ABOUT CSLPA  /  Our Philosophy

THE SCIENCE OF MIND & Spirit

Center for Spiritual Living Port Angeles is part of larger, worldwide New Thought organization, Centers for Spiritual Living, that teaches an inclusive spirituality, based on founder Ernest Holmes’ philosophy, “The Science of Mind.”
Science of Mind & Spirit is a compilation of the great thoughts of the ages, the deep mystical yearnings of minds in search for God, and the modern approach to a faith, which can be demonstrated in its practice and teachings. It is a way of life focused on joy, freedom from fear, and justified by results. We focus on universal spiritual principles, which are presented in plain, simple, and direct ways, so that we may each learn to live now, in the present, with the knowledge and trust that the Universe is for us and not against us.

Science of Mind & Spirit looks at the revelations of both western and eastern religion, the opinions of philosophy, the laws of science, and the practices of psychology as applied to human needs and the aspirations of humanity. 
​WHAT WE BELIEVE
by Dr. Ernest Holmes
We believe in God, the Living Spirit Almighty; ​​
​One indestructible, absolute, and self-existent Cause.

​This One manifests Itself in and through all creation but is not absorbed by Its creation. The manifest universe is the body of God, it is the logical and necessary outcome of the infinite self-knowingness of God.​

We believe in the individualization of the Spirit in us, and that all people are individualizations of the One Spirit.

We believe in the eternality, the immortality and the continuity of the individual soul, forever and ever expanding.​
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​We believe that heaven is within us and that we experience this kingdom to the degree that we become conscious of it.

We believe the ultimate goal of life to be a complete emancipation from all discord of every nature, and that this goal is sure to be attained by all.​​​
​We believe in the unity of all life, and that the highest God and the innermost God is one God.​​
We believe in the direct revelation of Truth through the intuitive and spiritual nature of the individual, and that any person may become a revealer of Truth who lives in close contact with the indwelling God.​
​​​​We believe that the Universal Spirit, which is God, operates through a Universal Mind, which is the Law of God and that we are surrounded by this Creative Mind which receives the direct impress of our thoughts and acts upon it.​​
​​​We believe in the healing of the sick through the Power of this Mind.​ ​​​We believe in the control of conditions through the Power of this Mind.​​​
We believe in the eternal Goodness, the eternal Loving-kindness, and the eternal Givingness of Life to all.​
​We believe in our own soul, our own spirit, and our own destiny, for we understand that the life of all is God. ◢

The teaching Symbol

Our teaching symbol, designed by our founder, Ernest Holmes (1887-1960) symbolizes the creative process of both Universal and individual Life based on the profound idea that we are “made in the image and likeness “ of the ONE.  Its literal definition is “The descent of Spirit, through Law, into form.”

The Circle represents Infinite Spirit or the ONE.  This circle contains three sections representing three aspects of the Divine Reality, or a "trinity" of Life.
Annotations of symbolic meanings
The top section represents Spirit, the Absolute Nature of the Divine, the impulsion of Love and the Desire to Create. It can also be understood as the Creator, or First Cause. This is the seed of thought, belief or intention. 

Within that Infinity is Spiritual Law. Law is accessed by each of us, first by our conscious awareness. Then, we empower some of our thoughts with feeling. Thoughts surrounded by feeling become beliefs—and our beliefs create our experience of conditions, forms, effects. The center section represents this Law of Cause and Effect (Soul), meaning the orderly process through which the Will of God (the impulsion of Love) becomes manifested or created. This is the soil into which the seed is planted.

The lower section is Body, meaning the physical, created universe which is understood to be the actual manifestation (incarnation) of Spirit in Form. This is the growing plant which is the result of the seed being planted.
Dr. Holmes’ teaching symbol, stained glass. Artist unknown.
 The “V” symbolizes the creative process itself, reminding us that any impulsion or cause, be it a thought, intention or belief, moves through Law and becomes part of the physical. For every form, experience or effect there is a cause whether consciously planted or not.

By developing a new belief in the goodness and givingness of life, each of us can manifest a new way of being in the world: greater happiness, harmony, prosperity, anything we can imagine. Consciously using the Law of Mind toward these ends, we contribute something positive into the collective belief system of all humankind, setting an intention of a higher good for all. ◢