• John Kiddie • Sunburst’s founder Norm Paulsen loved the sea and wooden sailing ships of all sizes. In August 1991, a crew from Sunburst was restoring a schooner called Star Pilot in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Norm and I were in California at the time. Hurricane Bob was reportedly coming up the East Coast, and it had a projected path right through New England.
Norm was watching the Weather Channel and, as the storm approached, the trajectory remained true for landing very close to our ship. He was extremely concerned about the ship and our crew, exclaiming, “It’s going right over the top. It’s going to hit us!”
One of the crew members, Ross, later recalled the storm raging all around with 110-mph winds. It rained and poured, with the wind whipping everything in sight. Then the eye of the hurricane passed directly over the harbor.
Suddenly everything was calm and still, and the sun was shining brightly, right overhead. Ross went onto the deck; he could feel the warmth of the sun. He was in awe of the spectacle unfolding before him. Looking around, he could see the wall of the eye of the hurricane extending way up into the sky, with a gray turbulent mass all around it. But in the center, the eye, the brilliant sun shone.
That didn’t last long; soon the other side of the hurricane hit with full fury again. It was an amazing baptism for the rebirth of that ship. The vortex was directly overhead.
One night, Norm was taken up in Spirit and shown a vision. As he looked down from high above, all he could see was ocean. Then, his vision descended and he saw a wooden ship sailing. He seemed to come closer still and could see it was himself, Norm, steering the ship.
It wasn’t an ordinary ocean. It was two hemispheres, two halves of a stormy boiling and rolling sea, on either side of the ship. Norm was sailing a course right through the middle—in the calm place “on the razor’s edge,” as he recalled. From that center place, he was steering the ship of his soul through the tumultuous seas of life that lie on either side. He was in the middle, bringing his ship steadily through.
As it was for Norm, so can it be for you. Residing at the observer’s seat within, you can guide the ship of your soul through the ocean of life. By coming to that place of stillness within, you begin to see more clearly the course you need to steer.
How do you arrive at this point of stillness? How can you quiet the seemingly constant bombardment of your mind and senses? Meditation is a proven method for experiencing the peace that passes all understanding. It will bring you to the helm of your ship of life, the true Self within you.
By regular focused effort, you come into harmony with the divine energy that is inside you. Being in this centered place doesn’t give you a free pass through life’s challenges. The rough seas and storms that come your way will still arise; but with the steady hand of your true Self on the wheel, your vessel will be guided to calm waters once again.
Let the wave of memory, the storm of desire, the fire of emotion pass through without affecting your equanimity. – Sathya Sai Baba
• by Norman Paulsen, Sunburst Founder [photo: Sunburst work crew • God’s power responds almost immediately when it is for the benefit of all beings that we pray. We can see miracles and the presence of Spirit’s power working.
When we pray for selfish gain, sometimes God will fulfill strong desires of our hearts just to get those desires out of the way; those desires exist between us and God. But, for the most part, God does not acknowledge our selfish prayers. We might wonder why—it’s because we are not fulfilling Cosmic law.
When we are more concerned with helping those around us, instead of ourselves, we can see God’s power working. Spirit watches the humble servant and says, “I have to help them because they’re so busy helping everyone else.”
I have seen over and over again how God miraculously takes care of the humble servant. This is the one who sets their own desires aside and entertains only the desire to serve God. God loves that person so much, and loves divine communion with that soul. God’s living presence becomes so strong in that person that it fulfills every desire they have set aside.
They may say, “Lord, I don’t need that anymore, or “I gave that up…it really doesn’t matter anymore.”
God responds, “That’s alright, just take it anyway. You can give it away if you want to.” These are things that we see God doing for us. Humble servants have seen miraculous power at work to build things for the betterment of all humankind.
You may think that what you are doing every day is insignificant and means nothing, but as you practice selfless service, you can make your work an active meditation. Walking a spiritual path, you will receive God’s renewable creative life force through every cell of your body. Allow Spirit to work through you each day and watch your actions become instruments of creation, resurrection, regeneration and healing for yourself and all those around you.
“Live each present moment fully and the future will take care of itself.” – Paramahansa Yogananda
Editor’s Note: Norm is proud of the selfless workers—men and women—who keep Sunburst going every day.
