Chapter 16 Summary

In Hayward Hardware, Richard finds parts for his plane and is pleased to hear a boyhood favorite, Greensleeves, played on a lute. It seems out of place in so small a town. Stranger yet, it comes from a cheap guitar Shimoda is playing. When Richard complements him, Shimoda asks if he thinks Jesus would have said he could not play a guitar, or a true Master would not understand someone speaking Russian or Persian, or know how to skin a D-10 Cat or fly a plane. They both know all things, but Shimoda knows he knows. Richard could play in his own style, simply by giving up his inhibitions and the belief he cannot play. Richard recalls reading about "hypnotic learning," but finds letting go of doubt hard. Shimoda deduces it will take years of practice before Richard gives himself conscious permission to...