These are spread throughout the book.