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Whew! Sorry about that. I somehow managed to screw up my website by a simple “<”. I’m not sure why they can’t make “complicated website formatting for dummies” available on a google search, but far too many websites are targeted for someone who has a sense of what they’re doing.
So, we’re back up and running again. Episode 2 of “Mything in Action” should be out later this week.
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Oops! It just came to my attention that my “About Priscilla” and “RoundTable pages aren’t working. I am working on it and hopefully it will not take too long to fix.
—–Original Message—–
From: “Joseph Campbell Foundation ”
Date: Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:35:07
To:
Subject: JCF Associate UpDate - July 3, 2008: ESALEN ENDANGERED
It’s difficult for those outside California to follow the specifics of the over 1,000 wildfires burning in the state right now right now, so many may not be aware of the Basin Complex Fire in Big Sur. So far this fire had burned over 47,000 acres and is only 3% contained. Even though the area is sparsely populated, 1,300 homes are threatened, and a few have already burned to the ground.
Joseph Campbell shares a history with the Esalen Institute, which holds a special place in the hearts of many JCF Associates who have, over the years, participated in workshops, seminars, celebrations, massages, and cosmic soaks in the sacred hot springs at Esalen.
As of this morning, the Basin Complex fire had burned to within one mile of Esalen.
Nearly 1,400 firefighters are battling the blaze, and 200 National Guard troops have been deployed to the area. Esalen cancelled all programs a few days ago, and yesterday firefighters told Esalen’s 150 workers to
evacuate (along with the rest of Big Sur).
Nevertheless, about 50 Esalen staffers are staying on site to mount a defense. Esalen’s CEO, Gordon Wheeler, made the decision to allow that, based on a consensus from firefighters that Esalen’s location is defensible.
Those who are staying have experience in firefighting and/or as medical care providers.
A team of 20 staffers have been clearing brush from around buildings, and they are preparing to spray structures with a fire retardant gel if
necessary.
Officially, Esalen is closed until July 11 - but any prayers, happy thoughts, or good vibrations you can send to those kind folk in that magick place couldn’t hurt (even spare change might come in handy - should the site survive unscathed, Esalen will lose at least half a million dollars during the shutdown - a significant hit in these financially perilous times)
Conditions change hourly. Regular updates appear at the following URL:
http://esalen.org/home/update.html
Also, Gordon Wheeler, President and CEO of the Esalen Institute, provides detailed daily updates with photos at the following link:
http://esalen.org/home/gordon.html
Several firefighters have lodged on the grounds, and are enjoying the full attention of the kitchen staff. Surplus produce abounds in the absence of regular guest, so Esalen has been contributing produce to the local community. In fact, the inspiring cooperative efforts of the Big Sur community are documented at the following address:
Our thanks to Karen Gros, who alerted us to the immediate peril, and concluded her message “Love and hope to all.”
Everyone at JCF echoes her sentiments.
The JCF UpDate Team
The most recent JCF announcement made me realize that the next Austin RoundTable is scheduled for this Saturday, the 31st. Since I had completely forgotten about that date, I had already been planning on having the next RoundTable on June 7th. The formal announcement will be sent shortly. If you are not already on the mailing list, and would like to be, please send me an e-mail at priscilla@mythicthinking.org.
PS, the next topic is “literary alchemy.”
Sorry to everyone, but I’ve had to postpone the April RoundTable due to some unexpected conflict. I’ve moved it to May 3rd at 2:30 pm, same Bat-Channel. Check out the RoundTable page for details.
One element of my mythic journey is a monthly pilgrimage to California to attend graduate seminar classes. Inevitably, something goes wrong, usually my flight is delayed/cancelled or I eat something completely wrong and am somewhat ill for the rest of the trip.
In the case of the latter, I have finally accepted that I have a problem eating certain saturated fats, oils and nuts. It is not a pleasant experience when my tummy contradicts my oral sensors, and changing my diet has not been all that simple. I live in a household that loves cheese, mayo, peanut butter on occasion, more cheese… I have to change the entire household’s diet! On my current trip, I am trying to watch those evil foods, or at least trying to identify the evil foods so I can avoid them next time. So far, the airplane snack box, tuna salad with fries, and pizza are okay. But I didn’t overdue the tuna salad because it was on grilled sourdough bread, which was affecting my enjoyment after awhile.
This trip, I will also stay away from the complementary coffee. I will only drink what I need and use the rest of the time to drink water. I need that more this holiday season than a nice, hot, steamy cup of espresso.
Every year, I am among the many who make New Year’s resolutions. I have not yet decided why I bother, considering how I either forget them by February or never start actively working towards them. One year I resolved to re-read the entirety of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. I got half way through The Vampire Lestat before I gave up. Sometimes I will even resolve to lose weight or better myself in some fashion. Of course, it never quite happens.
This year is really no exception. I have resolved to get my diet (vices) under control, to get a new job, and to possibly publish my behemoth project sitting on my desk. Fairly reasonable resolutions, I would think. My hope is that if I am actively blogging about them, maybe I will keep them. Notice how I conveniently have waited until 5 days into the new year to start this process. I think I have gotten all of the holiday eating out of the way and around my middle.
All of this is a part of my attempt to more consciously live my myth. Carl Jung once asked himself what myth he was living. He found his answer by building his house in Zürich. I have asked myself the same question, and the best answer is that I will live my myth through words. Only time will tell in which direction the words will guide me.