by Dawn King • There are many cultural practices for the timing of what we would call a new year. Some call the new year “Spring Festival.” In Tibet the New Year traditionally begins with the barley harvest. Currently, Tibetan New Year (see photos) coincides with Chinese New Year, which will fall on February 12th this year.
This will be the Chinese year of the metal Ox, in case you wondered. The Ox is seen as hardworking and honest, qualities we all hope to see a lot of in our leaders and legislators this coming year. We also pray that honest, hard work (with income) will soon be available to all those currently out of work due to coronavirus.
Tibetan New Year involves house cleaning, food preparation, and prayer, just as beginning a new year might include these activities elsewhere. New prayer flags are hung. Special meals are shared. Everyone takes a deep breath to reflect on letting go of the old and embracing the new with hope for improvement, where it is needed.
For me celebrations on January 1st, February 12th, and in spring (the start of Vedic astrological year on which I’ll write later)—all inspire me to realize each day is a fresh start. Each new day is my opportunity to strive to be my best self.
One way I can be my best self is to sincerely feel gratitude for the things that are good and right with my life, with my environment, with society. There are gifts in every situation. We are in the right situation when we are following divine direction, obeying divine law. When we adjust our vision to see through God’s eyes, we know there is a season and a reason for everything under the sun. The law of Karma is always fulfilled. None of our positive efforts for betterment of ourselves or the world are in vain. We imprint the ethers with our heartfelt prayers and desires. Likewise, divine joy and deep peace are in the ethers, and within our reach.
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.
Prayer by Steve Anderson •
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, contactus@sunburst.org.
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.
January 5 • the birthday of Paramahansa Yogananda.
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.
