What is Science of Mind (SOM)

 
“Science” means the way something works, and “Mind” means God. Therefore, “Science of Mind” means, the way God works in the world. Since we are, in love and creativity, made in God’s image, we will work best creating like God. God works through love which uses thought to guide our faith-evoking creative power, which is the immutable law of mind in action.
–Rev. Dr. Arthur Chang

 

The following are seven definitional references taken from the Science of Mind textbook written by Ernest Holmes:

 

  1. The study of the Science of Mind is a study of First Cause, Spirit, Mind, or that invisible Essence, that ultimate Stuff and Intelligence from which everything comes, the Power back of creation—the Thing Itself. – SOM p. 26-3

     

  2. The Science of Mind is not a special revelation of any individual; it is, rather, the culmination of all revelations. We take the good wherever we find it, making it our own in so far as we understand it. The realization that Good is Universal, and that as much good as any individual is able to incorporate in his life is his to use, is what constitutes the Science of Mind and Spirit. – SOM p. 35-1

     

  3. The practice of the Science of Mind calls for a positive understanding of the Spirit of Truth; a willingness to let this inner Spirit guide us, with the conscious knowledge that “The law of the Lord is perfect.” (Psalms 19:7) And we must believe this to be a fact. IN SO FAR AS OUR THOUGHT IS IN ACCORD WITH THIS PERFECT LAW, IT WILL ACCOMPLISH AND NOTHING CAN HINDER IT. – SOM p. 54-1

     

  4. The Science of Mind, then, is the study of Life and the nature of the laws of thought; the conception that we live in a spiritual Universe; that God is in, through, around and for us. There is nothing supernatural anywhere, on any plane; that which today seems to us supernatural, after it is under¬stood will be found spontaneously natural. – SOM p. 75-2

     

  5. One cannot be a good student of the Science of Mind who is filled with fear and confusion. He must keep himself in a state of equilibrium, in a state of poise, peace and confidence … in a state of spiritual understanding. – SOM p. 160-2

     

  6. There is no one who believes more in faith, more in prayer, or more in the necessity of the Divine Will being done, than he who practices daily the Science of Mind. He has relieved his mind of the morbid sense that the Will of God can be the will of suffering; for if there were a suffering God, and if we are eternal beings, then we should suffer through all eternity. But a suffering God is an impossibility. – SOM p. 160-3

     

  7. As students of the Science of Mind, we find in the remarkable character of Jesus, a great impetus toward faith and conviction. – SOM p. 160-4