Sanctuary
Poem by Leela
Why Are We Here?
by Norman Paulsen •
Where have we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going when we leave? Are there any real answers to these questions? We have our scriptures from the past to turn to, the words of men and women who have attained states of consciousness called illumination, enlightenment, God-realization, Self-realization.
We can read, we can hear, and we can try to believe. But we are the ones, right at this moment, who are faced with ourselves and what we are doing with our lives. What really is going to happen to us when we leave here to face eternity, that great beyond of which we know so little?
We want to believe that God is alive, hears our prayers and is somehow going to attend to us on that moment when we take our last breath. We spend our lives pursuing our desires, raising our families, addressing the many demands of life. But why are we here today in these bodies, on this planet? Why did Divine Spirit create all that we see?
Evolution on this planet has brought us to this day, beginning ages ago when the evolved animal forms moved into simple consciousness and finally into self-consciousness. Humankind now stands on the threshold of Cosmic consciousness, Chirst consciousness, Illumination. The human brain is now opening up into the higher brain. The upper reaches of this higher brain have been for the most part unused. Yet, the Divine has fashioned this sacred place within our bodies so that it can enter and be fully conscious in us.
The Creator, our Divine Mother and Father want to walk on the worlds they projected and created. They can do so within these bodies we find ourselves in today. The Divine set forth to create an existence for itself on this world, destined to become fully conscious within each one of us.
Our amazing higher brain will allow us access to the sixth sense, the Christ sense, the Cosmic sense, the knowledge of the whole cosmos. It is inner-dimensionally connected to the very beginning of this creation, to the first Light that was created: “Let there be Light!” We are the offspring of this light, I Am That I Am. We are the encapsulation of the whole creation. It exists within each one of us inner-dimensionally.
There is no place to go “out there.” There is a place to go within yourself, to the Light that created you and is manifesting you today. We have the ability and the tools to see our Creator face to face within ourselves—to receive that Divine knowledge and guidance, that true wisdom, peace, and love.
I feel we are now entering an age on this planet where meditation tools will be given to the people—not only statements from a pulpit and promises that may or may not happen. I believe in a meditation tool that, if practiced faithfully with love and devotion for God, will give each individual the ability to go within themselves and meet the Divine face to face. You don’t have to go anywhere, it’s all right within you. The whole creation is right within you.
Our True Work
by Jake Collier • Our founder and teacher, Norm Paulsen, used to refer to everyone as soul travelers. Truly we are spiritual beings traveling at this point in time, in these bodies, at this place. How precious is this process of spiritual evolvement. We must try to live our lives in a way that creates an environment around us which stimulates our higher selves, a way that motivates us to continue with our inward journey of discovery.
Years ago, in the late 70s, I was working at Sunburst’s organic wholesale produce warehouse in Los Angeles. One of the guys there had season tickets to the Dodger’s Stadium. I’m not that into baseball, but in the midst of L.A. and far away from the rural lifestyle I was used to, it sounded like fun, so I went with a good friend.
One of the first things we noticed was that we were surrounded by very boisterous people. But while looking out at all the thousands upon thousands of people in that stadium, I found myself talking to Spirit, saying, “Wouldn’t this be incredible if all these people had a common focus on you? What if all these people were chanting AUM together, if they were all meditating at this moment? How powerful that would be!”
It will happen. There will come a time when the majority of the brothers and sisters walking this earth will know God, and will realize that God is alive in them. We all hope that we are there to experience it, to feel it, to be a part of it.
As we do our spiritual work each morning and evening, as we sit down and meditate, we create future opportunities for more meditations, for more spiritual understanding. We take that vibration with us. When we look into someone’s eyes, or we hug someone, we pass on a little bit of that vibration, that awareness. Hopefully it falls on fertile soil and others will begin to awaken and begin the process of peeling back the petals, so that we may all find out who we really are, why we are here, and where we are going when we leave.
I Am That I Am 
Please help us on our journey here,
That we may discover our true selves
In our relationship with you,
That we may walk this Earth
With you living through us,
You experiencing this life
And all that you have created.
You are our divine companion,
Our true friend,
And we love you.
Amen
Imagine the World!
by Norman Paulsen • In our world, sometimes it seems like a madhouse of thoughts and afflictions thrown together with all these personalities, weaknesses and conflicts. However, an old saying reminds us: “What paineth you in another probably has its origins in yourself.” If you can withstand the seeming chaos and pursue spiritual maturity until the day when you see every face like you’re looking into a mirror at yourself, then you’re beginning to arrive.
And when that day comes that the vision is bright and clear, and every face is your own, then you know our world is all an illusion. It is only a dream that we are separate. There is only one face; each was God’s face all the time. All spirits are one in God’s Light.
What a wonderful privilege it is to have these bodies, these eyes, hands and hearts. To love one another, to look upon one another, these are the things of life that we all forget about in our mad quest to fulfill our desires. A world gone mad has forgotten God’s blessings of life.
