Prana, the headquarters of MSIA and PTS and the beautiful home of 31 seminary students and staff people nestled in the historic West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles, is going through a few changes!
Also known as the “Home of the Traveler”, Prana’s back yard and grounds are being transformed into an even more beautiful, people-friendly, Spirit-promoting, reflection-supporting and aesthetically lovely environment.
In the works are: reflecting pools, flowering trees, a new grassy area and flowering arbor that can be used for weddings, and multiple benches and areas to sit and contemplate or share with a friend.
We are excited to see the improvements heading towards completion each day. Prana residents have been patient and understanding as some of their early morning spiritual exercise time has been interrupted with the sounds of bulldozers, bobcats, jackhammers and stone cutting!
A particularly spectacular aspect to the landscaping improvements at Prana is the construction of a beautiful, high quality labyrinth. A labyrinth, if you are not familiar with it, is typically a flat, winding path set in a circle that has one entry and a single path to the center, used primarily for contemplation, meditation and inner reflection.
Our old second terrace back lawn was removed and in its place a large circular plate of stone was set (in those first stages, it was affectionately known as the “Slabrinth”) that lent a feel of sacred geometry to the worksite, and was reminiscent of a full moon that just plopped down to earth in Prana’s back yard! After the concrete had set for two weeks, the process of laying the gorgeous travatine stone atop the base slab began, and is currently in its final stages.
LABYRINTH ARTIST
The artist building our labyrinth is Alain Degand, a skilled stonemason , born in France, who has been devotedly working on this labyrinth for the past month. Alain’s prior experience with creating a labyrinth was three years ago at the St. John’s of the Cross Apostolic church in Torrance, California.
According to Alain, this labyrinth at Prana will be even more beautiful than the one in Torrance (which, having seen and walked it myself, is lovely). Alain is particularly inspired with this project, as he says both the quality and colors of stone as well as just the opportunity to participate in creating something so special, is meaningful to him. Prana, MSIA and Los Angeles are truly fortunate to be getting this creation of beauty.
COMPLETION OF LABYRINTH AND LANDSCAPING
Anticipated completion of the labyrinth is the end of November 2000, however, it will not be ready to be “tread” upon until sometime in December. Stay tuned for a grand opening party and bash in the summer of 2001 after all landscaping, including an upgraded front parking area, is complete.
Eventually we are looking forward to hosting groups and individuals who come by appointment to walk the labyrinth, take a “spiritual break” from their busy lives, enhance their conscious path of reflection, or just come to have an experience of deepening and enrichment. In line with the purpose of “using everything for our upliftment, growth and learning”, we hope that the labyrinth at Prana will support these intentions, as well as contribute to peace in individuals, families, groups, our community and the planet that we all share.
