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 ~

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)