To Tell the Truth

I love teaching the Science of Mind classes. I have been studying the Science of Mind since 1985. I must say that when I first read the textbook, I did not "get" it. The writing seemed redundant and even nonsensical. I probably wasn't ready to understand it. Since that time, I have become a much better student of the Science of Mind and I am still learning. I have come to treasure Dr. Holmes' words and appreciate the wisdom behind them.

I also learn from my students. I learn from the brand new students..from their honesty, their persistence and their passion to fully learn to use this science. I learn from their frustration and remember my own frustration when I was a beginning student. I also learn from the more-experienced students, who bring wisdom and love for the teaching to the classes.

In my current class, there are twice as many students who have taken this course before than there are beginners. It is a wonderful opportunity for everyone. The beginners benefit form the insights of the experienced students. The experienced students benefit from the joy and enthusiasm of the beginners.

One of the things I was surprised to find was the hesitancy of some of our mature students to tell the truth about the process of accessing their wisdom. Last night we were looking at our difficulties in relationships, and how we could make different choices about how to think, feel and act. My observation is that some of the experienced students didn't want to tell the beginners about their natural tendencies to react in anger, blame and gossip. They wanted to show that they knew they had choices of wisdom, kindness and compassion.

I am grateful for the wisdom in everyone. And I have a bias toward telling the truth even if it makes one appear petty, small-minded or weak. There is so much to be said for the willingness to be vulnerable and authentic.

Most of us have had an ethical upbringing. We KNOW what is the right thing to do, but we don't always choose it. If we were not free to choose all kinds of reactions including unskillful behaviors, we wouldn't be free at all.

I will agree that it is uncomfortable to confess to small-mindedness, to becoming emotional, to reacting to a situation.  But even the Master Teacher Jesus, lost his temper, and kicked over the money-changers tables in the temple!

I love Google! I love the quick access that the internet brings. A moment ago one line of a lyric came to my mind. Within seconds, I had found the whole song and the musical from which it came. The line was, "...much too high a cost." From the song, "Defying Gravity" in the musical Wicked, the whole line is:

"Too long I've been afraid of

Losing love I guess I've lost

Well if that's love 

It comes at much too high a cost." 

I believe that when we do not tell the truth, we have paid much too high a cost. The cost is to our own integrity and self-esteem.

For me, telling the truth is NOT about making someone else wrong. It is not about blaming anyone for my situation or circumstances. It is about taking complete responsibility for  my life and the freedom that brings does let me "try defying gravity.".

The Value of Classes

I love teaching the Science of Mind!

I love it because I am privileged to witness people waking up to their spiritual magnificence!

I love it because I have an opportunity to examine my own consciousness to see if I am right-thinking!

I love it because it  because I get to know the students and they get to know me and each other.

Have you ever wondered why people take the same class a number of times? If you have taken a class more than once, you will know why. We are not the same people we were when we first started taking classes. We have changed, learned and grown more spiritually mature so we are now learning at a higher level of consciousness, with deeper, clearer understanding.

The Greek philosopher Heroclitus said,

 "You can't stand in the same river twice." 

His meaning was that the river, and the universe are forever changing so the river has changed and we have changed. Our experience might be similar but it will not be identical. 

Dr. Jay Scott Neale, one of my colleagues who studied with Ernest Holmes Brother Fenwicke, would tell how Fenwicke would study the text book every morning. When Dr, Jay asked him why he did it, Fenwicke replied, "I am certain my brother comes in at night when I am not looking and writes new things."

Students who take a class for a second or third time feel the same way. The ideas that first bedazzled them now feel common, but something else always pops up. Something to learn, embrace and be.

When you are in a class, you are reading, meditating and praying everyday. And when you are consistent with your practices, then your life changes because you have changed your thinking not just at a surface level but deeply changed it.

Wherever you are, whatever has been your path up until now, I highly encourage you to take a Science of Mind Class. You will be so happy you made that decision!

In class last Tuesday night, Kathy Storey, RScP, sent a birthday banana, complete with candle! She sent it because she knows I am trying to eat less flour, so instead of a cake, she sent a banana! It made the entire class smile! 

Birthday Banana

A Small Home With an Amazing View - What This Dream Really Meant

Live in that small, cozy home with the amazing
view, and your life will expand by leaps
and bounds. 

