Specialist Meehan

Alas, another good man gone.  I miss him more now with his passing.  My procrastination has forever forstalled our sharing life stories. 

 

Viz The train that leaves tomorrow is well upon its way!

 

Simon and I become fast friends some 35 years ago.  I was in the military.  Simon came to Washington on a road trip, (it may have been his first) with his lifetime friend Dennis McMahon, my pal and recent army emeritus.  We three began to share a friendship of unique character and singular depth.

 

Simon, was not then a Buddhist, a disconsulate Catholic, nascent atheist, maybe, but a seeker nonetheless.  He was a determined seeker.  Simon was a purposeful man already at 25.

 

We were pool players, kindred spirits on felt.  We played Zen pool, laughed a great deal and knew in our bones that in 1971 "the world was young."

 

Simon, as I said, was a determined sort.  Not the most talented player, he brought a fierce concentration to the game, an indominatability.  I was good, Dennis was "the natural" (blond shock of hair to boot) and Simon was a living etude.  Practice was Simon 's edge.  That long cut shot that even the best players are 8 to 5 dogs to make, Simon would hit 100 times, then again 100.  That will, that singleness of purpose made Simon always the tough competitor.

 

The little understood consequence of Zen pool is a tendency to wax philosophical, to even pretend wisdom.  We were each of quick and apt intelligence, our discussions vigourous, sometimes contentious.   And who in deed was the most formidable?

 

Oft times.  Simon and I crossed verbal swords in an exaggerated style, just having rhetorical sport.  In company only we three would know these ripostes were mere canards.

 

I believe that shortly after this time Simon began his real spiritual journey.

 

I began a parapatetic career, and a family.  Dennis went on to become a world class pool player and eventually the mathematics professor he was born to become.   

 

Simon, evidently had found a vessel sufficiently formed into which he was able to pour his life.

 

Buddihism had become Simons, "Way".  I know naught of Simons journey, Therevada, Mahayana, lesser vehicle, greater vehicle, or pedestrian?  I never really had the opportunity to share his vision.  This said, Simon, as he did at 25, brought that determination to lifes vicissitudes through the years.  Simons honorific, archayana bespeakes the respect and admiration of his fellows.  Ksatryia, twice born, mexican Simon Luna is my Bodhisattva.

 

Sat,     Chit    Ananda                       Simple really!

 

Adieu Old Friend

 

Mike Meehan

St. Louis