Purpose of LifeGurudev Shree Chitrabhanuji

The Lighthouse BeaconA publication for Lighthouse Center members and friends

Lighthouse Center, Inc. is a non-profit spiritual development center founded by Chetana Catherine Florida

Inside

LHC Welcome 2

Upcoming Events 3

President’s Message 6

Life Changes 7

Chitrabhanu Honored 7

Lighthouse Calendar 8

Vedic Astrology Workshop 10 Classified Ads 10

Board of Directors 11

Vegan Recipe Corner 11

Continued on page 4...

Volume 81 - FallSeptember -

December 2018

Today we are meditating on what is the purpose of human life and how we fulfill that purpose. People

involve themselves in many activities, read countless books, and work in varied directions to explore what is the searcher’s ultimate aim of this human life.

Man is at this stage of evolution. Man is capable to attain excellence. To be human is to be capable of self-awareness. Now, from here, where do we go? There are two directions: one is ascendance to Higher Self, the other descendance to lower form. From here we must either ascend or descend. We can neither stop, nor stay in the center of the road. Let us say your car stalls in the middle of the highway. The policeman comes and either pulls you over to the side or tows the car away. No one would allow you to leave your car in

the middle of the highway blocking the traffic. So you must go either forward or backward, one or the other. In life, people go either on the animal level or on the divine ascent. We meet here for one purpose and that is to know our potential and our freedom to choose what we want to choose.

Realize Our True Self

After Mahavira had attained enlightenment, his disciple bowed down to him and asked “Sir, what is the purpose of all our human affairs?” Mahavira answered, “To realize our true Self – as the tree is in a seed so is God in you.”

He meditated for twelve and a half years and the fruit of his meditation was to “realize the true Self and that life is God.” In his meditation he realized that whatever perfection he was searching for was already in him. When we realize

September - December, 2018 The Lighthouse Beacon 2

The Lighthouse Center, Inc., located at 740 East Shore Dr. in Whitmore Lake, Michigan, is an interfaith meditation

center founded in 1979 by Chetena Catherine Florida. It was incorporated in 1989 as a nonprofit organization, and

currently has over 300 members.

Mailing addressP.O. Box 645

Whitmore Lake, MI 48189Phone: 734-417-5804

For More InformationVisit us on the web:

www.lighthousecenterinc.org

Our Mission

We are committed to inner peace and peace in the world, as we practice meditation and Ahinsa toward ourselves and others. We respect other points of view and strive to live in harmony with nature and all living beings. This is the greatest opportunity for spiritual growth and enlighten-ment.

Our PhilosophyWe believe ... in the Divine Consciousness with-in everyone. We believe ... in Ahinsa, nonviolence, in all of our thoughts, words, and actions, including the practice of a vegan lifestyle. We believe ... that the Truth has many aspects, and we respect other points of view. We believe ... in acting as examples of human-ity, as we express our love and compassion and Ahinsa. We believe ... that in doing our meditations and spiritual practices, we begin to successfully live at peace within ourselves and in the world.

revised 2005

The Lighthouse Center

The Lighthouse Center community is a diverse group of individuals with a common goal of practicing Ahinsa (nonviolence).

Everyone is WelcomeYou do not have to be a member to join us for classes and

meditations.

SponsorshipThe Lighthouse Center depends on its members and friends

to sustain it with their generous donations of money, time and talent.

MembershipIf you do choose to become a member, pledges in any amount are

gratefully accepted.

Getting InvolvedThe Lighthouse (open to all members and friends), a Board of

Directors, and a Director of Operations to collectively develop our various goals and manage the daily operations of our center.

Assisting in running the center and helping out in different functions is a wonderful way to make a difference and develop

new friendships.

E-mail List and Mailing ListGet on the electronic and/or postal mailing list by filling out the

form in the back of this publication, to get updates on classes and events.

Everyone is Welcome

The Beacon Newsletter Staff:Editor: Nirmala Nancy Hanke

Layout/Design: Rohit Richard Smoot

Many quotes used come from: http://www.brainyquote.com/

Volume 81 September - December, 2018 3Upcoming Lighthouse EventsWEEKLY

uSunday Candlelight Meditation and Healing 6-7:15pm every Sunday. All are welcome for a candlelight meditation. Reiki healers are available for healing during meditation.

BI-WEEKLYuFriday Intensive Meditation 7:30pm-10:00pm the first and third Friday of the month. Doors open at 7:00 pm Med-itation lasts approximately 2 ½ hours, during which time individuals may quietly enter and exit the sanctuary. It is suggested, because of past experiences, that one already be a mantra meditator.

