Interview with David Cunningham by Merry Song

David and Merry Song

Merry Song recently had the opportunity to talk at length with CSS teacher David Cunningham. In this one-hour interview, Merry Song asks David to elaborate on his spiritual path and to comment on his recent diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and how it impacts his life as a Gnostic and as a teacher. David says: “The Mystical path can put us in the best possible context for dealing with such truths.”

David grew up in Pasadena, California. At an early age, he experienced a family upset that led to a sense of disillusionment. David’s early spiritual calling brought him to exploring the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda and Swami Muktananda. Captivated by the possibility of spiritual recognition, David followed a path that led him to Joel Morwood and the Center for Sacred Sciences where he eventually became a teacher. Click here to watch the video.

New CSS Activities Director

Jude Kieda

 We are pleased to announce that Jude Kieda has joined the Center's Board of Directors as our new Activities Director. In this role, Jude will be supervising Center events and retreats. Jude has been a member of the Center since 2019 and before joining the Board she volunteered in the Center library. Please join us in welcoming Jude to the board!

Jack Yousey

 We would like to thank Jack Yousey for serving on the Board as Activities Director for two years. Jack writes, “I’m glad to have had the opportunity to serve on the CSS Board. It has been enjoyable working with the Board members and other volunteers. Currently, I’m feeling the need to simplify my life by letting go of some responsibilities.” We hope your simpler life bears fruit, Jack! 

Light of Truth Day Talk and Potluck

Joel

On Aug 11, 2024, Joel delivered the annual Light of Truth Day talk, which focused on the teachings and practices of via negativa, via positiva, and a third way, which might be called the path of transformation. After the talk, the community gathered for a potluck lunch.

In the path of negation or denial (neti neti or via negativa), we discriminate between changeless pure Awareness and the impermanent phenomena that come and go within it. This includes especially all the phenomena that we identify ourselves with, and more generally all phenomena that we cling to.

In the path of affirmation or inclusion (iti iti or via positiva), we embrace and accept as divine all phenomena, including especially phenomena that we are adverse to and want to protect ourselves from.

These two paths are often contrasted with each other and even seen as fundamentally at odds, but they both serve to free us from the delusion of a separate, limited self. Joel then discusses a third path which involves the practice of watching the arising and passing away of all phenomena, the transformation between things which reveals the gap of no-thing. Click here to watch the video.

Guest Speakers Matt Lowes and Solala Towler

Matthew Lowes

Guest speaker Matt Lowes gave a talk at CSS on July 7, 2024, on the topic of "Radical Oneness." This is Matt's second appearance as a guest teacher, and we look forward to seeing more of him in the future!

Matthew Lowes is the author of That Which is Before You, When You are Silent It Speaks, and A Billion Fingers Point at the Moon. In 2016, his life and perception of reality were instantly transformed by a sudden spiritual awakening. His teachings address the mystery of our true nature through present experience and through a broad knowledge of traditions and practices. His message is universal and uncompromising of a truth which lies beyond all words, all thoughts, all concepts. To find out more about Matthew, see matthewlowes.com

Solala Towler

On Sunday Oct. 6, 2024, special guest Solala Towler gave a fascinating presentation at CSS on the practical principles of Daoism. After the talk we gathered for a potluck lunch.

Solala has been studying Daoism (Taoism) for more than 30 years, is the author of over a dozen books on Daoist philosophy, and leads workshops and international travel dedicated to the study and practice of Daoist meditation, qigong, and gongfu tea ceremony. See his website for more information: abodetao.com

Finding the Center

Contributions from Doug, Mona, and Genie

Doug Turvey

My path to understanding began with indoctrination into fundamental Christianity as a child. My exploration expanded in college when I read a book entitled The Universe Next Door, a catalogue of world views. Searching expanded after reading Beyond Belief by Elaine Pagels. I realized my fundamental view of life was lacking. This led to an openness to explore further, and when a medical colleague invited me to meet his teacher Eknath Easwaran, I welcomed the opportunity. This exposure to mystical understanding led to visiting CSS. Later I attended Joel Morwood's lecture at the Tamarack Center. I purchased The Way of Selflessness and Joel kindly signed my copy saying, "I hope you find this helpful."

Very helpful indeed! He begins with a quote from Jesus in the first chapter: "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."

To my delight the practical teachings I found in The Way of Selflessness validated and clarified my search to attend to the Great Matter. Joel presents spiritual methods that allow me to experience truth and free myself of my ignorance that led to suffering. I now enjoy life and am grateful for my daily journey. 

I will end with this quote from the Rig Veda: "God makes the rivers to flow. They tire not, nor do they cease from flowing. May the river of my life flow into the sea of love....may I overcome all impediments on my course. May the thread of my song not be cut before my life merges into the Sea of Love."

-Doug Turvey

Mona Bronson

Before joining the Center for Sacred Sciences, I'd attended some Sunday talks and videos in the late 90's through early 2000's. However, work life and family health expended much of my time and energy during that period preventing me from being more involved with the CSS community. 

