Sunday Messages
The following is a partial trascription of the service titled
"Ask Rev. Patrick" on January 27th, 2008.
1st Service
If it is healthier to eat organic over regular, your BODY knows the difference – How is it my mind doesn't?
We do not often listen to our minds. Our minds already know. But, we often go with our physical instant gratification and our need to fill our craving before we stop to think whether our minds were right in the first place. So, the next time you want to eat something, count to 10 and listen to your mind.
Why are we here?
We are here to express the presence of God. We are here to represent that which created us. We are here for Love. We are made by Love, for Love, in Love to love.
On today's news there is great talk of race and gender. How do race and gender figure in our spirituality?
God does not see the difference. Spirituality is no respecter of persons, race, creed, color, gender or any other form of separation that humanity has created.
Is it true that if you focus on the present moment not on what you need, you will receive what you are asking for?
We need to focus on what we are asking for whether it is a need or a desire, and that is what we will get. Focusing in the moment that moment needs to be filled with something to focus on. Focus suggests attention; therefore, there has to be an object.
If we are one with God, why do other religions think differently?
The good thing about Science of Mind is that we do not have a dogma which leaves us with an open, universal spirituality. Most other religions have a dogma which closes and makes it exclusive to any other form of belief.
Which commandment is important to you?
Love thy neighbor as thyself.
How many qualities of God are there?
The qualities of God are innumerable.
2nd Service
In breaking old habits and replacing with new (good) habits, its been said it takes 21-28 days of focused practice. I can't seem to get to day 10! Have you any suggestions/insight to using SOM principles to develop a new, good habit and replace an old, bad habit?
First of all, I suggest set an intention to do so. Then write memory joggers to yourself like little notes on the refrigerator, on the car, on your mirrors, and wherever your eyes are usually caught as reminders. Science of Mind principles – do a spiritual mind treatment for clear focus on your intention.
Can I become a member if I believe in Ernest Holmes/SOM Philosophy AND more? I don't want to only practice SOM but other teachings that compliment & expand my consciousness and this center.
That's exactly how I became a member. Science of Mind is not a dogma, so you can believe almost anything and become a member. The only requirement for membership is that you understand what membership means in our community. It does not mean that you have a dogma to follow and nothing else. And, Yes, you can believe other spiritual philosophies and be a member of this community.
How do you overcome negative programming from childhood that seeks to undermine forward and positive movement?
Through an intention to do so followed by spiritual mind treatment and taking classes that help you to realize and to acquire a new mind set and mental practice.
I have noticed that as I have been attracting that which I desire – as I have been devotedly expressing my desires and using my vision board – it seems to me that I am also attracting more rapidly those things I have in my consciousness I don't want. Any feedback?
The more spiritual work you do, the more you will uncover that which needs to be rooted out; that needs to be dissolved. So, it is very logical that when you are demonstrating that which you desire, you are also discovering those things that once were attached to you that do not serve you anymore.
Do you think the Science of Mind text will ever be edited of patriarchal language?
No. Because it is important to retain the original text in its original form. You will discover that the book “Living the Science of Mind” is an updated version that is more in today's language, yet is still Ernest Holmes words.
Why are some people more challenged than others?
Because some people become more awake earlier than others. Therefore, those who are stuck seem to be more challenged than those who become unstuck through awakening. So, spiritual awareness is the key to live a life that doesn't seem to have challenges
How does one get rid of depression?
Get psychological counseling, see a practitioner, and begin to disown the diagnosis.
How can we stay focused on the internal changes that we need to make so that our external desires can manifest?
Through spiritual practice. The first step is to take some classes that will give you the understanding that will allow your faith to increase and your practice to become more effective. Spiritual practices can include spiritual mind treatment, meditation, observing one's self, and being involved in groups that focus on spiritual awakening.
Why am I so blessed to have found a very sweet and wonderful church and lots of caring people?
