October 2013 Update, Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa Photos from RGBStock.com and Edward Viljoen

2 Beyond Limits: Practical Spirituality for Dynamic Living

SESSION ONE Course Introduction Introduction to Basic Principle One -> Oneness Ernest Holmes and the New Thought Movement What is Science of Mind and Spirit? The Thing Itself Affirmations and Meditation

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

-Marcel Proust

3 THIS WEEK Welcome to a transformational adventure! You are entering into an exploration of an expanded and empowered life. The discovery of your individual place in the universal scheme of things and your personal relationship to the Creative Power can open doors to fulfillment in your daily experience and direct your course of life in positive and enriching ways. Welcome! Ernest Holmes did not claim to have had a personal revelation of new Truth. But he had a unique genius for distilling and synthesizing the intuitive perceptions of Truth common to great spiritual and philosophical writings throughout history, and applying them to current daily living. This insight, his scientific approach, and his understanding of the physical and spiritual laws of the Universe, provided the foundation for an enduring teaching that leads to a successful and rewarding life grounded in deep spiritual awareness. In the sessions that follow, you will thoroughly study three Basic Principles. You will be guided to apply them in your life. These concepts and teachings, along with experiential exercises, tools for everyday miracles, spiritual readings, class dialogue, and experiments in “the lab of your life,” will combine to create a launch pad for your journey into a life “beyond limits”…into the greater “Yet to be” for you. This week’s resource material offers some support for your study of Basic Principle One. This principle invites us to consider our own cosmology. Contemporary writers speak of people’s cosmology as their understanding of their place in life and their individual relationship to the power of the universe, or Divinity. There is frequent mention of how a lack of a clear cosmology affects our present-day culture. In this regard, Matthew Fox observes, “When a civilization is without a cosmology it is not only cosmically violent but cosmically lonely and depressed. Is it possible that the real cause of the drug, alcohol, and entertainment addictions haunting our society is not so much the “drug lords” of other societies but the cosmic loneliness haunting our own? Perhaps alcohol is a liquid cosmology and drugs are fast-fix cosmology for people lacking a true one.” As you progress in your study of the Science of Mind and Spirit, you will have the opportunity to explore your personal cosmology as a way to better understand your place in life and your individual relationship to all that is.

4 BOOKS AND MATERIALS Living The Science of Mind Ernest Holmes

SUGGESTED SUPPLEMENTAL READING This Thing Called You Ernest Holmes Meditation Eknath Easwaran The Self-Aware Universe Amit Goswami The Game of Life and How to Play It Florence Scovill Shinn

BEYOND LIMITS CLASS AGREEMENTS • Honor the call that brought you to Beyond Limits by being completely present for the class, and well prepared so that you can fully participate. • Be on time for class and breaks and plan to attend all classes. • To create a supportive environment, students will not be admitted during meditation. • Be mindful about your participation by refraining from cross-talk, or giving advice. • Honor diversity by allowing others to have their opinions, thoughts and ideas without trying to “fix” them. • Turn in assignments on time. • Turn off cell phones and other sound-making devices. • Honor the confidentiality of the group.

ATTENDANCE POLICY Because so much of this class is experiential in nature, we encourage you to attend all of the classes. Completion of Beyond Limits is a prerequisite for all other accredited classes. For students who want to receive credit for completion of Beyond Limits: you must complete all the home study, the final project, and have attended at least 9 of the 10 classes. If you miss a class, please contact your small group leader to catch up on the assignments.

5 For students who intend to enter Advanced Consciousness Studies/ Professional Prayer Practitioner Studies you must meet the completion requirements and receive credit for 5 additional classes. If you have any questions, please contact your small group facilitator.

A Note from Your Teacher…..

This class is a special experience. It is an investment in time that can pay off in incredible ways in your life. You will be amazed at the growth in the coming 10-week period of your life, and the growth that can ensue continuously thereafter. This class is a supportive experience. You may not have been in any class for a while, and may feel some trepidation about being here. You will be nurtured and respected. Just hang in there with everyone—you will be glad you did.

6 THE WAY IT WORKS…WHO IS ERNEST HOLMES? The philosophy of Ernest Holmes, which was to make him an important figure in the emerging spiritual consciousness of the Twentieth Century, was one of fulfillment, joy, and unity with all life. Ernest Holmes founded the movement our Center for Spiritual Living belongs to, wrote The Science of Mind and numerous other books on metaphysics, and originated the international periodical Science of Mind Magazine, which has been in continuous monthly publication since 1927. Holmes’s teaching, recognized today as one of the leading viewpoints in modern metaphysics, is a spiritual philosophy that has brought to people throughout the world a working cosmology — a sense of their relationship to Divinity and their place in the universe — and a positive, supportive approach to daily living. Ernest Holmes was born on January 21, 1887 on a small Maine farm, the youngest of the nine sons of William and Anna Holmes. With devoted, intelligent parents, the boys were happy, unaware of their poverty. A series of financial disasters forced the family to live a nomadic life for several years. They settled eventually in Bethel, Maine, where Ernest received his only formal education and encountered his first actual church. There “hellfire” preaching was sometimes heard, and he said later, “Fortunately, I was brought up by a mother who refused to have fear taught to her family.” Everyone in the family, including Ernest, was an avid reader. He asked so many questions that he became known as “the eternal question mark.” At 17, Ernest was a student in a Bethel preparatory school, but he spent most of his time out-of-doors, asking himself, “What is God? Who am I? Why am I here?” He mentally tangled with all the local preachers and doubted the answers he got in church. At the age of 18 he left school and formal education forever and set out on his lifelong course of independent thinking. He went to Boston, worked in a grocery store, and pursued his studies relentlessly. A year later, he discovered Emerson. “Reading Emerson is like drinking water to me,” he said later. His metaphysical studies intensified, his quest for Truth leading him to — and through — literature, art, science, philosophy, and religion. In 1914, at the age of 27, Ernest moved to Venice, California, to be near his brother Fenwicke, who was a Congregational minister there. Working for the City of Venice and pursuing his studies, he discovered the writings of Thomas

7 Troward, which fed the flame ignited by Emerson earlier. Almost casually, he began speaking on Troward’s writings to small but ever-growing groups. Without ceremony, his lifetime ministry had begun. Later, as his audiences grew, he was ordained as a minister of the Divine Science Church. Ernest published his first book, Creative Mind, in 1919, continued his studies, and lectured to growing crowds in California and Eastern cities. Meanwhile, he was writing The Science of Mind, which was to become the “textbook” of the Religious Science philosophy. Published in 1926, it was revised in 1938, and has been translated into French, German, Spanish, Russian and Japanese. At the time the book was published, his many enthusiastic students urged him to set up an incorporated organization. He refused at first, but eventually agreed, and the Institute of Religious Science and School of Philosophy was incorporated in 1927. The year 1927 was notable for other reasons. Ernest founded the Science of Mind Magazine, in continuous monthly publication since that date; and he married his beloved Hazel Foster, who would share his life until her transition in 1957. Ernest and Hazel were active in the burgeoning culture of Southern California — which included Hollywood stars, Norman Vincent Peale, Albert Einstein, and the many university professors who taught at the Institute. Ernest could converse with anyone, but what he really wanted to talk about was Truth. His commitment was to know, experience, and live the Truth. It was his life. The busy years went by. The Institute acquired a beautiful property at Sixth and New Hampshire. In 1953, the Institute became the Church of Religious Science. In 1967, it acquired the title United Church of Religious Science, now called, Centers for Spiritual Living, with member centers throughout the world. In 1957, Ernest lost his beloved Hazel, and life changed for him. In 1959, with his brother Fenwicke, he completed an epic poem, The Voice Celestial, perhaps his greatest creative expression. In January 1960, he presided at the dedication of the beautiful Founder’s Church, adjacent to the Headquarters building. Three months later, on April 7, he made his transition. A few weeks earlier, he spoke of his vision for the Science of Mind. “The human heart,” he said, “longs as a hungry man longs for bread, for spiritual food. It longs for that which will make it whole, and I think that’s what our teaching can do — reveal the Self to the self.”

Adapted from an original booklet Path of Discovery, prepared by Scott Awbrey. Los Angeles 1987.

8 THE WAY IT WORKS…THE NEW THOUGHT MOVEMENT: A SYNOPSIS The term New Thought refers to the metaphysical movement which began in America in the nineteenth century and continues today as a vital part of our culture. The Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa, where you are taking this class, is a member of the Centers for Spiritual Living, and part of the New Thought movement. Other organizations dedicated to promoting New Thought include the International New Thought Alliance (INTA) and the Association for Global New Thought (AGNT). In the 1800s, America was in a ferment of growth and change. The effects of the industrial revolution, the surge of settlers headed west, the trauma of the Civil War — these and many other factors created a society in transition, ready to experiment with new ways of thinking. In this environment, the forces now known as New Thought began to coalesce and grow in authenticity. It is often said that New Thought in America began with the life and teachings of Phineas Quimby (1802-1866). “One of the original thinkers of the ages,” Quimby came to believe that mind is matter in solution and matter is mind in form; Einstein was to say later that energy and mass are equal and interchangeable. Quimby believed in perfection at the center of everything that a perfect person “stands behind” all trouble, sickness, and confusion, and that spiritual realization of this perfection is what heals. Thousands of people flocked to him from everywhere to benefit from this teaching and his practice was recorded in papers later published as The Quimby Manuscripts. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) is sometimes called the father of New Thought. Theoretically, he articulated many of its precepts, but he did not reduce his theory to a definite concept that could be practiced. As the New Thought movement gained momentum, strong new churches were formed. In 1889, in Kansas City, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore founded Unity. In 1898, in Colorado, Divine Science was founded by Nona Brooks, Fannie James, and Althea Small. Religious Science, most recent of the major New Thought churches, was founded in Los Angeles in 1927 by Ernest Holmes. There are slight differences among these churches in theology and spiritual outlook, but in their reliance on and use of Principle they are identical. Regarding these churches, Holmes writes, they “...came into being, not as something better than any one of them, but rather as a synthesis of all of them, starting with the proposition that Spiritual Truth cannot belong to any one individual, but being Universal in Its essence must belong to anyone who uses It.” This brief outline touches only the high spots of early New Thought history. More detailed information may be found in Spirits in Rebellion, by Charles S. Braden, available in most libraries and bookstores.

9 THE WAY IT WORKS…WHAT IS THE SCIENCE OF MIND AND SPIRIT? What is the Science of Mind and Spirit? Paraphrasing Ernest Holmes’s answer to this question, we can say: Science of Mind represents the correlation of religion, science, and philosophy. We are a religion, in the sense that we explore and teach principles that define the spiritual nature of the Universe and our relatedness to Divinity. We are a science, only in that students are asked to experiment with these principles and accept only those which they can prove, demonstrate, and experience in their daily lives. We are a philosophy, in that ideas and ideals are brought together into a system of concepts about Divinity, the Cosmos, humanity, and human possibility. Fundamentally, the Science of Mind is a teaching based on Principle. What is a principle? A basic truth or law which has been proved infallible — it works without known exceptions — and it is impersonal — it works for everyone alike. Spirituality is natural goodness. Physical principles or laws are familiar to all of God is not a person; us. We all accept without question the God is a Presence personified in us. workings of gravity, electricity, mathematics, Spirituality is not a thing; chemistry, the ways of soil with a seed, and It is the atmosphere of God’s many other companions of our everyday lives. Presence, goodness, truth, and Science of Mind explores Spiritual Principles beauty. Religion is a life, a living. which work the same way — infallibly and -Ernest Holmes impersonally. The primary spiritual principle on which the Science of Mind is based is, simply stated: There is in the universe one Presence, (or one Being, or one Infinite Source of all there is). A commonly used shorthand term for this Infinite Source is God, or Spirit. A commonly used shorthand term for our primary spiritual principle is Spirit is all there is. With this as our starting point, we look at each human being as a part of Spirit, an individualized expression of Spirit. That’s why we tend to say we are all one with Spirit and one with each other. We call it a divine wholeness or the unity of all life at the Source. In this unity we consider that if Spirit, the source of all, is to be everywhere, it has to be within you, right where you are. Everything else flows from this first principle. We will learn that through being conscious of this first Principle we can apply our awareness to any and every facet of our lives, in the form of spiritual practices, so that daily we discover and reveal more peace, joy, and fulfillment.

10 THE WAY IT WORKS…THE THING ITSELF If God is anything it is a genius Master Mind. The universe is a magnificent creation. The greatest challenge for you as students of this teaching is to reform your concept of God. God is not an external deity. It is an indwelling Spirit. It is not an angry old man. It is perfect Love. What purpose would it serve to create such a vast and power-rich universe, place us as the dominant species on the planet, and not allow us to experience the richness and fullness of life? “To suppose that God could make man as an individual, without leaving him to discover himself, would be to suppose the impossible. Individuality must be spontaneous.” This is the yin/yang of life, the For individuality to occur, you must have choice. First balance of Unconditional Love and gift of Love/God is freedom. You have been left free to Impersonal Law. The universe was choose. However, you must suffer the consequences or caused and initiated by Love and is reap the rewards of your choice. The Law guarantees sustained by Law. Love is the the every individual is treated with justice. motivation for creation and Law is “This then is the teaching: Love and Law.” the fulfillment.

“The study of the Science of Mind is a study of First Cause, Spirit, Mind….the Power back of creation—the Thing Itself.” First and foremost we are students. We are always learning more about God. There will always be something new to know about an infinite Presence. That’s why Dr. Holmes insisted that we remain “open at the top.” “Universal principles are never respectors of persons; the Universe has no favorites.” Spiritual Law dictates that it must work the same way every time, under every circumstance, for every person. There is the Law of Cause and Effect, the karmic law which states: “That which you send out from you, will return to you.” Surrounding your body is a mental atmosphere. It reflects your tendency of thought. It draws and attracts to you circumstances, people, and events that exactly match it. It repels from you anything or anyone that is opposite to your mental atmosphere. This is why loving, generous people attract other loving, generous people and why angry people attract other angry people.

11 You are cause to your own experience. You can “…all thought is creative, according change the mental atmosphere that surrounds you to the nature, impulse, emotion or (your consciousness) and thereby set a new cause conviction behind the thought.” into motion. This is why Dr. Holmes said, “To learn how to think is to learn how to live.” Saying nice things and thinking pretty thoughts for five minutes a day isn’t going to do much to alter your mental atmosphere or change your experience in life. No one “up there” is listening to your prayers or impressed with your posing. Changing your tendency of thought is a lot of work. It requires persistence and discipline. That’s why so few people do it. It’s a lot easier to allow any random thought to enter your mind and be entertained. Very few people take the time to consciously examine their thinking. Your conscious mind is that part of you thinking your thoughts, knowing who you are, aware that you have life. Your subconscious mind is the receptacle for all that you’ve ever thought, felt, seen, heard, touched, tasted, smelled or experienced. Also within it is race consciousness, the recorded thoughts and experiences of everyone who has ever lived on the planet. Conscious mind (objective) has control over and can change subconscious mind (subjective). Through conscious and persistent input of affirmative thinking your subconscious mind begins to change. Your beliefs become altered and your experience changes. “When we learn to trust the Universe, we shall be happy, prosperous and well. The finite alone has wrought and suffered, the Infinite lies stretched in smiling repose.” Einstein said the most important question we have to answer is: Is the universe friendly?

12 Beyond Limits! Basic Principle One: Oneness ...The Universal… ...The Human… THE THING ITSELF THE WAY IT WORKS The Nature of God The Relationship of God and and the Spiritual Universe Humankind There is one cosmic reality Principle Each human being is a creation of Spirit, and Presence in the universe — Spirit. made of the God-substance, a unique, All creation originates in this One individualized incarnation of Spirit. This Source. Spirit is all there is. incarnated Spirit is my essence and the essence of every human being.

From this one infinite Source flows the From this one infinite Source flows each spiritual, mental, and physical Universe individual. We are incarnations of the — all life, all love, all law, all energy, all One Spirit. Our lives flow from the harmony, all being, all physical form or same source, causing all life to be effect, all creation. All physical and inseparably One. There is wholeness, a spiritual principles and laws are total interconnectedness at the Source. contained within the One. Despite my feeling of separateness, this oneness is irrevocable and eternal. It is Many different terms are used in who I am. All humans are one with various cultures and theologies to Spirit, one with each other, and one express this concept of Spirit and point with all life, animate and inanimate. to the Principle of oneness. This can never be lost, damaged, Terms frequently used are: The Thing diminished, or destroyed throughout my Itself, Spirit, Life, Love, First Cause, eternal journey. Now and forever, I am Love-Intelligence, the Absolute, an expression of Spirit, right where I am. Universal Mind, the Changeless, the Spirit in me, as me, is me. Universe, Infinite Knowingness, the Supreme Being, the Divine Presence, and many more. Emerson calls it the Oversoul. Native Americans worship the Great Spirit. Lao Tzu calls it Tao. Traditional Christians say God. Einstein referred to his “unified field” theory.

13 I AM THERE by James Dillet Freeman You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by. You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice. You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands. I am at work, though you do not understand My ways. I am at work, though you do not recognize My works. I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries. Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I am, and then but as a feeling and a faith. Yet I am there. Yet I hear. Yet I answer. When you need Me, I am there. Even if you deny Me, I am there. Even when you feel most alone, I am there. Even in your fears, I am there. Even in your pain, I am there. I am there when you pray and when you do not pray. I am in you, and you are in Me. Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind are the mists of “yours” and “mine.” Yet only in your mind can you know Me and experience Me. Empty your heart of empty fears. When you get out of the way, I am there. You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all. And I am in all. Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there. I am there because I have to be, because I am. Only in Me does the world have meaning; only out of Me does the world take form; only because of Me does the world go forward. I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living cells are founded. I am the love that is the law’s fulfilling. I am assurance. I am peace. I am oneness. I am the law that you can live by. I am the love that you can cling to. I am your assurance. I am your peace. I am one with you. I am. Though you fail to find Me, I do not fail you. Though your faith in Me is unsure, My faith in you never wavers, because I know you, because I love you. Beloved, I am there. Editor’s note. A copy of “I Am There” is now on the moon...carried there on the Apollo XV voyage by Astronaut James B. Irwin, and left there for future space voyagers.

14 THE WAY IT WORKS…ESTABLISH YOUR AWARENESS IN ONENESS

Affirmations... A Basic Tool The word affirmation means: something validated, made firm. Affirmations are statements we make about our being and our lives that reestablish us in the awareness of the Principle of Oneness. They are an effective and easy to use tool to help us bring the idea of oneness with Spirit back into our awareness when we are feeling disconnected from life. An affirmation is stated in short, powerful, present tense terms. With affirmations we can reprogram our attention as if we are filling a glass of dark, cloudy water, drop by drop, with clear water.

Writing Affirmations • Make them personal: I am one with Spirit right now! • Make them short: one sentence, if possible, for easy memorizing, lasering into your mind. • Write them in the present tense, in the here-and-now: right now, today, in this moment. Do not use the past or future tense. • Make the vocabulary personal to you. Insert your own name, for example and use your own manner of speaking. Use words that touch you at the feeling level. Notice the difference in how you feel about these words: wealthy...rich...prosperous...well-off. One will work better for you than for someone else. • Be specific but do not “outline.” State what but not how: I am whole and happy (is very specific, but doesn’t outline how it came to be – it would not be a good idea to affirm I will be whole and happy when John gives me a gift.)

15 Working with Affirmations 1. Place them everywhere you are likely to look — around your house, car, and office. 2. Write each 10 to 20 times. 3. Say them aloud as many times a day as you can; be emphatic and enthusiastic. 4. Record them and play them to yourself while driving, doing dishes, or at any other appropriate time. 5. If the words or tone don’t “feel right” to you, restate them until they do.

Using Affirmations to Uncover Hidden Beliefs If something inside you says no when you say your affirmation, ask yourself, “What do I really believe about this?” The answer to that question may uncover something you have believed a long time that remains hidden below the surface. It will not help to say affirmations that contradict strong hidden beliefs. Try modifying your affirmation so that something inside of you says yes when you say it.

This week practice with the affirmations on the following page to become aware of the shift in your experience when you consciously feed your mind affirmative ideas. Each day is assigned three short affirmative phrases. You may select one to use the whole day, or you can silently say each affirmation at your three meal times, repeating it to yourself while you eat.

16 The Way It Works…speak with confidence A WEEK OF AFFIRMATIONS

Day One - Oneness. My life and Spirit’s life is one life. Wherever I am Spirit is. Everything I do, say, and think is inspired by Spirit. Day Two - Peace. Spirit within me expresses Itself as perfect peace. I am serene, tranquil, and quiet. I am in harmony with everything and everyone. Day Three - Love. Today I let Spirit, which is in all of life, shine forth to all I meet. Spirit as love is what loves others through me. I am the love that Spirit is. Day Four - Eternal. The Life within me is Infinite. I rejoice in knowing that the life that I live is forever One. I am alive in Spirit, Spirit is alive in me. Day Five – Light. The bright light of the Divine within me dispels all darkness. Divine light infuses me with understanding, wisdom and clarity. Today I see clearly with Spirit’s illumination guiding me. Day Six - Power. My strength is Spirit’s power in expression. I am made strong by the magnificent power of Spirit within. I draw my power from the inexhaustible Spirit of life. Day Seven - Oneness. My life is one with all life everywhere, all the time. I live in the spirit of oneness, recognizing Spirit’s life all around me. I honor, love, and cherish life because all life is my life.

17 THE WAY IT WORKS…LISTEN AS MUCH AS YOU SPEAK Meditation... An Essential Spiritual Practice Our studies begin simultaneously in two directions: Philosophically, we explore our place in the Universe by studying the concept of Spirit as the one cosmic reality, Principle and Presence, the Creative Power of the Universe. Practically, we begin to apply what we learn to our lives by using spiritual tools such as meditation, affirmations, and spiritual mind treatment. These are three effective tools for applying the first Principle of Oneness, and we will be studying them throughout the Beyond Limits class. You are encouraged to begin thinking of yourself as someone who has a “spiritual practice. In other words, there are daily routines you engage in to bring the first Principle of Oneness into focus in your life. To get you started you have a week of affirmations to consider from the preceding page. Affirmations are active and directed and need to be balanced with the practice of meditation. Eknath Easwaran, in his book Meditation, says, Meditation will do for you what it has done for all who practice it regularly: enable you to steer your car [mind] expertly. If you want to stay in one lane and cruise, your mind will obey you. If you want to change lanes or turn right or left or even make a U-turn, your mind will respond. When your mind does that at command, you have mastered the art of living. You are no longer dependent on external circumstances; you decide how you want to respond, whatever happens. If a friend acts thoughtlessly, for example, you don’t have to dwell on it; you can fix your attention on the good in that person instead. If you begin to slide into depression, you can simply change your mind — you have learned how — and restore your equanimity and cheerfulness. You can now think what you want to think, and every relationship, everything you do, benefits enormously. How we think and feel has a tremendous effect on our lives. The choices we make and the attitudes we take either move us forward in our careers, relationships, health, etc., or impede us and limit our experience. Learning to be aware of our thinking, and discovering the unwavering Presence of Spirit as a Wisdom and Intelligence within us, are two of the goals of this class. Meditation is a tool that can put us in touch with the spiritual reality of life. It quiets our minds, relaxes our bodies, and focuses our attention. From this centered place we can make choices based on an understanding of our

18 individual place in the cosmic order and our personal experience of God as the Creative Power in our lives. Each week you will have an assignment for meditation. These experiences are designed for you to explore a variety of meditative practices in order to find what works for you. When you find a method that suits you, you are encouraged to stick with that as your main meditative practice to deepening and strengthening your spiritual insight.

