Before the Sun Disappears
After restoring the highest lookout on the property, we began spending more evenings there watching the sun disappear behind the mountains—and noticing how naturally everyone became still.
What the Well Holds
Two 5,000-gallon irrigation tanks normally fill from a well deep beneath the property. When the water stopped flowing, troubleshooting the system became a lesson in looking beneath the surface.
Clearing the Orchard Path
This week in the garden, clearing a crowded path became a lesson in discernment: knowing what to cut back, what to leave alone, and how to look more closely before deciding what belongs.
The Pond that Finally Belonged
This week, for the first time, I sat down and simply watched the pond. After weeks of mud, rocks, leaks, doubt, and stubborn effort, it finally felt less like a project and more like a place.
When the Heat Asks You to Slow Down
This week in Topanga, clearing brush in the high heat became a meditation on effort, imbalance, and the wisdom of knowing when to slow down.
Meditating in Public
Meditating in public means allowing the world to keep moving without stepping away from it. In this journal entry, I sat outside a café in Topanga and practiced stillness amid voices, footsteps, and passing cars, noticing what happens when nothing needs to be managed.
A New Chapter at OneCommune: Our Local Makers Consignment Shop
We’ve been working hard to bring a little more of Topanga’s creative spirit indoors. Our new consignment shop features handmade pieces by local makers—from stained glass and woven art to plant-based perfumes and honey straight from our retreat’s own hives.
What Raising a Power Pole Revealed About Meditation
When a team came to replace the old electric pole at our retreat center, I watched three days of grit, humor, and coordination unfold. What started as a loud, dusty project turned into a surprising meditation on strength, alignment, and what it really takes to stay grounded.
Zen and the Art of Building a Shed
What began as a simple plan to build two sheds turned into a deeper reflection on mindfulness, teamwork, and the harmony between form and feeling. Inspired by Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, this article explores the unexpected beauty of a practical project in the hills of Topanga.