Can you look evil or tragedy in the eye and announce your faith, a faith that says Peace, Love, and Harmony are the only Reality; that any so-called evil is “false evidence appearing real?” Can you do this without any resistance to the experience itself, knowing that “what you resist persists?”  In other words, have you cultivated a consciousness that distinguishes the relative from the absolute; secondary causations from First Cause?  

I responded to this self-talk, not with an answer, but with a question. I asked myself, does this mean I should take on a passive attitude and not speak up about what is apparently evil – that which brings harm and suffering to myself or others in the world? My mind was immediately flooded with thoughts. I reminded myself:  the principle I am dealing with is, ‘where attention goes – energy flows.’ 

Therefore, when words and actions expressed are not congruent with the nature of Being and go in the opposite direction of Truth; there is a cross-current of energy, frustrating the Perfect Law that is always conspiring to bring about goodness. It is from this awareness that Ernest Holmes taught the effectiveness of being “for something and against nothing;” i.e., proactive rather than reactive. 

I am reminded that I have the power within me to reverse negative experience by speaking the word of Truth; i.e., my description of Reality, in spite of appearances. My consciousness of Truth is the affirmative prayer that ignites the Infallible Law of Mind.  My divine ideas expressed restore harmony. The next step of course is action, as it has been said, “faith without works is dead.”

Martin Luther King Jr., when seeing great injustices taking place in our country, knew that something was out of alignment with the Truth of Being. I imagine he first prayed, looking for the answer as to what to do; and this one man, seemingly against an army of enemies, took action.  

My inner dialogue continued and I recalled another great American Theologian, Dr. Howard Thurman. While his quest was the same as King’s, he was inspired to lift the spiritual consciousness of humanity through his ministry. His consciousness became a great influence.  Then there was Siddhārtha Gautama, who, upon seeing the poverty of his land for the first time, renounced his life as a prince – left the palace and chose the life of a beggar and became the Buddha. 

Each man acknowledged the symptom of discord and then moved forward with some action according to his particular uniqueness anchored in spiritual awareness.  

In the words of Bryan Stevenson, “Somebody has to stand when other people are sitting. Somebody has to speak when other people are quiet.” The Apostle Paul said, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.” (1 Corinthians 12:4).  

I have now come to understand, while actions may vary, God-inspired ideas yield peace. I envision living in a world that is safe, where nonviolence is the norm. I adhere to the words of Gandhi, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” I affirm the healing power of Love in the world, be it in family dynamics; in the workplace; in relationships; in finances, or in health. I embrace Goethe’s words, “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” 

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This Week’s Affirmation

Right here and now I am Perfect Peace. 
I have the power to change my world to one that works for everyone!

By Judy Hilley

Originally posted 4/13/2021

There are invisible laws or powers operating in the universe. They are spiritual in nature and therefore infallible. Like all laws of nature, they are not respecters of individuals. For example, the rain falls on the just and the unjust, and the sun shines on the righteous and the wicked. This All-Powerful Force that reigns supreme is “God.” 

“Free-will,” when using the laws of nature, is an awesome gift of the Spirit bestowed upon all. 

The sleeping genius within us may believe there are two wills, while actually there is only one. Wise ones eventually surrender to this Indestructible and Absolute One when saying, “not my will, but thy will be done.” “My will” refers to the ego-consciousness, believing it is a separate entity operating in the world, while “Thy will” is the Christ-consciousness that knows it is unified with all life – the love and law of God.

This Presence of God within us often lies dormant until, through experience, one differentiates “free-will” from “willfulness.” Willfulness is a behavior of the ego that never brings any lasting satisfaction. When this distinction dawns on the individual, it may very well be the first movement toward enlightenment. 

Being willful suggests a stubborn persistence in doing whatever one wishes, even when it is in opposition to the highest good for all …like a child rebelling its parents. Being willful is like digging one’s heels in and not budging, making the point that ‘I can do whatever I please.’ That kind of behavior is a misapplication of the spiritual principle living within us that guides our ways. In other words, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. The key is to align oneself with the inherent nature, indwelling us all.

