New Thought
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The New Thought Movement or New Thought is a spiritual movement which developed in the United States during the late 19th century and emphasizes metaphysical beliefs. It consists of a loosely allied group of religious denominations, secular membership organizations, authors, philosophers, and individuals who share a set of metaphysical beliefs concerning the effects of positive thinking, the law of attraction, healing, life force, creative visualization, and personal power.[1] It promotes the ideas that "Infinite Intelligence" or "God" is ubiquitous, spirit is the totality of real things, true human selfhood is divine, divine thought is a force for good, all sickness originates in the mind, and 'right thinking' has a healing effect..."
The Essence of Religious Science
by Ernest Holmes
Through the years people have often asked, “Just what is Science of Mind?” Here in the words of Ernest Holmes is a simple and concise explanation of the meaning of this philosophy, which has won the hearts and minds of many thousands of people around the world.
Science of Mind teaches that there is a favorable physical reaction, an effect, which follows a pattern of thought incorporating ideas of health, for the Law of Cause and Effect governs everything. Similarly, it is held that right thinking will result in a greater experience of success and abundance.
Science of Mind in its broadest and truest sense includes the best in science, religion, and philosophy. Science of Mind is not a personal opinion, nor is it a special revelation. It is the result of the best thought of the ages. It borrows much of its light from others, but in so dong does not rob anyone, for Truth is universal and never personal. We need the entire revelation of the whole world, and even with this we shall have little enough.
The universe is impersonal. It gives alike to all. It is no respecter of person. If values each alike. The philosopher, the priest, and the professor, the humanitarian, and the empire builder, all have caught some gleam of the eternal glory and each has spoken in his or her own tongue that language which is, of itself, universal.
Science of Mind does not scoff at works of medical science, of instance. They both work to help and heal humanity. Science of Mind is a complement to medical science and when so understood and practiced will help heal the world of its physical infirmities. The world of knowledge needs to be knit together and not pulled apart. We have no objection to any form of healing. What we insist on is that there can be no permanent healing of the body without a correspondingly permanent poise in the mental and emotional life. Psychosomatic medicine has shown that mental disturbance, conscious or subjective, produce physical reactions n the body. If the body is to be permanently well one’s mental life must be creative, peaceful, and happy. This is the purpose of any mental healing, whether it be approached from the psychological or the metaphysical angle. Psychology and metaphysics are but two ends of the same thing; they must meet somewhere in consciousness and merge into a perfect unit.
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Two Human Oganizations Deciding to Separate- 1954 -posted Jan 2011
United and International Centers for Spiritual Living are have been discussing and working toward integrating into one organization Center for Spiritual Living. Dr John Waterhouse included this introduction and quotation from Vahle's book.
Neal Vahle's book, Open at the Top provides an interesting perspective on the issue of trust. In Chapter 11, 'There Is Something Wrong With Our Set-Up', Vahle describes a rapidly growing spiritual movement being lead by two organizations; the Institute of Religious Science and the International Association of Religious Science Churches (IARSC) that are not trusting one another. Dr. Holmes wasn't pleased with how these organizations were vying for leadership and control of the movement, so in 1953 he directed the creation of what became known as The Plan. Among its many intentions, the fifty-two page document approved by the Institute's board, proposed combining the activities of both organizations, in essence eliminating the IARSC and affirming Dr. Holmes as Permanent Trustee with absolute authority over all board members' tenure, whether elected or appointed. Delegates attending the 5th Annual IARSC Congress held in Los Angeles in January 1954 were given the documents upon arrival and asked to approve The Plan as presented.
At several points before and during Congress, IARSC leadership asked if Dr. Holmes and Institute board members would consider changes. Answers varied from 'Perhaps' to 'Absolutely not.' During the course of Congress, the Representative Council of IARSC had identified key points within The Plan that were unacceptable to them.
On the last day of Congress, January 8, 1954, Dr. Holmes spoke to the delegates, explaining his position. Then, while presiding, Rev. Jack Addington asked a very direct question, "Would the Institute of Religious Science Board of Trustees be willing to sit down with representatives from this group [IARSC] and work out a plan that is acceptable to everyone along the lines that they have suggested. Could we, Ernest? "
Dr. Holmes' responses were vague, so Addington turned to Reginald Armor who also responded vaguely. Addington then turned to the Institute's attorney, Arion Lewis asking, "Do you think we can do it or can't we?" Lewis replied, "Well, there's lots of room for change in any good plan."
Addington pressed, "Well do you believe this change?" (referring to the points deemed unacceptable to the Representative Council of the IARSC.) Then Lewis said, "And to the question you put specifically, the answer at the present is 'No.'"
And with that Rev. Addington offered his final words on the matter, "Well, then that settles it. If it is a no, then I'm with the IARSC 100 percent."
