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sophia compton

John F. Kennedy University, Consciousness and Transformative Studies, College of Graduate and Professional Studies, Emerita

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Madonna Sophia Compton is a retired professor still writing and learning--as always--from the students she interacts with. Her passions are the nature of consciousness and altered states, the Russian Religious Renaissance, Women saints and theologians, process theology, and all of the mystical traditions, which have so enriched our world.

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University of South Carolina

Michael Ebstein

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Lukas K . Pokorny

University of Vienna

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique / French National Centre for Scientific Research

Universidad de Murcia

Yafiah Katherine Randall

Independent Researcher

Ali Humayun Akhtar, PhD

New York University

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

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Papers by sophia compton

Introduction "Esoteric Principles of Sufi Masters: On the Divine Names and Letters"

Esoteric Principles of Sufi Masters: On the Divine Names and Letters", 2024

This is a journey through the esoteric themes in Sufi commentators on the 99 Divine Names and Ara... more This is a journey through the esoteric themes in Sufi commentators on the 99 Divine Names and Arabic Letters, with comparisons, in some cases, to the Hebrew Letters.The letters of the alphabet play a central role in early Ismaili mythical writings and the later Ismaili Sufi sages. For them, the divine words emanating from God’s creative speech are dispersed throughout the universe and become the continuous existence of the world. The combination of Neoplatonic philosophy and mythic motifs is likewise reflected in the thought of two Sufi sages, Ibn Masarra (d 931) and Ibn ‘Arabi (d 1240.) The latter is the principal teacher of the Divine Names we will examine in this book, with commentaries by numerous others, including Ahmad Samʿani (d 1140) and al-Ghazali (d 1111).

6. Jerome Nadal, Defender of Ignatius and His Mission

Loyola, Nadal, Borgia: Biographical Notes on the Early Society of Jesus, 2024

Jerome Nadal is often called the first 'Theologian' of Ignatian Spirituality, in part, because o... more

Palestinian Resistance Poetry: The Difficult Journeys of Fadwa Tuqan

Fadwa Tuqan was a renowned Palestinian poet, remembered for her representations of resistance to ... more Fadwa Tuqan was a renowned Palestinian poet, remembered for her representations of resistance to Israeli occupation in contemporary Arab poetry. She is considered a symbol of the Palestinian cause and one of the most distinguished figures of modern Arabic literature. "Never shall treacherous death seize their hearts as long as rebirth and the new dawn remain the vision which guides them on the path of sacrifice…." Martyrs of the Intifada by Fadwa Tuqan

Chapter 1. Berdyaev and the Ungrund

Chaos and Freedom, 2022

Chapter from the upcoming "Chaos and Freedom: Nicolai Berdyaev and the Encounter with the West.... more Chapter from the upcoming "Chaos and Freedom: Nicolai Berdyaev and the Encounter with the West." The integral philosophy of Nicolas Berdyaev took shape in a time of chaos when The Russian Revolution was reshaping his country and he was forced, along with many other émigrés, to flee from the land that he loved. He distinguished himself in early 20th century Paris as one of the most notable religious existentialists of his era. He was called to be a philosopher from his youth, when reflecting on the temporality and tragic incompleteness of the life in his homeland.

Zinaida Gippius and the Mystical Anarchism of Russia's Silver Age

Zinaida Gippius was a gifted poet, novelist, essayist, and critic whose works had a remarkable im... more Zinaida Gippius was a gifted poet, novelist, essayist, and critic whose works had a remarkable impact upon the spiritual and cultural life of St. Petersburg and Paris, especially during the first two decades of the twentieth century. Her husband, Dmitri Merezhkovsky, was the author of a large number of spiritual-religious writings and literary criticism. Through their religious-philosophical movement, they organized meetings and debates which brought together representatives of the Orthodox clergy and the intelligensia. This meeting of clerical and lay minds was something fairly novel in Russian Orthodox cultural life. Both of the Merezhkovskys initially believed that the Revolution was the prelude to the Kingdom of God on earth and would usher in the era of freedom, love, and aesthetic beauty.

