There is a parable in the Science of Mind, written by author and teacher, Ernest Holmes that tells a story about four people who come to a practitioner asking for treatment to find employment. One person was making $10 an hour; the second $15; the third $25; and the fourth $50. The practitioner Treats or gives Spiritual Mind Treatment for the belief in inactivity and Treats that each person will find work and be compensated. After their meeting and Treatment with the practitioner, each person found employment, making the exact amount they had made in their previous job. The question posed by Holmes was “Why didn’t each person make $50 an hour or more? They were treated by the same practitioner.” The answer Holmes gives is “The Law says that we can only have WHAT WE CAN TAKE.”

Two ministers came to Kaua`i, with the intention of starting a Center for Spiritual Living. They came with the consciousness that they would be successful. They treated often and others treated for them. Their first Center was at the Aston Aloha Hotel, where they met once a week and carried on their classes on the beach and in people’s homes. They were successful and the Center grew.

When they had outgrown that hotel room, they asked for treatment, specifying they wanted a full-time space. Their community was tired of church in a box and so were they. After a bit of a struggle, but with much perseverance, they demonstrated a full-time space – a room at the East Kaua`i Professional Building. They created a successful Center there and they grew.

Five years later, they felt the need to move again; however, they hesitated. Something wasn’t right. They weren’t ready. Would the finances be there for them? There is a principle in the Science of Mind teaching that states no mistakes can ever be made and the Universe always has our back. Right after that hesitation about enlarging their space, COVID 19 hit the planet.

Now after eight years at the East Kaua`i Professional Building, again they felt the need to move, not so much that they were overflowing with people. No, the Center was still recovering from COVID and the community was slowly building up again. However, they had enlarged their consciousness with the intention of bigger programs and so it was important to become a part of the larger Kaua`i Spiritual Community. They knew innately they must come out of the office building. They saw themselves enlarging their outreach programs and creating a beautiful beacon of Light to the Island and the rest of the world. They treated and asked others to treat for them and with them. So, now, after ten years of faith, the Center for Spiritual Living Kaua`i is moving to a larger space with an outdoor area, where they can create a sacred space, have visibility, create larger programs, and more.

You might ask why did it take ten years to create their place at the Hongwanji Mission? Why didn’t they land there upon their arrival on Kaua`i. The answer is the same as for the four persons previously mentioned in Ernest Holmes’ story: “The Law says that we can only have WHAT WE CAN TAKE.”

It is a misconception in our teaching that you can have whatever you want. As Ernest Holmes wrote, “a man does not suddenly become affluent because he sits around and thinks, ‘I am a multi-millionaire,’ but when he thinks affluently, he does begin to demonstrate prosperity.”

We are dealing with Law. It is our very being. It reacts to us according to our vibration. It is a vibrational Universe. It is done unto us as we believe.

We should never feel bad for where we are at in life. We are where we are because of who we are, but the good news is we can always expand and grow. If we do this in degrees that’s okay. However, we must start where we are. Insisting and pushing for something we are not ready for, only brings us something that we cannot keep. Why do you think people win the lottery only to lose everything two years later? It is the same Principle. “The Law can only give us what we can take.” Everything begins in Consciousness and we are the only ones who can truly know where our consciousness is.

I do not believe life is about getting things. I like things and I enjoy the material world. However, for me life is about expanding my consciousness and remembering who I am. Everything else follows that. I do this by delving deeply into my creative nature and living from that place. Whenever I feel stuck in life, I put aside thoughts of getting something and instead do what makes me passionate and happy. I get my creative juices flowing and at the same time understand that my good come from everywhere.

“In treatment we conceive of the ultimate of the idea, but never of the process. We plant a seed and there is in the seed, operating through the creative soil everything that will cause it to develop, unfold and produce a plant. The ultimate effect is already potential in the cause.” Ernest Holmes

There is a formula in the Science of Mind that can be proven if we care to work it. Firstly,

What you want should hurt no one. Then…

Remember who you are

State clearly what is you want with as much feeling as possible.

Stay present here and now and contemplate your desire with belief and feeling.

Only think of what you want to demonstrate.

Never give up.

Get out of the way of the process or how it is going to happen.

Believe that you already have it, feel it, and walk as if.

Take action as if it is already so…

It’s a simple formula and it works. We have been ten years in the making and are still growing because of the use of this formula.

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren