In the early morning hours of the last day of 2013, fire monk Myogen Steve Stücky left this world for the great beyond. Read more about Myogen's life here. I was tremendously fortunate to spend time with Myogen during the research and writing of Fire Monks. He was warm and encouraging from the first time we spoke. He was patient and curious and engaged my questions thoughtfully and openly. I remember sitting in the abbot's cabin at Tassajara going over the proposal before I had a contract with Penguin Press for the book. He wasn't sure about the title "fire monks"--none of … [Read more...]
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: … [Read more...]
Fire on my Mind
Happy Interdependence Day, everyone! It's July 4th, the pyromaniac's favorite time of the year. Please be careful if you are lighting fireworks or playing with fire in any way. It's hot and dry out there. It's been a quiet few months on this blog as I've turned my attention to other interests and writing projects, but fire season is in full, hot fervor. We need no more dark reminder than the recent deaths of 19 firefighters on the Yarnell Hill fire. I've been working on a written response to the disaster but have nothing that feels at all adequate to the loss. I am holding … [Read more...]
SFZC Launch event
Live radio show at 1pm PST/3pm CST on Wisconsin Public Radio's Here on Earth. Click here to learn how to listen or call in. Tonight I'll be joined by fire monks, firefighters, and fire alumni at the San Francisco Zen Center for a reading, discussion, and short film viewing. … [Read more...]
three years
It's been three years since the fire passed through Tassajara on July 10, 2008. I spent this weekend there, reading, signing, hanging with friends, and admiring how beguilingly beautiful the wilderness is. Here is a photo of me with fire monks David Zimmerman and Mako Voelkel. … [Read more...]