Reverend Patricia Talis - A Woman of Substance

Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue magazine wasthe two sisters became models in the great
just awarded The Woman of Substance Awardfashion houses and ultimately the support of the
for her leadership and contribution to the fashionfamily. To this day, Patricia has a great sense of
industry. The title of this prestigious award comesfashion and style and is always impeccably
from Barbara Taylor-Bradford's novel andoutfitted in her Chanel - style suits wherever she
subsequent TV mini-series: A Woman ofgoes.
Substance. This award is given annually to thatAlso no accident is the fact that Patricia has
woman of great character who is a leader in herunlocked the gifts, the beauty, the intelligence and
respective industry or sphere of influence.capacity within her to become that Woman of
Before I had finished reading the first couple ofSubstance. Possessing eternal patience, she grants
sentences, Rev. Patricia Talis immediately poppedtotal beingness to all who come across the
into mind. Patricia is the minister and director ofthreshold of The Center. Each person that she is
the New Age Bible and Philosophy Center in Santaspeaking with or ministering to is given her full
Monica, CA. and is just such a woman in herattention and focus, making them feel that they
respective sphere of influence -A Woman ofare the most important person in the room.
Substance - and a powerful woman leader in theAnother key ingredient of that which is Patricia
field of New Age religion and thought.Talis, is her strong belief in and the living of the
Patricia is an exponent and messenger of thepower of forgiveness. The Center, whose roots
New Age philosophy, which she knows how toare centered in the Rosicrucian Philosophy -
support with her presence, guidance, and businesslooking to the inner meaning - which has a
savvy. Her great quest for knowledge andprocess called Retrospection - a remembrance of
understanding of the mysteries of the Universeyour day, in reverse order and how you have
has taken her on a very interesting and uniquelived it. At the end of the day, and if in reviewing
journey apart from -yet in tandem with heryour day, you have hurt anyone in anyway - to
Presbyterian roots.ask for forgiveness and to make amends - if this
A great beauty at 90, Patricia possesses acannot be done in person, then it is done silently,
decisive mind and sharp intellect, strong voice,and then you let it go, knowing that you've done
vibrant green eyes that snap with vitality and lifethe best that you could have done and thus it will
and a firm awareness and sense of purpose.not be there to confront you after death and
Rev. Patricia is a true original - totally engaged intherefore will have been removed. Also in this
the moment with a great willingness toexercise is to validate oneself if you have
communicate at deep levels of thought. She has abettered your conduct in any way.
rock solid, unwavering belief in God and the BibleIn those who lead, there is a purpose and
and that of the power of positive thinking - "youintensity which is unmistakable. Certainly good
become what you think" - a simple, albeitfortune has smiled upon those of us who are
compelling mantra she lives 24/7/365.privileged to know Patricia and have her as our
Patricia, The Ministerguiding force and light on our journey to seeking
Through years of study, Rev. Patricia has becomethe ultimate truths and wisdom of livingness and
an astute bible scholar and expert on the worksspirituality.
of Corinne Heline - a pioneer New Age PhilosopherUltimately, whatever challenges that may have
who has written 28 books and numerous essayscome her way - she has met with grace and
based on the metaphysical interpretation of theaplomb, both of which most of us would be
Bible, including The Mystery of The Christos whichhard-pressed to match. Grace - a virtue coming
examines the meaning and symbolism of thefrom God. Aplomb - complete and confident
Christian Church.composure.
Patricia first came to The Center as a studentI asked Patricia what advice she would give to
and volunteer. It was at a friend's suggestion thatanyone - especially women as they encounter
she consider becoming a minister. With her "let'slife's challenges. "It's OK to make mistakes - do
do it" attitude, Patricia embarked upon a threewhat you can to make it right - don't dwell on the
year course of study after which she becamemistakes - put them away and then - go on."
ordained and has been The Center's guiding forceHow does one sum up - or, should one - A
since 1990. When I ask Patricia what sheWoman of Substance - those women who by
considered her greatest accomplishment to be,virtue of substantial or solid character or quality
she stated without hesitation that it was keepinghave made an impact on all of whom they
The Center in operation and creating a spiritualencounter - who have held things together
oasis where people can come to learn and todespite any and all obstacles - risen above the
meditate. (As an interesting note -The Center,fray and have charged ahead full bore - ever
founded in 1931 by Mary Elizabeth Shaw, isconfident - ever creating anew - ever seeking a
celebrating its 78th anniversary this year and isfurther truth or understanding of this business
unique in the fact that although their have malecalled living.
ministers, each leader and director of The CenterBravo Patricia!!
since its inception has been a woman. For morePlease enjoy a short article written by Patricia on
information, see below.}her favorite Bible character - Job.
It is said that those recommendations which areThe Story of Job - Patricia Talis
given to others that come from the heart have aThe story of Job is a fascinating one. Job had
greater impact and Rev. Patricia has that keeneverything - wealth untold with flocks of sheep
internal knowingness of just what book, quote orand cattle. He had many children and was a happy
word of comfort will fill what is needed andman. He loved God and helped all who came to
wanted by each person who seeks her guidancehim in trouble. Satan told God, "Yes you have
or advice. With her strong, yet calm demeanor,given Job everything, but take it away and he will
she has that rare ability to bring you "back tocurse you. God gave Satan permission to take
center."everything away, one thing at a time - his wealth,
Rev. Patricia also has an abundance of greathis children and his health. Job had three friends
personal energy - "good genes, I suppose" sherepresenting the physical body, the desire body
says modestly, which I would rather allow to herand the mind. They insisted he must have done
indomitable self-determinism. She keeps a fourmany things to have brought this upon himself.
day schedule at The Center besides keeping a fullJob was subjected to the four great testings.
calendar on her "days off" filled with personal andThese are common to all humanity - the rupture
social activities. Did I mention 90?of the family circle by death, the loss of worldly
One of Patricia's greatest joys has been traveling.possessions, the breakdown of physical health and
Ever the student and seeker of knowledge,the misunderstandings, persecutions and desertion
Patricia has trekked to the far ends of the Globeof trusted friends. God restored all that Job had
from Europe, Asia, Africa, to South America andlost and added much more. His freedom consisted
beyond, eagerly seeking out many adventureof liberation from the threefold illusions of the
destinations including African safaris and Thematerial world - illusion of mind, desire, and the
Igauzu Falls in Argentina.physical body. Corinne Heline's version of the
Coming across the Woman of Substance Awardstory is in Volume II of the New Age Bible
article was no accident. Born and raised in Tulsa,interpretation series. There are 7 volumes, three
Oklahoma, a booming oil town and Oklahoma'sbased on the Old Testament, three on the New
second largest city, after the death of her fatherTestament, and the seventh "The Mystery of
- Patricia, her mother and older sister traveledThe Christos.
across country by car to New York City where