What is Science of Mind?

Science of Mind (also known as Religious Science) is a philosophical study of humankind, one's purpose in being here, and one's relationship to life, family, work, fellow beings, environment and Creator. Science of Mind was founded by Dr. Ernest Holmes in the 1920s, a self-taught philosopher who rigorously studied all of the world's Spiritual paths for most of his life. In 1927, he wrote The Science of Mind, which synthesized the truths that he discerned were present throughout all of the world's faiths. That book is the foundation of the principles of Religious Science. He never intended to begin a new faith, but was persuaded to allow a church to be created to assure that the principles he synthesized would outlive him..

Science of Mind 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. Science of Mind teaches that all are physical, mental, and spiritual beings and each is a unique individualization of the one universal and supreme Being. Through its practices and teachings, Science of Mind endeavors to include the whole life. One of Science of Mind's messages that is often stressed is "good news" for the here and now, not the hereafter. The rewards or benefits are enjoyed in this world and the results might show in better health, happier homes and in various other ways that make for well-balanced lives. Science of Mind believes the teachings of Jesus, as well as the teachings of all the great masters, as applied through the principles of Science of Mind, can bring health, happiness and success into one's daily life.

Religious Science is a spiritual philosophy 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. Religious Science views religion as a source of 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. Religious Science was founded by Dr. Ernest Holmes,

What is unique about Science of Mind teachings?

Science of Mind is a seven-days-a-week philosophy of life that teaches the oneness of God and humankind. It's actually this concept of oneness that may be the greatest single difference between Science of Mind and the more traditional Christian concepts. Since there is no feeling of separation between God and self to the metaphysical person, one is freed from the necessity of seeking God's favors. Instead, one believes that his or her needs and desires are fulfilled as God works through them. Furthermore, Science of Mind teaches that God's availability is constant. Science of Mind calls itself a combination of science, philosophy and religion for a simple reason—because it considers God in a scientific, intellectual relationship as well as in a personal, loving and emotional way.

Does Science of Mind believe in prayer and meditation?

Religious Science honors 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. Science of Mind believes that, through prayer and meditation, we become more attuned to our God nature. We do not implore or beseech God in 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 that was developed by Dr. Ernest Holmes, the founder of Religious Science. 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. Religious Science 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 God communion and thereby experience a greater sense of unity of all life.

Is Science of Mind considered a Christian philosophy?

Science of Mind is a universal philosophy, but due to our cultural background it is Christianity-oriented. The law of cause and effect is no more than the scientific use of the Golden Rule. Science of Mind followers believe the Christ Spirit, God, is present within all people, so Science of Mind might well be called a Christian philosophy.

Ernest Holmes, the founder of Religious Science, came out of a Christian tradition. He 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 all churches, especially Christian ones, would embrace the philosophy and incorporate those teachings into their own. When that did not happen on a large-scale basis, he allowed the people around him to talk him into starting a church to make sure that the teachings would endure. His original intention was not to start a new religion. Religious Science comes out of the Christian tradition in the sense that we believe in the teachings of Jesus and use them to create a "Heaven on Earth".

What is Science of Mind's belief about Jesus?

Any world teacher who helps humankind be free from material, intellectual, emotional, or spiritual bondage is a spiritual "savior." Jesus showed us a way to be free, perhaps the most effective way ever known, and it can indeed release humankind from spiritual ignorance and bondage.

Science of Mind accepts the example and teachings of Jesus and does not deny his divinity. Rather, Science of Mind affirms the divinity of all people, because God is the Creator of us all. Science of Mind introduces techniques devised to expand our conscious awareness of spiritual law and shows us how to utilize it, thereby creating the experience of wholesome living for all that follow its principles.

In Religious Science, Christ is viewed as a universal principle rather than a person. It is the principle of God expressing through humanity. Jesus of Nazareth was a human personality through which the Christ Principle, or Divine Personality, expressed itself on Earth. The principle of Jesus Christ represents the mystical marriage of our inner spirit with our outer personality. This union produces an expression of Life that includes both, yet is greater than either. The potential for this expression lies within each one of us. Therefore, Jesus is viewed as a great example for humanity, rather than the great exception. Ernest Holmes, founder of the philosophy of Religious Science, says:

"Religious Science does not deny the divinity of Jesus; but it does affirm the divinity of all people. It does not deny that Jesus was the son of God; but affirms that all beings are children of God. It does not deny that the Kingdom of God was revealed through Jesus; but affirms that the Kingdom of God is also revealed through you and me. "

What does the V symbol mean?

