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In 2008 a massive forest fire almost destroyed the Tassajara Zen Retreat Center. Through the valiant efforts of those who lived there and the Zen wisdom they employed to meet the fire, Tassajara was saved. I visited shortly afterwards and found a guitar in a treehouse that was tuned to an exotic and beautiful sounding tuning, which formed the basis of this song.

Lyrics

Tassajara Breeze

The fire has carved this mountain like a landscape on the moon
Trees barren, black and baking in the scorching afternoon
I search for signs of life but I cannot see a thing
Still I feel a power gathering, silent waiting for the spring

Down by the rocky river there’s a miracle of green
Blue Jays pierce the silence with their maniacal screams
The temple bell comes ringing down the valley through the trees
Singing on the Tassajara breeze

Men and women chanting in the breaking dawn
Soothe the storm that’s brewing here inside me with their song
The scent of bread like incense and the hum of honey bees
Drifting on the Tassajara breeze

Oh my mind is crazy, running me around like a puppet on a string
But oh this day’s so lazy
There’s nothing much to do and I don’t need a thing

Bodies sit like mountains breathing softly in the night
To calm the mind’s confusion and welcome in the light
To welcome weary travelers with sweet silent revelries
Whispered on the Tassajara breeze

Outside the world is raging lost in tangled points of view
Far from this wild forest where the light comes pouring through
There’s a stillness in the shadows and a rustling in the trees
Aimless on the Tassajara breeze

Oh my mind is crazy, running me around like a puppet on a string
But oh this day’s so lazy
There’s nothing much to do and I don’t need a thing
©Jennifer Berezan

Jennifer Berezan: Vocal, Guitar
Jon Evans: Bass, Electric Guitar
Scott Amendola: Drums
Marquinho Brasil: Udu
Kaila Flexer: Tarhui
Marcie Brown: Cello
Lylia Guion: Violin
Chris Webster, Anthony J. Costello: Backup Vocals