“What the thinker thinks, the prover proves.” George Zalucki’s words have stayed with me for more than a decade. George goes on to explain that in a networking career, no doubt in life itself, our lack of skill in controlling our minds will over shadow and possibly destroy our efforts to achieve our goals and live our dreams. George tells us that the mind is indifferent to the commands it receives. It basically has 2 jobs: It thinks and it proves these thoughts to be just as they are thought. The bottom line, be mindful of what you think since your mind is going about wildly turning the Universe upside down to make it so. Look for video messages from George.
George’s message was a “new thought” for me at the time. I soon learned that committing myself to be a successful networker, also meant commitment to a renewed, even more serious journey into self-discovery and self-development. Over the years I have been continually challenged to maintain control of my thoughts….. remain positive, stay in the zone, feel the buzz, get with the program, stay in my power, go with the flow, focus, harmonize with the same vibration of that which you desire… follow my bliss. Fortunately, early on as a educator, I was exposed to the now well-recognized, accepted and specific “technique” of active listening. Now, being a good listener is second nature to me. However, not until this week have I learned of a specific technique designed to tune my vibration on a chosen subject to the vibration of that specific desired outcome. ( see Tool #8 below ) ~ how to manifest!
I am sharing the following somewhat personal message with you knowing that you can take that which fits your frame of reference and adapt it to enhance your skills. I was exposed to this outline in a 6hour class fromThe Mincks Educational Center, a part of the Creative Living Fellowship in Phoenix. I have seen that consistent and sincere use of these techniques work. I intend to make an honest effort to apply these tools until I obtain the desired results. Please feel free to contact me if you feel I may offer any additional insight or support.
The New Thought Movement
“New Thought” began as an organized spiritual philosophy in the Eastern part of the United States in the late 1800s. The term “New Thought” is deceiving, because there is nothing “new” about it. In fact, it derives its name not from its young age but from this ancient principle:
A new thought produces a new condition.
In the 6th Century, BC, the Buddha said:
All that we are is the result of our thought.
Six hundred years later, Jesus of Nazareth said:
It is done unto you as you believe.
This simple concept forms the basis of the New Thought spiritual movement. In addition to this foundational belief, all followers of New Thought share these ancient beliefts:
- We live in a spiritual universe; there is more to life than meets the eye.
- God resides not only “out there”, but right within each individual. In fact, each individual is a physical incarnation of God. Put another way, we are all spiritual beings having a human experience.
- We connect with that indwelling Presence and create through the Power of this Presence with our consciousness (a combination of our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, attitudes, values, and actions).
As the New Thought movement gained momentum, churches and spiritual centers were formed. In 1889, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore founded Unity School of Christianity. In 1898, Divine Science was founded in Colorado, by Nona Brooks, Fannie James and Althea Small. Religious Science, the most recent contribution to the New Thought movement was founded as a teaching institute, in Los Angeles in 1927 by Ernest Holmes. It became formalized as a religion in 1953, when the Institute of Religious Science and Philosophy became the Church of Religious Science.
Today, Unity, Divine Science, Religious Science and a variety of independent New Thought centers combine to form the Ancient Wisdom/New Thought community of the 21st Century.
Religious Science *
Dr. Ernest Holmes once described the teachings of Science of Mind as….
….a correlation of the laws of science, the opinions of philosophy, and the revelations of religion all applied to the needs and aspirations of humankind.
We are a religion in the sense that we explore and teach ideas that define the spiritual nature of the Universe and our relationship to God. We are a science in that we are asked to experiment with these ideas and accept only those that we can prove, demonstrate or experience in our daily lives. We are a philosophy in that these ideas are brought together into a systematic concept about God, the nature of the Cosmos, humanity and human potential.
Fundamentally, the Science of Mind is a teaching based on principle. What is a principle? A basic truth or law, which is:
- Infallible – meaning it works without known exceptions, and
- Impersonal – meaning it works for everyone alike.
Physical principles or laws are familiar to us. We all accept without question the workings of gravity, electricity, mathematics, chemistry, the ways of soil with a seed and many other companions in our every day life. Science of Mind deals with Spiritual Principles, which work the same way–infallibly and impersonally.
The Primary Spiritual Principles on which the Science of Mind is based are:
There is One Supreme Being; One Infinitely Loving, All-Encompassing, All-Embracing, Nonjudgmental Source; One Divine Energy. This One is the Creator of all things. Commonly used terms for the One are “God” or “Spirit”. God is all there is. This leads directly to the realization that God, the Source of all, is not out there somewhere, but within us, right where we are. Each human being is a creation of God, an individualized expression of Spirit and, because of that, has within themselves the same Creative Power and process that is God’s. As we are all One with God, we are also all one with each other. There is a Divine Wholeness, a Unity of all Life at the Source.
_________
* Excerpted, in part, from Foundations of Practical Spirituality, The Mincks Educational Center
Tools for Transformation
1. Observation
We can only change what we are aware of. One of the primary tools for developing greater awareness is self-observation. It is important to recognize that the problems and challenges we experience in our lives are the result of our own misguided thoughts, feelings and beliefs. By developing the capacity for self-observation, we begin to wake up to our self-defeating attitudes. Once realized, they can then be released and no longer repeated.
