PPS - Term 1 - Questions & Answers Flashcards
What is the meaning of spiritual perfection?
- Perfection is about consciousness.
- Consciousness lacks nothing and contains everything.
- It is the true nature of our being.
What does the following mean:
“The only thing that can ever require healing is the perception that healing is required?”
- We are not separate from Source.
- Healing is a belief in in separation.
- A belief in healing suggests there is not acceptance in our inherent wholeness and the spiritual perfection of our being.
What does the following mean:
“Healing is not a process but a revelation?”
- Healing is a revelation of our inherent wholness.
- There is nothing to be fixed.
- The realization is of our inherent perfection in alignment with the perfection of Spirit.
What does the following mean:
“Wholeness is the only state of being which the cosmos allows?”
- Wholeness is not a state of being.
- Wholeness is a constant principle of life/cosmos.
- We are spiritually perfect, whole, and complete no matter the outer condition.
How would you apply the practice of denial, turning from a condition, upon receiving a diagnosis of cancer?
The practice of denial:
- Denounces the power of the condition.
- Denies one’s identification with cancer.
- Clears the way to center oneself in the Truth.
How does one know that the Truth that one announces is superior to the condition that is to be changed?
- There is a Spirutal Truth behind every condition.
- The condition is the effect of an invisible cause.
- Truth is unchangeable.
- Conditions are changeable.
What does the following mean:
“The mold of acceptance is the measure of our experience?”
We can only experience as much as we can envision in our mind.
What does the following mean: “Principle is not bound by precedent?”
- We live in a world of infinite possibilities.
- Each moment is a new moment.
- Past beliefs do not limit this moment now.
- Past experiences do not limit this moment now.
What is the difference between having faith of God and having faith in God?
Have the faith of God:
- Removes the separation between God and me.
- Implies that my life operates in the same way as the universe works.
- Means that I am one with God.
Have faith in God:
- Speaks of a separate God.
- Implies God is outside of us.
- Suggests there is something else to put our faith in.
How is it possible to be for something and against nothing?
- There is One Life.
- We are the One Life.
- Life is always for itself.
- Being for something aligns ourselves with the Spiritual Truth not the condition.
- Being against something perpetuates negativity and is not in alighment with the underlying truth.
From what does the belief that we do not have the power to heal arise?
- From the mistaken idea that our power or intellect does the healing.
- There is one healer, the Spirit of the Truth.
What is the Consciousness that Heals?
- It is the prayer of faith, a statement of belief in some power which is able, ready, and willing to do the healing.
- It is recognition of the Principle, faith in the Principle, conviction that it will always respond, plus the knowledge that It can respond by corresponding to our mental attitudes.
- The Consciousness that Heals is the consciounsnes of a complete and abiding faith in the Oneness, the Goodness, and the Givingness of Life.
On what does the possibility of spiritual mind healing rest?
The theory that we are surrounded by a Universal Mind which reacts to our thought and always according to the Law of Mind.
What is the personal responsibility of the Practitioner in healing?
There is no personal responsibility in healing.
The Practitioner directs the Power and lets It work.
What is the distinction between the process in healing and the process of healing?
- Healing is not a process, it is a revelation of the perfection of the body through the thought of the Practitioner and of the client.
- The process in healing is the mental work and time it takes the practitoner to:
- convince themself of their perfection and of their client, and then the length of time the client takes to realize this perfection.
What five spiritual principles can apply when doing spiritual guidance and treatment with clients with relationship challenges?
Oneness
Love
Creation
Creative Process
Freedom
Explain these two statements: All life is the out-picturing of consciousness. All life is relationship.
Are they related?
Life is lived from the inside out, our beliefs create our experience of reality. Everything is the One in expression, we are always in relationship with Life itself.
Why can we not treat “the other person” when one partner reports conflict within a relationship?
- We treat the consciousness of the person who comes to us.
- We do not know the full story of the relationship.
- We address the person who brings the issue up.
- We do not presume to know for others.
Relationships provide a rich “Spiritual Practice Arena.” Name three things we can practice through
relationships.
- Our relationship to God.
- Self-Love.
- Healthy interactions.
What is the solution when we find ourselves confronted by the problem of not knowing what to do?
- We must be quiet and listen.
- We must trust that the same power that started all things will also start us in the right road,
- Without some superior power we shall surely fail.