You must have followed some inner guidance and so gratitude is a good practice to sustain your enjoyment of being in this spiritual community.
In your opinion, what is the most basic, elemental and quintessential philosophy or lesson we should learn in this center and science of mind?
Dr. Holmes says we must love everybody, and I believe we must love everybody and care about everything.
Why am I gay?
Why am I straight? I think we're all made with our uniqueness and we need to honor that. I wouldn't question it. I would just live it to the fullest extent and enjoy being in this incarnation.
When will there be a Tuesday night Foundations Class?
September 2008
If you did the Foundations Class a long time ago, is there a “reviewer/refresher” class available?
There is no refresher class, but, when you take the same class a second time you get a lot more out of it than you got the first time. And you get different things because you are in a different place compared to when you had not taken it at all. You will be enhanced taking Foundation class a second time. Many people take it a second time when it comes around again and get more out of it than when they finished it the first time. Jump in!
How can we tell or explain to other people that we have to forgive ourselves and others (Hitler, Sodom Hussein & others) that our souls are perfect, whole and complete--no matter what our little ego's do--when they say, “I can't forgive Hitler.”?
Well, the only reason we have to forgive is because we judge - because we create a sense of separation. That is the only reason we have to forgive. God doesn't have any reason to forgive. So if we live a life that is closer to the life of God, we could arrive at the place where we no longer have to forgive. That is not having a spirit of arrogance, but a spirit of oneness and love.
As a curiosity, do you believe that the earth/planet is reviving or in destruction?
I think it is constantly renewing itself. I don't think anything is ever lost, I think things just change and move around, but it is never lost. So, it is not diminishing. I think it's enhancing itself.
When dealing with loss (a loved one, a relationship, etc.) how do you behave knowing perfection is unfolding BUT you feel the loss? Again, how do you move forward, make decisions, etc.?
I would say if you are dealing with a deep loss like the loss of a loved one, the best thing to do is find a practitioner, get some spiritual support - some prayer time, and read some books that can help you understand that death is not the final chapter. While we know that our loved one is still alive, we grieve the loss of their presence, but it's not a grief of hopelessness. And, when we truly understand that they are still with us, that grief diminishes and we begin to experience a new relationship with them, which is good.
What is the meaning of this poem: You are the Holy One. Share your light with you. Share you light with two. Share your light with a few.
I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with that poem. But, just from hearing the question, I think it speaks to the one common light of the you, the two and the few. There is no difference in sharing your life with you, or sharing your life with two or a few that separates those categories.
How do you release fear?
Embrace love/ Love is the opposite of fear. Fear is forgetting that everything is alright. Fear is false evidence appearing real. That is the acronym.
Can you address the expression and meaning (the belief behind) “And So It Is.” It sounds like it replaces the Christian “Amen.” Is that true?
No, it is not intended to replace the Christian Amen. I think Amen belongs to anyone who prays, and not exclusively to the Christian religions. When Jesus said “Amen” in the Lord's Prayer, at that time there was no Christian religions. We also say Amen. “And so it is” means that you declare that it is already done. Amen says it is done. We do that twice when we say “and so it is” and Amen.
How do you move from believing/knowing something into truly embodying/experiencing it? Is there a shortcut?!
I don't believe there is a shortcut. I think that you embody when you begin to experience the essence and the feeling of believing and knowing. But, when you grow spiritually enough it would feel like a shortcut because to you believing and knowing become synonymous with embodying. That's when it seems like a shortcut but really isn't. The only difference between what Jesus did and what we can do is the time it takes us to embodiment. Sometimes we pray for 15 years before we actually embody it.
If all is light and energy of Universal Mind, then who am I?
You are also light and energy, but focused in divine manifestation.
I know that God is all good, but I have a hard time understanding how His good couldn't provide for all the starving children in our world.
