Only actions done in God bind the soul of a man.
Today's Meditation Keynote by: Upanishads

Vernal Retreat 2013
Climbing Through Ascensions of Consciousness

This Spring retreat held on the beautiful grounds at Questhaven was initiated by its founder, Flower A. Newhouse, who said, We are here in life for but one reason–to learn to climb through ascensions of consciousness into the true Selfhood which is within us. To enter summer with that in mind, our focus this year will be on pathways to increased awareness. We have had excellent reviews from past participants and this year will be another wonderful experience for all who attend.

SATURDAY: June 22

8–8:30 am: The Labyrinth PanEuRhythmy

PanEuRhythmy–a dance and moving meditation that opens us to the presence and power of Spirit within ourselves and the universe. Everyone is welcome to join the dance as either a participant or observer.

Expanding Our Perception–Exercises in Listening and Seeing

9 am–Noon: Academy Building

Through the use of drawing, journaling, music, and meditation, Reverend Jonathan Wiltshire will lead exercises that are meant to stimulate our inner and outer faculties. With frequent use these practices will increase our sensitivity to the guidance, inspiration, and healing that surrounds us always.

Jonathan, an artist, came to Questhaven in 1975 to study with Flower A. Newhouse. He stayed to become one of the principal illustrators of her writings. He was ordained by Flower in 1981 and served on the Board of Trustees for twenty years. Jonathan makes his home on the grounds of Questhaven and is a frequent Sunday speaker. His visionary paintings may be seen at Questhaven and at www.innerworldart.com.

Christ and Pythagoras–A Creative and Inclusive Approach to Viewing Your Life Journey

1:30 pm–4 pm: Academy Building

Reverend Hal Lingerman will present a discovery workshop, designed to help participants enrich their relationships with deeper spiritual meaning, inspiration, and harmony. Persons will learn to view their life path, using nine pathways of Spirit included in the Way of the Lord Christ and the inner mathematics of the Master Pythagoras. This will be an active exercise using provided handouts. There will be thirty minutes at the end for questions and answers.

Hal moved to California in 1978 to be closer to Questhaven and was ordained by Reverend Newhouse in 1982. His background includes thirty years of college teaching, pastoring and counseling, and seven years of Interfaith ministry to the hungry and homeless. Hal has authored six books, including: The Healing Energies of Music, Life Streams, and the recently released, Your Journey in Christ.

5:30 pm: Friendship House Potluck Dinner

Bring a dish and enjoy dinner with a community of spiritually like-minded people.

7:00 pm: The Labyrinth Twilight Story and Starlight Meditation

Gather around the Labyrinth beneath the night sky for a Vernal story and Soul-aligning meditation.

SUNDAY: June 23

Sunday Church Service in the Church of the Holy Quest

10:45 am: Expanding Our Perception–Learning to See by Reverend Jonathan Wiltshire

Potluck luncheon to follow the service in Friendship House. Please bring a dish to share.

Limited Overnight Accommodations. Call soon to reserve: 760.744.1500.

Easter Retreat 2013
The Holy Pilgrimage–Finding Life in Christ

The Holy Pilgrimage–Finding Life in Christ
One look in His eyes is worth a thousand lives of preparation.

Dear Friends and Spiritual Family,

What a transcendent Easter! Never before have I felt the holy pilgrimage experience that all of Lent was building toward Easter Sunday. Laurel Rivera captured that message most eloquently during the Saturday meditation as she spoke on Traveling the El Camino with Christ. Please take a moment to listen to her message and meditation.

Thank you, Laurel, for that wonderful sharing! Over 100 people continued that pilgrimage up the mountain and to the Ac ademy to experience the sunrise on Easter morning. Although the clouds covered the horizon, the sun peeked through just at the moment Reverend Jonathan Wiltshire was sharing the story of Christ's triumphant return from death, and His appearance to Mary. What a moving moment it was for all of us. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

I would like to offer my sincere appreciation to all who made this weekend such a high spiritual event. Your selfless service helps usher in the Christ's benediction in ever deepening ways. Special thanks to Sarah Graybeal and Laurie Burke for coordinating the entire retreat. Next week, I am planning to video record the dance from Easter Sunday. Just somethi ng to look forward to in the next Inspiration. Until then, may your days be lifted in the Light of what we are to become in Christ.

