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Loyalty To Your Soul

A New Paradigm for Graduate Education

Some 30+ years ago, the University's Founder and Chancellor, John-Roger, said, “When you get a degree from the University of Santa Monica, it won't be because you have passed a prescribed line of curriculum. It will be because you can do what the degree says you can do.”

The Cessation of Againstness

What does that mean? As a grad, to you it means that no matter what the circumstances or situation, your responsibility is to represent the high ground and share from the altitude of loving! It’s a very tall task (pun intended), but someone has to do it, and you have had the training. As Jean Houston remarked at USM’s Graduation in 2000, “If not now, then when? If not you, then who?”

Greater peace in our world is going to come into being one person at a time, and we can all work towards that together. In fact, that is the only way that it is going to happen. Peace has been defined by USM’s Chancellor as “the cessation of againstness.” And following on from that, we issue a heartfelt challenge to all USM Graduates everywhere:

Each day, dare to go inside and find at least one place inside of you where you harbor againstness toward anything. Identify one area in your life where you are condemning someone or something, and right there and then say, “I’m giving that up! I don’t need to hold onto that anymore.”

Align With the Loving Place Inside

In one way or another we are all trying to learn the big lesson of life, which is how to love. We celebrate USM for being courageous enough to get out there with that mission. - Gay & Kathlyn Hendricks

World peace builds each time one of us goes through the process of letting go of a place of againstness that we hold inside of ourselves. This is what you have learned to do through your USM education—and to do it consistently. There is no greater act of loving than to extend this forgiveness to yourself and others. To the extent you are committed to, and aligned with, this process, then each day will be glorious and each day will bring us all closer to peace in our world.

Stay Connected!

Another great way to build peace is to continue to participate. It is no coincidence that the number of USM Graduates who have served for five, ten, and more years is steadily increasing. Through serving at USM, you provide yourself with the opportunity to stay in the energy that works through the University and experience the grace that comes to you automatically.

Whether through serving as a Reader, an Assistant, or in one of the other service opportunities available, you can continue to deepen in your awareness and direct personal experience of who you truly are: a divine being having a human experience.

Please know our love and support are with you, and we are very grateful for the many blessings of Soul-Centered education that we have shared together. To participate in this work with you is truly a great joy, and we look forward to seeing you again soon. The time we spend together is truly sacred. Thank you!

With heartfelt love and gratitude,

PS: We invite you to continue to share your wins with us—we’d love to hear from you!