I have come to believe and realize what I think about comes about; and, where my attention goes, energy flows. I have come to know that to the degree that I change my thinking, I change my life. While this is all basic Science of Mind, it is far-reaching in its implication.

These mental laws, being laws, are the same for absolutely everyone, without exception. When I consciously apply this Law of Mind, I take full responsibility for my life. This endeavor takes place in the secret chambers of my own consciousness. What I love about this system of self-proclamation and expression is, I am never locked in.

My viewpoint, acting like a mirror, reflects the activity of my mind, and shows up as my experience. My viewpoint is often based on what I have been previously taught and what I presently observe in the world. I now realize that when I am not pleased with what I see in the world, it is an opportunity for me to examine the role I played in the creation of the whole, and self-correct when appropriate. My objective is to realize a world that works for everyone.

In an effort to self-correct, I may find myself going through a series of hits and misses. What I have come to know is this: while there are mental laws that determine what my world looks like according to my beliefs, there is a spiritual reality, called God that transcends all limiting ideas. God is the Source and First Cause of everything that exists, including mental and physical laws. This Divine Presence is constant and changeless. 

When I align my mental house with the nature of God, the source of my existence, I begin to express that which is my True Self. The signs that follow are Peace, Harmony, Love, Joy, Wisdom, and Abundance. These are symbols of divine life. They are the very essence of all living beings. 

It has been said, “There is a right time for everything.”   I use this precept as a premise when discerning the circumstances that I face in life. Believing “everything” means “everything,” I conclude all is in divine order. I am motivated to “do” what needs to be done by and through me to unleash even a greater expression of divinity. I choose to be healed instead of justifying my present thought patterns.

Life is always an upward spiral, always becoming more of itself, never less. This is the nature of evolution. In many ways my life is a work-in-process. I start out with an idea of how I express myself. I keep tweaking, fine-tuning, adding, and subtracting until I am satisfied; until I perceive my wholeness. 

The mirrors, symbols, and signs that provide me with what I need to know to become the best version of myself are also my assurance that there is a Presence that is forever leading me and guiding me and revealing to me that I am Its very own. And what I know is true about me is true about everyone. 

So once more I examine my mental house to determine what, if anything, needs tweaking. This time the criterion I place upon myself is for my beliefs to reflect a consciousness anchored in Truth Principles, assuring a world that works for everyone. I consciously choose to live with fellow citizens in an atmosphere of “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” 

Oh my! What a beautiful vision.

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This Weeks Affirmation

I affirm all is in Divine Order.
By Mary Jane LaBonte

Originally posted November 2020

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The philosopher Socrates said: “An unexamined life is not worth living.” As a student of mental science and the spiritual principles that govern it, from time to time I find myself re-examining my concepts of the nature of being.  

My consistent effort is to break through the collective consensus regarding the belief in separation and duality for which I am susceptible. This requires focused and critical thinking, no longer arriving at conclusions based on blind faith. 

The Science of Mind teachings say to keep faith with reason.  Therefore, whenever I am faced with seeming contradictions and paradoxes, I take pause and remember to “stand porter at the door of thought.” ¹    I am supported by the unity found in the principles of science, the opinions of philosophy, and the revelations of religion. 

While contemplating the ancient wisdom of St. Francis of Assisi when he says: “What we are looking for is what is looking,” motivates me to unscramble what seems like a riddle. Hmmm, I ask myself, does this mean that it is my consciousness or belief about the desired good I seek, that I eventually see as my experience?  

I conclude: It takes one to know one.

Ernest Holmes, reiterates the same concept and expands upon it, saying, “We arrive at a consciousness of Unity only in such degree as we see that what we are looking FOR, we are looking WITH, and looking AT.” ² Again, I find my own words in an effort to simplify and clarify for myself what is being said. What I say is: ‘There is no separation between the thing I desire to experience, the vision I have about the thing, and my perception of the thing I see.’ Hmmm, I ask myself, does this mean that it is my very own consciousness that determines my experience? ‘Well,’ I tell myself, ‘if God operating in me, as me, is me, this must be so.’

