Ernest Holmes, the author of The Science of Mind and the founder of Religious Science, writes:

“Nature will not let us stay in any one place too long. She will let us stay just long enough to gather the experience necessary to the unfolding and advancement of the soul. This is a wise provision, for should we stay here too long, we would become too set, too rigid, too inflexible. Nature demands the change in order that we may advance.”

The above passage is found in The Science of Mind, from the chapter entitled “Immortality.” Of course, Immortality means eternal life. The enlightened ones among us understand that letting go of the physical body, as remarkable as that change is; is one of the many changes that nature demands.  It is neither an ending or a beginning, but rather the unfoldment of the greater-yet-to-be.  The Apostle Paul tells us we must die daily to the old in order to fully embrace the new. It brings great comfort to the lover of life to know that life itself is never over; that the infinite is made up of unending change. 

We are forever experiencing the afterlife of what was. We need look no further than the progression of infancy to toddler, to early childhood to the adolescent who inevitably becomes the adult, to realize this. By the time we begin to acquaint ourselves with who we are, we are moved to the next phase of life and living. Our accumulated awareness is carried forward to the next season of our existence. All this takes place in the here and now.

Yes, we are endlessly evolving into our greater-yet-to-be. It’s as if we keep getting another chance to live life more fully as we apply the wisdom gained through the various experiences we have encountered. In other words, we become a greater version of ourselves through change.

It has been said that ‘the wheels of evolution move slowly.’ So, while we may bemoan, “Why is this happening to me?” or, “What did I do to deserve this?”; The New Thought Movement teaches that each one of us has the power to consciously initiate the change that propels us into a higher frequency of self-expression. Yes, at any moment we may “change our thinking and change our life.”

Every season of life transforms us.  We inadvertently take the next logical step in our personal growth and unfoldment. All this reveals that life is a series of incremental change and that we are Beings of Light on an everlasting journey ~ forever moving from glory to glory.  

The key to successful living is to be fully present in the present moment. Letting go, or “dying daily,” to the former things that no longer serve and embracing the ever-expanding greater-yet-to-be. It’s about being grateful for the teachers on our path who show up in many guises. It’s about practicing the principles of Love, Peace, Harmony, and Joy that catapult us into higher frequencies of existence where we actually become the change we desire to see in the world.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“GREATNESS Is mine!”

By Keith Childers

(Blog originally posted 10/22/2022)

(Reposted)

^“Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?”
 ~ Isaiah 2:22 (NIV) ~

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^“ Look unto me, and be +ye saved, all the ends of the earth:
for I am God, and there is none else.”  
~ Isaiah 45:22 (KIV) ~

What I notice is, anytime I am inattentive, it’s like sleepwalking. My body shows up in the present moment, but not my mind.  In this absent-minded state of consciousness, I may be influenced by opinions and ever-changing facts. In such moments I am highly susceptible to mistaking the false for the real. At such times, my vision for the future is often cloaked in “wishing” and “hoping,” rather than conviction and faith.

Ernest Holmes imparts his wisdom, saying “Let us in the stillness of our own soul go back to that ineffable Presence which is Peace and proclaim It even in the midst of confusion, that Peace which is the Power at the heart of God.¹”    

Following Holmes’ teachings, I know that spiritual discernment is key in the development of my evolving consciousness.  I anchor my go-to affirmations and prayers in the universal principles of Oneness, Love, and Peace, to name a few.  These eternal verities are my measurements of Reality, the Truth that is the same today, yesterday, and forever. From this perspective, the balancing act of being in this world but not of it, is harmonized and my assessment of spiritual supremacy operating in human affairs inspires me to know that all is well. 

The wonderful thing about The Truth is, it is never threatened, nor does it depend on what I believe in the moment. Instead, it is, in fact, my perceptions and my beliefs in the moment that cause my suffering or my unwavering assurance.  The good news is, at any time I may change my thinking and change my life.

I consider the words of The Apostle Paul: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me.²“

Now, what I notice is, anytime I am awake, alert, aware, and involved in the present moment, whether it is walking, talking, eating, or washing my hands, I find I am filled with great clarity. This intentional focus causes the energy of insight and right judgement to rise up within me. In this state of consciousness, I am a clear, conscious, conduit, through which Divine Wisdom and Intelligence flow unobstructed, guiding all my decisions into right action. 

