The Mayor had an interesting week last week. He had signed on to volunteer his time at the Green Dragon Buddhist Temple and Zen Center in Muir Beach, a seaside community in southern Marin County, CA. Being somewhat familiar with the locale, the mayor assumed cool, foggy days, with a hint of sun late in the afternoon. The sheltered location in a verdant valley, traversed by little Redwood Creek, is a world unto itself. Home to about 50+ practitioners of Soto Zen Buddhism, the residents maintain a cloistered lifestyle, but not in total isolation.
Their programs reach out to the community in the form of classes on meditation, philosophy, and intensive agriculture which they practice on site. They also provide access to their communal buildings, making them available, for a fee, to groups who wish to hold meetings in an isolated, but easily accessed location. The guest facilities, dining room, and gardens offer ample space for mid-sized groups(20-40). Trails abound that cross the farm leading to the beaches and view sites in the Golden Gate National Seashore which surrounds the property. Of course, Mt. Tam is also on the perimeter with its many trails and hiking avenues.
The past week involved 22 volunteers of all stripes: retirees, students, grad students, artists, and a few types on "vacation". Many had done this program before, coming back for a renewed effort, giving freely of their time and effort.
Most of the work focused on exterior maintenance of existing buildings, much of it having been deferred for awhile. Fortunately, the weather cooperated, and after a night of light rain on Sunday night, the days warmed up and on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the sun shone brightly, and gallons of iced tea were in order!
more later
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