This was an amazing and wonderfully peaceful weekend celebrating deep connection and re-dedication to awakening Spirit within. Friday morning, December 21, marked winter solstice. After morning meditation in the temple, some hearty souls greeted the first rays of the rising sun at Sunburst’s Hopi labyrinth. A warming fire had been built next to the labyrinth before sunrise. It was a beautiful and frosty morning as one walked the labyrinth, while also welcoming the 5th World of Hopi, and a renewal of the Mayan Calendar. The day was punctuated with meditations for world peace.
Winter Solstice evening celebration and ceremony in the temple featured a symbolic walk down the 8 paths and around the 12 virtues. Twinkling candles, crystals and sparkling decorations marked the keyhole pathway. Each celebrant lit a candle to inspire a personal goal, or prayer, at this sacred turning point.
Saturday was a quiet day around the main area, with ongoing meditations in the temple. Lovingly prepared light meals were served. Two yoga classes were offered: yin in the morning, and yang in the afternoon. Evening meditation broke into joyous singing to celebrate the season, our inspiration and all we have to be thankful for.
Of course, the Mayan calendar has now turned a new page on a more awakened world. In 1987, Sunburst celebrated the Harmonic Convergence, which marked the beginning of the end of ignorance regarding the possibility of spiritual consciousness. In my own lifetime, this writer has seen an escalation of humanity’s heart and mind opening to let go of prejudice, increasing tolerance, compassion and love for the rest of humanity and our planet. Current events continue to offer opportunities for such soul growth.
Many souls were inspired to join in Sunday’s service and fellowship. The temple saw its first Christmas celebration and its largest crowd to date. Sunburst’s current spiritual director, Patricia Paulsen led the service. Later in the lodge no one wanted to leave the happy warmth of our gathering, but eventually we all had to go home and prepare for more upcoming holiday celebrations.
A delicious holiday cookie baking took place last Saturday at the Sunburst lodge, with many people participating. In addition to baking, a large group of residents and friends gathered for a festive tree and lodge decorating party. As well, it was a birthday celebration for our dear sister Sandi DeSilva. Sandi lived with us in the earlier years of Sunburst, helping Brother Norman prepare his first book for publication.
Abundant laughter escaped the kitchen as cookies were baked, decorated…and tasted; these treats will sweeten December festivities. These events include weekend activities of Winter Solstice [Dec. 21 – 23] and Celebrate Life [Dec. 28 – 30]. Come and join us for any part of these special days to meditate and call in the light for a New Year.
The lodge looks exceptionally beautiful with its beams decorated in green garlands and white lights. A big “Thank you!” to Elena and Greg for delivering the tree this year and stringing it with rainbow lights. They also bedecked the mantel above our huge stone fireplace, a point of focus during these cool, wet winter months.
After last Saturday’s festive potluck dinner and dessert, Elena provided us with pens and large glittery stars. We wrote our 2013 wishes and projections on these, then hung them on the tree.
May we all find joy in our hearts, living in brotherhood and peace!
Happy Birthday dear Sandi (pictured on the left)
Owen puts his Christmas wish star on the tree
We wrote our wishes and projections for 2013 on glittery stars that were hung on the tree.
All Hallow’s Eve
By Dawn King
Walking home from evening yoga at the Lodge, the sky is awesome.
Twinkling stars peak from between scattered buttermilk clouds.
In the East, a full moon rises from behind low fog.
Other clouds appear to be glowing angels hovering protectively overhead.
I pause at the labyrinth, stepping purposefully into its center;
only my feet knowing why and where.
Moonlight plays upon the the standing stones.
I’m mesmerized—such beauty overhead and all around me!
The journey calls me onward, though my soul desires to stay in this timeless joy forever.
Now I’m overwhelmed by a symphony of crickets,
as well as intriguing shadows of pendulous leaves suspended from branches
…about to embrace fall’s naked truth.
Sweet cool breath of Nature’s ever shifting fragrance
allows me deep drafts of life… renewed.
And I am renewed!
We had yet another fun gathering take place at the Sunburst Sanctuary last week-end during the bright and beautiful October Harvest moon. The autumn is such a wonderful time to gather when the days are sunny and warm, and the nights are starting to get cold. There is something about the contrast when the temperatures drop forty degrees between day and night when one can really feel the power of the changing seasons. Fall on the central coast is so beautiful with the many vineyards and local native trees changing colors, and many pumpkin patches are within visiting distance in the nearby towns of Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez.
Patty leads a relaxing and restorative yoga class.
Some of the activities for October’s Celebrate Life were two classes of yoga, a restorative evening class and a more invigorating morning class, and a wonderful Autumn hike in the afternoon. Dinner was served on the outside patio where we could observe the incredible beauty of the landscape complete with wandering groups of deer and other wildlife. Our meal, prepared by Core Foods chef Kira, was complete with all the warming foods of the harvest- potatoes, squash, kale, and other delights were served. A view of the setting sun to a long and luxurious day at Sunburst was an added bonus, followed by an evening of sacred songs….such a nice way to celebrate life!
The glorious full moon over the mountains blessed the end of our day.
The Sunburst garden is in full bloom and production now! A new wind break for the garden—a wonderful cob wall—has almost been completed. It will also provide the garden with a built-in bench and tool room.
The wall’s material, cob, is a natural building medium composed of sand, straw and clay soil. Mixed with water, it is applied over a small rock foundation, then formed with one’s hands as it grows in height. It will be covered with a slight roof to keep off excess rainwater and prevent erosion. Helge and Heiko are among the people who have been working to complete the project. A big thanks goes out to Steven (running the tractor, below) and Rita (in hat, below) who made the long journey many times to assist with this project.
In the garden, sunflowers are beginning to bloom. These and other brightly colored flowers attract bees, aiding in pollination and Sunburst honey production. Jessica is now caretaking the garden, keeping it weeded and planted. The brunch teams have been using the vegetables for their meals on Sunday. This last weekend featured zucchini chocolate chip cookies and a lovely pasta salad with veggies from the garden. Feel free to take a look around the garden on your next trip to Sunburst!
