Breaking News!

The monks are back home. The Metta Forest Monastery has been spared the ravages of the fires that raged in the hills around it.

We arrived back at our beach cottage yesterday afternoon to find it in immaculate order, the yard swept, the plants watered. Word soon reached us that the monks had left earlier in the day--along with ten retreatants who had been evacuated with them, and who also stayed in Laguna Beach--and that Than Geoff had called to say that the monastery was safe. Naturally, we were overjoyed.

Here at the cottage, the presence of the monks is still palpable. Remember the days when we used to talk about "good vibes"? They're here. I was certainly aware of them during my morning meditation. The collective power of eight monks in one small dwelling space... May those whose lives were changed by the events of this past week find happiness in their lives.

I'm thinking now of those firefighters, still kept at the task of controlling the fires before the Santa Ana winds return, despite the waning interest of the media and the unaffected public. I suppose we'll now be able to return our attention to the unfortunate Britney Spears. May she find true happiness in her life, and the source of happiness...

Hope you all have a great weekend, friends. May we all find that happiness...