My home was very small, but as I showed it to friends, I was so proud of it.  

I would take them out to the outdoor deck and show them the breathtaking view.

It always inspired a breathless, "Wow."

The important part of this process was how I felt.

Proud.  At peace and very much in harmony with life.  

That was my dream, and being one who is an avid journaler, I write out my dreams and allow a stream of consciousness to help me interpret them.  The most important part of journaling dreams, I have found, is paying attention to the emotions that it evokes. 

What came in my journaling session was a whole new lesson on practicing the presence...being in the now.

Not a surprise since I am currently taking the Inner Journey class with Dr. Heather and our focus now is practicing the presence of God at every moment, of every day.

The way in which this lesson was communicated with me through this dream was interesting, however.

A small home that had an amazing view.  The peace and harmony I felt about it.

One might think it symbolized a home that I desired or maybe the desire for a nice view from my physical home. 

What came in my stream of consciousness was that this dream did not symbolize a physical home, but my inner home....

...That small space within, that when lived in, brings peace, pride and harmony.

The dream was a message from that One Power that lives within all of us to remember to be in that space, that home, at all times.

It was a reminder that when I find myself not feeling peace, pride and harmony to notice where "I'm living."  

When I have feelings outside of those three, I am living outside in the space of chaos and confusion. 

It's cold.

I'm homeless.

When I find myself homeless, I can easily step back into my warm, small cozy home with the amazing view.

I can change my perspective at any time.

This was a gentle reminder to me of the importance of the present moment.

As a result of this intense Inner Journey class, I am raising my awareness to the present moment.

As long as I am present, I am home.

When I am at home, I feel pride, peace and harmony.

There is never any reason to leave our true home...allow my dream to be a reminder to you to find your peaceful home with an amazing view.

###

I would like to hear from you.  How do you interpret your dreams?  Do you ignore them when you awaken thinking they are figments of your imagination?  Or, do you recognize them as messages from God directing you in your life?  

Share in the comments below any dreams that have deeply impacted your life....when one leaves an impression, dreams will become a distinctive event in your daily life.  

They truly are your conversation with God. 

A "Negative Nelly" Contaminates My Mind...Or Does She?

I was having a conversation the other day with a woman I didn't know.

I had just met her, but we struck up a conversation and before I knew it, I was bombarded with a barrage of "poor me's," "ain't it tough's," and "life is hard's."

I can remember, in the past, having those kinds of conversations and unknowingly, taking that energy with me and not understanding why I felt funky for the rest of the day.

On this day, however, I noticed, with great awareness, how far I'd come...

I have a time in my life that I can look back on and recognize a similar mindset like this lady.  My life was a mess, to be honest.  I focused in on what wasn't good in my life, which was my job, my car, my house, my bank account.  Nothing surrounding me was really anything I liked.

What I have come to learn is summed up so greatly by Ernest Holmes:

"Negative forces operating in our lives will die a natural death if we practice the habit of being disinterested in them."

As I fast-forward several years in my life, I no longer give attention to the things that frustrate or challenge me.  Emotions may surface around them, but I have a keen awareness of these emotions, and move past them quickly.

Interestingly enough, I no longer have the things in my circumstances that I don't like.  On the contrary, I have more things that overwhelm me with joy and push me to tears almost on a daily basis...

Why?

Because I choose to put my attention on the things that bring me joy and little attention on the things that frustrate me.

I realized, after watching a recent interview of, Buddhist Monk, That Nich Hahn, that I practiced the greatest gift of all to the woman I will call "Negative Nelly..."

...mindful listening.

I did not offer her advice of "focus on the positive!"  She wasn't in a space to receive that.

I simply listened to her.  I gave her my time.  I gave her an ear and I allowed her to vent her frustrations.

I left, free and clear without an ounce of negative energy from the conversation.  

As That Nich Hahn explained, when we practice mindful listening, for that time, be give someone the ability to release their pain.  Even for a second, we have made a difference in her life.

I knew I had done that for my new friend, however, with an awareness expanding in leaps in bounds because of my classes at CSLCV, I was able to walk away from it clear of any negative feelings, get into my car, and once again, be moved to tears at the overwhelming joy of finally driving a car I love! 