MONTHLYuSunday Board Meeting 9:30am-12:30pm the fourth Sunday of the month. NOTE: Occasionally, due to holidays and travel commitments, the Board meets earlier in the month, so please call Prachi Patricia Thiel (734) 417-5804 to verify exact date and time.

uLearn To Meditate Meets on the second Saturday every month from 4:00-6:30 pm. Learn how meditation works and try it out! Or come for a refresher- all meditators are welcome. Given by Nirmala Nancy Hanke. Cost $35, $25 for students or $15 to repeat. Contact Prachi to register 734-417-5804 or cprachi17@gmail.com.

u Healing Night Second Thursday of every month, gather 7:00 pm, meditate 7:30 pm, Reiki healing 8:00 pm to 9:00. Love Donation.

uMandala Coloring Group: Third Sunday, 4:00-5:30. Man-dalas and markers provided, or bring your own. Love Do-nation.

September

Forgiveness Festival (Paryushana) September 6-13. Eight days of meditation and intro-spection, with visits to the Jain Temple to be announced on the group email. Guiding pam-phlet for the eight days is on the Lighthouse website.

Learn to Meditate: Intro to meditation given by Nirmala, Saturday, September 8th, 4:00-6:30 pm. Cost $35.00, $25.00 for students, $15.00 to repeat. Contact Prachi to register at 734-417-5804, or cprachi17@gmail.com.

“Finding Happiness”, a new film about Yogananda, will be showing at the Center on Wednesday, September 12, 7:30-9:00. Cost: $5.00.

Book Club: “The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita” by Yogananda. Four Wednesdays, September 19-October 10, 7:30-9:00pm. Room rental fee:$30.00 Walk for Peace September 29, 10:00 am -1:00 pm at Hudson-Mills Metropark. Fundraiser. Get sponsors for your walk! Sponsor sign up sheet on website.

Vedic Astrology Workshop: Mansions of the Moon. September 22, 2:00-5:00 pm with Julene Louis. She will introduce the 27 Lunar Mansions of Vedic Astrology along with the stars, Vedic deities and Shakti power associated with them. Bring your birthdate, time and location to the workshop to learn which Mansion the moon was in when you were born. This is your “birth star” that gives insight into your spiritual unfoldment. Cost:$20.00. See flier on page 10. Vedic Consultations with Julene Louis September 23, 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Cost:$50.00. See flier on page 10.

October

“Gandhi”, the movie starring Ben Kingsley, will be shown at the Center Saturday, October 6 7:00-10:00 pm. Cost: $5.00. Popcorn and drinks provided!

Healing Night: Thursday, October 11, gather 7:00, meditate 7:30, Reiki healing 8:00-9:00. Open to the public. Loving donations gratefully accepted.

Learn to Meditate: Saturday, October 13th, 4:00-6:30pm.

Book Club: “The Yoga of Jesus”. Four Wednesdays, October 17- November 7, 7:30-9:00 pm. Room rental $30.00.

24 Hour Meditation Saturday, October 13, 7:00pm through Sunday, October 14th, 7:00 pm, ending with Candlelight Meditation. For world peace through inner peace. Come to the center for all or any part of the vigil, or join in at home.

Lakshmi Puja Sunday, October 21, 3:00-5:00pm. Celebrating abundance on all levels of life. Cost: $45 per family/ $55 proxy.

September - December, 2018 The Lighthouse Beacon 4Continued from front page...Purpose of Life

this, even though it is very difficult, it is not impossible to experience, to fulfill and to express it. You must ask yourself, “Do I see Life as God or sin?” If you see other things and not true Self, then nothing is fulfilled because anything other than God is transient.

Until now, day and night, we have been trying to get ephemeral things, forgetting the permanent. Once when I was a child, I was with my father and I caught sight of a beautiful toy camel. I started crying that I wanted this camel. My father asked, “Why do you want to spend so much money?” “I want it,” I said. “I am not going to come with you unless”... Ultimately, my father bought that camel. One day, about ten years later, we were talking together and I threw the camel away. “Now you are throwing it away,” my father said, “But once you were crying for this camel.” At that time it was my need to have the camel. In youth we need certain things, but when we are mature, the need changes All these needs are relevant to a certain stage. But there is something which is not transient, but is permanent. In order to realize God – Paramatma – in life, we have first to distinguish between the permanent and the transient.

