New Thought is
a philosophical study of humankind, one's purpose in being here,
and one's relationship to life, family, work, fellow beings,
environment and the intelligence of the powerful force that
creates life.
There are many branches of New Thought
- Science of Mind, Unity, Divine Science - all with the same
basic philosophy. The Institute's courses and teachings are
principally based on the work of Ernest
Holmes, one of the founders of New Thought philosophy. Ernest
Holmes' writings include the Science of Mind, This Thing Called
Life, Living the Science of Mind. (and no ... we are nothing
to do with Scientology!).
What is the history of New Thought?
Ernest Holmes studied all
of the world's religions, and synthesized what he saw to be the
truths running through them all, free of any particular dogma.
He began the philosophy with the intention that Christian churches
would embrace the commonality and modernise their teachings. When
that did not happen, he allowed the people around him to talk
him into starting a movement to make sure that the teachings would
endure.
New Thought teaches that every
individual controls the course of his/her life, success or failure,
health or sickness, happiness, or disappointments by mental processes
which function according to a universal law. New Thought teaches
that all of us are physical, mental, and spiritual beings and
each is a unique individualization of the One Universal and Supreme
Energy. One of New Thought's messages that is often stressed is
to live for the here and now, not the "hereafter" -
the rewards or benefits are to be enjoyed in this world. The results
might show in better health, happier homes and in various other
ways that make for well-balanced lives. New Thought believes that
understanding the metaphysical meanings of the teachings of Jesus,
Buddha, Mohammed, Krishna (the prophets of the great spiritual
movements) can bring health, happiness and success into one's
daily life.
New Thought is a spiritual
belief for the modern man and woman. It is based on the Truth
which arises in every culture in the form of science, philosophy,
and religion. New thought seeks wisdom for revealing the Truth
about the seemingly unknown forces that shape our universe. This
enables us to participate in our own life as a co-creator with
the Divine.
What is unique about
New Thought teachings?
New Thought is a seven-days-a-week
philosophy of life that teaches the oneness of the Universe and
humankind. (Some call it God - others prefer Universe, Infinite
Intelligence, Nature, Life - it all means the same thing.) It's
actually the concept of oneness that may be the greatest single
difference between New Thought and the more traditional religious
concepts. To
the metaphysical person, there is
no feeling of separation between Universe and self - so one is
freed from the necessity of seeking God's favours. (No, that doesn't
mean we think we are God.) New Thought teaches that the Source
of Universal power is constantly available. New Thought calls
itself a combination of science, philosophy and religion for a
simple reason - because, in a modern scientific world, understanding
of the Universe/God must be known in a scientific and intellectual
understanding as well as in a personal, loving and emotional relationship
Does New Thought believe
in prayer and meditation?
New Thought honours and endorses
all forms of sincere prayer. In addition, it teaches a unique
and scientific form of prayer called Spiritual Mind Treatment,
or affirmative prayer. New Thought believes that, through prayer
and meditation, we become more attuned to the Source nature that
is in each of us. We do not use imploring, beseeching, begging
prayer but rather affirm our good. We know that it is given to
us as we believe.
Spiritual Mind Treatment is
a powerful, affirmative method of prayer. It involves a five step
process that embodies all of the elements of the creative process
of Life itself.
Meditation is the time honored
technique for taming, training and transforming the mind. New
Thought endorses all forms of meditation, from creative visualization
to the more traditional mind stilling techniques. It is through
meditation that we come into a state of spiritual awareness and
thereby experience a greater sense of unity of all life.
Is New Thought considered
a Christian philosophy?
New
Thought is a universal philosophy
and therefore shares common beliefs with Christianity, Buddhism,
Hinduism, Judaism, Sikks, Islam and all the great philosophies
- the real question is how it is interpreted and practised. The
law of cause and effect is no more than the scientific use of
the Golden Rule. New Thought followers believe that Spiritual
Consciousness is present within all people - waiting to be realised.
What is New Thought's
belief about Jesus?
Any
teacher who helps humankind be free from material, intellectual,
emotional, or spiritual bondage is a spiritual avatar.
