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48 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JUNE 2019 | What is Enlightenment? Generally, when we first embark on our spiritual journey, and even later, maybe years later, we hold onto some exalted view of what enlightenment is. We imagine it is a constant high; abiding always in a blissful state, unaffected by anything, a person with super-human powers… this list is limited only by our imagination. The truth is far less flashy. The Truth is very quiet, just as God is very quiet. God is the very substratum of Existence. It is Being. It is Intelligence. It is Consciousness. Once we quit holding allegiance to the mind, otherwise known as the ego, then the Self, our true Self flashes forth. This Self is our natural state. There is nothing extraordinary about it. It is our very birthright. So how do we really describe the natural state? Well, first of all, it is not a state; it has been called the 'stateless state.' As such it can be described as quite ordinary. This ordinary state of being is more akin to the state of a child. As a child we have no accumulation of ideas, fears, attachments, aversions. As a child we could say we have PURE consciousness. This is our natural state - a purity, a blank slate – Consciousness in the raw. This is what we call God Consciousness. So, here we are in our everyday adult life - what does it mean for us? How do we re-achieve the purity of a child yet untrammeled by life? First and of critical importance it must be realized, that 'we' do not achieve the purity. That One which is the substratum of Existence, which is our God Self guides in such a way that the 'we' dissolves and we are returned to our natural, childlike state. SATSANG (Group Meeting With A Spiritual Aim) begins with a 30 min. meditation followed by a discourse and a short video presentation offered by a teacher adhering to the teaching of Non- Duality. As always questions are warmly encouraged. Our Meditation Group meets in the Multipurpose Room (next to the Library) in the Main Clubhouse. We meet on Sundays from 11:30 am to 1 pm My background includes 30 years of formal spiritual practice under the guidance of two masters and 10 years of teaching. I can be reached at gina-sat@msn.com or (951) 846-1220 if you have further questions. Meditation: a pathway to truth Happy Cookers Happy Cookers County Faire, June 28, 11 am "Meet and Greet" in May was a hoot! What a fabulous time: munching on finger foods and gabbing with new acquaintances. We took a few minutes interacting with others from our Happy Cookers membership. This was a great opportunity to meet new members and learn some new, interesting facts about friends. So what is happening for our June meeting? This will be time for our Happy Cookers County Faire, on Fri., June 28, South Clubhouse, at 11 am. Bring your "Award Winning" recipes for a chance to win a special "Blue Ribbon." There will be games, including bean bag toss, guess the number of beans in a jar, etc. Of course there will be food tasting, and we guarantee plenty of laughter. You don't want to miss another one of Wendy Ditchfield's, along with her social committee crew's, special events. One thing is guaranteed, they know how to show the membership a lively, good time. Questions about the meeting, contact Wendy at (951) 845-5553 or Carolyn Wright, membership chair, (951) 797-3568. Ya'll come on down and see what's cookin' at the Happy Cookers County Faire. Guests are always welcomed.