A Fickle Pickle

A Fickle Pickle

  collage art and story by Dawn King  •  Happy Halloween and All Saints Day! 
This world is a multi-faceted stage where many stories are unfolding simultaneously. They may be dramas, comedies or intrigues. We are the authors and actors who are co-creating these plays. Our daily script reflects our consciousness. Is our glass half empty or half full? It is up to us to determine this.

Once upon a time there was a pickle that was immersed in brine with the rest of its kind. This very special pickle realized it had free will and the ability to conceptualize. Unaware, however, of its inherently perfect state, it decided to get out of the brine and go it alone. But since pickles have not much going for them on their own, it found that lying around outside of the brine simply led to drying out and feeling lonely. It was not a healthy state.

My fickle pickle years came in my late teens. As a child, I had known my origins and close connection with God, my Creator. Still, when I went away to college at seventeen, I felt isolated, alone and lost. This didn’t last long since, even as a child, my main direction in life was toward serving Spirit, and finding Spirit in myself and others.  The longer I’ve lived, the more joy and rewards I’ve found while drawing closer and closer to Spirit.

Each of us is somewhat like the lonely pickle. Unknown to our rational minds, we are part of the perfect bliss of our Creator—we’re droplets of wind-blown spray on the timeless sea of life. Our minds tell us we have free will and the ability to go and do what we want. That is true within the parameters of our reality, our consciousness. If we can awaken to experience our Source, and thus, our oneness with all life, we may be able to keep that focus throughout the rest of our days. This would help us avoid feelings of loneliness and unhappiness.

Remembrance of those who have departed brings us varied thoughts and feelings. How grateful we should be for all they endured in order to learn lessons which may come easier to us as a result. Our very DNA has been altered by their skills and experiences.
With renewed zeal we are encouraged to dive into life while we have that privilege. We are each actors in life, challenged to do our best, and embrace the energy of love that created us.
A star who has sparked our imaginations is Frida Kahlo. Her self-portrait (altered here) is the centerpiece and focus of this collage. She represents the immortal soul freedom each of us has in reality. [This image and “Remembrance” message  is available as a greeting card, as are many others at and through Sunburst.org.]

Our Inspiring Animal Friends

Our Inspiring Animal Friends

  by Norm Paulsen, Sunburst Founder    [photo: horses at Sunburst Sanctuary]   Pure consciousness is ecstasy. It is living with a deep appreciation for every microsecond of time. It is being alive, and being involved in life. That is pure consciousness, and I’m sure dolphins have it, along with many others in the animal kingdom. Dolphins swim playfully, talk to each other, and have regard for humans, even as humankind’s actions are destroying them and their habitat. Some consider dolphins to be less conscious than humans because they can’t build skyscrapers or send a rocket to the Moon. But these actions don’t portray pure consciousness.

Many years ago I had the good fortune to become close to a horse named Jato and discovered that horses have expanded consciousness. Animals live in greater regard for nature’s laws than many human beings do. If people enjoyed the level of consciousness that most animals have, they would not pollute the Earth and destroy each other needlessly.

In my relationship with Jato, whom I loved very much, I gradually discovered that thoughtforms in the form of mental images were a way to communicate with him. As we were together more, our communication evolved beyond thoughtforms and mental images. It became a voice contact on the spiritual plane, an audible thought transference.

One day I came into the field where Jato was dozing in the sun. He was standing all the way at the other end of the pasture with his tail toward me. Wild oats growing in the field were about three or four feet high. I got down low in the oats and decided to test his ability. In thought I yelled loudly, “Jato! Jato!” Peeking through the grass, I saw his head jerk up. He turned, looking over his back at the field behind him. All of a sudden he spun around and came galloping very fast through the oats toward me.

I thought, “Jato, if you don’t see me, you’re going to run right over me!” There wasn’t even time to jump up before he arrived. Of course, he didn’t run over me. I stood up as he ran around me kicking and whinnying.

Mentally he projected, “Who do you think you’re talking to?  Do you think because I’m a horse that I don’t have the ability to know where you are if I want to?”

I salute you,” I said inwardly as he came close to greet me. I learned a lot from Jato! I saw how much I had to learn, and how much the animal kingdom really does know. Having thought I was somewhat developed at the time, I was astonished to discover my ignorance.

Jato told me that all horses are like him and don’t bother with humans who think horses are dumb beasts, because those humans wouldn’t be able to hear them even if the horses did try to communicate. I’m sure dolphins and other animals are the same way. Birds, cats, all talk in mental images. Everything in nature will talk to you telepathically, if you believe that you have the ability to converse and give it an opportunity.

