Surely the most spiritual experience I am fortunate enough to participate in regularly is done from the chair in which I am writing this. I have positioned my computer station in a corner of my living room with myself next to a window from which I have removed the screen. I open the window fully and hike up the blinds during the day, and sometimes at night. From my favorite spot I watch as the shadows and colors in the yard change with the turning of the planet, and the atmospheric conditions. I listen to the wind and the sounds of birds and neighbors. I watch as rabbits forage, and play, chasing and jumping with each other. I see the birds that come to visit and loiter or pick at seeds and bath themselves in the sand. I watch lizards scurry from one bush to another, sometimes pausing to soak in the sun. I witness the adult quail leisurely leading their procession of almost intolerably cute chicks across the desert plane. Sometimes the smell of Sonoran flowers glides in through the window. The road runner inspects things and poses its tail and head plume with snake like precision. My old dog Solstice hangs off the edge of the porch taking in the beauty as well, occasionally coming to my window to check in, give a smile, and get a little affection. The critters don't mind her, or each other for that matter. They casually pass each other on their way to wherever they are going. A pigeon who allowed me to take some blurry close up pictures of it nested about ten yards from my window, but has now moved on. The humming bird who licks at the nectar of the desert flowers I wonder at has nested at the place where my porch swing chain meets the porch roof. I can walk over to my kitchen window for a close up view of its child and watch as the adult regurgitates nutrition and injects it with a tongue  which appears to be as long as its body. The humming bird hovers outside my window and chirps while it looks at me. They have been using that same small nest for years now. I wonder if they are the same descendants of the original creators? Some large paper wasps have built a small hive just above my front door. They don't seem to be irritated by my walking past, though they may become more aggressive as their larvae approach maturity. Little moths and bugs unknown to me flutter in and sometimes land on my hands and arms giving me a brief close look at their intricate bodies. Spiders come and go. Ants steadily clean up the little things I am not thorough enough to  do myself. Flies buzz and tickle my skin and I shoo them off hardly perturbed. I am calm, relaxed, and in love.


Blessings,


C.W. Arvidson

Yesterday I attended a meeting and discussion group with representatives of the Eckankar religion. The facilitators of this meeting were pleasant and friendly people who shared their message casually and courteously. Half way through the meeting however two new individuals joined our small group of seven, one of which seemed to have arrived for the purpose of philosophical debate intended to discredit the Eckankar religion. This individual is well entitled to his opinions, however his persistent verbosity ended the process of group discussion and interrupted the explanations of Eckankar dogma as he demanded that the unexplainable be explained. The session quickly regressed into semantic rhetoric, though the facilitator was polite and patient. Perhaps this made the disrupter feel intelligent, but it is no huge intellectual feat to point out that religion is often silly, or to reveal that it does not follow the limited linear logic of the scientific process. This much is obvious thank you. This person showed himself to be the one demanding that others see the world as he, instead of the religious representative he tried so clumsily to debunk. People drove miles to discuss, while this one strolled in late looking stoned and disheveled to argue... What a jerk.


Blessings,


C.W. Arvidson  

Yesterday I attended alone a "Study Group" at a certain Tucson place of worship that will remain unnamed, as I do not care to disrespect though association the entire institution. In this room of eight people I experienced a wonderful display of brash condescension, and surely unenlightened oral broadcast. The person leading the study group mumbled quickly and inarticulately through the very Holy Book which we had assembled to study, skipping entire phrases as they went, finally slowing to a natural pace at the end of each verse to give their own watered down, yet arrogant interpretation of the teaching through vulgar analogies best suited for someone with an eight year old's understanding of the world. Though not a Christian representative, this person exhibited the same hostile, vainglorious demeanor of a cliche-hellfire and brimstone televangelist, all while assuring us of their knowledge on the way to happiness. When a question was finally asked after the evening's section of the book was "read" to us, this person quickly spoke over the visitor before they could complete their question, seemingly to address their inquiry, but in no way making a relative statement. I went to learn what the beliefs of this group were, but instead I met someone who presumed to tell me what I should believe. It is people like that who make people like me not want to go to churches. (On a side note, I was a bit entertained to hear one of the other attendees state, and I paraphrase "Knowledge has to be handed to you, you can't just sit at home, and come up with answers in your head!" Well, maybe that person had never succeeded in it, but I've heard of this mystical, Herculean feat being accomplished by others. They call it thinking.)  A bit unfortunate, yet comical in retrospect, the experience was disappointing, uninformative, and generally unpleasant, but it was not a waste, for it gives me the opportunity to tell you dear readers that unequivocally: JANUTICA IS NOT THAT!!! 