In time, the mind can be trained. If your mind wanders, if you are interrupted, do not feel that all is lost. Patiently bring yourself back into the meditation. You may have to do this many times, but this is all right. Take a patient, lying-in-the-sun attitude. The telephone may ring. Do not resist it. You can resume your meditation later.... lf you go to sleep do not condemn yourself. Start again; keep with it; have another meditation. If you go to sleep contemplating the Presence, the subconscious mind will continue the meditation.

-Jack And Cornelia Addington The Joy Of Meditation

19 THE WAY IT WORKS…MAKE IT A HABIT Setting Up a Daily Practice We human beings are most likely to continue an activity when it becomes habitual. This week’s exercise is designed to create a beginning habit of quiet, mindful personal time. Look at your schedule for the coming week and choose a specific 10-to-15- minute time slot each day, making sure that it is the same time every day. Once your meditation practice is well established, you may vary the time and place; for now, to establish the habit, select the same time and place every day. Let everyone in your household know that you are to be undisturbed and subject to the least possible distraction. You may read the following material into a tape recorder and use the tape for your meditation, or just follow this page as a guideline. You may also wish to set a timer so that you are not concerned or distracted by the time element. Sit in a comfortable position in which you can relax without falling asleep. Sit erect, with your feet flat on the floor. Make sure your clothing is comfortable so that your attention will not be drawn to your body. Breathing Practice Allow your body to become relaxed... let go of any tension... imagine your muscles letting go... relax your neck... let go... relax... now pay attention to your thoughts... notice the intensity of your thinking... let your thoughts drift... now notice your breathing … allow yourself to focus on the rhythm of your breathing… relax... keep your attention focused on your breathing as you begin to count each breath... as you inhale say one ... as you exhale say two... repeat this as you keep your body relaxed... One... Two... If your attention wanders, gently bring it back to your breathing. When your time of meditation is finished, open your eyes and gently move your body. Notice how you feel as you complete your meditation. As this practice becomes established, you will be able to bring forward the meditative, relaxed feeling into any experience at any time. Your mental processes will become sharper and more focused, and the ability to allow the Higher Wisdom and Supreme Intelligence of Spirit to direct your words and actions will become second nature in your everyday life.

20 SELF-UNDERSTANDING Six Questions to Focus Your Life (Complete this at home before the next class) Your responses in this self-understanding study will form a basis for class discussion and future reference. 1. What are the five aspects of life you value most?

2. What would you do if you won a million dollars today?

3. Assuming you would be in perfect health, what would you do if you knew you had only six months to live?

21 4. What have you always wanted to do but were afraid to attempt?

5. What kinds of activities make you feel the best about yourself?

6. What great thing would you give your life to if you were absolutely assured of success?

22 PREPARATION FOR NEXT WEEK Home Study to prepare yourself for Session 2

Read: Sessions 1 and 2 of your student workbook (pages 1 – 33) Living The Science of Mind page 1-6

Complete: “Six Questions” on pages 21 and 22 of this workbook.

Practice: Affirmation practice as described on page 15 Meditation practice as described on page 18

Personal reflection to complete before next week: Based on your reading from Living The Science of Mind (pages 1-6) what would you say is the central teaching of the Science of Mind?

23 Beyond Limits: Practical Spirituality for Dynamic Living SESSION TWO Introduction to Basic Principle Two: The Creative Process Invisible Principle…Visible Results A Universe of Love and Law Introduction to the threefold nature of All: Spirit, Soul and Body

24 THIS WEEK In the first three weeks of Beyond Limits, we are introducing three Principles. These are essential concepts for a transformational awareness. Together they form the foundation for the teaching of the Center for Spiritual Living. In Basic Principle One, we explored the Oneness and Allness of Spirit (or whatever name you choose to assign to this ultimate Intelligence and Power) and how it is not only the source of all creation, it is the source and essence of every person’s being. We are recognizing that each human being is an individualized incarnation or expression of infinite and divine God-Life, and this is surely the ultimate key to living Beyond Limits! This week, we explore Basic Principle Two: The Creative Process. We will explore how this one Power which has formed the universe also works creatively in our own lives. This will give us insight about the creative nature of our thought and shed light on the idea that when you change your thinking…you change your life! We will also begin the exploration of the threefold nature (triune nature) of Spirit: that is, three aspects or modes of being contained within the One (Spirit, Soul, Body) and how that threefold nature duplicates itself in us.

It’s not what you don’t know that hurts you. It’s what you do know that ain’t so.

-Artemus Ward

25 Beyond Limits! Basic Principle Two: The Creative Process

THE THING ITSELF THE WAY IT WORKS ...The Universal… ...The Human… Spirit is the great causative Power of the Humanity is one with universal Spirit. As universe. The thought of God eternally Spirit’s thought creates so does our initiates the creative process to create thought create. We re-enact in microcosm form from unformed substance. From the Divine Creative Process. In our oneness comes innumerable forms all oneness with Spirit we produce following the thought-patterns of Spirit. innumerable circumstances following our thought-patterns. The Word of God means Spirit’s thought: the power to bring into form. The Law of My Word means my thought: the initiating, God means how it all happens: the process choosing power in my mind. The same Law that must take place to conform to Spirit’s of God that makes creation happen thought. The Law must obey in exact according to God’s Word, applies to my accordance with the initiating Cause — just thought also. as the soil must produce a tomato plant I re-enact in microcosm the continuum of from a tomato seed and a carrot from a creation. My thought tends to reproduce in carrot seed. my experience a reflection of the consciousness behind it. Changing my consciousness and, therefore, my thinking, brings about a change in my experience. Remember: All three of these modes of being (Spirit, Law, and form) are within the One — God moving within Itself to bring There are three modes of being in me (My forth form — which is one of the three thought, my subjective mind, and my world aspects of God. of experience).

“ W e shall assume that neither Law, nor the S tuff from which form com es, has conscious intelligence, but must, because of their nature be formed by the Word. This si mplifies the whole matter and enables us 26 to see that in the entire Universe, One Power alone really acts — the Power of the Word of Spirit, God, or Universal Conscious THE WAY IT WORKS…I CAN’T SEE IT, BUT I CAN USE IT Invisible Principle... Visible Results Although principles themselves are invisible, we see their effects everywhere in our world and our universe. Let’s consider mathematics. The one who studies the principles of mathematics may use those principles freely — whether that person is old or young, male or female, rich or poor, in the city or in the country. No one has to delve deeply into mathematics, yet everyone is free to do so. The one with a cursory knowledge of mathematical principles may use them up to a point. The one with a deep and thorough knowledge of these principles may use them to the fullest extent. The use made of the principle does not alter the principle; it is not depleted, or added to, or changed in any way. No amount of use of the principle makes the principle itself visible. It is always an invisible idea that operates consistently. The principle is there, whether used or not. It becomes practical in our lives when we understand and use it. Say we have entered in our checkbook many deposits and deductions for checks written. The laws of mathematics will not automatically figure our balance for us. They are there for us to use or not use. If we want to know our balance, we must add and subtract and arrive at it, using the principles of mathematics correctly. We study a Principle that is invisible, which also makes Itself known here in the visible by the results of Its activity. The Principle is invisible; the results are visible. We can know we have found and are using correctly a Spiritual Principle in just the same way we can know we have found and are using correctly the laws of mathematics — by the results. Look around you today. What results do you see that are not human-made? Look at the clouds, the sunrise and sunset, the stars, the moon and the planets, the plant life, the animal life, the human life. These are all visible results from an invisible Cause. What can you tell about the Cause by studying the results? Do you see an Order? A Harmony? A Beauty? A Wisdom? A Love? A Joy? Say to yourself about each thing you survey, “There is an invisible Principle behind this (star, flower, puppy, etc.). By studying this creation I now know more about the invisible.” Repeat this process often. Allow yourself to be immersed in knowing the answers from within your very Self. I now know about The Thing Itself by beholding Its creation. Adapted From the writings of Rev. Marlene Oaks.

27 THE WAY IT WORKS…IT RESPONDS TO EVERYONE ALIKE No Respecter Of Persons Sometimes it seems that there have been people across history who have understood spiritual Principle, and that these Principles have not been available to people like you and me. Perhaps we have thought that there truly are chosen people, favored by God. But we can see that anyone can use any physical principle as long as they learn about that principle and then follows its nature — that electricity, mathematics, and gravity, for example, are no respecters of persons. Notice that the things you normally use can be used by everyone. Notice that the light switch works for everyone who flips it. Notice that the book drops to the floor for anyone who drops it. Notice that the range gets hot for anyone who turns it on. These principles respond to all alike. Spiritual Principles are the same. They are responding to everyone all the time — and the people who understand them best can consciously use them for good. Spirit has no favorites — yet some people have made Spirit and the understanding of Principle their favorite thing to study and apply. This is what we are doing now, learning about Principle so we can consciously use it for more favorable results in our lives. When a person is unaware of the nature of fire, they can cause chaos trying to use it. Similarly, when we are unaware of the way spiritual Principle works in our lives, we can cause stress. Or we can learn to be mindful of how they operate in our lives. It is up to each one of us. It is not up to something outside our selves. It is not predetermined. It is not destiny, one way or the other. It is choice. No one knows why principles work — it is simply known that they do work. If they did not work consistently in similar situations, they would not be principles. They underscore the order of life; they are the given rules. Gravity works the way it works; it is not known why, it is simply known how. When we discover how something works, we can use it the way it was intended. The Universe works for everyone equally well, and that includes me. Adapted from the writings of Rev. Marlene Oaks. .

28 THE WAY IT WORKS…THERE IS NO LOVE WITHOUT LAW The Love And Law Of The Universe Are One The Universe is made of a fabric of Oneness, or Allness, encompassing everything. Just as there is no inside without an outside, there is no Love without Law, and no Law without Love. They are not separate entities, but rather two aspects of the One working as One. Consider any plant. The leaf is one with the stem. The leaf has a different function from that of the stem, yet they are one. The leaf and the stem were once contained within the seed, yet have a different function from that of the seed. Spirit, or the Love of the Universe, cannot be separate from Its own Law. Love points the way, initiates, selects, chooses – places thought into Its own Being – an aspect of that Being which we call the Creative Medium, or Law. Both Love and Law are perfect, as the Divine Intelligence is perfect, encompassing everything. Perhaps we can see how the Law is perfect by looking at some examples of physical laws. The law of mathematics, for instance, is a perfect physical law. How we use it may be imperfect, but the law itself, always remains perfect. The law states that 2+ 2 = 4. We may say that 2+ 2 = 22. We are in error, but the law is unharmed and unchanged by our error. We will suffer the consequences of our misuse of the law, however, for our checkbook will not balance. We choose, out of our freedom and spontaneity (spirit or love), to use the law of mathematics. If we use this law in the manner that is consistent with itself, we will get results that are “true” and in line with the consistency the law provides. If we use the law in a way that is out of harmony with its nature, we will get results that are not ”true” and will have confusion in our lives. Look around you today and notice as many examples of physical laws as you can. Notice laws of mathematics, gravity, electricity, physics, chemistry, cause and effect. Notice that there is a spontaneous element that selects which law to use, and knows how to apply it. Notice that the laws respond without regard to who is using them, and they respond consistently and impersonally. All that we have said above about the physical laws by which we live our earthly lives applies directly to the spiritual laws of the universe by which we live as the Spiritual Beings we are in Reality. Spirit – or Conscious Mind, or Love-Intelligence – thinks into the Creative Medium, or Law, and starts a creative process which manifests as form of some kind. As human beings, we re-enact this process. As with physical laws, we can elect to use the Spiritual Laws in accordance with their nature – or not, with unhappy results. I understand how Love and Law work together as One. From the writings of Rev. Marlene Oaks.

29 THE WAY IT WORKS…THREE ARE REALLY ONE The Threefold Nature Of God And Humankind – To Be Completed IN CLASS

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The Way It Works…Many Words, One Reality. VOCABULARY The Many Words for Spirit, Soul, and Body Understanding the threefold nature of Reality is essential to learning how to consciously use our creative ability through our affirmations and treatments. The variety of terms used by Ernest Holmes, and other metaphysical writers, for these three aspects of God is sometimes intimidating. Also, you must be willing for some of the terms to carry different meanings from those with which you are familiar. Use this vocabulary chart as on ongoing record of new terms as you encounter them in your reading. Continue your list on additional pages as necessary. SPIRIT SOUL BODY

31 THE WAY IT WORKS…CLEAN UP YOUR LANGUAGE How You Talk! The Law is always working — silently, unobtrusively, in everything we do or say or write. It works in what we say to other people, and in what we say to ourselves — much of the time without our conscious awareness. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing is the observation in James 3:10. We all do that! We say,

I can’t afford it. or God is my source! I’m not able to or I plan to go there! I have to….travel. or I get to….

In other words, much of the time, we are using either limiting language or freeing language. In the space below, jot down language of both kinds that you hear yourself using this week. Try transforming your limiting statements into freeing ones. (Use a separate sheet if necessary.) Limiting Language Freeing Language

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Meditation for every day this coming week

Using something like a smart phone, a bedside clock or a kitchen timer, set a device to let you know when 10 minutes have passed. Before you start the countdown, turn off all other sound makers in your home; TV, music, cell phone, e-mail notifications, if possible.

Then begin. Sit.

Choose a comfortable place to sit that supports good posture. Too comfortable may lead to falling asleep. Try to have no expectation. To me, that means let whatever appears in your mind come and go as it will. Adopt an attitude of watchfulness. At first, let your eyes look ahead of you and slightly down, and then gently allow the eyelids to close.

If the doorbell unexpectedly rings, or the neighbor fires up a chainsaw in their back yard, try not to become agitated, but instead, use these distractions as tools to strengthen your ability to focus or to notice what happens inside when you detect unwanted distractions.

After the 10 minutes is complete, sit for a moment longer with eyes open. Try not to rush or move too quickly into the next activity of your day.

Make a date with yourself to engage in this exercise every day at an appointed time for one week. You may notice that time seems to slow down or speed up during your meditation time, and you may become aware of changes in your body temperature, or you may even become aware of smells and sounds around you. You don’t have to do anything with this information, just become aware of what you notice.

From The Power of Meditation, by Dr. Edward Viljoen, available from Stepping Stones Books& Gifts and Amazon.com

33 PREPARATION FOR NEXT WEEK Home Study to prepare yourself for Session 3 Read: Session 3 in your Workbook (pages 35 – 43) Living The Science of Mind – 239 - 244 Meditation Practice: Continue a daily spiritual practice of meditation as described on page 33. Practice: Being aware of “How You Talk” is an exercise in the lab of your life. When you become aware of a negatively framed phrase, experiment with reframing it in more compassionate and friendly language. Pay attention to the way people around you speak, taking note of where you have adopted negative language out of habit. Writing: Write a short description of what Spirit is to you. Avoid using the words “I” and “me”. Refer to the bold text on page 26 under THE THING ITSELF for an example of length. Use your own words and try to be spontaneous when coming up with the description. This writing assignment is for your own reference. It will not be handed in. Be prepared to discuss it in class 3.

Personal reflection to complete before next week: Based on your reading from Living The Science of Mind (pages 239-244) how do you start a chain reaction to affect people around you in an affirmative way?

34 Beyond Limits: Practical Spirituality for Dynamic Living SESSION THREE The Power of Thought Introduction to Basic Principle Three: Affirmative Prayer / Spiritual Mind Treatment The Power of Prayer: Spiritual Mind Treatment / Affirmative Prayer

35 THIS WEEK With the introduction of Basic Principle Three, we continue our exploration of the eternally- happening Creative Process – the continuing expression of new creations, initiated by Spirit and brought into physical (visible) form by Spiritual Law. This principle focuses on the effectiveness of prayer, with the recognition that this spiritual force is as mysterious in its operation as any physical force in nature. We see what it does, but not how it does it. Jesus went to the heart of the matter when he told us to seek first the Kingdom [within], and all these things will be added to us. On this point, Holmes’ awareness, too, was clear. In his development of Affirmative Prayer, which we call Spiritual Mind Treatment, he offered a technique, for activating the subjective Law within us in a mindful and conscientious way. He knew that for prayer to be effective, it must be used by someone fully aware of his or her own divinity, someone who understands the first Principle of Oneness. Without understanding our relatedness in Spirit, it is easy to think of Prayer as something offered to a power outside of ourselves. We are learning how to work in cooperation with the unfolding good of Spirit. We are realizing our role as Co-Creators and we are learning how to use Affirmative Prayer to play our essential part in the Creative Process.

Truth lies within ourselves: it takes no rise from outward things, whatever you may believe. There is an inmost center in us all, where truth abides in fullness and to Know rather consists in opening out a way whence the imprisoned splendor may escape than in effecting entry for light supposed to be without.

-Robert Browning, Paracelsus

36 THE WAY IT WORKS…MY THOUGHTS OF PRAYER TAKE PLACE IN GOD My Mind Is Part Of The Mind Of God Beginning with Spirit is everywhere we assume that means right where we are, too. God’s Mind is present here just as It is present anywhere. Try to think of it like this — we are inlets and outlets of that One Mind. You might say that the way we use the Mind of God defines our uniqueness. Out of the infinite potential, we select our “slice.” We do not dissolve and disappear into God; we are individualized by our selections. We may consciously use this Power to become a great ice skater, or a painter, or a business magnate, or a minister, or an artist. Our conscious choices go into our own subconscious mind for implementation. Our own subconscious mind is part of the Great Subjective Mind of God (which we also call God’s Law). We do not have to produce the Law, or the Power that creates. Instead, we learn to be mindful of what we are planting as seeds in our subconscious. This mindfulness practice in thinking is the root of Affirmative Prayer. All the power of the Universe is available for the idea seeds we plant in the subjective. As we grow to understand this, God’s Law (or the Law of Mind) becomes our Law because of the use we make of it. When we use our minds, we are also using the Mind of God. Try to think of it like this - we are without limits except for those we impose upon ourselves. This week, imagine that you are surrounded by a consciousness which responds to whatever is placed in it. Think of it as fertile soil. Imagine that every thought is a seed planted in that soil. The soil does not argue with the seed; it simply goes about to produce a harvest of like kind. Watch the garden of your mind. What kind of a garden are you planting? What is the crop? Is it a mixed crop? Is it the crop you want to harvest? Notice the impersonalness of the soil, that it is receptive to any seed because that is its nature; but notice also that it must reproduce any seed as a plant of like kind. Notice how much power you have to choose whatever seed you want to plant. Notice that you are the one doing the thinking — no matter what is going on around you, you are the one interpreting and thinking about it all. Get a sense that you are free to follow any line of thought you want and try to imagine what that implies for your life. Adapted from the writings of Rev. Marlene Oaks.

37 THE WAY IT WORKS…EVERY WORD, EVERY THOUGHT, MATTERS Our Word Of Power Begin mentally to climb into a spiritual atmosphere, dropping all burdens, anxieties, fears and doubts behind you. You will soon discover that, as your thought reaches a place of peace, confusion disappears. From this inner place of peace you speak your word, which is to become the law unto that whereunto it is spoken. —THOMAS TROWARD, “THE CREATIVE PROCESS” The highest consciousness is not one of possession, but of being. The highest use of Life is not an act of will, of concentration, nor of holding thoughts. These attitudes suggest burdens. They suggest the coercion of a reluctant power. They suggest the necessity of putting power into your word. These attitudes are directly opposite to those you should assume. You are not putting power into your Affirmative Prayer, you are expressing it. Just as the generator takes power out of the waterfall. The power is already there. The more completely you understand this, the more ease there will be in your Affirmative Prayer. It has been said that the power which flows from your word is in mathematical proportion to your recognition of the Power flowing into your word. This is why we must have faith. This is why all things are possible if we do have faith. God’s Law, of itself, does nothing without a word, a thought, or an idea. It has no impulsion of Its own. Just as the empty lot next to your house produces nothing of itself but is ever ready to produce when it is planted, so the Law of your mind waits until It becomes impregnated with the creative word or feeling which sets it in motion. Your word differentiates this Law. Now that we have come to understand the operation of God’s Law; now that we realize every word we speak has some power, we begin to speak mindfully when we pray. …we must first lose sight of ourselves as isolated, separated beings. It is not from the thought of the little you and the little me, separated from Life, that the greatest use of the Law comes, but from an expansion of consciousness through which we contemplate Life as one vast wholeness. We are one with the Spirit of Life, one with Its Law and one with Its manifestation. Our Affirmative Prayers can be spoken in fullness only as we recognize the unity of all life, only as the good we desire for the self includes all others...It is important that you should be well, happy and successful, but these are effects, flowing from the mountain top of your vision where you have learned to speak the real creative word — the word of real power, the word of Life, because it is a word of unity.

38 Beyond Limits! Basic Principle Three: Affirmative Prayer / Spiritual Mind Treatment

THE THING ITSELF THE WAY IT WORKS ...The Universal… ...The Human…

In the infinite nature of God, all conceivable The human reenactment of the Cosmic Good is eternally available, ready to flow Creative Process is naturally happening, into being. Through some Cosmic Process, with or without our awareness. In this this flow of Good is activated and/or process, prayer, or spiritual mind treatment, increased. is one effective way to practice activating and/or increasing the possibilities available in Spirit in a conscious and mindful way.

Scientist W. F. G. Swann observed, “I am apt to regard [prayer] as all that we yet have for The Law is ever ready to produce a form or setting into motion that relationship condition to fit any pattern submitted to it between mind and matter as yet but little by Spirit. Thus new forms continuously understood.” emerge in the Divine Creative Process. That which the Science of Mind calls spiritual mind treatment is affirmative prayer. The techniques of treatment are based on the triune nature of God and of humankind.

An essential element in the effectiveness of my Affirmative Prayer is my pervading consciousness of the Presence of Spirit as my life, and my full acceptance of my inherent well-being and wholeness as the Spiritual Being that I am.