Ever questing in His way,
Reverend Elizabeth Wood

Easter Retreat 2013 Flyer Easter and Lenten Season Newsletters

Sacred Dance performed on Easter Sunday.

The sure goal of Christian living will ultimately be fulfilled in discipleship and custodianship of some aspect of Christ's Planetary Task. Those who are already awakened will act as stimuli among collective humanity. Their overshadowed labors are a cry, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."
–Drama of Incarnation

Easter and Lenten Service Podcasts

Casa de Angeles Renovation
Fund Raising Underway

Casa de Angeles, our most utilized guest facility, was built nearly 20 years ago. These accommodations are in need of some loving attention and renovation–especially its interior flooring and walls.

A plan is in place to bring color and the theme of Angels to the upliftment of each room.

In an effort to raise funds for this project, we are releasing a series of talks from our digital archives given by Questhaven's past Director, Dr. Stephen Isaac.

Talks Integrating Spiritual Teachings and Psychology
by Dr. Stephen Isaac

Dr. Stephen Isaac, became a lifelong student of Flower A. Newhouse after meeting her when he was only ten years old. He not only became a minister of the work here at Questhaven but also its director following Flower's passing. For over 50 years he taught, counseled, lectured and wrote by her side. As a psychologist, he took his love of Flower's teachings on the Christward Way and his fascination with the study of human nature into his life and lectures.

We invite you to listen to them online. If you are benefiting from them and would like to make a donation toward the Casa de Angeles Renovation project, we would be so grateful. These talks focus on overcoming our human tendencies and struggles to find our way more readily with God. This is a theme that really speaks to our times.

Available podcasts by Dr. Stephen Isaac:

03/23/69 The Disciples of Jesus
A correlation is drawn between what happened in Palestine so many years ago and the drama taking place in us today. We need to keep this grand perspective in order to fully appreciate not only the Lord Christ but His influence as it was expressed upon and through His Disciples.

03/18/79 Discernment–Distinguishing Between Good and Evil
Dr. Stephen Isaac discusses the meaning and importance of the spiritual quality of discernment.

06/07/70 Where Personality Ends and Character Begins
This talk illustrates the creative power to change that is innate within us–how at the center of our nature is a desire to do good.

Thank you in advance for all your support. We are striving to have every part of Questhaven welcoming all who come, in the highest expression of loveliness.

If you would like to help, please visit our Donations page. Thank you for your donations!

Digital Audio Downloads
Flower A. Newhouse

We are in the process of digitally remastering audio lectures of Flower A. Newhouse. Each downloaded talk is available for $5.00 and can be played on all computers and mobile devices (mp3 format).

If you are interested in hearing directly from Flower on a spiritual topic, then please enjoy downloading one of her talks on that subject (new downloads added monthly).

All current downloads and CDs are available on our Lectures page page, in the right column.

Many of us were discussing recently how helpful and unique the esoteric teachings are from Flower that help us navigate through life. How grateful I am for all she shared and had the foresight to record. What treasures she has left for generations to come!

Your Brother in Christ,
Reverend Blake Isaac

Questhaven is a non-denominational Christian retreat nestled among chaparral-covered hills in northern San Diego County.

Founded in 1940 by the Reverends Flower and Lawrence Newhouse, these holy grounds encompass 640 acres of coastal wilderness traversed by miles of nature trails, inviting visitors to worship and experience God in Nature.

Wandering through these oak-lined canyons and shaded woodland sanctuaries, retreatants are able to release the stress from their outer lives and experience the centered stillness and quiet necessary for awakening to the Living Presence of God.

We believe that there are many paths to God–our path is the Way of the Lord Christ. We believe that there comes a time in every true seeker's life when it is not enough to just believe in God; the greatest need of incarnation is to know God.

This is the Way of mysticism–direct experience of God.

We who study here are striving along the path of Christian mysticism.

We welcome individuals and groups of all faiths to come to these tranquil acres and find their way with God.

Flower Newhouse taught that the Lord Christ offers us the greatest pattern to our own future unfolding–to the full awakening of God within. Thus, every inch of this holy ground is consecrated to the Lord Christ forever and His call for the spiritualizing of all life.

Questhaven Retreat is home to the Christward Ministry – an Esoteric Christian Training Center for students who seek a deeper study into the universal way of Christ.

The Quest: Seeking and living each moment for God–what we call Living The Christward Way.

The Haven: A safe place of peace to connect with God.