Nothing Left

“The truth of impermanence…….. two fires…….. ojai and now the refuge. and thus it is,” - Joan Halifax

"Nothing left of my home at the mountain refuge, save one precious japanese tea cup. i thank all of you for so many kind words. right now, after a day in smoke, i need to rest and recover my spirit. i am just deeply grateful for your support. again, my heart to baizan, myoshin, sean who kept the fire contained within the buildings so the forest did not go up in flames. noah driving at warp speed to get us back to the refuge. and to the dozens of men and women (and especially johnny abeyta) from ojo sarco, penasco, truchas, dixon, el valle, and other villages in the area who are volunteer fire fighters who came to our rescue. they all gave their best for many hours today, while i slowly walked the perimeter with a heavy heart. there is some kind of terrible beauty in all this. twisted and melted metal, black ash and white foam fire retardant, the proud chimney standing alone against the winter sky, the charred logs from our forest that hold fire within them…… i don’t have more words right now."

-- Joan Halifax Roshi, 12/15/17

"Returning to the Refuge tomorrow, with local folks, and backhoe and trucks to begin to clean the burn site. Long day today with fire investigator, plus truck stuck in the icy river, and driving all over the area as per stuck truck........ But tomorrow is another day, and the tractor will pull out the truck, and break the river ice so we can drive in the shorter way. Another day, another dharma!"

JHR 12/21/17