4 Stages of Spiritual Growth - Where Are You?

In our Science of Mind class, "The Essential Ernest Holmes" this past week, I couldn't stop thinking, "Oh! That would be an amazing blog post!"

I should just say, that until one sits her booty down in a SOM class, she will never grasp how profoundly transformational these classes are.  When all I can jot down 15 things from ONE class that would make an amazing blog post to teach others, I simply then want to say, "Just come to class already!"

But, sticking to my commitment in teaching what I learn, I'm writing yet another golden nugget from what I have recently learned.

That is, the "4 Stages of Spiritual Growth," and being one who likes to "know where I am," I like knowing what "level" I'm on! (Nope, still haven't let go of that yet).

1.  Everything Happens to Us - We believe that life happens to us.  It falls down around us and we think, "How did this happen?"  Our car dies after years of mechanical neglect and we cry out, "How could you do die on me today!"

We literally blame outside factors for our mishaps, heartaches, mistakes, etc.

2.  Our Good Happens Through Us - Here, we understand that WE create our realities and circumstances.  We understand that there is a Law and we learn how to use the law.  We have proven the law works and manifest things into our lives.  We become great manifesters.

3.  Our Good Happens As Us - Things lose their importance.  We no longer care about the material world and we awaken to the magnificence of the spiritual presence that we are.  We no longer judge and recognize that challenges are a call to prayer.

4.  Our Good Happens By Us -  This is a level that most humans will never achieve, and those who do rarely stay here permanently.  Jesus Christ would be the closest example our world would know as one who achieved this level of being.

So, I will say, if you find yourself at level #1, I ask that you be open to joining us at class.  Learn how to choose to no longer be a victim of life, and up-level to #2 where you manifest everything you want!

This year of classes have been profound for me.  Every week I see my life changing.  This teaching works. It changes lives. It spreads peace in the world.  It's a movement and one that I am proud to be part of.

How the Boston Bombings Helped Me Understand God

We are one with all.  Allow me to shine my light into the darkness.

I am a student in Dr. Heather's "The Essential Ernest" class, which takes a deep dive into the principles of Science of Mind.

In the two years I have been in classes, I can honestly say, that I have experienced a very natural understanding and implementation of the principles in my life.

I have come to understand that everything that happens in the world is absolutely perfect.  The only challenge I have had in this principle is when an act of hatred maims and kills innocent people.  How could they have created that in their lives?

These questions have come up in previous classes, yet I have not completely understood or embodied the answers that have been given...

...until last night.

I wrote Dr. Heather's statement down exactly as she spoke it because it hit me so profoundly that I cried...

"We can use what is going on in the world as a treatment (prayer) request from the Universe as something that needs spiritual work."

She went on to explain that when these horrific experiences occur, "we pray (and affirm) for a world that is so aware of it's oneness that we create a peaceful, loving world that doesn't practice violence on itself."

PROFOUND!

Here's my take on why...

God cannot work through minds that are riddled in fear, anger, resentment, etc.  It cannot create peace through a mind that doesn't know peace.

God can only work through those who know and embody love, peace, joy, abundance...all the qualities that IT is. 

When something tragic occurs in our world, those of us who know that Reality is the Truth of God, we are equipped to recognize that the tragedy is NOT the Truth of God, and pray to affirm the Truth, which is peace, harmony and collaboration.

That perceived reality (the tragedy itself) was created out of fear, anger and resentment...NONE of those are God qualities, therefore, those who know and embody the qualities CAN create a different reality.

We do that by affirmatively praying and giving thanks for a world that works for everyone.  A world that is full of peace, joy, love, etc.

So, in class last night, I fully got that the Boston bombing was a message from God, to me (and everyone else who knows the Truth of God), to pray.

The Universe needs our help to heal our emotions, our cities, our country, and our world. We've been called into service by a tragedy.  Allow us to give of ourselves and be a channel of this great Divine Intelligence and let's pray.

Parenting with the Power of I AM

I send my kids into the world equipped with self-worth and shame-resilience.

Early in my parenting role, I had the opportunity to take Science of Mind classes at the Center. In class, Dr. Heather made the power of I AM abundantly clear, explaining that when we refer to the I AM we are talking about our Self, the "Self" in self worth. Yes, it's true! We are building our mind's belief about who we really are. So anytime we state "I AM" and then put words like...tired, wrong, bad, stupid, lazy, fat...behind it we are defining our self concept.

