I recently read Ernest Holmes’ famous “Sermon by The Sea,” again. Each time I read this masterful work with its many gems, I am compelled to linger on the passage that says, “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 an exalted human being.” 

This is not a new lesson. Ancient Wisdom teaches “Judge not that you may not be judged” and, “First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Holmes’ New Thought reinforces the significance of being single-minded.In the final analysis, the question is, Do I want to be healed or do I want to be justified for my actions?

To be healed is to be in alignment with (or “for”) the Absolute Truth regardless of any appearances to the contrary. This practice requires a deep dive into self-inquiry. It’s about reconciling the concept “I am in the world but not of it; while at the same time affirming, “we are one.”

For example, there is no satisfaction in being “right” (or justified) when the issue remains the same; thus, causing a greater sense of separation. It’s about gaining clarity regarding the highest good for “all” and moving forward in that direction through thought and action. Remember, energy flows wherever the attention goes.  

The one with this keen insight is able to distinguish the deed from the doer and discerns the truth that is trying to break through.  This spiritual understanding, whether spoken audibly or inaudibly. is the powerful affirmation that ignites the Creative Law of Mind, and becomes, in form or experience, the image and likeness of the realization.

When we know WHAT we are “for” …the Indwelling Spirit knows HOW to bring it about. The ways this may manifest, creating a world that works for everyone is endless. Some may march in masses, motivated to bring awareness to the thing they are “for.” Others may sing a song that inspires others to realize a higher way of being in the world. Still others may write a book, a poem, or a greeting card that speaks to what they are “for.” Another may draw a painting, or act it out on stage or in a film. Others teach. Some are doctors, lawyers, judges, and yes, even politicians.  All these creative expressions are effective when done in the spirit of being “for something” and “against nothing.” 

Yes, “There is a Power in the universe greater than you are, and you can use it.”. 
~ Ernest Holmes ~

This Weeks Affirmation

“I emanate peace and love.”

https://wildsimplejoy.com/spiritual-affirmations-awakening-healing/

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.

This Weeks Affirmation

“GREATNESS Is mine!”

By Keith Childers

(REVISITED) 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.”  

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. Instead, it is, in fact, my perceptions and my beliefs that are the cause of both my suffering and 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.” 

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 judgment 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 the nations of the world experience the labor pains of giving birth to their next expression, I offer my cultivated consciousness as a midwife for a world that works for everyone.

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.

I am mindful of the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “It’s not the destination, It’s the journey.” 

This Weeks Affirmation

“My life is always in the now.”

Keith Childers

(REVISED) Ever since I began conducting classes in the study of the Science of Mind, there has always been at least one student who exclaims, “Oh, how I wish I had known this years ago!” Conversely, there are others who have said, “I have always thought this way, I just didn’t know there were others who did so as well.” In both cases, the implication is, different choices would have been made regarding life-changing issues if only certain knowledge was either known or validated.

My response, has always been to the effect, “Now is a beginning point” or “When the student is ready the teacher appears,” and similar platitudes. These things I say to others are a reinforcement in my own consciousness. After all, when I first discovered the Law of Mind in Action both aspects were true for me. While I intuitively understood the Principles being espoused; I had no idea there was a “way” or a “method” in which they may be implemented.

Today I bear witness to the emerging consciousness of what is being described, by some, as a “new normal.” I challenge myself to stay awake to the finish line. In my awakened state I involve myself in the ever-unfolding evolution by way of my thoughts and actions. This way, I participate fully in my own peace of mind as well as a world that works for everyone.

Yet, I cannot deny the ever-changing news of apparent negative conditions that affect the lives of so many, be it powerful storms, wars, poverty, political unrest, disease, or the bigotry running rampant that divides the whole against itself.

Suddenly, I was aware of unleashed emotions coursing through my psyche. The discomfort reminded me of Robbin’s recent lesson. It was time, right now, to implement the up-leveling of the frequency in my thoughts and emotions. Otherwise, I risk slipping into the level of the problem, thereby closing the door to the possibilities that yield solutions. It is amazing to me how quickly a concept of truth, once accepted, is brought to test.

