Just back from an extended trip to the midwest, where I saw family, reconnected with old friends, and introduced some new readers to Fire Monks. You can listen to the Dharma talk I gave at Ancient Dragon Zen Gate in Chicago here. Thank you, Ancient Dragon!
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An editor at The Oregonian is looking at a stack of Buddhist books on her desk and trying to decide whether to take the time to read it. I wouldn’t narrowly categorize Fire Monks as a Buddhist book, but that’s beside the point. If you’re a fan, help her decide to crack it open by commenting here: https://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2012/07/buddhist_books_fighting_fires.html
Fun and Fire Safety
I love the Oregon Country Fair. Even if by the end of it, I’m ready to sleep for a week, it’s such a great combination of creative, fun-loving, good-hearted zaniness and social and environmental responsibility. On the day my husband and I arrived at the Fair, we encountered this fire-extinguisher demo by a local firefighter in the parking lot, where I got to practice my fire-extinguisher skills.
Pub Day & Red Flags Flying
Today is pub day for Fire Monks in paperback. I’ll be reading at Diesel in Oakland tonight to mark this happy occasion, but I’ll also be thinking about the people in Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah who are experiencing the same sort of weather that led to the Basin Complex fire that threatened Tassajara in 2008. Red flag warnings have been issued in all three states today as forecasters predict dry lightning, low humidity, and high heat–not the kind of forecasts fire managers like to see. May cooler temps come soon.
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!