What does Butterworth say will be the consequence of “earning our wings at work every day?”
“Your consciousness will bring about a change in the job, making it right for you and you for the
company; or another job will open up for you where a transfer will be effected in a way that is beneficial
to all concerned.”
Holmes seems to present a dead end when he says, “We really affirm only that which we know to be true; we know that to be true which we have experienced within ourselves.” What is the solution? How can we have a more expanded experience of life if Holmes’ statement is true?
“It is herein that we see the necessity of providing within a greater concept of life; a bigger idea of ourselves and a more expanded concept of the Universe in which we live, move and have our being. This is a matter of inner growth together with the enlarging of all lines of thought and activity.”
Define “Race Thought”
Race thought is everything that ever been thought, said or done. It is the subjective limitations that humans experience as a whole.
Human beliefs operating through the mentality of the individual. The tendency to reproduce what the race has thought and experienced. This race-suggestion is a prolific source of disease. These accumulated subjective tendencies of the human race are operative through any person who is receptive to them.
Give examples of race thought that we experience daily.
Conversations with friends,
Conversations with co-workers,
TV,
Radio,
Newspapers,
One’s own thoughts,
Human laws,
Human rules,
The way we have collectively structured life,
Systems of payment for work done,
The legal system,
System of imprisonment and punishment,
Immigration laws,
What docs Edwene Gaines mean when she writes that “God is glorified when you stand up and acknowledge who you are and claim your birthright?” (p 25)
- You are a divine being, a child of God, a person who deserves to have every good thing that life has to offer.
- The truth is that you can have everything you want in this life. You can be free from the grips of poverty, and instead live a life of joy and faith and prosperity.
- You can live according to your divine purpose, in line with God’s plan, with everything you could possibly want or need at your fingertips. If only you can learn to master money.
What does Gaines mean when she writes, …..if we don’t lay hold of what God provides, that’s not God’s fault, it’s ours.”’ (p. 24)
The world is abundant. There is more than enough to go around. The reason that we experience limitation in the world is not because God does not supply. It is because we have not figured out how to experience and/or distribute the abundance that is already there.
What does Edwene Gains mean when she writes that, “Faith is a choice?”
- We do not have to believe in God’s promise as belief is a choice.
- We can choose to believe in Faith or not.
What is the relationship between gratitude and the experience of abundance in one’s life?
- You you get more of what you think about.
- When you focus on and are grateful for what you do have, you open to an even greater flow of abundance in every area of your life.
Does God heal? If yes, how? lf no, why not?
- Yes, God heals by Its presence, not by intentional action.
- No, God does not heal because God doesn’t know anything other than perfect health.
Explain the positive side of pain.
Pain gets our attention.
Pain is the physical expression of mental disturbance, false belief, or suppressed emotion.
When we recognize it as such, it points our attention inward to seek what needs be healed at the mental level.
Pain is a tool for healing.
What does Ernest Holmes mean when he writes: “in treating, go beyond the disease and supply a spiritual consciousness?”
We do not treat the disease; we do not give any energy to the disease; we see beyond the disease and treat for a greater expression of God, which does supply a spiritual consciousness.
What is the role of illness in the life of humanity?
- IIlness is the outer expression of inner imbalance, turmoil, or disharmony.
- Illness is a signal that an inner belief needs to be changed.
- Illness is sometimes a protection against a greater turmoil.
- IlIness slows us down so that we have more time to devote to spiritual advancement.
- Illness is not of God, but the experience can draw us closer to God,
What is the Practitioner’s role in healing?
The Practitioner is responsible for knowing the Truth and seeing beyond the illness to the innate perfection, but is not responsible for a healing.
How do emotions affect our growth and evolution?
- “Positive” emotions motivate us to reach great heights in our spiritual awareness and fulfillment in life.
- “Negative” emotions direct us to distorted beliefs; when we are willing, they motivate us to change such beliefs to those that are more life enhancing.
- Suppressed emotions, “positive’ or “negative,” can create illness, which is a gift, if we understand the illness as a message that our thinking is out of harmony with God, rather than a thing in and of itself.
Are “positive” and “negative” emotions good and bad?
No. All emotions are good. The so called “negative” ones can be guides to aligning our belief system with principles of Truth.
Why is it we cannot change pattern of an emotional state that limits us simply by treating to eliminate the pattern?
