Yearly Message Party and Potluck - January 8, 2011

Every year I look forward to this party as one of the highlights of my holiday. This party used to be held just before the years end, but, has been moved to the first week in January when more people are available to attend.

It was started by our founder and our first guiding teacher, Chetana Catherine Florida, to help us with guidance for the coming year. This year there were 27 messages, some of them are my favorites, Abraham Cards, Bach Flower, Color, I Can Card, and Spirit Guide. But, I enjoy them all and throughout the years have learned to create, through the messages, a 'personal theme' for the year which gives me insight to spiritual, mental, relationships, and health areas that the Universe knows I need to work with. 

The messages can be used to help give insight into what someone may need to work on during the year and the guidance available. Some will have an immediate importance and some you may not connect with but will have meaning as you go through the year. You can gather a connection by reviewing the messages from time to time throughout the year.

We begin with announcements and thank you's, then a 20 minute meditation. This is followed by picking out messages from bags that are setup on a long table, each message is numbered and we receive a printed summary to follow to know what each message represents.

Then, the potluck! It is a delightful vegan/vegetarian potluck and I noticed this year that the dishes that people bring just seem to get better as we all learn to be creative in our cooking skills. It's a delightful meal with main dishes, desserts and snacks. YUMMM... AND WONDERFUL!!!!

Once we have all filled our bellies and visited briefly we split into groups where we share our messages and I always enjoy the excitement when I first open them to read what Spirit has guided me to choose. This time is filled with fun, laughter, sharing and simply the joy of being with one another in this special spiritual center we call, the Lighthouse Center.

Whether you personally came to the party or you are doing it as a proxy (someone else chooses your messages and they are either picked up at the center or mailed), enjoy them, find your personal theme, review them throughout the year and have a blessed and abundant new year.

Lovingly Submitted
Mukta Tana Dean

Webmaster    

Gurudev Chitrabhanu talks at the Lighthouse Center Oct. 9 & 10, 2010

The Lighthouse Center in Whitmore Lake, MI, USA is always honored when Jain Master Gurudev Chitrabhanu visits our spiritual center. This year we were blessed with an additional visit in October, 2010 and set aside any other events that were scheduled for his visit.

I wasn't able to make it on Saturday, but I did attend the talk on Sunday and always am delighted that he brings a message that is needed by myself and perhaps many others. His message for this weekend was 'What Is Meditation'.

There is no way that my words are as clear as his message but the one part that I took with me and have shared is that meditation is like sitting in a movie theater and watching all of the scenes passing by on the screen. With no judgment we watch as the positive and negative images play on the movie screen. We allow them to flow and when we spot a positive image we can pause the movie and focus for a moment feeling the joy and peace in that moment. 

This was helpful because there are times when I'm speaking with someone new to meditation and they expect it to be a quiet, peaceful experience. Meditation is what it is supposed to be at any given time and at times can be very busy as we go through our thoughts and feelings. This can help new meditators know that there is no 'wrong' meditation.

It is delightful to see young people coming to these talks. Gurudev Chitrabhanu speaks with us about the importance of youth and sharing with them the philosophy of Ahmisa - living in peace with all beings..

These young people also receive personal blessings and speak with him personally..

 There are guests that come from so many places who are personal friends of Gurudev Chitrabhanu and come to visit with him and hear him speak.

    Kumar D. Kulkarni from Battle Creek, MI

Asha Sheth and Neena Shrikant Mehta

All who come have the opportunity to receive a personal blessing from Gurudev Chitrabhanu after his talk and we are all grateful for his kindness to the members of the Lighthouse Center.

Personal blessing for Aarti Meg Graff, President of the Lighthouse Center Board of Directors and below a personal blessing for Prachi Patricia Thiel, Operations Director and Board Member.

These are always joyful days when he is gracious and shares his spiritual light and teachings. He shares a message of Ahimsa, living in peace with all beings. ALL BEINGS...this philosophy goes beyond humans, it includes all living beings. 

Personally, I am thankful for the Lighthouse Center where I have been given many spiritual gifts throughout the years I've spent in this community. The many friends, teachers and spiritual advisors have helped me in many ways on my spiritual journey and it is a joy to take care of the website and take a moment to share my experiences through these blogs.

Love, Light and Prosperity to All,
Mukta Tana Dean
Website Master and Design

3rd Annual Lighthouse Center Retreat & Gurudev Chirabhanu's Birthday Celebration

The weekend of July 18th, 2010 the Lighthouse Center in Whitmore Lake, Mi held its 3rd Annual Weekend Retreat. I was able to go on Sunday and, of course, took my camera with a goal of getting some photos of our Board of Directors, teachers and honorable guests, Gurudev Chitrabhanu and Pramoda Chitrabhanu.

