The fundamental purpose of true art is ecstasy.
You have stumbled out of the ordinary to here……Welcome to an uncommon intersection of spirit, art and nature.
Great Swan Peace Cathedral is a “Living Temple”. It is Sacred Space, all inclusive, non sectarian, and devoted to serving World Peace. Great Swan is the crowning splendor on Dandelion Ballad “A Song to the Heart of All”.
Come and savor here what is beyond words.
Explore the art walks of Dandelion Ballad, laden with creative beauty and serenity, that settles like mist in the valleys, amid the trees and trails. Feel the permeation of stillness that draws the mind to relax its clench and the heart to unfurl it’s lotus petals on the water of life, the living consciousness of all beings. Ecstasy awaits you.
Great Swan Peace Cathedral, a 501c3 organization, is on Dandelion Ballad, a semi-remote nature preserve, 10 miles East of Lower Lake, California.
Here’s a little news clip on Great Swan Peace Cathedral…The story is not really correct. If you want the real story, see Great Swan Memoir on this site. Scroll down to Vision and Spoken Words.
“This is a work of genius” Gary Coates, (retired distinguished Professor of Architecture, University of Kansas, author of books on Sacred Art and Architecture.)
“I have watched with awe and delight the creative and spiritual journey of Candace Stolley and her collaborators over the last 2 decades. Equal parts organic farm, art garden, and divine sanctuary, Dandelion Ballad will enchant and inspire visitors of all beliefs. Dandelion showcases Candace’s elaborate metalwork, with gates, gazebos and sculptures set along winding pathways radiating from a domed temple adorned with intricate spires. Reminiscent of the renowned Watts towers of LA, Dandelion Ballad and Great Swan Peace Cathedral is similarly the result of creative effort, long sustained, in which individual works merge into a creation that is at once sculpture, architecture, and landscape design. Whether you view Great Swan as folk-art or as a divine cathedral, it is worth a visit to this place that deserves to become part of the cultural heritage of the world”. Paul Aigner (manager of UC Davis McGlaflan Reserve)
Consider a Sojourn or Pilgrimage to Dandelion Ballad and Great Swan Peace Cathedral. All options to come to Great Swan and Dandelion are by appointment only and are not private unless booked with us as private. We offer 3 hour and 2 hour Sojourns and Pilgrimages of the Heart. (We are unable to accommodate drop in visitors)
On a 3 hour Sojourn, you will enjoy time to explore this completely unique land of beauty and peace, hearing its history stories and interacting with the creative source, Candace Stolley. You will meander the art adorned trails, contemplate in Great Swam, a non sectarian temple, and enjoy a home made gourmet meal while sharing the experiences of others and what is meaningful to you.
A two hour Sojourn is nearly the same as above, but without a meal and less time. You you are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy by Lake of Dreams on Dandelion Ballad to explore our art trails and Great Swan.
Contact: Candace Stolley or Bruce Kristal
swantemple108@gmail.com
Peace Temple Pilgrimages are also available..
A pilgrimage is a time for deep self-refreshment and self reflection, enjoying the nurturing peace and beauty of Dandelion Ballad and Great Swan Peace Cathedral which is inherently suited to this purpose. The pilgrimages we offer are simple and focus on serving your contemplation here in support of your personal processes using Great Swan Peace Cathedral and the peaceful, art adorned trails of Dandelion Ballad. Consider a Peace Temple Pilgrimage as a mini-retreat.
Encounter Themes we personally explore:
Cultivating and Sharing natural ecstasy
Making inner and outer Peace
Contemplating the human experience
Paradoxes of Reality
Inherent depth of being and happiness
Tangible expressions of what is unspeakable
Living one’s highest understandings
Meaningfulness, making life meaningful…….
Great Swan and Dandelion Ballad are a gift to the heart of all, intended to uplift, inspire peace and help for a world in need. Great Swan is the culminating gift to the world on Dandelion Ballad and is the result of uncountable volunteer hands that helped make Dandelion and Great Swan possible.
Volunteer help is welcome! Volunteering is what was anciently known as “karma yoga”. Doing good for others and the world, was in by-gone eras observed to positively alter one’s karmic patterning and destiny. Even beyond higher motivations, help engenders heart gratitude, kind feelings and high regard. Help with your SKILLS and energy: Be part of the team for a day or more. Many skills are needed: tech skills, light carpentry, landscaping, house painting, etc, etc,
Great Swan Peace Contributions: Can you imagine a world where everyone shared their talents to uplift others? How much happiness and peace would result! You may share with us in our efforts to uplift, and inspire Peace. Join us by making your personal gift or performing art a Peace Contribution. Be videoed in front of Great Swan making your offering. Your gift of talent will be a statement to the world about serving PEACE.and will inspire others. Be part of a Peace Contribution performance event on stage in front of Great Swan Peace Cathedral, or possibly inside: Elegant dress and creative consumes, advised. Your contribution will enhance our website and videos, helping us to build the spirit of serving PEACE, unity, and the highest good of all.
We welcome poets, actors, ballet and other dancers, orators, stilt walkers, arial performers, singers, musicians, TED talk style speakers on peace + related subjects. Share beauty, enjoyment and inspiration in the name and spirit of unity and PEACE. Help us create Black Tie cultural events to draw the attention and positive action of the peace brokers of the world. Let’s invoke and cultivate PEACE together!
If you are interested in volunteering or being a Peace Contribution participant, please email us. If you would like to be on our email list to be notified of upcoming events, please email us.
Contact us: swantemple108@gmail.com
What visitors are saying:
“Ultimately, the right and true role of artists is to discover and practice a higher and truly great purpose in their art— by discovering how their art can be ecstatic, even in the Spiritual sense, and how their art can serve participation in Beauty Itself, and Reality Itself, even in all who attend it.” Adi Da Samraj
The architectural marvel, sculptures, and other creations on Dandelion Ballad stand as a vibrant embodiment of the “ecstatic” and “spiritual” art described in the aforementioned quote. Candace Stolley’s artwork is a passionate manifestation of her heart response to divine gifts she has received in her life.
I would unequivocally endorse a pilgrimage journey of a kind to the Peace Cathedral on Dandelion Ballad. I envision everyone, whether an art lover, spiritual seeker, or otherwise, acknowledging that the experience is entirely worthwhile, as it has been for me. I am confident that other visitors will gladly undertake the journey again to introduce their friends, as I have, to this truly unique place…a” Gift to the Heart of all” Saleen Hinds
“Great Swan Peace Cathedral clearly expresses love for the divine. The temple space has a tangible feeling of love, the creative force behind art. I felt huge waves of divine energy wash over me many times throughout my visit there. This sacred space brings the heartfelt grace of the beloved.”. Art Gaia Frazee
“Visiting Great Swan Peace Cathedral today was an amazing experience! The beauty of the land, combined with the absolutely stunning art work of Candice, created a sphere of pure delight and feast for the eyes and heart. The temple is a masterpiece and a place of peace, joy and delight. Visiting the Great Swan Peace Cathedral is something I will never forget.” Xandra Yssennagger
swantemple108@gmail.com