I affirm the inevitable presence and power of the One Spirit, God, now and in the future.

I like living on the affirmative side of life, and at the same time I am careful not to put my head in the sand about the apparent conditions that I face daily.   For example, as our nation experiences the labor pains of giving birth to its next expression, I embrace the vision that depicts “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” I offer my cultivated consciousness as a midwife for the expected blessing.

In my awakened state of consciousness, I realize the evolution of Life is forever stretching into the eternal; therefore, I capture the present moment and participate fully.   I listen for the Indwelling Presence to reveal to me that which is mine to do.

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This Weeks Affirmation
I am fully present in every moment, as God magnifies all that I am.
By Robbin G. Ruffner, RScP Emeritus

1. Science of Mind Magazine, July 1955   
2. The Bible, Philippians 3:13,14 

(Repost)
“To be well, happy, and to express freedom, is in accord with Divine Law and Wisdom.”
~The Science of Mind, pg. 46.3~

~ ~ ~

“The greatest battle we face as human beings is the battle to protect our true selves from the self the world wants us to become.”
~ E. E.  Cummings ~

Yes, it seems that time and time again, we as human beings are prone to a mindset that says there is some place other than where I am; some time other than now; and some individual other than me who determines my happiness.’ This mindset tends to blame whatever is trending in the world at the time; be it the weather, the economy, religion, science, politics, social traditions, or another’s choice that is incongruent with our own.

Until we deliberately change our thinking through revelation or treatment, we are subject to the mental dis-ease of world-thought that believes in separation; thus, causing doubt and fear.  Mary Baker Eddy teaches us to “Stand porter at the door of thought.” Otherwise, we are subject to the random thoughts and beliefs of the collective consciousness with which we (mostly unconsciously) resonate.  

Although the intellect of the enlightened ones understands this; no one is exempt from the consequences of downward-gazing. It is in times when the mind is entangled with illusion and delusion that the wisdom of the ages seems to elude reasoning. The icky feeling that accompanies the influence of erroneous thinking is a dreaded experience. In such moments of confusion, one’s self-talk engages in the kind of self-criticism that says things like: ‘I should, I’m not, I can’t,’ etc.  In such moments one even questions the validity of concepts they previously accepted as true, saying, “this stuff doesn’t work.”

The good news is, the enlightened ones, even through the fog, remember the infallibility of Spiritual Principle. 

~ ~ ~

“When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this… you haven’t.”
~ Thomas Alva Edison ~

~ ~ ~

The battle that Cummings references is the conscious effort to protect us from slipping into downward gazing. The process has sometimes been described as “the exact struggle of the soul,” (Howard Thurman) or one could say it’s like wrestling with an angel of Light and determining: “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26).

~ ~ ~

“If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.”
~ Rev. Robert Schuller ~

~ ~ ~

As we continue to push (Pray Until Something Happens) through the darkness, we align ourselves with the miracle-working attributes of Peace, Harmony, Love, Wisdom. We hear the inner voice say, “The place where you are standing is holy ground.” We anchor our consciousness in this creative medium. Here, we feel and sense the Presence and Power of the One Source. We are lifted into a vibration of happiness.

With renewed faith, time and time again we surrender to the Holy Spirit, letting God be God in, through, and as our health, prosperity, and good will towards all. We are so blessed!

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I know Peace, Harmony, Love, Wisdom, and Joy are the Divine Presence within me.”

Mary Jane LaBonte

(Repost)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” 
~ Matthew 7:7 (NIV) ~

Conversing with a two-year-old can be mentally challenging, e.g., ~ Why does it rain? ~  ~ Why do fish swim? ~  ~ Why did my pet die? ~  The little one has a battery of questions about the new and fascinating things being discovered in its world.  

In an effort to end the endless conversation, you may find yourself responding to the inquiring mind by saying things like, “just because” and, “it is what it is.” The strong implication, though not the intention, may suggest, ‘just accept things as they are, there’s nothing you can do about it.  

Although the voice of the child is quelled for a while, the curiosity never diminishes. The emerging adult seeks answers about its world; i.e., Why are there wars? Why do people hate other people?   Why are there power struggles? The inner child remembers: “It is what it is.” In that mindset, we may, unconsciously, begin accepting the idea of being a helpless victim of adversity. Alas, a false belief of limitation becomes the operating force expressing in the world. 

