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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 Kingdome 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 Discuss your reactions as
you tried to form the perfect idea of divine humanity. Does a mother who thinks
and talks disease and dreads lest her family be attacked by disease open the
door to these very conditions! Explain: "The fear
of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be
safe." Prov. 29:25 Which statement is
correct" I make myself what I am
by my thoughts. My experiences in life
are determined by my thoughts. Discuss the discipline
and training you are giving your thinking. Divine Science Its Principle and Practice
Copyright ã1957 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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