Sunburst was honored once again with a very special group of participants in the September Kriya 2 workshop. Silence was observed before and after the event, adding to the sacredness of the day, and a rose petal pathway to the workshop reminded us of our pure selves and the sacred journey we each walk.
Jake and Patty led an inspiring talk and teaching about the movement of breath along the spine called the Circulation of the Light, which helps us to open our spinal centers, illuminating our minds and balancing the masculine and feminine forces within us.
Sitting in the beautiful room, surrounded by friends and new acquaintances, there was an indescribable peace that filled the air and a feeling a gratitude for the chance to make a deeper connection with each other and with Spirit.
The last weekend of July, Sunburst residents and attendees were busy at our annual Summer Kriya Retreat. It is one of our favorite events because we get to share the things that are near and dear to our hearts: love for spirit, love for each other and love for the Earth. It is a great time to establish a meditation practice, or to rededicate and re-inspire our existing practice. Three foundation techniques of meditation are taught. Restorative and pranayama yoga, as well as devotional singing are some of the other activities offered.
As with all Sunburst events, nurturing, healthy meals were served at this year’s summer Kriya event. Much of the food had been grown on Sunburst’s Organic Farm. Mealtimes in the beautiful lodge dining room were relaxed and people had a chance to visit and get to know each other better.
One of the concluding ceremonies included a new garden dedication on the Sanctuary premises. This community garden will be used by residents and visitors alike, and help provide food for Sunburst’s weekly Sunday brunches. (Every Sunday morning service is followed by a brunch.) The new garden has a Hopi sun design with three beds indicating each of the four directions. In the center of the garden a tree was planted to represent the beginning or emergence of creation. Everyone present planted sunflower seeds in the garden. These flowers are known to track the sun—their faces turn throughout the day—much the same way that we are striving to track the spiritual sun that shines within us.
Heiko, Steven, Jake and Helge planting the center tree in the new Hopi garden.
The main event of the weekend was Kriya initiation during which the ancient Sun technique of meditation was passed on to the participants. I have been receiving this technique for almost forty years, and am always in awe of the sacred energy filling the room. The very act of breathing light into our bodies is both profound and uplifting. I always leave feeling a deep connection to all of the spiritual beings that have paved the way before us, including our own dear teacher, Norman Paulsen.
by Dawn King
At Sunburst Sanctuary there is always something going on, and an ever-conscious awareness intended to help newcomers or visitors feel at home. This past week preparations were made for the Experience Sunburst program. Attendees camp, work, study and meditate with Sunburst residents for two full weeks.
Preparations included the transformation of our old meditation area in the Lodge into a comfy spot for social interaction, or simply relaxing—a sort of living room. Several intimate seating arrangements invite conversation, crafts, creating music, playing games, reading or a movie. There are shelves for a few books and games. The area will be able to morph as needed.
It continues to be a wonderful day for a walk almost every day at Sunburst. Despite the heat most of the country has been experiencing, coastal temperatures remain comfortable. Many recent visitors have gotten to see baby turkeys and young fawns.
A pair of twin fawns graze outside.
Yesterday I saw a very large coyote, quite close up. He didn’t see me because I was hardly moving while thinning apples at the far end of our orchard. He walked along outside of the nearby deer fence. I’m always happy to see our native critters, and pinch myself that I live surrounded by Nature’s beautiful “living room.” Hope to see YOU soon at Sunburst!
Jake and Lucinda readying the new living room area in Sunburst’s lodge.
The cozy new living room area in Sunburst’s lodge, ready for everyone to enjoy.
by Dawn King
Coastal fog shrouded our hillsides, but Sunburst’s solstice “sunrise” labyrinth walk went on as scheduled. Craig, Sibylle, Steve and Sandy were at the labyrinth walk. Personally, I would have been happy to sleep in today, but got up for meditation, and was glad I did.
Six baby turkeys, and their mother hen, visited the temple this morning just before we spilled out the doors. It was fun to see them. JK was first out, and they jumped/flew 8 feet into the air at the sound of him opening the door. The turkeys then slowly headed into the redwood trees around the temple.
My husband, Al and I walked home while watching a coyote leaping at mice across the field. It was a magical morning for wildlife. We have at least two beautiful and rare Eurasian Collared Doves here, and one of them serenaded us during meditation. Mostly white, they like our evergreen trees and are usually perched or flying as a pair. I often see them drinking at my ground-level water saucer. A lovely fox drinks there daily as well. He’s so comfortable around us, that we can get in the car and bang the door shut while he’s sleeping undisturbed on the hillside 15 feet above our driveway.
Summer is officially here. Let’s find joy in every day, no matter where we are. Joy is God’s life and love in us.
– Dawn King
The last weekend of many months at the Sunburst Sanctuary is dedicated to nurturing and restorative activities such as yoga, hiking, meditation, and occasional classes. The pristine beauty and peacefulness of the surrounding land adds much to the experience of relaxing and recharging our batteries. Abundant wildlife such as deer and wild turkeys can be seen in the meadows around the landscaped lodge grounds.
The lodge itself was built in 1998 by a number of Sunburst residents, including John Henry McCaughey. Beautiful pine paneling lines the inside walls. Douglas fir rafters and trusses support the high ceilings. The outside of the building has redwood siding and Douglas fir posts. One of the things that make this building so striking is that the dimensions of the two main rooms are based upon sacred geometry.
Memorial Day weekend featured two presentations on sacred geometry by Craig Hanson. Saturday afternoon he discussed the vesica pisces, and we learned how to accurately draw this seed image, which is part of the Sunburst mandala. We colored our drawings, each of us creating unique artwork. In the evening we enjoyed a beautiful and informative slideshow in which Craig gave a short overview of sacred geometry. The “thumbprint of God” was Sunburst founder Norman Paulsen’s name for the golden proportion. Craig’s slides illustrated this repeating, aesthetically pleasing theme in nature. Included were plants, crystals, snowflakes, the structures of our bodies, and its adaptation in ancient architecture.
Vegetarian meals were specially prepared during the weekend by Kira Slade, who has studied and taught the benefits of simple core foods that serve to heal and harmonize the body, mind and spirit. Meals are an important part of Celebrate Life weekends as they provide time to get to know each other and to socialize.
Sunburst yoga classes on these special weekends offer an opportunity to do something wonderful for yourself. Restorative yoga with Dawn King on Friday evenings is for anyone who wants to sleep like a baby afterwards. It’s a safe and supportive environment in which to totally “let go” and relax. Patty Paulsen’s Saturday Yoga class gets all bodily systems into sync, up and running more smoothly.
If you have a chance to attend one of these weekends, prepare to be renewed, relaxed and recharged!
