Centers for Spiritual Living
Centers for Spiritual Living
We are affiliated with Centers for Spiritual Living, a global community comprised of more than 400 spiritual communities, teaching chapters, study groups and other ministries in 30 countries.
These communities teach a New Thought philosophy that brings religion and science together and offers spiritual tools to transform personal lives and help make the world a better place. This is done through the study and practice of Science of Mind® and Spirit, also known as Religious Science®, which holds that all life is sacred—that each human being is an expression of God.
We believe in Cause and Effect and teach that “it is done unto you as you believe.” In essence, our thinking and expectations create our reality. Our teachings incorporate the ancient wisdom of spiritual traditions through the ages.
People of all spiritual paths — Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and others — are welcome in our communities. We help people experience a personal relationship with the Creator; promote a community of tolerance, understanding and respect; provide classes, programs, prayer and meditation; and advocate a safe spiritual community of people interested in living a spiritual life.
A World that Works for Everyone
Global Vision Statement for Centers for Spiritual Living
We envision all people, all beings, and all life as expressions of God. We see a world in which every person lives in alignment with his/her highest spiritual principle, emphasizing unity with God and connection with each other; a world in which individually and collectively we are called to a higher state of consciousness and action.
We envision humanity awakening to its spiritual magnificence and discovering the creative power of thought; a world where every person discovers his/her own personal power and ability to create an individual life that works within a world that works for everyone.
We envision a world in which we live and grow as One Global Family that respects and honors the interconnectedness of all life; a world where this kinship with all life prospers and connects through the guidance of spiritual wisdom and experience.
We envision a world where personal responsibility joins with social conscience in every area of the political, corporate, academic, and social sectors, providing sustainable structures to further the emerging global consciousness.
We envision a world where each person has enough food, a home and a sense of belonging; a world of peace and harmony, enfranchisement and justice.
We envision a world in which resources are valued, cared for, and grown, and where there is generous and continuous sharing of these resources.
We envision a worldwide culture in which forgiveness (whether for errors, injustices, or debts) is the norm.
We envision a world which has renewed its emphasis on beauty, nature, and love through the resurgence of creativity, art, and aesthetics.
We envision a world that works for everyone and for all of creation.
Open & Affirming
Note: We've included this statement on our Salt Lake Center for Spiritual Living website, not only to let visitors know that we are a community that celebrates diversity, but also because this statement expresses so well how our beliefs are applied to real world situations.
Centers for Spiritual Living’s open and affirming response to the United Methodist Church vote to exclude LGBTQIA Clergy and deny marriage to their LGBTQIA members.
We believe Oneness and Wholeness is the very nature of the Infinite, Omnipresence Divine Reality - God. Our philosophy, the Science of Mind, accepts and includes all life, all beings, and all creation as the very Body of God. We celebrate the diversity of life as the expression of the Infinite Nature and revel in the impulse of Love that bursts forth in every aspect of Life – from the different flowers in the backyard, to the variety of trees in our forests, fish in the seas, birds in the air, and animals that roam our lands. This is the expression of the Infinite, infinitely loving creation in all its glory. As the ancient mystic in the Hebrew creation story, Genesis, teaches us all creation is originally blessed, for “it is good”.
Because of this deep faith in our oneness with all life, Science of Mind and Centers for Spiritual Living are open and affirming. We not only accept, we celebrate our uniqueness and our diversity, including LGBTQIA in our communities, we affirm our LGBTQIA clergy and we support all our clergy performing same sex marriage.
We stand for each and every LGBTQIA person, no matter their faith path, religion, or spirituality. We believe profoundly in loving our neighbors as we love ourselves, which includes acceptance rather than judgment, loving words rather than hateful speech, and deep respect for how love shows up in each individual.
We live in a time when many faith traditions are struggling with doctrines from another time, doctrines which are often unwelcoming, particularly to the LGBTQIA communities. While religious principles may not change over time, religious doctrine must evolve and concepts of morality evolve - toward a greater capacity for love, compassion, and acceptance. While this may be a struggle for some, it is the right path to take, for no religion can be consistent to its principles and be moving away from love - to love God as God is understood, and to love one another are the greatest commandments of the scriptures of all religions.
To Our LGBTQIA+ Brothers and Sisters Everywhere
You are precious to Life. You are a beautiful expression of Love. You are an outlet for creativity like no one else. You are blessed as you are. You are a blessing wherever you go. You cannot be denied or excluded from the Divine Presence. Your expression of personhood is beloved by the One, for it is unique and perfect for you.
You may be belittled, ridiculed, or shamed for your sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression but there is no truth to the names you may be called or the things you may be accused of... Only Love and Light emanate from the heart of the One, Infinite, Divine Life. And in that, you are absolutely included. Never doubt that you belong, in life, to Life!
We are committed to a world that works for everyone and ALL are welcome in support of this vision.
Dr Kenn Gordon and the CSL Spiritually Motivated Engagement Committee
The Science of Mind
What is Science of Mind?
What is Science of Mind?
Science of Mind, also referred to as Religious Science, integrates spiritual truths with science and physics. Simply put, Science of Mind teaches the unity of all life. Intentions and ideas flow through a field of consciousness, which actually affects and creates the world around us. This idea is common to most major religions and is supported by the teachings of psychology and quantum physics. In Science of Mind, we believe that the secret to living a successful life is to consciously choose positive and productive thoughts. Put another way, “As you think, so you become.”
Science? or Philosophy?
In Science of Mind, we believe that the fields of religion and science are complementary, and that science will prove what the mystics have said for thousands of years about the nature of God, human beings, and the Universe. These beliefs are being proven even now by many quantum physicists who have found that the universe is made up of energy that cannot be destroyed and is infinitely intelligent. Science of Mind is also scientific in that is uses laws of nature to prove spiritual principles. Any person can experiment with the principles and measure the results.
Founder
Dr. Ernest Holmes
Dr. Holmes founded this philosophy and the international organization we call Centers for Spiritual Living. Born in 1887 on a small Maine farm, Dr. Holmes spent his teenage years outdoors, asking himself "What is God? Who am I? Why am I here?" This questioning led to his 1926 book, The Science of Mind, which outlined the foundational viewpoints of modern New Thought.