39 THE WAY IT WORKS…ELEMENTS OF SPIRITUAL MIND TREATMENT Prayer, in its broadest sense, is an act of communion. Are prayer and treatment the same? Yes — treatment is prayer, but prayer of a very special kind — affirmative and methodical. Affirmative prayer is not supplication or petition, but recognition and acceptance that Spirit is all there is; that we are all spiritual beings here and now; and that all the infinite possibilities of creation are ours to express and experience. Methodical prayer is based on our second Principle, the Creative Process, and the Three Fold Nature of Being. By using a methodical approach to prayer we practice being aware of the thought seeds we are planting in God’s Law. Although all thoughts are significant, organized and conscious thoughts in prayer yield more satisfying results. Being methodical in our prayer gives us the opportunity to observe whether or not the results match our intention. As in any kind of prayer, the faith and conviction of the one praying are vital ingredients in the effectiveness of the prayer. “Pure faith is a spiritual conviction,” says Holmes. “It is the acquiescence of the mind, the embodiment of an idea.... If I jump up and down and scream, “I am rich; all that God has is mine,” that is dynamic, but unless it means something to me, unless I am One with the substance of the belief, nothing will happen. Jesus, announcing the same Law of Mind, said, “It is done unto you as you believe.” The five stages of Spiritual Mind Treatment are identified as Recognition, Unification, Realization, Thanksgiving, and Release; each has its own function in the treatment. The first two stages, Recognition and Unification, are akin to meditation. Considered by many to be the most deeply significant and essential parts of the treatment, their function is to assist you in bringing your consciousness to the highest level possible at any given time. In your awareness of the Allness of God and your oneness with It, you are able to turn completely from the circumstances about which you are treating, towards the spiritual awareness of infinite possibilities. This is the next stage, called Realization. This stage is greatly enhanced by carefully formulating the purpose of your treatment before actually beginning. Stages four and five are Thanksgiving and Release.

40 MY FIRST SPIRITUAL MIND TREATMENT – To be completed IN CLASS Purpose: (A short statement of what you want to experience, stated in present tense, using affirmative language)

Recognition (Describing Spirit) There is one Power, Spirit. It is at the heart of all creation. It is all Life, Love, Wisdom, Power, Peace, Abundance and Wholeness. One… One… One perfect Divine-Life. Unification (Describing my Unity in Spirit) My life is one with Divine-life. In Divine-Life I live, move and have my being. This is who I really am. I embrace the life of Spirit as my life. I embrace the power of Creation as my power. I am one with Spirit.

Realization (Describing the spiritual Truth about the situation in your purpose statement above) My Affirmations

Thanksgiving (Describing my joy) I am profoundly joyous and grateful and I feel deep gratitude for what has shifted in my consciousness. I celebrate that something wonderful is happening.

Release (Letting go and completing) I now release this prayer into the Creative Law of Mind. I acknowledge and trust the spiritual laws that govern the Universe. I am complete.

It is Done! AND SO IT IS!

41 THE WAY IT WORKS…PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Meditation Practice A New Discipline...Contemplative Meditation This week you will add another dimension to your spiritual practice. You may either extend the time you are currently devoting to quieting and directing your mind or you may choose to try this new discipline, called contemplative meditation, at a separate time. When your mind has quieted its planning, sorting, and assessing activities are stilled, words of inspiration can act as doorways to the deeper insight and wisdom which is present at all times within you. No effort need be exerted. It is most effective if no predetermined results or actions are expected. Meditation is the time for listening and resting in the assurance that what you need to know in order to live a fulfilled life is available to you in the most appropriate moment for your actions. Trust, both in yourself and in the Higher Power, the Infinite Intelligence, is a necessary ingredient in any kind of meditation. This week, before you start your mind-quieting, have this meditation from Ernest Holmes’ The Science of Mind available for the exercise.

Happiness and Completion I am happy and complete, today and forever. Within me is that which is Perfect and Complete. It is The Spirit of all Life, Truth and Action. I am happy in the certain knowledge of this Inner Light. I cannot be sad nor sorry, but must radiate Joy and Life, For Life is within me now. I am happy and complete.

When your body is completely relaxed and your mind stilled, read what you have selected, slowly and with no effort. You may wish to read the same selection two or three times, allowing the words to sink deeply into your consciousness with no effort to memorize or retain them. In this quiet state, such words have the power to evoke a similar state of awareness within you. When you feel complete with your reading, return to your breath-counting or allow your thoughts to drift through your mind with no attachment to them. Be cautious of any tendency to drift into planning, controlling, or assessing while contemplating your chosen words.

42 PREPARATION NEXT WEEK Home Study to prepare yourself for Session 4 Read: Session 4 of your student workbook (pages 44 – 55) Living The Science of Mind – 296 - 300 Exercise: Use your treatment on page 41 this week repeating it regularly and with feeling. This will help you experience the flow of “treatment” when you use your own words in the future. Keep a list of questions about treatment/affirmative prayer, and remember: The way to learn to treat is to start where you are and TREAT! Meditation Practice daily mediation as described on page 42. Writing: Write a short description of how you experience being connected to Spirit. Refer to the example on page 41 under Unification (Describing my Unity in Spirit) for an example of length. Use your own words and try to be spontaneous when coming up with the description. This writing assignment is for your own reference. It will not be handed in.

Be prepared to share it in class 4.

Personal reflection to complete before next week: Based on your reading from Living The Science of Mind (pages 296-300) what have you learned about the way words are to be used in Spiritual Mind Treatment?

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Beyond Limits: Practical Spirituality for Dynamic Living

SESSION FOUR The Trinity Individual Use of the Creative Process Affirmative Prayer (Spiritual Mind Treatment) The Power of the Word

44 THIS WEEK

In these next three classes considerable time will be devoted to refining our understanding of affirmative prayer. Each of the five steps of Spiritual Mind Treatment (affirmative prayer) will be explored in depth so that the energy and feeling of prayer power can be experienced fully. We’ll explore the “power of the Word” in light of the biblical passage, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God…” (John 1: 1-5). We will be building a foundation upon which your affirmative prayer practice will stand: the practice of speaking your Word.

Let Go and Let God As children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend, I brought my broken dreams to God, because God is my friend.

But then, instead of leaving God in peace to work alone I hung around and tried to help, with ways that were my own.

At last, I snatched them back and cried, “How can you be so slow?” “My child,” God said, “What could I do? You never did let go!”

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

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Beyond Limits! Basic Principle Four: The Trinity

THE THING ITSELF THE WAY IT WORKS ...The Universal… ...The Human…

Divinity is triune, or threefold, in nature, Each human being is a projection of Divinity having three aspects or modes of being within in microcosm, endowed with the triune nature the One: Spirit, Soul, and Body. and expressing that nature as his/her being — spirit, soul, and body.

Spirit is Universal Mind in the conscious mode: My conscious mind is Universal Mind Self-knowing, spontaneous, originating, individualized in me as my spirit. It is the source reasoning, directing, exercising will, volition, and of my intellect, my spontaneity, my capacity to choice. The term Spirit means God in the love, to reason, to originate, to choose, and to conscious mode, and it is frequently used as a direct my life. It is my point of contact with the Divine. synonym for the whole of God.

Soul is Universal Mind in the subjective mode. My subjective mind performs within me all the Sometimes it is called Universal Law or the roles of the Universal Mind. My subjective mind Creative Medium. It is without volition of Its merges with the Universal Mind. I am immersed own, It acts impersonally on the directives in the Universal Mind in the subjective mode of implanted by Spirit. In a sense, It is the Energy my being. from which all forms emerge. In another sense, It is the reservoir of all memory, and is often

called consciousness of the human race.

Body is the physical universe and all the forms it My physical body is the vehicle through which I contains — all the visible manifestations of function in the physical universe. With my Invisible Cause. Form is always an effect, never human senses and emotions, I experience the a cause. events and conditions of my world of affairs. All these experiences are effects and thus are subject to constant change.

46 The Way It Works…The One Mind Works in Two Ways

You might say that you are you whether you are asleep or awake. You have these two primary ways of being, but you are not two different people.

Mind also has two different modes of expressing. There is one Mind, and it works in two different and complementary ways. We call the first way objective or conscious; the second way we call subjective or subconscious. Re-enacting the modes of the Universal Mind, our human minds work in the same two ways.

The objective/conscious mind sets creation into motion. It produces ideas. The subjective/ subconscious mind is set into motion by the ideas and brings about visible evidence of the ideas. The subjective/subconscious mind is the creative operation of the Universe and also within us.

How does this work in our lives? Our conscious mind produces an idea: “I’m clumsy.” The subjective mind receives this idea and acts upon it, producing actions that match the idea (we stub our toe, drop our glass of milk, walk into a wall, etc.) The conscious mind then says, “Boy, am I clumsy,” thus reinforcing the message for the subjective to act upon. If we interrupt the cycle with a new idea like “I am lovable and capable,” our subjective receives this message and begins to set up corresponding experiences.

The subjective is called the Law because it is impersonal and has no opinion about what ideas conscious mind produces. It takes whatever idea goes into it and acts upon it in a lawful way, without discernment. Think of it as the servant of the conscious mind. It does whatever it is told to do.

This week, try monitoring your thoughts. What kind of seeds are you planting in the Law? Perhaps you are unaware of the nature of these seeds, not realizing that the subjective goes on working with whatever is submitted to it, whether or not this is something that you would consciously choose to experience. Jot down some notes on your thoughts and words, perhaps in categories such as prosperity, worthiness, health, success, relationships, etc.

Do not judge yourself for whatever thoughts you find yourself planting. Just notice them. Awareness is the first step to freedom.

Adapted from the writings of Rev. Marlene Oaks.

The opportunity to share with God the shaping of the conditions of life is a tremendous challenge and the great responsibility that comes with freedom. -ARTHUR H. COMPTON - AMERICAN PHYSICIST - NOBEL LAUREATE, 1927

47 Why Is This Happening to Me Again?

Usually when someone plants a garden there is the expectation of growing a crop. There is also the expectation of having to nurture the ground and care for the seedlings as they sprout. With each carrot top that appears, we expect to find an edible carrot root attached. On each tomato vine we anticipate tomatoes and not carrots. We trust the seeds we have planted to produce their own likeness, and we have faith in the process by which they do this. We also have the ability to pull up, or destroy, any plant which we no longer want, thus ending the creation of further harvests.

Sometimes, in the early spring, a spontaneous seedling will suddenly appear in a location where we had previously planted a garden — the result of nature’s life cycle, an automatic reseeding process of the plant itself. If we cannot see the connections between this result and our previous planting, or if we see our part in the process as so complete that we couldn’t possibly still be reaping the result of our plantings, then we might feel victimized by the unwanted plant, the soil, Mother Nature, or any other part of the natural process involved. We might feel that we had to keep the plant healthy because “That’s the way it has always been,” or “If it is here it must be God’s will.”

The “second crop” effect can happen in our lives too. Our thoughts are much like seeds, producing in our lives events that are in their own image. Thoughts of fear and lack lead us to limited or limiting experiences. Thoughts of possibility and hope allow us to reap greater experiences than we might have ordinarily expected. When we are doing our affirmative prayers, when we are trying to establish new-seed thinking, there is always the possibility of second-crop thoughts, emotions, or responses reoccurring spontaneously without our conscious consent, triggered by events and people in our lives. When we are able to recognize them for what they are, we are again at choice — to be deflected in our growth, or to “uproot” them and move on. The second-crop experiences need not be harvested and need not be feared. When we recognize them, we can acknowledge them as weed-thoughts or responses and mindfully say, “This is interesting, and I really don’t want to harvest this kind of crop anymore.”

48 Treating for Myself

The Technique and the Fire

I know that there is a technique for spiritual mind treatment which can be taught. I also know that there is something vital to a treatment which cannot be taught – my identification with the Center and Source of my being, which is pure Spirit. This I must find for myself through continuous awareness of the Presence that surrounds and indwells me. I make conscious use of the Principle for a definite purpose – but I must ground that action in a deep inner perception and conviction of the Spiritual Truth about myself and any condition related to the treatment.

A perception of wholeness is the consciousness of healing ... If we are to become whole, it must be through the perception of wholeness. The mold which we create with the Intellect ... is necessary, but the realization, that which catches fire from Heaven, must be like Heaven.

—Ernest Holmes

The first two stages of treatment, Recognition and Unification, form a portal through which I allow my perception of wholeness to shine, illuminating every word I think, speak, or write.

STAGE OF TREATMENT WHAT I DO IN EACH STAGE

The Purpose Before beginning, I carefully formulate the purpose of my treatment. First...I state the condition in my life that I want to change. Example:

I urgently need a job. Unemployment benefits are running out and bills are piling

up.

Then, I state the changed condition that I expect to experience as a result of this treatment. Example:

A new job is now mine which meets my financial needs with substance to share and to spare, and offers room for growth and contribution.

This statement is the purpose of my treatment. In clarifying the purpose before I begin my treatment, I am creating a course or theme for my treatment upon which the Realization step will eventually be based.

In my own words, I describe Divinity. I use words that express the Oneness, the 1 Allness, the Wholeness of God. I express my deep conviction that God is all there is, that there is nothing anywhere but God, that there is no spot, no situation where RECOGNITION God is not, because God is ALL-inclusive...that God is the Infinite Love that rules the Universe through the Law of Its Being. Suggestion: Avoid using I statements. Instead GOD IS use “big picture” words and phrases that describe the Presence and Power of Divinity All there Is in, under, over, around, and through all that is. Do not use the word “I”. Only state what God IS.

49

In my own words, I describe my relationship to this everywhere present Divinity in terms 2 of my oneness with It. I state ideas that express that I am inseparably One at the Source with the Infinite Presence and Power. I express my deep conviction that God in me, as me, UNIFICATION is me...that I am made of the same God-Stuff, a whole, perfect, and complete child of God. This is WHO I AM. This is the Truth about me. Suggestion: Use “I” statements; I AM Avoid repeating step one. One with God

3 In my own words I express my acceptance of that which the purpose of my treatment describes. I declare that I wholly accept and embody this realization as the Spiritual Truth REALIZATION of my being and my affairs, that I clearly see the special good that I desire as already mine, I ACCEPT right now. My entire being is open and ready to receive this good that is mine now. and Embody Suggestion: Use words that reflect a deep feeling of acceptance. For example “I deeply My Good and fully realize that the good I desire is already mine because of WHO I AM, God's perfect child, a Spiritual Being right now, right where I am. I am one with all the abundance and energy of the Universe. I wholly recognize, accept, and embody this Perfect Right Action, and I allow It to unfold in my experience.”

4 In my own words, I express my thankfulness for this realization of Good in my being and affairs – and for what I have now realized and for the Good that is taking form in my THANKSGIVING experience. Suggestion: This stage is an outpouring of my attitude of gratitude for this I GIVE new awareness. Suggestion: Avoid expressing thanks to God. Instead, celebrate your new awareness. Avoid restating steps one through three. Thanks

5 In my own language, I bring this Spiritual Mind Treatment to a close by using words that illustrate I have released it to the action of the Law. This step is an affirmation of trust RELEASE and confidence that the Law of Mind is at work. It is important that this release be total. I I LET GO may treat again tomorrow for the same good; but the present treatment is a spiritual and let God entity and, as such, is being released into the Law. Suggestion: Let the focal point of this step be on letting go, trust and surrender. Avoid restating steps one through four.

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Beyond Limits!

Basic Principle Five: The Power of the Word

...The Universal… THE ...The Human… THE THING ITSELF The WAY IT WORKS The Nature of God Relationship of God and the Spiritual Universe and Humankind

Spirit is the Causative Power of the Universe. The human spirit is one with Universal Spirit, The Word, or thought, of God eternally and the human subjective merges with the initiates the Creative Process. In this process, Universal Subjective. Human thought Law is continuously set in motion to create, is creative and re-enacts the Creative Process. from the Unformed Substance, innumerable forms which follow the thought-patterns of Spirit.

The Word of God means the Power of God to My word means my ability to think and choose. bring Itself into form.

The Law (the Creative Medium) is subjective to Through my conscious thinking and my the Spirit and must create all physical subjective beliefs, I re-enact in microcosm the manifestation in exact accordance with the continuum of creation. I co-create the initiating Cause — just as the soil must produce conditions of my life through my thoughts and a tomato plant from a tomato seed and a carrot beliefs. My thought tends to reproduce in my from a carrot seed. experience a reflection of the consciousness

behind it. Changing my consciousness by Remember: All three of these modes of being changing my thinking, brings about a change in (Spirit, Law, and form) are within the One — my experience.

God moving within Itself to bring forth form — which is one of the three aspects of God.

51 The Way It Works…Fire From Heaven

Divine ideas stand back of all human thought, seeking admittance through the doorway of the mind. The heartbeat of the Universe is at the center of every living soul, and the Presence of God within us waits patiently for our recognition. We must awaken to the realization that a Divine Partnership has already been formed between the seen and the invisible. We should daily feel a sense of the indwelling God—the God of the seen and of the unseen—within us.

The Spirit responds to us by a direct impartation of Itself through us, but It can give us only what we can take; It imparts of Itself only as we partake of Its nature. The Infinite Knowingness becomes our wisdom only in such degree as we embody Its Intelligence. Its nature is to impart, ours to receive. When we stand with our back to the light, we cast a shadow across the pathway of our own experience.

Daily we should open our consciousness to the Divine influx, expecting greater wisdom and guidance and complete self- expression… We must relight the torch of our imagination by “fire from heaven.” We must remain faithful to this vision, for a realization of the Presence of God is the real power in our life.

Spiritual experience is deep, calm and self- assertive. It is the result of actually realizing the Presence which binds all together in one complete Whole. God comes silent and alone to each one of us in the stillness of our own souls. Let us take time daily to sense God’s Presence in us, to believe in It, and to accept Its completeness in our lives.

-ERNEST HOLMES SPIRITUAL AWARENESS

52 Spiritual Mind Treatment Recognition (copy your writing assignment from page 34 to the space below)

Unification (copy your writing assignment from page 43 to the space below)

Realization (Describing the spiritual Truth about the situation)

My Affirmations

(Make up some affirmations here, you could use the affirmations you created on page 41, or you could make some new ones.)

Thanksgiving (Describing my joy) I am profoundly grateful for this healing Truth, and for the abundant and perfect expression of the good I have accepted. I feel deep gratitude that this creative Word now moves forth into highest and best manifestation.

Release I now release this accepted prayer into the Infinite Power, the Creative Law of God. I joyously let go and let God do the perfect work. It is done! And so it is!

53 MEDITATION EXERCISE

During your meditation practice this week, continue with your new discipline, contemplative meditation.

This week, however, choose a different kind of subject for your contemplations—something not clearly metaphysical, as were those suggested for last week’s practice. For example, the bit of William Blake’s poetry given below holds in its four lines material for hours of meditative contemplation and interpretation. Try it, or choose some other bit of subtle writing from general literature.

To see the world in a grain of sand And Heaven in a wild flower Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour. -WILLIAM BLAKE AUGURIES OF INNOCENCE

54 PREPARATION FOR NEXT WEEK Home Study to prepare yourself for Session 5 Read: Session 5 of your Student Notebook - Pages 56 – 76 Living The Science of Mind – Pages 132 - 133

Complete: To be handed in: Your written Treatment is due next week. Focus your Treatment purpose on any purpose in your life. Make sure to identify the purpose first. Use the form on page 69 as your final copy to hand in.

Answer the questions on pages 63 and 64 for discussion in class

Complete the Abundance Quotient Worksheet (pages 71-72) and bring to our next session, week 5.

Practice: Meditation exercise as described on page 54

Personal reflection to complete before next week: Based on your reading from Living The Science of Mind (pages 132-133) how do understand the phrase “I am the abundance within you”?

55 Beyond Limits: Practical Spirituality for Dynamic Living

SESSION FIVE The Reciprocal Universe Abundance Giving and Receiving Discovering Hidden Beliefs

56 THIS WEEK

This week, we will continue to study the Creative Process by exploring the reciprocal nature of the Universe: that there is an invisible counterpart for every visible form. Perhaps more than any other of the principles we are studying, this one shows up in our daily living in observable form. We will begin to notice that we tend to get what we give – if not today, then tomorrow, and we tend to attract what we are. When we ignore the reciprocal nature of the Universe, we experience confusion until we return to alignment with it. We will begin to notice that it is possible to introduce a new “cause” at any point and change the “effect.” There is no punishment by a displeased God; there is however lawful working of the Universe. It is impersonal but an unavoidable consequence of our freedom to choose.

This session also introduces “Abundance.” This is one of the most joyous teachings of Science of Mind and Spirit – profoundly joyous and profoundly challenging. To many, the idea of abundance often seems to be associated with things, money, and worldly prosperity. Other powerful reminders of limitless abundance are found in this week’s manual. This session will also introduce the concept of “Hidden Beliefs” – how we can discover and, if necessary, transform them.

You may as well begin right here and now by realizing that the secret of having anything is first attaining the consciousness of it. Why is that? Because consciousness is God, and the moment you have the consciousness of a thing, consciousness creates it, whatever the “it” may be—home, companionship, supply, employment, health, eternality, immortality. Your consciousness of it builds it. “With all thy getting get understanding.” With all thy getting, get a consciousness of good, and then the good will follow.

-JOEL S. GOLDSMITH GOD, THE SUBSTANCE OF ALL FORM

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Beyond Limits!

Basic Principle Six: The Reciprocal Universe

THE THING ITSELF THE WAY IT WORKS ...The Universal… ...The Human…

This is a reciprocal Universe. For every visible Human life duplicates the reciprocal nature form, there is an invisible counterpart. of the Universe in the laws of attraction, the Everything in nature tends to equalize itself, relationship between giving and receiving, to maintain balance. the law of mental equivalents, and other similar principles.

This is evident in all we see in life; in that portion “…The general law that what we are to the which we can see of the physical universe; and in Universe, the Universe will be to us; that what we what we intuitively perceive as true in the give out…that we shall receive back; that like Spiritual Universe. attracts like; that whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap; and that no man escapes the Law.” Ernest Holmes

Within the Universal Harmony, the givingness There is a natural balance between giving and must always be balanced by equal acceptance. receiving in my life. Misunderstanding or ignoring this balance results in some form of disorder in my Misuse of Universal Law is always balanced by affairs. some form of disorder or dysfunction. Restoration or alignment with Universal Law is always balanced by restoration of harmony.

58 The Way It Works…the Golden Rule

The idea of a reciprocal Universe is expressed in various words, according to the culture into which it was spoken. Consider the Golden Rule, as written in nine of the world’s living religions:

CHRISTIANITY: “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

ISLAM: “No one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

TAOISM: “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain and regard your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.”

ZOROASTRIANISM: “That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self.”

JUDAISM: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

BUDDHISM: “In five ways should a clansman minister to his friends and familiars — by generosity, courtesy and benevolence, by treating them as he treats himself, and by being as good as his word.”

HINDUISM: “Men gifted with intelligence should always treat others as they themselves wish to be treated.”

JAINISM: “In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.”

SIKHISM: “As thou deemest thyself so deem others. Then shalt thou become a partner in heaven.”

The Way It Works…Beyond the Golden Rule

Do unto others as they would have you do unto them. In other words, what you want for yourself, may or may not match another person’s idea of ideal treatment. Find out if what you wish to do to/for another is desired by them.

