Sunburst (community)

Sunburst, referred to colloquially as "Brotherhood of the Sun", was founded in 1969 by Norman Paulsen, direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, as an intentional community of spiritual seekers. It was also referred to as a cult by those who opposed the community. The seed idea of Sunburst, and other World Brotherhood Colonies, was spoken of by Yogananda, famed author of Autobiography of a Yogi, in 1932, long before the intentional community movement of the 1960s began. These colonies were to be based on the principles of "plain living and high thinking". Paulsen began having dreams and visions of his own involvement in such a community while living as a monk in Yogananda's monastery at Mt. Washington in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Paulsen said, "There was one particular dream-vision where I saw young people in the mountains. I saw the Santa Barbara landscape; I saw the coastline. it was all in color. Nowadays, most people don't believe in dreams and visions. . . but I do, and I've seen so many come true that I don't have any doubt about it." [1]

Early Sunburst

By the end of the 1960s, the dream of intentional spiritual communities was embraced especially by those in their late teens and early twenties. In 1969, on a construction job at UCSB in Santa Barbara, Paulsen met the young man who would become his first student. Fascinated by stories of time spent with Yogananda, and Norman's personal inner experiences using the meditation techniques he had been taught, a small group of young people began to meet regularly to explore the possibilities of a deeper meaning of life, a life viewed from the perspective of one's divine nature. Paulsen said, "Truth has been called by many names, and [at some point] you come to the realization that there is only one truth. The things that Jesus spoke are the things that Buddha and Mohammed spoke. Right here in our own country, Walt Whitman, when he wrote the Leaves of Grass, described divine illumination as well as any Hindu sage."

Spurred by their conversations and meditations, these young people pooled energies and fashioned an old warehouse into a meeting place where, in the next eight months, they were joined by 25 individuals who shared their ideals. The group was called "Brotherhood of the Sun" at that time. With the house filled to capacity, Paulsen searched for a place that would not only provide shelter for the rapidly expanding group, but one that would also give them an opportunity to actualize their collective dream of working with the land.

A 160-acre (0.65 km²) parcel on Gibraltar Road, known as Flores Flats, was purchased and christened Sunburst Farm in 1970. The youthful residents set about reviving the old structures and improving the land, establishing a pattern for recycling which the group has since followed. Over the next few years, the group's young men and women combined their trades and talents with great dedication and an eagerness to learn, and opened three produce markets, a restaurant, bakery, juice factory and trucking company. As their businesses prospered, they were able to purchase additional lands for their increasing population, by now incorporated as a non-profit religious organization.

Sunburst was able to provide support and assistance at that time to local groups with similar ideals. They supplied 95% of the food served to persons without homes or means of support through the Wings of Love organization. Redwind, A SLO county community of natives from 26 tribes who returned to the land in a quest to preserve their ancestor's cultures also received support from Sunburst. Seniors shopping in the Sunburst markets were given discounts to hedge inflation. [1] The benefits to residents of the community were marked, as well. Many were taught trades, were able to overcome drug or alcohol problems and felt the benefits of a loving home with many "brothers and sisters".

In 1971 the group bought the Ogilvy Ranch, approximately 150 acres (0.61 km²), and renamed it Lemuria. They grew and sold organic vegetables, raised goats and bees, and practiced many cottage industries in an idyllic setting. Growing, selling and distributing organic food would prove to be the group's talent and main source of income. [2]

In 1973 Sunburst acquired Rancho Arboles del Cielo in the Cuyama Valley, an apple orchard with more than 4,000 trees. With limited knowledge of pruning techniques, the residents were able to care for the trees and provide organic produce and juice for local markets.

In 1976, with over 300 members, the group was able to purchase the 3,000-acre (12 km²) Tajiguas Ranch north of Santa Barbara as a lease option. They also opened a restaurant nearby, "The Farmer and the Fisherman", that incorporated their organic produce into the menu. (The business closed five years later). During this time, a wholesale warehouse for distributing their organic products was in operation.

Transition years

In the early 1980s, with most of the membership in their late twenties, marrying and having children, the numbers of Sunburst residents started to decline. Also, many families and individuals became disillusioned with Paulson and his religion. Having enjoyed the experience of a "common fund" from the earliest years, the nuclear families now longed for greater financial autonomy. Many members left during those years, and retaining Tajiguas Ranch was no longer viable. In 1981, approximately 100 former members filed a lawsuit against Sunburst to receive a portion of its assets. [4] There were rumors that Paulson had absconded with funds and bought a sailing ship with the commune's funds, while living in a condo near Oxnard, California. [5]

In September, 1981, the Sunburst Community traded its 3,600-acre (15 km²) Rancho Tajiguas for a ranch near Elko, Nevada. Paulsen and the remaining members relocated there. Several more people left during these years, finding the weather harsh compared to the mild Santa Barbara climate. Employment opportunities were slim in that area, and several residents moved to near-by Salt Lake City to seek employment while nurturing the core values of spiritual growth.

Sunburst's new ignition

In 1987 the "common fund", the communal financial structure, was disbanded, and each member was required to care for their own living expenses. Some of those who remained on the Nevada property operated a gas station, mini-market and restaurant. During the next several years, five natural food supermarkets were opened in Utah and Arizona by Sunburst members plus a construction and demolition company in Salt Lake City, to create employment opportunities and provide valuable services in the local communities.

In 1996 many Sunburst members moved back to California to a 4,000-acre (16 km²) ranch between Santa Barbara and Lompoc. For about the next ten years, the group was known as The Solar Logos Foundation, but in 2006 reclaimed their former Sunburst name. The Sunburst Sanctuary, located on the 4,000-acre (16 km²) ranch, is offered as a spiritual retreat center, which all are welcome to come an enjoy.

Norman Paulsen's passing

Founder Norman Paulsen died in December, 2006. These words are from his memoriam: We are here upon this Earth to bond with God, or Divine Mother and Father. God wants to experience the creation and express joyfully through each one of us. What a wonderful privilege it is to have these bodies, these eyes, these hands, these hearts - to love one another, to care for one another, to become true caretakers of the Earth garden with our Divine Mother and Father, I Am That I Am. Norman Paulsen [3]

Paulsen wrote two books that can further elucidate his life and the Sunburst teachings. "Christ Consciousness", his autobiography, details one man's journey to attaining the consciousness that allows one to communicate with the very mind of God. "Sacred Science: Meditation, Transformation, Illumination", is about the Sunburst teachings of the Rainbow Path of conscious living and twelve virtues.

Sunburst today

Sunburst is celebrating more than forty years as an intentional, spiritually minded and active community. Sunburst still retains its core beliefs, such as the practice of meditation and conscious living, following the universal teachings set forth by Norman Paulsen, Paramhansa Yogananda and Jesus.

Sunburst Sanctuary offers personal retreats, group meditation retreats, and workshops covering a wide spectrum of interests including music, art, and studies illuminating the practical applications and wonder of the natural world. In addition, some members operate an organic vegetable and fruit farm about 10 miles (16 km) away in Nojoqui Valley.

The group has now become a worldwide community of seekers. Members have different levels of commitment to the work of the community, but are bonded in a shared resonance with the Sunburst teachings.

References

1. Santa Barbara Magazine, Winter 1975-76 2. Lompoc Record, Oct. 12, 2008 - Allie Kay Spaulding - There's a Lot of Life in 'Them Thar Hills'. 3. Santa Ynez Valley Extra Edition - Jan. 16, 2007 4. http://www.montecitojournal.net/archive/13/26/1185/ 5. http://articles.latimes.com/1989-07-10/news/mn-2633_1_early-years

External links

Sunburst Sanctuary