User talk:Longjumper8

Norman Paulsen
Norman Paulsen, compelled by his inborn desire to bear witness that God is alive and can be felt, known and seen face to face, consciously entered this world on February 3, 1929 in Santa Barbara, California. From his earliest childhood, he felt the presence of Spirit within him and hovering around him. When he learned that a man named Moses had once seen God face to face, Norman's search for God began.

As a young man, his inner quest led him to an enlightened teacher Paramahansa Yogananda, founder of Self-Realization Fellowship. Here, Norman spent several years in the monastery. He learned the daily devotional practice of the techniques of Kriya Yoga meditation that he carried with him throughout his life. It was at this time that he was given the vision and inspiration that would lead to the founding of Sunburst.

After Norman left the monastery in 1951, he had a series of illuminating experiences culminating in a journey into cosmic consciousness - a face to face meeting with the ineffable light of God, merging with the eternal Divine Presence. Through the inspiration of this transformational encounter came his lifelong desire to share the realization of the infinite joy and love of Spirit with all. It was and still is his mission to convey the possibility of this journey for every seeking soul.

In l969, Norman began to meet young people who were interested in meditation and a way of life that would nurture the direct experience of God. Out of this gathering, Sunburst formed. Thousands of people benefited from the inspiration Norman offered freely, and the life practice and tools of meditation that helped each one discover the Divine within themselves.

Norman founded Sunburst on the principles of simple, natural living, and high thinking. From this vision came Sunburst's decades-long involvement in organic farming, as well as various natural foods enterprises, including some of the first large-scale natural food markets in the country.

In the early 1980's, Norman published his autobiography, Christ Consciousness, which details the many incredible experiences of his life. This book is an inspiration and a treasured guide for those hearing the call of soul.

Norman's enduring message, to encourage and guide others to make the journey of to their own face to face meeting with the Divine, has been Sunburst's guiding light throughout the years. Sunburst continues to this day as an ever-growing fellowship of souls, spiritually based communities, as well as a sanctuary dedicated to sharing and transmitting the Sunburst teachings and way of life. Norman Paulsen left his earthly body on December 30, 2006 consciously, just as he entered it. Words cannot describe the deep blessings of Spirit that continue to flow from Norman to all his fellow "travelers". The beauty and strength of his teachings lives on in the hearts and minds of all the souls he continues to touch and help to this day. He is active in the Sunburst teachings as are many other illumined souls from the presence of I Am That I Am, the body of Christ Consciousness.