"Barn's burnt down....

now I can see the moon."

Masahide

Our busy lives are so full of distractions, sometimes the worst has to happen for us to get a glimpse of what is "Real." We can be brought to our knees, but like the moon, Spirit is always there, never deserting us. Sometimes it's necessary for something as catastrophic as the barn burning for us to find our way back home. Something becomes visible to us that we could not have seen before.

This is the story of life. We will probably face many "barn burnings" but how comforting to know that like the moon, Spirit is always there, awaiting our recognition of it. Spirit will never desert us no matter how great the devastation. We can turn in Its direction and find comfort. It may be terrifying to see the barn burning but at the same time, it can be liberating. A new avenue opens up right before our eyes. We see something now that we could not have seen before when the barn was in our way, when we were caught up in our man-made distractions.

We awaken in consciousness and can now see what is really important in life. What seemed a catastrophe becomes a blessing. Our challenge is to look for the good in everything for in everything, the good can be found if we look for it. We are here to keep our eye focused on the moon, on Spirit, which will give us comfort in all situations always and forever.

Our affirmation for the day: I choose to see Spirit in every situation! By that, I am drawn into the light!

In love and peace,

Sacred Service Saturday

What a great time we had on Saturday, July 13. Several of us showed up to work in the backyard of the Ojai Valley Woman's Club, pulling weeds, clipping and trimming trees and bushes, raking and gathering up debris in order to create a beautiful space for our children to be outside on Sundays. We captured some precious moments in the pictures below.

 Symphony of Life Spiritual Cinema Night

Searching for Sugarman is the selection for this month's Spiritual Cinema Night, which will take place Friday, July 26th, at Casa de la Luna. Searching for Sugarman tells the unlikely story of a humble singer-songwriter, Sixto Rodriguez, a laborer from Detroit, whose two 1970's albums bombed in the U.S., but became the soundtrack to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Unaware of his foreign success, Rodriguez continued to labor to support his young family. Meanwhile, his South African fans, unable to learn anything about their musical icon, believed he had committed suicide.

Nearly 30 years later, a series of small incidents prompted two South African fans, Stephen Segerman and Craig Bartholomew Strydom, to investigate. Searching for Sugarman chronicles their years-long efforts to locate Rodriguez, their joy at finding him alive, and the national outpouring of love that greeted Rodriguez when he returned to South Africa to play a series of "resurrection" concerts. It also profiles a humble man who has never feared hard work, begrudged the world his gifts, or expected fame or fortune in return. He was asleep when the film won the Oscar (he doesn't own a television), still lives in the run-down home he has occupied for 40 years, and has given most of his recent earnings away.

Searching for Sugarman was written and directed by Malik Bendjelloul, a first-time Swedish filmmaker who, having run out of funds himself, actually filmed portions of the movie on an iPhone, using an app he bought for $1.99. Nevertheless, his film not only won the 2013 Oscar for Best Feature Documentary, but 27 other awards worldwide.

Doors open at 6:30 and the movie begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. A discussion will follow the screening. The event is by donation ($5-$10 suggested although no one is turned away for lack of funds). Casa de la Luna Retreat is located at 710 S. La Luna Avenue in Ojai.

New Symphony of Life Youth Program!

We are pleased to announce the unveiling of our new Symphony of Life Youth Program. We will be utilizing an award winning curriculum designed especially for New Thought Sunday School programs. We have created a more colorful and spiritual atmosphere in the children's area and have set up monthly themes that will be expanded upon each week through a variety of fun exercises. The monthly themes include such topics as creating sacred space, nature, self-worth, gratitude, giving and many others! Our teachers have created a more structured environment where youth of different ages can come and learn age appropriate prayers, songs, stories and lesson activities that will help bring spiritual principles into their daily lives for greater success. We invite you and your children or any children you know of who might enjoy an exciting, creative experience to join us on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.   

New YouTube Video 

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