• by Dawn King • We know how magnets work; south poles repel each other, but are magnetic to north poles. Did you know this applies to astrological Sun signs as well? I suppose it’s because being with a person of the same astrological Sun sign could be like being with yourself—same old, same old—or, nothing different to find new and interesting. Actually, I find it comforting to be with others who have the same Sun sign as myself. I can relax and enjoy our similarities.
But I didn’t intend to write about Sun signs exactly; this article is actually about Virtues, in particular the Sunburst Virtues that go with the zodiacal Sun signs. Yes, each zodiacal sign can be associated with a particular Virtue. Norman Paulsen, the founder of Sunburst, revealed these 12 Virtues and their zodiacal associations. He explained that these Virtues are the Divine Creator’s personality. As children of the Creator, we can assimilate and express these Virtues to exemplify our true own divine nature.
During the year when our Sun in the sky is transiting each tropical zodiacal sign, we are challenged to focus on the associated Virtue. During 50 plus years of my life in Sunburst, I’ve found these monthly challenges to be real!
On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Sandy Anderson led Sunburst’s Sunday service. She talked about the Virtue of the zodiacal month Taurus (4/19 – 5/20), which was near its end (they vary slightly year to year). Taurus is the month of Patience. Our challenge has been to be patient, and not fall into the trap of getting angry. Yes, each month has its temptation as well.
Of course, the sign we’re born under naturally challenges us to remain steadfast to its Virtue. Furthermore, in my experience and that of other long-time Sunbursters, we’ve found out something else also happens. The zodiacal sign opposite our Sun sign can also challenge us to manifest its Virtue!
So, if you are a Taurus (wonderful earth sign), you not only need to be patient, and keep your cool, you need to embrace the courage of Scorpio. You will most likely find courage is an important trait you need to exemplify. Incidents will come up to prove this out. Here is a list of the Sun signs, their tropical dates in 2025, their Virtues, and their temptations.
At the least, you can notice which Virtue you should focus on during the coming month, and see if it doesn’t challenge you during the time shown. it’s much food for contemplation. Have fun with it!
• by Vimala Rodgers • Honesty means always speaking to the God within the other person, just as we appreciate their speaking to the God within us.
Honesty is not to be confused with “the facts”, knowing that the facts are often bent and gnarled from our interpretation of them. To speak honestly is to speak in such a way that our words are never injurious but a source of grace and healing for both ourself and the person to whom we are speaking.
But honesty does not stop there. It stretches beyond the boundaries of simply telling the truth and embraces integrity. Like a body without a heart, without the one the other cannot exist. Integrity is that quality which prevents us from doing, acting, thinking, or saying anything that conflicts with our value system. To some it may imply keeping one’s word. When teamed with honesty, it shifts in depth to encompass “being your word.”
Brother Lawrence, from The Practice of the Presence of God:
We ought to act with God in the greatest simplicity, speaking frankly and plainly, and imploring assistance in our affairs, just as they happen. I have often experienced that God never fails to grant it.
Norman Paulsen, from Sacred Science:
Integrity, an internal moral compass, starts at home and spreads outward into the world in which we live. Practicing the virtue of honesty reveals the law of cause and effect: whatsoever a person, group or nation sows, that shall they also reap. The law of cause and effect is the eternal law created by God, spoken of by the ancients. We cannot escape it. Another name for it is the law of karma, or action and reaction.
A person can fail many times, but they are not a failure until they begin to blame somebody else.
• Excerpt from Thich Nhat Hanh • When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don’t blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce.
Yet if we have problems with our friends or family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and argument.
That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding. If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change.
• More Notes on Blame and Success in Life •
When there is a problem, the best approach is to figure out the root cause. There can be a tendency to place blame, especially on others. Embracing accountability and responsibility helps us realize how we can do better as individuals, and as a group.
This requires an inner and outer environment in which it’s okay to accept responsibility; it’s okay to acknowledge you’ve made a mistake if you have. Then we need to move on in our thinking. Often the root cause of a problem is simply miscommunication, misunderstanding, or lack of information.
Introspection is vital for spiritual growth. It is helpful for group endeavors as well—periodical review of how well we’re doing.
Personal introspection and Self-affirmation helps us grow up as individuals—to assess our progress on meeting our goals in life, and on being who we want to be. Likewise a group with a common vision (be it a family or a company) with self-organizing teams and good infrastructure, makes forward progress and detects problems quickly. And this is a perfect environment for individuals to feel like they are contributing.
The blame game is not for us. Being motivated by a heart of love and kindness benefits us all.
• 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
