Construction Update – Footings are poured
October 29, 2024
Really Digging It
They’re at it again. Once again—after a pause that lasted almost three weeks—construction workers returned to Greenfield. Again, the air was rent with the sounds of heavy machinery leveling the ground, digging holes for the new chapel’s footings and foundation.
And (finally!) the actual substance of our new Greenfield Chapel was quite literally poured into all those carefully prepared holes. Click on this link to a time lapse video of all the action last week on the building site.
Why the pause? On October 4, the first day of actual construction, builders discovered a problem involving the alignment of drainage pipes and the chapel’s foundation. Adjusting the depth of the foundation required an engineer’s input and paperwork that needed Greenfield’s attention.
That’s all been taken care of. Let’s face it, if you’re going to find a problem, it’s a good thing to have it happen on day one and not further along in the construction process. (Fortunately, the required changes were not of the kind requiring county approval.)
Chapel Start
October 9, 2024
Together We Advance!
It’s happening! Finally!!! Just before dawn on Friday, October 4th, construction actually began on our brand new Greenfield Chapel. October 4th just happens to be the feast day of St. Francis. Somehow that seems fitting.
All it took to get things underway was a couple of dry days in a row. Then, heavy equipment rumbled up the lane and workers started digging.
A Very Special Hole in the Ground
At this point they’re digging what looks like a basic hole in the ground. Don’t be fooled, however. This dig entails precisely engineered measurements, and it’s going to take several days.
Our chapel is being built on a hill. So of course that means workers will need to cut into the hill at just the right angle so the foundation and the floors above will be perfectly level. Eye-balling it won’t do; they’ll need the help of lasers and engineers to get that hole done just right.
Before the foundation gets poured, workers are also digging deep holes for the footings. Footings (also called footers) are poured concrete structures, sometimes including rebar, that support the foundation itself, while the foundation supports the building above.
A whole lot of digging and measuring needs to take place before the foundation and footings are poured and actual components of the building itself make an appearance. We’ll keep you posted, every step of the way. We have created a timelapse video of the work done on the first day, October 4, 2024, compressing eight hours into a two-minute video on YouTube. When you get there, read the text below the video for more details. Our plan is to have timelapse videos each week for the duration of the project.
Stay Tuned for Regular Updates
Bottom line: How long will it be before we get to meditate in our new chapel?
Builders envision completion as soon as September 2025. But that will depend on things like availability of machinery and work crews, not to mention the weather. Significant snow could slow things down significantly. And, of course, there are multiple inspections as each phase is completed. (Alas, we know from experience how long the approval process can take.)
In coming weeks, we aim to provide regular progress reports, along with lots of pictures. In the meantime, life goes on at Greenfield. As always, there’s a lot happening:
Regional Retreat Draws Devotees From Afar
The last weekend in September was a busy one for Greenfield: On the 26th, commemorative service for Lahiri Mahasaya’s mahasamadhi; from Sept. 27 to 29, a retreat that drew more than 70 devotees from 10 different states; then, on Sept. 30, a commemorative service for Lahiri Mahasaya’s birthday.
Now ask yourself: Do you think maybe the nuns who reside in the ashram at Greenfield and the many dedicated volunteers who serve at Greenfield were busy that weekend?
The answer, of course, is YES!
Serving Master’s Family
All of these events were held at the nearby 4-H Center. Let’s take just a moment to acknowledge and appreciate all the behind-the-scenes work (guru seva) that goes into preparing for and conducting multiple events over a five-day period.
Greenfield was honored to host and house the two SRF and YSS monks who conducted the retreats and commemorative services—Brother Jitananda and Brahmachari Bhaskarananda.
Breakfasts and lunches provided for retreatants were prepared at Greenfield, delivered to the 4-H Center, and served by nuns who live at Greenfield, assisted by women on work retreat at Greenfield.
A team of volunteers—local devotees along with some who drove in from a distance to help out—set up the altar, arranged seating, managed parking, set up and took care of audio-visuals, handled registration, answered questions and generally met the needs of retreatants. Then, they cleaned up afterwards.
Sacred Silence, Precious Time
As always taking the time to mediate together and focus on deepening our understanding of Master’s teachings refreshes the spirit. As Brother Jitananda said: “We retreat in order to advance.”
Here are two photos of the dig, plus if you missed it above, the link to the timelapse video:
Here is a selection of pictures taken during the retreat:
Guru Seva at Greenfield
October 2, 2024
What’s it like to participate in a work party at Greenfield?
One recent sunny Saturday morning found a woman on her knees in front of the ashram practicing the presence of God. She also happened to be pulling weeds.
Not too far away, a group of men was busy applying stain to a newly constructed wooden bridge. Other devotees were planting flowers, weeding, cleaning furniture, preparing food items for an upcoming retreat, ironing table clothes etc.
Tasks for All Levels
Obviously, joining a work party involves, well…work. And sometimes it’s hard work. Assigned tasks might include such things as picking up fallen tree branches and putting them through a wood chipper, hauling lawn furniture into the barn for winter storage, planting trees and flowers.
Actually, there are a wide variety of tasks available for every degree of skill and physical ability. You could find yourself polishing little brass items or doing needlework.
