During the evolution of humanity, the intrinsic needs of contemplation, silence, peace and devotion has led certain individuals to form communities dedicated to cultivating these and other spiritual qualities and values.
The forms and expressions of these communities were varied, yet what ultimately connected their innermost expressions were the relationship they cultivated with nature and the intangible reality of the divine. If we examine monastic orders from all religions and spiritual communities, each, like a flower, extracted certain essences as it evolved its practices thru time.
In past traditions, such communities were the foundation for education, science, art, medicine, architecture and agriculture, contributing to the wellbeing and enrichment of the culture. In western Europe, during the rise of Christianity, a proliferation of monasteries spread, giving rise to an expansion of human advancement, while serving the needs of the human soul to commune with the source of life.
The church of the Sanctuary of LUBOF, whose roots span immemorial time, follows this river of life. It, like many of its predecessors, has birthed a Monastic Order so that the ideals and qualities, like seeds in the garden of the soul, can germinate and grow, offering the quintessence of each human experience. Like a still lake within the constant movement of human activity, it offers a reflection to the eternal presence of consciousness. The Monastic Order of the Sanctuary of LUBOF fosters the contemplation and identification with the imperceptible nature of the divine. Nestled within the womb of nature, it is nourished with the rhythms and cycles of earth. Like so many of its forerunners, it has cultivated the earth to feed the body and soul, discovering the mysteries hidden in the pulse of life.
The evolution of humanity is rooted in the earth. To recognize the incredible abundance that nature offers allows the human spirit to calm, to perceive an environment that is supportive and intelligent, as it fulfills the basic needs of life. Understanding how nature co-exists with all the different life forms she supports, human life becomes peaceful, happy and, even when presented with natural challenges, finds the resources to harmonize the different events into a unity of experience.
The Monasteries of the Sanctuary of LUBOF sustain themselves by following the practices they developed called “Living Agriculture”. Living Agriculture is a holistic approach to living on the land. The fundamental premise is that human beings belong to, are a part of, the land. This is why the earth, in so many traditions, religions and cultures has been referred to as “Mother Earth”. Until a relatively recent time, humanity instinctively knew by caring for the earth, we care for ourselves and all of creation. By cultivating a balanced way of living, thru the basic needs of food and shelter, a sense of inner-connectedness links each individual with the source of their existence. The Monastic Order of the Sanctuary of LUBOF imbues with this simplicity. Like Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order, it states, “If the birds and the animals have all their needs provided for by the Creator, why cannot human beings live simply on earth, in peace and happiness.”
Living Agriculture nourishes our desire to remain as a child, innocent, fresh, joyful and full of wonder. It restores the dignity and integrity of each individual, knowing they can provide for themselves and each other, a life of respect, harmony and peace. One can observe that just 150 years ago, all agricultural practices were organic. The homes were built with materials found in the environment that one was living, re-planting and conserving them for the generations to follow. The Monastic Order of the Sanctuary of LUBOF continues these traditions. By growing ones food and building ones shelters, one discovers the same principals apply to the inner life and a new sense of spirituality is born within ones soul. Learning, once again, to honor where we have come from, the earth will teach one how to move in harmony with its natural rhythms and cycles. Listening to the wisdom of the ancestors, aligning to inner spirit, one is guided into life’s sanctuary. Within life’s “sanctuary”, one is awakened into the role of stewardship, of being a co-creator with the energies of creation. Human beings have, in essence, always been gardeners, to complement the beauty of nature by adding ones own spirit to it.
The monastic order of the Sanctuary of LUBOF invites one to contemplate that all of life is infused with intelligence. All of nature has lessons to teach as one can quiet and observe life’s wonders. The practices are found in daily life, awakening to each new day to receive the blessings it will offer, in reverence for the gift to live yet another day. The beginning and end of each day has always been an integral part of all monastic orders. There is a pristine state present during these moments that have sprung from an immense well of gratitude, the source found deep within ones heart. This feeling contains the essence of the rhythm for each day. As the beating of the heart circulates the blood in our body, so the pulsation of peace and harmony bring forth the song of the soul. Each of these songs blends together into a symphony of adoration, reverberating in a “space of love.”
The life lived within the monastic order can be principally recognized by the quality of love that emanates within and throughout the land. This can be summed up in the phrase, “the sum of the parts is far greater than the whole.” Each person that lives within a “space of love” of the Sanctuary of LUBOF adds their essence of soul life which enriches the environment to such a degree that “the whole” expands enormously. In fact, much attention is brought forth on the pollution of the earth and the consequences that humanity is facing. If we could have scientific instruments capable of measuring the effects of the different monastic orders all over the earth, we would see how much they produce counter effects to the pollution our earth is now facing. Everything we can observe physically with our 5 senses, exists first spiritually, perceptible to other senses that have remained dormant for most human beings. It is this quality of love, the pure and vibrant emanation that is cultivated in the monasteries of the Sanctuary of LUBOF, that offer the best conditions for reawakening our spiritual senses. Exactly like a blind person that finds their sight, a new vista opens up once these senses begin to function.
As our spiritual senses develop, the universe is revealed in its co creative role to support and evolve our lives on earth. These senses are able to “see beyond the form” and into the essence that infuse life forces. All that exists in a physical form could not maintain its structure if not for the life giving energies that pour from the cosmos. Although science has made immense progress through discoveries, research and applications in many of the fundamental areas of human development, it is still “an infant” when compared to what our spiritual senses reveal and evolve in the human being. This wisdom, in ancient cultures, indigenous cultures and in ancient traditions was passed down through the generations, infusing all areas of daily life. As these spiritual senses became more and more dormant, primarily caused by the dominance of our intellectual faculties, this wisdom continued and was cultivated in what is known by the term, “mystery school”. The mysteries are none other then the awakening and integration of the spiritual senses. The monastery of The Sanctuary of LUBOF has continued the work of the mystery schools and has developed a methodology to assist in the opening of these spiritual faculties, essential for our continued evolution. It is called. “Soul Essence Education”.
The integration of Soul Essence Education, within the environment of Living Agriculture allows the monastery of The Sanctuary of LUBOF to consciously participate in restoring humanities place within creation, offering to humanity the choice in a life of peace, harmony, well-being and happiness for all of earth’s children.