Early Time Line History of Olympic Peninsula Meditation Group of Self-Realization Fellowship
1979
August - at convocation Bro Ramananda, then head of Center Dept., encourages me (Penney) to start a meditation group.
September - Mother Center does mailing to devotees in area
October - 5 people meet to discuss having a meditation group
November - first meditation service, held in my living room
1980
Built addition onto house, moved bedroom upstairs so meditation group can meet in the room off the living room.
Cheryl Darlington moves to Quilcene (not sure which yr), providing a second harmonium player! (She moved back to Seattle area a few yrs. later)
1989
Mike and I marry, meditation room becomes bedroom again and meditation group moves upstairs. A very small space! Bob Moody starts coming to meditations early in year and in the fall Carolynn starts coming.....a devotee romance blossoms!
1993
We fall trees for building site in winter, Bob and Carolynn join us in the spring as we prepare the site and start building the meditation building. (Master's 100 birthday anniversary yr. Our gift to him!)
December - our first meditation service in the new meditation chapel is a candle light (no electricity) Christmas service .
1996
Brother Jayananda and Bra. Terry stay here before and after Sea Beck Retreat for some personal retreat time. It was very special having Bro Jayananda conduct our Thursday meditation service. (their visit was motivation for us to finally finish the trim in the building, Bill took the lead on this and did an excellent job)
2017 (?) JC joins our group and once again there is another harmonium player!
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Over the years many devotees and visitors have come and gone. Some have been seasonal, some regular devotees from Clallam County who started going to the Sequim group when it formed. Some moved away. Some passed away.
It has been wonderful to share with so many people a place in the woods to practice Master’s teachings. We had several all day retreats that included devotees from other groups.
Below are a few photos from the construction of the building, some group pictures over the years, and photos of the altars for special services.
site clearing - spring 1993 |
all framed up! |
First meditation in new building, Christmas 1993 with only candles |
Bill finishing trim with help - 1996 |