2. Education
“Inspiration without education leads to frustration.” Therefore, an important part of Religious Science is education. Each individual must become responsible for learning the principles of Truth and how to apply them in their lives. “Inspiration plus education leads to illumination.”
3. Meditation
Meditation is a time-honored technique for taming, training and transforming the mind. Religious Science endorses all forms of meditation, from playful creative visualization to the more traditional mind-quieting techniques.
It is through the practice of meditation that we come into a state of communion with the “still small voice of God” within and thereby experience a greater sense of our oneness with God and with all Life. The regular practice of meditation often leads us to greater clarity, understanding and insights into our life circumstances. And, a regular meditation practice equips us with a calm and peaceful attitude with whcih to meet life’s challenges.
In the words of Ernest Holmes:
Meditation is truly the recognition of the Father within, the certainty of our Oneness with the Whole, the immediate availability of the Power and Wisdom resulting from this Oneness. Such communion with God brings harmony into our lives and affairs; establishes the law of health and prosperity, and makes us a light to all who cross our pathway.
4. Visioning
“Visioning”, developed by Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith of the Agape International Spiritual Center ( a Religious Science church in Culver City, California), is a meditative, internal process that invites us to ask ourselves, “What is Life seeking to express through me?” and then creates the open space for deep listening. This open, receptive mental atmosphere allows us to “catch” the answer. It is a process by which we allow the Inner Voice to guide and direct us and by which we give our soul’s deepest yearnings a place to be heard. We might vision regarding a specific area such as health, business, relationships or finances. Or, we might vision around a broader idea involving our higher purpose or our life’s calling.
Set the stage/tone for visioning by centering in Spirit. Spend time in silent contemplation of the Power and Presence of God/Love in, around and through you. Stay in this silence until an energy field of unconditional love and connection is created and can be felt.
Once you are grounded in unconditional love and connection, open to the Vision by asking five questions. Each question area is asked and followed by silence to allow answers, insights, images, colors, ideas, concepts or notions to surface. It may be helpful to have a pen and paper handy to record what comes up. If nothing comes initally, or if the ideas stop coming after a time ask the question again. Give yourself plenty of time to allow for a deepening into the listening.
Question 1: What is God’s (Spirit’s, Life’s, etc) vision (or highest idea) for____?What does it look like? What qualities of Spirit are being expressed by it?
You will fill in the blank in the above sentence depending on the purpose of the vision. If the purpose of your life in general, the you would say ” …for my life.” If it is for a specific area, you would say, “…for my health” or “… for my finances” or “… for my business”. Allow your mind and heart to play with the feelings, the visual images and the God qualities that make up the answer. Do not judge anything that comes up for you. Let it be. It doesn’t even need to make sense. Just let it be. Jot down any notes that you would like. Once Spirit nudges that enough time has been spent reflecting on these ideas, go to the next question.
Question 2: In order for the vision (idea) to manifest itself, what must I be or become? What God quality or qualities must I more fully embrace or embody? What deeper knowings must I connect with?
Once again, allow enough space for deep listening to occur and jot down anything you are called to write down. The same is true for the remainder of the questions.
Question 3: In order for this vision (idea) to manifest itself, what must I release or let go of? What spiritual work must I do to bring this vision forth?
Question 4: Is there anything else for me to know about this vision (idea)?
Question 5: Is there anything for me to do now to bring this vision into manifestation?
Bring the visioning process to a close by anchoring it in a prayer of thanksgiving that the vision, a Divine Idea held in the Mind of God, is already done. Visioning differs from visualization (see Tool #6 below) in that we are allowing God’s idea to come forth through us rather than focusing on specific things we have decided we want to manifest. Visualizing is a powerful tool to use after we have visioned.
5. Setting Goals/Proclaiming Your Good
In Religious Science the purpose of setting and attaining goals involves more than the mere acquisition of physical objects and experiences. The true purpose of goals is to draw us into participation with the creative process of Life itself, allowing us to be active co-creators with the Divine. In addition, the commitment necessary to achieve our goals develops self-discipline and increases our awareness of limiting behaviors. The true gift of setting and achieving goals is who we become in the process.
6. Visualizing
Visualizing means exactly what it is: seeing in your mind’s eye that which you desire to create. As said above in the description of visioning, visualizing your vision is a powerful process. As with goal setting, the true purpose of visualizing our desires is to draw us int participation with the creative process of Life itself. Treasure mapping (vision boards) is one expremely effective form of visualizing.
7. Affirmations
Affirmations are statements we make about our being and our lives. The word “affirmation” means: something validated; something made firm. An affirmation is a desire stated in present tense terms as if it is already manifest in our lives. With affirmations we can reprogram our Personal Belief System as if we are filling a glass of dark, cloudy water, drop by drop, with clear water.
Keys to writing Affirmations ~
- Make them personal: I AM… I KNOW… I LET… GOD WITHIN ME IS…
- 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. Never use past or future tense.