For this we will need to use those gifts which are inherent to us. An aware person can use his/her gifts for this upliftment. However, if he/she is unaware or has no guide, or keeps the wrong company, then the gifts may take him/her down instead. Watch what happens to a rich man’s son. If he keeps the wrong company, then his friends, the society he travels with will spoil his life. His money will take him down. But, if he has good guidance, with his money and time, he can lift himself and others as well. In the same way you are blessed with your senses, a beautiful reasoning mind, and the enthusiasm to seek the truth. These are all gifts. You are well equipped; nothing is lacking in you. Whatever you need is stored in your laboratory. You have to just discover it. When an astronaut goes to the moon, everything is arranged for him in the spaceship. You are like the spaceship. Everything you need is there; you only have to know where it is. Don’t doubt yourself. Don’t say, “Nothing is in me.” Why do we have so much faith in a spaceship and so little in ourselves? Life has provided us with everything we need. So we go with faith in ourselves – not in anything outside.

Guidance

If you have this kind of confidence, then all you need is a guide; someone who can point out that whatever you need is within you. Sometimes we make mistakes and need someone to help us. Once I came upon my great uncle who was exhausting himself searching the whole house for something. I asked him what he was looking for. He answered, “my glasses”. I said, “They are on top of your head!” “Oh,” he said, “I forgot”. In life also you need someone to point towards the thing for which you are searching, to remind you that what you seek is within.

Without the proper guidance, we might misuse our gifts and channel our energies downward. To focus our energy upward, it is essential to find a positive, enlightened, and sincere guide, someone without the smallest trace of negativity, one who does not believe in anything destructive. One’s affirmative thinking, balanced life and experience, helps one to move in a positive direction. When we get that kind of guidance, we are very fortunate. It is easy to follow any teacher but very difficult to find a Master – a guide or guru who is enlightened. When we find one, we are truly a blessed disciple, because there is no fear of failing or losing track. The master will always lift the student up again, help him/her to rethink, to come to the right thinking. This is important because the thought process that we use is an instrument for transcending. You see; you behave, you live according to your thought. You need positive thinking for what you want to become. Thought is not a cause for being, but it is instrumental to becoming.

Meditation

Many people say there is no need to think. They are confused – rather, there are two phases to thinking. When you are in deep meditation, you leave your thoughts on the surface; but when you return to the surface, you use the energy and power of meditation to enlighten your thought. You throw a light on that thought so the thought will shine. You might have noticed on the highway a kind of paint which reflects the light of the headlights of passing cars. It is not actually light; it has no power of its own.

Volume 81 September - December, 2018 5It simply receives and reflects light. Our thoughts are like paint. They don’t have their own light but they need light. When you throw light on them, they reflect, they shine, they become bright. But when there is not light, they are in a guideless position.

Meditation is a kind of power or light. Used properly, there is nothing you cannot touch, nothing you cannot solve. Meditation is a very precise way of using your thought to solve the problems of daily life. Without it, your thoughts will become fantasy or will jump from one subject to another. Like Hamlet, you will be unable to come to a decision. Many people pass their whole life in the process of “to be, or not to be” and before they decide, their time is over. But through meditation, your thoughts will become stronger and stronger and you will have confidence in yourself. You need this confidence. If a surgeon is trembling while he is operating, he will kill the patient. If he has confidence in his ability, his had does not tremble, and he ultimately helps the patient. With confidence, the artist can draw a straight line in a single stroke. If a singer has fear in his breath, there will be no

music. A spiritual man, who harbors fear, negativity and uncertainty, will be unable to reach his highest potential. So you need confidence and to obtain this confidence, you must use your own energy for meditation.

Blessings,Chitrabhanuji.October 2000, Lighthouse Center

Upcoming Lighthouse Events (Continued)

Message Review Party Saturday, October 27, 7:30-9:30 pm. For all those who received messages for the new year, to review. This will also be a Come as You Were party to celebrate past lives and the Halloween season. All are invited. Plant based potluck. Face painting.

November

Healing Night, Thursday, November 8, 7:30-9:00 pm. Thanksgiving Eve Meditation Wednesday, November 21, 7:30-8:30.

December

Learn to Meditate, Saturday, December 8, 4:00-6:30pm.

Healing Night, Thursday, December 13, 7:30-9:00 pm.

Christmas Eve Meditation Monday, December 24, 6:00-7:30 pm.

New Year’s Eve Meditation Monday, December 31, gather 11:00pm, meditate 11:30pm-12:30 am, to release the old year and welcome in the new year in the highest vibration.

September - December, 2018 The Lighthouse Beacon 6 President’s Message

Ahimsa and Forgiveness

Over the years at the Lighthouse Center we have all been learning about Ahimsa, the cornerstone of the Jains. Ahimsa is nonviolence: in all of our thoughts, words, actions, and reactions. Gurudev and Pramodaji are shining examples to us of living life in Ahimsa. Ahimsa has become a part of our

Lighthouse Mission and Philosophy. We can all aspire to non-violence, day by day, as we make conscious choices about what we say, feel, think and do.

