(Revisited)
During this moment in time when the collective consciousness of humanity is pulled between concepts of right and wrong; good and bad; them and us, and various pairs of opposites; I realize I am not an isolated being. I, too, am part of it all. I, too, contribute to the human consensus.

I begin to question if what I am thinking, saying and doing are in alignment with what I say I value. After all, Ancient Wisdom teaches, “Where your treasure is, there is also your heart.” ¹

I notice that I have strong opinions, thoughts, and emotions. I am aware that these passions are the driving forces in the invisible realm that create my world of effects. I challenge myself to be “for something and against nothing.”²

I begin to reflect on what it is that I truly treasure; i.e., what are my true values?

For sure I value practical spirituality. It is my principal treasure, inasmuch as it is all-encompassing when it comes to living life fully. The keyword is “practical.” For example, practical spirituality shows up as health, wealth, and love. They are by-products, or the out-picturing of the Wholeness and Perfection of The Eternal One.

In order to experience this natural goodness, I realize that I must provide an opening/or willingness through which the nature of God may express through me and as me.

So, I ask myself:

• Do my eating and exercise habits; my TV and social media choices; the books I read and the company I keep reflect my idea of health for the body and the mind?
  
• Do I invest in what I desire to see increase? Do I spend my energy, talents, and skills in life-giving projects?  Do I circulate the good that is mine so others may prosper in their worthwhile endeavors? Do I demonstrate my idea of wealth?
  
• Do I embrace my concept of love by practicing The Golden Rule ³ at every turn, without exception and without the temptation to give as good as I get?

In other words, are my actions congruent with my ideas about the Wholeness and Perfection of the Divine?

My conclusion is: I must be the change I desire to see in the world and then notice the following results:

1. It stops me from judging others;
   
2. It replaces complaining about others with reflection on self;
   
3. It stirs me into taking action within the only thing in the world over which I have any control: myself. ⁴

Mahatma Gandhi, a mystic of the 20^th century said: “We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.”

The decision to change is indeed a defining moment.

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This Weeks Affirmation

I draw upon my Source within and know I am a pure vessel for Wholeness and Perfection to flow through me into my experience.

by Angela “Chris” Beam

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…”
~The Apostle Paul (5 AD – 67), Philippians 2:5-11 ~

~ ~ ~ ~ 

“There is one mind common to all individual men. Every man is an inlet to the same and to all of the same. He that is once admitted to the right of reason is made a freeman of the whole estate. What Plato has thought, he may think; what a saint has felt, he may feel; what at any time has befallen any man, he can understand. Who hath access to this universal mind is a party to all that is or can be done, for this is the only and sovereign agent.”
~  Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882), Self Reliance ~ 

~ ~ ~ ~ 

“When the intellect is no longer contradicted by our emotional reactions, by unconscious doubts and fears, the word of our mouth will immediately bear fruit.”
~Ernest Holmes (1887 – 1960), 365 Science of Mind p. 268.2

~ ~ ~ ~

 Ernest Holmes, a 20^th century philosopher of metaphysics, announced, “thoughts are things.”  Of course, he was speaking of the interchangeable relationship between the mental and the physical realms. 

Deep thinkers of all time have discovered the same principle operating in the universe and have taught it in the context best understood by their followers. Therefore, with our eyes wide open, we may see this one fundamental principle is the common thread that unites the worlds of spirituality, philosophy, and science alike. They all point to the One Mind, as the One Source, in whom we live, move, and have our being/existence. 

The implication of the power of the mind is far-reaching. It implies that Mind, being Pure Intelligence, is the origin of all things, without exception. This One Source is absolute in its nature, and having no opposites, it is complete and indestructible. 

Through the practice of meditation, when the individual becomes quiet, stilling the mind of its incessant chatter; the essence of this energetic field of infinite possibilities surfaces and is realized as love, peace, harmony, wisdom, beauty, joy, prosperity, and all that brings satisfaction in an ever-changing world.  These qualities of the Divine, being absolute in their nature, are the inherent presence infused in all things. 

