by Valerie & Dawn King• We have the ability to develop the strength of our will, just as an athlete puts forth the effort and turns his or her body and mind into something exceptional. In our own best interest, we can choose to be spiritual athletes. It takes practice, and diligence, but is rewarding beyond imagination.
The more effort you put into it, the stronger a spiritual habit becomes, and the more willpower flows into you. Even when you don’t feel like it, you sit down daily and go deep within, where Divine Spirit resides. You soon find that this is your rock, and your refuge. It becomes your superpower.
Paramahansa Yogananda said love is the greatest motivator because, if you love someone, you’ll do anything to help that person. Unconditional love, like that of a good parent or caregiver, is the grace of Spirit. Once that grace enters your heart, you are magnetically drawn to it. The world around us is so distracting, we have to make the time and place to feel that strong pull of Divine Spirit’s love. We come to realize it’s what we really need most. It’s what we long for, what can give us strength and sustain us.
How joyous to be bathed in the pure light of Spirit. Nothing can compare—nothing. From that incomparable experience comes the desire to bring about heaven on earth—that every soul, every brother and sister, can experience the same thing within themselves.
As we transform ourselves, we transform the whole world. Every soul that attains liberation, broadcasts that vibration out through the whole cosmos. That’s the very best thing we can do for ourselves and each other. Make the effort to develop your relationship with the Divine. Call on your Creator to be with you. This is the moment —right now—where God is, ever-present. NOW is the moment.
Dear Divine Spirit, I call upon you in this very moment. Hear my heart and voice. I want to know you beyond a shadow of a doubt. I want to see your living face shining within me, like a brilliant sun. I want to know your timeless eternity in every moment. When I know this, it will help all beings. Let it be so. Amen.
by John Kiddie•We are all seeking happiness and contentment in this life. This is our quest. Researchers studying the science of happiness have found common denominators in happy people. Physical activity and exercise is important. It releases dopamine, that gives us a sense of pleasure and well-being.
Other components include varying our routines and doing new and different activities; caring about something larger than ourselves; having close supportive friends and family, a feeling of community; having a sense of wanting to make the world a better place. Gratitude is another component of happiness and contentment. In one study, researchers had their group write down, on every Sunday, five things that they were grateful for. This activity increased their feeling of happiness. Acts of kindness yielded the same result. These are all positive things that we can embrace to bring us happiness. When we can turn our attention from seeking our happiness and fulfillment from the external to the internal, we will have set our feet upon the path to true and lasting happiness. Paramahansa Yogananda said it thusly: Seek the unconditional, indestructible, pure bliss within yourself, and you will have found the ever-conscious, ever-new joy of God. Unlike material pleasures, this joy is not an abstract quality of mind. It is the conscious, self-born, self-expressing quality of Spirit. Seek it and be comforted forever.
by Dawn King •There are many cultural practices for the timing of what we would call a new year. Some call the new year “Spring Festival.” In Tibet the New Year traditionally begins with the barley harvest. Currently, Tibetan New Year (see photos) coincides with Chinese New Year, which will fall on February 12th this year. This will be the Chinese year of the metal Ox, in case you wondered. The Ox is seen as hardworking and honest, qualities we all hope to see a lot of in our leaders and legislators this coming year. We also pray that honest, hard work (with income) will soon be available to all those currently out of work due to coronavirus. Tibetan New Year involves house cleaning, food preparation, and prayer, just as beginning a new year might include these activities elsewhere. New prayer flags are hung. Special meals are shared. Everyone takes a deep breath to reflect on letting go of the old and embracing the new with hope for improvement, where it is needed. For me celebrations on January 1st, February 12th, and in spring (the start of Vedic astrological year on which I’ll write later)—all inspire me to realize each day is a fresh start. Each new day is my opportunity to strive to be my best self. One way I can be my best self is to sincerely feel gratitude for the things that are good and right with my life, with my environment, with society. There are gifts in every situation. We are in the right situation when we are following divine direction, obeying divine law. When we adjust our vision to see through God’s eyes, we know there is a season and a reason for everything under the sun. The law of Karma is always fulfilled. None of our positive efforts for betterment of ourselves or the world are in vain. We imprint the ethers with our heartfelt prayers and desires. Likewise, divine joy and deep peace are in the ethers, and within our reach.
by Dawn King • We’re at a crossroads and a rebirth with the new year. There is much of 2020 we probably want to shake off, and put behind us.In many ways this past year has brought us to our knees, humbled us, pointed out our vulnerability, and opened our hearts.
