“Freely you have received; freely give.” 
~ Matthew 10:8 ~

~ ~ ~ ~ 

“Find me one person who is for something and against nothing, who is redeemed enough not to condemn others out of the burden of his soul, and I will find another savior, another Jesus, and an exalted human being.”
~ Ernest Holmes, Sermon by the Sea ~

The possibility of such a one that Holmes describes in the above quote, is synonymous with the possibility of a world that works for everyone. At least, that is my point of view. It seems easy enough to articulate what I am “for.” For example, like St. Francis of Assisi, I am for peace. I am for love where there is hatred; I am for pardon where there is injury; I am for faith where there is doubt; I am for hope where there is despair; I am for light where there is darkness; and, I am for joy where there is sadness.

Even though my high ideal is to be a conscious place and a space through which The Divine is constantly flowing through me, I seem to forget to pardon when the injury is the ignorance of hatred, despair, fear, and whatever seems to contradict what I am for. 

Howard Thurman writes about the emotional reaction that rises up in opposition or against my values, as follows: “Often there are good and sufficient reasons for exercising what seems a clean, direct resentment. Again and again, I find it hard to hold in check the sharp retort, the biting comeback when it seems that someone has done violence to my self-respect and decent regard. How natural it seems to give as good as I get, to take nothing lying down, to announce to all and sundry in a thousand ways that no one can run over me and get away with it.”

Such a response is indicative that I have momentarily forgotten that what I am for and who I am … are one and the same. Who I am can never be hurt, harmed, or disappointed. My inherent nature of peace, love, light, and joy are the changeless and immutable qualities of the divine within me. In this awakened state, I begin the forgiveness process as I release and let go of all sense of separation that clouds the Truth about me and about my fellow earth-travelers.

The healing modality of forgiveness has nothing to do with excusing negative behavior or fixing relationships. It is about acknowledging the Truth of Being; that God freely gives to everyone. God’s grace is for giving love, beauty, peace, joy, harmony, and wisdom to the world. Such a realization is like a reset button that aligns us, once more, with the Truth; and, letting God be God through all. 

The following chant, whose author is unknown to me, keeps singing in my mind.

“We are One!
We are One!
In the Spirit, we are One!
Let your Love flow,
So, the world will know,
We are One in Love!”

In silent meditation, I listen for the still small voice that tells me what is mine to do that contributes to a world that works for everyone. 

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This Weeks Affirmation

I now allow Love to flow through me and direct my thoughts and actions in every way.

Angela “Chris” Beam

“Perfect God, Perfect Man, Perfect Being.”
~ Ernest Holmes ~

“Spiritual Mind Treatment is a spiritual science with which we can experiment in the laboratory of our own consciousness and provide empirical evidence that we live in a co-creative universe, that the invisible side of life is a tangible reality. Prayer is a direct link to our co-creative intelligence, intuition, and oneness with God.”
~ Rev. Dr. Michael B. Beckwith ~

When I was a child, I believed the word ‘healing’ referred to a phenomenon that defies all known science. I believed this phenomenon was exclusive to biblical times and performed only by chosen ones, like Moses and Jesus. I believed that anyone who claimed to have the power to heal blasphemed God. I have come a long way since those childish thoughts. 

When I began consciously exploring practical spirituality, I meditated on my beliefs about God, as well as my beliefs about my relationship with The One.  I came to realize that the healing of one’s body, mind, and affairs is more than a possibility, it is actually the revealing of our true nature; i.e., the unchanging Reality of our lives that never betrays Itself. This Truth, when realized, sets us free from every sense of limitation.

It stands to reason, I surmised since all things are possible with God, and I am the microcosmic image of God, then I too, have the power to heal human conditions. Ernest Holmes, when speaking about the teachings of The Science of Mind, declared: “We believe in the direct revelation of Truth through our intuitive and spiritual nature, and that anyone may become a revealer of Truth who lives in close contact with the indwelling God.”  Yes, we each have the power to speak Truth to our circumstances.

