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Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Prana

On a warm afternoon under sunny skies, there was something for everyone attending the Prana 40th Anniversary Celebration on August 9th at the Home of the Traveler—more recently known as Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens. A veritable cornucopia of interactive delights awaited guests in the beautiful courtyard as they arrived and mingled before the program began.

What to do first?

Peruse the lovingly created albums at the Photo Station? This bountiful, historical, pictorial journey featured images of past Prana residents, eliciting gasps of recognition from those seeing the much younger versions of themselves and others, and smiles of delight for the memories of old friends who have since traveled to the other side.

Take a “Selfie” with the Travelers? Yes, it was possible to get up close and personal for a selfie with our beaming Travelers John-Roger and John Morton—or at least a cardboard cutout facsimile—seated behind an inviting formal table setting.

Grab a snack? Bowls of delicious gluten-free chocolate-chip cookies were on hand to tide us over until dinnertime, washed gently down with water, cold lemonade, or iced mint tea.

Share a story? By far the biggest draw was the Prana Story Table at the bottom of the stairs below the rotunda, where story facilitators Lori Matson and David Morton set up their court. For nearly two hours, they prompted contributions of hilarious recollections of “ye olde days” from the gathered Prana residents of yore. Tales of the mischief, mayhem and hijinks of Prana past had everyone chuckling with such topics as:

• Kitchen disasters

• Unannounced drop-ins and admonishments by J-R

• Early political maneuvers

• The infamous “PIE” training

• Pinworms and prayers the Great White Cockroach Meditation

• “The Great Prana Purge” of the late ’70s

• …and many more!

At 4:15 everyone (about 175 people, including assistants) gathered inside for the presentation, which was also broadcast live online to more than 200 viewers. Deftly and humorously emceed by Carol Jones and Kevin McMillan, the evening began with a radiant Jackie Peterson calling in the Light “70s-style,” followed by a beautiful rendition of golden MSIA oldie “Just Be Love”, performed by Deborah Martinez and accompanied by Paul Davidson on guitar.

Kevin and Carol bantered so sweetly with each other, then brought in a tone of sacredness with a slide showing the answer John-Roger gave when someone once asked him, “Why would someone choose to live at Prana?” J-R responded:

“The purpose of living at Prana

Is going home with the Traveler,

Studying the teachings,

And even more important, living the teachings.

And to serve, more than at other places.”

For the next two hours, the audience soaked up a delightful combination of John-Roger excerpts about Prana, vintage “NOW News” videos featuring Glenn Barnett and Paul Kaye, modern-day PK hamming with the lovely Alethea Lamb, and fascinating panel discussions about the origins and early days of the Purple Rose Ashram of the New Age.

On the first panel, Greg Stebbins, Randy Garver and Saivhani (Ashtar-Athena) related their adventures of searching for and eventually finding the right property to purchase back in 1974. At one point, this even included flying to see a potential location in the Bahamas! (Just think how differently the Movement might have developed on a Caribbean island…) Santa Barbara was also considered before they found the mansion at 3500 West Adams Blvd near downtown Los Angeles. We also heard about the tough, yet heart-centered negotiation skills that John-Roger brought to the table, which included getting up and walking out on a deal when the sellers tried to change the agreement.

A second, larger panel featured key people from Prana’s early days:

Glenn Barnett (Resident 1975-79) shared a hilarious story about Prana-style revenge, encouraged mischievously by J-R himself.

Penelope Bright (Resident 1974-77, Steering Committee), whom, as it turns out, was the very subject of Glenn’s revenge story!

Randy Garver (Resident 1974-79, held all committee positions, Tuesday night cook) recalled decision-making by consensus, including the infamous “no sex for singles” rule.

Rick Greene (Resident from thefirst day in 1974-84, Steering & Asst. Steering Director) related a laughter-inspiring Kathy Jefferes story involving one of her many past lives.

Rachael Jayne (Resident 1974-81, worked purchasing food at Central Market) remembered how “J-R would show up at our house meetings and kick our asses.”

Jack Reed (Resident 1978-94, designed the salad bar, Steering & Asst. Steering Director for many years), sporting a “Dr. Jack, King of Prana” T-shirt designed by former Movement Newspaper editor Victoria Marine, shared about the “Great Outdoors” (GOD), housework accountability and his role in the “Great Purge of ’79.”

Pauli Sanderson (Resident August 1974 to 1986, first J-R staff member and later Prana co-Administrator) waxed poetic about the incredible singing and entertainment talent of residents in the old days.

Peter Sanderson (Resident 1980-85, Prana co-Administrator with Pauli, property manager) joked about adventures in co-administrating with another couple in loving neutrality, and the much-coveted cream puffs created by one amazing pastry chef.

Leigh Taylor-Young Morton (attended regular John-Roger seminars at Prana, starting Fall 1974), recalled how Sally Kirkland invited her to her first live J-R seminar where she met him for the first time, then she joined the Movement, and became a seminar leader herself.

Near the end of the event, one of Prana’s newest residents, Matt Van Fossan, came up front to present an award to someone who has lived there for nearly all of its 40 years. The plaque read:

JACK FAVOR

Prana Resident: 1976–2014

38 years – and counting…

We Love You Jack!

After one last J-R excerpt and NOW News clip, Kevin sang a robust Broadway-style song about Prana, to the tune of “New York, New York,” which John Morton declared “perfect” as he came up to address the crowd. John graciously shared his own memories of Prana, including the fact that he never ended up living there, but moved into the Mandeville property with J-R and other staff instead. He recounted arriving at the gates of Prana one night in the ’70s, having been unmistakably called by the Traveler, to find he could be of assistance to an emergency in progress. And he repeated what John-Roger once said about this sacred property:

“Prana is a physical anchor for the Traveler Consciousness.

It is a place of shelter, welcoming all who come into the Light.”

As always, John closed on a sacred note with one of his patented spiritual blessings.

Then it was time to chow down…and what bounty awaited! There were three different kinds of salads…grilled beef tri-tip steak…vegetarian cheese and bean enchiladas…gluten-free brownies, ice cream, carrot cake and lemon cake…oh my! Clearly this was not the place to be if you were avoiding sugar. Those who stayed for the movie got to indulge in even more treats!

This reporter will now turn the narrative over to Miss Zoe Golightly, who encapsulates the remainder of this delightful evening.

The outdoor screening of the Mystical Traveler film was a highlight! We watched the movie on blankets, on the grass, on chairs, walking the labyrinth, chatting, eating, being with each other in such loving and gratitude. Truly an at-home family experience…with more than 100 of my closest family members.

Red vines (J-R’s favorites), m&m’s, amazing-tasting homemade popcorn, an abundance of desserts & ice-cream, plus old-style bottles of Coke…we were treated on all levels.

Every time I watch the movie my heart expands more fully into this profound awareness of how lucky we are to have found the Traveler this time around, of such sweetness and gratitude for our beloved John-Roger, and for such love for our spiritual family.

Thank you Carol, Kevin, Alethea, Mandy, Tim and all the Prana crew for putting on such a wonderful, precious event. And thank you John-Roger and Jsu Garcia for the screening.

And from Carol Jones…

Join us in person and online Sunday, August 17, 2-5pm PDT as John Morton conducts the free Detachment and Freedom Workshop. And of course, come visit Prana for ongoing recorded seminars by John-Roger and John Morton, Sacred Tones Evenings, visiting the gardens and walking the labyrinth. Prana is an oasis right in the middle of Los Angeles.

Baruch Bashan

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