When Beastie Boys co-founder Adam Yauch announced that doctors had found a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland, he expressed optimism about his recovery, because the cancer was localized and would not affect his vocal chords. That was back in July, and though we've interviewed Yauch since then, we didn't want to press the man too much on his health. (Gothamist: How is your health situation? Yauch: I'm doing all right! I'm in Hawaii right now, feeling good.) It's unclear what his status is, but this email just went out to members of the Beastie Boys fan club:

hello, wanted to send this out to you guys in case you were into it, or wanted to give it to anyone who you think might be.



a few friends and i are meditating at the same time twice a day. 9:30am and 6:30pm eastern standard time, for about an hour and half.



we are picturing smashing apart all of the cancer cells in the world.



we are visualizing taking the energy away from the cancer, and then sending it back at the cancer as lightening bolts that will break apart the DNA and RNA of the cells. if you have the time, please join us in whipping up this lightening storm. mind over matter......

The email continues:

if you prefer to sit then sit, but if you are not used to meditating, or sitting quietly doesn't sound like fun, put on some music and dance while you do the visualization, and if you want to do it at some other time, or picture curing some other illness that's fine too. yoko will be joining the meditation by visualizing all of us dancing with joy to celebrate the world without cancer. all variations are welcome. this is really just being done with a wish for all beings to be cured of all illnesses and to find true lasting happiness. i'll also be saying prayers for the earthquake victims in tibet, so join in on that if you can too. please feel free to pass this onto anyone who you think may find it interesting. with all my love, adam yauch

Yauch has been a follower of Tibetan Buddhism since at least the early '90s, and since being diagnosed with cancer, has made at least one trip to India to receive Tibetan medicine and meditate with the Dalai Lama. Until he recovers, the Beastie Boys have suspended touring and the release of their next album, though Yauch continues to be involved in his film distribution company, Oscilloscope Laboratories.