- Anger is an effect. we do not treat effects but instead causes or the underlying belief.
- To change it, we must treat to change the cause, or the belief underlying the emotion.
What spiritual principle would you use when working with a client who is substance addicted?
God is our Source, and sufficient unto any need. AIl that we need is within us. Spiritual Mind
Is it the Practitioner’s job to take away the pain of grief?
- No, it is not the Practitioner’s job to take away the pain of grief, even if that were possible.
- It is our job to provide a safe place for clients as they move through the process – listening, supporting, companioning, and providing tools and resources.
- It is our job to remember our client’s wholeness and perfection as they move through their process.
What are some of the gifts of grief and mourning?
- Compassion
- Call to action
- Deeper appreciation of life
- Recognition of strength and creativity
- Openness to the power of Spiritual Principles
“The patient was healed; the patient died.” Is this an incongruous statement?
- No.
- Healing takes place first in consciousness, and then in the body, provided the body is not past restoration.
- The patient can be healed in consciousness and continue to advance in consciousness in the next life, from that healed place.
What does it mean to be non-resistant to life? What are the benefits?
- Non-resistance comes out of the awareness of Oneness and Wholeness of all life.
- It is a state of being that accepts life as it unfolds, in a knowingness that all is good, that all has a reason for being for the highest good for all, that there are no errors, that any discord brought about is an opportunity for learning.
- The great benefit is that we are open to receive our full measure of Divine Goodness.
What are the reporting requirements in your state (or country) for when someone tells you they are contemplating suicide?
Research local resources. Make mention of the national resource: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Calls to the Lifeline are routed 24 hours a day to the crisis center closest to ther caller where staff are trained to work with people who are suicidal.
Are there any ways that suicide survivor grief may be different from grief after other deaths? If so, what might they be?
- Support of others may not be available because of taboos.
- Survivors may feel more blame, shame, and guilt than after other kinds of deaths.
- It may be more difficult to make meaning of suicide than of some other kinds of deaths.
What Spiritual Principles relate to suicide issues?
- Eternality, immortality, and continuity of the individual soul
- Life is forever seeking greater expression (on this plane and beyond)
- There is no place where God is not
What three elements make Treatment a dynamic entity?
Words - Words with meaning have power.
Feelings - Words give form to feeling.
Intention - Conscious intention gives direction to the treatment. Specific intention is necessary in effective treatment.
What does the Practitioner do when activity does not follow treatment?
The Practitioner must be willing to continue treatment until the demonstration is made.
When repeated treatments are necessary, are they always the same treatment?
No. Each treatment is part of the whole treatment, some part of gaining a complete realization.
When is a treatment complete?
“Any individual treatment is incomplete until the one giving it accepts the verdict as present, final and perfect.”
In a powerful treatment, why does the Practitioner never speak in the second person (to the client)?
- To speak to the client instead of to God within treatment diminishes the power of the treatment.
- The intimate connection to God as Source is broken, and focus “drops” to the human level.
“The Practitioner treats themselves first.’ Explain.
- The only place treatment happens is in our own consciousness. We are the ones seeing and knowing the Truth about the person for whom we are treating.
- We are using a Universal Law, that operates everywhere, all the time, and we are using it for and about someone else and their life. Because Universal Spirit and Universal Subjective Mind are, in fact, Universal, the Law, the Intelligence, and the Creative Process is everywhere.
- Ernest Holmes reminds us that “what is known in Mind anywhere, is known in Mind everywhere.”
Why is it not in spiritual integrity to make the statement: “Mary is now at peace” in a treatment?
Spiritual integrity says that we cannot know what is happening in another’s consciousness; we cannot make something so in another’s consciousness by declaring it unless that person is willing to accept it; and all the action during treatment takes place in the consciousness of the one treating.
How can the consciousness of the Practitioner be empowered, when doing treatment, by the combination of technique and feelings?
- A well done, full Step One gives the Practitioner a great feeling of the magnificence of God.
- A clear Step Two that unites God and the Practitioner gives the Practitioner a feeling of wellbeing, peace, and power.
- When Step Three is done well and completely, the image of the desired results is complete, and the feeling is one of fulfillment.
- Each Step builds upon the one previous, and the Practitioner’s consciousness is empowered in the process and confident of the forthcoming demonstration
