by Norman Paulsen, Sunburst Founder • In stillness, God’s presence is revealed to us. When the thoughts have quieted down and the breath has become obedient, the soul stirs in us to meet our Maker, our Creator, our Beloved. We are all connected to this Being of Light. We are all children of this Divine Mother and Father.
What a miracle it is that God is with us in our deep meditations, in stillness and in love, as we communicate with the reality of our immortal souls. Yes, God says we are all immortal, dreaming this life in all its beauty and its sorrows. God longs to speak to us in the silence of our meditations, to give us comfort, support, and direction in our lives. As often as we remember that God exists in the center of our souls, we are blessed.
Master Yogananda used to say: “In the humdrum activity of this world, it is so hard to stop and remember that God is the doer, not the individual self.” God is the doer if we allow, if we remember. When we take the time to sit down in silence and talk to Him, to Her, with our heart’s devotion, our love can find its source in God. Our love finds its fulfillment in seeking God.
Follow the breath up and down the spine with your consciousness. This is our inner-dimensional tunnel that leads to God. At the crown of our heads the infinite Christ Light, like the sun, burns so brightly, illuminating our souls. The presence of God descends like a silken garment upon each soul who calls for God to reveal the light of his presence.
What a wonderful start we had to 2020, a year ago, with Sunburst’s January 6, 2020, Kriya Retreat. From the photo you can see it was well attended. This brings us to our current unique opportunity: On January 9, 2021 Sunburst is offering a …Kriya Initiation Renewal, via Zoom, for anyone who has attended a Sunburst Kriya Initiation. Contact the Sunburst office to attend: 805-736-6528, [email protected]. Sunburst Sanctuary is constantly being prepared for its reopening to the public. Work is ongoing to maintain and improve the property and it’s structures. The grounds, fields, crops and animals are lovingly cared for. Hiking trails are routinely kept open, and communications kept up and running. It will be a glorious day when the gates can open again for Sunday Meditation services and fellowship. Let us all continue to be safe, stay well, and be ready for a wonderful reunion in person when that day arrives.
Today we honor Master Yogananda, the direct teacher of Sunburst’s founder, Norman Paulsen. Yogananda taught Norman to meditate, and opened his mind and heart to the ancient Kriya Yoga path of spiritual growth. Following is an excerpt from Paramahansa Yogananda: A small cup cannot hold an ocean within itself. However, through the definite science of meditation known for millenniums to the yogis and sages of India, and to Jesus, any seeker can enlarge the caliber of his [her] consciousness to omniscience—to receive the Universal Intelligence of God. Jesus did not go through the sublime drama of his life merely to provide sermon material for generations of preachers and their Sunday audiences. He lived, died and was gloriously resurrected as an inspiration to others to live a divine life and attain in themselves his experiences of God and the afterlife. The Christ consciousness of Jesus can be brought into the souls of all who make the effort to receive it.
by Dawn King • We’re at a crossroads and a rebirth with the new year. There is much of 2020 we probably want to shake off, and put behind us.In many ways this past year has brought us to our knees, humbled us, pointed out our vulnerability, and opened our hearts.
Humanity is being reshaped into the image and personality of its divine Creator, growing in unconditional love, and all that is virtue. As Hafiz states: You have been invited to meet The Friend. No one can resist a Divine Invitation. That narrows down all our choices to just two: We can come to God dressed for dancing, Or be carried on a stretcher to God’s ward.*
This life offers us the opportunity to work on ourselves, to perfect our nature, and to uplift all of humanity with our personal efforts. We are learning to see through God’s eyes. The founder of Sunburst, Norman Paulsen put it another way: I see worlds turn, galaxies spin, while time moves on endlessly. Beings come and go like leaves from the trees. Listen and seek while you have the opportunity. Think not lightly that God is calling you because of your own heart’s desires. Take full advantage of it. Don’t give up until you find God.
* Hafiz Translation by Daniel Ladinsky from “I Heard God Laughing…”