Inherent within Ahimsa is compassion, caring for oneself and all living beings. Ahimsa is akin to the Golden Rule: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. Ahimsa is avoiding harm to all beings and ourselves; it is also actively caring for, loving ourselves and all beings.

Despite our best intentions, wanting to act with Ahimsa, we all as human beings sometimes fall short: making mistakes, knowingly or unknowingly hurting others or ourselves. This is where forgiveness comes in. We can take stock at the end of the day, looking at any mistakes we have made. We can look at them, learn from them and forgive ourselves for them. With forgiveness in our hearts, we can begin anew.

As we join this month with millions of Jains in celebrating Paryushana, the Festival of Forgiveness, we can take heart that day by day we are learning to practice Ahimsa. Day by day we are learning to forgive ourselves; this is itself a practice in Ahimsa.

Namaste,Nirmala

Photo credit: By Aayush18 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21735847

Das Lakshana (Paryusana) celebrations, Jain Center of America, New York City

Volume 81 September - December, 2018 7Life Changes

TRANSCENDED BEINGS We send Love and Light to these transcended beings for their transition and to their families and friends for Comfort and Peace:

John Patrick Prashant Walker, 68, wife of Sandy Poohja Scobie, transcended June 4, 2018.

Clarita Mays, 64, wife of Larry McKelvey, transcended July 16, 2018.

Raksha Penni Helsene, 66, mother of Justin Helsene, Reiki Master and former Lighthouse Treasurer, transcend-ed July 21, 2018.

Clarita Mays (left) Raksha Penni Helsene

Gurudev Chitrabhanu Honored with Bust in Chicago

Traveling to Chicago to see the bust honoring Gurudev (left to right) are Nirali Becky Kleinschmidt, Nayna Nancy Sloan, and Prachi Patricia Thiel. Asha Sheth is not pictured.

The inscription on bust reads, “In 1970, Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanu became the first Jain Guru in 2500 years to leave In-dia and come to the West with the singular goal of sharing the ancient Jain message of “Reverence for All Life” and “Relativity in Thinking” for a world desperately in need

of a more compassionate direction for mankind. Gurudev became an early promoter of Ahimsa in the USA. He founded the Jain Meditation International Center in New Your City. He united Jains in North America under the umbrella of JAINA. He in-spired many Americans to embrace vegetarian or even a vegan life. He has been a guide and a visionary for millions of Jains and non-Jains worldwide as well as many Jain Centers. On the 25th Anniversary of this Jain temple, we dedicate this bust to commemorate his contributions.”

September - December, 2018 The Lighthouse Beacon 8

Lighthouse Center Calendar

September 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8Intensive Meditation Learn to Meditate7:30 PM 4-6:30pm

Forgiveness Festival Forgiveness Festival Forgiveness Festival6 - 7:15pm Candlelight9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Movie "Finding Happiness"7:30 PM

Forgiveness Festival Forgiveness Festival Forgiveness Festival Forgiveness Festival Forgiveness Festival6 - 7:15pm Candlelight16 17 18 19 20 21 22Mandala Coloring Group Book Club Intensive Meditation Workshop: 4 - 5:30pm TheYoga of the Bhavavad 7:30 PM 27 Lunar Mansions of

Gita 7:30pm Vedic Astrology6 - 7:15pm 2:00pm - 5:00pmCandlelight23 24 25 26 27 28 29Board Meeting 9:30-12:30 Book Club

TheYoga of the BhavavadVedic Astrology Consultations Gita 7:30pm1:00p-5:00p with Julene Louis

6 - 7:15pm Candlelight30

6 - 7:15pm

Candlelight

October 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6Book Club Intensive Meditation Gandhi MovieTheYoga of the Bhavavad 7:30 PM 7:00pmGita 7:30pm

7 8 9 10 11 12 13Book Club Healing Night Learn to MeditateTheYoga of the Bhavavad 7:30pm - 9:00pm 4 - 6:30pmGita 7:30pm

6 - 7:15pm 24 hour Meditation 7:00pCandlelight14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Book Club Intensive Meditation24 hour Meditation ends 7:00p The Yoga of Jesus 7:30 PM

7:30pm6 - 7:15pm Candlelight21 22 23 24 25 26 27Lakshmi Puja Book Club Message Review Party3:00p-5:00p The Yoga of Jesus 7:30-9:30

7:30pm

6 - 7:15pm Candlelight28 29 30 31Board Meeting Book Club9:30 am - 12:30pm The Yoga of Jesus