This is our board President, Aarti Meg Graff who keeps everything running and has truly helped us grow in many ways.

Nirmala Nancy Hanke is the board Vice President and also teaches beginning meditation each month and other classes at the Lighthouse Center.

Namrata Lisa Abrams takes care of the secretary duties for the center as a member of the board.

 Poorna Gail Salata is the board's Assistant Treasurer.

Praparkar Dan Pieri, board member who drives in from Grand Rapids to attend board meetings.

Gurudev Chitrabhanu's Birthday Celebration

It was truly a wonderful day. We were honored to celebrate the 89th birthday of Gurudev Chitrabhanu. Everyone attending was given a gift of an Indian lunch prepared by Asha Sheth and it was YUMMY!!! One of the reasons I came, I Love her delicious food.

 

HAPPY 89th BIRTHDAY! Gurudev Chitrabhanu

Pramoda Chitrabhanu and Gurudev Chitrabhanu

Pramoda Chitrabhanu, Asha Sheth, Gurudev Chitrabhanu and Narendra Sheth

 Asha Sheth sings a Happy Birthday song to Gurudev Chitrabhanu

 Gurudev Chitrabhanu and some of the young people in the Lighthouse Community

 This is our beautiful sanctuary at the Lighthouse Center

Now on to the teachers. I didn't get everyone's photo, it was a busy day and I was, of course, enjoying the company of my Lighthouse spiritual family, but I did get most of them. So, here are some of the other teachers that taught that day and also do other classes at the center.

  Adinath Mark Hutton

 Sohum Jude Shephard

Sharda Suzen Segall

Sharda teaching Tai Chi out on the beautiful Lighthouse Center lawn

Another beautiful photo of our sanctuary

Every visit we receive from Gurudev Chitrabhanu it is an opportunity for our community to gather and one way that we always celebrate this is with a group photo each day that he visits. (click on these photos and you can see everyone)

 Saturday, July 17th, 2010

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Lovingly Submitted by,

Mukta Tana Dean

Lighthouse Webmaster
July 20th, 2010

Appreciation Dinner, April 24th - New Updates on the Website

The Lighthouse Community continues to grow and offer so many different opportunities for spiritual growth. Your board of directors is creative and inspired by our community. It developed a 2010 calendar that is filled with activities and opportunities, like spiritual classes, community service, a retreat, visits with Gurudev Chitrabhanu and Pramoda. I'm always delighted to attend the board meetings with these creative people and honored to participate in this spiritual community. Thank You!!

You are the glue that helps us continue and each year we like to see our community gather at our annual Appreciation Dinner. The board is looking forward to offering our best dinner dishes to you at the Appeciation Dinner on Saturday, April 24th. Come, celebrate and connect in your spiritual home, our Lighthouse Center.

The board and it's committees have plans for some great upcoming gatherings . . . so visit the website to keep yourself updated and delight in sharing the possibilities that our wonderful Lighthouse Community has to share.

In Loving Light,
Mukta Tana Dean

Buttermilk Substitution

Hello All,

The substitution for Buttermilk was omitted in the first edition of the LHC Cookbook.  The following is Vegan Buttermilk:

To 1-cup Soy, Oat or Almond milk add 1-Tablespoon of White Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice.  Stir and let sit for 10 minutes or so until it has a curdled appearance.  Then use the amount called for in the recipe.  Rice milk does not work as well as those listed above.

Thank You,

Aarti, President LHC 2009-2010

LHC COOKBOOK

The LHC has created a cookbook of true and tried recipes that include any dietary style -Vegan, Vegetarian and Flexitarian.  A number of people have contributed to this collection, and as co-editor of the cookbook, I am requesting your input.  We are looking for desserts, salads and main courses for the next edition of the cookbook, if you have a favorite recipe please comment on this blog.  If you would like a copy of the first edition LHC Cookbook please request one by calling 734-449-4381 or come to the Center any Sunday evening before or after Candlelight and pick one up for $8.00.

For those who have purchased the first edition:  What do you think of the collection, and do you have any comments?  Have you experimented with  "I'm Writing My Own Recipe For..." and what have you found? We would love to hear from all of you!

Aarti
President LHC Board, 2009-2010

Retreat Weekend 2009

The Retreat Weekend was one in which the Lighthouse beamed in the joy of each others' company, incredible talks and programs, and the best ingredient love.  I felt so much love from the participants and speakers.  Our next event is the "Walk for Peace" on September 12, 2009, please go to the website and check it out along with photos of the group celebrating Chitrabahnuji's birthday!

Love & Light to all of You,

Aarti
President, LHC Board, 2009-2010