what’s happening at spirit center

Sidhamo

“I arrived here at Spirit Center the last day of November to begin a one-week CT workshop.

At the time I had no idea that I would still be here in February. I have been doing this work for eight years in various workshops around the world but this is the first time that I actually made it to Spirit Center in Texas. What a beautiful gift it has been to not only attend the workshop and sessions but to see how this work is truly lived by everyone here, in a day to day practice, is beyond priceless. Experiencing how every person is so courageous to risk everything to put vulnerability first has been awe inspiring. I often feel like a sponge soaking up the structure that everyone is living here.

Putting Spirit first is not always the most comfortable option. I’m having to face my own fears of backing up the light, which means that when the energy feels off, whether it is numbness, anger, or fear, it is going to be called out and held in the light until we crack open whatever is causing the disconnect. (Continued below…)

I am so grateful for every day that I’ve been able to spend here at Spirit Center. The continuous gifts from Spirit and the family feel endless. From feeling the burn and discomfort of pushing through layers of old programming, to huge expansion in my body and soul where those old layers no longer have control over me. Every day I get the opportunity in some form to push through my fears and dive deeper into myself. No matter how dark or scary the place inside of me may feel, it is always held by everyone here with the ultimate love to help transform it. 

One of the gifts I have felt is finding this beautiful balance within myself of the Divine Feminine and a Healthy Masculine. As a man it is such a gift to be around so many healthy men, where my sensitive nature is honored and cherished, allowing me to be myself without having to put on any masks or pretend to be something I am not. I have found strength in backing myself up against toxic unconscious behavior in other men outside of this community and I do not think I could of done that without feeling the full force of everyone here standing behind me. 

I have bawled my eyes out and laughed until my stomach hurt. I am physically stronger and emotionally lighter. Spirit Center truly is the entire package of mind, body and soul.”

JJ

“Some of the benefits of living and serving here at Spirit Center include sharing healing space, making time to connect with others through shared meals, enjoying the beauty of nature, and community work on projects like the development of the land. 

This winter season has brought the opportunity to slow down a little and gently allow / listen for that quiet inner space, to take time to be grateful for the amazing opportunity in front of me, to integrate the beautiful gifts of love and healing which have continued to deepen with regular group practice. 

It is my deepest desire to support the growth of Spirit Center as a reflection of my years of dedication to the light. My hope is that this growth will support the unfolding of love and conscious awareness in not only myself but also in others. 

I love sharing my passion and skills to support a place for spirit to thrive in each of our hearts and in our world community at large.”

Jesse

“I’m super excited with what’s growing on here at spirit center! This fall (our cool weather growing season here in Texas) we expanded our garden and planted carrots, beets, broccoli, kale, mustard, collards, dill, cilantro, parsley and loads of different lettuce mix. Planting a garden brings us back into the rhythm, timing and deep listening of nature. In one month we will start preparing and planting for spring... tomatoes, basil, green beans, eggplant, peppers, zucchini and other squash. Abundance. 

This month we are preparing an area to plant fruit trees. Plums, figs, peaches, pomegranates, lemons and mandarins grow well in our area, and 12 trees will have a new home at spirit center. They will be very loved, honored and appreciated. ❤️

We will also be putting in a small pond, around 10x10 meters (10x10 yards) so we can enjoy aquatic life... frogs, koi, dragon and damselflies, etc. This pond will also provide critical water to the wildlife in our area. Our intention is to create a space not only welcoming for us humans, but for all living beings. 🥰 

On top of all of this, we will be planting hundreds of native plants around the center to provide nectar and habitat for our pollinator friends.” 🙏

SARAH

“Here at Spirit Center we have just recently started to gather for monthly Kirtan singing and music sharing. During our time together we play with different combinations of sharing music, ranging from singing Kirtan and Sanskrit mantras, playing various instruments like flute, viola, percussion, guitar and harmonium, and sharing with each other any songs that focus on bringing through the light. Sometimes we improvise, following the nuances of energy in each moment to moment, creating words and music as we go. This improvisational approach has often proven to be some of the most spirit and light-filled experiences of singing together. 

Everyone is welcome to share songs they know, some of which happen to be rounds which result in beautiful 2-3 part harmonies, (my personal favorite!). 

Thanks to Kaley and Ryan’s technical capabilities we have been fortunate to be able to include our friends from far away to join our Kirtan circles online. This has been a special way to stay connected with our friends and spirit family, like you, from around the world.  

I cherish the opportunity we have to stay connected to one another by bringing through the light with song, rhythm and music.  I look forward to the day you will join us too!

I’m also proud to share with you a newly released music video to my original song “Snowflake.” With Ryan’s assistance, Kaley created an incredible montage of video footage that so strikingly communicates the message I wanted to portray when I was writing the lyrics. 

That message being that, in one way or another, everybody has suffered pain or hurt.  What connects us as one human race is the fact that we are all vulnerable and tender sentient beings deserving to be heard and treated with love and respect.”