On the Soul and the Resurrection

An analysis of the ancient patristic texts "The Life of St. Macrina" and "On the Soul and the Res... more

The Life and Meditations of Julian of Norwich

Meditations with Saint Julian of Norwich, 2018

This is an examination of the life and theology of Julian of Norwich, and anchorite and mystic of... more

Boehme and William Law

Christian Visionaries, 2019

Excerpts from "Christian Visionaries: The British Isles" by Madonna Sophia Compton. This volume o... more Excerpts from "Christian Visionaries: The British Isles" by Madonna Sophia Compton. This volume of visionaries in the Christian tradition includes early monastic influences in the British Isles, and mystics and visionary theologians from the early Celtic Church to the modern era. It is a reflection book with quote from the writings of these mystics and visionary theologians.

Meditations with Teresa of Avila

Chapter One of "Meditations with Teresa of Avila" : The Life and Times of St Teresa of Avila, wit... more

A brief life of Fyodor Dostoevsky

A brief life of Fyodor Dostoevsky, the author of The Brothers Karamazov, and dedicated to Deven H... more

The Vita of Mary

The term pneumatophore, originally drawn from the taxonomy of botany, has profound ecological imp... more The term pneumatophore, originally drawn from the taxonomy of botany, has profound ecological implications. In the plant kingdom, it refers to roots which stick out of swampy waters to reach for pneuma, or the breath of life. For Bulgakov, the Theotokos serves as a vibrant bearer of Spirit and sophia-wisdom, but the term pneumatophore is also used today as an inspiration to guide us toward a heightened sense of global responsibility, which characterizes all modern theologies of panentheism. This is chapter 7 of the book "Sergius Bulgakov and the Patristic Roots of a Feminine Spirit," which explores the recently discovered text on Mary by Maximus. Subsequent chapters discuss Bulgakov's panentheism in more depth.

Evolution of an Archetype: Emergence of the Feminine Shekinah

Chapter excerpt from "The Evolution of the Shekinah: From Archetype to Kabbalistic Metaphysics" ... more

The Story of Paula and Jerome

Chapter from the book, "Sisters in Wisdom: Twelve Women Disciples from East and West" on St Paul... more

The Mother-Spirit in the Syrian Tradition: Aphrahat and Ephrem

Chapter Four excerpt: Sophia-Spirit-Mary: Sergius Bulgakov and the Patristric Roots of a Feminine... more

Theophilus of Antioch and Irenaeus on Logos and Sophia: the " Two Hands of God "

Analysis of the pre-conciliar philosophy concerning the Logos and Sophia in early theology on the... more

Logos Revealed: Hermetic and Kabbalistic Influences on the Renaissance Humanists

Overview of Mirandola, Reuchlin, and Knorr Rosenroth to the development of Christian Kabbalah

Bulgakov’s Sophiology and Feminist Identity

Chapter excerpt from book, "Sophia-Spirit-Mary: Sergius Bulgakov and the Patristic Roots of a Fe... more

Boethius and Sophia

Early Awakenings of the Archetypal Feminine in Philosophy

Books by sophia compton

Prayers and Hymns of the Celtic Church

Meditations with Celtic Christians, 2017

This is an introduction to a book of ancient Celtic prayers, with an emphasis on history, cultura... more

St. Gertrude the Great and the Loveliness of Jesus

Sisters in Wisdom, 2013

This is a chapter from the book, Sisters in Wisdom: Twelve Women Disciples from East and West on ... more

Introduction "Esoteric Principles of Sufi Masters: On the Divine Names and Letters"

Esoteric Principles of Sufi Masters: On the Divine Names and Letters", 2024

This is a journey through the esoteric themes in Sufi commentators on the 99 Divine Names and Ara... more This is a journey through the esoteric themes in Sufi commentators on the 99 Divine Names and Arabic Letters, with comparisons, in some cases, to the Hebrew Letters.The letters of the alphabet play a central role in early Ismaili mythical writings and the later Ismaili Sufi sages. For them, the divine words emanating from God’s creative speech are dispersed throughout the universe and become the continuous existence of the world. The combination of Neoplatonic philosophy and mythic motifs is likewise reflected in the thought of two Sufi sages, Ibn Masarra (d 931) and Ibn ‘Arabi (d 1240.) The latter is the principal teacher of the Divine Names we will examine in this book, with commentaries by numerous others, including Ahmad Samʿani (d 1140) and al-Ghazali (d 1111).