I believe God has already provided for all the starving children in the world, and it is human greed and a belief in separation that is responsible for the starving children in the world. There is more than enough, even in the U.S. to feed every starving child in the world and none of us would ever have to go with out. But, as long as we continue to believe in separation, division and bigotry, we will have, as Jesus said “The poor you will always have with you.”
What is forgiveness?
Forgiveness is letting go of any negative energy or negative charge about anything or against anyone, and one's self.
If there is only love, HOW DO WE HANDLE those who judge us harshly? (How do we keep from becoming defensive?”
We have been taught that we need to love those who hate us, and spitefully abuse us. Because love is the greatest energy in the world. It can dissolve all things. If you go to I Corinthians, chapter 13, you will find a chapter on love where it says “The greatest of these is love.” Love dissolves all negative energies. When we focus on love and not retaliation and defensiveness, we remove the power and the sting of harsh behavior or anything negative.
Why does adversity seem to manifest easily without much effort and spiritual manifestation is much more difficult?
Because adversity and negativity have been the dominant thoughts that the majority of people hold every day. Therefore, whatever the dominant thought is, is what tends to manifest more than anything else. But, we can shift that by allowing love, goodness, peace, harmony, oneness to become dominant thoughts and we will change the manifestations.
What has happened to our language signer?
She still attends church and remains an active member, but felt she needed to change after volunteering after volunteering for almost 7 years. WE are so grateful for her. If you can do signing, please come and let me know.
Who is God? A man? A woman? Me? Who is Babaji? Who is the Holy Ghost?
God is neither mail nor female. God is neither a person nor a thing. God is a presence, personified in us. Babaji is a teacher of deep spiritual awareness. The Holy Ghost is an aspect of the Divine, or an aspect of God.
Rev.; Patrick, I read the Science of Mind book. I know the words and the ideas. But when I go into FEAR, I get stuck in that place. How do you make the jump from the place of stuck to the place of knowing? How do you change the thought when all you see or breathe is the fear?
I remember somebody who asked, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? And the answer was, “Practice, practice, practice.” I would suggest that you have a regular session with a practitioner and also take more classes because reading the Science of Mind book is not sufficient for you to begin to embody. You need to practice, and classes help you practice because they give you practical ways in which to apply what you read in the book. So, until you learn to apply it automatically in your life, there will be times when fear will become the force that will overtake you.
Is the ACSL staff committed to learning, growing with and implementing our Collective Wisdom Culture?
I believe so. And I certainly hope they are all devoted to that because it is a culture change that we are all attempting to embrace completely. But, the learning curve is steep for some people and so we have to be loving, patient, understanding, compassionate and forgiving to allow each of us to grow at our own pace. But, I sure hope they are committed to that.
How soon are your services put online? I would like to hear the January 2008 ones.
I'm not sure how soon after Sunday, but we can check with our web master, Kenneth Winfrey. His number is available from our office. If you call him he will be able to tell you how soon they go on the web site. All of our services are also available on CD that you can pick up after each Sunday service. And, the purchase of the CD is only $5.00 which helps our income.
NOTE: Each recording made available online is processed from recordings on CD. Our priority is to provide CDs to those who buy them on Sunday after service. A copy is then provided to the webmaster. The webmaster must then processes the audio recordings so that they can be heard via the web. This process takes some time and varies from week to week.
When one's subconscious beliefs, doubts, etc. are stronger than their conscience desire, how does Science of Mind suggest they identify and change them?
Through prayer and meditation and working with a practitioner. I also want to say taking the Foundational class and Spiritual Practices for Daily Living are the two classes that will help you do that.
Why does God kowtow and react to the negative “crap” in our subconscious which adversely affects our conscious choices for Peace, Harmony, Love, Joy, Abundance, etc.?
I'm sorry to tell you, or actually I'm happy to inform you, God does not react at all. God created us and left us alone to discover ourselves and gave us an immutable, universal law that responds to our own desires, choices, and intentions. That law is known as the Law of Attraction and Repulsion. And so it is.