However, while we work for a couple of hours, our gathering is not just about the tasks at hand. Along with the labor, a work party at Greenfield comes with not-so-hidden benefits of guru seva and spending time with other members of Paramahansaji’s extended family.
Enjoying Spiritual Fellowship
Greenfield work parties always begin with a period of meditation. In a lot of ways that’s the highlight of the day. A few dozen devotees gather outdoors behind the ashram. We sit in silence, punctuated by the sweet sound of bird song. The meditation was brief, but in that sacred atmosphere it feeds the soul.
Then we scatter to our assigned tasks. After a couple hours’ work, we gather again, this time on the front porch, for pizza, salad, dessert…and fellowship. (Remember, the “F” in SRF stands for “fellowship.”)
We take full advantage of this opportunity to spend time with friends and also to meet new people (potentially, new spiritual friends).
How to Join a Work Party
Greenfield hosts a couple of work parties every year, typically about a week before a scheduled retreat. Our most recent work party (Sept. 21) helped spruce up Greenfield’s grounds before the retreat that was held Sept. 27-29. That retreat will be the subject of our next Greenfield’s Journey entry.
Work parties are included in our online schedule. Remember, you need to sign up ahead of time if you want to join in the fun and fellowship. Then, just show up on time with willing spirit and get to work!
Hallelujah!
September 25, 2024
At long last, construction of the Greenfield Chapel is underway. Almost…
Why “almost”? The good news—the really good news—is that final approval for construction to get underway came through. We’re talking about the long-awaited, eagerly-anticipated official thumbs up from the county. Finally!
Once that approval arrived, however, county government then required that work crews draw lines on the ground showing where exactly the building was going to go.
Then, those lines needed to be inspected and approved. And then requirements called for fences and dams to control water and silt be installed. That’s been done. And then… It rained.
New Beginnings
So any day now—and it may even be underway as you read this—we can expect heavy pieces of equipment, construction noise, and work crews to invade the sacred silence of Greenfield for months to come. And that, dear devotees, is a beautiful thing.
Our beautiful new Greenfield Chapel will soon provide a place for us to join together in love and devotion, to fill with our sacred vibrations that come from serving and meditating together—a place where we can receive and radiate blessings for each and for our surrounding community.
While we wait, there is something tangible that you can do: Please use the noise and disruption that come with a major construction project as a sacred reminder. Let every time you hear construction noise, or face a challenge driving in or out of Greenfield because of construction work, serve as a reminder to pray for the safety of the workers. Pray for the skill and efficiency of the work crews. And pray for all of those devotees who will visit Greenfield Chapel on onto the future.
Keeping You Posted
Greenfield’s Journey will endeavor in the months to come to keep you updated on progress in building the chapel, in both words and pictures. Lots of pictures!
In the meantime, life and work at Greenfield goes on. In coming months we’ll also keep you updated and informed about other happenings at Greenfield.
As always, we deeply appreciate your prayers and support. If you are able and would like to donate to Greenfield’s building fund, please click here.
Retreating into Sacred Silence
September 4, 2024
“Through the voice of silence and peace God tries to speak to all His children in response to their prayers… The Sustainer of the universe is knocking at the gate of your heart trying to walk in through the portals of silence and create within you a garden of happiness filled with roses of immortal qualities.” —Paramahansa Yogananda
Silence—sacred, soft, soothing—lies at the heart of meditation.
When we meditate alone, inner silence serves as a portal to ever deeper calmness and sweet peace.
The Power of Shared Silence
What happens when we meditate in silence with other devotees? We support and sustain each other’s efforts. That’s exactly the intention of going on retreat. Along with an opportunity to escape for a time the stress and routine of daily duties, even a brief retreat provides much needed time to refocus and renew our spiritual practice.
Take Greenfield’s recent one day silent retreat for women as an example. August 24 was a perfect summer day, sunny but not too hot. We started the day with energization outdoors.
Then we meditated for the rest of the morning, just a couple dozen women, with Sister Brahmani offering brief words of encouragement and inspiration from Paramahansaji’s teachings. We chanted. We meditated. We chanted. We mediated some more, diving ever deeper and sweeter.
There’s something about meditating with other devotees that helps each of us. Through our mutual exchange of vibrations, we reinforce each other’s efforts.
After meditation we enjoyed a brief pre-lunch break, an opportunity to spend private time on the beautiful rural grounds at the Front Royal 4-H Center. Several women headed out for a walk to get in some exercise. One woman spread a blanket on the lawn to do hatha yoga postures. Others pulled out their SRF Lessons and settled in for some study time.
After lunch we took in a film of the 50th Anniversary of the dedication of Lake Shrine in Los Angeles. That featured brief talks by six monastics who were direct disciples of our revered Gurudev.
The day closed with energization exercises and a brief meditation.
It was just one sweet day, but what a treat—a Greenfield retreat feels like a sacred gift to oneself.
Greenfield Offers Regular Retreats
Upcoming Greenfield retreats include:
Sept. 27-29 — A 3-day retreat for both men and women.
Oct. 11-13 — A 3-day kriyaban retreat for women. This retreat is already filled. However, it is still possible to get on the waiting list.
For details about these retreats and general information about Greenfield retreats, please click on the retreat button at the top of this website.