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Story of
Progress Since
the dawn of consciousness in the race, man has thought. He has thought
spontaneously with little regard to the type of thought, and with
practically no knowledge of the fact that he could and should control
his thinking. Man has free will in his thinking; from boyhood he has
been influenced by the world around him. Quite naturally he has based
his decisions upon appearances and formed his opinions through
observation of the outer as it has registered upon his consciousness
through the senses. In its immaturity man’s thinking has been
centered on the world of conditions about him. He has emphasized
negative conditions; illness, accident, disaster, war, sorrow, etc.,
and as a result he is living in a world filled with such experiences. Gradually
during the progress of man’s slow growth through the ages,
individuals here and there have discovered that thought is of great
importance; that it is a determining factor in making man’s
outer world; that it is a ready too for improving his affairs. In this
day many more are learning the value of the practical laws of right
thinking. As a deep conviction of the truths which have been given in
the preceding chapters comes the student, he, too, will be ready for a
complete change in thought. Divine
Science is an organized study designed to bring the student to a
realization that all the richness of God belongs to man and that by
training his thinking into new habits he may avail himself of that
which is awaiting his use. Chapter Four Thought Finally,
brethren, 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 . . . . think
on these things. Phil.4:8 Questions to
Stimulate Your Thinking
Thought
is the instrument of the creative power of Mind and is the cause of
word and deed. To think is proof that I am.
I am, therefore I think. There cannot be a thought without a thinker.
Since thought is used as the basis on which to form conclusions, and
conclusions to form words and shape our deeds, it is evident that our
thoughts and affirmations must be at one with God and His attributes,
no matter what appearances may indicate. Thinking is not a cause of
growth but a means of growth; the impelling power is in Mind. All
external conditions are the results of our thoughts, beliefs, and
decisions. The thoughts and beliefs upon which we rely and dwell bring
us our experiences of either pleasure or pain, light or shadow. It is
our own mental conduct and recognition that makes conditions either
pleasant or unpleasant. "Every man shall bear his own burden."
Gal. 6:5 Would we externalize love, our thoughts must be filled with
love. Would we enjoy harmonious conditions, we must believe in harmony.
To the pure in thought all things are pure, and to goodness all things
are good. The
time has come when we are ready for a complete change of thought and a
deep conviction of Truth. We, as students, must move out of the mists
of illusive belief and be thoroughly willing to be established in
knowledge and faith. Giving up false concepts opens the way for the
incoming of light and truth. The greatest need of humanity is a
knowledge of Truth with its certainty and unwavering faith in the All
as Good; a consciousness of how to find and demonstrate health,
happiness, and success; and to realize peace and enjoy rest.
Recognition of the ever-present Good is the means by which all this is
to be realized and enjoyed. Divine
Science teaches the value of having a basis of truth from which to
think and reason. This teaching is a science because it presents an
exact knowledge of life. The basis of reasoning in Divine
Science is the omnipresence of God. God is omnipresent, the
one and only Presence everywhere. God-Mind includes you and me. It
includes everything in the perfect harmony of God-Substance,
God-Intelligence, God-Life, and God-Power. It includes my body within
God-Perfection. It includes all times and places, all circumstances,
events, plans, and purposes within God. God,
the Creator God,
the Creative Actions God,
the Creation God,
"All in all." After
admitting the omnipresence of God what should we do with it? We should
begin at once to put into practice the type of thinking which is
harmonious with this Truth. When we study music, we begin practicing as
once, and in anything we undertake to learn, we expect to set aside
time every day for practice. Just as surely must we put into practice
whatever of Truth we have seen, if we wish to see more and more of
Truth and to enjoy the experiences of desirable Good. We can realize
the Good in which we live only by loving acknowledgment of it in our
own individual lives and ways. The understanding that Truth heals and
makes free from error is of no value unless it be practiced. Forming
new habits of thinking requires practice but is essential. See the
truth and the value of the new way of thinking, we are able to persist
without discouragement even though conditions do not at once seem
transformed. It follows that an essential thing in the beginning of our
work is that of changing the basis of thought from observation to
Principle. This change of basis, a yield of our varied opinions to the
One Changeless and Infinite Good, changes all conditions. Divine
Science transfers the attention from the visible to the Invisible and
thus gives us a new and correct basis for our thinking. We become
conscious of being unlimited Spirit. We live in the fullness of Spirit,
the Kingdom of Unity. We claim health, power, knowledge, and all good;
claim our wholeness complete in infinite Good. As we do this, we enjoy
the Good, and have peace and rest. Since the living God is around us,
above us, and through us all, we are protected and shielded by the
perfect Good at all times. If
we form the perfect idea of divine humanity, perceiving all as One,
knowing that there is nothing lacking morally, mentally, or
spiritually, we shall manifest power over external conditions and
reveal more and more of the life which we live until we express harmony
divine. There is no standard but God, hence, whatever He is should be
our guide for thought, word, and act. We know that He is Life, Love and
Power, Knowledge, Health, Perfection, Success, and all that we can
conceive to be good. To be free from experiences contrary to this Good
we must think in accordance with these inherent attributes. "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 . . . think on these things."