When contemplating concepts like: There is only “One Power”¹ ~ “Perfect God, Perfect Man, Perfect Being”² ~ “Perfect Love casts out fear”³, and the like, a shift in the mental realm of thought and feeling takes place. One begins to hear the teacher within, saying, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” ~1 John 4:4~

The One who is within you is The Love, The Wisdom, and The Peace that is beyond human understanding. It is FIRST CAUSE… All Powerful and Changeless.  I envision the “them” that are overcome (referenced in the above quote) are the false beliefs operating in the world, and are subject to change.  Therefore, the overcoming is the effort and discipline that bring our beliefs into alignment with Truth.   

Ancient wisdom says: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness (sic) in high places.” ~ Ephesians 6:12 ~ The philosophy of Ernest Holmes teaches, “change your thinking, change your life.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Each one of us may BE a contributing CAUSE of Peace on earth right now. When our beliefs are in alignment with Unity and Harmony, they become the healing power that is “for something, and against nothing.” We each, right now have the capacity to end the war within ourselves; i.e., the belief in separation. 

With an enlightened consciousness, all action that follows will be of the same essence, one that reflects in the world, the Oneness that we are. It is – what it is.

Principle, the Guiding Light of Truth remains the same; yesterday, today, and forever.  Be still and know, “what is mine to do.”

1 Science of Mind, 245.1
2 Ibid, 309.2
3 John 4:18

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This Week’s Affirmation

“In the midst of seeming chaos, I stand in the Truth of Peace.”
By Angela “Chris” Beam

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”
~ Matthew 5:8 ~

“…first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
~ Matthew 7:5 ~

I recently met a woman who told the following story with a slow, focused, deliberate, and kind voice. Her eyes depicted peace and wisdom. It was clear that the deep within her was calling forth the deep within those of us who listened. 

She began, saying: 

“A student of truth brought her child to her beloved spiritual teacher to be healed.  She explained to him that although she had tried her best to break the child’s habit of consuming excessive amounts of sugar, to no avail.  She asked for his help.

The guru pondered the woman’s request and after several moments of silence replied, “Sure, bring her back in three weeks.” While the woman did not understand this delay, she nonetheless agreed. In three weeks, the mother and child returned, at which time the wise one spoke directly to the child. In the days that followed, and to the mother’s amazement, the little girl never experienced such cravings again. 

You see, the guru himself had the same habit. Therefore, Divine Wisdom dictated that until he had a personal experience of overcoming this issue, his word lacked absolute conviction. 

~ ~ ~

The storyteller reiterated her point, saying in effect, that while having a theory about something and believing its undergirding concept and principle is one thing; proving the principle for oneself is quite another. In other words, when one knows, really KNOWS the Truth that his inherent nature is the same as God’s nature, he is set free from any sense of limitation. His “new word,” being the embodiment of wholeness, beauty, wisdom, love, joy, harmony, and unity becomes the law that heals. 

~ ~ ~

The lesson is multi-faceted. It teaches us about Oneness. It implies: ‘There is only One Life, which is God (First Cause), and each one of us is an inseparable and an individualization of The One; and, we are one with each other, though imbued with personal free choice. 

The principle remains the same whether we are seeking the healing of a habit that is hazardous to our health or healing the illusion of separation running rampart in the world today. The Principle of Oneness heals whatever the particular concern is; be it finances, relationships, creativity, etc. by simply matching the energy of Universal Love. The thing to remember here is that in the all-inclusive nature of being, we cannot know the Spiritual Truth about another person without first knowing it about ourselves. We Are One!

~ ~ ~

Ernest Holmes gave us a powerful tool called Spiritual Mind Treatment. It keeps us aligned to the Truth of Being, no matter what the climate appears to be. First is to Recognize the changeless nature of God. Second, Unify with that energy and know that it is the nature of every living being… without exception. Third, speak your word of Truth about your concern until you Realize that which is real in this very moment.

The great philosopher, Socrates said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.”  Jill Jackson wrote, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”  

Are you willing to delay speaking until you are spoken through with an energy that matches the energy of God?

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This Week’s Affirmation

“Today I live in the knowledge that there is a Presence hidden within me that is both the Reality of my true being and the Presence of God.”

 – Ernest Homes, 365  of Mind, p. 86 –