(Repost)
“In the Science of Mind, we do not say everything is all right when it is all wrong. We do not say peace when there is no peace, but rather we try to discover what is wrong and why we do not have peace. We do not say that people are not poor, sick, or unhappy. We ask why these things should be if the Original Cause of all things is Harmonious, Perfect, Radiant, and Happy.”
~ Ernest Holmes, Living the Science of Mind~ 

“Crying out to Life, beseeching It to be good, has no effect whatsoever upon It; It already is good. Asking It to give you life produces no good results; It has already incarnated Itself in you, as you. But inward awareness unifies the intellect with Life and binds the personal man back to the Universal Presence. This is what is meant by spiritual understanding and realization.”
~ Ernest Holmes, “The Art of Life” ~

Breaking down the barriers of limited thought that untrained murmurings of the mind erect each time it bemoans: ‘ain’t it awful’ and ‘what terrible times we’re living in,’ is a practice, not for the faint of heart.  Rising above the human fact to the spiritual reality is not always easy.  It is, nonetheless, a necessary undertaking in the process of aligning with the Truth that sets us free from the hypnotic spell of error-thought. 

Some would say the discords of the world have always been, and there’s nothing that can be done about it. And, to some degree, this certainly seems to be the case. The Master Teacher, Jesus, told his followers: “In this world you will have trouble.”  “But,” he goes on to say, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”  And, he made it clear that he was not an exception, saying: ‘The things that I do you may do also, even greater things.’ (Wow, no human ego here!) 

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Once we (individuals) consciously tap into and activate the inner power of mind, enabling ourselves to choose the direction of our lives that works best for us, there soon follows an awakened awareness of our union with the collective consciousness that out-pictures as world events. With this revelation, we are called, once again, to activate the power of mind, enabling ourselves to consciously choose thoughts, words, and actions that contribute to a world that works for everyone.

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People like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Joan-of-Arc, and Siddhartha Gautama, to name a few, have made significant contributions to the ever-evolving-consciousness of the world. Yet, most of the light-bearers of humanity are people just like you and just like me whose names may never be recorded as such.  Yes, this creative power is within every one of us. Let’s become the change we desire to see in the world.

The first order of action is the realization of God’s Omnipresence; i.e., the Peace of God is the potential where war seems to be; the Oneness of Spirit is the potential where separation and exclusion seem to be; the Wholeness of The Divine as health is the potential right where disease seems to be; and, Perfect Love casts out all fear. Remember, enlightened thoughts supersede old unenlightened ones and cause new things to appear. 

Next, with this God-consciousness deeply anchored in our being, ours is to activate the God-potential through thoughts, words, and actions. Let us go forth, now, making a difference in the world. Let’s deepen our faith, knowing we are divinely guided to do what is ours to do, thereby, actualizing the vision of a world that works for everyone. 

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This Week’s Affirmation

“Today I know Peace and Love and Harmony and bring it to the world”

by Judy Hilley

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” ~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-6~

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The recent tragedies of Buffalo and Uvalde hi-light a pattern; i.e., a mind-set that continues to materialize on the human stage. Feelings of deep sadness, grief, and heavy hearts cannot be ignored. These emotions fill the air and affect us all to some degree as we individually and collectively memorialize those who have fallen victim to selfish motives. 

Kahlil Gibran tells us that Love cries as well as It laughs. Otherwise, when feelings are suppressed or denied while using spiritual platitudes to cope, we may inadvertently become by-standers of life, not participants. In other words, a statement of truth, without its corresponding action, is what the Apostle Paul referenced, saying, “Faith without works is dead.”

While it takes courage and strength to sit with uncomfortable feelings; however, in so doing they will, in time, reveal their secrets, letting us know what is ours to do. (“Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted”).

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In response to the outrageous events of recent days, it may seem obvious that a consciousness of unity and oneness is the answer. The question is, from a practical point of view, how do we get there? Various solutions have been voiced and rejected. It seems nothing offered eradicates the problem once and for all to everyone’s satisfaction. 

