• by Heiko Wirtz • When I took a Permaculture Design Course, I hoped to better understand how the principles of natural patterns might apply to our lives. Often, I have felt that when studying nature, one can understand many things about becoming good stewards of the land. It has been an eye opener for me to realize that the foundational concepts of permaculture like Care of the Earth, Care of the People and Fair Share can easily be applied to efforts of becoming more in tune with natural and spiritual laws. Concepts, like understanding water flow and reading the environment around you go hand in hand with understanding Spirit’s play in all we see.
How can we step lightly and heal our relationship with the Earth without conscious communication with Spirit? We must be open conduits for Spirit.
My own journey into permaculture is motivated by the hope of better understanding the interdependence between our natural environment and our soul’s connection with Spirit.The success of our connection can be measured by the health of the environments we caretake. Applying permaculture at Sunburst Sanctuary gives us a framework for understanding how to interact well with nature in this place, as it can for anyone wherever they find themselves.
Our plan for land stewardship wis multifaceted, including such aspects as retaining rainwater in our soils, mitigating erosion, bringing the land into greater productivity, and more. These efforts increase our inner connections with Spirit, increase the communication through our hearts that we have with our environment, and build cooperation among like-minded souls, as well as opening opportunities for selfless service. As Michael Leunig wrote:
God help us to live slowly,
to move simply, to look softly,
to allow emptiness,
to let the heart create for us.
Amen
by Michele Pike • Some years ago, I had an experience that profoundly changed my life for the better. I was living on a kibbutz of about 100 people. A good friend and I were about to harvest ripe tomatoes from a small organic garden we tended together. It was early morning in a desert valley on the border of Israel and Jordan.
Alon, my friend, suggested that we meditate together to thank the tomatoes for giving us their fruit. Having no idea of any technique for meditation, I just sat quietly in between the rows of plants with my eyes closed. I tried to think of nothing. The sun was just peeking over the red Jordanian hills and shining warmly on my eyelids.
All of a sudden, I heard and felt something completely out of the ordinary. The garden was singing! Each individual plant has its own unique voice and together they held the same angelic-sounding note in a chorus of praise to the rising sun. Their song was one of immense joy and gratitude to the sun and for the opportunity of being alive.
I was awestruck for a brief moment, then flooded with that same ecstasy and gratitude. I felt so much a part of that choir, so full of love and a desire to give with joy. Then, just as suddenly, it was over and I was left with a curiosity about what had happened.
by Paramahansa Yogananda • Indifference is the worst of all moods. Remind yourself that you are not your own creator; God created you, and He is running this universe for you. Whatever your work, do it enthusiastically for Him. Busy yourself in creative activities for He has given you infinite power.
Free yourself from moodiness! It is the brakes on the wheels of your progress.
Every morning, remind yourself that you are God’s child, and that no matter what the difficulties, you have the power to overcome them. Heir to the cosmic power of Spirit, you are more dangerous than danger!
Light on Sunburst Sanctuary – Stand Unshaken • Master Yogananda has told us: “You must learn to stand unshaken amidst the crash of breaking worlds.” In that spirit we carry on at Sunburst Sanctuary. In fact, we are making the best of it, letting “breaking worlds” send us deeper into oneness with Spirit.
[Opening image above: Al King hiking at Sunburst Sanctuary.
Meanwhile, we’ve certainly had our share of breaking equipment this winter. But our guys, sometimes with a bit of outside help, get it up and running again.
And who could be unhappy amidst the beauty of Sunburst Sanctuary? Here are some photos taken right before and right after morning group meditation.
Then there’s the bounty of the land. We’re still enjoying persimmons and a late crop of potatoes and strawberries from some personal gardens.
Plenty of great activities keep us busy: Around the Temple, Curtis was weeding; Craig was cleaning and fixing the rain gutters.
Heiko was working the organic fertilizer spreader. Haley was turning compost rows.
[Below] Al & Anna (visiting) gathered wild mushrooms. On a recent morning after meditation, we saw the horses waiting for fresh hay. So much to see and do at Sunburst Sanctuary. You can visit, explore, retreat.
Light on Sunburst Sanctuary – Opening the Gates Once Again! •
Appropriately for the change in seasons, Sunburst opened its gates to participants in two gatherings this past weekend. On Saturday, the Sacred Geometry Workshop delighted participants with various activities that opened eyes and minds to recognize the divine signature found throughout nature.
Craig Hanson, Sunburst’s Sacred Geometry specialist who has studied this subject for over 45 years, offered a slide show, a walk in nature, exploration of divine patterns in Sunburst’s Permaculture gardens, a drawing activity, and other educational demonstrations.
On Sunday, the public was once again invited to services in Sunburst’s meditation temple. In-person Sunday meditation services had been paused since Covid became an issue. It was a glorious day to meditate and receive inspiration together, as well as visit with old friends, welcome new friends, and enjoy some time together. Everyone also had the opportunity to take home organically grown vegetables from the Sunburst Permaculture gardens.
Light on Sunburst Sanctuary – Springing Forward • Despite very cool mornings, Nature is springing forward at Sunburst Sanctuary. An opening double-photo shows the King’s almond tree at the start of February with buds on bare branches (left side) and, at the end of the same month, fully opened almond blossoms (right side). Deer are enjoying fresh green shoots in the main field (below).
Farther up the canyon, a field Sean disked and sewed with hay seed (1st photo below), is now green with new growth (2nd photo below).
To prevent insects larvae from boring into dormant spring peach tree buds, Al sprayed mineral oil on them.
A Pueblo Blessing:
Hold onto what is good, even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold onto what you believe, even if it is a tree which stands by itself.
Hold onto what you must do, even if it is a long way from here.
Hold onto life, even when it is easier letting go.
Hold onto my hand, even when I have gone away from you.
Light on Sunburst Sanctuary – Range Management • January
“Do what you love to do, and be around things that make you smile. The cows make me smile every day.” – David Jackson
Sunburst is a sanctuary in nature not only for people, but also for flora and fauna, plants and animals, wild and domestic. Management of 4,000 acres of mostly wild land is a challenge. Potential fires, erosion, and useful resources are all taken into consideration, with permaculture in mind. If the land is healthy, the animal ecosystem prospers too. We are all connected.
Overgrowth of flammable foliage is managed with the help of cattle that also fertilizes the land, and develops passable trails for other wildlife and people. Sunburst’s livestock, cattle and horses, are people friendly, especially the horses. You wouldn’t be able to pet a cow, bull or calf, because their tendency is to stay clear of people, although they find people fascinating to watch.
Plant communities have developed with grazing animals throughout history, making grazing animals important to the wellbeing of these plants. The goal is a healthy balance of plants and animals.