Blessings,


C.W. Arvidson

Yesterday myself and a friend visited The ISKCON temple in Tucson Arizona and attended their Sunday service. It was a beautiful time with a group of lovely people. As Seekers of wisdom, we work to understand our fellow spiritual beings, this means the study and participation in experiences available to us. Contact us if you are interested in joining us on one of our outings!

To satisfy any entity interested in the use of the terminology "church" being utilized by The Janutica Foundation, here is our response to the 14 point system used by the United States Internal Revenue Service to determine whether a group exists as a church or not. Not every point is needed to be met to qualify as a church, this is rather a guide of general definition. 



1. Distinct legal existence
We are yet to posses the 501c3 IRS status, however it is first and foremost in our list of priorities of how to spend money collected.


2. Recognized creed and form of worship
Our creed can be simplified to the phrase: “Honor The Self” The complete meaning and understanding of this phrase can only be grasped through a thorough study of our literature. Our form of worship is fourfold: Study, Meditation, Discussion, and Action.
 
3. Definite and distinct ecclesiastical government
An active member may progresses as: 1)Member 2)Neophyte 3)Priest 4)High Minister 


4. Formal code of doctrine and discipline
Our doctrine is extensive, including the ideas of many historic figures. Our discipline is for each individual to follow their personal virtues.


5. Distinct religious history
Our history can be traced to ancient mysticism and occult philosophy.


6. Membership not associated with any other church or denomination
Our members are not denied or dissuaded from affiliation with other churches or denominations, however the priesthood is required to make Janutica their main method of spiritual pursuit.
 
7. Organization of ordained ministers
Presently, membership in Janutica is small. Our founder and president Rev. C.W. Arvidson is a legally ordained minister.


8. Ordained ministers selected after completing prescribed courses of studies
Ordainment in Janutica comes only after passing through the ranks of member, neophyte, and priest. Prescribed courses of study are required, however do not guarantee advancement. Promotion decisions are made by church ministers and are based on merit.


9. Literature of its own
We utilize The Tritameron by C.W. Arvidson as our holy book of literature


10. Established places of worship
We currently have a single place of worship known only to initiates.


11. Regular congregations
Our congregation currently consists of a few committed individuals who meet to hold religious services.


12. Regular religious services
Our religious services are held on Saturdays.


13. Sunday schools for religious instruction of the young
A separate group will be made available for young children to learn the most simple of teachings from Janutica while being guided by one of the congregation members.


14. Schools for preparation of its ministers 
No formal schools are yet functioning as a result of lack of funding and resources, however informal instruction is available by contacting The Janutica Foundation. 

As is to be expected in any enterprise worth perusing, many obstacles arise. Many authoritative bodies will want to stick their fingers into the business at hand in an attempt to benefit themselves, hinder progress, or because some larger, more powerful entity forces them to do such in order to remain in action themselves. Recently, The Janutica Foundation has been forced to censor and adjust the presentation of its website to be able to participate in the activity of online financial transactions. Money is all powerful in these types of matters, and we having none are at the mercy of the system we are attempting to operate in. When the day comes that our foundation can afford to hire lawyers to protect us from the law, our voice shall be heard much clearer. Until that day, we do what we must to exist within the laws made by those with money, to rule over those without money. 

Hello all. It is a very exciting time for us here at the Janutica Foundation. We are currently in the process of organizing public book readings, collecting funds, and spreading our name. It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself, My name is Chase Freedom Rodriguez, I am the vice president of the foundation and am very excited that the foundation is taking off. The president and I have long dreamed about starting a great organization and now we are doing it! We are working hard to gain more members and we are growing everyday. The foundation already has two home offices in two different states, one of them is in Tuscon, Arizona and the other in Los Angeles, California and we only plan on getting bigger. We are also in the process of planning some public book readings, dates will be made public as soon as they are definite. Thank you all for your support and peace be with you. 


Thank You,
Chase Freedom Rodriguez
Vice President

05/01/2010

The Janutica Foundation presently has possession of an acre of land in Tucson Arizona suitable for building a sizeable facility. We intend that this land be developed and built up by members and volunteers utilizing the environmentally/energy friendly technique of cob building, a material consisting of sand, clay and straw. Participants will receive hands on training in this interesting and therapeutic practice which they can utilize to build their own homes, or to teach others. After securing legal 501c3 status, and paying for the administrative costs of the foundation, we will use our funding to supply building materials for the construction project, and to provide meals to our participants.  

Thank You,
The Janutica Foundation