It has been 13 years since Tassajara faced a fire like it has faced again with the Willow Fire. I thought it was time to remind people of their story. It happened in 2008 and they defended the Zen Center when everyone else had pulled out. This year, both the USFS and Cal Fire stayed with them. In 2008, they were abandoned. And this year, they weren’t five. They were ten. It is an unbelievable story told well. You can find it in this book available on Amazon:

bigsurkate

Appointed appellate counsel for indigent defendants (retired.) I have lived in Big Sur since 1984, first on the north coast, and on the South Coast since 1989.

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  • They are in such better shape this time around! Trained, fuel mitigation up the wazoo, well organized, so many good firefighter relationships and of course the Buddha way!!

  • The time to "fight" fire is before it arrives. It usually arrives before the flame front. Airborne burning material carried on the wind . . .

  • Thanks for the Fire Monks shout-out Kate! I wish the story wasn’t as relevant as it still is, but I have just as much faith in Zen mind and the preparation and groundedness of the folks at Tassajara as I did in 2008. They have used the time between these fires well. Thanks for your unwavering generosity in keeping us all informed

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