Table of contents:
Crestone: a community of Artists.
Early history of the San Luis Valley & Crestone
5th Annual Crestone Music Festival
Alternative Building in Crestone
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Crestone Spiritual Centers
by Suzanne Frazier
Since
the mid eighties, Crestone has been home to ecumenical spiritual
groups, monasteries and retreat centers. Four residential monastic
communities,
some offering retreat opportunities, represent unbroken religious lineages
from the world’s religious traditions. Other centers provide
educational, meditative and prayer opportunities.
Each day, in the early morning hours and late afternoon into evening, prayers
and meditation are offered at several locations throughout the area. The
land upon which the various religious traditions have created sacred space
offers silence and restful retreat.
May you find peace here.
The
Spiritual Life Institute
P. O. Box 219, Crestone, CO 81131
719.256.4778
www.spirituallifeinstitute.org
The Spiritual Life Institute—a small monastic community of men and women
hermit monks—was founded in 1960 by Fr. William McNamara, and is Roman
Catholic in origin and universal in outreach. The Institute was established
to foster a spirit of contemplation to inspire and influence social, political
and domestic experience. Contemplation is loving awareness. “Nada Hermitage” in
Crestone and “Holy Hill Hermitage” in Skreen, Co. Sligo Ireland
are places for people to live in wilderness for a time, close to nature, in
harmony with the seasons, the rhythms of the sun and moon, in communion with
plants and animals.
Most of the monastery grounds are closed to the public. Advanced reservations
are required for retreats. The Sangre de Cristo Chapel is open to the public
and Mass is held every
Sunday at 9am.
The
Haidakhandi Universal Ashram
P. O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131
719.256.4185
www.babajiashram.org
The Haidakhandi Universal Ashram is a spiritual community and pilgrimage center
inspired by Haidakhandi Babaji and dedicated to the Divine Mother, who embodies
the totality of all that is to be known. Residents at the Ashram follow the
teaching of “live lives of truth, simplicity, love and service.” Although
the worship activities are based in Indian ritual, Babaji taught that all religions
lead the sincere devotee to God. Living sustainably, the Ashram has an organic
garden, their own water system, photovoltaic-derived electricity and solar
heating. Service is the on-going aspect of the community, to provide facilities
for pilgrims and seekers to pray, meditate, worship and serve.
A fire ceremony is scheduled at 10:08am on the Full Moon and New Moon of every
month, as well as daily morning and evening devotional services (aarati). Please
call for directions
and the aarati schedule.
Shumei
International Institute
P. O. Box 998, 3000 E. Dream Way Road
Crestone, CO 81131
719.256.5284
www.shumeicrestone.org
Shumei International Institute is a spiritual organization dedicated to elevating
quality of life by applying the wisdom and insights of the late spiritual leader,
Mokichi Okada, in order to create an ideal state of health, happiness and harmony.
Mokichi Okada taught that a world free of sickness, poverty and discord is
possible through the spiritual exercise of Jyorei, the practice of Natural
Agriculture and the appreciation of art and beauty.
Shumei International Institute encourages everyone to carry the vision of becoming
citizens of the world and to take responsibility for the well-being and spiritual
advancement of all.
The Shumei facilities—Sanctuary, the food service/meeting hall, outdoor
amphitheater and caretaker’s house, along with the future greenhouse,
garden and orchards—are designed to have minimal impact on the natural
surroundings. The center, built on the site of an old gold mine, won the 2002
Award for Excellence from the Colorado Renewable Energy Society. The center
is open to visitors. Please call ahead for directions and a schedule of events.
Crestone
Mountain Zen Center
P. O. Box 130, Crestone, CO 81131
719.256.4692
cmzc@amigo.net
Crestone Mountain Zen Center is a monastic community. The Center is open to
visitors from May 1 through November 30. Visitors are also welcome to join
the daily zazen meditation in the early morning and in the evening. Please
call ahead to inquire about the current schedule and to arrange visits or zazen
instruction, since the center is periodically closed for retreats. Guided tours
need to be scheduled in advance.
The Center was originally developed, by the Lindisfarne Foundation, with a
chapel dome—an interfaith sanctuary based on elements of sacred geometry.
The Lindisfarne Chapel is open to the community except from January 15 through
April 15, when the grounds are closed for the annual 90-day intensive Practice
Period.
site
created and maintained by
Crestone Creations Publishing
PO Box 472; Crestone, Colorado 81131
719.256.5222