by Amanda
Saturday, July 9 finally came after a weeklong heat wave that toasted everything in sight. At last, it was time for Kids Unplugged, our much anticipated summer event for families, and here was some nice, cool fog!
During the treasure hunt
I was so excited as I got my son Cisco and his best friend Anthony ready to go down to the ranch to meet our guests, and yet I also felt very calm and focused. This combination of feelings was completely foreign to me! I’m often both excited and anxious, but my butterflies were fluttering off somewhere else that morning as the boys and I drove down the driveway to the Lodge.
Kara speaking about her Red-Tailed hawk, "Sunshine"
Since that spectacular day, when my dream of a beautiful family day at Sunburst came true, I’ve wondered about the source of that strange and wonderful feeling of one-pointed calm. Was it purely the product of months of meetings, note-taking, list-making, and delegating? I’ve always been a good preparer and planner. I mean, I have lists of my lists! (Does anyone else do that?)
Kids Unplugged exceeded even my high expectations. It was one of the high points of my life, and when I look back someday I know it will be one of the things I’m most proud of. What I’ve come to understand since Kids Unplugged unfolded is that Spirit was strongly involved that day. Whatever you want to call it—flow, Love, guardian angels, God, Source—something was there with us that day that caused everything to happen just right. Yes, our preparations were important, and I see now that this energy was also there during our meetings and our work as individuals on the different parts of the day.
Sunburst is an incredible place. I’ve never had the privilege of working with such tuned-in people—people who know how to channel divine love and broadcast it out again to the world in such a potent and yet gentle way.
The success of Kids Unplugged, I’m convinced, stemmed from the love that lives here at Sunburst and everywhere that Spirit is welcomed and cultivated. When we can do our work and then step aside and let Source run the whole she-bang, that’s when miracles happen. That’s where the magic is.
Join us July 18–31 or Sept. 2–16, 2011 to experience living in an intentional spiritual community during a two-week service exchange program. Live and serve with others amidst the peaceful beauty of nature. Give yourself time to nurture your inner quest with daily spiritual practice and selfless service in a supportive environment. Enjoy the company of friends as you participate in projects, consciously prepare and eat meals together, and learn hands-on about organic gardening and landscaping with drought tolerant plants. Private time is also available throughout your stay. Our bi-annual Meditation Retreat, which teaches Kriya, the awakening
and liberating path of Self-realization, is included if you attend through July 31.
Sunburst, founded by Norman Paulsen, direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, is located at 7200 Highway 1, Lompoc, CA. Meals and activites by donation. Lodging available.
Rousing Devotion through Kriya Meditation from “Sayings of Yogananda” “Though I try to calm my mind, I lack the power to banish restless thoughts and to penetrate the world within,” a visitor remarked. “I must be lacking in devotion.”
“Sitting in silence trying to feel devotion may often get you nowhere,” Yogananda said. “That is why I teach scientific techniques of meditation. Practice them and you will be able to disconnect the mind from sensory distractions and from the otherwise ceaseless flow of thoughts.” He added, “By Kriya [meditation] one’s consciousness functions on a higher plane; devotion to the Infinite Spirit then arises spontaneously in one’s heart.”
Comments from Sunburst Kriya event participants:
“I can’t stop thinking about the retreat!! Such a blessing to learn Kriya meditation…I met so many amazing people. Thank you to Sunburst for this past weekend, it was a great spiritual tune up!”
“What a gift—a gift that keeps on giving to my heart and soul. I feel expanded and full of love and Spirit.”
Did you know that Sunburst is an intentional world community? It is made up of individuals like you, who are intent on making the world a better place by becoming better people themselves. We each are more powerful than we realize to shape the world around us…and within us: our attitudes, emotions and abilities. Participating in this blog is a great place to start if you want to join like-minded individuals who care and who want to experience more joy, more life, and more purpose in life.
What did I do today toward that end? I joined a morning group meditation and prayer circle (more about that tomorrow). I also exercised, cooked nutritious meals for my family, spent an hour with women hand-crafters, and put in some hours at work on my computer. I’ll write about more of these subjects and many friends, and some new acquaintances, who also bring joy my life. Maybe you’ll be one of these.
