Science of Mind and Spirit… A Continuum
I have noticed that there is often a lack of clarity in the minds of students about Holmes’s teaching…that it is primarily a philosophy used for manifesting the things we wish to have and experience in our lives. And it can certainly be used in this way – if I have need of some material thing or condition in my life, there is nothing wrong with using Affirmative Prayer and positive thinking to have my needs met. In fact, I may be incapable of looking beyond that circumstance until it is taken care of. But there is much, much more to it than that. Science of Mind and Spirit is a continuum, a multi-leveled, multi-faceted teaching, and it serves us best when we understand its many aspects. I have spent some time organizing my thoughts, and prepared a generalized summary of the continuum known as Science of Mind and Spirit. I hope it is helpful to our growing understanding. I’m sure there is much more that could be said, but this may help give you a more solid understanding.
Something that is important to remember…Science of Mind and Spirit, like any other religion/philosophy/theology, has a wide spectrum. As we begin studying it, we must begin at one end, the beginner’s level, by looking at our thought patterns and habits to see where they may be serving us and where they may be undermining us. We do this from the understanding that we are the Divine in form, and so the Power of the Divine moves through us. This philosophy/religion holds that whatever we choose to change, we have the power to change. It looks at our words as indicators or expressions of our thought patterns and encourages us to change any language that indicates doubt, limitation, or other negative mind habits. This is the Primer Level of Affirmative Prayer.
In this stage, we also learn about the Creative Process, and how by the Power of Spiritual Law, we are creating our life’s circumstances and conditions by attracting, allowing, or promoting certain people and circumstances. As we begin to understand the beginning level of The Law of Attraction, we start to see how things came to be the way they are. We take responsibility for our thoughts, words, and actions, and for some of the conditions is our lives. We may come to Science of Mind and Spirit feeling very much the victim…things in life happen TO ME. We refer to Victim Consciousness as the first stage of Spiritual Evolution. This early level of SOMAS moves us from the Victim State into the second stage…things in life happen BY MEANS OF ME.
Once we have made strides toward the re-wiring of our negative thought patterns, we move into the next level of Study and Practice. At this level of Science of Mind and Spirit, we begin taking a deeper look at the Qualities of Spirit…Love, Life, Light, Peace, Power, Beauty, Joy, Integrity, Harmony, Justice, Freedom, etc. We acknowledge these Qualities as inherent to all of Creation, and begin to look for signs that they exist in us, and in the others who are part of our lives. We start with those who are easy to be with, and move to those who we might consider an enemy or opponent.
In this stage, we also learn more about the Creative Process, and how by the Power of Spiritual Law, we are creating our experience of life’s conditions and circumstances. We begin to accept that while we cannot always change our outer circumstances, we are 100% responsible for how we receive and experience them. As we come to understanding the intermediate level of The Law of Attraction, we start to see that it is really a Law of Radiation…that according to our intentions, motivations, expectations, and faith, we determine what can become possible in our lives.
We begin to understand that while Spirit is Infinite and offers Possibility with no limits, our own mind-set determines how much Good can come our way. We take responsibility for our intentions, motivations, expectations, and faith , and begin the process of deep change, not so much in the outer conditions, but in our inner being. This level of Science of Mind and Spirit usually finds the student at the second stage of spiritual development, BY MEANS OF ME, and offers study and Practice that will move him or her to the third stage of Spiritual Evolution…things happen by GOD MOVING THROUGH ME. In other words, I become the conduit through which Spirit works.
At some point, placing our faith in the Good and surrendering to the Divine Flow becomes automatic and we are ready to approach the deep Mysticism of Science of Mind and Spirit. Our meditation turns to contemplation of the Divine Itself, and to letting go altogether of our thoughts, words, actions, intentions, motivations, and expectations. We are simply grounded in Faith that God is All That Is, that I Am one with That…and then we let go and allow the Divine to become real in our experience. Our meditation Practice carries over into our lives…at times our lives become our meditation…which brings a sense of poise and equanimity to our experiences and relationships. We become much less attached to outcomes; we let go of the illusion that we control our lives; and we become at peace with what is in every moment.
This level of Science of Mind and Spirit usually finds the student at the third stage of spiritual development…things happen…life is evolving…AS GOD ITSELF, IN FORM AS ME. All that unfolds is simply Spirit in form, expressing and experiencing Itself as my life. Once we begin the regular Practice of sitting in the Silence of Spirit and carrying that Silence into our lives, Science of Mind and Spirit is exactly like any other Mystical Path. It leads us to the direct experience of Infinite Intelligence, God, Source, the One, the Way, Buddha Nature, or Nature Herself…or whatever our name for the unnamable may be.
It is important to remember that each of us moves from one stage of Spiritual Development to another, up and down the spectrum, every day. We may function at different levels in varying circumstances or areas of life, or depending on how much sleep we have had, or what we have eaten for breakfast, or whether or not our body feels well. This is a fluid process, not a dogma or set path…it is the Dance of Spirit in form, by means of its Creation.
Have a blessed and beautiful day, walking in God’s ever-present Grace.
Love,
