Many spiritual groups within the world server network are going through transition of one sort or another. In some cases working from a strong and relevant purpose that just needs to be ‘refreshed’ to be fully fit for this stage of the planetary work, in other cases needing to do a full deep review that involves a far more substantial level of transformation and change. Regardless of the scale of transformation the work is profound and demands a lot of each group as it works to expand its own field of consciousness, as well as its function within the larger unified field.

Sundial House Group for Creative Meditation (SDH) is one such group that is working through a deepening and re-presentation of its purpose to ensure the next level of alignment with its own essential seed and with the wider needs of the Planet.

SDH was founded by Roberto Assagioli, Michal Eastcott and Nancy Magor in the UK responding to the call by Tibetan Teacher and Master Djwhal Khul for the formation of a worldwide Creative Meditation Group and practise to be established as part of the global service work and as the spiritual transformational companion to psychosynthesis.

SDH, like any group, has over the past 72 years since it was first established, been through a number of transitions including the transition catalysed by the death of the founders several decades ago, which of course led to the need for a new focalising presence – the current and longstanding Head of SDH, Janet Derwent.

Such transitions bring change and upheaval on so many levels. The personal of course, for those who are at the centre and being asked, or we might say called, to assume a position of greater leadership. The group members that are called to support the transition and simultaneously establish new roles and responsibilities in the next generation of group life. And the organism itself which is a living, dynamic entity that requires nourishment, sustenance and loving energy notwithstanding the changes and sometimes, turmoil of transition.

Transitions can come in many forms and can be prompted by many things. The shifts that are going on at a global level as we enter steadily and more fully under the influence of Aquarius are causing most groups and institutions to evaluate their contribution to the planetary task. It is precisely this call that recently activated a process of deep inner work within SDH and as part of that prompted the SDH Trustees to undertake a spiritual pilgrimage to the Planetary Centre of New York.

This might seem like an unusual destination but was sparked by a sense that the work of SDH would be aided by some time spent at the Roerich Museum in New York. Before we knew it, the 9-day journey included a visit up to New Hampshire where one of our founding co-workers established the Hill Centre, a meeting with the Lucis Trust, quite naturally given the deep connection between our organisations, a meeting with a group of US based co-workers from other groups and more besides. The treasures were rich, diverse and endless throughout the journey. Treasures that we are still harvesting and whose significance we are still understanding.

As with all things, the impacts reveal themselves in keeping with the readiness of the group consciousness. One of the key things though that was immediately clear was that as well as the transformations going on within individual groups, all groups are being called to consider inter-group work in new ways. The commitment to spending time with each other in person has changed for many reasons. In the 1950’s when SDH was being established and then up and running, Roberto Assagioli would spend 6 weeks at a time physically at SDH in the UK every year, working with co-workers and offering schools. Today, following the pandemic, a greater awareness of environmental impacts and the advances in technology, we all think more deeply about the impacts of travel when weighed against the value of in person connection.

It was extremely clear from our in-person pilgrimage however that there is huge value in face to face meetings with key co-workers. Whilst not needed every week or even every year, these in person connections enable not only the exchange of ideas and insights but extremely importantly, an energetic exchange. This deep contact signals a level of intention and service that goes beyond the online environment. Yes, Zoom meetings are powerful and group fields and group consciousness can be developed regardless of the in person contact.

And yet, something else happens when people actually gather in person. There is an alchemy that can take place that is more intimate, spontaneous, situational and emergent. The texture of the physical environment, nature and ‘movement’ coupled with the sacred energy located within the physical centres themselves brings ingredients that are less easy to access online.

It became increasingly clear to us that whilst for SDH inter-group work wasn’t the primary focus of our decision to undertake our journey, it has become a more important factor in our emerging understanding of how we as a planetary group needed to step fully up and into the next chapter in group and inter group cooperation.

This field of inter-group work is an emerging one and one that has seen many important experiments over the past few decades and foundations laid as a result. There is more though to be considered and explored in this next chapter.

SDH Trustees

(Janet Derwent/Lorraine Flower/Mayte Gomez)