~ ~ ~ ~

 There is a Presence residing at the center of our being that has never been touched by human circumstances. It has never been hurt, harmed, or disappointed. It remains intact . . . always Whole, Complete, and Perfect.  It is the Originating First Cause of all that is.   It has within Itself everything that makes for a healthy life experience; i.e., Love, Peace, Beauty, Wisdom, Order Harmony, Abundance, Power, and Joy. The Perfect One is our True Self; our Higher Self, if you will. When we are in alignment with the attributes of our inherent divinity, we perceive It expressing as the perfect function of the body, mental and emotional clarity, fulfilling relationships, financial abundance, and satisfying creative expression.

When we are out of sync with our Divine Nature, there are symptoms to let us know this is so. These symptoms can be likened to the ‘check engine light’ in your car.  You are at choice as to how you respond to the symptoms. You can stew about ‘why is this happening to me, or you may seek support from a trusted healer as you step into your greater-yet-to-be.

At any moment in time, you may begin to align yourself with your Self. 

1. Begin to meditate on what you believe is true of God.
2. Meditate on what you believe is true of your relationship with God.
3. Stay in this process until you realize that your divine birthright is within you right now.
4. Let your heart become filled with gratitude for this awakening.
5. With no attachment to the particular form the healing takes, you simply allow it to be so.

This spiritual practice is called Spiritual Mind Treatment.

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This Weeks Affirmation

Truth be told, I know I can heal myself.

Keith Childers

(Repost)
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.” 

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.”

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 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. 

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 toward 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

“As God expresses through me daily, I get to choose to treat others with kindness, respect, and love.”

~ Mary Jane LaBonte, RScP ~

(Revisited)

There is a golden thread that runs through every religion in the world. There is a golden thread that runs through the lives and the teachings to all the prophets, seers, sages, and saviors in the world’s history, through the lives of all men of truly great and lasting power. All that they have ever done or attained to has been done in full accordance with law. What one has done, all may do. ~ Ralph Waldo Trine~ 

“The great spiritual geniuses, whether it was Moses, Buddha, Plato, Socrates, Jesus, or Emerson…. have taught man to look within himself to find God.” ~Ernest Holmes~

While a “particular system of faith and worship” distinguishes one religion from another; there have always been mystics, sages, and prophets, if you will, who perceived a unifying presence that transcends any differences.  These emanations of Light are taught by the still small voice they hear within their own souls; by the moon and stars they see above, by the trees and the oceans surrounding them, and by the joy, love, and gratitude they feel in their hearts.  At every turn, they encounter the One Presence, the One Power. They recognize God everywhere.  

These illumined souls have imparted wisdom to the world through such precepts as “love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Theirs is not a dogmatic teaching governed by an institution, but rather, what they know is universal truth, and cannot be denied.

~ ~ ~ ~

Therefore, yield not to the temptation that believes you have greater access to the Truth because of the number of years you have been practicing; or believing your viewpoint is the only one that imparts Truth.  Like the mystic, remember, (1) The Law responds to all alike, and (2) the golden thread of Truth is seen and understood in many ways.  

The seasoned travelers in the world meet everyone right where they are; neither expecting aspirants to be further along nor judging the direction from whence they have come. 

Parker Palmer writes: “The soul is like a wild animal—tough, resilient, savvy, self-sufficient and yet exceedingly shy. If we want to see a wild animal, the last thing we should do is to go crashing through the woods, shouting for the creature to come out.” The devotee creates a safe space filled with compassion, empathy, and loving-kindness. Otherwise, the individual, feeling intimidated, may retreat, hiding inside his feelings and emotions.

The enlightened devotees of spirituality are mindful when sharing beliefs with a novice whose path has crossed theirs.  He knows the golden thread connects the two of them to the One Source. He knows there is nothing lacking in anyone. He knows everyone is fully orbed and infused with the magnificence of God. There is a keen awareness there is nothing to fix; only Truth to be realized. 

Every encounter is a divine appointment that awakens both teacher and student.  Otherwise, if not careful; i.e., full of care, the good intentions of both people may inadvertently cause a sense of separation, while Oneness is the Reality. 

Yes, there is a golden thread that unites all of humanity as One. All paths of faith and worship lead to The Presence of God that indwells us all. The sincere seeker of Truth, establishes a relationship with the Divine One within, through such practices as prayer, song, meditation, praise, and gratitude.  

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This Weeks Affirmation

“Today I consciously pull on that golden thread that ties us all together and feel the presence of the One.”

Judy Hilley

(Repost)

“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 is 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 will 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 Weeks 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