July 19 ~ The Science of Mind in a Year

MEDITATIONS
By Ernest Holmes

The Gifts of God Are Mine Today

It is the Father's good pleasure to give me the Kingdom of Heaven, or harmony and abundance.  Today He opens to me the blessings of His infinite and eternal treasure, inviting me to dip deeply into it.  As I believe in my heart, so it is done unto me in all things.  As I ask, so do I receive, a full measure unto my faith, pressed down and running over.

These and other Divine promises and assurances sing in me; the Still Small Voice reminds me that all that the Father hath is mine.  This day I listen deeply to that Still, Small Voice and believe Its promises.

I fear nothing - neither lack, limitation, disappointment nor distress of any kind, for is not the Father always with me?  What caused the appearance of lack in my life?  Simply my fear, or  my belief that the Father could forsake me.  I do not believe that now, and it no longer matters to me what is the appearance of today, or what has gone before.  Today is new, and I am newly awakened in it, and I believe with dauntless faith that my good, in full measure, comes to me from God today.

I now believe that it is, indeed, the Father's good pleasure to give me of His bounty.  I know that He gives as I ask, without question or limit, and I am ready to receive.

The Gifts of God Are Mine Today

July 6 ~ The Science of Mind in a Year

MENTAL EQUIVALENTS
By Ernest Holmes

Definite Plan

"We will say there are four men, "A", "B", "C", and "D".  "A" receives $15.00 a week; "B" receives $50.00; "C" receives $75.00; and "D" receives $100.00.  Suppose these four men are all without positions and each comes to a practitioner for mental treatment to obtain employment.  Please do not think this is a material presentation of a spiritual truth for in the last analysis, in our philosophy, the Universe is either all matter or It is all Spirit.  If it is all matter, what we formerly called matter is Spirit.  If the Universe is all Spirit, what we used to call Spirit is matter.  The Spiritual Universe should no longer be divided against Itself.  The Bhagavad-Gita says that we shall never arrive at peace while we deal with the Pairs of Opposites.  Let us not say that fifteen dollars is material and the Lord's Prayer is spiritual.  Even in the Lord's Prayer, Jesus said, "Give us this day our daily bread," and He had already told them they would receive as much bread as they expected.  He did not say what the size of the loaf would be.

These four men are all without positions, as we have said, and they come to a practitioner for mental treatment.  The practitioner takes the thought that there is nothing but activity.  He heals the belief in inactivity and declares that each one of these men is divinely active, occupied and compensated.  Without question he has set a law in motion which will produce something for each of these four.  We will suppose that his treatment is a good and an effective one.  They accept it and consequently each finds a position.  As a result probably "A" will receive $15.00 again; "B" $50.00; "C" $75.00; and "D" $100.00 per week.

"But," one might say, "the practitioner spoke the same word for each, why did they not all receive $100.00 per week?"  Because the Law says that we can have only WHAT WE CAN TAKE.  The practitioner's word was used for each in like manner but each could receive only his fill - only his mental capacity to comprehend.  He can have more, but how is he to get it?  Will a pint dipper ever hold more than a pint?  One might build up the edge and rim of the dipper somewhat and make it hold more and more, so one can continuously increase his consciousness.  It is just the old law that we can expand the finite but we cannot contract the Infinite.

Each man, "A", "B", "C", and "D" was full and no doubt running over when he received a position as a result of the treatment; but the positions they received, the molds which their perceptions of life had provided, were limited to the subjective remembrance already set in motion by themselves.  Each attracted to himself, out of the Universal Good, that which he could comprehend.  It is the old statement again that water will reach its own level by its own weight and without effort.  So a treatment will level itself in the objective world at the level of the subjective thought and realization which projects and receives it.

This does not mean that each of the above stated men will always have to receive the same compensation, for with an enlarged consciousness each might receive more.  There is nothing in the nature of finality about this because the man whose consciousness is now bringing him a smaller thing or a less important thing (we name it big and little and to us it is big or little), can if he so desires conceive the bigger thing, the more important position.  The same prayer answers the big and the little.

A man does not suddenly become affluent because he sits around and thinks, "I am a multi-millionaire."  But when he thinks affluently he does begin to demonstrate prosperity."

June 5 ~ The Science of Mind in a Year

MEDITATIONS for Self-Help

By Ernest Holmes

His Eye Is on the Sparrow

"His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."

This is a blessed thought, for it means that we cannot wander from His Presence,

nor depart from His care.

Always He will watch over us and comfort us.

Forever we shall sit in His house and ceaselessly He will care for us.

The All-Seeing Eye cannot overlook any one, and all, all shall be kept in His care.

All are kept in His care.