Humanity is being reshaped into the image and personality of its divine Creator, growing in unconditional love, and all that is virtue. As Hafiz states: You have been invited to meet The Friend. No one can resist a Divine Invitation. That narrows down all our choices to just two: We can come to God dressed for dancing, Or be carried on a stretcher to God’s ward.*
This life offers us the opportunity to work on ourselves, to perfect our nature, and to uplift all of humanity with our personal efforts. We are learning to see through God’s eyes. The founder of Sunburst, Norman Paulsen put it another way: I see worlds turn, galaxies spin, while time moves on endlessly. Beings come and go like leaves from the trees. Listen and seek while you have the opportunity. Think not lightly that God is calling you because of your own heart’s desires. Take full advantage of it. Don’t give up until you find God.
* Hafiz Translation by Daniel Ladinsky from “I Heard God Laughing…”
Norman Paulsen, Sunburst Founder • We refer to life here as being part of the show. In this great show that goes on every microsecond of time, there are heroes and villains, there’s drama and action, and there’s sometimes seemingly insurmountable obstacles. When we go to a movie, we always find ourselves rooting for the hero to overcome the obstacles, to defeat the villain, and to have a happy ending.
Our lives here, our journey, is being witnessed not only by God, but by all those beings that have walked this path before us, who were able to defeat the villain, overcome the obstacles, and attain eternal life. These spirits exist; they are around us all the time. Sometimes they appear to us; sometimes they are called angels. They are all rooting for us, that we too can stay the course and never give up in our quest to realize our oneness with our Creator. They are here to help and encourage us, and if we call upon them, they will come.
Truth must be experienced, must be understood on a cellular level, and we can do this by calming the mind, stilling the body, and going into a deep meditation every morning and every evening. This process will help us all evolve and overcome any obstacles that are in our way. It will give us the strength and courage to greet each day with a smile. Each of us every day should try to treat others like we would like to be treated, to be kind and love others like we would wish to be loved.
O heavenly Father, thank you
for being with us this day and every day.
Instill in us a deep commitment to seek true understanding,
to love one another and to dedicate our lives to finding you,
gazing upon your face and hearing your voice. Amen
Dear Family of Friends,
As 2020 winds down, we take stock of the many challenges we faced, and the inner strength we called upon to navigate the unprecedented circumstances affecting our lives. Outwardly, it has been a year of limitations and temperance, forcing us to simplify our routines and question our impulses. But inwardly, it has been a time to open the doors of our hearts and put our meditation practice to good use. The importance of our connection to one another has become highlighted as we sought and found new ways to communicate with each other.
Time opened up for many to spend more time outdoors drawing on nature’s comfort, beauty, and inspiration. Art became an outlet for the soul as did other forms of creativity, including ways to be of service. As 2021 approaches, challenging times still lie ahead, but we know what to do now, we know how to be.
We can relax into the new normal and let it carry us into a brighter future, a kinder future, and a more reflective future. It is the balance we were all asking for, either consciously or subconsciously. We can’t return to an earlier time. Bigger changes have now taken place. Some people are moving out of the cities to less crowded areas. Many people now work from home and homeschool their children. They are realizing the importance of family, friendships, and community.
At Sunburst we are tilling the soil every day, both spiritually and literally. The permaculture gardens are alive and thriving offering fresh produce to the local community and food bank, and Sunburst is offering more online meditations and inspirational recorded services. We are available by phone, and keeping Sunburst Sanctuary ready in anticipation of a future time of gathering together again, which will certainly take place when it is deemed safe. Meantime, it is up to each of us to turn the wheel of meditation, and dive deep into Spirit’s vast ocean of love.
In closing I leave you with this Gaelic prayer: Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace to you.
Many blessings, Patty Paulsen, Sunburst Spiritual Director
