What Is New Thought Anyway?

Aug 17, 2003 by Rev. Christine

Many times when I'm talking to people over the phone that are inquiring about our Church, I'm asked, "What is New Thought anyway?" And then that question is usually followed with "Is it New Age?" And, that is a whole other subject matter that I will not be addressing today. Today I will discuss a little of the history, basic principles, and how it is being viewed and lived today.

The basics of New Thought are Omnipresence, one God everywhere present - meaning there is no place where God is not; Omnipotence, one power - meaning God as good is the only power that is everywhere present; Omniscience, one science and knowledge - meaning that God is all intelligence and is everywhere present. Finally, Omni-Action, all action is God in action - meaning God in expression through and as its creations - you me and all life and substance. There is no place where God is not, therefore, God is right here and now right where you are God is.

Today, we have the International New Thought Alliance, also known as INTA, which our Church is a member. Back in 1892 and 1894, Melinda Cramer, co-founder of Divine Science called together Metaphysical leaders to speak at the Divine Science International Conference. In 1899, came The International Metaphysical League, which was the first attempt to have a central organization for the purpose to assist the movement and unify through occasional conferences. The name New Thought came in the early 1900s.

But where did New Thought really begin? In the 1800s the advancement of industry, opened up peoples minds to many avenues of exploring. New Thought began as people formed new ideas around old theology. The church wasn't meeting the needs, and some ventured out to seek deeper meaning in their lives, or were challenged by their health. And, for others their spiritual experiences were in contradiction to the current church theology and dogma. These were mostly intelligent people wanting more answers, and so became seekers of Truth.

I can remember saying "I never thought of it that way before." New Thought is really about having a new idea or concept about the teachings of the Bible and Jesus the Christ. While most churches of the day were teaching that God was far off in heaven somewhere, and that the devil was an entity of great power to be feared, and dished out plenty of guilt.

If the Church, din't approve it, then it was of evil. Jesus was named as God, or as the only Son of God, and thus the only one that had the powers to heal, resurrect or ascend. So people with unusual gifts or insightful ideas were viewed as evil, and were banished or punished.

Mostly, these teachings were underground for the sake of protecting the teachings and those teaching from the ruling Church. There were the Gnostics. These were early Christians that continued to live the teachings of Jesus; healed, performed miracles, and practiced kindness. Various Mystery Schools developed throughout the centuries.

When the time is right, there is nothing that can hold back spirit in revealing itself and springing forth through open minded seekers. Those seeking will find. Spiritualism first formed in Europe, and then in America around 1840-1860s, Dr. Quimby, questioned the medical practices of the 1800s. Before coming to what we call New Thought, he practiced Mesmerism, but found that there was no lasting healing through mind control. He continued to seek for lasting healing through finding the cause.

Dr. Quimby discovered that what we called disease was nothing more than incidents or traumas in ones life that caused the brain to create a chemical reaction which lodged this chemical (or energy) in the body. By discovering the cause behind the illness he helped his patients to heal. He earnestly studied and meditated. This later lead him to universal ideas of mankind and God. Through the practice of denying the power in the appearance, coming to truth about it, and affirming the truth of spirit, Dr. Quimby healed some 10,000 people in only eight years.

Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science, was a patient that became his assistant and student until he passed away. Eddy, incorporated what she had learned, and of course, spirit moved through her uniquely, to form what she called Christian Science. Within a few years there were many mystics, and like teachings flowering.

Emma Curtis Hopkins, is considered the Teacher of Teachers of New Thought. Hopkins, was the editor for Christian Science, until her ideas were coming forth, Spirit was speaking through her, and so she was fired. Hopkins went on to teach, and her teachings were incorporated into much of New Thought. In 1882, Melinda Cramer, of San Francisco, had her spiritual experience, in which I will speak of more next week, started Divine Science.

Unity quickly followed, and later Religious Science. The teachings of a mental practice, such as in Christian Science, which is very powerful and a necessary process, evolved to a more all inclusive God, or Divine or Holy Spirit that is everywhere present even in its creations. Thus a personal relationship to God became utmost important; the practicing of the presence of God in our daily lives, and all that it leads us to.

The following is from the INTA quarterly magazine, "What We Believe":

1. We affirm God as Mind, Infinite Being, Spirit, Ultimate Reality.

2. We affirm that God, the Good, is supreme, universal, and everlasting.

3. We affirm the unity of God and humanity, in that the divine nature dwells within and expresses through each of us, by means of our acceptance of it, as health, supply, wisdom, love, life, truth, power, beauty, and peace.

4. We affirm the power of prayer and the capacity of each person to have mystical experience with God, and to enjoy the grace of God.

5. We affirm the freedom of all persons as to beliefs, and we honor the diversity of humanity by being open and affirming of all person, affirming the dignity of human beings as founded on the presence of God within them, and therefore, the principle of democracy.

6. We affirm that we are all spiritual beings, dwelling in a spiritual universe that is governed by spiritual law; and that in alignment with spiritual law, we can heal, prosper, and harmonize.

7. We affirm that our mental states are carried forward into manifestation and become our experience in daily living.

8. We affirm the manifestation of the kingdom of heaven here and now.

9. We affirm expression of the highest spiritual principles in loving one another unconditionally, promoting the highest good for all, teaching and healing one another, ministering to one another, and living together in peace, in accordance with the teachings of Jesus and other enlightened teachers.

10. We affirm our evolving awareness of the nature of reality and our willingness to refine our beliefs accordingly.

Today, there are some 500 organizations and individuals that belong to INTA, but there are hundreds if not thousands more that stand by these very same principles. The New Thought movement itself has no boundaries of religion or denomination for it is a philosophy to live by. Today I can hear its message coming from many orthodox and traditional pulpits.

The following is a description, I received, of living New Thought:

1. It's people taking responsibility for their own lives, not blaming others for their problems.

2. It's people who deliberately decide to learn and grow.

3. Its people who deliberately don't have to be right, except for themselves.

4. It's people seeing problems as lessons, perhaps in a long series of lives and lessons.

5. It's people who believe we are what we think we are, and can change ourselves by changing our thinking.

6. It's people who feel they can change the world by changing themselves, not by trying to change others.

7. It's people who search for strength from the universe by going inside themselves.

8. It's people that recognize that love doesn't have to have conditions attached.

9. It's people knowing and loving themselves in order to better know and love others

10. It's people who see others as not better nor less but rather different than themselves, yet part of the same whole.

11. It's people that choose their own path rather than follow dogma.

12. It's people honoring your right to your own path, not theirs.

13. It's people who realize that now is all we have, since yesterday is just a thought and so is tomorrow.

14. It's people interested in owning themselves rather than things.

15. It's people who see joy in life rather than pain, having experienced enough pain already.

16. It's people curious about extra sensory perception and all it implies.

17. New Thought is not a religion with a hierarchy of priests and rituals, seeking converts, though some new-Thoughters choose some ritual.

18. New Thought is not often gloom-and-doomers, though many are concerned about ecology, the economy and other forces that effect our world.

19. New Thought is not a movement based on guilt, anger, fear, or hurt, it is a journey toward the love that is our God.

20. New Thought is not allegiance to one master; it is learning from many masters in the quest for the oneness of God (all that is).

21. New Thought could not become a cult because of what is said above.

22. New Thought is not just humans doing, it is humans be-ing.

I will conclude with that there is no box or lid on New Thought for it is Spirit , by whatever name, that is always unfolding, as those practicing these beliefs and principles strive to grow and unfold their Divine Holy Self.

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