I would like to express my gratitude to the following bodhisattvas:
Richard Bartky, for the idea that initiated this book.
Michael Katz, my agent, and Jane Hirshfield, who were my generous collaborators at almost every stage of the editing, and treated me to ideas, poems, translations, tennis, tea.
Donald Sheehan, for alerting me to the passage from Symeon’s Hymn 15, and for sending me the Greek text, a literal French translation, and his own, freer version, from which I have borrowed a number of lines and phrases.
Coleman Barks, for sending me several unpublished Rumi versions.
Robert Bly, Robert Hass, Czeslaw Milosz, Brother David Steindl-Rast, O.S.B., and John Tarrant Roshi, for their cooperation and suggestions.
David Bullen, again, for his excellent design.
And, as always, to Vicki.