That made so much sense to me and I immediately became more conscious and mindful about how I defined myself and others. In our home, we outlawed words like stupid and dumb. And, I recognized that "you are" is just as powerful as "I am" especially coming from a parent.

Fast forward about 10 years.

Those who follow the blog know I'm reading Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. In Daring Greatly, she has a chapter on wholehearted parenting and talks about raising shame-resilient children. On page 225 she tells a story about her daughter Ellen and an experience she had at school that offered me a perfect example.

When Ellen was in Kindergarten, her teacher called me at home one afternoon and said, "I totally get what you do now."

When I asked her why, she said that earlier in the week, she had looked over at Ellen, who was in the "Glitter Center" and said, "Ellen! You're a mess." Apparently Ellen got a very serious look on her face and said, "I may be making a mess, but I'm not a mess."

AHA! Now I must admit, even though I understood the power of I AM and redirected my children based on action not character, I never really quite got the rephrasing until now. Reading this was a powerful moment for me.

Do you see the difference? It moves our thinking from defining ourselves or our children, to creating a changeable moment. So, for instance, instead of staying "I am wrong" we could change it to "I said the wrong thing" or "I made the wrong choice." I AM still lovable, worthy, good, right, whole, but sometimes I do things that I can change.

Even though I didn't totally "get" the rephrasing as clearly as I do now, I did choose to bring my family to the Center every Sunday. And Rev. Pattie bases the youth program around recognizing God qualities and speaking them with "I AM" statements like I am...joy, power, love, peace, abundance; the real truth of who they are.

My children might encounter shame-based interactions out in the world, but in those moments, I want them to respond like Ellen did and know "That's not the truth of me! I am Magnificent! I am Perfect!"

Just in case you've forgotten your magnificence, here's Jami Lula to remind you!


Was reading this an AHA moment for you? Are you reading Daring Greatly? Did Jami Lula's song remind you? I would love to know what you took away from this post or the book. Join the conversation in the comments.

Committing to a Creative Process

Maybe artists are instinctively drawn to a creative process?

The topic of “Process” has been on my mind a lot lately. Recently while watching a video on illustrative design the instructor said something which stuck with me for days.

“It is said that practice makes perfect. I disagree. If your creative process is flawed then all practice does is make you a consistent purveyor of marginal work. Creating illustrative design successfully requires a consistent and systematic process.”

It rang true from a larger perspective too. All creation is a result of a creative process. Refining our creative process is the most profound work one can do. Our lives and our world are the results of that very process.

Practicing a "consistent and systematic" process sound like what it's all about.

At the Center for Spiritual Living we are all students of the creative process recognizing that the world is built on universal principles.

I look around the Center for Spiritual Living, there are people from many walks of life, but there are a large amount of artists both professionally and in practice.

Maybe artists are instinctively drawn to a creative process? I wonder.

Our creative process takes place in our minds.

Recognition, there is One Power
Unification, I am this Power
Realization, it is already so
Thanksgiving, I feel grateful
Release, I let go and so it is.

And I am again amazed and excited about our gift of creative control and I recommit to being a good student of this magnificent creative process.

Are You Living Like the World is Flat?

That's a deep thought on the image...what does it even mean?

Last night I started a new class at The Center for Spiritual Living - Capistrano Valley.  I have been taking classes for a couple of years now and they have transformed my life...

...that said, last night's class BLEW my mind!  It literally pushed the limits of my comprehension about the vastness of life, the Universe and the tiniest of specks we really are in the Universe.
I would like to pull out a parcel of our discussion from last night in the hopes that it will expand your own thinking AND your awareness of how YOU are living YOUR life:

"...For instance, when people believed the Earth was flat, they lived as though it were, afraid to venture too far lest they fall off the edge.  So, to them, it might just as well have been flat.  We are so free, we can actually experience what has never actually been true as though it were."

....as I read that again, it blows my mind all over again.  Here's why:

How often do we find ourselves living like the world is flat?

Scared to make a move towards what we really want because the "economy sucks," "my parents wouldn't approve," "my religion doesn't allow it," "I'm too old," "I'm too fat," "I have acne," "I have kids," etc., etc., etc.

