Turn to the Light
Ernest Holmes

With a good-natured flexibility with yourself, learn to rise from confusion into peace, from sadness into joy. There is no law for you but your own soul shall set it, under the one great Law of life. Turn to the Light within. Believe in yourself. Have confidence in the high impulsions that come to you. Listen deeply to the Divine Nature which forevermore imparts Itself to you. Spirit is right where you are. Spirit fills all space, flows through all form, creates everything, governs everything through love, controls everything through law, expresses life and beauty in everything.

From This Thing Called You by Ernest Holmes, Tarcher/Penguin Publishing.

Letting Her Soul Surrender

The talented Rickie Byars Beckwith shares music from her new book and album Let My Soul Surrender. Click here to hear the title track from the CD and book by the same name—recorded live at Agape International Spiritual Center in Culver City, California.

For more information, and to order Rickie Byars Beckwith’s book and music, please visit www.thespiritualmall.com.

Kent Rautenstraus from his Christmas Piano CD,
“L’Esprit de Noel”

Kent Rautenstraus is a frequent contributor to Science of Mind magazine. In December, he contributed “Letting Her Soul Surrender,” the story of renowned singer/songwriter Rickie Byars Beckwith. Kent Rautenstraus is also a talented musician, and Christmas often finds him near a piano—whether at Mile Hi Church in Denver where he is the music director and the principle pianist, or playing at a private holiday party. A few years ago, Kent recorded a Christmas CD of piano instrumentals on a richly resonant 1912 Steinway Concert Grand, and this CD, L’Esprit de Noel (translated as “the spirit of Christmas”) continues to attract national attention.  Says a reviewer from the CD Baby website: If you're looking for a simple, elegant, and easy-on-the-ears Christmas album, look no further. With a classy blend of jazz vocabulary, classical and easy-listening stylistic touches, Kent Rautenstraus's album L'Esprit de Noel goes well with a glass of wine, quiet relaxation in front of the sparkling tree, and snow gently falling outside. Touching on favorite carols as well as less-known songs with a light-hearted approach, this album brings a warm, easy feeling to what can be a stressful time of year.” Another independent reviewer says, “This is without a doubt the BEST Christmas (YES CHRISTMAS!) CD I have ever purchased. I can't stop listening to it. The music is so soothing and comforting; this is an EVERYDAY CD!"

Click here to listen to “Merrily on High/Carol of the Bells.”

To purchase L’Esprit de Noel or other music by Kent Rautenstraus, please go to www.milehichurch.org/music/kent-rautenstraus-l-esprit-de-noel.html.

Fun from Mark Waldman

Did you know that our columnist Mark Waldman is also a poet? Enjoy his delightful neuroscience approach to the popular “’Twas the Night before Christmas.”

A Synaptic Season’s Greetings  

 ’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the brain
Not a neuron was stirring; it drove me insane.
The axons were firing near dendrites of peace
In hopes that serotonin would soon be released.

My thalamus snuggled up to my pallidus globes,
While visions of brain cells danced in occipital lobes.
Then my temporal cortex recorded a clatter,
And I sprang from the bed with all my grey matter.

With claustrum-like consciousness, I flew like a flash,
And my limbic emotions turned red like a rash.
When, what to my wondering amygdala appeared
But a miniature synapse that looked like a beard.

The action potentials were lively and quick,
And I knew in a moment, it must be a trick.
So I turned down my parietals, and I became one
With shouting synapses and cerebral fun.

 “Now, Cortex! Now, Gyrus! And all Glial Cells!
On, Prozac! On Zoloft! And a dose of Paxil!”
To the top of my cranium! To the top of my brain!
They dashed away depression, anxiety, and pain.

And then, in a twinkling, I felt happy and smug
From the prancing and prawling of each little drug.
My eyes—how they twinkled! My neurons turned merry!
My cheeks were like roses, I really felt cherry! 

My face looked down on my little round belly,
That shook, when I laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
I was chubby and plump, like a little old elf,
And I decided right then to diet myself. 

No sugar. No pasta, just veggies for me,
No burgers, no french fries, or chocolate ice cream.
I locked up the fridge and gave a loud whistle,
As my body shrank down to the size of a thistle. 

Now I no longer fear the holiday bloats
’Cause my neurons evolved new myelin coats.
Then a chorus arose from my dear astrocytes:  

“Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good night!”

A holiday greeting to all our readers and friends, From Mark Waldman and Andy Newberg © 2008 Mark Robert Waldman

Come Be Inspired... 

Looking to grow spiritually? Want to join in the movement of taking New Thought out into the world? Come be inspired at the 2012 Spiritual Living Convention in New Orleans this February! We have put together a program for those who hold leadership positions within their centers/churches and those looking to grow personally in their spiritual leadership skills. 

The convention will feature daily workshops focusing on spiritual growth and unfoldment, growing centers and attaining financial well-being, and taking the teaching to the world. Iyanla Vanzant will keynote the evening general sessions. You will also enjoy morning meditations, a service excursion in the city of New Orleans, and daily yoga and spiritual practice. It will be a spirit-filled week with our New Thought family!

SAVE THE DATE: February 12–17, 2011, and set the intention to be with us in New Orleans for an inspiring and uplifting week as we connect spiritual leaders from around the globe!

To learn more visit the web site www.spiritualconvention.csl.org