This year’s Peace Theological Seminary graduation was something special and inspiring to witness. There were three things that really stood out for me, the third brought me to tears of love, joy and total respect.
Before we get into that, let’s take a moment to acknowledge Peace Theological Seminary and College of Philosophy (PTS). The intention of PTS is to make the teachings available via experiential learning. They provide a wide range of courses, online and in-person retreats, free and paid for, in multiple languages and from short undergraduate workshops through to post graduate doctorate programs over several years. We each have a unique path and the variety of offerings respect this completely.
The first aspect of the graduation was not really the graduation. It was actually the effort, dedication and commitment from those providing the courses. A small team of PTS staff with a large team of volunteers and NOW productions team too, making these courses available. Some volunteers translate, others manage zoom rooms and others diligently carry out tasks we didn’t even know were required – you know who you are!
The second moving aspect of graduation were the faces of those who graduated. Many were online via Zoom, receiving their degrees, with friends and family witnessing their achievements. I spoke to Jennifer Miller who had a 17-year gap between year 1 and year 2 of the Masters in Spiritual Science. Her excitement and joy were palpable and she said, “Graduation itself seems to have wrapped up and completed lots of loose ends preparing me for next steps I never imagined!” She had three close friends online, only one in MSIA, and said “I felt truly honoured.”
Each graduate explored and studied a deeply personal and individual path, while working from the same curriculum. Imagine studying yourself, alongside the Traveller…well that’s absolutely what’s happening. I really enjoyed the acknowledgement of those completing three years of coursework in the first Doctor of Spiritual Science in Transcendent Leadership program.
The third and most significant experience for me of the whole graduation was when Penelope Bright was awarded her Doctor of Spiritual Science (DSS), posthumously. Her daughter, Arissa, and husband, Laren, came forward to receive her degree. Her absence in the physical was palpable, yet in Spirit she was with us and we were with her.
John Morton suddenly started moving as if he was too hot and had to remove some clothing. What happened next was that John removed his DSS ceremonial hood. He then invited Laren to kneel and be hooded, on Penelope’s behalf. This was so moving; I could not speak and the tears flowed. Later, Ellie Gantt said to me, “This is what the Christ would do.” I felt, in that moment, as if John was washing the feet of each of his flock. As I type this, the pure loving is welling up inside me. Thank you, John for being the Traveller doing what the Traveller does with each of us. I was blown away and at the same time brought straight into the heart of God.
Laren Bright receiving the DSS doctoral hood on behalf of his wife Penelope Bright who received the Doctor of Spiritual Science degree posthumously.
If you are considering a course with PTS, come and talk to one of the team, volunteers or students. Follow your heart and don’t let ‘old ideas about education’ colour these incredible opportunities to move upwards and expand while you are here on the planet. The loving support is incredible. I am currently completing year 2 of the Doctor of Spiritual Science and my Reader is an angel who loves me, laughs with me and is my spiritual cheer leader. Love you Lisa Boone and all your beautiful pictures you add to my home play (homework) notes.
By the time I am hooded for my doctoral degree along with many of my fellow students, there will be over 400 graduates of the original Doctor of Spiritual Science. There will be many graduates of the Master of Spiritual Science (MSS), MSS in Transcendent Leadership and MSS in Harmonic Self, along with the first year of the DSS in Transcendent Leadership. I am guessing we, as a collective will be able to bring even more Light, down onto and into this planet earth, for the highest good of all concerned.
God bless you, I love you, peace be still.
Baruch Bashan
View the Photos by David Sand from PTS Graduation at the Conference of Divine Silence, June 2026
Interested in PTS graduate programs? PTS plans to launch the Master of Spiritual Science Year 1 and the Doctor of Spiritual Science Year 1 Recorded Format in September, as well as a DSS Year 3 and a DSS Year 6. Visit the pts.org website for more information on these programs and to apply.