I conclude: “If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.” (Schuller)

Mahatma Gandhi stated the whole proposition in a few words saying, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I tell myself these words are saying to me, ‘I no longer wait for someone else to set the standard. I activate my values in practical ways.’ Hmmm, I ask myself, does this mean I have the power to make a difference and become a beneficial presence in the world? ‘Well,’ I tell myself, ‘since God is the center of my existence, then the familiar words, “Act as though I Am and I will be,” ³ must be so.’ 

I conclude: I must walk my talk as a way of life.

Those of us who are now on the planet are challenged to usher in a consciousness that transcends any adversity that is in contrast touniversal good. How do we successfully apply the principles of: It takes one to know one; If it’s going to be, it’s up to me; and, I walk my talk as a way of life.

I begin to practice in earnest:

▪ I love myself just the way “I AM”

▪ I identify all beings as another aspect of myself.

▪ I cooperate fully in the effort to demonstrate universal wholeness (health) as an inherent birthright.

▪ I trust the Presence of God in every individual, because I know, in the Spirit, we are One.

▪ I listen to the Inner Guidance that tells me what is mine to do.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I have absolute faith in the Principle of Life, the Law of Love, and so I permit Love in its freedom to express through me, to radiate from me.

~ 365 Science of Mind, p. 144.3, Ernest Holmes ~

Originally posted December 2020

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1. Mary Baker Eddy, Science & Health
2. Ernest Holmes, SOM, 124.2
3. Ernest Holmes, SOM, 147.3

Revisited

“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~

As conscious spiritual beings in the world, it is good to cultivate sensitivity. I don’t mean being sensitive from the standpoint of taking things personally, having your feelings hurt easily, or living with guilt or shame regarding past experiences. No, those are self-inflicted emotions that keep us in a negative state of mind; they keep our self-esteem in the bondage of limitation. In that regard, don’t forget Terry Cole-Whittaker’s book, What You Think of Me is None of My Business and Don Miguel Ruiz’, The Four Agreements.

No, the sensitivity I’m talking about is tapping into one’s intuitive nature and began to feel and sense when a word, a deed, or action is supportive to one’s well-being and the well-being of all humanity. After all, the concept that “There is one mind common to all men”, as Ralph Waldo Emerson espoused, is a far-reaching one.

Yes, the implication suggests that each one of us, being enveloped and immersed in the one mind, which is creative, is susceptible to all thought; i.e., the good, the bad, and the ugly. When we become awake enough to consciously practice critical thinking, we may find access to the highest and noblest thoughts ever thought. The Apostle Paul must have understood this when he said, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

It seems logical to believe that once we have become an inlet to higher states of consciousness, the former things that suggested lack, limitation, fear, disease, hatred or any form of separation from the good desired in our hearts, are seen for what they are: “false beliefs” and are no longer entertained. With personal energy re-directed, those former things simply fall way.

Through the technology of mass media, we are exposed to a multitude of varied thoughts, beliefs and opinions that are operating in the mind of humanity. Oftentimes, we are asked to “like” and “share” them; thereby, creating a culture of the particular belief.

Before making emotional agreements that pleases the ego in the moment, critical thinking is crucial. It means measuring what is seen, heard, and experienced against your personal fundamental belief, concept, or principle that you have embodied and accepted as truth; i.e., your core values.

There is a balancing act that must be cultivated between the spiritual, mental, and the physical realms; much like what Simone Biles described as necessary for a gymnast’ mind and body to be in sync. Practicing spiritual principles as a way of life takes courage, determination, and discipline; and like Ms. Biles, “self-awareness.”

Clear, conscious thoughts, and beliefs released into the creative medium of mind are sure to yield health, wealth, peace, love, wisdom, and joy as your life experience, according to your keen insight, choice, and acceptance. Everyone who is aligned with these attributes of the Spirit, have access to these gifts that are the essence of the One Mind.

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This Week’s Affirmation

“I see God in all there is and enjoy my experience of life to the fullest.”   

By Angela “Chris” Beam

Originally posted, August 2021

“Perfect Love casts out all fear.”
~ John 4:18 ~

“As within, so without, as above, so below, as the universe, so the soul.”
~ Hermetic Philosophy ~

Just as we know that no matter how fierce an earthquake, hurricane, blizzard, or even a tsunami may be; there is an unwavering faith that the sun still shines, is shining right now and in due time will show forth in all of its magnificence, right where the storm is. 