I am reminded of the story of The Blind Men and the Elephant. Since none of the men had actually seen an elephant, their description of the animal was based on what each one perceived when touching one part of the enormous body. Depending on each man’s experience, the elephant was described as a wall, spear, snake, tree, rope, or fan. They argued and disagreed with each other’s findings.

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Could it be, just like blind men, humanity has never seen the all-ness of Unity and Oneness? Perhaps our point of view, while it may be true, is only one aspect of unity, which is the Love of God expressing. What if the collective wisdom of humanity, motivated by Love, were the governing power of our lives here on earth? 

It was Robert Browning who perceived, “All’s love, yet all’s law.” Ernest Holmes goes on to say, “Love points the way, and law makes the way possible.” The Apostle Paul describes to us the nature of love, saying, ^“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

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This Week’s Affirmation

“The inner work that I do directly benefits the people around me, too.”

https://healingbrave.com/blogs/all/affirmations-feeling-your-feelings

(Repost) When I was growing up, it took great courage to ask my mother her reasoning behind the decisions she made on my behalf. Her explanation was always simple and direct: “I’m mama and I said so.” I knew by her tone not to ask again. 

At church, I heard many do’s and don’ts. My home training taught me never to ask my Sunday school teachers to explain the why’s and how-comes.

I will always remember the first time I heard a metaphysical interpretation of a bible story.  While the meaning was no different from what I had heard my entire life; however, the explanation of the existence of an inner life; i.e., a spiritual force operating in, through, and as me caused me to pause and think about the possibility of a self-determined life in a new way. The concept spoke to my reasoning power. 

Suddenly there was a shift in my mind-set (state of consciousness). I had developed the maturity to choose or reject what I was hearing. No one else could do this for me. The prophecy was fulfilled, “I can think for myself.” 

I have learned to listen to the wisdom, insights, knowledge, and opinions of others. However, it is essential that I think for myself, regardless of the origin of the concept; be it in the field of academics, philosophy, religion, politics, or science.

I now teach a ministry of HOW to think, not WHAT to think. This practice of personal freedom is crucial during these times of information, misinformation, and disinformation prevalent in society. The one who is adept in this practice of right thinking, experiences the world completely different from the one who absorbs the opinions of whoever is speaking. 

The choice is always to gaze upward or downward. The Law of Mind responds to each alike according to the direction of the mental vibration.  We each experience life according to our beliefs or thinking. The keyword is “experience.” While we may not be exempt from the effects of human consciousness; it is through the art of ‘right thinking, we can say with the Psalmist, “yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, etc.” 

“How” to think is to remember, affirm, and apply spiritual principles to all apparent conditions. Scripture puts it this way: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” 

“What” to think is another matter. Individual choice is unlimited in its possibility of expression.  After all, what we consistently think about eventually comes about in the material/physical realm of existence.  I find this concept of an Immutable Law of Cause and Effect empowering. 

I take courage and I think for myself during times of uncertainty. I make wise decisions that keep me and my loved ones well and safe as well as my fellow world citizens. My quest for independence is now one of interdependence, living in a world that works for everyone.

1. Philippians 4:8, New International Version

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This Week’s Affirmation

“I am grateful I am able to think for myself.  I believe I now make wise decisions that help create a world that works for everyone.”

Mary Jane LaBonte, RScP

“Grace is, but we need to recognize It. It is not something God imposed upon us, but is the logical result of the correct acceptance of life, and of a correct relationship to the Spirit.” 

The way Holmes describes “Grace” in the above quote, as well as all the quotes written here cause me to pause and think about the greater possibilities for my life, and for all life for that matter. I am reminded that everything I need for successful living is present right here, right now, today, in this moment.

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While, for the most part, it is easy to accept that the physical nature in which we are endowed provides us with the abilities to navigate in the world; there is not always equal confidence about the incorporeal, intangible, invisible aspects of one’s self. 