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Beyond Limits! Basic Principle Seven: Abundance

THE THING ITSELF THE WAY IT WORKS ...The Universal… ...The Human…

This is a Universe of infinite abundance: The infinite bounty of Spirit is the birthright of spiritual, mental, and physical. This Bounty every human. l am created as a finite of Spirit, this Allness of Good, is limitless and expression of God and I am heir to all the can never be exhausted or depleted. Good there is because of who I am.

As Holmes says, “Our planet alone contains un- My life is only one segment of this eternal told riches of every kind.” And our planet is journey along a path of infinite possibilities. only one of an infinite number of planets in the This boundless potential of God is my yet uncharted Universe. inheritance, now and forever, but I can

experience any form of it only to the degree that I embrace and embody it.

The number of physical forms that surround us I can experience this infinite possibility in my is uncountable: fingerprints, snowflakes, wild life as love, money, health, talent, fulfillment, or flowers, trees, rocks, grains of sand, birds, fish, any other form of earthly riches that my mind animals, insects, and so on. Also uncountable can conceive. are the thought seeds planted in the Law each

instant and the energy units expended by the Law in their manifestation. There is a limitless potential of possible ideas giving rise to limitless potential of forms.

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The Way It Works…abundance is natural in the universe

The human creation is a reflection of the creator. A painter has a distinctive style, and his/her paintings can be identified as uniquely his/hers. A Van Gogh is clearly a Van Gogh, a Rembrandt clearly a Rembrandt. Something of the painter can be seen in the painting.

God is the Creator. We, our world, our universe, are creations of God. Something of God’s nature may be seen in the creation.

When we look around the creation, we notice that abundance is everywhere. There are billions of galaxies, each with billions of stars. There are countless grains of sand on our planet alone. There are billions of cells in our bodies. We dare not imagine how many atoms there are on earth alone, for the number is so vast. There are limitless ideas, thoughts, inventions, and creations of human- kind. God has no limits. It would be fair to say that limitless abundance is part of the nature of the Divinity. You and I, as living souls made in the image and likeness of God, would then have as part of our original nature the quality of abundance. So all the abundance of the Universe is ours as our birthright, simply because of who we are. Our part is only to wholly recognize, embody, and accept this heritage.

Look for examples of abundance everywhere you go today. Ponder things like: How many thoughts have I had today? In my lifetime? How many thoughts were thought today by everyone on earth? Since the beginning of earth?

Look for examples of abundance that happen naturally. Fill your mind with awareness of the abundance that is there for the seeing.

Reflect on what this has to do with your freedom.

I am abundance, now and forever.

Adapted from the writings of Rev. Marlene Oaks. 61

The Way It Works…Not Something for Nothing

Lessons on prosperity and mental control of conditions are sometimes dangerous because of the misunderstanding of this subject. Science of Mind is not a "get-rich- quick" scheme; neither does it promise something for nothing. It does, however, promise the one who will comply with its teachings that he shall be able to bring greater possibilities and happier conditions into his experience. We do not teach that you can get what you want. If we could all get what we want, it might be disastrous, for it is certain that most of us would want things that would interfere with the well-being of someone else. While we could not expect to demonstrate that which is contrary to the nature of our own existence, we not only believe, but we know that it is entirely possible, through mental treatment – through right thought and belief – to greatly influence our environment, its reaction to us, the situations we meet and the conditions we contact. There is such a thing as demonstrating a control of conditions. We shall be able to prove this in such degree as we are successful in looking away from the conditions which now exist, while accepting better ones. Not only must we accept this intellectually, but our acceptance must become a subjective embodiment of which the intellect furnishes but a mental picture. Consequently, this Science does not promise something for nothing. It does, however, tell us that if we comply with the Law, the Law complies with us. No man can demonstrate peace and cling to unhappiness. He can demonstrate resignation, and call it peace, but it will not be peace. No man can jump into the water and remain dry. This is contrary to law and to reason. NO PERSON WHOSE ENTIRE TIME IS SPENT IN THE CONTEMPLATION OF LIMITATION CAN DEMONSTRATE FREEDOM FROM SUCH LIMITATION! The Law Itself must be willing to give, because in so giving Life is Self- expressed. It is a great mistake to say: "Take what you wish, for you can have anything you like." We do not take what we wish, but we do attract to ourselves that which is like our thought. MAN MUST BECOME MORE IF HE WISHES TO DRAW A GREATER GOOD INTO HIS LIFE. We need not labor under the delusion that all we have to do is to say that everything is ours. This is true in Reality, but in fact it is only as true as we make it. We provide the mold for the Creative Law, and unless the mold we provide is increased, Substance cannot increase in our experience; for Mental Science does not promise anything that will do away with the necessity of complying with law. The Law is a law of liberty, but not a law of license. It is exact and exacting, and unless we are willing to comply with Its Nature and work with It, along the lines of Its inherent being, we shall receive no great benefit. EVERY MAN MUST PAY THE PRICE FOR THAT WHICH HE RECEIVES AND THAT PRICE IS PAID IN MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL COIN. All nature conspires to produce and manifest the freedom of the individual, that it may unloose its own energy. We may be sure God is for us – whatever our conception of God 62 may be, whatever our conception of the relationship of Jesus, and the idea of Christ to humanity and God and our own salvation may be, this thing must act in accordance with definite Law in the Universe, and this Law says that whenever and wherever there is an adequate subjective image, which does not contradict the nature of the Universe, that image will not only tend to take form, but will take form and will manifest. This Law we did not make and we cannot change. But this teaching should not be confused with the idea that we can show people how to get what they want, regardless. True prayer must be, "Thy will be done," but the implication relative to the Will of God in this prayer is not a submission to the inevitability of evil or limitation; it is a knowledge that the Will of God is always GOOD. How do we know what the Will of God is? We do not, other than this: The Will of God cannot be death. Why? Because if we assume God to be the Principle of Life, the Principle of Life cannot produce death without destroying Itself. The Will of Life has only to BE Life. The Will of that which is Infinite can never be finite. Everything then should tend to expansion and multiplication in the Divine Plan. THAT is the Will of God. It has to be beauty, truth and harmony, as Troward said, as this is the true relationship of the Whole to the parts and the parts to the Whole. Therefore, we should interpret the Will of God to be everything that expresses life without hurt. This seems to be a fair, logical, sane and intelligent criterion. Anything that will enable us to express greater life, greater happiness, and greater power – so long as it does not harm anyone – must be the Will of God for us. As much life as one can conceive will become a part of his experience. (Ernest Holmes – The Science of Mind)

What is Ernest Holmes central message about Prosperity Teachings in this article?

Comment on the line “No [person] can demonstrate peace and cling to unhappiness”

Comment on the line “The Law is a law of liberty, but not a law of license.”

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“Bigger” is not necessarily “better.” Life is a field of unlimited possibilities. “Smaller” is not necessarily “better.” Such is the glory of total flexibility in the What is quite necessarily better is that I human nervous system. This is a begin to appreciate and be thankful for tremendously important point. It says the processes of life that sustain every- that we can bypass the limited, bounded thing, from the movement of galaxies to choices that we are used to making and the careful disposal of food and breath in go directly to the solution of any my own physical body, that builds, re- problem. The basis for this assertion is pairs and provides foundation for such that nature has already structured the consciousness as I may have to be thank- solution in our consciousness. The ful for. With such an attitude, heart-open problems are in the field of diversity, to life, I will discover, from moment to while the solutions are in the field of moment, what best serves the purpose of unity. Going straight to the field of unity a greater honoring of life. automatically hits upon the solution, which the mind-body system then carries —TED BLACK out. ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF INTEGRITY

The question isn’t whether we are finite or infinite, perfect or imperfect—D, EEPmAoKr CtaHOl Por RA QUANTUM HEALING immortal, but whether we identify ourselves with limitation and the body or with infinity and freedom.

—WALTER STARKE HOMESICK FOR HEAVEN The Creative Principle or Creative Impulse will draw everything, everything that you need to make your desire a reality, but you have to release the desire and let it go. The more you are able to let it go (not worry about it) the faster your desire will manifest.

—ROBERT ANTHONY ADVANCED FORMULA FOR TOTAL SUCCESS

64 The Way It Works…Giving and Receiving

by Ernest Holmes

Life undoubtedly belongs to the ones who take it. But how can we take it unless we first give it? It is impossible. So true givingness is the transmitting of the self to everything we do, no matter what it is — the outpouring of ourself into every undertaking with an enthusiastic zest, love, kindness and friendliness.

It is a fundamental law of mental polarity, cause and effect, that that which goes out comes back the way it went out, plus the intensification of that which it has contacted en route. If we dislike someone he will feel it, no matter what we say. Why is there antagonism and why is there resistance? It is because we are giving lip service. In reality, we cannot fool God nor each other. There is something in us that knows the real from the false. It is because in the universe we cannot set up a camouflage. There is an all-penetrating Eye, an all-hearing Ear, an all-knowing Mind, and we cannot resist the inevitabilities of the law of our own being. We can make no bargains with Life. We should give only when the gift and the giver are one and the same thing.

If we want to get the most from life we can only do it as we have first given the most of ourselves. Then the response comes back to us multiplied.

God is the original Giver. Life gives by imparting Itself to the object of Its desire. But how could there be a givingness unless there were an equal acceptance? We must set up a receiving center. No matter how abundantly the horn of plenty may pour out its universal gifts, we must hold up our bowl of acceptance or the gift cannot be complete.

Life is ready to give us all that we desire, but we must first cast from us everything that hinders Its complete expression through us; let go of all struggle and strife, and accept the Divine bounty. Then we must be willing to share that which we have received.

We should allow the gifts of Life to flow out to everything we touch, everyone we meet, every situation we contact. Then, wherever we go, every situation is blessed, every person is helped, every discord is harmonized, without our even being conscious of it. Just as automatically as we cast a shadow we can so train the mind that automatically something shall flow from us to bless everything in our world. This would be the supreme gift.

Excerpted from Creative Living, Vol. 18 of Miscellaneous Writings of Ernest Holmes, published by Science of Mind Communications in 1975

65 The Way It Works…Our Hidden Beliefs and our Conscious Thought

Holmes tells us that our hidden beliefs and deep-seated convictions inevitably out picture and reflect themselves in our experience and environment, both in the physical condition of our bodies, and in the larger world of our affairs.

In the study of the Science of Mind we must become aware of our hidden beliefs so that we can consciously choose to change these beliefs in areas of our lives that are not functioning well. For example, if you desire more abundance in your life, you need to look at your beliefs about abundance.

Searching our beliefs takes time and study, because most of them have never been put into language. Frequently, we find that something in our early life established a belief that we have ever since been operating from. Take that belief out — look at it, write about it. What purpose does it serve? If you no longer need it, give it up. Be patient but persistent with yourself, and applaud every gain you achieve.

Writing affirmations sometimes helps to uncover hidden beliefs. If something within you seems uneasy every time you say your affirmation, ask yourself, “What do I really believe about this? How is this showing up in my life?” You might want to explore these questions in writing.

FEELINGS...EMOTIONS...INTUITION

There are no negative feelings. Feelings come from our essence — awe, love, gratitude, fulfillment, a “felt sense” of perfection or rightness.

Emotions are triggered responses — reactions to outside events, people, situations. Since they are effects of outside causes, they are completely subject to our conscious minds — hence, are subject to change by changes in our thinking. However, anger, jealousy, etc., are not necessarily negative or destructive — unless our thought holds on to them and creates from them. Sometimes anger is focused into a social contribution and becomes a force for healing change. An example of such anger is the organization M.A.D.D., Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Intuition is the highest faculty of our conscious minds — not, as is commonly thought, a product of our subjective mode of being. Intuition is our capacity to perceive Truth whole, as the great mystics have seen it — without the reasoning processes of our conscious minds. .

66 Hidden Beliefs

Sometimes we are aware of the beliefs that hold us back. They show up in our language as often repeated phrases such as “I can’t stand this job.” Sometimes, just becoming aware of the belief through identifying language that points to it is sufficient to begin undoing its power over you. Other beliefs are less obvious, hidden from our view. However, when found, the same process of undoing begins and we start to feel the relief that goes with putting down a concept that has held us captive for so long. These beliefs often appear to be reasonable, especially if everyone else holds them to be true too, and often they go unquestioned to the point of becoming unchallengeable. Part of finding a hidden belief is in the challenging of it, questioning whether it is true or not and imagining how your life would be without such a belief. This is an exercise in imagination, because you and I may not yet know how our lives would be without a particular belief, so we have to guess at it. But there is something freeing in doing the guess work. Many of these hidden beliefs are attached to ideas about survival, or connected to family ideas about self-preservation and in some cases connected to difficult events in the past. Here are some examples of hidden beliefs:

• People won’t like me if I show up as my real self. • I’m too old/young to be doing this. • If I get this wrong I will ruin all my future opportunities. • Something terrible will happen if I … • I don’t know how to be in a relationship.

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Name ______

______

WRITING ASSIGNMENT - MY TREATMENT TO BE HANDED IN ON WEEK FIVE (Please use this page from your workbook to hand in. It will be returned to you)

My Purpose (stated affirmatively, see pp 49)

STAGE 1. Recognition (Describing Spirit)

STAGE 2. Unification (Describing my Unity in Spirit)

STAGE 3. Realization (Describing the spiritual Truth about the situation)

STAGE 4. Thanksgiving (Describing my joy)

STAGE 5, Release (Letting go and completing)

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70 The Way It Works…what is my abundance quotient?

(To be completed at home and ready for discussion in week 5)

Abundance Quotient Worksheet

Think about each statement below. Then, for each statement, circle the number that represents your appraisal of its accuracy for you. Strive for honesty.

In marking your numbers, use the following order: 1 = never 2 = seldom 3 = sometimes 4 = usually 5 = always

1. I find it easy to accept gifts from other people. 1 2 3 4 5

2. I find it easy to give myself gifts. 1 2 3 4 5

3. I see myself as a generous person. 1 2 3 4 5

4. I believe it is spiritual to prosper. 1 2 3 4 5

5. I give a generous percentage of my money, time, and talent to spiritual 1 2 3 4 5 work.

6. I feel comfortable asking others for help. 1 2 3 4 5

7. I feel comfortable being asked for help by others. 1 2 3 4 5

8. I am a contributing, participating member of life. 1 2 3 4 5

9. I have a surplus of money so that I do not live on the edge. 1 2 3 4 5

10. I am comfortable with risk and ambiguity. 1 2 3 4 5

11. I am at ease and comfortable with money. 1 2 3 4 5

12. It is easy for me to give and receive love. 1 2 3 4 5

13. My life flows effortlessly and my needs are always met. 1 2 3 4 5

14. I receive compliments graciously. 1 2 3 4 5

15. I give acknowledgment of others easily and frequently. 1 2 3 4 5

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16. I am optimistic in general about life, not only when things are going just as I think they should. 1 2 3 4 5

17. I am happy about other people’s success. 1 2 3 4 5

18. I am comfortable with my own success. 1 2 3 4 5

19. I feel capable of handling life’s situations. 1 2 3 4 5

20. I enjoy receiving praise and compliments. 1 2 3 4 5

21. I am accepted by most of the people I meet. 1 2 3 4 5

22. I accept other people just as they are. 1 2 3 4 5

23. I trust Life for the highest and best to be mine. 1 2 3 4 5

24. I allow changes to happen with ease. 1 2 3 4 5

25. I have an abundance of ideas always available. 1 2 3 4 5

26. I easily see options and opportunities, even in the midst of challenges. 1 2 3 4 5

27. I know I am creative. 1 2 3 4 5

28. I understand that giving and receiving are the same thing. 1 2 3 4 5

29. I have total faith and no fear about having what I need. 1 2 3 4 5

30. I trust the natural Abundance of the Universe to provide me with the appropriate things at the appropriate time. 1 2 3 4 5

31. I enjoy paying my bills and bless them. 1 2 3 4 5

32. I am aware of my unlimited spiritual resources. 1 2 3 4 5

Did you notice that each statement is an affirmation?

When you have circled your choices, make a graph of your Abundance Quotient by drawing a line connecting all the circles. The number-5 points indicate the highest abundance consciousness, and the number-1 points the lowest. (It is not likely that anyone honest with herself or himself will have all 5’s.) The low points on your curve indicate the areas in which your abundance consciousness needs work.

72 The Way It Works…What is visualization? (For home study)

by Ernest Holmes

Visualization means to create a mental picture of ourselves as we would like to be, to hand this picture over to the universal Law for execution and to believe implicitly that It will act. But our present ability to visualize depends upon our present state of thought; it is limited to previous experiences and impressions. A person, by the art of visualization, can bring into his experience only that which he can mentally image and he can image only that which he knows.

Plotinus said that our work is always done better when we face the Spirit, even though our back is turned to our work; Emerson tells us that betterment in conditions always follows the divine influx; Jesus tells us to seek the upper kingdom first and that all things will be added. All great spiritual teachers have mentioned that we need to look for higher forms of thought if we wish to experience better things.

It is necessary, then, to find higher visions and broader vistas of thought if we are to transcend our previous experiences. Visualization is always incomplete unless the thought is first impressed with the greater possibility and made receptive to the divine influx. The Spirit is always ready to flow through us, but we are each individual and must let it flow by the act of self-choice. God is harmony, and harmony is beauty. It is unity, harmony, beauty, a perfect adjustment to the Whole and to all of Its parts. That vision which is based upon harmony and unity is complete and unconditioned.Any purpose which is constructive is legitimate and right. The Spirit intends us to have and enjoy all things.

Think of yourself as you would like to be and calmly state that you are now in the position that you care to be in; that you are now doing the things you would like to be doing; that you now possess the things you care to possess. Look at your picture as you would view a landscape, mentally dwell on this picture, trying to feel the reality of it, until you can sense that it is a reality; then leave the entire picture for the Law to work out for you, returning to your everyday affairs with perfect confidence that something is really taking place on the invisible side of your life and that you will experience in outward form all your inner aspirations.

73 The Way It Works…Meditation Practice

Before beginning your meditation, experiment with the “potato-sack” relaxation exercise:

Sitting loosely in a chair, make yourself limp. Imagine you are a burlap bag that is filled with potatoes. In your mind’s eye, cut the string and allow the potatoes to roll out. Imagine that you are the bag that remains. Lift your right arm, and let it fall. Lift your left arm, and let it fall. Lift your right leg, and let it fall. Lift your left leg, and let it fall. Let your eyelids fall. Imagine that all your muscles are relaxing. Imagine that all tension is falling out of you. Say to yourself, “I am calm, serene, and poised in God. I am at ease. I am at peace with God. I am at peace with everyone. I am at peace within myself. I am at one with the flow of Abundance within the Universe.”

Now proceed with your meditation in any way you choose.

In your meditation period this week, try reading and contemplating Holmes’s appealing meditation on abundance (SOM page556):

Abundance Is My Inheritance

Abundance is mine. I cannot be deprived of my supply. The trees do not lack for leaves, nor do the flowers fail to bloom. Am I not as important as they? “Consider the lilies of the field, they toil not, neither do they spin, yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these.”

I look at the lavishness of Nature and know that God intended me to be as abundantly supplied, with everything that makes for beauty, well-being, progressive living and happiness.

Since I know the Truth of my being, I will no longer hinder my good from coming to me. I will expect and accept all that I need to make life happy and worthwhile; for I am a child of the Spirit, and every attribute of It. Every attribute of Good is my inheritance.

Nothing but lack of faith can keep my good from me, for I am one with the Universal Essence of Life, or Spirit, and Its Substance will manifest in my experience as I believe. No longer will I go for my good, carrying only a dipper to be filled. This day, as I turn to the Father within, I bring “all the empty vessels” knowing they will be filled, and my abundance will become manifest.

Abundance Is My Inheritance

74 PREPARATION FOR NEXT WEEK Home Study to prepare yourself for Session 6 Read: Session 6 of your Student Notebook, Pages 76-93 Living The Science of Mind – 124 - 125

Complete: To be handed in: Your second written Treatment is due next week. Focus your Treatment purpose on any purpose in your life. Make sure to identify the purpose first. Use the form on page 91 as your final copy to hand in.

Practice: Meditation exercise on page 74

Personal reflection to complete before next week: Based on your reading from Living The Science of Mind (pages 124-125) how do define inner guidance?

75

Beyond Limits: Practical Spirituality for Dynamic Living

SESSION SIX Subtleties of Spiritual Mind Treatment Abundance Faith Guidance and Personal Clarity

76 THIS WEEK

This week continues with important and subtle aspects of an effective Spiritual Mind Treatment.

Then the focus shifts to the subject of fear – something every person deals with throughout their lifetime. We will consider how to deal effectively with fear and how to transform it into active faith.

There is a destiny that makes us brothers; No man goes his way alone. All that we

send into the lives of others comes back into our own. -EDWIN MARKHAM

77 The Way It Works…What is Spirituality?

In essence, spirituality is living with the intention to realize God in every circumstance of your being — your thoughts, emotions, words, deeds, relations, aspirations — in short, the totality of your life, right to its very end (as saints and sages do by “dying the good death”). That attitude, that stance in life is the only thing which can truly create a better world. There will never be a better world until there are better people in it. The way to build better people is to begin with yourself by realizing God. To realize God means to know God on every level of reality and in every mode or aspect of God’s being. Thus, spirituality can be defined, level by level of reality, this way:

In physical terms, spirituality is recognizing the miraculous nature of matter and the creative source behind the mystery of matter.

In biological terms, spirituality is realizing that a divine Intelligence underlies all life change and that such change is evolving all creation to ever greater degrees of wholeness and perfection in order to perfectly express itself.

In psychological terms, spirituality is discovering within yourself the ultimate source of meaning and happiness, which is love.

In sociological terms, spirituality is giving selfless service to others, regardless of race, creed, color, gender, caste or nationality.

In ecological terms, spirituality is showing respect for all the kingdoms in the community of life — mineral, vegetable, animal, human, spirit and angelic.

In cosmological terms, spirituality is being at one with the universe, in tune with the infinite, flowing with the Tao.

In theological terms, spirituality is seeing God in all things, all events and all circumstances, indwelling as infinite Light and unconditional Love, and seeing all things, events and circumstances in God as the matrix or infinite ocean in which the universe occurs.

Reprinted from Science of Mind Magazine, June 1990. Monthly column “Explorations in Consciousness,” by John White, who has written and lectured for many years in the fields of consciousness research and human development.

78 Powerful Reminders For Effective Spiritual Mind Treatment

TREATMENT IS NOT… TREATMENT IS…

Manipulating or coercing people or Consciously clearing away the grime of events to bring about some false beliefs from a condition to reveal the personally desired change. Truth that was always there.

Attempting to “reach” God. God is Being still and knowing that God is here, already here, always, within and letting the Presence be so clearly felt that I around me. can realize and declare the Spiritual Truth of any situation.

Putting my own willpower into changing a Allowing God’s Power to flow through me condition; trying to overcome God’s into manifestation of the Truth, without reluctance” to correct the apparent hindrance from my false beliefs.