Since there is no contradiction to the Absolute Intelligence that permeates eternity, It is God, the Living Spirit Almighty. It is known in all and as all, as there is nothing else to know. It is Omniscience. The enlightened one, when aligned with this Reality, sees “beauty even when it’s not pretty.” In so doing, the joy of living is revealed and once more perfect health, loving relationships, financial sufficiency, fulfilling creative expression, and whatsoever the heart desires is restored. 

You and I are today’s teachers of the reality of Absolute Intelligence every time we demonstrate the universal law of unity that brings about peace on earth and good will towards all people. It’s within every one of us.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I give thanks that I am one with infinite loving intelligence, the ever-renewing, the ever-unfolding expression of infinite life, health, and love.”

https://www.centerforspiritualawakening.org/csa-thought-for-the-day/deep-dive-into-dynamic-affirmations

“God is closer than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.”
~ Alfred Lord Tennyson ~

~ ~ ~ ~

“I am the way and the truth and the life.”
~ John 14:6 ~

~ ~ ~ ~

“Through spiritual discernment, we see that we have within us a power which is greater than anything we shall ever contact; a power that can overcome every obstacle in our experience and set us safe, satisfied, and at peace, healed and prosperous in a new light and a new life.”
~ Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind p.146.2 ~

Oral history is not always factual, but often an allegory or metaphor, inasmuch as the storyteller may add a little “color” to enhance the story being told. Or, they may add a bit of “yeast” to expand the main point being conveyed. This innocent hyperbole has a tendency to keep the interest of the listener alive.

It was in the mid-1970s that I first heard about the origin of “What We Believe”, also called “The Declaration of Principles,” that is recited in Religious Science communities. I was deeply impressed when hearing the story of Ernest Holmes’ spontaneity, wisdom, and clear articulation as he spoke about what his heart and soul embraced. He expressed with conviction, what he believed to be the Truth about God, the Universe, humanity, and the unlimited possibilities stretched before us all.

The story goes that a reporter, interviewing Holmes, asked him about the fundamental beliefs of the spiritual philosophy he was teaching. It is said that Holmes paused and reflected on the inquiry before speaking. After a few minutes, he reached for a nearby brown paper bag and tore it open. With pencil in hand, he began writing. The following is the first of thirteen principles or beliefs he shared that day.

“I believe in God, the living Spirit Almighty; one, indestructible, absolute, and self-existent Cause.”
Imagine for a moment, that this all-powerful God that Holmes describes is the Presence that is the very essence of our being; i.e., the Self that is the “I” that “I AM” indwelling humanity, and is the life force of every individual.

“This One manifests Itself in and through all creation, but is not absorbed by Its creation.”
Imagine “this One” that Holmes speaks about is an infinite and creative mind in whom we live, move, and have our being. This field of pure energy out pictures in the physical world, all that It accepts as truth. Imagine this Power is never exhausted, always creating out of Itself, and is never limited by what has gone before.

“The manifest universe is the body of God; it is the logical and necessary outcome of the infinite self-knowingness of God.”
Imagine that everything you experience in the world is the sum total of the collective thoughts and beliefs humanity has embodied about itself; and, the subsequent choices humanity has made.

~ ~ ~ ~

While the story of the brown paper bag is charming and got my attention right away; it is the changeless principle of Oneness, when understood and practiced that is the life-changing fact. It is through meditation and practicing the presence of God that we come to a realization that it is our very own all-powerful inner voice, whose pronouns are “me” and “I” that is the ceaseless, creative activity of Spirit; i.e., the very Source that gives birth to the people, places, and things all around.

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This Weeks Affirmation
“My thoughts, words, and actions contribute to a peaceful world.”

https://www.unity.org/article/monthly-affirmations-unity

(Revisited)
I fretted, became frustrated, exhausted, and finally, just plain spent. You see, even the most skilled IT Technician could not retrieve that Word Document I so desperately needed. It was lost forever. 

In the midst of feeling stuck in a cycle of self-blame and ridicule for not doing my part to save the precious text, I heard a still small voice within me say, “The same intelligence that flowed through you, creating that document, is still available.” Unconsciously I was being re-aligned with the Truth, the promise of freedom, the ability to begin again. The decision to accept the gift of letting go of the mistake and moving on, equated to self-forgiveness.