Humankind has a chance to survive on this world, if we listen. We need to deeply listen and continue to practice what’s right, to persevere until we attain illumination. Then we will begin to understand how to live in harmony with nature, our Earth, and the animal kingdom.

When You Least Expect It

When You Least Expect It

  by Fredd Dunham    At the beginning of my spiritual path, I was blessed with an experience that utterly changed my life. The events that led up to this experience remind me that God is always watching over us with divine love, watching and helping us with our choices in life, if we only ask.

As a young man in the early 1970s, a deep longing for Spirit awakened within me. I had been involved in many of the distractions of that era, but was struggling to find my way out. I heard about a meditation center in the mountains above Santa Barbara and was immediately attracted to the energy. I attended one of the meditations and met the founder, Norm Paulsen, who invited me to live in the downtown office of the retreat center as its caretaker.

At the time, I was not totally clear on the necessity of staying away from drugs, alcohol, and other distractions in order to live a spiritual life. So one day I accepted the invitation of an old friend to her party in the foothills of Santa Barbara. She asked me to bring firewood, and gave me money to pick up a bottle of wine.

I went back to the retreat office to load up the firewood, and ran into Norm there. I mentioned my plans as we sat down. Norm looked at me compassionately, then said: “If you want the experience of divine illumination, you won’t find it in something outside of yourself. As Jesus said, ‘The Kingdom of heaven is within you.’ It’s already there. Seek and you shall find.” I could feel the power of truth emanating from Norm as he quietly spoke.

After further discussion, he left to drive up the mountain and attend group meditation. I was alone, struggling to make my decision. My inner spirit was saying, “Yes I want to meditate and awaken God’s Spirit within me; this is what I want in life.” But my self-conscious mind argued, “You promised to go to the party, to bring the firewood, to buy the wine. You have to go! You promised!”

I loaded up the wood, but didn’t buy the wine, thinking that I would just give my friend her money back. I headed up to the party, praying fervently, while a battle was going on within me. The closer I got to the party, the more agitated I became as the struggle within me intensified.

The road to the party was full of curves as it gently climbed and wound in and out of canyons. Turning the first curve, I could see a huge, beautiful cloud above and in front of me. Each time I rounded a curve I would lose sight of it. Then around another curve, there it was again as if it was following me, watching me.

As I was about to round the last corner I realized I had to make a choice immediately. In my anguish, I cried out: “Oh God, I don’t want to tempt you, but please show me a sign!” Turning the next corner, I saw the huge cloud had changed. It had become a giant arrow pointing toward the top of the mountain, right toward the meditation retreat!

In the depths of my soul, a great sigh of relief expressed: “Thank you Lord!” I turned the car around and didn’t take my foot off the accelerator until I returned to the road that led to the retreat. Arriving just as meditation started, I joined the circle without a word.

It has been said that God comes when we least expect it. As I sat down in the meditation room, over my head I suddenly beheld the radiant, living body of Christ, a sphere of light brighter than the daytime sun. It was composed of ten thousand orbs of light—suns within a Sun. They were constantly moving at incredible speed, like bees outside of a hive, each one striking me on the crown of my head with divine power. I was filled with indescribably ecstasy, and knew in that moment what was meant by: “I stand at the door and knock.” The loving light of Christ eternally stands at that door on the crown of each person’s head, knocking and waiting to be invited to enter in.

This experience set my feet on the homeward path to Divine Spirit. Although it’s often hard to hold onto that energy in daily life, I know that God doesn’t look at how many times we fall, or what mistakes we make. Instead, our Divine Parents are very much like loving parents in this life who are watching their young child learn to walk. If the child falls, there’s no reproach, only love and encouragement to get up and try again. If we reach up one hand to Spirit, Spirit will reach down two to help us. 

The New Earth – A Dream for Humanity

The New Earth – A Dream for Humanity

•  by April •  The world I dream of living in, creating, and being a part of…

Society truly exists as one heart.
Being “real.”