“Free-will is the ability to activate and objectify one’s deepest desires, beliefs, and core values, i.e., the things you “stand for” regardless of any seeming opposition. It is the act of stepping into the vision of one’s self with the confidence and faith of God. It is being “for something” and “against nothing.” It is the wisdom that declares “If God is for me, who can be against me”? 

There is no power struggle when one comes to the true realization that there is only One Power. This Power obeys us as we learn to obey It. We obey It by aligning ourselves with Its nature of Love, Peace, Harmony, Wisdom, Joy, and all unchanging good. Robert Browning said it well, “All’s love, yet all’s law.”

What I love about The Science of Mind is, it teaches one “how” to think; not “what” to think. After all, what you think is your free-will. 

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This Weeks Affirmation

I am in alignment with Spirit in all that I think, say, and do.

Angela “Chris” Beam

Originally posted on 11/08/22

“Don’t Believe the World Owes You a Living. The World Owes You Nothing. It Was Here First.” ~ Mark Twain ~

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” ~ Rumi ~

Have you ever noticed how the inner child is quick to defend its position? Sometimes it argues how unfair it is that others who are not as smart, who do not work as hard, and are not as kind, seem to acquire things without much effort at all. It’s not fair, the child exclaims; when do I get mine? 

In his book, Spiritual Economics, Eric Butterworth answers that question, saying: “The world owes you nothing, the universe owes you everything.”

I’ll never forget how those words stopped me right in my tracks when I first read them. What I heard was, “Stop Whining!, Grow Up!, Wake up and smell the coffee!” 

The whole concept catapulted me into contemplative meditation as I wrapped my mind around the far-reaching implications and possibilities that were ignited within me. 

In my reflective mood, I began to see that, regardless of the faith tradition or culture, the message is consistent when speaking about the power within every human being to create his or her own world. Mystics of all time have always known this; and now, we are the generation called to activate this knowledge. 

According to The Science of Mind, “The Word means, of course, the ability of Spirit to declare Itself into manifestation, into form.  ~ The manifest universe, as we see it, as well as the invisible universe that must also exist, is the result of the Self-Contemplation of God.” 

Suddenly the words from The New Testament have new meaning: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Then from Greek Mythology, I read these words from Thrice-Greatest Hermes: “Then, in this way know God; as having all things in Himself as thoughts, the whole Cosmos Itself.”

It is reasonable to believe, I conclude, that since I am the image and likeness of God; I too, am spirit. Therefore, when I, spirit, engage in self-contemplation of my own nature; that which I think I am, is manifested in the world. The inner world of my thoughts and the outer world of my experience are always in perfect balance.  

Starting now, I no longer look outside myself, hoping and wishing that I have this thing or that thing.  The world does not owe me these things that are transitory, though I may enjoy them. Instead, I look within myself and discover that I AM the everlasting fulfillment I seek.  

 “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man (i.e., spiritually mature), I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11

I now boldly announce my inherent nature of Perfect Wholeness, Unlimited Supply, Unconditioned Love, Peace, Beauty, and Wisdom, expressing as the particular and specific things that I desire to experience. The Universe owes me everything that my word believes is true about me. It is Law. 

“For as he thinketh in his heart so is he.” 
~ The Old Testament ~

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This Week’s Affirmation

I am one in spirit, one in soul, and one in body.  I now demonstrate my good in all things.

By Angela “Chris” Beam

Originally posted on 1/25/2022

“Spirituality means having found the diamond mine inside yourself. Religion is intended to lead you there.”
~ Anthony DeMello ~

The discovery that we are spiritual beings having a human experience is continually and spontaneously being made. This good news is too good to keep to one’s self. It seems the discoverer is compelled to share their awareness and its benefits. They talk about physical, mental, and emotional healing; success; fulfilling relationships; and supply. This one becomes a teacher, pointing the way.

Spiritual teachers often use examples of this life sublime as it relates to science, religion, and philosophy. They show how individual life is a testimony to the Truth of Being. The teacher encourages you to practice prayer and meditation; rituals; ceremonies; and other methods that ignite this awareness of truth within you. The teacher points the way.

