What is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads? – Camus
View of Main Shop across lower reservoir
The property selected by Dr. Stelle and approved by the Elder Brothers in Ramona’s Valley of the Sun is off the beaten path, tucked back against rolling hills in a quiet rural setting. Since 1954, it has been the home of the Lemurian Order, known as Gateway.
For over sixty years, with the Lemurian Fellowship’s patient guidance, the Lemurian Order has worked to create what Dr. Stelle termed “the ideal life,” in which the wellbeing of others is as important as our own. Lemurian life is based on the laws and principles that made the Lemurian civilization an outstanding success, and stresses cooperation, consideration, and mutual respect. To the degree all involved adhere to these ideals, it infuses a growing feeling of security and purpose rarely found in the world today.
When anyone works hard to create harmony and peace, this effort can be felt in their environment. And when many people work together to realize these spiritual blessings over a period of years, their community gradually takes on the higher vibration we associate with true spiritual living. Eventually, this becomes palpable enough that people begin to notice it.
Those of us who live at Gateway sometimes take its tranquility for granted, but seldom do we drive in the entry road that we don’t feel the cares of the world begin to slip away as our eyes light on a spread of purple fillaree, or the chuckle of a meadowlark soothes our ear. For some of us, the sense of peace starts with the coruscating colors of the dawn sky or an especially clear rainbow. Or it may be the bass chorus of bullfrogs after a rain, or the warble of five or six coyotes vying to sound like a dozen.
For students and Order members who visit Gateway, the contrast to their normal lives is usually sharper. One recent visitor said, “I felt the need to put aside some of the more vexing problems and allow situations to be as they are without interference. It is nice to let go and relax when resting in a grove of trees with the wind blowing softly and the leaves rustling, each bird song adding beauty to this scene of tranquility and peace.”
Another said, “When we walk the land on a quiet day, with the breeze nodding the flowers, and with sunlight and shadows playing on the grass, there is a continuity of peace each of us can carry away to our separate lives, that can bring us together in reflection and meditations, or in time of need.”
And when strangers, unacquainted with Lemurian ideals and unaware of Gateway’s purpose, comment about what they feel here, it’s always gratifying, an indication that we are succeeding at what we’re trying to accomplish. Often, a contractor will pause while installing a water heater or repairing a phone line to say, “You really have a peaceful place here.” And not long ago, a delivery crew brought a new mattress that was scheduled to arrive in the afternoon. They didn’t make it until after dark and they were all tired and in a hurry to be done by then. Yet, the one who carried the mattress in, paused a moment to say, “It’s really peaceful here.”
When Lemurians talk about longevity, Eileen knows about the ups and downs of the golden years. At 77, after two difficult hip operations, she moved across country to be close to the Lemurian Fellowship. Seeking balanced growth through study and action, she found many ways to participate in Order activities as a member of the Lemurian Order, developing her artistic talent to create and sell paintings and greeting cards. “I feel so proud of being even a very small part of what is going on here,” she offered.
Turning ninety made Eileen think more seriously about life and death:
“I feel no uneasiness about passing on because, through my Lemurian training, I have learned there is no such thing as death . . . just a gentle transition from one way of life to another . . . as we are primarily spiritual beings.
“Of course the body doesn’t last forever. Eventually it breaks down and stops working. This happens to everyone until they have advanced spiritually to the point where they no longer need to come back into a new life. While I would like to stay and enjoy life and learn more about spiritual advancement,
our Philosophy teaches there will be no change in consciousness after transition. I look forward to returning at the right time.
At 95, Eileen told us:
“I awaken every morning grateful for my blessings and say, “Thank You.” I’m not sure why I’ve lived so long except that I have so much yet to learn. I use Lemurian recommendations for good health. Moderation is very important.
“Life is good at ninety-five. I can care for myself, read and study, plant and reap, cook and eat and enjoy friends and family. And I can look forward to another great adventure when it’s time to go. As always, I say ‘Thank You.'”
