Read my August 20 opinion piece in The Monterey Herald about why history doesn’t have to repeat itself as the Soberanes Fire burns towards Tassajara.
Photo by Mako Voelkel
Soberanes Fire, August 6, 2016 Update
Please follow my Fire Monks page on Facebook for updates on the Soberanes Fire’s impact on Tassajara.
Five years ago today…
Fire surrounded Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Gratitude for all of the heart and effort that went into preserving that refuge in the wilderness!
Fundraising for a permanent Dharma Rain sprinkler system is well underway. I took this photo in May when I was down at Tassajara:
Paperback release on the horizon
Fire Monks will be out in paperback in June! I’ve just posted some new Bay Area readings on my Events page. Many summer and fall events are still in the works and will be added as they are confirmed.
In April, fire monk David Zimmerman and I spoke at the International Association of Wildland Fire Human Dimensions conference in Seattle. It was a heartwarming experience to present to such a receptive audience of fire professionals. Lots of great people doing good work studying our complex relationship with fire and the landscapes it touches.
San Francisco Zen Center is in the midst of marking its 50th year. Watch the August issue of Shambhala Sun for a feature I’m writing about Zen Center’s impact on establishing Zen practice in the West.
I’ve been quiet on the Huffington Post, but stay tuned. That will change soon.
Thanks to those of you who’ve sent such kind emails about Fire Monks. I love receiving them!
New Huff Post Blog on Finding Time
My latest Huffington Post blog on a meditator’s expanded experience of time is here. The editors gave it a “How to” title, and it does end on a practical note, but it’s not a checklist or a receipe. (As Suzuki Roshi once said–and one of my teachers, renowned Zen chef Edward Espe Brown likes to quote–“You cannot eat a receipe.”) In the post, I offer my own experience of making peace with time through meditation practice. Bon appetit!
Fire Monks is a KWMR pledge premium
Tomorrow, KWMR Community Radio in West Marin will be airing an interview with me as part of their fall pledge drive and National Preparedness Month, from 10-11:30 am PST. And, they will give away free copies of FIRE MONKS as pledge premiums!
I am working on posting one or two more Huffington Post blogs in the next couple of weeks. After that, it will be quiet on fire-monks.com for the remaining months of the year, as I’ll be offline for three months of retreat–at Tassajara. Retreat isn’t exactly the right word for a practice period, but more on that later…
Mark your calendars: Just found out the paperback release date is June 26!
HuffPost
Huffington Post just published a blog I wrote on decision-making. Read it here and pass it along to your beloved indecisive ones.