ATALANTA ASSOCIATION, THEN AND NOW
by Marcella Lunt, board member
www.atalanta.org
The birth of Atalanta came to my mother, Joanna Dokson, through a series of receiving’s during a
Ramadan fast in 1974. In these experiences she saw people of many generations and cultures
working together. On the first night she was shown a mountain range and told to remember it and
find it.
This is the abbreviated version of the story. My mother, Joanna, tells a much more detailed and
poetic version and I highly recommend that you ask her to share it with you if you get the chance.
My purpose here is to share both the story and status of Atalanta with Subud and the world.
Continuing, she identified the mountains years later as the Sangre De Cristo Mountains from a
picture in National Geographic. Years after that, she learned of an organization that gave land
grants to spiritual and environmental groups. Jumping forward again - after a series of meetings,
latihans, and testing - forty-four acres in the high mountain San Luis Valley were granted to SICA for
the project. Ibu Rahayu gave the name “Atalanta” with the meaning “Learning to live with personal
responsibility, in peace and harmony with all creation.” When the Atalanta Association was granted
non-profit status the title was transferred from SICA to Atalanta. Because the visions that gave birth
to Atalanta were clear that it was to serve the world community, not only Subud, it was accepted
that Atalanta was not solely a “Subud Project," but a project started by Subud members.
In the beginning there was great enthusiasm. Subud members from around the world attended the
ground blessing ceremony in 1994 along with many people from local spiritual groups. In the first
few years workshops for alternative building and permaculture gardening were held. A strawbale
garden shed and greenhouse were built, a well was drilled, and a solar pump installed to water the
fenced one acre cooperative garden. This was funded through grants and donations as well as
membership fees for the garden. Over the years there have been many programs and workshops
run with and by Atalanta, including the Atalanta Cooperative Garden which has had many
successful years. In 2003 the 2nd International Varindra T. Vittachi Conference on Educating for a
Human Future brought together young people from around the world. The theme of the conference
was “Learning to Live a Personally Sustainable Life,” and the “glorietta,” an open gathering
structure, was built by participants.
As is typical of most organic inhabitants of the desert, Atalanta has been slowly establishing its
roots and foundations, battling drought, sun, wind, cold as well as human obstacles. In addition to
the successful programs, Atalanta has obtained new access to the land, making it more convenient
and shortening the drive significantly. Recent renegotiations with Manitou Foundation, the land
grantor, have solidified Atalanta's presence in the community and helped Atalanta move forward
with simplified land use guidelines.
From the first brain storming, latihan, and testing - long before I became involved with Atalanta - it
was part of the plan to have a designated Latihan Hall/Subud House on the Atalanta land. It has
always been apparent to the Subud members closely involved with Atalanta that having the latihan
and Subud on the property is an integral part of Atalanta. I would like to note that space on the land
has been located and reserved for a future Latihan Hall/Subud House, and it is my feeling that this
building - whether a national, regional or local Subud building - is essential to fulfill the full mission
of Atalanta.
Atalanta is important to the community, to Subud and to the world. Here we are, at a crossroad,
with this land, this project and these receivings. What do we do next?
I invite you to email any of us with questions, thoughts or ideas. Think about your relationship with
Atalanta, and if you feel so moved, test about your relationship or about Atalanta’s role in the
world.
We would like to extend an invitation to all Subud members who would like to visit Atalanta after
the National Gathering in Albuquerque. There will be volunteer opportunities and accommodations
for volunteers, including rooming or camping at the Baca Grande Stables or on the Atalanta
property.
Last but not least, thank you to all the people whose hard work, blood, sweat, tears, laughter and
money have brought Atalanta this far. You know who you are - thank you, thank you.
Contacts:
Joanna Dokson: ....... [email protected]
Marcella Lunt: ......... [email protected]
Lucien Pevec: ........... [email protected]
Atalanta Association, P.O. Box 105, Crestone, CO 81131
Atalanta welcomes tax deductible donations.