“wrong.”

Accepting that every new discovery in Disallowing other forms of healing, medical fields is as much a revelation of such as medicine, surgery, psychiatry, Universal Wisdom as a new interpretation diet, etc. of life.

Understanding that Mind in essence and Attempting to exert spiritual control of Mind in form are one and the same; hence, the material universe, as though they there is no difference in essence between were separate entities. my thought and what it becomes.

Realizing that the words I speak in Thinking that the one treating is treatment are only channels for the flow of doing the healing. Spirit, which is tapped by the consciousness

back of my words.

Denying that a person is sick. Denying Realizing that since a human being is the illness and suffering. substance of Life, there is a perfect

spiritual Idea within every individual, no matter what they are experiencing, and

this Truth can be realized and declared.

Persuading God to have a change of Allowing myself to realize and declare the mind or suspend the Universal Laws spiritual Truth about myself and the on my behalf. condition being treated.

79 The Way It Works…Spiritual Awareness and Conscious Direction in Affirmative Prayer

Spiritual Mind Treatment is a powerful tool in our use of thought to cocreate the changes we desire in our lives and to assist others in achieving their desired changes. Holmes discussed treatment extensively throughout his teachings, always emphasizing that the conscious direction necessary for successful demonstration is rooted in and proceeds from the all- pervading awareness of Wholeness embodied by the one treating. This is emphasized in the following quotations.

The perception of wholeness is the consciousness of healing. In practice, then, we have to create a big feeling of wholeness, and the one who has the greatest feeling of wholeness and the greatest subjective embodiment of this wholeness will speak from the greatest degree of wholeness. When it comes to the actual use of technique, he knows that there is no such thing as an individual spirit, an individual mind, or an individual body. There is only One.

The premise is simple and let us keep it that way. The Law of Mind reacts because it is its nature to do so. We can’t change it. However, if we have enough bigness and enough receptivity; if we have enough joy, enough love, enough laughter, and enough song; if we have that which is beyond tolerance and charity to downright understanding so that we can say, without lying, “I behold in you the image of Him who died on the tree,” then the dead will rise!

— FROM SEMINAR LECTURES “THE SCIENCE OF PRAYER”

All statements used in treatment must be felt with a feeling beyond words; beyond statements and phrases. Right spiritual knowing is an intelligent activity of thought which reveals pure Spirit as the invisible cause of everything. Right knowing gives rise to right thinking. Right thinking projects an inward state of pure feeling. An atmosphere of reality is loosed through the word which projects as much reality as one feels at that moment. It produces a result equal to one’s inward awareness.

In treatment words are always specific and direct because consciousness must be conscious of something. The practitioner feels something which cannot be stated in words, and, at the same time, directs his spiritual awareness for specific purposes. [Italics added.] Specific intention is necessary in effective treatment.

The words, thoughts or ideas focus this intention for a definite purpose. But the entire treatment is based on the assumption that there is a spiritual pattern at the center of

80 everything. The perfect was always there, it was implanted by the Spirit. The imperfect has been added by the human mind. What the human mind has put there, it can take away. What the Divine has implanted cannot be uprooted; it can only appear to be covered up. Spiritual mind practice is an uncovering of the Divine Nature.

If his work is to be effective, the practitioner must believe this. Unless, through a simple, direct act of faith he instantly feels the Divine center, then he must resort to a method. To practice with assurance of consistent results one cannot depend entirely on the inspiration of the moment. He must have a method of procedure, a way to arrive at spiritual awareness through a process of statements.

This entire action takes place in the mind of the one giving the treatment. He is inwardly aware of his own union with good, trying to sense what this union means, feeling it in his thought, realizing it deep in his being. It is from this deep realization that he gives his treatment, knowing that each word must find an outlet which corresponds to the inner meaning of that word. [Italics added.]

He is not attempting to coerce the Spirit or compel the Law. The Spirit is always willing and the Law is always ready. It automatically flows around everything. It needs merely to be recognized and used. This is the general atmosphere of a treatment.

The practitioner must discover the great Reality within himself. It is his consciousness of this Presence which gives power to his word. The principle he is using is the Law of Mind in action; the method for using it is conscious thought. It is the practitioner’s business to combine his inward awareness with the conscious use of the Principle for definite purposes, [Italics added] for himself, for others, and for any condition which needs changing.

—ERNEST HOLMES HOW TO USE THE SCIENCE OF MIND

81 NOTABLE QUOTES ABOUT FAITH

Just as a single snapshot could not show you the whole of a house, likewise a single description could hardly capture the whole essence of a Spiritual Truth such as faith. Therefore, we can only come to understand faith by looking at it from as many different views as possible. Following is a short collection of notable quotes about faith. By considering how each one of these individuals ’sees’ faith, you will begin to develop a more holistic view, and a ’felt sense,’ of the true nature of faith.

Jesus Christ “According to your faith be it unto you.” —MATTHEW 9:29

Saint Paul “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” —HEBREWS 11:1

Ernest Holmes “Faith means a belief in the presence of an invisible principle and law which directly and specifically responds to us.”

Charles Fillmore “Faith is a magnetic power that draws to us our heart’s desire from invisible spiritual substance. It is a deep inner knowing that that which is sought is already ours.”

Rev. Lloyd Tupper “To have the faith of God, as opposed to faith in God, creates the experience of demonstration as opposed to the experience of mere hopeful expectation.”

Benjamin Franklin “The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.”

Emma Curtis Hopkins “Sometimes people have thought they ought to sit down in the midst of dishes needing washing, and account books needing straightening, and refuse to do these tasks, because to do them is a sign of belief in labor. It is not yours to demonstrate the cessation of work. It is yours to settle your faith. Keep at your tasks till your faith is so clear that the free Spirit sifting through it, takes the dishes out of your way and calls another to straighten your accounts while you are being used as a redeemer from death and pain.”

Blaise Pascal “Faith embraces many truths which seem to contradict each other… This then is faith: God felt by the heart, not by the reason.”

82 St. Augustine “Faith is to believe what you do not see. The reward for this faith is to see what you believe.”

Krishna “A man consists of the faith that is in him. Whatever his faith is, he is.” Bhagavad-Gita

Voltaire “Faith consists in believing not what seems to be true, but what seems to be false to our understanding.”

Ananda Coomareswamy “Only the Perfect Man is ’faithless,’ in the sense that in his case knowledge of the Unmade has taken the place of faith, for which there is no more need.”

William Shakespeare “There are no tricks in plain and simple faith.”

Algernon C. Swinburne “Faith lives when hope dies.”

Muhammad “Faith is that belief of the heart in that knowledge which comes from the Unseen.”

Sri Ramakrishna “God can be realized by true faith alone.”

83 Transforming Your Fear Into Faith

Following are selected teachings from Ernest Holmes regarding the transformation of fear into faith.

Fear: Antithesis of Faith Fear is the antithesis of faith. It is the negation of confidence. Like faith, fear may be conscious or subjective, and if it is to be eliminated, it must be removed both consciously and subjectively. SCIENCE OF MIND GLOSSARY PAGE 598

The Universal Doubt While it is true that we can trace specific fears to certain incidents that transpired early in life, and while it is true that if we do this we can remove them, most fears finally resolve themselves into a very few attitudes of mind, most of which are based on the belief “no one wants me, needs me, or loves me; probably I am unworthy, unnecessary, and useless; I am inadequate to meet life, I have not the strength or the power or the will to overcome obstructions, and I do not fit anywhere.” (The Universal Doubt — “I am not enough.”) Well, the way to get rid of fear is through the cultivation of faith; a faith founded on the thought that God is all there is. LIVING THE SCIENCE OF MIND PAGE 378

Misplaced Faith But what is fear? Nothing more nor less than faith misplaced; a belief in two powers instead of One; a belief that there can be a Power, opposed to God, whose influence and ability may bring us evil. In other words, to correct all the evils of the world, would be but to have the positive faith, faith rightly placed, a faith that lays hold of the integrity of the Universe, the beneficence of God and the Unity of all life. Nevertheless, we cannot have faith in that which we do not in some measure understand. SCIENCE OF MIND PAGE 158

Converting Fear to Faith Fear and faith are identical in that the energy used in the one is the same energy as that used in the other, since there is but one final Energy in the universe and this final Energy is the energy of thought. You should be careful not to fight fear too much, but rather, through a sort of flexible imagination, convert fear into faith. Realizing that it is a mental attitude, you can do this very easily by looking at the thing which you fear and examining the thought of fear which you have about it, convert this thought into one of faith, realizing that the energy of fear converted into faith will produce an effect exactly opposite. If you will look at the thing you are afraid of until you really understand it, it will no longer have any element of fear for you. You can do this in such degree as you are conscious of being Divinely guided and protected, and state your realization of this in a definite manner. EFFECTIVE PRAYER PAGE 50, 51

Facing Your Fears To begin with you might follow a few simple rules. First of all, if you are filled with fears do not harbor them as a great secret in your life, but find some close friend or confidant to whom you may unburden your whole soul. This will release the tension which your fears have built up in your body. Just to talk with a calm, confident person, who can point out the reason why you need not entertain these fears, is a great relief (see a Practitioner). This is, however, but a temporary thing, for next you must learn to face the fears. You should not be afraid to analyze them and you should explain to yourself just why you know there is nothing to be afraid of. Whenever you find yourself brooding over some fear or entertaining some anxiety, begin at once to do something about it. LIVING THE SCIENCE OF MIND, PAGE 362

84 The Way It Works…Love and Fear

Today there are a vast number of spiritual teachers, spiritual books, and spiritual life practices promoting one consistent theory: “There are only two emotions: love and fear.” Love is divine. Love is the activity of God, and the only energy in which God exists. Fear, on the other hand, is a tool of the ego, which is the foundation of the belief that we are separate from God, separate from each other, and generally inferior or inadequate. Think about it. When you are asked or expected to do something you do not believe you are worthy or equipped to do, is fear not the first emotion you experience? Fear of being abandoned. Fear of being ridiculed. Fear of having someone take their love away from you. Fear of being exposed as inadequate or unworthy. At the core of our innermost being, we do not want to feel this way, so we deny that we do. We lie to the Master. “I’m not afraid, I’m busy.” “I’m not afraid, I just don’t want to marry you!” “I’m not afraid, I’m broke!” We fail to realize that the only way to pull the chair from beneath fear is to love it. In order to love fear, we must call the Power and Presence of God into our lives or the situation, allowing its presence to dismantle the fear.

The next time your stomach flips with fear, don’t deny it by acting like you are just fine. Gently whisper, “I know you, fear, and I know exactly what you want. Unfortunately, today I am not in the mood to deal with you!” When your mouth gets dry, your knees get weak, or your ears get hot, don’t call it menopause or something you ate for lunch. Embrace the fear that is now pounding its fork and knife on your table by saying, “Hi, fear! What took you so long to get here?” Sorry, but I cannot feed you today!”

The minute you realize you are in the grip of fear, don’t struggle to get away. Relax! Tell the truth, “I’m in the grip of fear!” Remembering that truth will set you free. Freedom means choosing to invoke this Truth: “Wherever I am, that’s where God is!” Take a few deep breaths. Affirm “Let there be light!” Fear hates the light of truth. The moment you affirm the truth, fear will scatter like the lower life forms that dig around in the garbage.

EXCERPTED FROM ONE DAY MY SOUL JUST OPENED UP BY IYANLA VANZANT

85 HELLO, FEAR

Hello, Fear, I know you’re there. You find me with your icy stare; And, though the time be day or night, I cannot hide beyond your sight. You call to me…to pause, retreat. You beckon me to choose defeat. On your advice, I would not try. I’d make excuses, quit, or die! Your power, Fear, has been so great, That I have sought a “victim’s” fate. But now I know a secret, Fear, I am the one who brought you here. I nourished you, while, all the time, I did not notice how sublime Was my existence, my own Being; But, Fear, you’ve had it—Now I’m Seeing! Though I am sure we’ll meet again, Though you may ‘haunt’ me now and then; I made you what you are today – I own you, Fear! Get out of my way!

GEORGE N. HADDAD, M.D.

86 The Way It Works…Transforming Fear into Faith Student Workbook (To be completed in class only)

Recognize it Look for places of non-movement in your life. Look for places where stress and stressful thoughts are present. These will frequently point to places where fear is active. Take a

moment to describe the situation.

Give an example from your own life:

Face it Allow yourself the opportunity to describe what your fear thinks is the worst case scenario.

What is the worst thing fear tells you is going to happen?:

Give it a voice Imagine the fear had a voice and can communicate its concern to you. If you asked it, “Tell me what is important to you. Why do you want me to be afraid? What are you trying to protect me from?” What might it say to you?

Imagine asking fear the questions above. What might it say?:

Accept it Acknowledge the value of its concern.

Take a moment of quiet contemplation and in it address the fear voice as if you were assuring a close friend that you are not going to try to change it, avoid it or coerce it. :

87

Choose In most cases it is possible to step back from the worst-case scenario to see a multitude of other possible outcomes or meanings. Select a more reasonable possibility that feels authentic to you.

Describe a “more reasonable” spiritual life strategy. Worst case scenarios are seldom reasonable:

Act Select one small thing you can do today to step beyond the limits of your fear in the direction of your more reasonable thought/idea.

88 The Way It Works…Mantra Meditation Practice

Meditation is not just a practice in which we withdraw from the world and isolate ourselves from daily activities and noise. That would be using the benefits of meditation in a very limited way. It is possible for you to be in a meditative attitude and mode in the midst of great busyness. This calm, peaceful, yet attentive state of being can allow you to reach greater accord within your close relationships, your business associations, and your casual encounters. You may find new levels of creativity and logical solutions more readily available to you in this clear, centered state.

We are accustomed to using the logical, planning mode of thinking. In order to tap into the deeper, more intuitive arena of our minds, we need to break the habit of constantly directing our thoughts and reach a place in our use of words in which the Inner Wisdom can present itself to us.

The use of a mantra, a repeated word or phrase, is a good way to introduce words and thoughts back into your meditation. A short phrase repeated over and over can induce the relaxed, yet poised, state of being which you have experienced in the silence of your breath counting. Any word or phrase may be used which resonates within you and does not trigger a planning or sequential thought process. Consider using the phrases suggested below for

each days this week.

Day One God is Peace. God within me is perfect Peace. I am serene, tranquil, and quiet.

Day Two God is Love. Today I let God’s Love within me shine forth to all I meet.

Day Three God is Truth. God within me is Truth. I think Truth. I love Truth.

Day Four God is Spirit. God within me is pure Spirit. Spirit is everywhere present. Wherever I am,

Spirit is.

Day Five God is Life. The Life within me is God. There is only One Life, and that Life is God.

Day Six God is Light. God within me is Light. That Light is understanding and wisdom.

Day Seven God is Power. God within me is Omnipotent. I move through this day with Divine Right Action.

89 The Way It Works…What to do when you don’t know what to do!

(To be completed in class)

Guidance and Personal Clarity

Everyone has an inner guidance system. How does yours show up?

Become acquainted with it and listen to it frequently. Can you make suggestion for how you might do that?

Guidance is amplified the more we listen. Describe a time when you listened to it:

When you are unclear on your directions received, treating for clarity is powerful.

Remain open, what you realize may be uncomfortable, you might meet your own hidden beliefs. This is the good news, and an opportunity to investigate if these beliefs are accurate. There may be a more reasonable idea in which to place your trust.

90 Name

WRITING ASSIGNMENT - MY TREATMENT TO BE HANDED IN ON WEEK SIX (Please use this page from your workbook to hand in. It will be returned to you)

My Purpose (stated affirmatively)

STAGE 1. Recognition (Describing Spirit)

STAGE 2. Unification (Describing my Unity in Spirit)

STAGE 3. Realization (Describing the spiritual Truth about the situation)

STAGE 4. Thanksgiving (Describing my joy)

STAGE 5, Release (Letting go and completing)

91

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92 PREPARATION FOR NEXT WEEK Home Study to prepare yourself for Session 7 Read: Session 7 of your Student Workbook (PAGES 94-107) Living The Science of Mind – 400 - 404 Complete: To be handed in: complete your written Treatment on a fear you are transforming. Your final copy to be handed in should be written on page 107.

Practice: Meditation Exercise on page 89. Personal Reflection Based on your reading of Living The Science of Mind (pages 400-404) comment on the phrase “it is impossible for us to feel relief and release from self-condemnation while we bear condemnation toward others.”

93 Beyond Limits: Practical Spirituality for Dynamic Living SESSION SEVEN Spiritual Inclusivity Forgiveness

94 THIS WEEK

In this session, we consider one of the most important and provocative concepts within this course: Spiritual Inclusivity. This is also one of the most challenging of our concepts yet, potentially, one of the most transforming. We will explore God as a transcending Wholeness that, in Its infinite inclusivity, embraces all seeming opposites; and the human corollary, our endowment as an expression of God with absolute free will in the choices by which we determine the course of our lives.

This session will offer support to clarify and/or resolve many important issues such as “good and evil,” tragedies that seem to have no purpose or justification, and the polarities of life. How appropriate that this session also introduces Forgiveness.

It is easier to sail many thousands of miles through cold and storm and cannibals, in a government ship, with five hundred men and boys to assist one, than it is to explore the private sea, the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean of one’s being alone.

-Henry David Thoreau

95

Beyond Limits! Basic Principle Eight: Spiritual inclusivity

THE THING ITSELF THE WAY IT WORKS ...The Universal… ...The Human…

This is a Universe of Wholeness, Allness, Each human being is endowed with free will Oneness. Spirit is a transcendent, perfect and can choose to experience freedom or whole that, in Its infinite inclusivity, bondage, abundance or lack, joy or misery, all harmoniously embraces all seeming of which lie within the infinite inclusivity of opposites. this Universe.

A dictionary definition of perfect is: “lacking I have free will, the freedom to choose my nothing essential to the whole; complete of own thoughts and follow my own paths. With its nature or kind.” This wholeness is what we this freedom comes accountability for the mean when we say, “God is perfect.” outcomes of the choices I make.

The idea of duality, implies the existence of The possibility of suffering or bondage are more than one power (God and the devil, for connected to misunderstanding or misusing the instance). Duality supposes opposing spiritual Laws that govern the Universe.

fundamental powers. Wholeness can (and does) produce a multiplicity of forms without What we call “evil” is not an independent entity disturbing Its Unity. But no second power, such or force. I, together with all other people, as “evil,” could exist within the One without experience “evil” only to the degree that we are destroying the Wholeness. out of alignment with Universal Harmony. When

we come back into alignment, the experience of evil disappears.

I am not punished for my mistakes of ignorance or negative behavior. But I must experience, through the impersonal action of the Law, the results of the choices I have made. The opposites in human experience — freedom and bondage, good and “evil,” negative and positive — can be seen, not as forces in conflict, but simply as two ways in which the One Power can be used.

96 The Way It Works…I begin to grasp “Infinite”

Infinite is mighty big. When I was a child, I would sometimes lie on the grass and look into the heavens. I would watch the clouds and, at night, the stars. One recurring thought was — this is so big, and what is beyond the end of it? If space ended, what would there be? There would be more space! On and on and on to infinity.

God is Infinite. We can know as much of God as we are able to embody and, since God is Infinite, there is more. The Divine is present here, so the Divine is personal to me. I experience this Divine Spirit here in me and in my life. And Divine Spirit is Infinite; there is more.

One of the exciting things this means to me is that there is no once-and-for-all, final arrival, no day when I can sigh a sigh of relief and say “I’ve arrived.” However far I have come on my path, there is more. At times we put boxes around our lives and think there is only so much good, so much growth, etc. These are boxes of our own creation. God, Life, is Infinite! You and I are infinite too — our potential goes on and on.

With infinite unfolding, growing, exploring, and expressing to do, Life is a thrilling experience.

Play with the idea of Infinite. Just how big can you stretch your mind? If you could limit the Universe, what would there be beyond the limits? If you could limit yourself, what would there be beyond the limits?

Allow yourself to feel the excitement of this limitless potential. Let your mind take down the boxes you have created for yourself. Imagine yourself without limits. What would your life be like? What would you be doing? How would you feel?

Ask yourself, “What is standing between me and this vision of how I want my life to be?” Declare to yourself that you are now out of your own way. Decide to relax and enjoy the process of unfoldment, knowing there is no final arrival; you can enjoy the journey.

Savor each step of the way. Be alive and alert to each moment. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. This is the moment your entire life has led up to. And there is more.

God and I are Infinite. I now expand into being all that I can be.

From the writings of Rev. Marlene Oaks, .

97 The Way It Works…A Philosophy of Inclusion

by Ernest Holmes

Surely the world is waiting for the sun to rise across the scope of a broader horizon. I trust and believe that at long last the world may sense a liberty without license, a freedom without contradiction of fundamental unity, an integrity of the human mind caught from the changeless unity of the Divine.

One of the main errors in many of today’s modern metaphysical movements is that they have fruitlessly sought to divide the indivisible, and to exclude certain acts, things and manifestations from the one and only presence which manifests in and through all things.

There can be no creation separate from the Creator, and no person separate from God. Everything, as Plotinus suggests, is as real as it is supposed to be. But his philosophy affirms that things in and of themselves are indeterminate, which merely means that the creator is not subject to the creation, while the created is subject to the Creator.

This philosophy of inclusion has been projected by all the deep thinkers of the Ages. It is one of the outstanding proclamations of Jesus, of Emerson and Whitman, who beheld the glory of God everywhere.

It is this simple and direct approach to reality that causes us to feel one with all creation, with each other and even with passing human events. I cannot find any place where God the Creator leaves off and the created begins. I cannot find any place where the created is separate from the Creator.

Looking at things from the belief that they are separate from the Divine Presence is like looking through dark glasses, while viewing all things as acts and manifestations of the divine Presence is to view them as they really are and have them given back to us as though God had personally brought them to us. [Italics added.] Whatever illusions there may be in life are in our own minds and not in God’s creation. The Universe itself is alive, aware and awake and such awareness as we have is God’s awareness in us, recognizing Himself in and through all. Indeed, our whole spiritual evolution is but a process of awakening to that which was there and real before we perceived it.

Excerpted from one of Ernest Holmes’s lectures, published in Science of Mind Magazine for January 1991.

98 The Way It Works…Tripping on Word Traps

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. —GENESIS 1:1

There is One Life back of everything that lives. —THE SCIENCE OF MIND, PAGE 35

In taking Spirit as a value reference, we first acknowledge Spirit as the Source of all things, understanding that it must be harmoniously at one with itself or else Creation would be inherently chaotic and tear Itself apart. We recognize that this “at one” nature reflects into all of Life as such qualities as Perfection, Goodness, Love, Peace, and Harmony. Thus, invoking Spirit reveals the highest and the best in any circumstance.