Hope Cannot Die

Hope cannot die.  Eternal Hope is forever warm and fresh within me;

the deathless Hope built upon the rock of sure knowledge.

Oh Hope Sublime, O Life Supreme, behold I come to Thee as a tired child,

and Thou dost rekindle within me the fires of Faith.

Strong, swift and sure, Faith springs forth into action

and my entire Being rises to meet the Dawn.

Hope, Faith and Love are in me.

March 14 ~ The Science of Mind in a Year

THE PRINCIPLES of SUCCESSFUL LIVING

Ernest Holmes

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 teaching 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 LIMITATATION!  The Law Itself must be willing to give, because in so giving Life is Self-Expressed.

The Law Is Infinite

The Science of Mind is based entirely upon the supposition that we are surrounded by a Universal Mind, into which we think. This Mind, in Its original state, fills all space.  It fills the space that man uses in the Universe.  It is in man, as well as outside him.  As he thinks into this Universal Mind, he sets a law in motion, which is creative, and which contains within Itself a Limitless possibility.

The Law through which man operates is Infinite, but man appears to be finite; that is, he has not yet evolved to a complete understanding of himself.  He is unfolding from a Limitless Potential but can bring into his experience only that which he can conceive.  There is no limit to the Law, but there appears to be a limit to man's understanding of It.  As his understanding unfolds, his possibilities of attainment will increase.

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 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, 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.

A mental avenue must be provided through which the Law may operate as a law of liberty, if we are to be free.  This does not mean we must please the Law, for It is impersonal and neither knows nor cares who uses It, nor for what purpose; but, because It is impersonal, It is compelled by Its very nature to return to the thinker exactly what he thinks into It.  The law of mental equivalents must never be overlooked, for "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

If a man is intelligent, he will naturally seek to free himself from misery and unhappiness.  Theology may say that this is a selfish motivation, but it is exactly what we all are trying to do and calling it by a different name.  Whether it is through the remission of sins, or the salvation of the individual soul, every act in the life of the individual is that such an individual may express himself.  For instance, the love of a mother for her children, a man for his wife, a patriot for his country, a preacher for his religion, an artist for his art - all of these are but ways of self-fulfillment.  This is legitimate self-expression.

We realize, however that to attempt this self-expression at the expense of society or other individual is to defeat the very purpose for which freedom exists, for back of all is a unity.  Hence we find that the laws of necessity and not of theology (of which all religions and ethics and moral and social systems are but feeble lights) do ultimately compel experience into the path of true righteousness.

The criterion for any man as to what is right or wrong for him is not to be found in some other man's judgment.  The criterion is:  Does the thing I wish to do express more life, more happiness, more peace to myself, and at the same time harm no one?  If it does, it is right. It is not selfish.  But if it is done at the expense of anyone, then in such degree we are making a wrong use of the Law.

We may be quite emphatic in saying that we think the Universe exists for the expression of Spirit, and man exists for self-expression, because he is the expression of Spirit.

Man does not exist for the purpose of making an impression upon his environment.  He does exist to express himself in and through his environment.  There is a great difference.  Man does not exist to leave a lasting impression upon his environment.  Not at all.  It is not necessary that we leave any impression.  It is not necessary, if we should pass on tonight, that anyone should remember that we have ever lived.  All that means anything is that while we  live, WE LIVE, and wherever we go from here we shall keep on living.

It is quite a burden lifted when we realize that we do not have to move the world - it is going to move anyway.  This realization does not lessen our duty or our social obligation.  It clarifies it.  It enables us to do joyously, and free from morbidity, that which we should do in the social state.

With this in mind, and believing that there is an Infinite Law of the Spirit, or Law of Life, which tends to multiply our gifts because in doing so It multiplies Its own experience, Its own pleasure, Its own fruition; we may assume that spiritual man is already a success, is already supplied with everything that he needs.  The potential of all things exists in the Universal Wholeness."

January 24 ~ The Science of Mind in a Year

Place No Limit on Principle ~ Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind

Know your own mind. Train yourself to think what you wish to think; be what you wish to be; feel what you wish to feel, and place no limit on Principle!

The words which you speak would be just as powerful as the words which Jesus spoke, if you knew your word was the Law whereunto it was sent, but you must KNOW this WITHIN and not merely accept it with your intellect.  If you have reached a point where the inner consciousness believes, then your word is simply an announcement of Reality!

KNOW - without a shadow of a doubt - that as a result of your treatment, some action takes place in Infinite Mind.  Infinite Mind is the actor and you are the announcer.  If you have a  vague, subtle, unconscious fear, be quiet and ask yourself, "Who am I?"  "What am I?"  "Who is speaking?"  "What is my life?"  IN this manner think right back to the Principle, until your thought becomes perfectly clear again.  Such is the power of right thinking, that it cancels and erases everything unlike itself.  It answers every question, solves all problems, is the solution to every difficulty.  It is like the sunlight of Eternal Truth, bursting through the clouds of obscurity and bathing all life in glory.  It is the Absolute with which you are dealing.  ALL THERE REALLY IS, IS GOD!