The illumined consciousness of such a one is inspirational, motivational, and is like an irresistible, creative force. Their words become “a doorway to the infinite” within you. Sometimes it feels as though the teacher is a savior; this is not so; even though their words catapult you into the realm of unlimited possibilities. 

“Truth has nothing to do with words. Truth can be likened to the bright moon in the sky. Words, in this case, can be likened to a finger. The finger can point to the moon’s location. However, the finger is not the moon. To look at the moon, it is necessary to gaze beyond the finger, right?”     
~ Sixth Patriach Hui Neng ~

In other words, it is your very own consciousness of Truth that sets you free from every sense of limitation. The Apostle Paul said, “Christ in you is your hope of glory.” The teacher simply points the way.

~ ~ ~ ~

Once the commitment is made to follow a path of harmony, peace, love, joy, and a world that works for everyone; the journey of enlightenment begins. Self-discipline is the motivation to:

• Refrain from judgments about people, places and things based on limited information or limited exposure.

• Abandon the belief in the shifting sands of circumstances. 

• Keep an open mind and remain teachable. 

• Let more of the Infinite Mind and Love of God be revealed through you. 

• Remain anchored in the awareness that God is the One and Only Presence operating in the universe. 

• Realize that any perception less than beauty, harmony, wisdom, abundance, and all-good is a blurred vision; a position in consciousness that blocks the view of Reality. 

• Choose a new position in the Infinite Mind of God that provides a clear point of view.

• Cultivate a consciousness of the Ineffable, Changeless Nature of Spirit.

Life is an upward spiral, always becoming more of Itself. Humanity points the way of that becoming. Let it be on earth as it is in the celestial realms of consciousness as we each take that step through the doorway to the infinite. 

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This Week’s Affirmation

“Today I align with Truth and see clearly the way of Good.”
By Judy Hilley

Originally posted 5/18/2021.

In the early 1940’s when I was a young child, my family, along with families throughout the country, used to gather around the radio and listen to the evening news. There was a lot of turmoil going on in the world at the time, e.g., Depression and World War II. 

I remember hearing a beloved news commentator of that era, Gabriel Heatter. He had a very distinctive voice and a way of touching the heart. His nightly broadcast began with the words, “There is good news tonight,” giving a bright and inspiring account of the happenings of the day. Or, in contrast, on more somber occasions he told us, “There is bad news tonight.” He reported what the world looked like to him on any given day. 

America listened with great anticipation as he reported the state of the world. He was trusted. His broadcasting was always from the heart. It was as if his voice was echoing our voice; or was our voice echoing his?

~ ~ ~ ~

There’s no denying that it is a challenge to remain 100% awake and fully conscious all of the time. However, when I am half-awake and not conscious of my own thoughts, feelings, and values at the moment, I may become susceptible to another’s viewpoint or mood. I may become easily distracted and pulled into the vibration of another’s perception of life. 

The way I Listen applies to everyone I encounter in this thing called life. When I am “open at the top,” I may learn something new and beneficial. However, as a spiritually motivated person, my responsibility is to remain anchored in my conviction of Truth, lest I am pulled off center, letting the on-going drama of people, places, and things dull my mind into believing that I am caught in an unescapable vortex of fear, hatred, and despair.

I have discovered that the information I receive, when properly assimilated, may support me in making crucial decisions while I assert my values as a citizen of the world. The various viewpoints I hear about the experiences of the world inform me of the best use of my personal talents, skills, and abilities as I move forward participating fully in the evolution of humanity.

My committed spiritual practice reminds me that I am a spiritual being right here and right now, fully endowed with all that God is. I am reminded that I have the power to let there be light, where there seems to be darkness. I pray.

I Pray about these things until the Light of God-consciousness breaks forth in all Its magnificence illuminating my mind with Changeless Truth. I pray until I come to a full realization that anything appearing unlike the nature of the Divine is the result of false beliefs and erroneous concepts about Reality. I pray until I see that “every human aberration is a spiritual aspiration trying to break through.” 

It is from this consciousness that I Act, doing that which is mine to do.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I am a spiritual being. I receive and listen to Divine guidance.”

By Mary Jane LaBonte, RScP

Originally posted April 6, 2021