But now the problems start. If Spirit is Perfection, Goodness, Love, Peace, and Harmony, where do imperfection, badness, hate, strife, and dissonance come from? Aren’t they part of Spirit too? They may only be illusion or false belief, but they’re here! Thus, the perennial snag: if Spirit is Perfect, how do we account for imperfection? Even if imperfection is ultimately unreal, how do we account for its apparent reality and the suffering it causes? What is it even doing in the universe of Perfection? What kind of value reference have we accepted?

Our problem is one of words. Since words have opposites, our saying Spirit is Perfection invites pesky inquiries about where imperfection (hate, strife, etc.) comes from. We may try to explain ourselves with clever reasoning, but fail to realize that the dilemma is a nonsense issue and will always lead us into traps. The real problem is that Spirit cannot be reduced to words at all. When we take the “Perfection of Spirit” as our value reference, we are really citing a transcendent Source that harmoniously includes all opposites, excludes nothing, defies definition, and, in its inclusivity, can be regarded as Perfect.

I expand my concept of Spirit, realizing it includes all things.

From Science of Mind Magazine, April 1991. Daily Guides, by John S. Niendorff, former editor of the Magazine.

99 The Way It Works…Embracing seeming opposites

In her fascinating book Sympathetic Vibrations, science writer K.C. Cole includes a discussion of “Natural Complements” which makes it easier to understand Spiritual Inclusivity. For what we are calling God’s Infinite Inclusivity of seeming opposites, Cole uses the scientific term complementarity, as illustrated here in the familiar “vase and faces” image:

You cannot see both the profiles and the goblet at the same time; you must continually shift your point of view.

Cole writes, Complementary ideas are opposing ideas that add up to much more than the sum of their parts. They complement each other like night and day, male and female, “on the one hand” and “on the other hand.” Complements are required for a full spectrum of understanding, just as a full array of colors is required to produce pure white. (In fact, any two colors are considered complementary if they add up to white.) Complements are the yin and yang of science. Or as the physicist Emilio Segre wrote, “It is one of the special beauties of science that points of view which seem diametrically opposed turn out later, in a broader perspective, to be both right.”

Sympathetic Vibrations, K.C. Cole. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1985. .

100 Infinite Inclusivity!

Love, Life, Truth, Intelligence, are names of our Good. We may tell that our Good is Truth. This will cause our lips to speak Truth. Pilate asked “What is Truth?” The earliest Egyptians said, “Truth is God.” The continual speaking for several years, by the Christian metaphysicians, that “Truth is God,” finally brought them to where they could see exactly how Truth is God. It is because the telling of the exact Truth about what Good is, is an energy for bringing Good to pass.

Do not get entangled in your own words. You are greater than any words you ever use. At present you use words to approach unto your own Good. There will come a time when you will not use words.

FROM SCIENTIFIC CHRISTIAN MENTAL PRACTICE BY EMMA CURTIS HOPKINS, A LEADER IN THE EARLY NEW THOUGHT MOVEMENT, OFTEN CALLED “THE TEACHER OF TEACHERS.”

When you adopt the viewpoint that there is nothing that exists that is not part of you, that there is no one who exists who is not part of You, that any judgment you make is self- judgment, that any criticism you level is self-criticism, you will wisely extend to yourself an unconditional love that will be the light of the world.

-HARRY PALMER

Peacemaking When I embrace my wounds and allow them to heal… I have no impulse to injure you. When I understand my desire to be lifted up… I refuse to tear you down. When I think rightly about myself, I need not make you wrong. And when my cry for love opens my own heart’s doors… I no longer close you out.

—DR. ROGER W. TEEL

101 The Way It Works…Freedom is my divine heritage

Intellectually, it may be clear to us that the nature of our life must be freedom, yet we often seem to act as if we are bound.

If we were not free, we would be puppets upon some divine strings, or perhaps some not- so-divine strings. We would be like robots, having to act as we were directed to do. Life would be cold and sterile, perhaps like that of the wives in The Stepford Wives. There would be no surprises, since all would be determined by some outside power. Accomplishment would not mean anything to us because we would not be doing it ourselves. There would be no triumph as we surmount challenges, because we would not be doing it with our own uniqueness. We would be glorified robots.

We know otherwise from even the most surface scan of history, both ours and our planet’s. We know that there have been times of reaching into the very depths of our souls and finding answers to deep problems. We know there have been times we chose unwisely and times we chose wisely. We know that it was really ourselves keeping us in that bad relationship, unfulfilling job, or bend in the road. We know now that when we choose differently, we get different results. Something in us knows that we are the one thinking the thoughts and making the choice, even though we may be tempted to blame others.

Yes, we truly are free. We are free to be all that we can be. We are free to shut down and be less than we can be. That is the nature of freedom: we can go in any number of directions. The same Law can free us or keep us in bondage, depending on how we use it. Now is the time to own our freedom. Now is the time to ensure that this seed is planted within us.

Try this exercise, which is to be done in a state of observation, as free of judgment as you can possibly make it. Simply notice. Look around at others in your life. Notice what they are doing, what choices they are making. Say to yourself, “______is free to make other choices and get other results. I can see that clearly.” (Please keep your observation to yourself; you are observing for your own enlightenment only.)

Look at your life and what you are doing. Say to yourself, “I am free to make other choices and get other results. I can see that clearly.” (Remember your state of pure observation. Simply notice.)

I am Divinely free to think and act as I choose.

From the writings of Rev. Marlene Oaks,.

102

Beyond Limits! Basic Principle Nine: Forgiveness

THE THING ITSELF THE WAY IT WORKS ...The Universal… ...The Human…

The Universe exists in the Eternal Now, each Human forgiveness is the process that frees us moment complete and perfect within itself. In to live in the Eternal Now. It is essential that we this Universal Harmony, justice without wholly forgive ourselves and all others before judgment is always automatic, an infallible deep spiritual growth can flourish. Universal Principle. There can be no place for Divine anger, unforgiveness, or punishment.

The worldly suffering resulting from misuse or If I am holding on to old resentments, if there is ignorance of the Law automatically ceases when any real or imagined injury which I have not the misuse or ignorance ceases. This is called wholly forgiven, there is a substantial block in “God’s forgiveness,” but is simply the working the path of my spiritual progress. To free out of impersonal Principle. myself, I must genuinely forgive both myself

and those who, I believe, have injured me.

Holmes says, “Neither the consciousness of Unforgiveness, holding resentment, is a misuse Spirit nor the laws of the Universe hold anything of Spiritual Law, a rejection of the Oneness of against us; wherever we turn to them in all Life. Thus, on the human level, forgiveness recognition and acceptance, they immediately appears to be a cosmic requirement for flow through us, imparting the Divine restoration of harmony and growth in human Givingness.” living.

103 The Way It Works…Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the key to soul making. It is impossible to experience an empowered reality if you hold on to hate and resentment from the past. Many lives are being destroyed by the poisons of hate and resentment! Jesus declared that we cannot unleash the true power of prayer while at the same time holding on to old unforgivenesses.

FORGIVENESS IS NOT: • Forgetting • Condoning • Absolution • Self-sacrifice • A clear-cut, one-time decision —Jesus declared: forgive 70 x 7 symbolizing the act of continuing indefinitely.

FORGIVENESS IS: • By-product of an ongoing healing process • An internal process • A sign of positive self-esteem • Letting go of the intense emotions attached to incidents from the past • Recognizing that we no longer need our grudges, resentments, our hatred and self-pity • No longer needing to punish the people who hurt us to even the score • Accepting that nothing we do to punish THEM will heal US • Freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments and nursing unhealed wounds • Moving on

METAPHYSICAL REALIZATIONS: • Hurt and hate are harbored because we have judged that we were diminished by some deed • We must eventually realize that, considering the Truth of our Being, we cannot be diminished... this was merely our chosen perception • Forgiveness hinges on our willingness to perceive and accept the “larger story” • We then can separate the “doer from the deed,” and see the gifts of personal growth hidden in all pain, betrayal and hurt • 1st step: We must want to forgive even though we may not know how. It is powerful to ask for help in our prayer work; the reward is freedom. Beyond any earthly damage, our spiritual being is always whole • 2nd step: Remember that most forgiveness also involves self-forgiveness • Remember: Forgiveness is not rationalizing or retreating from true feelings. It is embracing feelings and expanding to new dimensions = transcendence

104 The Way It Works…Forgiveness

by Emmet Fox

As we repeat the [Lord’s] Prayer intelligently, considering and meaning what we say, we are suddenly, so to speak, caught up off our feet and grasped as though in a vise, so that we must face this problem and there is no escape. We must positively and definitely extend forgiveness to everyone to whom it is possible that we can owe forgiveness, namely, to anyone who we think can have injured us in any way. Jesus leaves no room for any possible glossing of this fundamental thing.

Notice that Jesus does not say, “Forgive me my trespasses and I will try to forgive others,” or “I will see if it can be done,” or “I will forgive generally, with certain exceptions.” He obliges us to declare that we have actually forgiven, and forgiven all, and he makes our claim to our own forgiveness to depend upon that.

You must forgive everyone who has ever hurt you if you want to be forgiven yourself; that is the long and short of it. You have to get rid of all resentment and condemnation of others, and, not least, of self-condemnation and remorse….You have to forgive yourself, but you cannot forgive yourself sincerely until you have forgiven others first. Having forgiven others, you must be prepared to forgive yourself too, for to refuse to forgive oneself is only spiritual pride.

There are few people in the world who have not at some time or other been hurt, really hurt, by someone else; or been disappointed, or injured, or deceived, or misled. Such things sink into the memory where they usually cause inflamed and festering wounds, and there is only one remedy — they have to be plucked out and thrown away. And the one and only way to do that is by forgiveness.

If your prayers are not being answered, search your consciousness and see if there is not someone whom you have yet to forgive….Do you think that you can afford this? Of course, no one can afford such a thing; and so the way is clear. You must cut all such ties, by a clear and spiritual act of forgiveness. You must loose him and let him go. By forgiveness you set yourself free.

Excerpted from the essay “The Lord’s Prayer,” in Power Through Constructive Thinking, Emmet Fox. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1932.

105 The Way It Works…Practice Meditating

Thy Servant Heareth”

Meditation is not necessarily words; it is feeling and deep inner perception. Joel Goldsmith said:

Meditation is much like inviting God to enter us, or to speak to us, or to make Itself known to us. It is not an attempt to reach God, since God is Omnipresence. Where God is, I am; where I am, God is, since we are one. So there is no need to reach for God; the purpose is to be still and let the awareness of God permeate us. The activity is always from God to us. We are not seeking to reach God. We start with the realization that where I am, God already is, and therefore we seek a state of stillness in which we may become consciously aware of that Presence. The Presence already is, the Presence always is; in sickness or in health, in lack or in abundance, in sin or in purity, the Presence of God always already is. There is no seeking after it, there is no striving for it, we begin with that realization, God is, God is where I am, I and the Father are one. In that realization you relax and invite the Father to reveal Itself: “Speak, Lord, Thy servant heareth.” That is really the main function of meditation.

It was Mother Julian of Norwich who said, “For every one who says ‘Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth,’” there are ten who say “Hear, Lord, thy servant speaketh.”

Let us be listeners now and start our meditation…with the words: Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth. Let us sit quietly in the Silence together and listen for the Voice within.

In the Silence we will hear the Presence speak to us: Be still and know that I am God within you. And we will answer back: Speak Lord, thy servant heareth. I will be still and hear the voice of God within me.

Excerpted from The Joy of Meditation, Jack and Cornelia Addington. Marina del Rey, CA: DeVorss & Co., Publishers, 1979. .

For your practice this week, use the four lines in bold above as a reading before, during and after your period of sitting.

106

Name: ______

WRITING ASSIGNMENT - MY TREATMENT TO BE HANDED IN ON WEEK SEVEN (Please use this page from your workbook to hand in. It will be returned to you)

My Purpose (stated affirmatively, see pp 4-6&7 for additional guidelines)

STAGE 1. Recognition (Describing Spirit)

STAGE 2. Unification (Describing my Unity in Spirit)

STAGE 3. Realization (Describing the spiritual Truth about the situation)

STAGE 4. Thanksgiving (Describing my joy)

STAGE 5, Release (Letting go and completing)

107

This page is blank.

108 PREPARATION FOR NEXT WEEK Home Study to prepare yourself for Session 8 Read: Session 8 of your Student Notebook (PAGES 110-122) Living The Science of Mind – 429 - 430

Complete: Complete the Forgiveness Exercise pp 116-120, including writing a treatment, so that we can discuss the results in class 8 (you do not have to hand in the treatment, it is for personal use.)

(Be sure to also answer the questions on pages 114, 116.)

Practice: Meditation exercise on page 106

Personal Reflection Based on your reading of Living The Science of Mind (pp 429 – 430) comment on the phrase “Self-awareness without self-expression can almost as readily produce emotional disturbances…” (page 429)

109

Beyond Limits: Practical Spirituality for Dynamic Living

SESSION EIGHT Self Esteem The Power of Forgiveness, continued Relationships

110 THIS WEEK

We begin this session by considering our relationship to ourselves – a most fundamental and important relationship. Do you actively and consistently support and empower yourself? Or, do you habitually disregard and disempower yourself? The self-esteem cycle illustrates our ability to lift ourselves up, especially in those times when we typically put ourselves down.

This session also continues to develop clarity about and openness towards the enormously transforming process of forgiveness. This is a spiritual practice that is universal among the great religions and spiritual paths, yet it is one of the most difficult for humankind to master. This is such a vital key to freedom and healing.

The session concludes with an exploration of relationships. Every life is an array of relationships, yet we seldom develop and utilize specific wisdom by which our relationships can grow more healthy and productive. This is an opportunity to empower your relationships to serve everyone in your life on their pathway of self-realization!

“The fruit of Silence is Prayer;

The fruit of Prayer is Faith; The fruit of Faith is Love; The fruit of Love is Service; The fruit of Service is Peace.”

-MOTHER THERESA

111 The Way It Works…Living Now

Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. —MATTHEW 6:34

Have no fear of tomorrow; enjoy today. Refuse to carry the corpse of a mistaken yesterday. —THE SCIENCE OF MIND (TEXTBOOK) PAGE 432

Actually, when we think about it, the only way life can ever be lived is one moment at a time! There’s absolutely nothing that can change yesterday. It’s over and done with. If we made mistakes, we can learn from them so we don’t continue to do things the same way, thereby stifling our growth. In addition, there’s no reason to feel anxious about the future—to worry about “what might go wrong” or “what if.” We can deal with tomorrow when it arrives.

Each moment of life is a gift from the Universe. How often we forget this and spend our precious moments regretting the past or dreading the future, when the only time we can do anything about it is right now. We can choose to live each moment. We can choose to live in the eternal now, fully aware that our life is the Life of God.

I know that each day of my life is God-given, fresh, and shining, and new. I let go of yesterday and embrace tomorrow when it arrives, appreciating every new moment as an opportunity to grow and to express more fully the Life of God.

The only way to heal the pain that will not heal itself is to forgive the person who hurt you. Forgiving stops the reruns of pain. Forgiving heals your memory as you change your memory’s vision. When you release the wrongdoer from the wrong, you cut a malignant tumor out of your inner life. You set a prisoner free, but you discover that the real prisoner was yourself. —LEWIS B. SMEDES, FORGIVE AND FORGET

Yes, day to day, moment by moment, forgiveness will free you of many negative things. It will ensure that you are not adding any more things to your thought atmosphere that have to be handled later when they have grown bigger and more ominous. The past is forgiven, blessed, given thanks for. Today is forgiven, blessed, given thanks for as it is happening. There is no junk to carry over to tomorrow. Today is enough to handle. -MARLENE OAKS, BEYOND FORGIVENESS

112 Forgiveness

“Forgiveness is not the misguided act of condoning irresponsible, hurtful behavior. Nor is it a superficial turning of the other cheek that leaves us feeling victimized and martyred. Rather it is the finishing of old business that allows us to experience the present, free of contamination from the past.” --Fire in the Soul, Joan Borysenko

“Forgiveness is the exercise of compassion and is both a process and an attitude. In the process of forgiveness, we convert the suffering created by our own mistakes or as a result of being hurt by others into psychological and spiritual growth. Through the attitude of forgiveness, we attain happiness and serenity by letting go of the ego’s incessant need to judge ourselves and others.”

--Guilt is the Teacher, Love is the Lesson, Joan Borysenko

“Forgiveness is working through the unfinished business, letting go of the pain and moving on for your sake.”

--Forgiveness, Dr. Sidney Simon & Suzanne Simon

113

The Way It Works…Heaven and Hell

A big, tough samurai once went to see a little monk. “Monk,” he said, in a voice accustomed to instant obedience, “teach me about heaven and hell!”

The monk looked up at this mighty warrior and replied with utter disdain, “Teach you about heaven and hell? I couldn’t teach you about anything. You’re dirty. You smell. Your blade is rusty. You’re a disgrace, an embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight. I can’t stand you.”

The samurai was furious. He shook, got all red in the face, was speechless with rage. He pulled out his sword and raised it above him, preparing to slay the monk.

“That’s hell,” said the monk softly.

The samurai was overwhelmed. The compassion and surrender of this little man who had offered his life to give this teaching to show him hell! He slowly put down his sword, filled with gratitude, and suddenly peaceful.

“And that’s heaven,” said the monk softly.

—RAM DASS HOW CAN I HELP?

How would you explain the moral of this story to a friend?

114 The Way It Works…Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one of the key contributors to happiness. Emmet Fox wrote “If your prayers continue to remain unanswered, un-forgiveness may be the cause.” Although forgiveness assists in improving every aspect of our lives, there are two particular reasons why it is important when we are focusing on the practice of circulation. First of all, holding on to resentments toward people and events in our past keeps our attention on the past. With this focus on the past – whether in the forefront or the backdrop of our awareness – we are more likely to miss the opportunities of the present and the promise of the future. We are literally stuck with what was, rather than what could be. Secondly, holding on to resentments does exactly that for our thoughts, our emotions, and even our body: holding. The state of un-forgiveness brings with it a tension that permeates every level of our being. This restrictive stance is the exact opposite of the open state we need to be in if we are going to be clear channels for the inflow and outflow of Good. Negative thoughts about the past are like debris in the water that eventually can build up to block the pipes. You’ll notice that these comments point to what forgiveness does for us – not for the ones who wronged us. There is no suggestion here to condone anyone’s previous bad behavior. Rather, our aim is to create within ourselves a state of consciousness that can authentically announce, “I am free of the effects of what you did to me. As I release myself to go forward on my path, I also release you to go forth on your path.” Some valuable information is contained in 9 words said by Jesus. When his disciples said, “Teach us to pray,” he modeled a prayer that has become known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” In it are the words: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” The first thing that is striking is that the language is also financial – debts and debtors. The second thing of note is that Jesus is turning over to God the act of releasing us from any acts of incompleteness (“debts”), whereas it is our job to release the people in our lives (“debtors”) from the way we have been mentally hanging onto them. The consequences of actions are up to the spiritual laws of the universe. Attitudes toward people are within our control. Forgiveness is a life-long spiritual practice, for we always seem to be presented with opportunities to do it. Like our other spiritual practices, it may not seem easy at first, but it does get easier with practice. The following questions are designed to assist you in this important process of releasing the past and thereby opening to more Good.

115 • What in your opinion are the benefits of forgiveness work?

• What are the obstacles you encounter in forgiveness work?

• What suggestions would you give to someone trying to forgive the unforgivable?

• What does it mean if you find you are not able to forgive something/someone?

Pre-forgiveness work: Developing a softer hold on life. • Where do you get stuck in life?

• What opinions/positions are you unwilling to surrender?

• When has being right cost you your happiness?

116 “I Had It All the Time” by Alan Cohen, author of Forgive For Make a list of all Good and Relax Into Wealth the people in your I couldn’t believe I was hearing the hotel clerk utter the frequent traveler’s most dreaded greeting. I turned to the life where there is sponsor of the program I had come to present. Upset, she an opportunity to engaged the clerk in a polite but thinly veiled argument over whose fault it was that the reservation had been lost. For do forgiveness several minutes the sponsor told the clerk where and when work. and how the reservation had been made, and the clerk kept defending herself and the hotel, reiterating that they had no record of my reservation. The conversation slipped into a tailspin. Finally, I interrupted the debate. “Do you have a room for me now?” I enquired. A startled look washed over both women’s faces. The clerk checked her computer. “Yes we do.” We all laughed as we realized that we had become more fascinated with the problem than with the solution. Within minutes, I was stretched out in a comfortable bed. As my head nestled into the soft pillow, I considered the vanity of the blame and defense conversation I had beheld. I have been involved in many of them. They go round and round, centered on what went wrong and whose fault it was. Guilt is traded, blame is shifted, and usually both parties end up feeling worse than when they began. Breakthrough success experts tell us that problems persist because we ask the wrong questions in attempting to solve them. The critical shift they suggest lies in formulating a question that will lead us ahead to the answer rather than to the error. Instead of “what went wrong?” A more practical question is “What do we need to do now to accomplish what we want?” Such refocusing can make all the difference between floundering in the past and succeeding in the present.

Excerpted from Five Pillars of Spirituality Dr. Edward Viljoen Dr. Joyce Duffala

117 The Way It Works…Self-Understanding

A PATTERN FOR FORGIVENESS

As Emmet Fox tells us in his essay “Forgiveness” (excerpted on p 111), there is no possible way we can get around the absolute necessity for forgiveness if we expect to progress in our spiritual development. That means first, complete forgiveness of everyone against whom we harbor any resentment at all; and, second, complete forgiveness of ourselves.

lf you will participate fully in the exercise which follows (page 119), you may find that you have discovered a tool for dumping all that cumbersome, unhealthy baggage from yesterday that you have been carrying around. (No one need see anything you write here unless you choose to share it yourself.)

Choose one name and event from your list on page 117. In the blank space below, write a letter to your chosen person, following this pattern:

1. Recall the event, how it hurt you, and what feelingshave remained. 2. Write your forgiveness of this hurt, and its erasure from your mind now. 3. Acknowledge this person’s contribution to your life, through what you learned from this experience. 4. Acknowledge the person with compassion and kindness.

118

Dear ______

(Keep in mind this letter is for you and is not intended to be sent to the person to whom it is addressed) 119

Now write another letter, this time to yourself. Forgive yourself completely for any contribution you may have made to the unhappy event and for your unforgiving thoughts or judgments since that time.

Dear Me,

120 PART 4

In the process of writing your letters, some condition or attitude in your life, or some personal quality of yours, may have surfaced which you would like to change. Write a treatment below for the healing of this condition, attitude or quality. This is your private treatment and will not be handed in.

PURPOSE

RECOGNITION

UNIFICATION

REALIZATION

THANKSGIVING

RELEASE

121 PREPARATION FOR NEXT WEEK Home Study to prepare yourself for Session 9 Read: Session 9 of your Student Notebook (pages 123-136) Living The Science of Mind – 69 - 74

Complete: Complete the Immortality Worksheet on page 129-131 Begin contemplating your personal project for this course. You have been given a poster board for this project which will be utilized during Session #10. Review page 135 for an explanation and for supportive ideas.

