How to Use the Science of the Mind

Ernest Holmes started "Science of Mind" magazine in 1927, which is still being published.

Science of Mind, also referred to as religious science, is a philosophy established in 1927 by Ernest Holmes as part of the New Thought spiritual movement. The New Thought movement consists of several metaphysical and religious denominations formed in America in the late19th century. Science of Mind is a combination of philosophical, religious, scientific and personal growth methods that help followers attain spiritual and personal fulfillment by adhering to the faith's 10 core concepts and engaging in a variety of personal transformation practices.

Instructions

1. Practice affirmative prayer. This five-step process consists of recognition, unification, realization, thanksgiving and release. Every part of the prayer relates to one of these steps in the order listed. The structure is designed to bring the person praying into a better connection with the Great Spirit. According to the fourth core concept, prayer activates the flow of good into the human experience. It also is referred to as "spiritual mind treatment," since the purpose of affirmative prayer is to heal a person's erroneous thoughts rather than to merely ask God for help.

2. Teach your children the basic precepts of Science of Mind. Science of Mind followers believe that God should be followed out of love, not fear. It also is believed that it is your own mistakes, or sins, that punish you, not God. When sickness occurs, true belief in God's curing powers will help you heal. The group's list called What We Teach Our Children states that "everything is possible to God through me and you."

3. Use visioning to determine the best action to take. By looking into yourself, either alone or with guided meditation by a Science of Mind practitioner or group, you can contact the Divine to receive answers to personal and spiritual questions. Visioning is a spiritual form of the more common visualization technique that is a used in the strategic planning process to envision future improvements. The Science of Mind practitioners envision their goals and the attributes they wish to possess in their spiritual and personal lives.

4. Learn how to meditate. Meditation is the process of clearing your mind of extraneous thoughts. Concentrate on a mantra -- a word or phrase -- or your breathing to focus and extricate the clutter of everyday thoughts. Meditation reduces stress, improves concentration and strengthens the immune system. However, the main purpose of meditating, as taught by Science of Mind's Seven Tools of Transformation, is to achieve spiritual growth.

5. Create a journal. By keeping a stream-of-consciousness journal about your daily experiences, both external and spiritual, you can gain valuable insight on how to improve yourself and live a more fulfilling life. A journal can include photos, drawings, quotes from historical and religious figures and other life-affirming passages. Journaling enables you to get in tune with your inner self and look beyond everyday activities to get in touch with your true spirit. According to the Science of Mind's third core concept, Creative Nature, "Our human thinking process is a reflection of the Divine Creative Process in microcosm." The process of journaling releases creativity and brings you closer to God.

References

• Science of Mind: Spiritual Practices
• Center for Spiritual Living Baltimore: Visioning
• Religious Science: Core Concept Four Prayer: Communicating with God/Universal Mind
• Religious Science: Meditation
• Religious Science: Journaling

Resources

• Religious Science: Ten Core Concepts Overview
• Religious Science: What We Teach Our Children