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Our centre is a member church of International Centers for Spiritual Living , and our teaching or philosophy is the Science of Mind. We are guided by a declaration of Principles that says in short:
We are one with God,
not separate from God
All spiritual paths lead to
evolution of the human spirit
Our thoughts, beliefs and our words
shape our experience.
We believe and teach that there is One Power, and only one Power in this universe, that flows through, and is, in everything, everywhere, at all times. This Power can be, and is called many things including God, Spirit, Universal Mind, Nature, and Creator.
We believe and teach that there is only One Source, but many avenues from which to hear Truth. Each person has an inner knowing of what is true and what is not. Your truth is important and it matters not whether you hear it from the pulpit or the podium.
We believe and teach that this One Power is non-judgmental, holds no grudges, thinks not of what happened yesterday, but gives us all we need today, for us to have a successful and happy life.
We believe and teach that this One Universal Power responds to our thoughts in exactly the same way and to the same degree that we believe them. It gives to us freely without reservation what we ask for in our thoughts.
We believe and teach that everything comes from this one power, and it is our judgment that determines whether it is good or not.
We believe and teach that physical healing is done first in the mind, then in the body of the person suffering a dis-ease, and when we become at ease within our minds we then allow the healing to occur.
We believe and teach about the ongoing life of Spirit , forever expressing as us, and in everything around us, and this expression is perfect as it is.
As a Divine being, you are the master of your destiny.
This is the great message the Science of Mind brings to people of all faiths. It is a fresh concept of religion as a life philosophy and a science. As a philosophy, the Science of Mind presents a practical, down-to-earth way of thinking about the nature of the Universe and our relationship to it. As a religion, it presents a philosophy that is both mentally stimulating and emotionally satisfying. As a science, it presents specific and definite ideas which you can demonstrate for yourself and directly experience the benefits in your life.
There is a power for good in the Universe greater than you are
—and you can use it!
The Science of Mind® is a system of mental and spiritual principles, combined with a technique for the application of these principles. It is designed to live and expand consciousness in ways that lead to an even higher order of livingness. It emphasizes the spiritual connection of all, thus promoting peace and greater harmony at all levels of experience. The consistent application of the Science of Mind principles result in health, satisfying relationships, enhanced creativity, and prosperity.
Change your thinking and change your life!
The Science of Mind is not a closed system of thought. It grows continually as humankind evolves, drawing on the frontiers of knowledge as well as the wisdom of the ages.
Affirmative prayer, or spiritual mind treatment, is a simple process, really. It requires of us the persistence to think in ways that will naturally and lawfully create what we desire. It is praying the way Jesus of Nazareth prayed. It is praying the way the Buddha prayed. It is using spiritual laws of the Universe to unfold in our lives the experiences that we desire. Once you know more about these Universal laws, it is simple to practice using them.
Affirmative prayer is about shifting our belief. It is about changing how we are thinking and what we are accepting in life. It is about feeling and knowing that we are absolutely connected with God. The steps below are a guideline for that change, but be clear, the best way to pray is any way that lets you feel that connection.
- Recognition – Recognizing that there is only One Power for good in this Universe.
- Unification – Knowing that we are one with that Power.
- Realization / Affirmation – Affirming that which we desire is already within us and around us awaiting our recognition of it.
- Denial – Denying that which is unlike the Spiritual Truth of your desires.
- Re-Affirmation – Affirming again that which we desire is already awaiting our acceptance
- Thanksgiving – Being grateful for what we are about to receive
- Release – Letting God / Spirit / Universe do what it does best; Create!
God is my health, and it is worthy of my respect. I value it and handle it with care. My body is the vehicle through which God's Life flows. God's unlimited Health maintains it in strength, vitality and ease of action. My spiritual responsibility demands that my thought stay positive and creative. As illness and fatigue originate in thought, I now eliminate that cause.
I do not entertain fear or worry. No hate is worth the toll it takes; no anger is worth the destruction it can cause to my body. As I respect my body and declare that God abides within it, I feel an upsurge of Life. I do easily whatever needs my attention. God responds with all possibility because I rightly use Life within me.
I now accept the Divine Pattern of my health, which includes a rich sense of well-being. I let go of any belief in sickness, for I now see God as my health. Today I am alive with health, vitality and the power of accomplishment. I think only thoughts that maintain me in perfection. I am alive with the permanent perfect Health of Spirit.
~ Raymond Charles Barker
On Sunday we come together as a spiritual community to be inspired and to hear a positive message about our oneness with all life. We study many of the great spiritual teachers from Emerson to Gandhi, Jesus to Buddha. We also bring in contemporary teachings including Dr. Ernest Holmes, Allen Cohen, Deepak Chopra, and Dr. Wayne Dyer. Each week we learn how to live in harmony with spiritual principles that promote greater peace, happiness and joy.
The central teaching of New Thought is that our thinking creates our experiences. When we choose empowering and loving thoughts we create a new experience of life that is in alignment with what we desire, what we believe and what we really accept.
As a philosophy we teach spiritual laws that can be learned and applied in our lives, which offer sure results that can be duplicated by anyone who is willing to learn these laws and use them.
To affirm something is to state something positively. Affirmative prayer, or Spiritual Mind Treatment as it is also called, is a step-by-step method of prayer in which we state a desired outcome in a positive manner. It is an effective way of changing and shifting any limiting beliefs to empowering and positive beliefs.
We end off our Affirmative Prayer with these words to declare to the Universe that we know God has already fulfilled our desires, even if we cannot see it right at this moment. It is equivalent to planting a seed, or in our case “a thought” into the soil or “our mind” and releasing it to do its work. And so it is!
Simply put, a professional practitioner is an individual who is trained to offer affirmative prayer (or Spiritual Mind Treatment) to others. They have completed a minimum 3 years of classes, practicum's and examinations to achieve the title of “Professional Practitioners” and they offer their assistance throughout the week as a professionally paid for service. No treatment request will be withheld for an inability to pay. The practitioner will simply “treat” for your prosperity and good. You will find a list of practitioners and their phone numbers on the back of the Sunday Service pamphlet.
If you are new to the Centre and would like more information about us, please feel free to visit the Information table for a “Welcome Package”. In it you will find several resources such as a CD of another Sunday talk, brochures and our monthly magazine called “Creative Thought”
As well, feel free to ask any of our Ministers or board members after service any questions that you may have about our teaching and our Centre. During the week you may call our Centre office at 452-1711, leave a message and someone will get back to you.
There are many ways to get involved at the Centre - taking classes, volunteering, by participating in the Sunday music program or becoming a member. Make sure to check out all the flyers in your Sunday Pamphlet for upcoming personal development classes.
If you are interested in volunteering, or have something to offer this growing community, call us at 452-1711. We would love to hear from you.
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