6. Jerome Nadal, Defender of Ignatius and His Mission

Loyola, Nadal, Borgia: Biographical Notes on the Early Society of Jesus, 2024

Jerome Nadal is often called the first 'Theologian' of Ignatian Spirituality, in part, because o... more

Palestinian Resistance Poetry: The Difficult Journeys of Fadwa Tuqan

Fadwa Tuqan was a renowned Palestinian poet, remembered for her representations of resistance to ... more Fadwa Tuqan was a renowned Palestinian poet, remembered for her representations of resistance to Israeli occupation in contemporary Arab poetry. She is considered a symbol of the Palestinian cause and one of the most distinguished figures of modern Arabic literature. "Never shall treacherous death seize their hearts as long as rebirth and the new dawn remain the vision which guides them on the path of sacrifice…." Martyrs of the Intifada by Fadwa Tuqan

Chapter 1. Berdyaev and the Ungrund

Chaos and Freedom, 2022

Chapter from the upcoming "Chaos and Freedom: Nicolai Berdyaev and the Encounter with the West.... more Chapter from the upcoming "Chaos and Freedom: Nicolai Berdyaev and the Encounter with the West." The integral philosophy of Nicolas Berdyaev took shape in a time of chaos when The Russian Revolution was reshaping his country and he was forced, along with many other émigrés, to flee from the land that he loved. He distinguished himself in early 20th century Paris as one of the most notable religious existentialists of his era. He was called to be a philosopher from his youth, when reflecting on the temporality and tragic incompleteness of the life in his homeland.

Zinaida Gippius and the Mystical Anarchism of Russia's Silver Age

Zinaida Gippius was a gifted poet, novelist, essayist, and critic whose works had a remarkable im... more Zinaida Gippius was a gifted poet, novelist, essayist, and critic whose works had a remarkable impact upon the spiritual and cultural life of St. Petersburg and Paris, especially during the first two decades of the twentieth century. Her husband, Dmitri Merezhkovsky, was the author of a large number of spiritual-religious writings and literary criticism. Through their religious-philosophical movement, they organized meetings and debates which brought together representatives of the Orthodox clergy and the intelligensia. This meeting of clerical and lay minds was something fairly novel in Russian Orthodox cultural life. Both of the Merezhkovskys initially believed that the Revolution was the prelude to the Kingdom of God on earth and would usher in the era of freedom, love, and aesthetic beauty.

On the Soul and the Resurrection

An analysis of the ancient patristic texts "The Life of St. Macrina" and "On the Soul and the Res... more

The Life and Meditations of Julian of Norwich

Meditations with Saint Julian of Norwich, 2018

This is an examination of the life and theology of Julian of Norwich, and anchorite and mystic of... more

Boehme and William Law

Christian Visionaries, 2019

Excerpts from "Christian Visionaries: The British Isles" by Madonna Sophia Compton. This volume o... more Excerpts from "Christian Visionaries: The British Isles" by Madonna Sophia Compton. This volume of visionaries in the Christian tradition includes early monastic influences in the British Isles, and mystics and visionary theologians from the early Celtic Church to the modern era. It is a reflection book with quote from the writings of these mystics and visionary theologians.

Meditations with Teresa of Avila

Chapter One of "Meditations with Teresa of Avila" : The Life and Times of St Teresa of Avila, wit... more

A brief life of Fyodor Dostoevsky

A brief life of Fyodor Dostoevsky, the author of The Brothers Karamazov, and dedicated to Deven H... more

The Vita of Mary

The term pneumatophore, originally drawn from the taxonomy of botany, has profound ecological imp... more The term pneumatophore, originally drawn from the taxonomy of botany, has profound ecological implications. In the plant kingdom, it refers to roots which stick out of swampy waters to reach for pneuma, or the breath of life. For Bulgakov, the Theotokos serves as a vibrant bearer of Spirit and sophia-wisdom, but the term pneumatophore is also used today as an inspiration to guide us toward a heightened sense of global responsibility, which characterizes all modern theologies of panentheism. This is chapter 7 of the book "Sergius Bulgakov and the Patristic Roots of a Feminine Spirit," which explores the recently discovered text on Mary by Maximus. Subsequent chapters discuss Bulgakov's panentheism in more depth.