At 99, she wrote:
I get my breakfast every morning and my helper Angie comes every day to check on me, to clean, shop and do laundry, so I am not overworked in the least. She does a lot of cooking, and my son comes to lunch two days a week.
Though I use a walker all the time now, today I stood long enough to make chicken salad. I’m so fortunate to be well and able to care for myself at 99!
Mel plays a violin “in the white”
At 100Another veteran Lemurian, Mel, a student for fifty years, built violins and trained others as part of the Lemurian Crafts, then struggled with loneliness after losing his wife. He wrote of the comfort his Lemurian training brought:
“The Lemurian Philosophy has taught me many things about life – how I was created, why I am on the physical plane, and where I will go when I leave. It has taught me to understand and live in accordance with God’s Laws, and the truth of life from the beginning of civilization.
“Everyone seeks peace of mind and there is only one way to attain it – by understanding God’s Laws and thinking and living by them. ‘And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'”
Mel added: “This is more like a sermon. Maybe it’s too much.” But we don’t think so.
The morning paper arrived as usual, but the news was anything but.
The morning paper arrived as usual, but the news was anything but
The front page headlined the 60th anniversary of a group called I Love a Clean San Diego just completing their annual Creek to Bay Cleanup. They’ve done hundreds of cleanups, removing over 200 tons of litter a year. They believe education can make people want to change their behavior. “We don’t support propositions, bans, or lawsuits,” they said. A surfer added, “They do a really good job of showing people what they can do, instead of what’s wrong with the world.” A deeper understanding of service.
This group joined an Earth Day parade that attracted 60,000 people to Balboa Park and the 300 environmentally friendly exhibits at the EarthFair. Organizers say it’s the world’s largest free environmental fair.
Also on the front page, after declaring for weeks that it would have to close, the San Diego Opera decided it would do whatever it takes to remain in business after all.
There was an inspiring story about a local Ramona pharmacist who decided to check on an elderly customer who hadn’t picked up his prescriptions. His calls unanswered, he drove to the man’s home, and when his knocks brought no response, called the sheriff. Inside, they found the man lying in the bathroom after a fall two or three days earlier. He’s glad to be alive now, thanks to an alert young man thinking about helping others.
These stories caught our eye and raised our spirits. Oh, there was other news, little noted and unremembered – bad weather cut through several states, hospital errors were up, there was a killing somewhere – the kind of story you find every day. But why make ourselves miserable scouring the globe for the most upsetting world conditions, then beating them to death every night on the news? How does this bring greater peace of mind? If we think so much about catastrophes, are we becoming more afraid, even attracting a disaster of our own?
One Lemurian said recently, “I used to listen to the news on my way to work, and was filled with anxiety over all I heard. Listening to the Lemurian Viewpoint CDs is a much healthier way to start my day.”
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,” wrote James Allen.
So what shall we think about? The choice is ours. The troubles of the world? Or all the good that positive, hopeful, and ingenious men, women, and children do every day in spite of the trouble and unhappiness around them? Who do you want to think like? Who do you want to be like? Who do you want to be?
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. – Paul the Apostle
I manage properties for absentee owners in an upscale community. One client asked me to supervise a landscaping project and guesthouse remodel with a time goal. But he added, “As much as I like you, you don’t have a mean bone in your body, and frankly I don’t think you have what it takes to push these guys to make their deadlines.”
“I’m a Lemurian,” I said; “we’re taught to lead by example. Who will do his best work, one who fears reprisal, or one who respects you?” “You have a point,” he said, “but they may eat you alive!” I talked if over with my wife, knowing it would make many demands and I would need all the Lemurian virtues to pull it off. Then I accepted.
I hadn’t worked in home construction recently, and codes had changed. So when the cement contractors arrived, I asked a lot of questions and expressed interest in their work. They spoke politely in English, but Spanish comments in the background were somewhat less polite. Having lived in Mexico, I understood but ignored these, bringing out a table for their plans, and as it got hotter, a shade umbrella. The background comments slowed, and when I began handing out Gatorade, they changed to good-natured ones like, “Where’s the super? I’m thirsty!”