Jesus said many common sense things which relate to our everyday
lives. Other teachers have also been wayshowers. If we metaphysically
interpret the bible and other great works as showing a way to
be free, it can indeed release humankind from spiritual ignorance
and bondage.
What does New Thought
believe about the Bible?
The Bible is referenced with
other past and present spiritual knowledge. Because we live in
a Western culture, it is the book most people have knowledge of.
If you have turned away from religion because of misinterpreted
spiritual texts, you can discover new interpretations for your
21st Century life.
Do you believe in the
devil?
There
really is no devil. New Thought believes
that, since there is only one power acting everywhere, the devil
simply cannot exist as a force acting in opposition to the expression
through Spirit. There is only the manifestation of negative beliefs
within our minds which produce the false
thinking that some sinister invisible
force, or being, is acting in our lives. To blame unpleasant conditions
and circumstances on the devil, or anyone else, is a way of avoiding
responsibility for our own experience of life.
What about Heaven and
Hell?
New
Thought believes that "heaven" is already within each
person, and you experiences it to the degree that you become conscious
of life. We experience heaven when
we are are in harmony with the Life that surrounds us. Hell is
a state of mind that we experience when we don't understand why
something unpleasant is happening to us. We can choose to create
our own heaven or hell on Earth, and take our beliefs with us
when we go through the transition the world calls death to the
next plane of existence.
Do you believe in eternal
damnation?
Absolutely not. The Universe
does not create life and then destroy or condemn it. As free individuals,
we may bring great difficulties upon ourselves - but that is as
near as we come to so-called damnation. Then it is Universal Laws
of love and truth we turn for release from these difficulties.
The choice is always ours.
What about death?
New Thought teaches the eternality
of life. It accepts that our physical bodies operate within a
natural cycle of birth and death. However, even though we may
have a body, we are not just our body. What we really are is the
Life that animates our body, and that Life is infinite and immortal.
As we become increasing identified with our divine and eternal
nature, our underlying fear of death begins to dissolve and our
experience of life become more joyous.
We believe in the eternal
now, which includes both here and hereafter, for life is an ever
unfolding experience of the Life Force's self-expression. There
is much, much more to it than what this world contains. In other,
yet unseen dimensions of life, there are new fields to conquer,
new challenges, new and beautiful truths to discover in an unlimited
and divine cosmic universe.
Is this New Age?
Although many people with
New Age leanings are attracted to New Thought and some of the
practices of New Thought such as meditation are also practiced
by those who consider themselves New Age, New Thought does not
consider itself New Age. New Thought honours all paths that lead
to practicing the Power with you, whether the paths be Christian,
Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, New Age, or any other spiritual
paths. We are not into Tarot cards, palm reading, crystals and
such - they are tools which some people feel they have to use
to connect to what we practice - a direct connection with the
Truth of Knowledge.
Is this a cult?
No. Come and go as you please.
Reject ideas openly or mould them into whatever spiritual belief
you have. New Thought teaches that each individual has the power
over and the responsibility for his or her own life. New Thought
highly discourages the following of or dependence upon any one
person, including founders like Ernest Holmes or any present leaders
or teachers. New Thought challenges people to think for themselves
and only believe what rings true for them. One must look into
one's own heart for truth.
Why is New Thought sometimes
called Religious Science?
Ernest Holmes used the terms
"Science of Mind" and "Religious Science"
interchangeably. He believed that religion and science were truly
complementary. He believed that, eventually, science would prove
what the mystics have been saying for thousands of years about
the nature of God, human beings, and the universe. His beliefs
have been borne out by many modern scientists who have found that
the universe is truly made up of energy. New Thought , along with
all of the mystics of the ages, simply call that energy as God,
Source, Universe, or Spirit.
Can people be healed
as Louise Hay describes?
Yes. Louise Hay was trained
as a New Thought Practitioner and she still writes from those
principles. Ernest Holmes once said: "Change your mind,
change your life.". Those teachings continue today. One
very powerful belief of New Thought is that the healing of the
sick can occur through the power of the mind. In its teachings,
New Thought applies to the everyday needs of modern life and relates
to each person. New Thought believes that a person can use his
or her innate creative ability to realise all of their goals.
