What students and alumni say about their experience at Sophia

We come to the Sophia Center from all parts of this country and all over the world to explore together the Universe Story. We gather the ancestral wisdom of diverse cultures and faith traditions, and delve into divine spirit. We engage the creativity of soul, mine the richness of life experience and respond with imagination to the call of our changing times. The Sophia Program has enlarged us and will continue to change our lives in ways we cannot possibly imagine. We are unspeakably grateful.(Graduating Class of 2004)

	At this moment; I describe my Sophia experience as: Powerful, Life Changing, Amazing Synchronicity, Centering Have a Voice and Common Language, Deep and Deeper, Gift. — Madonna D. Lien
	I feel it marking in me. I see it marking in others. The program challenges me to be fully present, in a very supportive environment. It pushes me to think about and consider other aspects of being here as a spiritual being at this time in history. It puts my journey in a larger context. I am glad to be having this opportunity. —Bonnie N. Lawlor
	A blessed opportunity and space to expand my spirit with like-minded travelers, mystics, dreamers and activists. The windows to our calling and passion are opened. —Cathy D. Purcell
	Under the safe umbrella of a Master’s Degree Program, the Sophia Center has given me permission and the time to stop and explore my relationship to the divine and how do I want to be present in the world today. —Leslie Brouillette, RN, PHN
	Sophia, for me, has been a collage of experiences centered on the individual journey. Surrounded by an internations community of seekers, we share our individual stories while enlightening the mind, body and spirit. A strong focus is one our purpose on this earth and in the universe which helps me form a new consciousness. —Tom Christoffer
	A container with space/place for each individual in the universe. Answers are given to the questions that carry us here. But more profound questions emerge to be pondered on, not to be answered. Seeds are planted on adequate ground to enable them to spout. A celebration for being alive and awakening to the necessary engagement in the Great Work. —Costansia Mbogoma, Tanzania
	There is a beautiful song called “A Whole New World” which invites one to journey to a place where your eyes are opened, where you can experience wonder, where you can find a new fantastic point of view. My time in Sophia has taken me deeper into that place of wonder, to be enchanted by the universe story, and the world of holographs, fractals and to find the mysticism in quantum physics. —Carmel Bracken, RSM, Ireland
	Life Changing! I didn't even know what cosmology meant as I started this program. My view of the earth and the cosmos is now wide and inclusive. The classes and course work is not only challenging but fun and creative. I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in expanding their faith and personal world. — Betty Light
	My journey of learning at Sophia Center has provided me with many invitations, most especially an invitation to reflect on my life and become a subject of my own destiny. My journey at Sophia Center included sharing my own story, listening to others’ stories and listening to the human, Earth and universe story. These three stories are intimately interwoven into the fabric of my own personal story. The “fabric” has led me to reclaim the sense of belonging to my place in the universe, where the Earth community as a whole is my home and all beings are one. The universe story has taught me that I am part of and belong to the universe and I am in the center of the universe. —Inhee Kim, South Korea
	A monastery without walls; a place of the spoken story; a place where east meets west; and north meets south; a place where the dark blue thread is woven through a golden tapestry; and wholeness is felt; a gift of soul and spirit. —Jenenne M. Thompson
	At this moment, I describe my Sophia Experience as: A life changing experience. In the Wisdom Circle I experience the connectedness that the Sophia seminars have awakened in me intellectually. My awareness of this connectedness in present in my consciousness throughout each day. Thank you, Universe, for this gift!— Kathleen Ryan-Blaufuss
	It is an enriching experience for me to be exposed to the new idea about cosmology, culture, science and spirituality in a holistic approach. The creative processes are presented in a relaxed manner, so that they help me to discover the creativity inherent inside me. There are courses mentally and academically challenging, making me reflect and think deeply while I learnt through the content of knowledge. I am so much aware of the creative power and energy of the universe. Everything on this Earth and I are all inter-connected and inter-dependent. In the mystery of creation, in the mystery of all life systems and in my own personal history I meet the presence of God. Spirituality has to be lived and grown in an all encompassing and holistic way. The Sophia program has given me a new outlook in life and in the world. The integration has transformed me and gives me greater energy and enthusiasm to live life to its full. —Maria Ng, Singapore
	At Sophia the spiritual unfolding of the heart continues as we deepen our understanding and experience of the ever-larger God who is inviting us to live life to the full. This has been a time of transformation that calls forth: “Cast aside prejudice, open the doors of your soul, heart, body and mind to other perspectives. —Anne Itotia, Kenya
	The Sophia Experience has awakened in me a desire to know my story as I learn the New Story. The Creativity fostered here has expanded my concepts and encouraged me to try new things and explore new mysteries. I have learned so much from my teachers, my classmates and the many experiences that have surrounded my studies. My awakened consciousness to being part of the whole cosmos and seeing Earth as the living organism which is primary and we humans who are secondary has been my own paradigm shift. I now look at nature and all life with new respect. I care much more deeply for creation a d see the Divine in it all. I am so grateful for this experience and for meeting the quality people in the program who will change the world. —Virginia King, OP