Self-Realization Fellowship Centre, Encinitas

This shot is taken at the Self-Realization Fellowship temple at Encinitas. The SRF is an international religious organization founded in 1920 by Paramahansa Yogananda to disseminate the universal teachings of Kriya Yoga, a sacred spiritual science which originated thousands of years ago in India.

The grounds are a tranquil oasis overlooking the Pacific in the suburban landscape along the coast. The grounds are open to the public so we enjoyed some moments contemplation in the cool shade serenaded by the ocean and the babbling of running water. https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2416132485776671056

The day began fairly early looking after Landon while his dad was on a call. We spent quite a time diligently organising, with sound effects, great numbers of toy cars into and out of car transporters and into a multi story garage until it was time for him to go to daycare.

After delivering him and coming back for breakfast we set off to visit the San Diego Botanical Gardens near Encinitas via the inevitable coffee at Peet’s and a made to measure sandwich from Sprouts.

The botanical gardens were interesting, in parts, and also frustrating. The maps were poor as was the signage which was difficult to follow. The cafe, children’s garden, shop and glasshouses were closed. It was a familiar depressing story of habitat loss with little evidence of insect activity and few birds even in the native garden areas.

The worst part of the whole visit was the intervention of the phone between you and nature. As there were no paper maps you were continually having to refer to a photo on your phone to try and follow a poor map in bright sunshine. I had a more positive view of the place in June 2019: https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2587178964002801099

There was also an art installation called “See the Invisible” which necessitated downloading an app and stopping at various places around the gardens to “see” these virtual installations imposed on the the natural vegetation.

There’s so much wrong with the concept. Renowned as the artists might be why superimpose a virtual image on something beautiful and put the camera between you and the world?

It was good to spend a little time afterwards in Encinitas visiting the self realisation fellowship gardens.

The day rounded off well with a barbecue in the subdivision’s pool area in the setting sun. What splendid facilities they have (Extra). We enjoyed a competitive game of table tennis as well.

The other extra is of a Sapphire Tower spike with impressively coloured flowers. These bromeliads of the pineapple family are native to high mountain deserts of Chile so are not entirely out of place in the maritime desert of Southern California.

The weather continues to be fabulous. Warm sun, blue skies, cool breeze and low humidity.