Last summer I was enjoying all of my MSIA involvement and yet I felt hungry for something bigger, that I could really get me teeth into.\u00a0 I knew I wanted more tools and some structure that would hold all my different learnings together, enabling me to integrate Spirit into my daily life.\u00a0 With that in mind I considered different offerings but struggled with dates and timings.\u00a0 Then, behold, Peace Theological Seminary and College of Philosophy (PTS), announced a Masters in Spiritual Science Self-Pace Course, the first ever.<\/p>\n
Previously, I\u2019ve struggled with weekend workshops online, as I live in England with an 8 hour time difference.\u00a0 This means I can start Saturday morning with everyone, miss the afternoon or stay up all night, then on the Sunday I am either out of sink with the programme or too tired to stay awake.\u00a0 So, for me the self-pace meant I could work in my normal waking hours at my own pace.<\/p>\n
For me personally, this format was brilliant, as it enabled me to dedicate the equivalent of Friday evening to Sunday, over a few days.\u00a0 Looking back at the year I have been reflecting on the value and changes I have made and wanted to share these in a Q&A style for anyone considering this course.<\/p>\n
Q: Why MSS now?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: It felt like the time was right for next steps.\u00a0 Spirit literally blocked me doing several other courses by ensuring I couldn\u2019t attend the dates. Then, as it was offered, everything came together, so I knew it was right for me at that time.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Q: Why Self-pace?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n A: Time zones make online quite hard for me and disruptive to homelife.\u00a0 My relationship with Spirit is very private, so the self-pace gave me both privacy to attend at<\/p>\n the best time and intimacy with all the exercises (I will explain more about that in a couple of questions time).\u00a0 The course is a 9 month commitment providing me both freedom and structure.\u00a0 Apart from a couple of months at the start, I was able to complete the online part in the first 7-10 days of each month, which left time to practice and integrate the learnings.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Q: What resources were required?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n A: I have a computer and mobile phone that both gave me access to the materials.\u00a0 I needed privacy and physical space to complete each section (all sections are clearly labelled with durations, so although they vary, I planned what I could do in the time I had available).\u00a0 Where it was important to continue immediately to the next section, the text on screen gave early warnings so I literally added up the timings for the exercises and video durations to plan each session.<\/p>\n I bought a ring binder for the handouts and also worked with some documents online.\u00a0 With some paperwork needing to be referred back to, I would probably opt for printing, but this is a personal thing.\u00a0 Additionally, I had a notebook for exercises and logging my progress through each month.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Q: How do exercises work?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: Very interestingly.\u00a0 I had the thought that this would be the thing I felt I was missing out on. However, it was a beautiful thing between me and Spirit.\u00a0 What would have been paired sharing in the live course was adapted with options.\u00a0 Sometimes I did written answers, allowing my pen to flow, sometimes I spoke out loud and sometimes I used inner dialogue.\u00a0 The variety worked really well.\u00a0 On some occasions where there were two consecutive timed sessions, I would mix and match different approaches.\u00a0 In all cases I got what Spirit wanted met to get, cleared what needed to be cleared and felt lighter afterwards.\u00a0 I was in email communication with a few other participants and although it might be interesting to do an exercise together, we discovered that all exercises were to be done independently under the protection of the Traveller consciousness, which we could sense and were so grateful for.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Q: Did you feel isolated?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: Overall I felt more connected to God\/Spirit, than ever before.\u00a0 I think that doing the self-pace version, for me, was more deeply intimate and there was no-one to jolt me out of my space until I was ready to return to everyday life. \u00a0\u00a0There was a monthly zoom meeting with the Traveller and a course-group sharing, which could be attended live or via recording.\u00a0 I also had amazing support from Readers.\u00a0 The service the Readers provide in witnessing your progress, is very special and helped anchor my learnings on the many levels it occurred.<\/p>\n At the start of the course I found a few things unclear, so I emailed my questions.\u00a0 Unfortunately my emails to PTS were going into SPAM folders so I did feel isolated then.\u00a0 Once I got in contact with them, we could sort things out and I realised how much of this was my old patterns that needed to be cleared.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What I learnt was to be persistent and patient, as the PTS team is small, dedicated and pretty busy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Q: So what\u2019s changed?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: I\u2019m softer, calmer and more relaxed.\u00a0 My inner life is stronger, brighter and much more peaceful.\u00a0 I take better care of myself, I\u2019ve lost some weight and have a better life structure in terms of what\u2019s most important to me now takes priority.\u00a0 I feel much more resourceful as I have a better range of clearing tools and ways to be present.\u00a0 I regularly clear old stuff\/patterns\/karma and on a daily basis clear up after myself so I am generating less karma.\u00a0 My mind is quieter and I have greater clarity.\u00a0 I still react to certain annoying situations but the emotions are less and shorter lived.\u00a0 When I do find myself hanging onto things — like the man this morning at the swimming pool who shoved my face mask out of his way — I still get cross, but I am aware I am still carrying it and after I finish typing this I will do more clearing.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve found easy ways to integrate more spiritual practices. For example, when my lovely husband is snoring, something he is very good at, I pop in my headphones and listen to a meditation.<\/p>\n There are many more changes which I am discovering as I go\u2026.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Q: Did you get anything you weren\u2019t expecting?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: I seem to have a framework for generating change in my life, that includes more than just spiritual development.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been able to bring all aspects of my life onto a simple monitoring page that I\u2019ve added my projects and art work to.\u00a0 When I did the course \u201cWalking in the Light\u201d, which was super, I had my MSS framework to add it in and I\u2019ve integrated those exercises into my daily life, easily and consistently.<\/p>\n I also learnt that when upsets arise, they are mine and that they are for my upliftment.\u00a0 So, though challenging, I\u2019m always looking for the learning\u2026.<\/p>\n Another unexpected learning was a massive shift from frantic, heroic multi-tasking, to doing one thing at a time and completing it.\u00a0 Most satisfying.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Q: Any advice to anyone thinking about doing the self-pace MSS?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: None, I am learning not to give it.\u00a0 (Soooooo hard). You will sense if it feels right to you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Q: What\u2019s next?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: I\u2019ve just been accepted into MSS Self-Pace Year 2 and I am so excited.\u00a0 I know in my heart it\u2019s right for me at this time and have no idea what I will learn.<\/p>\n A huge thank you to all involved directly and indirectly for making this programme available online as a self-pace course.\u00a0 Rather than list names and accidentally leave someone out, I say \u201cthank you from the bottom of my heart.\u201d\u00a0 You know who you are!\u00a0 I love you all.\u00a0 Thank you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Love and light for the highest good of all concerned,<\/p>\n Caroline Khambatta<\/p>\n From across the pond in England!<\/p>\n