Long Quiet Highway

Publisher's Summary

From best selling author Natalie Goldberg ( Writing Down the Bones), here is the story of her life as a spiritual seeker struggling to "free the writer within," a vividly told odyssey that takes you from the 1950s schoolyards of Long Island to the high plains of Taos to the Zen temples of Japan. Threaded with the story of Goldberg's 12-year relationship with legendary Zen master Katagiri Roshi, Long Quiet Highway illustrates the challenges - and rewards - that unfold when a Western student seeks a teacher of Eastern wisdom. As she puts it, "In the West, a teacher imparts knowledge to a student. In the East, a teacher transmits not more or less than his or her being." In a never-before-published interview, Goldberg describes the process of finding the right teacher, and speaks out about the problems that can arise from this uniquely close relationship.

Observant and relentlessly honest, Long Quiet Highway starts out as a reflection on the people, places, and experiences that helped Natalie Goldberg discover the transformational power of writing. Soon it crystallizes into a greater work - a winding koan that cuts through sentiment to get at the truth of the spiritual life and the discipline needed to achieve it.

©2000 Natalie Goldberg

A Woman's Heart

If you like Natalie Goldberg, you will like this. I got a little tired of Natalie toward the middle of the book. Her grief was too much. I thought she should have taken a zen approach to the death of her teacher. As the story went on, however, I came to realize what was going on, and I became much more tolerant and appreciative of her gifts. She really does tell the truth, and that's a rare quality.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Natalie reveals self.....

This is a marvelous biogrqaphy of Natalie's spritual and writing travels which are so much entertwined. It is told from one who struggles with the pain and joy of writing. Hearing it told in her own voice makes it even that much better. Like so many of us who thought writing would bring us great joy, Natalie has expereienced the work of writing, reminding us that it is what it is, not what we'd hoped it would be. Natalie again at her finest.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Long heavy insight

I had given this one the cold shoulder I gave up. Her next memoir “The great failure”looks back on this book and shares her experiences with Roshi in a less glamorous way. It made the second attempt on “Long quiet highway” into a beautifully imperfection of a unique and sacred experience.

Inspiring

Natalie Goldberg never fails to make me think about new approaches to writing and going deeper into the meaning behind all I do. Nat, if you're reading this, thank you for having the courage to say all the things I've felt and struggled with in my own writing practice.

A hands-down favorite

Natalie writes with clarity, insight, and vulnerability. Her narration of her work makes it all the more telling and beautiful. I especially loved the interview at the end.

Makes You Rethink Your Life

Nathalie has a way of drawing you in and making you go so far as to rethink the ways in which you are moving through this world. Without even saying so she helps you pay attention, to be present. The depth of emotion she is able to express through writing about ordinary things and experiences is absolutely breathtaking. This, and all of Nathalie's books are a "must read" if you are looking for a book that takes you on an emotional journey up and down the hills of her life and when you are finished you feel liked you've learned something. That you are now a better person, better able to be present with the people in your life that you love.

Good, but monotonous

I liked the story, but I think Goldberg shouldn't be the one reading it. Her tone is too monotone & I had to keep going backward to re-listen to parts I had zoned out on.

1 of 4 people found this review helpful