I always set the tone.

I noticed my emotions vacillating between sadness and hope. However, just like turning the volume either up or down on my TV, I realized, I may adjust this range of emotions that flood my mind. They each evoke a different response to the stimuli all around me. The spectrum includes fear, despair, anger, sadness, Hope, Faith, and Love.

In an effort to up-level my frequency (the vibration of my state of mind) I slip into the High Watch ~ a prayer without words. I slip into the silent realm of Is-ness. In the quietness of my own being, I turned completely away from all appearances. It is here that I feel, sense, and know the Presence, Power, and the Love of God as Ultimate Reality.

In this elevated consciousness, I vacillate between the tones of sadness, Faith, and Love. I deliberately began to look for even the slightest evidence of good. I remain steadfast in the application of Principle; remembering there is no opposing force to the Power for Good in the universe. In my awakened state, Principle is actualized

I continue to proclaim the highest ideals for myself, my nation, and my world. My unwavering faith and ever-expanding love for humanity are received by the Law of Mind that responds by corresponding to the good I seek. Gratitude arises within me, and I let it be.

This Weeks Affirmation

“Today I remind myself that I set the tone for my experience. I see thru Spirit and let it be Love and Peace and Harmony.”

By Judy Hilley

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” 
~  Pierre Teilhard de Chardin ~

The above quote is well-known by many. Yet, spontaneous healings are often described as miracles; suggesting that a human being is having a spiritual experience.   Actually, the “miracle” is simply the out-picturing or revealing of wholeness. Wholeness is the reflection of the True Self, functioning as a unified spiritual, mental, and physical being. 

I have noticed that some individuals identify with one or two aspects of themselves while completely ignoring the other. It is usually the spiritual aspect that is least recognized as a present reality. Even though one may speak about “the secret place of the most high,” or, “the kingdom of God that is within;” when it comes to accepting and believing that these statements are actually the nature of their very own self, it is not always the case. 

For many, the realm of omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence is believed to be outside one’s self, only to be encountered in some future lifetime. However, in his celebrated song, “Amazing Grace,” John Newton, an ex-slave trader writes, “How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.” 

As long as you (and I) are saying and doing one thing and thinking the opposite, we are missing the mark. Subsequently, we do not experience the fullness of our True Selves that are endowed with Love, Peace, Harmony, Wisdom, Abundance, Beauty, and the unlimited good we seek and desire for our lives.

The good news is, it doesn’t matter how long you have been influenced by false beliefs and erroneous thinking; the moment your spirit, mind, and body are in agreement, a new life of freedom is unleashed. 

~ ~ ~ ~

Staying awake and aware to the point that you know that you, as well as all people, are three-fold beings right here and right now are the objectives here. This takes deliberate and intentional attention.  This embodiment of Truth is accomplished through daily spiritual practices that are designed to align you with the Transcendent Genius at the core of your being. These practices are a form of Self-care.

There are no limits to the creative power to heal all ideas of lack; be they health, relationships, finances, or career. Once the Higher Self, the very Presence of God is unleashed in consciousness and operates in concert with the mind and body of God, all things are possible.  Ernest Holmes tells us, “The perception of wholeness is the consciousness of healing.” 

Spiritual Practices such as affirmative prayer and meditation (and others) are the Self-care we bestow upon ourselves.  They support us in realizing our innate divinity, to the end that our human experiences become the fulfillment of our heavenly nature. 

And so, it is!

This Weeks Affirmation
“All that I think, say, and do manifest my divinity through daily spiritual practices.“

By Angela “Chris” Beam

ANNOUNCEMENT

You are invited to join like-minded people at

The StillPoint Gathering
Saturday, October 1, 2022
10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

Zoom Room: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/949595702?pwd=NEFGMkRDOExZWXBmSTkvWWsrNElQdz09

A safe place is continuously nurtured so everyone may openly talk about their challenges,  their wins, and their dreams in an environment of openness and non-judgment.

Saturday’s Theme: “The perception of wholeness.”

All are Welcome! 

Invite someone to meet you in the Zoom Room