For example, while I may not even think about whether I deserve to have lungs, a digestive system, or a beating heart; I find I must consciously and deliberately tell myself (affirm) that peace, love, harmony, wisdom, and joy belong to me as well. Too often, there are thoughts swirling around in my mind that say I must somehow earn these particular attributes. If these thoughts go unchecked, all kinds of erroneous beliefs about reward and punishment follow. 

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“When, through intuition, faith finds its proper place under Divine Law, there are no limitations, and what are called miraculous results follow.”

Spirit, the Source and First Cause of all life, is forever imparting its nature throughout all creation.  With a consistent practice of affirming all aspects of our divine nature; we may soon witness a perfect alignment taking place between the physical and mental realms.   When one is anchored in this kind of consciousness, whatever is declared, announced, and affirmed, is fulfilled. Whatever it is! There are no exceptions or limitations. The acceptance of faith-filled words become Law. 

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“To the average person, when a result is obtained by this method of work, it looks as though a miracle has happened, but such is not the case. It is only a miracle as everything else in life is a miracle.” 

The average person is the one who is subject to beliefs that have been passed down through the ages, whether real, imagined, or completely false. One of the terms we use for this mental thought system is the “collective consensus,” or “race consciousness.”  However, as conscious beings, it is our job to rise above the law of averages and pierce the veil of illusion.

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Once one is awakened by the ever-flowing Grace (Divine Love) that saturates the entire being; the shadows and ghosts of yesterday’s mistakes, no matter how wretched, melt into nothingness.  In other words, the former things fall away; all is forgiven, and one may begin again. 

The principle undergirding the Law of Being, is ever-present and immediate. The truth is, principles are never bound by precedent. Each moment is a new beginning. 

Acceptance and expectancy are key in the practice of receiving this gift of God.

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This Week’s Affirmation

“Right here and right now, I embrace myself with joy and acceptance loving ALL that I AM”

Keith Childers

(Repost) Phineas Quimby, a 19th-century metaphysician who is known as the ‘Father of New Thought,’ wrote: 

“The mind is matter in solution and matter is mind in form.”

The solution that Quimby speaks about is the Creative Medium out of which all life evolves.  It is the field of infinite possibilities that Chopra declares. It is the primordial stuff that Holmes references. It is the waters that Moses speaks about in the Book of Genesis. Ralph Waldo Emerson puts it this way “There is one mind common to all individual men. ~  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.”

In the study of the Science of Mind, we come to understand that Mind is the Originating Substance out of which everything that is, becomes.  It is pure consciousness, activated by the individual embodiment of feelings, emotions, and thoughts that are expressed through words; which in turn give birth to the people, places, and things that make up the world, individually and collectively. Here again, we are taught that the things that are visible to our physical eyes have a counterpart that is invisible.  

In many ways, the Principle of Being seems so elementary that I say to myself, ‘of course thoughts are things.’  Then there are other times the implication seems so abstract that it is a challenge to wrap my mind around it (no pun intended). Over and over and over again, I must teach myself about the power within me that is mine to use.  I remind myself that the Law of Mind Action is always exact and perfect in what it out-pictures. Therefore, as tempting as it may be to try to fix a person, place, or thing, the effort is futile. 

For example, one would never consider destroying a mirror because of the hair-do reflected in it, but would simply change the hair-do and look again. Therefore, by the same token, when there are unpleasant conditions and circumstances that you may be experiencing, know that the solution is ready and waiting to out-picture as the exact image your “word” represents. Say to yourself, “All I need do is announce the good I desire to experience and the power of my word is sure to bring it about.” Ernest Holmes puts it by simply saying, “Change your thinking – change your life.” After all, Divine Mind responds to the slightest impression of the feelings, emotions, and thoughts It receives.  

The key for successful living is to align one’s self with the natural state of being which is pure consciousness. Pure Consciousness is the Mind of God that is always Love, Peace, and Harmony. The embodiment of these words is the solution to every problem. “

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This Week’s Affirmation

“The More I think of finding solutions, the more solutions come to my mind.”

www.affirmations.online