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Sunday, 07 September 2008

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Insights & Visions

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Written by by Rev Kristina Collins

Only those items which
I notice shape my mind––
without selective interest,
experience is utter chaos.

Spring is on its way, and is a great opportunity to imagine what possibilities we will create for ourselves in this new season, not only personally, but also as a community. The Science of Mind Philosophy is built upon the idea of how humankind participates in the Creative Process of life. It is all about creating first in consciousness what we desire to live in our experience.

One attribute of consciousness, as defined in the American College Dictionary, is “the thoughts and feelings, collectively, of an individual, or of an aggregate of people.” This understanding that consciousness is both personal and collective and consists of both thoughts and feelings the individual is aware of, as well as the thoughts and feelings we are unaware of, is important. But also important, is the interplay of the Divine. Ernest Holmes stated that our map of individual and collective consciousness is superimposed within an identical map that is the “Mind of God.”

Holmes believed the Bible concept that humankind was made in the “image and likeness” of God. Yet he believed this does not refer to our physical appearance, but rather the manner in which we create. Since God created out of Itself, by choosing to focus Its awareness, then allowing Its creative nature to simply shape the Divine Substance into form, the individual creates his or her experience of the world in the same manner. It is the nature of consciousness to create and it does so by selecting where it places its attention.

The thought expressed by early psychologists such as William James, suggest that experience is what we agree to attend to. James stated, “Only those items which I notice shape my mind––without selective interest, experience is utter chaos. Interest alone gives accent and emphasis, light and shade, background and foreground––intelligible perspective, in a word.”

This idea of choice, coupled with James’ concepts and insights about habits, training the mind, and surrender, are important to spiritual growth.

The new year is a time we often look at changing old habits, resolving to new aspirations.

Habits are both mental and physical, with the appearance of being automatic. And yet we know we have at one time programmed our minds and bodies to respond to the environment in a set way, simply to make our lives easier. When I was in banking as a clerical trainer, I would encourage the new tellers to create a habit of performing transactions in a set sequence, so when they were interrupted they would easily be able to find their place and make fewer errors. Habits simplify our lives and make for greater accuracy as well as diminishes fatigue. The negative aspect to habits is, of course, the loss of conscious attention and resistance to change. Both of these can impede spiritual growth when left unnoticed. Habits also effect relationships when we tend to treat people the same old way, instead of realizing the person and the situation in front of us is not the same as our history. That pattern can keep us creating the same old relationships and experiences.

In order to really make a new start this year, take a moment to examine the habitual patterns in your life. Then remember our approaching Spring is a great time to make new choices and create new realities.

REV KRIS COLLINS is Minister of Sanctuary of Spiritual Living, A Science of Mind Center
5446 North Citrus Ave • Covina, CA
626-332-6838 • www.SOMChurch.org

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