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Where I Am One
By Sean Fennell
We give ourselves over to the influence of the breathing Earth.
Sleep, the shadow of the Earth, seeps into our skin, spreading throughout our limbs, dissolving our individual will into the thousand and one selves that compose it—cells, tissues and organs taking their prime directives from gravity and the wind as residual bits of sunlight, caught in the long tangle of nerves, wanders through the drifting landscape of our Earth-borne bodies like deer moving across the forested valleys.
Where Spirit, Nature and Humans meet in oneness—in activity, as well as non-activity—I find my center. Permaculture is not just about growing gardens; it’s about growing infinite possibilities. It’s the marriage of the spiritual with the natural and social, and therefore, one of the highest expressions of co-creating with Spirit.
Everything belongs to Spirit; it’s designed, created, operated and maintained by Spirit. We humans are merely caretakers of this divine creation. As such, we are obligated to share all Spirit’s gifts fairly with others.
The basic principles of Permaculture are Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share. It’s at the intersection where these three practices converge that infinite possibilities exist. In meditation we strive to commune with Spirit inwardly; in Permaculture we strive to connect with Spirit outwardly.
Acknowledging this fact, I’m faced with the questions: “What does Permaculture look like at Sunburst?” and “What infinite possibilities can I co-create with Spirit moving forward—not only for the immediate future, but for generations to come?”
We sleep, allowing gravity to hold us, allowing Earth, our
larger body, to recalibrate our neurons, composting the keen encounters of our waking hours (the tensions, joys and terrors of our individual days), stirring them back as dreams into the sleeping substance of our muscles.
As we move forward, the future of Sunburst looks brighter than ever, for what can be greater than honoring our Divine Mother and Father, by loving and caretaking Mother Earth and all her creatures, utilizing her natural resources with utmost respect and care, loving others as we do ourselves, sharing the fruits of our labor and our God-given talents with passion and commitment?
In the vast, endless sea of eternity,
My body, mind and Spirit with Thee,
In truth I strive to be the best I can be,
Better than none, but simply all I can be.
In silence amidst the inner worlds I dance,
Feeling Thy presence. Oh the Divine Romance!
How can I contain this gift from Thee,
How can I let it flow unceasingly?
Awakening gladly to the Sun-kissed day,
Knowing love cannot be held, simply shared,
Given to Nature and to all brothers, sisters dear.
This gift, my offering, I humbly bear.
Experience Intentional Community {Service Exchange Program}
Join us July 18–31 or Sept. 2–16, 2011 to experience living in an intentional spiritual community during a two-week service exchange program. Live and serve with others amidst the peaceful beauty of nature. Give yourself time to nurture your inner quest with daily spiritual practice and selfless service in a supportive environment. Enjoy the company of friends as you participate in projects, consciously prepare and eat meals together, and learn hands-on about organic gardening and landscaping with drought tolerant plants. Private time is also available throughout your stay. Our bi-annual Meditation Retreat, which teaches Kriya, the awakening
and liberating path of Self-realization, is included if you attend through July 31.
Sunburst, founded by Norman Paulsen, direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, is located at 7200 Highway 1, Lompoc, CA. Meals and activites by donation. Lodging available.
Rousing Devotion through Kriya Meditation
Rousing Devotion through Kriya Meditation from “Sayings of Yogananda” “Though I try to calm my mind, I lack the power to banish restless thoughts and to penetrate the world within,” a visitor remarked. “I must be lacking in devotion.”
“Sitting in silence trying to feel devotion may often get you nowhere,” Yogananda said. “That is why I teach scientific techniques of meditation. Practice them and you will be able to disconnect the mind from sensory distractions and from the otherwise ceaseless flow of thoughts.” He added, “By Kriya [meditation] one’s consciousness functions on a higher plane; devotion to the Infinite Spirit then arises spontaneously in one’s heart.”
Comments from Sunburst Kriya event participants:
“I can’t stop thinking about the retreat!! Such a blessing to learn Kriya meditation…I met so many amazing people. Thank you to Sunburst for this past weekend, it was a great spiritual tune up!”
“What a gift—a gift that keeps on giving to my heart and soul. I feel expanded and full of love and Spirit.”
Did You Know?
Did you know that Sunburst is an intentional world community? It is made up of individuals like you, who are intent on making the world a better place by becoming better people themselves. We each are more powerful than we realize to shape the world around us…and within us: our attitudes, emotions and abilities. Participating in this blog is a great place to start if you want to join like-minded individuals who care and who want to experience more joy, more life, and more purpose in life.
What did I do today toward that end? I joined a morning group meditation and prayer circle (more about that tomorrow). I also exercised, cooked nutritious meals for my family, spent an hour with women hand-crafters, and put in some hours at work on my computer. I’ll write about more of these subjects and many friends, and some new acquaintances, who also bring joy my life. Maybe you’ll be one of these.