As new workers arrived, I told them, “We have a deadline no one thinks we can meet, so let’s make it easy on each other. I’ll do anything I can to make your job easier, so just work with me.” They did. I provided work areas, power, water, garbage cans, shade, fans and drinks. I jockeyed vehicles around so they could load and unload tools and material, ran to get parts and materials, helped carry things, learned their names, asked about their methods and thanked them for their good work. Soon, if I got back late from an errand, I’d find the fences had been put up and locked, the road washed and the site cleaned. They would tell new people not to park on the north side of the street and did many other things to help me out.
When the owner came to check on us, he saw over 60 people setting tile, hanging doors, welding, landscaping, painting, plumbing. He agreed my method worked after all.
When the owner came to check on us, he agreed my method worked after all
I asked if I could use his refrigerator to keep cold drinks for the workers. He thought it was a great idea and reimbursed me for the drinks. That bill was over $1000, but it was worth it. It was fascinating to see all those people from different trades stopping together to enjoy a cool drink; like sharing a meal, it creates a level of camaraderie that is sometimes rare on construction sites.
Trying to juggle my regular responsibilities with this new one seemed impossible at times, but except for a temporary rise in blood pressure, it was a great experience, stretching my capabilities. I tried to stay calm, cheerful, and approachable, and never yelled at anyone. The job was completed on time to everyone’s satisfaction, a memorable demonstration of Lemurian principles in action.
Gateway East End Showing Untouched Buildings Surrounded by Scorched Land
One of the most difficult experiences of my life was being caught in a fierce wildfire. When my husband and I saw smoke in the distance with strong dry desert winds behind it, we knew a fire was headed our way. But no fire planes were taking off from the nearby airport, due to the strong winds.
Sometimes Lemurian students expect that we will get spiritual help to spare us from such disasters because we are trying to live by the Lemurian Teachings and we believe in God and the Masters. Some are disappointed to find that disasters touch many of our lives. But we were helped in a most ingenious way.
That night we got a reverse 911 call telling us to evacuate, but before we knew it the fire was upon us. We raced to a large shop on open, well-cleared land with fire hoses previously set up at the ready. As the dry hot winds fed the flames surrounding our property, the noise was unnerving. And it was hard to know which way the fire would go with the winds so erratic.
Yet, each time I prayed, “please may the winds die down so our town will be spared and all who live in it,” the winds seemed to kick up. It was almost like being mocked.
I felt like a spiritual failure, I was so inept at prayers God hears.
As we stood there helplessly watching the flames burning around us on all sides, the scorching wind and fire roared like a wild animal. But inside that seeming chaos was also a quietness – a sense of something so much bigger than we are. I felt the only thing solid is God. And the only thing strong enough to save us was God. Would I deny God by not believing all would be as it should be?
Gradually, with amazement and relief, I realized that because the winds were blowing so fiercely, the fire raced through our property so fast it barely touched most of our buildings long enough to set them alight. It burned right up to the buildings but left most of them intact!
Only because the winds stayed so strong were we spared from destruction! Had God and the Masters granted my prayer and slowed the winds, we might have lost everything. I’d wanted God to do what I felt was best, not what He knew was best! I guess it’s natural to think this way in a life-threatening situation. But it’s funny to look back on this puzzled human being standing there with her hands on her hips wondering why, when she prays, the winds don’t instantly die down – and deciding she must be spiritually inadequate!
We came through it so well that while hundreds of acres around us were nothing but charred earth and rocks, our several buildings remained mostly intact, a small oasis of green. Viewing this from the top of one of our hills, it was proof that in times of greatest danger, God always extends the assistance we need. God hears my prayers. It was almost like hearing God say, “See, I was here. Thanks for offering to direct things, but I had it in hand.”
