Question
Dear Master,
You told me you have long loved Simone Weil. You also met Lanza del Vasto. Did Lanza (you call him by his first name) speak to you about Simone Weil, whom he knew toward the end of her life? Do you remember him saying anything about her? Could you please share it with me?
Thank you in advance, and may you continue well in bringing together clear vision, noble conduct, and contemplation of simplicity.
Alexis
P.S. On another note, I am also thinking of writing to François Fédier, philosopher and Fabrice Midal’s teacher in the Western world. Perhaps Jean Beaufret, who was in the same class as our heroine at the École Normale, also had stories he passed on.
Alexis
Answer from Master Kosen
Unfortunately, Lanza did not speak to me about Simone. We did not talk, but we danced, danced a great deal, and jumped through the flames of the Saint John’s Day bonfires. That whole short night passed like the dream of a simple life, rooted, structured, and strong—strong without pretension, nonviolent and unviolated by impatience and frustration. It takes little to spoil life; it takes little to be happy in that magical, timeless land where Lanza had welcomed us.
Kosen