Die quelle

Copyright International Satsang AssociatCopyright International Satsang Association ( 2008)ion ( 2008)

Die QuelleDie QuelleThe Source - La FuenteThe Source - La Fuente

A Sadhana AshramA Sadhana Ashram

The Community House of the International Satsang Association

Copyright International Satsang Association ( 2008)Copyright International Satsang Association ( 2008)

Die Quelle- The SourceDie Quelle- The SourceDetails of SlideshowDetails of Slideshow

• Reflections by : Sister Ishpriya

• Founder and Spiritual Guide of the International Satsang

These reflections were written to celebrate the official opening of Die Quelle – The Sadhana Ashram -many years ago but still capture its essence


Pictures and DesignPictures and Design

Photographs

The photographs were taken by Martha Rusnak & Marie France Alexander, both Satsang Members from California.

This took place during the International Satsang meeting held at Die Quelle in August 2008

Please respect copyright


A View of the Sadhana AshramA View of the Sadhana Ashram

• This slideshow contains some pictures of Die Quelle. Each picture depicts one important aspect of Die Quelle and is accompanied by a short reflection.

• It starts outside Die Quelle at the wayside shrine and then moves inside


The Wayside ShrineThe Wayside ShrineOutside the HouseOutside the House

• We know that way —side shrines are a symbol of the deep faith of the people of this countryside and a sign of hope to those who travel these ways.

• Help us to live with respect for the traditions of this place: to pray for all those who pass by each day, strangers to us yet companions, as we all journey home to You.


THE MAIN ENTRANCETHE MAIN ENTRANCE

• We know that many will come here, heavily burdened with pain and doubts, with hidden questions and needs. Others will come in confidence and joy.

• Help us to sincerely welcome all who seek to know You: to keep the doors of our minds and hearts open to all, never to be locked by prejudice or fear.


The Bedrooms – A place of RestThe Bedrooms – A place of Rest

• We know well the destructive power of ambition and consumerism in our world: those with too much wealth and those who starve.

• Help us to live here in simplicity and contentment: to resist a greed for the non — essentials: to be grateful for the great gifts of solitude and space — for You alone can satisfy our hearts.


The Balcony – Wide horizonsThe Balcony – Wide horizons

• From here we see the sun as it rises and sets; the moon and the stars in their fragile beauty, the green valleys, dark woods and rolling hills. In this our time we have leapt from the limits of our tiny Planet to enter the vastness of Space.

• Help us not to miss and still to see the miracle of a single blade of grass. While we behold Your Mystery in the farthest new-born star.

• Grant us the grace of pure vision


WIDENING OUR HORIZONSWIDENING OUR HORIZONS

Out into the World and into our Spiritual Source The Source that is the Infinite Mystery


The Junction of the StairwaysThe Junction of the Stairways

• Numberless times we go up and down these steps which take us to the 6 different levels of this house. We know the injustice in our societies which divides us into different higher and lower levels of importance.

• Help us to see the truth, that each one has an equal value for You: help us to become free of the false judgments of society and to live with integrity in the midst of pretence.


IN THE OFFICEIN THE OFFICE

• The Office or Buro at Die Quelle is a place where Sister Gitti completes one of her many , but very important, Seva Practices.

• This is a place where all can seek help and assistance and this is much appreciated

• Many and varied are the gifts of intelligence and hand you have given to us. With these gifts you have also given us the responsibility to develop and distribute the resources of our world. Help us in our professional lives, to work with enthusiasm, to make decisions with wisdom, to act compassionately towards those whose work nobody appreciates.


Sharing a MealSharing a Meal

• We become family, community, friends, when we prepare and eat our meals together. We know how many children in our world will never know a true family, how many old people eat all their meals alone without a single friend.

• Help us, when we share our bread and our lives together here, to recognise with joy the need we have for the challenge and support of each other.


KITCHEN - STOREROOM KITCHEN - STOREROOM

• The struggle for power can tear apart families, nations and our whole world, where Status is a false God adored by many.

• Help us to re-invest Service with its true dignity. As we work together, to cook, to clean, to maintenance “this” home, may we recognise our work as co-operation with your continuing work of creation.


Spiritual CompanionshipSpiritual CompanionshipIn The Hut In The Hut

• You have created us — body — psyche and spirit. You dwell within as the core of our Being. Often wounded or confused in mind and body, we come for healing and for light. Free in spirit we desire to become awake for the Mystery of Your desire for us.; to become fully — who we are.

• Help us to enter this space — in sincerity, in confidence, in simplicity. Help us to discern the still, small voice in which you speak to our hearts.

Sharing the Journey –

with Ishpriya in her hut


In the garden :- Nature’s SpaceIn the garden :- Nature’s Space• The smallest wild flower and

the tallest tree, each can reveal to us the Wonder of your presence. Nature teaches us the way to live in you: How essential it is to be firmly rooted: How to rest patiently beneath the sun and rain, the wind and snow, as each is

needed for our maturing.

• Help us to understand that as we care for and protect our environment, so will our earth feed us, protect us and bring us joy.


Nature and the GardenNature and the Garden

The Zen Garden


The Conference RoomThe Conference RoomSpiritual TeachingSpiritual Teaching

• Wisdom is the Divine Universal gift, yet only in our times are the great Religions beginning to relate, not in rivalry, but in mutual respect. It is vital that we learn to transcend the cultural differences of traditions in order to hear You the one who alone is Truth — speak to us in many languages.

• Help us Lord — as we study here the riches of our spiritual inheritance — to grow in reverence and clarity of thought: to help remove the barriers of ignorance and arrogance we have erected over centuries: to seek You in Purity of heart.


Library :- Study and KnowledgeLibrary :- Study and Knowledge• The thirst for knowledge,

technological skill and inter-personal communication has driven us to beyond the limits of our planet. Science has assumed heavy responsibility for human survival. It can lead us into Mystical awareness or total destruction.

• Help us as we search for knowledge, or watch reality through the filters of the Media, to take our own part in freeing society from lies and delusions. Let our knowledge become Wisdom and our perception pure.


Sadhana Room – Spiritual PracticeSadhana Room – Spiritual Practice

• Each one has received a body, utterly unique, a wonderful master-piece of your creation. In our times the human body has been sadly devalued. Uncountable numbers suffer cruelty and abuse, even small children.

• Encourage us in our efforts to grow in knowledge of our physical selves; to deepen our reverence for all human lives; to give back the dignity of Your own incarnation to those trapped in abuse; because we know that our bodies are Your home on earth.


The Cave of the HeartThe Cave of the HeartA Space for MeditationA Space for Meditation

• This is the cave or our hearts. This is the Cave of Your Heart. By entering the one, we find access to the other. Only by remaining in silence and simplicity before You will we reach the Source of Life and drink freely of the living Waters of the spirit.

• So many long to drink these waters — but do not find the way to the Cave. Make us aware that we live at the true Source, and must carry these waters to our sisters and brothers who thirst.


Die Quelle – The SourceDie Quelle – The Source

A Sadhana Ashram

A place where one can be part of a community and find a rhythm with a natural balance between :

• Time for silence and sharing,• Solitude and companionship,• Action and reflection.

‘Every separate being in the universe, returns to the common Source. Returning to the Source is serenity’ Lao Tzu