The V symbol of Religious Science can be interpreted on many different levels. On a Universal level, the top of the V shows the Universal Spirit (God), then the universal subjectivity, which is the medium of all thought, power, and action, then, at the bottom, at particularization of our manifestation of Spirit. The point drawn through the center symbolizes the descent of Spirit into matter, or form. It is necessary that Spirit be manifested in order to express Itself. The descending line shows that all comes from the One (God)). Humanity reenacts the whole Universal Life, and the nature of humanity is identical with Spirit. What is true of the Whole is true of any of its individual undivided parts. Humanity comes to a point of individualization in the Whole and is subject to the Law of the Whole. (Paraphrased from The Science of Mind by Dr. Ernest Holmes, p. 569.)

What does Science of Mind believe about the Bible?

Science of Mind believes the Bible is amongst many sacred scriptures inspired by the one Mind and presented through various spiritual teachers. We believe that for Western civilization, the Judeo-Christian scriptures offer many insights leading to spiritual freedom.

Is Science of Mind a branch of New Thought teachings?

Yes, although Science of Mind did not consider itself part of the New Thought movement in the early days. But it is in Science of Mind's emphasis upon many of the aims common to New Thought groups that it became known as one part of a general movement that has come to have the name New Thought. Those aims include: centrality of Mind, the concept of man as divine, its clear distinction between the Jesus of history and the Christ, and its practice of metaphysical healing. Science of Mind believes in the unity of all life, and the highest God and the innermost God is one God. Additionally, Science of Mind believes that God is personal to all who feel this indwelling presence.

Do you believe in the devil?

Religious Science believes that, since the only power acting anywhere is God, the devil simply cannot exist as a force acting in opposition to God's expression through Spirit. Therefore, there really is no devil. There is only the manifestation of falsely held beliefs within our minds, which produces that appearance of some sinister invisible force, or being, 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?

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.

There are certain exalted inner states of consciousness which may be more like the "kingdom of heaven" than our everyday life on earth, but we must always realize that God is here and now, and to know this is to sense something of what heaven is.

Do you believe in eternal damnation?

We do not believe in eternal damnation. God 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 God, as perfect law, love and truth to whom we may turn for release from these difficulties. The choice is always ours.

What about death?

Religious Science 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 God's self-expression. There is much, much more to it than what this world contains. We do not, however, believe in a sudden change in our whole nature when we leave this plane, for we retain our individual identity. And so it is that "eternality" is not something awaiting us in the future, because we are eternal now! 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?

Religious Science is a New Thought philosophy. Although many people with New Age leanings are attracted to Religious Science and some of the practices of Religious Science such as meditation are also practiced by those who consider themselves New Age, Religious Science does not consider itself a New Age Religion. Religious Science honors all paths that lead to God, whether they be Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, New Age, or any other spiritual paths.

Is this a cult?

No. Religious science teaches that each individual has the power over and the responsibility for his or her own life. Religious Science highly discourages the following of or dependence upon any one person, including founder Ernest Holmes or any present ministers or teachers. Religious Science challenges people to think for themselves and only believe what rings true for them. One must look into one's own heart for truth.

Is this Christian Science?

No, but Ernest Holmes studied with many of the spiritual leaders of his time, including Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science. Religious Science attracts many from the Christian Science tradition.

Why is this called Religious Science?

Ernest Holmes used the terms "Science of Mind", which he called the book that describes his synthesis of the truths running through all of the religions of the world, and "Religious Science" interchangeably. He believed that religion and science were truly complimentary, and named his organization the Church of Religious Science to show that. 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. Religious Science, along with all of the mystics of the ages, knows that that energy is God.

Are Religious Science and Science of Mind the Same?

Yes.

Is Science of Mind related to any other beliefs, such as Scientology?

No, Science of Mind is not affiliated with Scientology. In fact, the two are very different. Some of the tenets of Science of Mind appear very simple but in fact are quite powerful, even life changing. For instance, Ernest Holmes once said: "Change your mind, change your life." He followed this principle, believed it and taught it. Those teachings continue today. Science of Mind believes that heaven is within each person, and one experiences it to the degree that one becomes conscious of it. One very powerful belief of Science of Mind followers is that the healing of the sick can occur through the power of the mind. In its teachings, Science of Mind attempts to include the whole life through its message which applies to the everyday needs of modern life and which relates to each person. Science of Mind believes that a person can use his or her innate creative ability to realize all of their goals.

What is the purpose of the Church of Religious Science?