Fun Fact: for every big, sold-out show at the Henry Miller Library (eg. Fleet Foxes, MGMT) there are at least three equally amazing events for which there are ample tickets, plenty of room on the property, and more manageable lines for the restrooms.

It’s true.

And we’re especially excited about a vaguely Eastern-influenced trifecta of events coming up. They are:

Friday, July 8 at 8PM: Colleen Morton Busch, author of FIRE MONKS: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire at the Gates of Tassajara. This is a big deal.  Some of you may be too young to remember, but in 2008 there was the great Basin Fire…of…uh…2008.

The flames practically licked our back deck – the fire line is alarmingly visible – and we prepared for the worst: we loaded out every book, postcard, and memento from the library, threw it in a truck, realizing that is was just a matter of time before the Library was reduced to smoldering ash.  Luckily, it wasn’t!

Anyway, FIRE MONKS is the incredible story on how how five monks risked their lives to save the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, the oldest Zen monastery in the US, just down the road here in Big Sur.  Author Busch will be on hand, and our very own Magnus Toren will present a stunning slide show of photos of the Fire.  Not to be missed!

Sunday, July 10 at 3PM – Welcome to a special presentation and booksigning by John Robbins. Before the Great Recession, we Americans were pretty kooky.  We bought houses we couldn’t afford with credit we didn’t have – and guess what? – at the end of the day we were still spiritually unfulfilled, restless, irritable, and susceptible to road rage.

So much for the idea that a $90,000 “investment property” south of Vegas can buy you happiness.

Fortunately, many of us have re-assessed our priorities in the wake of the crash (note: hedge fund managers haven’t), including John Robbins.  His book, The New Good Life: Living Better Than Ever in an Age of Less, explores those very themes in a post-crash America. Timely, timeless, and tremendous.  He’ll be here in person!

Saturday July 16 at 7.30 PM – Slideshow and booksigning, A Different Kind of Luxury: Japanese Lessons in Simple Living and Inner Abundance. Join author, writing teacher, and traveler Andy Couturier for an inspiring reading and slide presentation under the stars at the Henry Miller Library.

In his latest book, A Different Kind of Luxury: Japanese Lessons in Simple Living and Inner Abundance, Couturier profiles eleven contemporary men and women that have made the transition to sustainable, deeply fulfilling lives in the mountains of Japan.

So there you have it.

Three awesome events dealing with very real and very important issues, which, while different in form than seeing Gillian Welch play for 300 folks, will probably trigger more interesting post-event chatter on your drive home.

Unless you’re afraid of dealing with things like emotions, spirituality, and the meaning of life.  Don’t blame you.