God Never Compromises

In demonstrating over conditions, the only inquiries we need to make are:  "Do the things we want lend themselves to a constructive program?  Do they express a more abundant life, rob no one, create no delusion, and express a greater degree of livingness?"  If we are able to answer these questions affirmatively, then all the power in the Universe is back of our program!  If it is money, houses, automobiles, lands, stocks, bonds, dresses, shirts or shoe strings - all of which come from the same source - there can be nothing either in the Law or in the Spirit back of the Law, to deny us the right to the greatest possible expression of life.

Good never compromises with Its opposite.  The one practicing must be able to look a fact in the face, and know that all manifestations are effects and can be changed by changing the mental cause. He must be able to look at the sick man who has come to him for help, and know that only perfection stands before him; he must see beyond the appearance to that which is basically perfect.  This will not be irrational to the one who has made a careful study of the Science of Mind and Spirit.

Truth knows no opposites.  When we take away the belief in evil - the belief that the outward appearance is the same as the inner reality - evil flees.  We must continually remind ourselves of the power of the Word, and of our ability to use it.  We must know that Truth produces freedom because Truth is freedom.  Our work will best be done in quiet expectancy and in calm confidence. The results rest in the Eternal Law of Good.

January 23 ~ The Science of Mind in a Year

Turn Entirely from the Condition ~ Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind

""Behold thou my face forevermore." "Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth."  That is, look up and not down. The reason a man has difficulty in throwing off some weakness of character - while believing in Spirit implicitly and having faith that he is going to overcome his limitation - is because he has not induced the necessary images in mind. If he had, he would have overcome his trouble. Thinking of his weakness keeps the image of it before him.  We cannot be too insistent on this all-important point:  in treating, we must TURN ENTIRELY AWAY FROM THE CONDITION.  Disease and limitation are neither person, place, nor thing.  Turn entirely from the condition, or limited situation, to its opposite, to the realization of health, happiness and harmony.  Spiritual treatment starts with Perfect God, Perfect Man, and Perfect Being, which statement consciously removes any belief which denies such manifestation.

Look Only at What You Want

Never look at that which you do not wish to experience.  No matter what the false condition may be, it must be refuted.  The proper kind of a denial is based upon the recognition that, in reality, there is no limitation, for Mind can as easily make a planet as an acorn. The Infinite knows no difference between a million dollars and a penny.  It only knows that IT IS.

It is the consciousness back of the word that forms the word.  Consciousness means the inner embodiment of an idea through the recognition of Truth and a direct relationship to the Divine.  The greatest teacher who ever lived was the most spiritual man, for the more universal and comprehensive the thought, the more Godlike it must become.

A good treatment is always filled with the recognition of the Presence of God, or Good.  This automatically wipes out any picture of undesirable conditions, for the Spirit of God is a law of elimination and obliteration to everything unlike Itself!  Even in what we term spiritual things, we are still dealing with the law of cause and effect, for God is Law.  The more exalted, the more heavenly, the more boundless, the more Godlike or Christlike the thought it, the more power it will have.  This is why the greatest teacher became the Savior.  A spiritual genius would have to be a  Savior.

Never Limit Your View of Life

Never limit your view of life by any past experience.  The possibility of life is inherent within the capacity to imagine what life is, backed by the power to produce this imagery, or Divine Imagination.  It is not a question of failing or succeeding. It is simply a question of sticking to an idea until it becomes a tangible reality.  The illusion is in the way we look at things.  We have looked at poverty, degradation and misery until they have assumed gigantic proportions. Now we must look at harmony, happiness, plenty, prosperity, peace and right action, until they appear.

When we are making a demonstration, we pay no attention to what happens in the objective world.  We interpret causes by conditions, only as we realize that a condition must partake of the nature of its cause.  If there appears to be confusion in the condition, then there must have been confusion in the thought back of it.  We pay no attention to the right subjective recognition.  The way scientifically to work out a problem is daily in thought to conceive of it as already being an accomplished fact in experience.  We realize the desire is already embodied in the Absolute.  We are dealing with nothing less than the Absolute - with REALITY.

During the process, many things may happen that appear to be destructive.  We may pass through good fortune and bad, but if we can come to the point where we are not disturbed by "things" we can have found the secret.  If, as Jesus said, we "judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment," remembering that "things which are seen are not made of things which do appear;" if, I repeat, we can judge in this manner, OUT OF ANY CHAOS WE CAN PRODUCE HARMONY."