Paul Swehla

The Dystopian Hermit Monk Paul Swehla

In Volume 2 of the Tikkun Trilogy, Peer Gynt reemerges as a reincarnate dystopian hermit monk. With Peer's alter ego, Brand-appearing as phantoms from Monk's past lives-they haunt Monk on his quest for enlightenment. The Dystopian Hermit Monk is an epic tale of a monk on a deeply imagistic journey-through and beyond enlightenment-towards death, transfiguration, and rebirth in a post-apocalyptic, Dali-esque reality. Monk lives in the presence of death in order to call into question the meaning of life. A practical exercise in Buddhist philosophy, depth psychology, and esoteric mysticism, The Dystopian Hermit Monk is rooted in the collective unconsciousness of Jungian symbolism, catharsis, and individuation. Adapted for the stage, The Dystopian Hermit Monk won an award from PEN America. Steeped in comparative religion and mythology, Paul Swehla's writing has been compared to that of Henry Miller, T. S. Eliot, and Walt Whitman. Foreshadowing its stage adaptation, Monk encounters his anima-the Girl in Kimono with Obi-who guides him along the path. He is then introduced to his archetypal alter egos-ghosts from his previous incarnations--and traveling companions. Along the way, Monk is tormented by Lilith, a demonic succubus. Beat poetry and culinary artistry collide in a spoken word journey through the deep imagery of the psyche . . . with catastrophic effect. In the post apocalyptic realm of Monk's devastated psychological state, the pendulum swings as he clutches for meaning and purpose amid the once deeply buried ghosts of his troubled childhood, the prison in which he now finds himself. As Monk learns to rebuild his broken mind, he realizes the pure dharma of his incarnation and, at last, begins to reconcile the ghosts of his psyche. When Monk descends the Mountain of Revelation, he mindfully faces the inevitable end. Beset with the peace and clarity of transcendence and enlightenment, Monk achieves reconciliation and crosses the further shore of existence, where he meets with Buddha, Moses, Mohammed, and Jesus. And he reincarnates yet again . . . in Volume 3 of the Tikkun Trilogy.