January, 2005

If one decides to follow a certain procedure he wants to know what the results will be. This is only reasonable. You want to know about the larger over-all relationship of spiritual principles and the life you live.

Man is richly repaid physically, materially, and spiritually when he adheres to the laws of infinite Mind.

Genesis tells us that man is made in the image and likeness of God and this assertion is closely followed by words declaring his power over all other creations: “…and let them have dominion. …”

One of the God-qualities which you inherit is the creative nature of your thought. You need to recognize and express this for good. It is only natural and right that you should do so; not by imposing your will on others, but by the proper direction of this God-given ability for the betterment of conditions, circumstances, health, and emotions. The phrase, “Man, know thyself,” lays the foundation for using your Divine gift properly.

Self-Control
Even in the daily affairs of managing a business or a group of workers—in leadership of any kind—no one is truly worthy of such responsibility unless he has first learned self-control. This is the first essential in the application of the innate ability with which he is equipped.

For practical purposes you want to make wise use of this creative ability by using it for your physical well-being. If you are ill, or in any way below what you consider par, it is ample evidence that something needs to be done. No one wants to be ill! This is when you should assert your dominion; you should use your authority and declare and affirm in prayer that bodily conditions now return to normal. It can be done, and it constitutes one of the great advancements of modern study in the mental-psychological-spiritual field.

Science of Mind teaches that because you are a part of the Infinite’s Oneness you can declare your perfect physical condition and it will manifest. This is definite use of spiritual Law. Your thought, backed by faith and conviction, is the start of your experience of physical wholeness, which becomes manifest to the extent of your belief in it.

The fact and experience of illness is not denied, but you learn to see it for what it really is—the out picturing of a belief, idea, or pattern of thought. It is but an effect, the result of cause. It can be changed or discarded and in its place you may establish as cause, in the creative realm of Law, the opposite creative idea—that of perfect health. Whatever is firmly planted in your mind, in absolute belief, is acted upon by the Law of Mind and has to come forth in your world of experience.

Physical Healing
If bodily illness confronts you, twice a day get as comfortable as you can, releasing all tension. Resolve that at least for a few minutes you will forget the bodily discomfort, the pain, the fever, or any other symptom which distresses you. Try to let go—to relax—all over, so that all tenseness disappears from your body. Close your eyes and know that your body is the house in which God dwells, that God is in you as you, that God is what you are. The big job you have to do is to convince yourself of your natural perfection. To bring healing to pass is, indeed, exercising your rightful dominion over your state of health.

Finances
The desire to have direction over one’s financial affairs is of great importance and value to many. Are you in need of money right now? Then let your meditation follow along these lines:

First of all, “enter into the closet” of your mind, the quiet, private place of your consciousness. Forget about your needs. Make yourself comfortable. Know that you are going to talk things over with your Senior Partner. You can trust Him, so let your mind be at peace. Lay aside your worries. Spend a few minutes thinking about the many blessings you already have—just the simple things of life—and name some of them and give thanks for them. Be truly grateful for them and say so! Remain in perfect quietness, and speaking your word softly, trustfully, and happily, use such expressions as these:

God, I know that I am led to see and do what is right so that I am supplied with money for my every good need.

I express the attitude of abundance. I feel and look prosperous. I believe in my prosperity. And so I prosper.

A New Idea
Sometimes a situation arises wherein you need an entirely new idea, and you have no way of knowing what it ought to be. In that case there is no specific thing to claim, only an idea; but claiming an idea, even when you do not know what it ought to be, is just as specific as though you were claiming a quick shipment of goods, a position, money with which to buy a house, or anything else.

If this vague something—some idea—be such that it would solve your difficulties, accept it. Then the central part of your creative prayer-time might be worded something like this:

God, as my business guide and counselor, I know You are supplying me with exactly the right idea so that I can meet all requirements.

I am grateful that even when I do not know the specific idea I need, Your all-wise Mind does know.

The right idea becomes known to me. I accept it this moment. At the right time it is presented to me and I shall recognize it. I know it is already mine. I accept it thankfully.

This experience of accepting an idea when you have no information whatsoever as to what it ought to be, is one of the most satisfying you can ever have. Don’t worry if days and days go by without there seeming to be any response. You may be sure that steps are in progress to bring your new idea to you, together with the necessary knowledge and plans for its complete fulfillment. Be still, and wait. Believe. Accept.

The Details Will Come
Then some day, all of a sudden, perhaps when your mind is busy with something entirely different, even some trivial little matter, there will come a flash of inspiration and you will know that the idea has come!

At first it is quite likely you will see no possible way in which it could be carried out. That does not matter in the least. When God supplies an idea He is wise enough to furnish the plan for it. Give happy, sincere thanks for the idea; accept it; know it is the right one. Don’t listen to the objections that will immediately come to mind. They will be good sensible ones, too, insofar as you know, but they can’t compare with God-Wisdom. So when an idea comes from God, through the intuition, don’t be so foolish as to let old concepts interfere with it. And without any anxiety, or sense of haste, you accept—in perfect confidence—the details of the plan by which your idea can be carried out. They will come!

You will, of course, go about every activity which would promote your idea, and don’t push things. God’s time is the right time. Everything will be made plain for you; your partnership will continue to be a success. God furnishes the ideas, plans, inspiration, and courage as you are receptive to them. You can have dominion over your business affairs.

Spiritual Dominion
What is spiritual dominion? Is it not already included in these simple everyday experiences and activities? Yes, and no. Everything is Spirit. We need always to keep that in mind. The results we have discussed are Spirit manifest in the tangible affairs of life, brought to pass through spiritual Law. If you have applied the basic principles to the commonplace activities of daily living, they will work with precision.

Complete spiritual dominion, however, implies something more difficult to explain because it is an inner personal experience. It is a state of awareness that man achieves as he completely accepts in himself God’s nature, and knows that he, too, is a part of Spirit, and therefore at one with God. Then he can say, as did Jesus, “I and the Father are one.”

Then you grow into ever greater spiritual dominion. Spiritual growth is the essence and beautiful action of life itself. This is eminently important and is the ultimate reward which reflects in your abilities and activities of daily living.

In conclusion, remember that as you grow in knowledge of God, in spiritual awareness—which is every man’s goal—you come to an intelligent understanding of spiritual Law and how to use it. And through the creative action of your thought as prayer you may realize and experience your every good desire.

And God said…let them have dominion… •

Excerpted from The Basic Ideas of Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes, published by DeVorss & Company.

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