The wise-one of the New Testament teaches us to “judge not according to appearances but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).  To me, this suggests that we draw our conclusions based on an established premise. However, it does not mean that we ignore the facts that have manifested as actual experiences in our lives.

It means we do not succumb to that which is not in harmony with reality, acting as if we are facing a helpless, hopeless situation no matter what it looks like in the moment.  What it means is riding the storm until it passes, not in a passive way, but doing what needs to be done to mitigate suffering. Therefore, whatever the circumstances that we face, they are a call to action. After all, it is written, “faith without works is dead”; i.e., ineffective. 

~ ~ ~ ~

In order to accomplish this way of being in the world, we must remain deeply anchored in the established premise upon which we stand. At troubling times, this may seem easier said than done. However, in so doing we are empowered to do what needs to be done in and through us. 

When you remember and then affirm that the Indwelling Presence, centered in all beings, is the good you desire to experience, you are well-positioned as a vehicle through which the particular good you desire is expressed. It is a matter of actually becoming the change you want to see in the world.

Begin creating a mental equivalent of ‘the good’ you desire to experience. For example, if you are experiencing physical or mental challenges, set aside a time when you describe to yourself what radiant health looks like and what it feels like. For example, what habit (s) do you need to ‘let go’ that no longer serves you in order to fully realize this idea of yourself? What must you now embrace more fully in order to accept this concept of the real you?

This spiritual practice is called Life Visioning and may be applied to of your life where you would like to pierce the veil of false evidence and see yourself and your world as God (The Presence of Love within you) sees Itself… be it a consciousness of unity in the world, financial sufficiency, fulfilling career,  a loving relationship, peace, order, joy, etc. etc. etc.

With a full embodiment of the good you seek; you will begin to notice your intuition leading you into right action and guiding you to do what is yours to do.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“Infinite Mind, operating through me, now brings to me the manifestation of harmony, order, and the highest good.”

~ 365 Science, of Mind, p.134.3 ~

There is a tendency to describe the creative intelligence of Spirit as “God” and the creative intelligence of humanity as “me.” Actually, there is only one life, one mind, one creative intelligence and that life is God, the Life Force at the center
of every living being. It is the great I AM that we each proclaim.

“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”
~ Psalms 139.6 (NIV) ~

This concept may be a far-reaching one, sending the serious student on a journey of making sense out of seeming opposites, i.e., right, and wrong; good and evil; sacred and
secular; The One, individualized as the many, expressing
free-will, etc..

The challenge of such a path is the endless reconciling of ideas of duality and separation while at the same time affirming unity and oneness.

~ ~ ~ ~

With focused observation and an unwavering spiritual practice, the student of Truth begins to realize there is no distance, time, or space separating the two aspects of being, the human and the divine. Life is always taking place in the invisible realm of Spirit and the visible realm of form, simultaneously.

The seeming miracle occurs when one is in complete alignment with her true nature of God and declares, “Let there be” … whatever the desired experience is, be it fulfilling relationships, perfect health, financial sufficiency, or peace of mind in any area of one’s life for that matter.

~ ~ ~ ~

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi ~

When the words of our lips, the desires of our hearts, and the actions we take are synchronized, there is a transforming energy that brings about the manifestation being sought. One might say, “There is a power for good in the universe that always hears and always answers.”

The frequency of this energy is nothing less than the substance of the thing hoped for, ignited by the conscious intention to let it be.

~ ~ ~ ~

To steadfastly remember that each individualized center of consciousness is another aspect of ourselves, and that everyone is fully orbed with free will, may be a challenging practice. Nonetheless, it is essential.

Otherwise, when letting the energy of fear about another’s choices dominate, there is a tendency to forget our own creative power. Remember, it is through our own individual
declaration of Truth that empowers us – always revealing that which is ours to do.

Yes, let there be peace, harmony, love, joy, and wisdom that saturate the experiences we consciously create.

Let there be light to see the good we seek.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I am the beauty of God’s work
and the vehicle of His Consciousness.”

~ 365 Science of Mind, p. 124.1 ~