You would think I would immediately follow this divine guidance. It was my choice. Nonetheless, I continued to struggle, punishing myself a little longer. It was as if an opposing thought said, ‘Self-forgiveness is for more serious issues, like the one shared by a woman I know, who had been physically imprisoned for her mistakes.’ 

Limiting self-talk keeps us locked into what is already the past.

The woman, like me, heard the still small voice within her that promised a new beginning. Determined to create a new story of her life, she adhered to the divine guidance of this Inner Knower. While today she passionately disavows the behavior that once identified her; she nonetheless acknowledges her journey of awakening and moves forward.

Now awake, and supporting others as aLife Coach, she is a conduit for healing.  

The principle of forgiveness does not favor one condition over another. It simply dissolves the emotional energy of condemnation, shame, or blame. The Self/giving-ness of Divine Love energizes the entire being with the wisdom to move forward, to begin again.  In many ways our self-forgiveness and ability to move forward support fellow travelers, like the woman I mentioned. 

There is no “big” or “small” in the Infinite Mind of the Divine. Even the slightest condemnation of one’s self, and that of another, blocks the free-flowing energy of Spirit, causing emotional imprisonment and limits self-expression. 

The Self-giving-ness of the Divine One is Grace. It is the ever-flowing presence of healing Love.

John Newton, the converted slave trader of the 1700s wrote: “How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.”

I GOT IT!!!

Thank goodness for the practice of meditation and prayer. My realization was swift. The next day my creative juices were flowing again. The replacement document that I created was better than the first. And I saved it.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I am capable of moving beyond my mistakes”.
www.prolificliving.com/forgive-yourself-affirmations/

Repost

“Liberty and justice for all” is a divine idea – pure essence. It is universal potential and unformed creation. It lives within the “one mind common to all individual men. ¹” When one affirms this idea, movement within the cosmic field of infinite possibilities begins to formulate it into existence.  Depending on the embodiment ² of the affirmation, and coupled with ensuing action, the idea becomes a universal experience.   

I notice whenever I see the slightest evidence of my faith being realized, I have a tendency to retreat to my comfort zone, affirming all is well. To the degree that I withdraw, the motion of creation subsides.   I must stay the course.

For example, several years ago a labyrinth was created for my backyard.  As I traveled the circling path in meditation, I would sometimes imagine all the people on earth walking with me. Together we would chant:

We Are One! We Are One! ~ In the Spirit, we are One!
Let the love flow, So, the world will know, ~ We are one in Love.³”

In time, the structure began to reflect the wear and tear of the seasons of wind, rain and storm.  Not liking how it looked, I uprooted it and covered all the twists and turns of my daily walk with topsoil.

 Recently, Chris and I were talking about my yard (called, “the sanctuary”) and she said to me, “You know, even though you cannot see the labyrinth, it is still there.”   Those words catapulted me into a contemplative meditation. 

 I asked myself, where did you leave off in the process-in-healing; or, have you forgotten? When the atmosphere of your soul got scary, what unresolved feelings and emotions were covered up, so everything would look pretty and in place? 

With many feelings and emotions still well-covered I practice the art and science of Spiritual Mind Treatment ⁴ for the purpose of peace on earth and good will towards all people. I affirm ‘There is only One Infinite Life; that Life is Love and that Life of Love is my life right now and is the life of everyone.’ In moments of realization, I KNOW there is no separation; all apparent inequities are the out picturing of ignorance and limitation.   The limerick of my childhood affirms this awakened awareness:

Red, brown, yellow, Black and white;
They are all precious In His sight.⁵

Then I am reminded of Ernest Holmes’ words, “(Treatment) is not a process of saying ‘Peace’ when there is no peace. ⁶”  

 I THINK I GOT IT!!! In other words, until my word of truth is seen by all, my work is incomplete.

So, I return to the sanctuary of my being. I walk the labyrinth of life and my path intertwines with all of the so-called “others.” I hear their stories and I tell them mine. Though painful, my unexamined feelings and emotions are now exposed to the Light. We say to one another, “I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it. ⁷” 

I stay the course. I affirm the truth; I meditate on the truth; I do spiritual mind treatment about truth.

And, I ask myself, what is mine to do?

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This Weeks Affirmation

I know that my good is always wherever I am.
By Keith D. Childers