Following a job layoff some years later though, I felt a strong calling to explore local spiritual communities hoping to find one which aligned with my spiritual experience thus far. After about a year of visiting with other local groups, I attended more Sunday talks by Joel, read some CSS publications, visited the CSS library, and read Joel's autobiography. What unfolded for me with these teachings and readings of the mystics and scientists was a new interconnection for me of the sacred and the secular, of my early religious experience and my science-based western education. At that point it was easy to decide to attend the Foundation Studies classes, become a library assistant, and contribute to the sangha community in various ways over the years. 

In retrospect, my heart soars with appreciation for the fellowship of this spiritual community, the insights shared with other spiritual practitioners, and my ongoing study and practices that have helped sustain me.

-Mona Bronson

Genie Harden

In the summer of 2020, I heard the term "non-duality" and it really intrigued me. I wondered what it meant, and I wondered if there were any groups in the area that explored this concept, so I searched on the internet for "Nonduality Eugene, OR" and the Center for Sacred Sciences came up. I spent the next 6-8 months perusing the website and listening to Joel's talks on the site. Finally, when the Center opened up after Covid, I was one of the first ones "back" and I've been so very grateful ever since for this community. 

Thank you all!

-Genie Harden

Intensive with Andrea

Andrea

The Center for Sacred Sciences hosted Andrea for a three-day intensive at the Center from August 2-4, 2024. We gathered for teachings and practice together in the CSS meeting hall in person and via Zoom.

Laura Betty shares:

I think most of us enjoy reading the teachings of different mystic teachers and hearing a variety of speakers because the words are presented in new ways even though the message is the same. That was the basic take-away for me at this retreat. 

When Andrea spoke about surrendering, she said, "Surrender your sense of a separate self." I had not thought of surrender in those terms. But to experience that openness to surrender, that oneness, that groundless openness, one needs to be relaxed; to be grounded in our physical sensations, our body. What prevents us from this surrendering is either grasping (desires) or avoiding (resistance) or impulse re-actions (unskillful actions). When we learn to relax, we can relax into the stillness of knowing. That is also the space of compassion. We are then able to be aware of our fears and defensiveness.

Andrea said, "I practice all day long. Practice is the training to see the Truth." And, Andrea said, "Whatever your passion may be, that also is a service to the world."

Thank you to Andrea and all those who helped make this retreat possible.

Genie Harden shares:

After the intensive ended on Sunday, we gathered informally at my rural home southwest of Eugene. It was a perfect way to end our wonderful time together. About 15 or 20 of us feasted on fresh homegrown food under the maple trees in our front yard. The weather was perfect and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect event! Thank you all for coming and bringing your beautiful selves with you to my home. Special thanks to my family for making it all happen.

Stewardship: Green Burial

Mona Bronson shares:

When I was twelve years old, my grandfather — who had been in my life on a near-daily basis for most of my life — passed away suddenly in the night. This was my first experience with death. Over the next several days, discussions about his death and his funeral were spoken of by my family in hushed, mysterious, tearful tones. I recall viewing his body in a casket and his cemetery burial, but it was surreal trying to understand the reality of him permanently gone from my life. 

Over the years, arranging and attending other funerals taught me further about the impermanence of life, and about modern standard funeral practices. I now find myself exploring my own burial options. Preferred options would align with my spiritual values, including the practice of impermanence as an essential aspect of earthly life, and environmental stewardship. Over the past 30 years, there has been a successful, growing movement to return to natural "green" burials in the U.K., and it's catching on in the U.S. too. 

A natural burials does not involve embalming (with preservatives like formaldehyde), and it uses a biodegradable container. Compared to vault burials, natural burial methods more readily allow the body's transformation back into the earth elements it's made of, enhances land management at cemeteries, and reduces air pollution from fire cremation. 

My beloved grandfather taught me many things, like how to remove a sliver and how much 'two bits' can buy, but most importantly he taught me death's lesson of impermanence. 

Resources:
• Natural Burial Company based in Eugene; sells natural burial materials online; provides licensed home funeral services
• Natural End  online directory of natural funeral and burial service providers
• Be A Tree  pre-publication book overview on natural burial movement in the U.K.
• Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board website that includes death care laws and resources for consumers.
• The Green Burial Council organization dedicated to green burial

Genie Harden shares:

Did you know you and your family can be buried on your own property in the state of Oregon? This could save a lot of money, and add an intimate connection to the land which has been sustaining you and which you have been lovingly stewarding. Lane County Planning Commission has an application process [1] that should be done in advance, as it might be the biggest hurdle. 

When a death occurs or becomes imminent, it’s time to contact Oregon Vital Records and Statistics [2] who will send out a Home Burial packet to be filled out by you which includes the death certificate [3] and instructions, [4] and this packet is tracked by the state.

Further information is available about Private Property Burials in Oregon here. [5] The Oregon Funeral Resources and Education website [6] is also full of easy-to-understand information.

1.  Lane County Title 1 Application Zoning Determination; Private Property Burial
2. Oregon Vital Records and Certificates
3. Oregon Death Certificate Worksheet for Funeral Homes
4. Instructions for completing a paper death certificate
5. Death Care in Oregon Fact Sheet: Burial of Human Remains on Private Property
6. Oregon Funeral Resources and Education