Practice: Meditation exercise of your choice from any of the preceding weeks. Personal Reflection Based on your reading of Living The Science of Mind (pages 69-74) how would you define Religious Science in approximately 30-40 words?

122 Beyond Limits: Practical Spirituality for Dynamic Living

SESSION NINE Immortality Death The Many Dimensions of the Universe

123 THIS WEEK

The major focus of this session is Immortality a subject that has gripped our imagination and inspired our explorations since the first human stood up and said, “I am!”

For most of us, life after death is an unknowable experience in this existence. We can reach conclusions about death and beyond through intuition, personal experiences with loved ones who have gone on before, and reports of those who have had near-death experiences. At this point, the verification that we have is internal, not hard scientific evidence. Coming to a sense of conviction in our own understanding, while remaining open and receptive to new awareness about the continuity of our individual life, can free us to live in the present moment without fear.

All that is, at all, Lasts ever, past recall; Earth changes, but thy soul and God stand sure; What entered into thee; That was, is and shall be; Time’s wheel runs back or stops; Potter and clay endure. -ROBERT BROWNING

RABBI BEN EZRA

124

Beyond Limits! Basic Principle Ten: Immortality

THE THING ITSELF THE WAY IT WORKS ...The Universal… ...The Human…

Immortality is a Universal Principle, not a “Death” is a human concept. Each human “belief” or a bargain made with the being is the incarnation of Spirit’s eternal Universe for good behavior. Spirit is Life. It continuity. The Divine Spark in humanity is is eternal continuity. immortal.

Holmes says that immortality either is a To me, immortality means the eternal principle in nature and common to all men, or continuance and self-knowingness of my it has no existence whatsoever. individualized consciousness, forever expanding

as I grow in enlightenment and the capacity to love.

“Man is born of eternal day. Not because he However, as Holmes writes, “…I cannot base wills or wishes it, not because he labors or my hopes of immortality on the revelation of strives toward it, or because he earns it as a anyone but myself….I look upon the belief in reward, but simply because Spirit has immortality neither as a vague dream, nor as a breathed life into him. All people are forlorn hope, but as a proven fact. Here, incarnations of God and the soul can no more within myself, is something that knows.”

be lost than God can be lost.” There is within myself, an irrefutable recognition that the present experience is only one spiral of an eternal journey toward the light. Something within me simply knows that it must be so.

125 The Way It Works…I Am Not Only My Body

We identify with the visible so much that sometimes we forget and begin to think that who we are is a body with a specific name. But we are not our bodies. Our bodies are like space suits or work suits that our consciousness uses as a way of functioning in this dimension. While we are here on earth in the third dimension, our bodies are essential for our functioning. When they are no longer suitable for our consciousness, we drop them and go on to live in the next life. But each of us is far more than a body.

Consciousness can be known, but it cannot be located. We cannot dissect a body; find an organ, and say, “This is the consciousness.” You are using your consciousness now, following me with these ideas, adding some of your own, and moving ahead to application. Your consciousness is not limited by where the body is presently residing. Right this moment you can go in mind to your high school graduation, to a favorite vacation spot, to a tender moment years ago.

Your mind can imagine things that never were. You can imagine with me an elephant that is two inches tall, purple, and sings songs. Your mind can envision life as you want it to be. Your mind can envision life as you don’t want it to be — a living hell.

We know that when we meet someone, we respond to far more than their body. There is a special something about each person that makes them unique. We sense that they are negative or positive, safe or dangerous, rich or poor, kind or cruel, exciting or dull, etc. And this certainly goes far beyond just their bodily characteristics. We touch their consciousness, and they touch ours. Who they are in consciousness is millions of times more important to us than what their bodies are. Our consciousness is what determines the quality of our lives, the quality of response we get from other people, and the depth of our realization that we are One with God.

This week practice knowing that you are more than your body. Take a moment to love and appreciate your body and thank it for being such a grand space suit to wear here on earth. Then spend time with the consciousness that you really are. When you meet someone else, remind yourself — “This person has a body, but is more than a body. This person is a rich and varied consciousness.” Do this without any sense of judgment, more in the attitude of exploration to enrich your understanding of life by knowing more about yourself and others in your life.

I am vitally aware of the consciousness in and through myself and everyone and everything.

From the writings of Rev. Marlene Oaks.

126 The Way It Works…Dimensions of Life beyond Life

To all thinking people there comes a time of deep questioning, when they ask themselves: “What is life?” and “What is death?” Before these questions can be answered satisfactorily, however, the most basic question of all arises: “What is God?” To this, no man can possibly give a complete answer.

We have progressed so far beyond the old anthropomorphic concept of a god with human attributes and characteristics, that many people who formerly considered themselves to be atheists or agnostics are now accepting the more modern and scientific approach to God as Infinite Mind, Infinite Intelligence, Infinite Energy and Substance, Infinite Wisdom and Love. The magnitude of God is so tremendous as to be beyond the scope of man’s imagination! God is so vast, so enormous. Everything which exists or ever did exist or ever will exist is within God, from the most inconceivably tiny particle to — and beyond — the outermost galaxies within the infinity of space. I cannot possibly tell you what God is, but if you will allow me, I can share with you what God means to me.

Try, if you will, to imagine the most beautiful and perfect tiny baby you’ve ever seen — only a few days before birth, still in the womb. Imagine that you can communicate with this little one and you ask the question: “What is your world like?” Listen carefully and you hear: “My world is a wonderful world. Here I am snug, cozy, and warm. I’m surrounded with love and my every need is provided for, even before the need exists. I hope I can stay here forever.”

Now you ask another question: “Where is your mother? What does she look like?” You can almost imagine the little facial expression changing to one of quandary. Listen again and you hear: “My mother? I don’t know what you’re talking about! What is a mother? Do I have one?” You smile to yourself as you realize this little one cannot possibly know anything about her mother until long after she’s born and she learns of the parent-child relationship. And yet, she will never be any closer to her mother than she is right now, since she lives, moves, and has her being within her own mother.

This is very much like my concept of God. We live, move and have our being in God; yet we know very little more about God than does the unborn baby know about its own mother.

Then, although living in a world of comparative darkness, where the horizon is limited to the smooth moist walls and surfaces of the womb, the unborn baby is suddenly filled with but one extremely urgent and miraculous desire: to reach out for broader horizons. Thus, the time for birth arrives and the child is born.

Where does the baby go when it is born? It doesn’t go anywhere, since it is already here. And yet a whole new universe has come into being, where the horizon is ever expanding. What is birth? Beyond the biological and physical experience of being ejected from the womb, birth is actually the transition of consciousness as the baby passes from its seemingly one-dimensional world in the womb, out into this world of three dimensions.

Following birth, this little one grows through infancy, childhood, adolescence, and finally reaches maturity, taking its place in the world of adults. Then, eventually, death occurs; it may be the result 127 of accident, illness, or old age, but death does come. It is now that we face two of the most significant questions in our entire existence. “What is life?” Life is the manifestation of the vital forces of God, individualized in man as an individual entity, because God is All-in-All. We live, move and have our being in God. That which we are is some part of God, individualized in us as us. We live, therefore, that God may be more adequately and abundantly expressed.

“What is death?” Death is the passing beyond this three-dimensional world into other worlds of varying dimensions — into an ever-expanding Universe with ever-broadening horizons. We die, but we live! Life, as we know it in this three-dimensional world, will continue just so long as the body retains sufficient channels through which the vital energy of God can flow. When enough of these channels cease to function, the body dies. It is like discarding old clothes. In I Corinthians 15:40, the Bible says “There are celestial bodies and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.” What happens when the individual passes through death? Where does one go? Just as the unborn baby must pass through the process of birth so that Life shall continue, the individual passes through death for exactly the same reason, to experience greater life! Where do we go Never the spirit was born; when we die? We don’t go anywhere since we’re already The spirit shall cease to be never. Never there. Like the process of birth, when the baby passes from its was time it was not; “one-dimensional” world within the womb and moves out into End and beginning are dreams. Birthless this world of three dimensions, death is the passing from this and deathless and changeless three-dimensional world into that world of many more Remaineth the spirit forever; Death has not dimensions. Our consciousness continues to expand in direct touched it at all, relation to the ever-expanding Universe, with its ever- Dead though the house of it seems. Nay, broadening horizons, as it unfolds before us. but as one who layeth Just as the unborn baby cannot possibly perceive that its His worn-out robes away, world is part of and within the three dimensional world, we And taking new ones sayeth, “These will I apparently cannot and do not perceive that our world is part wear today,” So putteth by the spirit of, and also within, other worlds of innumerable dimensions Lightly, the garb of flesh, And passeth to beyond this one. inherit A residence afresh. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled. In my father’s —EDWIN ARNOLD, THE SONG CELESTIAL house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told TRANSLATED FROM THE BHAGAVAD GITA you.” The “mansions” to which Jesus referred are what we might call “dimensions.”

Death is not the lonely thing it appears to be. Remember the experience of birth, when the newborn baby is greeted by a “welcoming committee” of friends and loved ones.

Since consciousness is the only reality, our conscious being, which is the Spirit of God in us as us, will always clothe us in such form as may be appropriate so that we shall conform to the needs of whatever dimensional world we may be living within. In God we live, move and have our being, for Life is Eternal.

From Dimensions of Life Beyond Life, John Hefferlin, D.D., R.S.D.

128 The Way It Works…

Self-Understanding MY BELIEFS ABOUT IMMORTALITY

Adapted from a Gallup Poll Questionnaire

Date

1. Do you believe in life after death? Why or why not?

2. In what ways do you think life after death will be different from your present life? Please be as specific as you can about what you believe.

3. Do you think there is a Hell, to which people who have led “bad” lives without being sorry are eternally damned? Explain your point of view.

4. Do you think there is a Heaven where people who have led “good” lives are eternally rewarded? Explain your point of view.

5. Do you believe in reincarnation — that is, the rebirth of the soul in a new body [here on Earth] after death? Why or why not?

129 6. Do you believe there is human life on other planets? Why or why not?

7. Do you think it is possible to have contact with the dead? Why or why not?

8. Do you think life after death will ever be proved scientifically? Why or why not?

9. Please read this list carefully and place check marks in the blanks following those words or terms which describe your beliefs about life after death.

It will be peaceful. ______

I will be in the presence of God. ______God’s love will be the center of my life after death. ______There will be love between people. ______I will see friends, relatives, spouse. ______I will live forever. ______Crippled people will be whole. ______I will grow spiritually. ______There will be humor. ______There will be angels or devils. ______I will be recognizable as the same person as on earth. ______People will minister to the spiritual needs of others. ______People will have responsibilities. ______People will have human form. ______There will be some sort of contact with people on earth. ______I will be able to minister to the spiritual needs of people on earth. ______I will enjoy material comforts. ______It will be boring. ______There will be total darkness. ______None of the above. ______

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10. Add other dimensions to life after death which you believe in, but which are not covered in the list on the previous page.

11. Some people have reported unusual experiences when they have been on the verge of death or have had a “close call.” Have you, yourself, ever been on the verge of death or had a “close call” which involved any unusual experience at that time? If yes, please describe what you experienced.

131

The Way It Works…Meditate on the Breath

A Simple Key to Clarity and Relaxation By Shinzen Young

Breath meditation is a simple, natural technique for developing calm and concentration. Basically it involves paying attention to the Life Energy as it expresses itself with each inbreath and outbreath. What Are the Benefits? Self-control, relaxation, concentration, and direct experience of the flow of Spirit, which is always with you as breath. When and Where to Do It. You do it as a daily practice in its own right. Each session should last 10 to 45 minutes. It is good if you can do it at the same time and place each day. Many people like the morning. It makes the whole day calm and peaceful. Or you may choose to do it for 5 to 10 minutes before prayer or spiritual treatment. You will find these spiritual practices greatly empowered by the extra focus and concentration the breath meditation gives you. You can also do it for 5 to 10 minutes before dealing with some difficult problem or situation. It will clear your mind and give you a better perspective on things. Remember, however, that while you are doing the breath meditation exercise, you must completely let go of that situation or problem and just concentrate on the breath. Finally, during the day, whenever you feel you would like to center yourself, close your eyes, allow the body to settle, and focus on the breath for a few minutes. If you have some empty moments during the day, such as when waiting in an office or riding on a plane, you can use these moments as your “secret time” to enjoy calm and concentration. Who Should Do It? Anyone who realizes the benefits of calm and concentration. The breath is a “nondenominational” form of meditation. Everyone shares the same Life Force. Where to Focus. The body should be upright but relaxed, head and back straight. Let the body settle into the position and become very still. Feel the undersides of the arms and abdomen to be a little heavy. Imagine you are rooted to the spot and have no desire whatsoever to move. Breathe naturally through the nose. Eyes may be closed or open. Within this stillness of the body there will naturally be one activity that continues…the cycle of inbreath and outbreath. There are two convenient places where you can feel the breath. One is at the nostrils, where the breath passes in and out. There is always a column of air passing across the 132 nostrils causing a tiny impact or “touch” sensation there. This sensation is constantly changing in small ways as the column of air moves across it. The other location for feeling the breath is at the abdomen as it rises and falls. With each in breath the abdomen will naturally expand slightly and with each outbreath it will collapse. Thus there is a continuously changing body sensation caused by the motion of the abdominal muscles as you breathe. In doing breath meditation you may choose to concentrate either on the sensations of the air moving over the nostrils or the sensation of the abdomen moving up and down. However, once you have made your choice stay with it for the entire session. Do not switch back and forth during the same session. If you find it impossible to detect the breath either at the nostrils or the abdomen try to feel it wherever you can, for example, in the rising and falling of your chest. Basic Principles 1. Focus all of your awareness on the point of concentration and come back each time your attention wanders. Let all surface thought and stimuli such as sounds fade into the background. From time to time you will discover that your attention has wandered…you have become preoccupied with some thought, memory, judgment, or some sensation such as noise or body discomfort. Without getting frustrated, gently turn your attention to the point of concentration. Do this over and over again each time your attention wanders. After a while you will notice that focusing is easier. 2. Let the breath be natural. Do not try to control it. Allow yourself to be breathed. If the breath wants to be long, let it be long. If it wants to be short, let it be short. If it stops for a moment, don’t worry — it will start up again on its own. Just let it “do its thing.” Tune into the Life Force which moves and directs the breath when you completely let go. Surrender all control of the breath. At the beginning and end of each breath, do not start to breathe as an act of will. Just rest and wait for nature to make the breath happen for you. Feel the Spirit breathing you and let it be! 3. Keep awareness on the actual sensation of the breath. Feel it directly as a body sense, either as an impact on the nose or as the feeling of the muscles of the belly as they move. Be aware of each inbreath and outbreath distinctly. If you are focusing at the nostrils try to detect the fact that the outbreath is a little warmer than the inbreath. You will discover a fascinating world of richness and variety in the simple act of breathing.

133 Difficulties You May Encounter Two major difficulties are distraction and sleepiness. Be patient with distraction. Remember, like any other skill, concentration can be developed only with continuous regular practice. Just keep practicing and distraction will gradually lessen. If you have difficulty with sleepiness, try to keep the body very straight and upright, and meditate with your eyes wide open.

How to End the Session A very important moment comes when you end the meditation and return to your ordinary activities. This transition must be made smoothly. Towards the end of the session leave off focusing on the breath. Just sit for a moment and feel any calm and energy that may have developed. Let your mind be like the sky, bright, open, and receptive. Random thoughts, sounds, and body sensations are just passing guests; they do not affect the one True Mind. Having become centered in this way, you may wish to begin prayer or spiritual mind treatment. Just let the prayer or spiritual treatment flow naturally out of your calmness and clarity. Alternatively you may wish to simply end the session at this point. Make a clear resolve to stay in a meditative state while carrying out the activities of your day. Get up very slowly and carefully so as to preserve the meditative state. Stay in the One True Mind all day!

Reprinted from Science of Mind Magazine, July 1987: a publication of Science of Mind Communications, United Church of Religious Science, Los Angeles, CA.

134 PERSONAL PROJECT

You are asked to prepare a personal project as part of the final requirements of this course. During Beyond Limits, many insights and changes in lifestyle and thinking occur. Your project should express some or all of these changes as they occurred for you. You will be given a blank poster board as your canvas for creative expression. Your project should fit on one side of this board.

The projects will be presented in Session #10 as part of the end-of-class celebration. To symbolize your spiritual development, you may want to consider some of the following forms:

A painting

A poem

A self-portrait (any medium) A collage

A diagram

A puzzle

A collection of photographs

Any other visual or artistic medium that appeals to you.

Consult with a Practitioner Teaching Assistant for further information. Enjoy this opportunity to get in touch with and honor the growth you have initiated!

135 PREPARATION FOR NEXT WEEK Home Study to prepare yourself for Session 10 Read: Session 10 of your Student Notebook Complete: Complete spiritual to do list on page 143 for discussion in class. Please complete your personal project on the poster board you’ve been given. Refer to Page 135 for ideas and support. Bring your poster to your small group. Note: completion of this project is a requirement for certification in “Beyond Limits.” Practice: Meditation exercise on pages 132-134.

136 Beyond Limits: Practical Spirituality for Dynamic Living

SESSION TEN Personal Projects Next Steps

137 OUR CLOSING SESSION

As our course concludes, it is appropriate to reflect on the insights, shifts – even miracles – that have emerged during these weeks. Moreover, it is an opportunity to shape an ongoing commitment to the uplifting of awareness, the empowerment of consciousness. It is this dedication that will continue to elevate your life and reveal more and more of the Good of God you so absolutely deserve.

This session features a foretaste of what lies ahead on the spiritual path of the study of the Science of Mind and Spirit. We will explore the nature of “ego” as contrasted with the essential “Self.” We will unfold a matrix of faith together and the rich pathway of a deepening spirituality. So that the support and momentum generated by this course may continue, embracing specific ongoing spiritual practices will be encouraged.

In conclusion, may you always be blessed and may you ever soar Beyond Limits!

Every human being is a doorway through which the Infinite passes into the finite, through which God becomes human, through which the Universal becomes individual. -RALPH WALDO EMERSON

138

The Moments of High Resolve

Keep fresh before me the moments of my high resolve.

Despite the dullness and barrenness of the days that pass, if I search with due diligence, I can always find a deposit left by some former radiance. But I had forgotten. At the time it was full-orbed, glorious, and resplendent. I was sure that I would never forget. In the moment of its fullness, I was sure that it would illumine my path for all the rest of my journey. I had forgotten how easy it is to forget.

There was no intent to betray what seemed so sure at the time. My response was whole, clean, authentic. But little-by-little, there crept into my life the dust and grit of the journey. Details, lower-level demands, all kinds of crosscurrents — nothing momentous, nothing overwhelming, nothing flagrant — just wear and tear. If there had been some direct challenge — a clear-cut issue — I would have fought it to the end, and beyond.

In the quietness of this place, surrounded by the all-pervading presence of God, my heart whispers: Keep fresh before me the moments of my High Resolve, that in fair weather or in foul, in good times or in tempests, in the days when the darkness and the foe are nameless or familiar, I may not forget that to which my life is committed.

Keep fresh before me the moments of my high resolve.

DR. HOWARD THURMAN FOR THE INWARD JOURNEY

139

TO THE DEGREE THAT YOU WANT TO GROW

by Swami Chetanananda

The point I want to make is that we grow to the degree we want to grow. That’s simple enough. But wanting to grow is not just something that can waft casually through our minds once a week, or once a day when we come to meditation. It must become an ongoing, living reality. In the Bible, it says, “Ask and you shall receive.” I don’t think they were joking. It is the depth from which we want this growth that makes it begin to take place.

Think of a tree, or of any living event that emerges from within itself. It is the degree to which it obeys its inner commitment to unfold a certain pattern that enables it to overcome all of the resistance and the obstacles in the environment, and to demonstrate itself as a vast and vital manifestation of the energy of Life. In the same way, the extent to which we are connected with that living, inner force is the extent to which we really change and grow spiritually.

The essential idea here is that we grow to the degree we want to grow. We grow to the degree that we mobilize resources that we may not even know we have at the moment. But because we deeply want to grow, because we have this deep passion for knowing God, because we have this deep love of life and love for God, then that love itself becomes a living event within us. It demonstrates every kind of potential to overcome obstacles, to overcome barriers, to move mountains. It certainly allows us to discover within ourselves vast, unrecognized treasures. The stories of many great saints are based on this understanding of the deep, deep desire to know God — a desire we have to cultivate. In cultivating it, countless extraordinary capabilities organize themselves within us, and manifest for the purposes of our liberation and fulfillment.

From The Breath of God, Swami Chetanananda. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Rudra Press, 1988. .

140

The Way It Works…Autobiography in Five Chapters

Chapter 1 I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost…I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. But it takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2 I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in, again. I can’t believe I am in this same place. It isn’t my fault. But it still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3 I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I fall in…it’s a habit…but now my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter 4 I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter 5 I walk down a different street.

—Portia Nelson

141 The Way It Works…My Spiritual Practice

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE FAQS Following are a number of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about spiritual practice:

What is “daily dedicated spiritual practice?” “Daily dedicated spiritual practice” is the time that is spent each day exclusively devoted to developing a greater awareness of God in your life. It is a time spent in meditation, prayer and spiritual study. Although it is desirable to bring a spiritual perspective into every activity of your day, dedicated practice has no other activity mixed in with it. Don’t delude yourself with rationalizations such as, “I kind of meditate while I’m mowing the lawn.” While that may be true, mowing the lawn is not “dedicated spiritual practice.”

How much time should I spend each day? Whatever amount of time that you are willing to spend on a daily basis is the right amount. It is better to start with a few minutes a day on a regular and consistent basis than to attempt to spend a large amount of time that will be difficult to sustain. The ideal would be to spend 10% of your day in dedicated spiritual practice. However, if you are willing to begin with a few minutes a day on a regular and consistent basis your practice will grow naturally over time into a longer session that will be easy to sustain.

Does it all have to be at the same time? Your total daily practice can be broken up into to two or three sessions throughout the day. An early morning and an evening session would be highly desirable. However, all sessions should be scheduled at fairly regular and consistent times. Additionally, it is advisable to designate one of those sessions as your “anchor practice” that you never miss.

Where’s the best place to practice? Anyplace that is quiet, comfortable and relatively free of distractions. The actual location is not as important as the fact that you consistently go to the same place. It would be best if you could set a place aside that is used for no other purpose. Consider it to be your “sacred space. What you will find is that after a time simply going to that place will immediately draw you into a higher state of consciousness. It is generally recommended that you do not attempt to perform spiritual practice in your bed, which is place of sleep. Spiritual practice is about “waking up.”

Do I need any special materials or apparatus? Not really, although you may find it beneficial to furnish your sacred space with various “forms of remembrance” of the Divine, such as sacred images, flowers, candles, incense, etc. However, it is important to remember that these objects have no power in and of themselves except to remind you of the “divinity that is within you.”