Kaley

“I am in creative heaven here at Spirit Center because I have a number of promotional videos lined up after I submit my graduate school / masters applications. One of them is a testimonial compilation for Jennifer which will include CT footage from B.C., Canada and Canyon Lake, TX. My next couple of videos are surprises :) so stay tuned. I am applying to film school in London, UK for this Fall/Autumn. More specifically, I will be sending in applications to MetFilm, Central Film School, Goldsmiths, London Film Academy and University of Westminster. In the meantime, I am living the most incredible and abundant life here at Spirit Center. There is no place on earth that feels more like home. I feel profound connection, love and lightness here with my soul family. ❤️

Ryan

…is a Creative Technologist/Artist who just finished working on the “Murder On Middle Beach” HBO docuseries project. (An incredible true-story of his friend, Madison Hamburg’s, complicated journey in uncovering the unsolved murder of his own mother. More info below…)

“I am endlessly grateful for our community and family at Spirit Center. The dedication to Spirit and living in the Light is unwavering, and I’ve never met a group of people so deeply loving, supportive, and strong. The beautiful humans of Spirit Center are Creators in the truest form - they ooze passion, vibrance and aliveness because that’s all I feel whenever I go there! I am so excited to witness the continual expansion of Spirit Center and the incredible healing that will come with it! 

Murder on Middle Beach is a four-part documentary series that premiered on HBO in Fall of 2020. It is centered on the film’s director, Madison Hamburg, and his complicated journey in uncovering the unsolved murder of his own mother - and to absolve his family members who are suspects. It is deeply brave, raw and vulnerable. 

Madison is a friend of mine who I worked with at a design agency in Austin. It has been so inspiring to watch his journey through the process of making this documentary.

My role was the lead animator for the series. I worked closely with Madison and producer Solomon Petchenik to develop the look and style of the graphics throughout the entire series. These played a big role in explaining some of the complicated aspects of the story, especially in Episode 2. I am grateful to work with such a talented team and very proud of what we made!” 

You can watch it or learn more about the series here.

Carlos

“What a change this beautiful place of radiant light--Spirit Center--has been going through. I love the spiritual practice of Kirtan led by Sarah at our music gatherings... omg, her voice is enough in beauty to cause me to shed a tear or two. I invite everyone to join in this amazing heart and spirit lifting composition of music and song. There are many changes, like friends building their tiny houses and living on the property, to the growth of the vegetable garden, which interests me a lot. It used to be small and mostly overgrown with native plants and weeds and now it’s something to envy. It occupies a space big enough to support everyone living at Spirit Center, in addition to overnight guests. Oh and I forgot to mention that the meals are chief quality!”

angie

“I’m super excited about moving to Spirit Center and being more-er in connection with The Family! I’m looking forward to skipping across the driveway to have morning coffee with Sarah, and being able to milk the late hours of visiting with The Fam before putting myself to bed! Eeeee! Aaaaah!

To be tucked in with the LOVE freshly applied...!!!

Piglet & Zeus (my Pit Bull Mix and Great Pyrenees) are super excited too as they have a nice big fenced-in yard to patrol, which is great because Zeus continues training Piglet to patrol for birds to protect my chihuahuas from becoming hot dogs for Hawks!”

REBECCA

“What I would want the world to know about my experience with Spirit Center is that it has catalyzed immense growth for me in nearly every dimension of my life. Probably what I cherish most aside from the relationships I've made here, is the depth of emotional / energetic sensitivity it has awakened in me and the way that has manifested into a new depth of alignment in how I live my life. 

In the darkness of the global pandemic, Spirit Center has been a bonfire of connection, community, cooking, singing, relating, feeling, and loving Spirit. Dare I say it's been one of the very best times in my life, not easy, but incredibly touching, inspiring, and special.

On a side note, I'm a Strategy & Planning Director at USAA Bank where my team is responsible for planning how we invest and build better experiences for our members and employees across channels. I love helping my community identify and overcome money blocks, develop a wealth mindset, and take action to better their financial future. I’m especially passionate about disruptive innovation including decentralized finance, blockchain tech, and Bitcoin which I believe are actively disintermediating the global financial system and the power structures they support. Also, I’m a huge astrology nerd - vive le Age of Aquarius!”

Taesha

“I have been accepted to UT, the University of Texas at Austin, as an undecided liberal arts major. I want my study to be centered around fine art, while also including my passion for writing and language. My family is very important to me, so I am grateful that I will be staying in Texas during my first year of university. Spirit Center has become a truly amazing community and I love meeting all of the beautiful souls that come to visit.”

kamaya

I grew up in this light-focused family at what is now called "Spirit Center." I feel I am 24 years old in a 17-year-old body and through this amazing lifestyle and cellular transformation work I have traveled all around the world. It is also through the practice of listening to the energy that I keep maturing in beautiful ways. Currently, I am doing online homeschooling due to COVID which I have mixed feelings about! Living with my family at Spirit Center is heart-warming and full of adventures!