{"id":11360,"date":"2014-08-14T14:15:41","date_gmt":"2014-08-14T21:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.msia.org\/newdayherald\/?p=11360"},"modified":"2021-02-24T17:14:24","modified_gmt":"2021-02-25T01:14:24","slug":"celebrating-the-40th-anniversary-of-prana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.msia.org\/newdayherald\/archives\/11360-celebrating-the-40th-anniversary-of-prana","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Prana"},"content":{"rendered":"

On a warm afternoon under sunny skies, there was something for everyone attending the Prana 40th<\/sup> Anniversary Celebration on August 9th<\/sup> at the Home of the Traveler\u2014more 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.<\/p>\n

What to do first?<\/p>\n

Peruse the lovingly created albums at the Photo Station?<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

Take a \u201cSelfie\u201d with the Travelers?<\/em> Yes, it was possible to get up close and personal for a selfie with our beaming Travelers John-Roger and John Morton\u2014or at least a cardboard cutout facsimile\u2014seated behind an inviting formal table setting.<\/p>\n

Grab a snack?<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

Share a story?<\/em> 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 \u201cye olde days\u201d from the gathered Prana residents of yore. Tales of the mischief, mayhem and hijinks of Prana past had everyone chuckling with such topics as:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Kitchen disasters<\/p>\n

\u2022 Unannounced drop-ins and admonishments by J-R<\/p>\n

\u2022 Early political maneuvers<\/p>\n

\u2022 The infamous \u201cPIE\u201d training<\/p>\n

\u2022 Pinworms and prayers the Great White Cockroach Meditation<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u201cThe Great Prana Purge\u201d of the late \u201970s<\/p>\n

\u2022 …and many more!<\/p>\n

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 \u201c70s-style,\u201d followed by a beautiful rendition of golden MSIA oldie \u201cJust Be Love\u201d, performed by Deborah Martinez and accompanied by Paul Davidson on guitar.<\/p>\n

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, \u201cWhy would someone choose to live at Prana?\u201d J-R responded:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of living at Prana<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is going home with the Traveler,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Studying the teachings,<\/strong><\/p>\n

And even more important, living the teachings.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And to serve, more than at other places.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the next two hours, the audience soaked up a delightful combination of John-Roger excerpts about Prana, vintage \u201cNOW News\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

A second, larger panel featured key people from Prana\u2019s early days:<\/p>\n

Glenn Barnett (<\/strong>Resident 1975-79) shared a hilarious story about Prana-style revenge, encouraged mischievously by J-R himself.<\/p>\n

Penelope Bright (<\/strong>Resident 1974-77, Steering Committee), whom, as it turns out, was the very subject of Glenn\u2019s revenge story!<\/p>\n

Randy Garver (<\/strong>Resident 1974-79, held all committee positions, Tuesday night cook) recalled decision-making by consensus, including the infamous \u201cno sex for singles\u201d rule.<\/p>\n

Rick Greene (<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

Rachael Jayne (<\/strong>Resident 1974-81, worked purchasing food at Central Market) remembered how \u201cJ-R would show up at our house meetings and kick our asses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack Reed (<\/strong>Resident 1978-94, designed the salad bar, Steering & Asst. Steering Director for many years), sporting a \u201cDr. Jack, King of Prana\u201d T-shirt designed by former Movement Newspaper editor Victoria Marine, shared about the \u201cGreat Outdoors\u201d (GOD), housework accountability and his role in the \u201cGreat Purge of \u201979.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pauli Sanderson (<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

Peter Sanderson (<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

Leigh Taylor-Young Morton <\/strong>(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.<\/p>\n

Near the end of the event, one of Prana\u2019s 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:<\/p>\n

JACK FAVOR <\/strong><\/p>\n

Prana Resident: 1976\u20132014<\/strong><\/p>\n

38 years \u2013 and counting…<\/strong><\/p>\n

We Love You Jack!<\/strong><\/p>\n

After one last J-R excerpt and NOW News clip, Kevin sang a robust Broadway-style song about Prana, to the tune of \u201cNew York, New York,\u201d which John Morton declared \u201cperfect\u201d 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 \u201970s, 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:<\/p>\n

\u201cPrana is a physical anchor for the Traveler Consciousness.<\/p>\n

It is a place of shelter, welcoming all who come into the Light.\u201d<\/p>\n

As always, John closed on a sacred note with one of his patented spiritual blessings.<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

This reporter will now turn the narrative over to Miss Zoe Golightly, who encapsulates the remainder of this delightful evening.<\/em><\/p>\n

The outdoor screening of the Mystical Traveler<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

Red vines (J-R\u2019s favorites), m&m\u2019s, amazing-tasting homemade popcorn, an abundance of desserts & ice-cream, plus old-style bottles of Coke…we were treated on all levels.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.
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