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Writer's pictureJill Brocklehurst

Fear Is Faith: A Lecture by Ernest Holmes


While I am on sabbatical, I thought it would be fun to publish a lecture by metaphysical luminary, Ernest Holmes, as given in 1958 at Asilomar, California. Here is my version of Holmes' words, which I have translated, updated and modernized, for you. Enjoy! I would love to hear what you think, and any reflections you may have on this timeless wisdom:


In our quest for understanding and spiritual growth, we often fall into the trap of seeking to divide that which is indivisible. We create artificial separations between concepts like God and humanity, fear and faith, or the spiritual and the material. What if these apparent opposites are actually just two sides of the same coin?


The core message here is simple yet profound... that there is only 'oneness' in the Universe. Everything we perceive as separate or opposing forces is simply different expressions of the same unified whole. This idea isn't new - it echoes through the teachings of ancient wisdom traditions and finds support in modern scientific understanding.


Consider fear and faith. We typically view them as polar opposites, but they're more alike than we realize. Both are powerful expressions of belief. Fear is simply belief directed towards something we don't want, while faith is belief channeled towards that which we do want. Understanding this truth can transform how we approach our anxieties and hopes.


The same principle applies to our concept of The Divine. Many of us search for 'Spirit' as if looking for something separate from our everyday reality. We might dismiss the physical world as "material" and therefore less spiritual. But what if the tree outside your window, the chair you're sitting on, and even the device you're reading this on are all expressions of The Divine? Recognizing the sacred in the ordinary can radically shift our perspectives and deepen our spiritual connections to Life as we live it every day.


This understanding has practical implications for how we approach personal growth and healing, too. Instead of seeing ourselves as separate entities trying to connect with some external source of power, we can recognize that we're already part of that Power. The 'healing' we seek isn't achieved by bringing in something from outside of us, but, rather, by allowing what is already within us to express Itself more fully.


In the field of Religious Science, along with similar spiritual practices, this revelation translates to a shift in how we think about the practice of affirmations and denials. The human mind can only affirm, even when it thinks it is denying. When we say "I am not afraid," we are actually affirming the concept of fear. Once we have come that realization, we then can free ourselves to focus on affirming that which we want to experience instead. This might take the form of affirmations such as: "I am courageous," "I am at peace," or simply, "All is well.”


Looking at Life from this perspective also changes how we view the role of spiritual practitioners or healers. Rather than seeing them as individuals with special powers, we can understand them as people who have developed a clearer awareness of the universal principles at work. They don't create healing; they allow it to flow through them by aligning with the inherent Wholeness of Life.


For those on a spiritual path, this fresh understanding can be both liberating and challenging. It is liberating because it means we don't have to struggle to become something we're not , since we are already part of the Divine Wholeness. It is challenging because it asks us to let go of many of our preconceptions and misconceptions, and to take responsibility for our own experience of life.


So how do we put this into practice? Here are a few suggestions:


  1. Cultivate awareness: Pay attention to when you are creating artificial divisions in your thinking. (Are you seeing situations as "us vs. them," "spiritual vs. material," or "good vs. bad"?)

  2. Embrace paradox: When you encounter apparent contradictions, instead of trying to resolve them, see if you can hold both perspectives simultaneously. There's often truth on both sides.

  3. Find the sacred in the ordinary: Look for The Divine in everyday experiences. Can you see the miracle in a cup of tea , a conversation with a friend, or even a challenging situation?

  4. Practice non-resistance: Instead of fighting against what you don't want, focus on allowing what you do want to emerge naturally.

  5. Simplify your spiritual practice: Rather than complex rituals or affirmations, try sitting in quiet awareness of your inherent connection to the whole.

  6. Act from wholeness: Approach your interactions and decisions from a place of recognizing the fundamental unity of all life.



Remember, this isn't about achieving some perfect state of enlightenment. It's about gradually shifting our perspectives in order to align more closely with the reality of Oneness. As we do this, we may find that many of our struggles begin to dissolve, as they are replaced by a sense of peace and connection.


In a world that often can seem more divided than ever, embracing the understanding of Oneness can be a powerful force for personal and collective transformation. It invites us to see beyond surface differences, to the shared essence that connects us all. From this place of unity, we can approach our challenges with greater wisdom, compassion, and effectiveness.

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