- State them in positive language.
8. Affirmative Prayer/Spiritual Mind Treatment
Religious Science honors and endorses all forms of sincere prayer. In addition, it teaches a scientific form of prayer called Spiritual Mind Treatment or Affirmative Prayer. It is a powerful, positive method of prayer that was developed by Ernest Holmes and really is the only thing that is unique to Religious Science.
Treatment is a five-step process that embodies the Nature of the Universe itself. In the words of Dr. Holmes:
Treatment is not willing things to happen; it is to provide within ourselves an avenue through which they may happen. Treatment opens up the avenues of mentality, removes the obstruction of thought and lets in the Light; it removes doubt and fear in the realization of the Presence of Spirit, and is necessary while we are confronted by obstructions or obstacles. We already live in a Perfect Universe, but It needs to be seen mentally before It can become a part of our experience. Every problem is primarily mental, and the answer to all problems will be found in Spiritual Realization. Science of Mind,m p.164.
Before beginning the five steps of treatment, clearly identify the purpose by stating briefly the condition that you desire to experience. A purpose statement might say:
I desire to create a new job that meets my financial need OR I seek a greater sense of peace and love OR I desire a healing in my body.Step One – Recognition
The term “recognition” means to “know again” or remember. In any healing situation, we must first turn away from the appearance of the condition and then try to remember a greater good that can be experienced. The greater the good we can remember, the more powerful the Treatment will be. Since the greatest good that exists is God, we always strive to remember again, or recognize, the highest concept of God tha we can. This we do, in our own words in the first step of Treatment. An example of a Recognition step is:
God is the Infinite Power of Love in and through the Universe. The Power of Love is the Force that drives all creation. It is the Energy behind all things. It is the Life of all things. And it is Good.Notice that this step focuses on “the big picture” or the Allness of God (to the highest degree we can comprehend it). What is purposefully missing from this step is any personal reference. Personal referencces are reserved for Step Two.
Step Two – Unification
In this step, we seek to consciously “unify” with the concept of God that we have recognized and declared in the first step. We verbalize the Truth of who we are — physical manifestations of God, remembering the words of Jesus “the Father and I are one”. From this exalted position, we speak on behalf of the Indwelling Spirit. An example of the Unification step is:
The Power of Love is also my Power. The Power of Life is the creative force in my life. It flows in, through and as me. The Energy behind all things is the very Essence of who I am. I am one with God. I am one with Spirit. I am one with Love.Step Three – Realization
In this step we declare or “make real” that which we desire. We positively affirm that the riches of the Universe are our heritage because of who we are — God’s perfect children. We declare our good with deep conviction that the special good we desire is already ours, right now being manifested through the perfect action of the Law. We open our entire being to be ready to receive the good that is ours now.
If the purpose of this Treatment were for a physical healing, this step might sound something like this:
I now speak my word knowing that as I do I activate the perfect Law of Mind that always says yes. With my word, I claim that perfect health is mine. With this knowing, I let go of any fear, doubt or hesitation and move forward with absolute faith and trust that I am whole, perfect and complete, here and now. Perfect health is my divine birthright, and I experience it now. Anything unlike my perfect health is now and forever dissolved and what remains is my physical perfection. I have inherited physical perfection from Infinite Spirit, and it is now expressing in and through my life.Step Four – Thanksgiving
Accepting that the words we have just spoken are already done, we give thanks for their manifestation. We give thanks that we know the Truth and for the good that is now taking form in our experience.
As I accept this good into my life, I give thanks with an open, joyous and loving heart.Step Five – Release
This is the shortest and simplest step in Treatment. It has a unique purpose. To release the Treatment to Law. It is important that the Release be total and that we truly turn the issue over to God/Law. We may treat for the same situation again tomorrow, but for now, release it completely. If a moment after you release your prayer, you begin to worry about the issue again, you haven’t released it! Treat again.
I now release this prayer into the Divine Law of Mind knowing that as I have spoken these words, it is done. And so it is. Amen.A Simple Treatment for Guidance and Direction
Recognition: God, the One Power, the One Energy, the One Life, animates all that is; is the Breathe of all that breathes; is the Creative Force behind all creation.
Unification: And I am one with that Power, that Energy, that Life. The Breathe of God is my Breathe; the Creative Force of God is my force.
Realization: Knowing this is my Truth, I now speak my word into the Infinite Law that always says yes, bringing into manifestation that which I desire. I call forth my Divinity into full expression. I accept and know that I am led in the right circumstances at the right time, and I am open and listen to the inner voice to be led in the right direction.
Thanksgiving: I am so grateful for this guidance. I am so grateful for the awareness that I am on my path – my path of perfection. Thank you, thank you, God!
Realease: Now with gratitude and absolute faith in my heart, I release these words to the Law and allow God to do God’s work. And so it is.
CUES: R U R T R ~ Are You Ready To Receive
- GOD IS….
- I AM….
- ALL IS WELL
- THANKFULLY, GRATEFULLY
- I RELEASE
9. Support
Seek advice and support from an knowledgeable, trusted source.