Evolution of an Archetype: Emergence of the Feminine Shekinah

Chapter excerpt from "The Evolution of the Shekinah: From Archetype to Kabbalistic Metaphysics" ... more

The Story of Paula and Jerome

Chapter from the book, "Sisters in Wisdom: Twelve Women Disciples from East and West" on St Paul... more

The Mother-Spirit in the Syrian Tradition: Aphrahat and Ephrem

Chapter Four excerpt: Sophia-Spirit-Mary: Sergius Bulgakov and the Patristric Roots of a Feminine... more

Theophilus of Antioch and Irenaeus on Logos and Sophia: the " Two Hands of God "

Analysis of the pre-conciliar philosophy concerning the Logos and Sophia in early theology on the... more

Logos Revealed: Hermetic and Kabbalistic Influences on the Renaissance Humanists

Overview of Mirandola, Reuchlin, and Knorr Rosenroth to the development of Christian Kabbalah

Bulgakov’s Sophiology and Feminist Identity

Chapter excerpt from book, "Sophia-Spirit-Mary: Sergius Bulgakov and the Patristic Roots of a Fe... more

Boethius and Sophia

Early Awakenings of the Archetypal Feminine in Philosophy

Prayers and Hymns of the Celtic Church

Meditations with Celtic Christians, 2017

This is an introduction to a book of ancient Celtic prayers, with an emphasis on history, cultura... more

St. Gertrude the Great and the Loveliness of Jesus

Sisters in Wisdom, 2013

This is a chapter from the book, Sisters in Wisdom: Twelve Women Disciples from East and West on ... more

Virginity and the Backdrop of Asceticism

Sisters in Wisdom, 2013

Twelve Women Disciples from East and West. A joint project incorporating Christian women saints i... more

Mother Maria Skobtsova

Mother Maria Skobtsova and Matrona Popova: Russian Women of Wisdom, 2016

Biographies of Mother Maria Skobtsova and the Paris Émigré movement and Matrona Popova of Russia,... more

Women Saints: 365 Daily Readings, 2006

Daily Readings, life stories, passionate reflections, bible quotes, and uplifting prayers for dai... more

The Divine Sophia: Essays on Those Who Knew Her

The Divine Sophia: Essays on Those Who Knew Her, 2013

Essays on the Divine Feminine in the Christian tradition, The Holy Spirit Wisdom. This is a colle... more

Herbal Gold: Healing Alternatives

Herbal Gold: Healing Alternatives, 2000

Learn ancient lore and modern scientific discoveries, along with explicit ways to prepare and use... more Learn ancient lore and modern scientific discoveries, along with explicit ways to prepare and use over 90 essential medicinal herbs, in Herbal Gold by Madonna Sophia Compton. The author was a resident herbalist at the Sonoma Holistic Center, a member of the Herb Research Foundation, and taught at the Graduate School for Holistic Studies at John F. Kennedy University in California before her retirement.

Sophia and Magdalene in the Gnostic Gospel of Philip

This text is an exploration of the role of the Sacred Feminine in the Gnostic Pantheons, an analy... more

Meditations with Meister Eckhart

A book of reflections of Meister Eckhart, including an analysis of his life and times, and the ec... more

Meditations with Teresa of Avila

A Meditation Book on the Life of Teresa of Avila, including the historical circumstances in whic... more

Meditations with Hildegard of Bingen Including an analysis of

An examination of the feminine image of Wisdom in the art of Hildegard and excerpts of meditation... more

The Evolution of the Shekinah: From Archetype to Kabbalistic Metaphysics

The Mother of God: Symbolic Theology of the Virgin Mary

Chapter One of The Mother of God: Symbolic Theology of the Virgin Mary

Reflections on the Life of Elisabeth Moltmann Wendel

Reflections on a wonderful inspiration for so many women

Matrona of Perge

A look at the life of St. Matrona, and her influence in the early Byzantine world

Olga, Princess and Evangelizer in Russia

Born in Pskov, Russia in 879, this star of the East was called Helga or Olga (another pronunciati... more Born in Pskov, Russia in 879, this star of the East was called Helga or Olga (another pronunciation was Olha). In 903, she met Igor, a Varangarian prince of Kiev, Russia. During the 9 th century, the Varangarians, or the "Russ" had superimposed themselves on the Slavs and had extended their rule to the River Dnieper toward the Black Sea. A strong Slavonic state developed in Novgorod and Kiev was the capital of the dynasty. The Varangarians principle interest was commerce; each town had a noble or prince who acted as the chief merchant of his district, leading yearly commercial expeditions to the exotic Constantinople. Olga must have visited Constantinople several times during her marriage to Igor.