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Neela Sakaria: Thank you for joining us, Ms. Solis. Please tell us about your background and education in spirituality and religion.
Alma Solis: I was a Roman Catholic Nun from 1993 - 1997. I entered the communities of the Dominican Monastery of Perpetual Rosary in Syracuse, NY; Nuns of St. Basil the Great Eastern Catholic Sacred Heart Monastery in Middletown, NY; Dominican Sisters of Mt. Thabor Monastery in Ortonville, MIchigan and; the Sisters of Charity in Lowell, MA.
Whilst at the Dominican Cloister, I started the Holy Bible study class every day. I had graduated from a Dominican friars-run college in Manila, Philippines and excelled in all Theology subjects - Salvation History, Dogmatic Theology, Moral Theology, Sacred Theology - at University of St. Thomas in Manila, Phils when I was taking up B.S. Nursing. As Theology (& Theodicy) and Philosophy are somehow interconnected, I also excelled in Philosophy subjects at both universities. Whilst in high school, I was president of Student Catholic Action and, Inter-School Christian Fellowship. Whilst here in Lowell, I was asked by Lowell Catholic School to teach Sunday school but my work schedules did not permit me to.
Neela: What made you decide to leave the convent?
AS: I chose to leave the religious life because I listened to the words of wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas - that neglecting human affairs is not virtuous. I had some unfinished business in the world outside of the religious life.
Neela: What motivated you to start writing?
AS: I was born with writing skills. I have been writing since elementary school up to my masters, and until now. I was involved in the schools' campus papers as a news reporter and features editor.
Maybe the question should be "what made me decide to begin publishing?" It was the strong encouragement of the late Sister Regina Marie, OP which made me decide to publish my book of poems. She told me it might touch many hearts and souls, which may be a gift to humanity. Sister Regina was born blind and passed away last February at age 93.
For my next book, Until the Seas Run Dry, it was Sir Colin McColl who in 1990-92 had asked me to write the book he has always wanted me to write.
Neela: What is the overall theme or message in the collection of poems in Obeying Reason?
AS: We are men, not gods. We are abundant but limited as well. We are created and God is un-created. Obeying Reason is a book of poems that speak to another one's heart, head & soul, as it all did to me.
Neela: Did you study poetry prior to writing Obeying Reason?
AS: No, I did not study poetry writing before I wrote Obeying Reason. Obeying Reason is God's words, put into my head, heart and soul. St. Thomas Aquinas gave me the title, "Obeying Reason." My original title was "My Diary of Poems."
Neela: Do you find that poetry allows for more spiritual expression than prose allows?
AS: Yes. Poetry is more expressive. It comes straight from the abyss of the soul. Poetic verses can penetrate into one's soul in a way prose cannot reach or touch. Poetry leaves imprints. A few words are enough to relate to another living soul what humanity is, what God is.
Neela: What other projects are you currently working on?
AS: I am looking for a musician to set the poems of Obeying Reason into music. I am currently writing Until the Seas Run Dry, a book that may be characterized as a drama-historical romance. It is a true story. I plan to publish it in 2003 and am thinking of an ambitious plan to turn the story into a film, later on.
Neela: Good luck, and thank you very much for your time.
AS: Thank you.
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