Conference’s perfect beginning was the Peace Theological Seminary graduation – I know how hard Master of Spiritual Science (MSS) and Doctor of Spiritual Science (DSS) participants have worked as I’ve been through the programs. John-Roger started PTS in 1977. There have been many home classes since then – my husband Guy and I presented some in southern New Mexico in the early 1980’s. In 1993, the MSS began and this year the total is 1903 who have earned the MSS degree. Many students continued their studies in the DSS program and there are now 394 DSS grads. I earned my DSS degree in 2024 at age 80, and this year a gal who is 90 received her DSS degree. This is to encourage those who have not written their Practical Treatise (PT) – there is still time! One of the speakers reminded us that “Spirit is the one doing it,” a phrase we heard frequently during DSS class. At graduation there was also an acknowledgement of the first cohort completing 3 years of coursework in the Transcendent Leadership doctoral program.
My favorite event at this year’s conference was “The Silence of God” 2-day workshop. In other years, there were conferences where I so wished I’d been able to be at Prana in person, but for this Conference of Divine Silence, I was grateful to be home and alone. I felt myself quieting down, easily finding gratitude and acceptance. I felt myself expand in the inner silence like one of those astronomy documentaries illustrating flying out beyond the stars, showing how the universe is expanding.
During the workshop I realized there was a big difference between solitude and silence. The 10% and the 90% again, the physical and the spiritual – solitude and silence. I’m grateful for continued learning of the value of long periods of silence. This was emphasized on the second day when a new Assisted Living resident knocked on my door so I could meet her new dog. Yes, I had forgotten to put out a “do not disturb” sign. Another lesson! I returned to my solitude but only with great effort did I return to inner silence.
In an Assisted Living facility with 150 fellow residents, it is sometimes challenging to have solitude and silence. Conference this year was a rewarding experience of both, and my prayer is to continue finding ways to experience more inner silence.
Sunday was the usual final meetings, but they were even better this year. We learned of several new seminars featured on That Which Is.org. The Minister’s Meeting illustrated our work in the world and acknowledged several who demonstrated outstanding service. The Initiates Meeting brought us back to quiet and deepened our real intention of Soul Transcendence back into the Heart of God.
Again, I am very grateful to MSIA and PTS for Zoom and Livestream so that I can still participate in workshops, classes and events. I’m grateful to NOW Productions and all the volunteers. I feel very blessed to have and understand how to use the technology and look forward to participating in many more conferences.
