“People wrap themselves in their beliefs. And they do it in such a way that you can't set them free. Not even the truth will set them free.”
-Michael Specter

How certain we are that we are right. To believe we are right is the most limiting belief we can have. And I admit, I believe I am right… but I am willing to be wrong. So I keep exploring.

There is no magic pill or incantation that will change your life. Change comes from within, and the desire for change must be present to activate the process. So what, then, is the point of spiritual practice? Isn’t that doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result? I suppose it can be seen that way.

The value, for me, in the forms of spiritual practice that I utilize is that I get to change it up. I don’t rely on the recitation of a single prayer. My meditation practice is always a unique experience even if I have the same centering music playing in the background. Every moment is an opportunity to adopt a new affirmation. Gods nature is not static, so our nature is the same.

On the cover of the book, The Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes, which is the most common text used in Religious Science centers, are these words: A philosophy, a faith, a way of life. I believe this to be so important as a reminder to us all who follow a new thought path. We provide a context for living, a philosophy for exploring the nature of Divinity. We are not demanding an adherence to a belief system. I live in the place of choice about what I believe, and know that my beliefs are in a constant state of shift. I am open to newness in my life, I am open to being wrong about it all. I want to ask the hard questions, and run the risk of having no answers.

The opposite of this concept is, I believe, fundamentalism. What I have come to believe is that fundamentalism is rooted in insecurity. Adherents to a fundamentalist viewpoint (even Religious Science fundamentalists… and these do exist) do not question. There is comfort and security in believing we have all the answers. This belief system is built on a shaky foundation, though; when challenged will it stand?

I don’t have all the answers, but I keep asking the questions. I think that is really what this experience of life is all about. In asking the questions I am challenged each day to be the best, most loving, kind, and supportive person I can  be. That is a philosophy, a faith, and a way of life I can live by. I am in gratitude each day for the ways in which I am challenged to go deeper.

That is how my life changes. It changes because of my willingness to activate the good. I activate it purposefully in every moment and I do so with abandon.

I am grateful to you for sharing in the journey with me.