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.
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…”
Norman Paulsen, Sunburst Founder • We refer to life here as being part of the show. In this great show that goes on every microsecond of time, there are heroes and villains, there’s drama and action, and there’s sometimes seemingly insurmountable obstacles. When we go to a movie, we always find ourselves rooting for the hero to overcome the obstacles, to defeat the villain, and to have a happy ending.
Our lives here, our journey, is being witnessed not only by God, but by all those beings that have walked this path before us, who were able to defeat the villain, overcome the obstacles, and attain eternal life. These spirits exist; they are around us all the time. Sometimes they appear to us; sometimes they are called angels. They are all rooting for us, that we too can stay the course and never give up in our quest to realize our oneness with our Creator. They are here to help and encourage us, and if we call upon them, they will come.
Truth must be experienced, must be understood on a cellular level, and we can do this by calming the mind, stilling the body, and going into a deep meditation every morning and every evening. This process will help us all evolve and overcome any obstacles that are in our way. It will give us the strength and courage to greet each day with a smile. Each of us every day should try to treat others like we would like to be treated, to be kind and love others like we would wish to be loved.
O heavenly Father, thank you
for being with us this day and every day.
Instill in us a deep commitment to seek true understanding,
to love one another and to dedicate our lives to finding you,
gazing upon your face and hearing your voice. Amen
Dear Family of Friends,
As 2020 winds down, we take stock of the many challenges we faced, and the inner strength we called upon to navigate the unprecedented circumstances affecting our lives. Outwardly, it has been a year of limitations and temperance, forcing us to simplify our routines and question our impulses. But inwardly, it has been a time to open the doors of our hearts and put our meditation practice to good use. The importance of our connection to one another has become highlighted as we sought and found new ways to communicate with each other.
Time opened up for many to spend more time outdoors drawing on nature’s comfort, beauty, and inspiration. Art became an outlet for the soul as did other forms of creativity, including ways to be of service. As 2021 approaches, challenging times still lie ahead, but we know what to do now, we know how to be.
We can relax into the new normal and let it carry us into a brighter future, a kinder future, and a more reflective future. It is the balance we were all asking for, either consciously or subconsciously. We can’t return to an earlier time. Bigger changes have now taken place. Some people are moving out of the cities to less crowded areas. Many people now work from home and homeschool their children. They are realizing the importance of family, friendships, and community.
At Sunburst we are tilling the soil every day, both spiritually and literally. The permaculture gardens are alive and thriving offering fresh produce to the local community and food bank, and Sunburst is offering more online meditations and inspirational recorded services. We are available by phone, and keeping Sunburst Sanctuary ready in anticipation of a future time of gathering together again, which will certainly take place when it is deemed safe. Meantime, it is up to each of us to turn the wheel of meditation, and dive deep into Spirit’s vast ocean of love.
In closing I leave you with this Gaelic prayer:
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace to you.
Many blessings,
Patty Paulsen, Sunburst Spiritual Director