I am sure that many of us have "bought into" those untruths at one time or another, and yes, they are untruths....just as are predecessors found out the Earth being flat was an untruth.

These are untruths because they are NOT the Truth of God, Universe, Buddha, Spirit, that Infinite Intelligence (call it what you will)!!

As humans, we can't even comprehend the entire Truth of the Universe, but we know it "ain't" broke, looking for approval, looking for excuses, draped in fear, and all the plethora of challenges we put on ourselves!  The Universe just does...it flows.

If we truly live as the spiritual people we are, we live with one Truth:  that the Universe has our back...no matter what.  When we let go of fear, excuses, our stories, and the idea that what we've been taught is correct, we THEN live purposefully, passionately and attract abundance, prosperity, happiness and all the things we want! Your life purpose becomes a reality!

That is when we experience what has never actually been true as though it were!

Listen, I'm a work in progress as well.  I'm continuing to teach what I have to learn as well.  I'm still getting my own head wrapped around the greatness of this idea.

I have worked to let go of the programming that was taught to me through my upbringing, the media, our culture, etc., however, this expands the work that needs to be done...

...but it's an EXHILARATING idea to contemplate.

What have I been allowing into my experiences that is UNTRUE, but I don't know it's untrue?!? What can I let go of, KNOWING, that it is no longer true because I decide it's not rather than waiting for someone to tell me it's untrue?

I encourage you to join us for this crazy, thought-provoking class! Every Tuesday from April 2 - June 4th, 7:00 p.m.  Change your beliefs, change your thoughts, transform your life with a group who have dedicated themselves to doing the same!

Transforming Fear Beyond Limits in 6 Steps

What limits you in life?

Is it a fear of failure? Scarcity? Not being loved?  Not being worthy?

We all have fear of something holding us back from something greater.

Overcoming and transforming fear takes us beyond the limitations of fear and into the infinite possibilities of the Universe.

So how do we transform fear to faith?

I will share 6 steps Dr. Heather taught in our "Beyond Limits" class:

1.  Recognize the fear - Become aware of it.  If you don't recognize it, you can't deal with it.  When you recognize it, don't claim it for yourself.  For example, "My fear of failure" becomes "The fear of failure."

2.  Face the fear - Look it in the eye.  Understand where it is coming from.  Understand what it causes you to do...i.e. sabotage yourself, get in your own way, stop moving forward on an idea, etc.

3.  Give the fear a voice - Speak it aloud.  Energetically, that will release it from you.  

4.  Embrace and love the fear - Accept it as part of you, but do not allow it to "own" you.  Recognize it when it comes up and then....

5.    Make a spiritual choice - Choose something different.  When you've allowed fear to stop you in the past, recognize it and move through it.  Choose faith instead of fear.  Choose love instead of fear.

6.   Live in a new way - Live in the knowing that you may have a fear, but it's not you.  It's your shadow side keeping you in the status quo, but choose differently, and transform your fear into faith!

Learn tools and strategies to transform your life with Science of Mind Classes.  Click here to browse current and upcoming classes.  

Universal Law Like a Piano?

I was always taught to sit in the front row.

You learn more.  You retain more. You hear more.  You see more.

Today as I sat in the front row of Sunday service, I watched the pianist beautifully navigate the keys of our piano at the Center for Spiritual Living.

What came to me, as I sat mesmerized, was how that very piano was an analogy to how the Universe works.

I was thinking what a disaster it would be if I scooted our talented pianist off the bench and started banging on the piano myself.

Because I don't know how to play the instrument, I would create a chaotic cacophony of sounds that would make most put their hands over their ears.

Yet, a professionally-trained musician can create beautiful symphony of music.

The Universe is like a piano.  

Untrained in universal principles, one will create a chaotic, disorganized cacophony of  events in their lives.  Mainly wondering why "life always happens to them."

When we understand how the Universe works, we can co-create a symphony of music in our own lives.  There is a multitude of things we can know in our lives, yet the one that makes the biggest difference in our lives so often goes unknown.  Mysterious.  Treated skeptically at times.  Yet, proven to be so in quantum physics.

If you are reading this and would like to co-create a symphony in your own life, join us for classes and learn the very principles that will turn your "Universal piano" into a beautiful instrument of joy!