{"id":112881,"date":"2026-07-08T16:36:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T23:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.msia.org\/newdayherald\/?p=112881"},"modified":"2026-07-08T16:40:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T23:40:02","slug":"the-inspiration-of-pts-graduation-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.msia.org\/newdayherald\/archives\/112881-the-inspiration-of-pts-graduation-2026","title":{"rendered":"The Inspiration of PTS Graduation 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year\u2019s Peace Theological Seminary graduation was something special and inspiring to witness. There were three<\/em><\/strong> things that really stood out for me, the third<\/em><\/strong> brought me to tears of love, joy and total respect.<\/p>\n

Before we get into that, let\u2019s take a moment to acknowledge Peace Theological Seminary and College of Philosophy (PTS).\u00a0 The intention of PTS is to make the teachings available via experiential learning.\u00a0\u00a0 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.\u00a0 We each have a unique path and the variety of offerings respect this completely.<\/p>\n

The first<\/em> <\/strong>aspect of the graduation was not really the graduation.\u00a0 It was actually the effort, dedication and commitment from those providing the courses.\u00a0 A small team of PTS staff with a large team of volunteers and NOW productions team too, making these courses available.\u00a0 Some volunteers translate, others manage zoom rooms and others diligently carry out tasks we didn\u2019t even know were required \u2013 you know who you are!<\/p>\n

The second<\/em><\/strong> moving aspect of graduation were the faces of those who graduated.\u00a0 Many were online via Zoom, receiving their degrees, with friends and family witnessing their achievements.\u00a0 I spoke to Jennifer Miller who had a 17-year gap between year 1 and year 2 of the Masters in Spiritual Science.\u00a0 Her excitement and joy were palpable and she said, \u201cGraduation itself seems to have wrapped up and completed lots of loose ends preparing me for next steps I never imagined!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 She had three close friends online, only one in MSIA, and said \u201cI felt truly honoured.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Each graduate explored and studied a deeply personal and individual path, while working from the same curriculum.\u00a0 Imagine studying yourself, alongside the Traveller\u2026well that\u2019s absolutely what\u2019s happening.\u00a0 I really enjoyed the acknowledgement of those completing three years of coursework in the first Doctor of Spiritual Science in Transcendent Leadership program.<\/p>\n

The third<\/em><\/strong> and most significant experience for me of the whole graduation was when Penelope Bright was awarded her Doctor of Spiritual Science (DSS), posthumously.\u00a0 Her daughter, Arissa, and husband, Laren, came forward to receive her degree.\u00a0 Her absence in the physical was palpable, yet in Spirit she was with us and we were with her.<\/p>\n

John Morton suddenly started moving as if he was too hot and had to remove some clothing.\u00a0 What happened next was that John removed his DSS ceremonial hood.\u00a0 He then invited Laren to kneel and be hooded, on Penelope\u2019s behalf.\u00a0 This was so moving; I could not speak and the tears flowed.\u00a0 Later, Ellie Gantt said to me, \u201cThis is what the Christ would do.\u201d\u00a0 I felt, in that moment, as if John was washing the feet of each of his flock.\u00a0 As I type this, the pure loving is welling up inside me.\u00a0 Thank you, John for being the Traveller doing what the Traveller does with each of us.\u00a0 I was blown away and at the same time brought straight into the heart of God.<\/p>\n

\"\"Laren Bright receiving the DSS doctoral hood on behalf of his wife Penelope Bright who received the Doctor of Spiritual Science degree posthumously.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

If you are considering a course with PTS, come and talk to one of the team, volunteers or students.\u00a0 Follow your heart and don\u2019t let \u2018old ideas about education\u2019 colour these incredible opportunities to move upwards and expand while you are here on the planet.\u00a0 The loving support is incredible.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Love you Lisa Boone and all your beautiful pictures you add to my home play (homework) notes.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

God bless you, I love you, peace be still.<\/p>\n

Baruch Bashan<\/p>\n

View the Photos by David Sand from PTS Graduation at the Conference of Divine Silence, June 2026<\/h4>\n
\n