United Centers of Spiritual Living teach and live a philosophy called Science of Mind (interchangeably referred to as Religious Science). In the 20th century it was our founder Ernest Holmes’ life passion to interface many different religions and traditions of the world to distill their messages to one simple idea and then to render it practical and user-friendly. That basic tenet is that the universe and everything in it comprises one whole system, one name for which is God.
The SOM philosophy does not tell people what to think. Rather it teaches people to think for themselves. This places the personal responsibility of one’s life squarely upon the individual. This is both frightening (because I may do it all wrong!) and completely liberating (because I am now at choice to create my life in whatever way I desire!).
My training to become a Religious Science Practitioner included 300 hours of class time and countless hours of self-reflection, forgiveness work and release of all beliefs that no longer served me. I was specifically trained in how to work with individuals to assist them in gaining clarity in their lives and whatever situation or feelings they are experiencing. As a spiritual practitioner, it is my job to hold a person in the highest light of truth about who they really are: a whole and complete child of God. No matter how broken or full of despair we may feel, that is not an accurate reflection of our true essence.
I trained under the tutelage of the Rev. Dr. Jesse Jennings at the Creative Life Spiritual Center in north Houston. Creative Life is an amazing spiritual community where people are not only welcomed but accepted exactly as they are. There are myriad activities, classes and conversations about the Science of Mind philosophy and how to live it happening at CLSC.
Spiritual Mind Treatment is a technique of affirmative prayer that was created by Ernest Holmes. It is a 5-step method used to speak our word into the law of the universe. Holmes suggested that since there is one spiritual reality, it must have a basic spiritual law, that of cause and effect. Life is subjective to our beliefs about it; experience has only the value for us that we assign it. In other words, what we believe is what shows up in our lives. And beliefs are formed by a mixture of thought and emotion.
Before I came to know SOM, I had only ever experienced a petitionary style of prayer, the type of prayer in which I would beg or plead for help, usually as a last resort. I now believe that every feeling and thought I have creates my future experiences through the law. Therefore, I hold a high degree of awareness being clear on precisely what I desire to manifest and I walk through my life "praying without ceasing."
The beauty of Spiritual Mind Treatment is that I may speak my word for others when they have difficulty remembering or feeling the truth of who they are.
I am trained to assist people in the Life Visioning process which was designed by Dr. Michael Beckwith of the Agape International Spiritual Center based in Los Angeles, California. Visioning is a process that allows us to open to the highest idea that Spirit has for our lives and it does this as a step-by-step meditative experience which creates an atmosphere of unconditional love and deep listening. We tune into the vision that is seeking expression through us. Visioning differs from visualization in one primary way. Visualization involves having a goal in mind and then imaging that goal as already achieved. As Beckwith explains in his Life Visioning CD, "Visualization engages the mind; visioning engages the heart."
One of the greatest benefits of learning how to vision is that it helps you develop and respond to your intuition.