February Lesson for 2020 Vision
“We are spiritual beings, living in a spiritual universe, governed by spiritual laws.”
“The Science of Mind is a philosophy, a faith, a way of life.”
“When I was a child, it was difficult for me to distinguish between
a head of lettuce, a head of cabbage, and a head of cauliflower.” ~ MLR ~
The word “as” is one of the smallest words in our English language; and yet it carries a message that is far-reaching when it comes to the practical application of the Science of Mind (SOM). “As” denotes a balance, a mirror reflection when making comparisons. The following statement describes the concept being discussed here:
“This is a reciprocal Universe. For every visible form, there is an invisible counterpart. Everything in nature tends to equalize itself, to keep its balance true.” ~ “Human life demonstrates the reciprocal nature of the Universe in the laws of attraction, giving and receiving, mental equivalents, doing and being done by, and other such principles.” (SOM Core Concept 7)
So, whether it is easier to speak in terms of “karma”, “cause and effect”, “what goes around, comes around” or “as within so without,” this principle of reciprocity is describing the inevitable law of mind. That is to say, every experience in the visible world is exactly AS it is believed in the invisible world of one’s mind. Notice, I did not say ‘as it is’; rather as it is believed to be so. The mental and physical are two sides of the same coin, so to speak.
The Principle is a CHANGELESS LAW. It does not require humanity to vote for what is right or wrong, good or bad, fair or unfair. No, this law is infallible, irrevocable, absolute, and permanent. It is nature. It is the way It is. It is exact. It is precise. It is equitable. It is dependable. Therefore, it transcends religiosity or any other institution man has invented.
With close observation, you will notice that your repeated thoughts are what you believe to be so about life; even when the thoughts are couched in statements that claim what you “do not like or want.”
While negative statements are often intended to imply what you do want and do hope for, they are nonetheless clear indications of what you believe is possible. For example, “I do not want to drive 50 miles to get to work” is not the same as saying, “I want a job within a 15-mile drive.
When the emphasis and energy of your habitual thoughts are mis-placed, you may find yourself experiencing undesired circumstances over and over again. After all, “where attention goes, energy flows.” The serious student of life teaches one’s self how to identify these subtle nuances and begins to break the patterns of self-sabotaging thoughts. Science of Mind teaches, “change your thinking, change your life.” And yes, it takes practice to train the mind to be “for something and against nothing.”
The law of reciprocity is exact and undeniable. Its premise is likened to a seed that eventually out-pictures as its logical counterpart, the plant. The seed always produces its own kind. No matter how much we may desire a crop of cabbages; if we erroneously plant lettuce seeds, guess what? – the soil will yield lettuce. It’s a simple analogy: the seed is likened to our beliefs; the soil is likened to our creative mind; the plant is likened to our circumstances. Jesus had the genius to teach this would-be complex principle by simply saying, “you reap what you sow” and “it is done as you believe.”
The wisdom of this lesson is not new. Most people are familiar with this theory. The challenge is not that we do not know the Truth about the Spiritual Nature of Life. The challenge is aligning our thoughts with this Truth. In so doing, one accesses spiritual consciousness, that same mind that was in Christ Jesus. One begins to dwell in the Infinite mind of Goodness; i.e., the realm of wholeness, beauty, harmony, joy, wisdom, love, power, peace, and yes, grace.
In his book, The Anatomy of Healing Prayer, Ernest Holmes writes: “I think there is a soul-touching and intellectual process that stretches the intellect through imagination and feeling until it lets in more spiritual territory, which now becomes part of the intellect.”
The Apostle Paul suggested a practice to attain this enlightenment. He said, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
The Science of Mind includes the practice of meditation, affirmation, visioning and most assuredly spiritual mind treatment. Spiritual Mind Treatment is a process of spiritual logic and critical thinking. It is an affirmative prayer that supports us in arriving at a realization of the Truth that makes us free.
