ENJOY THE SILENCE EXPERIENCE TRANQUILLITY AT SANTA BARBARA RETREATS.Byline: Christina Uss Correspondent SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. - At dawn, noon and dusk, an ancient Chinese List of ancient Chinese is a list of noteworthy people of ancient China. Different definitions of "ancient" China exist, but most agree that it is before the Tang dynasty. Related lists A general listing of existing lists related to this topic. ship bell rings in low, muted tones at the Vedanta Temple. At Mount Calvary Monastery and Retreat House, meanwhile, a copper- colored bell above the gardens peals several times a day, calling visitors to meals and prayers. When most bells ring - school bells, alarm bells, doorbells - we are obligated ob·li·gate tr.v. ob·li·gat·ed, ob·li·gat·ing, ob·li·gates 1. To bind, compel, or constrain by a social, legal, or moral tie. See Synonyms at force. 2. To cause to be grateful or indebted; oblige. to answer. But when the bells ring at these two peaceful Santa Barbara retreats, answering their call to quiet reflection is a pleasure. Visiting retreats such as these allow you to slow down, take a breath and enjoy a few moments of calm and stillness. Both retreats are open to the public, and no religious affiliation is necessary for visitors. Mount Calvary Monastery and Retreat House The monastery and retreat house sit 1,200 feet above the city in a cozy, airy, Spanish-style home that dates to the 1920s. This Benedictine ministry has served the public as a place of tranquil retreat from the distractions of ordinary life since its establishment by the monks of the Order of the Holy Cross This article deals with the Anglican Benedictine monastic community known as the Order of the Holy Cross. For other organizations with the same name, see Order of the Holy Cross (disambiguation). in 1947. Its setting is entirely conducive to rest and reflection, with its sweeping views of the ocean and hills below, as well as inviting gardens and nearby hiking trails. The guest house has a warm atmosphere, partly due to its handsome interior design, but a great deal of the warmth also comes from the friendly hospitality of the seven Benedictine monks who currently reside on the premises. Some local residents simply come here to get away from it all for an hour or two. Men and women can also stay overnight in simple, comfortable rooms to attend formal retreats and conferences, or use the guest house as a place of study or prayer. Meals are provided, and their chef of 15 years, Luis Ruelas, bakes a mean baguette. All visitors are welcomed to find ``spiritual refreshment'' and spend their time here as they see fit. Guests may participate in four daily ``offices,'' or prayers, and finish the day with the ``Great Silence,'' when quiet is maintained from the late evening through breakfast the next morning. Visitors can also browse the bookshop and examine the collections of elegant calligraphy calligraphy (kəlĭg`rəfē) [Gr.,=beautiful writing], skilled penmanship practiced as a fine art. See also inscription; paleography. European Calligraphy In Europe two sorts of handwriting came into being very early. cards penned by resident Brother Roy Parker, or try a steaming cup of the order's own Monk's Blend coffee and teas. The surrounding natural beauty of Mount Calvary's grounds helps put guests in the properly serene frame of mind. The retreat is adjacent to the Los Padres National Forest Los Padres National Forest is a forest located in southern and central California, which includes most of the mountainous land along the California coast from Ventura to Monterey, extending inland. Elevations range from sea level to 8,831 feet. and the Santa Ynez Mountains The Santa Ynez Mountains are a portion of the Transverse Ranges, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges of the west coast of North America, and are one of the northernmost mountain ranges in Southern California. , and a spur trail The Spur Trail is a paved walking trail located in Millbrae on Spur Property parkland. The pathway consists of two disjointed sections; one is located to the west of Taylor Middle School and the other is located north of Mills High School. leads to hikes in Rattlesnake Canyon Rattlesnake Canyon is the name of a number of scenic canyons in the Southwestern United States:
However, one needn't go far to contemplate nature - numerous benches are tucked into secluded garden spaces and perched atop overlooks, plus a rock labyrinth sits behind the guest house for meditative strolls. Vedanta Temple The Vedanta Temple nestles against the Santa Ynez Mountains on a 45-acre property owned by the Vedanta Society of Southern California The Vedanta Society was founded in 1930 in Los Angeles, California. The society is under the spiritual leadership of Ramakrishna Mission. The central theme of the Society is the spread of Swami Vivekananda's message. . Vedanta is a philosophy that comes from the Vedas, ancient scriptures of India. The basic Vedanta belief is in the divine nature of all people, and all religions are respected. The property holds a temple, a convent housing nine nuns, a building for lectures and classes, and a bookstore with an impressive collection of volumes on the major religions of the world. Public lectures have been given on the property since 1954, and are still offered on Sundays on various topics of spirituality and religion. Visitors to the property are invited to browse the bookstore, attend lectures and daily worship services, or simply spend time in personal meditation in the temple. The temple, open daily to the public, is one of five such facilities run by the Vedanta Society from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Dedicated in 1956, the South Indian-style building, conceived by Santa Barbara architect Lutah Maria Riggs, has received several awards for its design. Inside, muted light flows through the shuttered windows. Six tall wooden pillars line each side of the interior, rising solidly to meet an arched ceiling. If no service is taking place, visitors may rest in quiet meditation. Comfortable chairs with small pillows invite you to sit in stillness as long as you wish. Worship (puja puja In Hinduism, a form of ceremonial worship. It may range from brief daily rites in the home to an elaborate temple ritual. A typical puja offers the image of a deity the honours accorded to a royal guest. ) is held at noon, and vespers vespers (vĕs`pərz) [Lat.,=evening], in the Christian Church, principal evening office. In the Roman rite, vespers have consisted since the 6th cent. of a few prayers, five psalms, a lesson, the Magnificat, and an antiphon. (arati) are scheduled daily at 6 p.m. Arati, the Sanskrit word for light, indicates a time for reflection at the close of the day. As dusk falls, the arati ceremony is performed. While day melds into night, the sound of songs and hymns sung in Sanskrit and Bengali by the resident nuns melds with the playing of Indian instruments such as the harmonium harmonium: see reed organ. harmonium or reed organ Free-reed keyboard instrument in which wind from a foot-operated bellows causes metal reeds to vibrate. Pitch is determined by the size of the reed; there are no pipes. (a hand-held organ) and tablas Tab·las An island of the central Philippines east of Mindoro. It is the largest of the Romblon Islands. (drums). IF YOU GO MOUNT CALVARY RETREAT HOUSE: 2500 Gibraltar Road, Santa Barbara. (805) 962-9855, Ext. 10; www.mount-calvary.org. The retreat house is open to receive guests Tuesday through Sunday afternoon. Individual and group reservations must be made in advance. There is a suggested donation of $70 for stays on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night, $75 on Friday or Saturday night. The donation includes room, bed and bath linen, plus meals. Day use only of the retreat house is $10 per person per meal and $10 per person for a private room. VEDANTA TEMPLE: 927 Ladera Lane, Santa Barbara. (805) 969-2903; www.vedanta.org. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is no admission charge. CAPTION(S): 3 photos, box Photo: (1 -- 3 -- color) At dawn, noon and dusk, a Chinese ship bell, above, is rung to invite visitors to worship services at Santa Barbara's Vedanta Temple, above right. Between group meetings, the temple is open for silent meditation, right. Christina Uss/Special to the Daily News Box: IF YOU GO (see text) |
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