  • Not wondering if someone is being honest.
  • Not hiding behind shadows.
  • Expressing oneself freely without fear/concern of being judged, because no one judges.
  • Having and being a friend where endless patience, support and encouragement is prevalent.
  • All animals are loved and revered and are protected from all harm.
  • Children are encouraged to be themselves. Starting in school by hearing the questions: What excites you? What makes you feel impassioned? What do you want to learn about? What are you curious about? What does your heart whisper to you? What is important to you? How best can you help others? What is love to you? These are a very small list of questions to jump start every child’s life journey.
  • Experiencing nature every day is commonplace.
  • Sunrises and Sunsets have deep meaning that everyone understands.
  • All the elements are experienced in a plethora of ways.
  • Everyone is encouraged to be their best self. No matter how many lessons it takes, or how long it takes, knowing you are loved and supported, and
  • you will eventually be the best version possible.
  • All talents are recognized, needed and appreciated.
  • All jobs/responsibilities are honored. None better or more important than another.
  • Respect, kindness and gratitude are natural/common expressions.
  • The gifts of Mother Earth and all the elements are always loved, respected and understood.
  • Every person on Mother Earth, knows that everything they need for any reason lies within them.
  • All life’s wisdom is within every person’s heart flame.
  • It’s up to each individual to awaken the flames of creation.
  • Every human being knows to love themselves, the greatest love of all.
On God’s Schedule

On God’s Schedule

  by Norman Paulsen • One morning while meditating, I experienced a vision. I found myself standing on the ridge above the lodge at our wilderness sanctuary. In the vision, I was looking out across the hills and up the canyons, It was foggy and the sky was gray. I wondered what the meaning was for this early morning vision. Then I noticed it showed that the livestock gate was open to the mesa.

As I drove to the sanctuary several hours later, Spirit said, “You’d better check the bulls.” So I went up the road and onto the mesa. Out towards the water tanks I saw two of the younger bulls, but none of the older ones. I looked all around, then went back up the ridge toward the gate. Here was the same scene that had been shown to me in my meditation earlier that morning. Upon reaching the gate, I could see that someone had left it open. It was clear that the older bulls were now loose on the sanctuary somewhere! We had a big job to do now!

This experience continued to show me that we can be in tune with God, with life, with our projections and responsibilities. Yes, we can receive direction and inspiration to help us see things BEFORE they happen, and try to prevent them, or make them easier to deal with. After many years of meditating daily, I cannot function correctly in my work and carry out my day if I don’t go to the well of Spirit and drink with God. It has become a habit for me to sit down and meditate each morning.

To meditate in the morning with the rising sun is to bring the sweetness of God’s presence into our life for the whole day, to receive instruction mentally and visually. We arrive at the right time and the right place for the right thing to happen for us, not too early or too late. When we are on God’s time, meditating and praying every morning, wondrous things begin to happen in our lives. We see God fulfilling our selfless desires, and freeing us up for the journey ahead.

The Challenge & Magic of Fall

The Challenge & Magic of Fall

  by Dawn King    [Photo: an Asian Autumn Festival]   On September 22, in the Northern Hemisphere we will be starting the season of Fall. What difference does that make in our daily lives? Most noticeably since mid June 21, days are getting shorter and nights longer. In fact September 22 gives us equal days and nights, which is why that date is called the Autumnal Equinox. Some cultures start their calendar year with this celestial phenomena. Some of the Earth-orbiting satellites will experience repeated interruptions of operations for a few days during and around the equinox due to the Earth’s shadow preventing continuous communications.

What you and I need with our own divine selves are “continuous communications.” Although it may be a very busy time with calls for parties and shopping (think Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas), Fall leads us toward the more introspective months of Winter. It’s a time when we especially need to be mindful of staying centered…maintaining a consciousness of Spirit here and now.

Each day when we meditate (hopefully morning and evening if only for 5 minutes each time) we are focused on what is most important—taking care of ourselves. Maybe we focus on breathing and find stress dissolving. Perhaps we feel gratitude while reflecting on the positives in our life. In this quiet space we can distance ourselves from difficulties, and strengthen ourselves with affirmations. And when we meditate deeply we find a healing peace and joy fills us.

Let’s not feel obligated to participate in activities that don’t serve us. You have choices! As Fall begins, set parameters for yourself on what you want this season to look and feel like for you. Choose wisely what you do, and what you offer to do for others. Keep long-term effects and outcomes in mind. Uplifting thoughts and actions will elevate the holidays, and beyond. Letting go of annoyances and ignoring obstacles will help you stay centered.

“Taking life seriously does not mean spending our whole lives meditating in a cave. In the modern world we have to work and earn our living, but we need not live without any view of the deeper meaning of life. Our task is to strike a balance, to find a middle way, to learn not to overstretch ourselves with extraneous activities and preoccupations, but to simplify our lives. In Buddhism, discipline is to do what is appropriate or just. The key to finding a happy balance is simplicity. It is one thing to set out on the spiritual journey. It’s quite another to find the patience and endurance, the wisdom, courage, and humility to follow it to the end.” – Sogyal Rinpoche

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