Santa Barbara

 Fires.  As many of you know, fires get my attention because of the loss of my home and business to a wildfire in Malibu years ago.  The air in all of Southern California was tinged by ashes yesterday due to the fires in Santa Barbara.  I was fortunate to be there a few weeks ago to hear His Holiness, the Dalai Lama speak at the University of California Santa Barbara.  It was a perfect day in every way.  I was struck by how beautiful the area is.  UCSB has a campus with a view of the ocean and its own lagoon.  Four thousand people gathered to hear the Dalai Lama.  He spoke of current events, his experiences as a monk and religious leader, and the Nature of the Mind.

 Inspired, I was lucky enough to spend the day with Melanie Strickland, an artist and devoted Tara practitioner.  She did all the artwork for TARA's DAUGHTERS.  It was wonderful to see her and catch up and consider HIs Holiness' impact on the world in the past 50 years.  Her knowledgeable comments to a friend on The Dalai Lama's talk was overheard by the LA Times reporter who interviewed her for his article.  

Having lived in Malibu for two years after the fire there, and having to leave ultimately because I could not rebuild my life there, I can only share my concern and sympathy for what I know people are facing in Santa Barbara.  It is a shock to lose everything unexpectedly. The burned out areas are desolate for years and feel like war zones.  Kind friends and family tire of the endless problems that are created when losing a home and business.  The first six months are a blur as you are in shock.  It takes many years to rebuild one's life and oneself internally.  So my prayers are with all of you who face this tragedy.  Be kind to yourself, as His Holiness would wish.