We say that “mysticism” involves having experiences that move beyond the five physical senses. This goes into the realm of knowing without physical evidence. One of the unique aspects of the Centers of Light is that we have priests who mediate between the physical and the spiritual, validating what is a real spiritual experience and what is not. Often, people are frightened by divine experiences because they do not understand them, but because we are spiritual beings, it is only right to also have spiritual experiences.
Working with a spiritual teacher is the cornerstone of Christian mysticism at the Centers of Light. For many people, their lives have lacked guidance and real instruction, whether in practical matters or in spiritual ones. We often stumble through life making the best choices we can. Spiritual teachers at the Centers of Light work with people who have been baptized and seek further spiritual training. Students record their notes from meditation, meet with their teachers on a regular basis for spiritual counseling, and receive spiritual exercises. While this kind of relationship is somewhat unorthodox in the West, in the Eastern traditions it is quite a common idea for spiritual teachers, or “gurus,” to take on students and teach them in all areas of their lives. Students see marked changes working with their teacher and report improvements in spiritual connection, deeper meditations, greater capacity to love, improved relationships, professional success and other personal growth.
Father Peter Bowes is one of the co-directors of the Order of Christ Sophia, the organization that oversees the Centers of Light. Father Peter travels nearly every weekend to give spiritual seminars and lectures. As a Master Teacher, Father Peter trains and ordains the ministers at the Center of Light. He has been a Master Teacher since 1982. Father Peter is also an accomplished musician, having recorded 14 albums, in addition to being a prolific author with five books on the market. He lives at the Center of Light in Chicago, Illinois. Visit FatherPeterBowes.com for more information about him, to listen to his music, videos and teachings and to purchase his books.
Mother Clare has quite an interesting history. Raised in Switzerland by Baptist missionaries, she initially rebelled against Christianity and tried her hand at many different spiritual paths. She lived in a yoga ashram and trained with the Sufis for a number of years before finding the Christian mystical path. In addition, she was a professional certified midwife for 18 years, and practiced psychotherapy in Boston, Massachusetts after obtaining a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology and post-graduate training in Jungian Analysis. Mother Clare is known for her clarity and deep compassion. She is the author of Giving Birth to God: A Woman’s Path to Enlightenment and Mystical Roses of Peace. She lives at the Center of Light in Dolores, Colorado and oversees the Sophia Peace Center. Visit MotherClareWatts.com to learn more about her, watch her videos and purchase her books.
Ordained in 2011 as a Master Teacher, Master Leora is the only Master Teacher in this order other than the founders, and has been the Director of the Center of Light Oakland since 2007. She teaches a variety of classes, including running online classes for teenagers and nationwide minister-in-training classes.
Priests and deacons make up the minister body of the Centers of Light. Priests have been ordained with the authority to serve Communion, baptize and teach, while deacons are called to assist in the sacraments. Ministers also teach weekly Bible Contemplation and Tree of Life classes, and provide spiritual counseling for our communities.