7:30pm6 - 7:15pm Candlelight

Volume 81 September - December, 2018 9Lighthouse Center Calendar

November 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3Intensive Meditation7:30 PM

4 5 6 7 8 9 10Book Club Healing NightThe Yoga of Jesus 7:30pm - 9:00pm7:30p

6 - 7:15pm Candlelight11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Intensive Meditation7:30 PM

6 - 7:15pm Candlelight18 19 20 21 22 23 24Mandala Coloring Group Thanksgiving Eve4 - 5:30pm Meditation 7:80p-8:30p

6 - 7:15pm Candlelight25 26 27 28 29 30Board Meeting 9:30-12:30

6 - 7:15pm Candlelight

December 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8Intensive Meditation Learn to Meditate7:30 PM 4 - 6:30pm

6 - 7:15pm Candlelight9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Healing Night7:30pm - 9:00pm

6 - 7:15pm Candlelight16 17 18 19 20 21 22Mandala Coloring Group Intensive Meditation4 - 5:30pm 7:30 PM

6 - 7:15pm Candlelight23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Christmas EveMeditation 6:00p-7:30p

6 - 7:15pm Candlelight30 31

New Years EveMeditation 11:00-12:30a

6 - 7:15pm Candlelight

September - December, 2018 The Lighthouse Beacon 10

In Touch Therapeutic MassageAsk to book with:

Felicity HaneWednsdays 1p - 7p

Thursday & Friday 8:30a - 2:30p734-994-7822

(On Eisenhower near Briarwood)

Astrology Workshop and Consultations

Volume 81 September - December, 2018 11

(Serves 4 - 6)

INGREDIENTS • 3 Tbsp gram flour (besan)• 3 cups unsweetened soy

yogurt• 6 cups water• 3 tsp grated ginger • 6 curry leaves • 3 tsp brown sugar or to

taste • Salt to taste

METHOD1. Mix the yogurt, gram flour and water in a vessel, beating well so that there are no lumps.2. Add grated ginger, curry leaves, sugar, and salt.3. Keep low flame for 7 minutes or till the mixture comes to a boil. keep simmering.4. For tempering , heat the oil in a separate pan. Add the mustard seeds and the cumin seeds. Let them crackle. Now add the asafoetida, turmeric powder, and fry on low heat for a few seconds.5. Add the tempering to the yogurt and gram flour mixture and stir occasionally while simmering on very low heat for 10 minutes. 6. Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves before serving.7. Serve hot with khichadi or brown rice.

Lighthouse Board of Directors

PresidentNancy Hanke734.645.2188

nirmala.hanke@gmail.com

Vice PresidentPatricia Thiel734.417.5804

cprachi17@gmail.com

Secretary Victoria Naumann Smoot

216.228.2245vpeltz@gmail.com

TreasurerRichard Smoot734.389.5014

smootlips@gmail.com

Members at Large:

Tom Lisk810.229.6365

tosk@comcast.net

Ed Mooney734.883.9820

edm_msu@yahoo.com

From: Rainbow Food for the Vegan Palate, Pramoda Chitrabhanu, Jain Meditation Center, New York, NY, 2015. Page 122.

Copies of this book are available at the Lighthouse Center, Inc, Whitmore Lake, MI and through the website: http://lighthousecenterinc.org/media/rainbow-food-for-the-vegan-pal-ate/

vegan RECIPE Corner

Yogurt SoupWarm and Tasty

Tempering:3 tsp of oil11/2 tsp mustard seeds11/2 tsp cumin seeds3/4 tsp of asafoetida1/2 tsp turmeric powerChopped coriander leaves for garnish

September - December, 2018 The Lighthouse Beacon 12

Lighthouse Center, Inc.P.O. Box 645Whitmore Lake, MI 48189

Directions to:THE LIGHTHOUSE CENTER

740 East Shore DriveWhitmore Lake, MI

Lighthouse Hotline (734) 417-5084

FROM I-94, US-23 AND ANN ARBORExit US-23N at Exit 50 (6 Mile Road), but do not turn left or right, just go straight and follow Main Street into Whitmore Lake (past middle school on left). At the traffic light at East Shore Drive, turn right. Follow East Shore Drive approximately 1.2 miles and the Lighthouse Center will be on the right. (Driveway is marked with sign and four vertical reflectors.)

FROM I-96, US-23 AND BRIGHTONExit US-23S at Exit 53. Turn left. This street becomes southbound Main Street. Follow Main Street through Whitmore Lake. At the traffic light at East Shore Drive, turn left. Follow East Shore Drive approximately 1.2

miles and the Lighthouse Center will be on the right. (Driveway is marked with sign and four vertical reflectors.)