Phil. 4:8 "And
God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Gen. 1:26
He plants the living soul, a perfect seed, in man and tells him to
"dress and keep this seed"; he is to watch and cultivate the right
thought of himself. Thinking is the method of cultivation, for by
thinking man’s mentality is kept alive to Truth. As he
persistently thinks on this declaration, realization of the true state
of things becomes more and more clear to him. Eventually we shall
understand that it is a law as fixed as the eternal principle of
mathematics, that as men and women think in their hearts (in the depths
of their God-Self), so do they become aware of their true possibilities. Train
yourself to think: "I do not judge of what I am by what I feel, but I
direct my feelings by what I know I am." This is scientific; it is
knowledge duly arranged. This is the method and the only method by
which to control thought and express our highest concept of perfection.
Systematically train your thinking in Truth’s way. There is
but one Way, one Truth, and one Life; find it and abides in it. Affirm
over and over again the eternal principles that Truth reveals.
Recognize that these are verities of your own being
or Life. Accept this new revelation. Awaken! Listen! Think and speak by
its light. Be positive, be firm and unwavering and consciousness of
Truth will be your reward. Every hour in the day, yes, every moment be
on your guard to admit only perfect good and affirm the love presence
in everything. This is man’s responsibility; let him
recognize it faithfully; let him systematically practice thinking of
this perfect Being that is the nature of Love, Purity, Peace, and
Health. Recognize that this is your Being – your
Nature. When you say "I am," know this "I" is your identity in God.
This "I" of which you speak is immortal. Know that you are an eternal
idea in the mind of God: changeless, harmonious, strong in thought and
body, loving, living, trusting, resting in the freedom and fullness of
perfect life. By
thoughtfully making the above statements and using them each day for a
time, habits of thinking will be formed that will gradually bring a
sense of peace. Moment by moment you live and moment by moment you
think. Conform every thought to the consciousness of Divine Presence;
declare it to the exclusion of all else. Accept the Whole Being, then
will your thinking and speaking change. If your thinking is optimistic,
constructive, right, and your doing is consistent
with it, you will find each day an opportunity for development, for you
will be proving that you understand the power of thought. Questions for Review and
Discussion 1.
Discuss your reactions as you tried to form the perfect idea of divine
humanity. 2.
Does a mother who thinks and talks disease and dreads lest
her family be attacked by disease open the door to these very
conditions? 3.
Explain: "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust
in the Lord shall be safe." Prov. 29:25 4.
Which statement is correct? I
make myself what I am by my thoughts. My
experiences in life are determined by my thoughts. 5.
Discuss the discipline and training you are giving your thinking. Divine
Science Its Principle and Practice
Copyright 1957 by Divine Science Church
and College Denver,
Colorado Made available
here by the ministry of Rev. Lawrence C.
Terry, M.Msc., D.Min. P. O. Box 68324 Indianapolis, IN
46268-0324 |
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