Look upon the globe of this Earth…the mountains, the seas, the wind, the blue skies, the sun, the song of the birds, the laughter on friend’s faces, the love you feel in each other’s hearts, the creation of things that are beautiful for each other…imagine a world without argument, a world without divisions. This is truly an empire within Divine Consciousness. It is upon us now, if we embrace it.
You can live upon this Earth under this simple truth. You can see and know your Creator. You can hear and walk in Divine consciousness every day. Yes so be it, dear friends, for the land that is nowhere [consciousness] is our true home. You can sit in that Divine Presence today. You can inherit it as long as you see fit to live by its simple truths. As long as you live the truth, nothing can take it away from you.
In every way possible, the Creator has seen fit to show us through our third dimensional world how it is in the eternal world. The blazing light of our sun outside today can be seen within in another way. Every person who seeks that inner Light is going in the right direction. It is the blazing light of illumination, of Christ consciousness.
I pray that God blesses you all, each and every one. God is Life…sweet love. It is already in each and every one of us, throbbing in our hearts. Imagine the world in which everyone knows and experiences this!
Sunburst News Update : July 2020
by Letha Kiddie
As the Covid-19 pandemic moves into its fifth month, Sunburst has settled into a routine of both quiet reflection and active improvements around the property.
The permaculture garden is flourishing thanks to Sean Fennell, who joyfully now offers an organic CSA, and continues to develop a fruit orchard and greenhouse. What a joy to see the land being so well cared for by our brother Sean!
The new New Frontiers store in Solvang has adapted to the changes by offering curbside pickup and prepackaged deli food for easy purchase. It is truly a sanctuary for shoppers, with its spacious friendly energy and gourmet offerings. Hats off to Jake and Missy Collier who keep the store spinning in a positive direction.
Resident Craig Hanson has been hiking the Sunburst trails regularly and keeping them cleared. He has been increasing his knowledge of the local flora and looks forward to resuming Sunday hikes as soon as it’s safe. He also works to keep the landscaping in the Sunburst lodge area looking beautiful.
Missy, Dawn, Greg, Ischa and Letha have been responsible for contributing inspirational quotes, talks by Norm, and meditations by Sunburst ministers to the Sunburst Blog and Facebook page.
Elena and Emily are still running the Sunburst office, answering calls, coordinating zoom meetings, preparing for the prayer circle each week, and staying abreast of the current pandemic guidelines. We are anxious to reopen our doors, once the restrictions are lifted. If anyone cares to check in with Sunburst, please email the office at [email protected]. We would love to hear how everyone is doing!
Heiko, Sean, Curtis, David, and Al are staying very busy keeping cows and horses fed, the roads and fences in good repair, the hayfields producing, and the water systems running smoothly, while juggling a whole host of other projects and ongoing ranch maintenance.
One recent project was the Sunburst kitchen being painted and the cabinets refinished by Paul Custer and Craig.
Sunburst spiritual director Patty Paulsen has been working hard on the Nojoqui Farms property to ready it for the next phase of development, which will hopefully lead to the next perfect owner of our beautiful farm. Please help us project success for this important Sunburst venture!
Last but not least we want to acknowledge Dr. Greg Anderson for his tireless work in recording the Sunburst ministers for online viewing of their Sunday meditation talks. Be sure to also check out his podcasts, as he offers insights of Life-Love-God, written by Sunburst founder Norman Paulsen.
As we move forward into the great unknown of the future, we move forward with faith, knowing that everything is happening in God’s time, that we can relax and enjoy this journey, relying on our connection to Spirit and to each other, for guidance, support, strength and inspiration.
Be well,
– Your Sunburst family
Sowing Seeds
by Letha Kiddie
While the whole world has been in lockdown, Sunburst sanctuary has been busy keeping the home fires burning.
Shown below: Sean, Curtis and Al construct a hoop house for frost protection of young plants; finished hoop house shown above.
Mowing the roadways, painting the Sunburst kitchen (Craig on scaffold above), and getting the permaculture garden planted for spring and summer are just a few of the projects that have been happening. Below, David is shown while moving equipment.
Although meditations have been temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, Sunburst ministers have recorded short talks that you can find on Sunburst’s YouTube channel. There is a continued effort on everyone’s part to meditate at home and to project a positive outcome to this challenging time.
The names in our prayer circle are given out each week so that we can all send light and healing energy to those in need. Please feel free to email the Sunburst office at [email protected] to add someone to the list who you feel could use some extra support. We miss our friends and look forward to being together again to share in the joy and inspiration of Spirit! Meanwhile, feel free to reach out and connect by phone or email.
Every little moment you spend with God
will be spent to your best advantage;
and whatever you achieve
with the desire to please God in your heart
will stand unto eternity.– ParamahansaYogananda