Are there any special techniques involved? There is no one perfect technique or practice that is right for everyone. A wide variety of specific techniques are available through the many excellent spiritual texts that are available to us today in almost any bookstore. Ask for guidance and select those practices that feel right for you. Never do anything that seems bizarre or unusual. Look for ways to practice that are both challenging and productive. Be prepared to expand and modify your practice as you spiritually evolve and mature.

What’s the most important aspect of practice? The single most important thing is to just “show up” each day. This demonstrates your willingness. God will do the rest.

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SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TO-DO LIST Go through the list below and check off each of the items that you are already performing. Go through the list again and circle the ‘check box’ of two (2) new behaviors that you are willing to initiate. Once the new behaviors are established, check them off and circle two more. Don’t forget to date them when you check them off. In making your selections try to pick one easy one and one scary one. Prayer [ ]Daily Prayers for Myself Self-Observation [ ]Daily Prayers for Others [ ]Keep a Journal of Meaningful Experiences [ ]Say Grace Before Meals [ ]Record & Analyze My Dreams [ ]Written Gratitude Lists [ ]

[ ]

Service Meditation [ ]Serve My Spiritual Community in Some Way [ ]Daily Chanting / Mantram [ ]Serve My Local Community in Some Way [ ]Daily Visualization [ ]Allow Myself to be Served [ ]Daily Meditation [ }

[ ]

Circulation Education [ ]Regular Financial Gifts to Spiritual Source [ ]Read Teachings of Truth Daily [ ]Regular other contribution [ ]Take Classes Based on Spiritual Truth [ ]

[ ]Teach Others ‘Principles of Spiritual Truth’ Prayer Partnering [ ] [ ]Pray Regularly with a Partner

[ ]See a Practitioner When Necessary Intention [ ]See a Practitioner Regularly [ ]Develop a Life Purpose and Vision [ ]

[ ]Set Spiritual Intentions & Goals [ ]Set Personal Intentions & Goals Keep Good Company [ ] [ ]Attend Spiritual Services Regularly

[ ]Participate in a Support Group Affirmation [ ]Participate in Spiritual Group Activities [ ]Avoid Criticism of Myself and Others [ ]Socialize with Spiritually Minded [ ]Speak Well of Myself and Others Individuals [ ]Practice Harmlessness with Others [ ]Practice Helpfulness with Others [ ]

143

Beyond Limits World Issues and Collective Consciousness

AFFIRMATION OF RESPONSIBILITY

I make my world a beautiful place in which to live.

I accept responsibility for my life.

I accept responsibility for my thoughts and feelings, my actions and reactions, and I exercise control over them. I use my ability to choose and make wise choices. I have all the help I need, for I have the power of God within me.

I turn to this ever-present Power to receive guidance, courage, and reassurance.

I choose to do and be only that which I truly want to do and be.

I exercise my yes and no power. I do not postpone my good.

I know that it is available to me this very moment.

I take charge of my thoughts and feelings.

I do not let outer things disturb my inner peace.

I do not try to change others but accept them as they are.

I express the spirit of power and love and self-control that god has given me, and I make my world a beautiful place in which to live.

144

AS FOR ME…

As for me, before leaving this planet, I would like to say this to my human brethren and sisters:

Decide to be a spiritual person Render others spiritual Irradiate your spirituality

Treat every moment of your life with Divine respect. Love passionately your God-given, miraculous life. Be endlessly astonished at your breathtaking consciousness of the universe.

Thank God every moment for the tremendous gift of life

Lift your heart to the heavens always

Be a cosmic, Divine being, an integral, conscious part of the universe

Contemplate with wonder the miraculous Creation all around you

Fill your body, mind, heart and soul with Divine trepidation

Know that you are coming from somewhere and that you are going somewhere in the universal stream of time

Be always open to the entire universe

Know yourself and the heavens and the earth

Act spiritually

Treat every person and living being with humaneness and Divine respect

Pray, meditate, practice the art of spiritual living

And be convinced of eternal Life.

—ROBERT MULLER, NEW GENESIS

“VALEDICTORY”

145 by Ernest Holmes

Right now, today, any sequence of cause and effect may be intercepted and changed and everything made new in our lives. If this were not true no one could be healed physically or psychologically today. Analytical psychology and psychiatry and the practice of psychosomatic medicine would be impossible, no new habits could be formed, no transcendence of ancient experience. There would be no invention in science….

As we turn within to that Divine Presence, we know that all the ages of the past, all the experiences we have ever had, do not matter today. Here and now we stand forth free from the burden of the past….If there has been a sense of separation, we now reunite our imagination and will with that from which we have never been separated, nor could have been. There is One Life, and we are that Life. “I am that which Thou art, Thou art that which I am” — eternal and perfect, forever blessed. Within each one of us, circulating and flowing with the rhythm of the heartbeat of the Universe, is but the one heart…. There is but one circulation, unimpeded by anything we have done, and that whole system of circulation is the harmony and the joy of the flow and the return circuit of divine intelligence and wisdom.

We are guided and governed and sustained by infinite Mind which knows what to do within us, how to do it, and does it. There is One Mind, that Mind is God, that Mind is in what we are doing. The eternal process of that Mind, forever manifesting its limitless imagination and activity, is at the point of our own intelligence, thinking in what we are thinking, creating in what we are doing, and being what we are. There is nothing else.

—FROM DISCOVER A RICHER LIFE

146 Beyond Limits Glossary

In the back of The Science of Mind, by Ernest Holmes (commonly called "the textbook") is a glossary of terms. We have reprinted a few of those definitions here to assist you in your studies. Dr. Edward has added some notes (see indents) for further clarification. We encourage you to explore your own understanding of these words and concepts.

Absolute The Unconditioned—that which nothing can limit; that which forever transcends any conceivable limitation or determination. Unconditioned perfection. Self-Existent, Self-Sufficient. Often used as a synonym for God. Truth is absolute and remains unaffected by the opinions, desires, or beliefs of humankind.

Note: In mathematics, absolute means constant in value; without variables. In law, it means in no way conditional on any future evidence or behavior (such as in an absolute pardon.) In grammar, absolute refers to, among other things, the use of a word without a direct object (such as in “we aim to please”). In Science of Mind, The Absolute refers to the one ultimate Reality that does not depend on anything, is not created by anything and is not relative to anything.

Affirmation To affirm anything is to state that it is so and to maintain this as being true in the face of all evidence to the contrary. Human thought can only affirm, for even at the moment of denial, it is affirming the presence of that which it denies! Repeating an affirmation is leading the mind to that state of consciousness where it accepts that which it wishes to believe.

Note: Affirmations are short, personally meaningful statements made in positive terms and in the present tense. For example “I have a wonderful joy in a wonderful way and this wonderful joy is here to stay” is an affirmation written by Florence Scovel Shinn. It is easy to remember, has no negative references, and is in the present tense. Affirmations act as supplemental reminders. They may be repeated frequently during the day as a way of retraining mind to dwell in that which is life affirming and beneficial.

Alpha That which is first. The beginning.

Note: In metaphysics there is no beginning in the sense of creation being created at some specific time. Instead creation is thought to be continuously happening, and always has been happening. “That which is first,” then, refers to the beginning of any created thing and serves only as a reference point to examine how thinking is related to creation.

147 Appearance The word appearance is used to distinguish that which seems to be, from that which actually is. Negative thinking may produce conditions which appear to be true, but these results have no power, no reality, except as given power by believing that the appearance is the actuality.

Note: How the world appears to be is considered to be very real and not an illusion. Whether a person is experiencing sickness, poverty, confusion, happiness, wealth or excitement, it is all considered to be as real as it is. Metaphysics asserts, however, that reality is subject to thought and interpretation and that when thought and interpretation changes, so does the experience of reality.

Atmosphere (Mental) An influence, or condition, surrounding a place, person or thing. A person whose atmosphere is one of love and cheerfulness will always attract friends. In the same way, places are permeated with the thoughts of the people who inhabit them, and this mental atmosphere of a place or ting may easily be felt by one contacting it.

Note: A mental atmosphere or your thought-mood, is characterized by the dominant themes that run through your thinking. Just as we may become parched when we walk into a dry atmosphere of a desert, our personal mental atmosphere not only affects those around us, but draws to us those who find our particular thought-mood to be attractive and beneficial.

Being That which exists actually or potentially. Generally used as conscious existence. When capitalized. Being refers to the Divine Being; God. There is but one Source of being—God—and we are connected with It at all times.

Note: Being in metaphysics generally refers to existence, or “that which is.” The Divine Being, God mentioned above is not to be thought of as a being, separate or apart from creation, but rather as one indivisible Self that includes all that is.

Belief Conviction or feeling of the truth of a proposition or condition. Belief may go no further than intellectual assent, while faith embodies a trust and confidence. “Belief admits of all degrees, from the slightest suspicion to the fullest assurance.”

Note: The quote in this definition, “Belief admits of all degrees, from the slightest suspicion to the fullest assurance” comes from Thomas Reid's Inquiry and Essays. Thomas Reid was a religiously trained Scottish philosopher who believed that common sense is, or at least should be, at the foundation of all philosophical inquiry.

Blessing Constructive thought directed toward anyone or any condition. You bless a man when you recognize the Divinity in him. You bless a man’s business when you think correctly about that business.

Note: More specifically, blessing is something that takes place in the mind of the one doing the blessing. It may be thought of as an act of seeing the sacredness of the person for which the blessing is intended.

148 Body The outward form. The entire manifestation of Spirit, both visible and invisible, is the Body of God. Within this one Body of God is included all lesser bodies. This one Body coupled with the Intelligence running through It, is called the Son or the Second Person of the Trinity. This, of course, includes man, both visible and invisible. It also includes every gradation of consciousness, from the simple to the complex, from a cell to an archangel. It is the entire manifestation of Spirit on any and all planes. Body is the definite outline of flesh, containing all of the ideas which go to make the complete physical instrument.

Note: Simply stated, the word body in metaphysics refers to every appearing thing, or every created thing, including people, beings, circumstances, results, outcomes, and objects of every kind.

Cause…Causation…First Cause Cause is that which occasions or produces an effect. The reason, motive or occasion. Causation, too is the act or agency by which an effect is produced. First Cause always means that from which everything comes. The Cause of all that is made manifest on nay plane. That which comes first. The first in any creative series. The Life back of things.

Note: First Cause is used as a synonym for the Creator, for that which originates anything and everything. The term creative series suggest the ongoing sequence of causes and effects extending in all dimensions of time. This makes it impossible to have a literal first cause, and the term First Cause because a symbol for that which is eternally beginning and originating newness.

Changeless, The This refers to the One that cannot change by reason of the fact that being All, there is nothing for It to change into but Itself. The One Cause back of all never changes, but It constantly creates forms; and so we perceive a changing form within that which is Changeless.

Christ, The The Word of God manifests in and through man. In a liberal sense, the Christ means the Entire Manifestation of God and is, therefore, the Second Person of the Trinity. Christ is Universal Idea, and each one “puts on the Christ” to the degree that he surrenders a limited sense of Life to the Divine Realization of Wholeness and unity with Good, Spirit, God.

Note: The word Christ, from the ancient Greek word Christos, is a translation of the Hebrew word Messiah and means the anointed one. It is commonly used as a synonym for Jesus of Nazareth. In metaphysics, however, the word refers to consciousness of unity with the Divine. Christ Consciousness then refers to the mental awareness of being completely united with Divinity.

Compensation Recompense, reward, remuneration, balance. The law of balance in the mental world, cause and effect. As you sow, so shall you reap.

Note: The law of compensation is also known as the law of cause and effect, and describes the reciprocal relationship between actions and reactions.

149 Conscious Mind The Self-knowing Mind in God or in man. The Intelligence in the Universe which reveals itself in all Its creation. It is impossible for us to conceive of Universal Consciousness, but we glimpse it through our use of “the One Mind common to all individual men.”

Note: Conscious Mind refers to humankind’s awake state, specifically when choosing, deciding, and thinking, as opposed to other states of mind, such as subconscious, for example the mental process that allows us to drive a car while conducting multiple activities simultaneously.

Consciousness Mental awareness. Consciousness is both objective and subjective. Objective consciousness is a state of conscious awareness, equipped with will, decision, and discrimination. Its reasoning is both inductive and deductive; therefore it has self-choice. The subjective consciousness is entirely a reaction to this objective volition. It is creative but not discriminative. It is, of course, conscious, but it is not self-conscious. It is conscious in the same sense that the soil is conscious of the seed. It knows how to produce a plant, but it is not conscious that it is producing it. It has no reflective, deductive or discriminating factors. It is compelled by its very nature to accept and create. When we speak of Mind in Its self-conscious state, we mean Spirit, whether we ting of it in God or man. When we speak of consciousness in a subjective state, we refer to the mental medium, the Universal Subjectivity, which is also the subjectivity of man. In referring to the subjective state, the Bible uses the word soul; the psychoanalyst uses the term “the unconscious”, the psychologist, “subjective” or “subjective consciousness.” All have the same meaning.

Correspondence, The Law of The law of correspondence works from the belief to the thing. If we believe we shall have only a little good, only a little good will come into our experience. The demonstration we make corresponds with our ability to provide a mental equivalent of our desire.

Creation The giving of form to the Substance of Mind. Creation always was and always will be. To be conscious is to create, because Sprit has to be conscious, and therefore must have something of which to be conscious. Creation is God making something out of Itself, by becoming the thing It creates. The thought of God, coming into expression must go on forever. We must understand that Creation does not mean making something out of nothing, but means the passing of Substance into form, through a law which is set in motion by the Word of Spirit. There could not be a time when the activity of Spirit would cease. The whole action of Spirit must be within Itself, upon the Law, (which is also within Itself) and upon the Universal Stuff, or matter, which is also within Itself. The three must in reality be One; hence, “The Trinity.”

Creative Medium From the Universal sense, it is the World-Soul; and from the individual sense, it is the subjective state of a person’s thought. Like the creative soil in which seeds are planted and from which plant life grows, the Soul of the Universe is the Creative Medium, into which the Word of Spirit falls, and from which Creation arises. We must be careful not to think of Soul and Spirit as separate, for they are really two parts, or aspects, of the same Reality, being Self-Existent and Coeternal each with the other.

Demonstrate…Demonstrable…Demonstration Through the mental and spiritual activity of thought, directed toward a definite end, we bring about a greater good, a more abundant life, a better condition 150 than existed before. This is called demonstration. We can demonstrate at the level of our ability to know. The treatment which leads to the demonstration is not for the purpose of making something happen, but is to provide an avenue, within ourselves, through which things may happen. Spiritual demonstration is manifestation of Reality.

Divine Mind There is no such thing as your mind, my mind, his mind, and God’s Mind. There is just Mind in which we all live and move and have our being. We think of Conscious Mind and Spirit as One and the Same. That which we call our subjective mind is, in reality, our identity in Infinite Mind… our center in the Universal Subjective Mind. Divine Mind is the One Mind. The Spirit within us is the Divine Mind.

Effect That which follows cause. Effect is that which did not make itself, but which must have a power back of it causing it to be. All manifestation is effect and all effect is subject to its cause. The Creator is greater that Its Creation. Everything which we see, touch, taste, feel, hear or sense with the physical senses is an effect.

Error Error means incorrect thinking. It means thinking based upon the belief in some power or presence opposed to good.

Eternal Having no element of time. Without beginning, without end. Also may imply a state or quality other than time. As eternal bliss, eternal glory. Immortal, imperishable, uninterrupted, boundless. One of the appellations of God.

Evil That which seems destructive. Evil is an experience of the soul on its journey toward the realization of Reality. Evil will remain a problem as long as we believe in it. Of itself, it is neither person, place nor thing, and will disappear in the exact proportion that we cease using destructive methods.

Evolution The passing of Spirit into form. All emerge from that One Whose Being is ever present and Whose is ever present and Whose Life, robed in numberless forms, is manifest throughout all creation. Creation is the logical outpush of Life into self-expression. It is the coming forth of Spirit into manifestation. The unfoldment of First Cause is what we call evolution.

Faith “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is a mental attitude so inwardly embodied that the mind can no longer deny it. Faith is complete when it is both a conscious and subjective acceptance. Faith may be consciously generated. In Spiritual terminology, faith means a belief in the presence of an indivisible principle and law which directly and specifically responds to us “Thy faith has made thee whole.”

Freedom Real freedom means that each person is created in the image of perfection and let alone and allowed to make the discovery for themselves. Freedom of will means the ability to do, say and think as one wishes; to express life as one personally desires. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free," Jesus taught. The understanding of Truth--Infinite Principle--is the emancipator. We are bound by our very freedom; our free will binds us. The Universe, being deductive only, cannot refuse us anything, the very force that makes us sick can heal us. As we realize our Oneness with Creative

151 Mind, we are released from the bondage of false thinking. We see, too, that freedom means liberty but not license.

God The First Cause, the Great I Am, the Unborn One, the Uncreated, the Absolute or Unconditioned, the One and Only Spirit, or the Creative Energy which is the cause of all visible things. Love, Wisdom, Intelligence, Power, Substance, Mind. The Truth which is real, the Principle which is dependable.

God-Consciousness A person's self-knowing mind is their Unity with the Whole, their perception of Reality. This Unity with God, on the conscious side of life, is the guarantee that one is a center of God- Consciousness, that each one is some part of the Consciousness of God.

Healing Mental healing means Mind healing. To heal means to make whole. We seek to heal a person’s mentalities, knowing that to the degree in which we are successful, we shall also be healing their bodies. Belief in duality has made people sick and the understanding of Unity will heal them. God stands to us for the One Life in which we all live. Mental treatment is a direct statement in mind of what we wish to have don and a realization that it is done. Healing is the result of clear thinking and logical reasoning, which presents itself to consciousness and is acted upon by it. Realize that you are a Divine Idea and that your word is the law unto the ting unto which it is spoken. The whole idea of healing, when understood, is the substitution of Truth for sense-testimony. This restores a person to a condition of wholeness.

Heaven A state of happiness. Heaven is within, it revolves about us; it is the result of that atmosphere of conviction which our thought awakens within us. The Kingdom of Heaven is unformed, unlimited, unconditioned. Heaven is not a place, a locality “with streets of gold and gates of pearl.” It is the real state of Being. We do not make it real, for it is eternal Reality. If we abide in the Father and He abides in us, in harmony, power, I peace, in wisdom; and our thought is friendly, happy, confident and open, our Kingdom of Heaven is a good place in which to live.

Hell A discordant state of being. A belief in duality. A sense of separation from God. A belief that our good is always to be, and never is. Hell is not a location.

Impersonal Not belonging to any particular person or persons. The Creative Medium is Impersonal, having no personality of Its own. It neither knows nor cares who uses It, but is always ready to work for any or all alike. It is very important that we remember this. The Creative Mind is impersonal receptivity, in that it receives all seeds of thought.

Intuition Intuition is God in humankind, reveling the Realities of Being. Just as instinct guides the animal, so would intuition guide a person, if they would allow it to operate through them. The ability to know without any process of reasoning. God knows only intuitively.

Law Mind in action. The Creative Medium of Spirit is the great Mental Law of the Universe. It is the Law of the Spirit. It is the Universal Law of Mind. The Laws of Mind and Spirit must be understood if they are to be consciously used for definite purposes. There is no limit to the Law, but there appears to be a limit to our understanding of it. (Abbreviated here.)

152 Love Love is the self-givingness of the Spirit through the desire of Life to express itself in terms on creation. Emerson tells us that Love is a synonym for God. We are also told in the New Testament that “He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.” Love is free from condemnation, even as it is free from fear. Love is a cosmic force whose sweep is irresistible.

Mental Equivalent Having a subjective idea of the desired experience. As we bring ourselves to a greater vision that the range of your present concepts, we can then induce a greater concept and thereby demonstrate more in our experience.

Note: A mental equivalent may be thought of as that which is taken as normal in a person’s world view. A new mental equivalent would then be a “new normal.” The idea of normal is a helpful way of understanding the feeling of having a subjective idea of something. It means completely accepting whatever it is as real.

Mind No one has ever seen Mind or Spirit. The only proof we have of Mind is that we can think, but we are perfectly justified in believing that we have a mind. Actually, there is no such thing as your mind and my mind, his mind, her mind, and God’s Mind. There is just Mind, in which we live and move and have our being. (there is more here)

Principle The Science of Mind is the study of the Principle of Being. The source or cause from which a thing results; a truth which is unchangeable. We first understand a principle and then relate it to our problem for a final test.

Note: Wikipedia defines principle as follows: A principle is a law or rule that has to be, or usually is to be followed, or can be desirably followed, or is an inevitable consequence of something, such as the laws observed in nature or the way that a system is constructed. The principles of such a system are understood by its users as the essential characteristics of the system, or reflecting system's designed purpose, and the effective operation or use of which would be impossible if any one of the principles was to be ignored.

In The Science of Mind, Ernest Holmes uses Principle as a synonym for Divinity (…Spirit [is] the Life Principle running through all manifestation, the Cause of all. P. 64)

Sin We have tried to show that there is no sin but a mistake and not punishment but a consequence. The Law of cause and effect. Sin is merely missing the mark. God does not punish sin. As we correct our mistakes, we forgive our own sins.

Soul The Creative Medium of Spirit; the subjective side of life; the Mirror of Mind, for It reflects the forms of thought which are given it. Man’s soul life re-enacts the Soul Life of the Universe. Soul is subjective because it takes the thought of conscious mind and acts upon it. Its nature is subjective and It cannot analyze or reject; It can only carry out the orders given It. Infinite in Its power and ability to do, but not knowing that It does.

Note: In The Science of Mind, the term “soul” is used in a specialized way to refer to spiritual law that governs creation. More commonly “soul” is defined differently as the spiritual part of

153 a person that gives life and is believed to live forever. Therefore, it must be kept in mind that in Science of Mind “Soul” has a special and different meaning and is a synonym for spiritual law.

Subjective Beneath the threshold of consciousness. The inner side. Subconscious.

Treatment Treatment is the art, the act and the science of consciously inducing thought within the Universal Subjectivity, for the purpose of demonstrating that we are surrounded by a Creative Medium which responds to us through a law of correspondence. In its more simple meaning, treatment is the time, process and method necessary to the changing of our thought. Treatment is clearing the thought of negation, of doubt and fear, and causing it to perceive the ever-presence of God.

Note: The term “prayer” is strongly associated with petition, request and communion with an external deity. For this reason, it is helpful to adopt a new term to describe our method of affirmative prayer. Spiritual Mind Treatment is the complete name and the form of prayer it refers to does not typically include petitions or requests.

Word The Word means the ability of Spirit to declare Itself into manifestation, into form. The Word of God means the Self-Contemplation of the Spirit. 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.

154 My Intentions for the Class

“Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet arrived, but today I am living in the eternal present filled with an everlasting good.”

Ernest Holmes, Creative Ideas p. 143

My words, both spoken and written, are creative. Here, I set my intentions for this class. What do I want to get out of it?

Signed ______Date ______

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