What is New Thought?

Once called the “religion of healthy-mindedness” by the philosopher William James, the New Thought movement was born almost 170 years ago as a revolt against the negative dogmas so prevalent in the churches of that day. The early New Thought movement was driven by the discovery that physical healing was possible through the power of mind and spiritual awareness. As that initial idea unfolded into successful application, practitioners of New Thought began to see that the power of an uplifted consciousness could also bring healing to negative circumstances and conditions in one’s personal life. As it evolves today, twenty-first century New Thought is driven by a far broader intention. Planetary healing through self-realization is emerging as the new promise of these teachings.

BASED ON THE BELIEF THAT GOD IS NOT AN EXTERNAL FORCE BUT LIVES WITHIN US ALL, we embrace positive thinking, listening to one’s inner voice, affirmative prayer, meditation, and other ways of realizing the presence of God within. The spiritual tradition known as “New Thought” includes Unity, Religious Science, Science of Mind, Divine Science and affiliated non-denominational churches and centers. The roots of Unity are in Christianity but it is not limited or bound by it.

1. God is all there is, present everywhere, and absolute good.
2. Human beings are created in the image of God and our very essence is divine; therefore, we are inherently good.
3. We create our life experiences through our way of thinking.
4. Our lives can be changed and transformed through the power of prayer.
5. Knowing these principles is not enough; we must live the truth we know.

The philosophy of Religious Science is a synthesis of many great concepts born out of the spiritual traditions of humankind. The laws of Moses, the love of Christ, the ethics of Buddha, the morals of Confucius and the deep spiritual realization of the Hindus all find an exalted place in this philosophy. New Thought embraces God (aka Spirit or Source) “… in us, through us, and as us.” According to Ernest Holmes, “There is one life — that Life is God and that Life is our life now. There is a Power in the universe greater than you are and you can use it.” New Thought’s affirmation of each individual’s freedom of belief allows it to continually evolve conceptually, educationally, and organizationally.