Science of Mind Class Embraces the Theme Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life

By LAINE M. RUTHERFORD
Correspondent

(Article featured in Virginian Pilot Newspaper)

OCEANFRONT- Betty Boyce CQ has spent the last five years on a personal journey, studying spirituality in a variety of ways and in different settings. Now, with her latest study of a philosophy called Science of Mind, she thinks that she has finally reached a place where some of the deeper questions she has been asking can be resolved.

Boyce, 52, is part of a group that meets weekly with Religious Science ministers Angela Peregoff cq and Lisa Hall cq. The students and teachers gather in an office at the Center for Effective Change off of Lynnhaven Parkway to learn and discuss, among other things, the metaphysical teachings of Ernest Holmes cq.

Holmes was a philosopher who gained popularity on the West Coast in the 1920's at just about the same time Edgar Cayce's influence was spreading throughout the East. He developed a spiritual philosophy that today is known as Religious Science. It is not a religion, emphasized Peregoff, but a way of thinking and living that integrates universal laws and scientific principles with spiritual awareness. It falls under the heading of New Thought, a movement that was spurred into being by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Phineas Parkhurst Quimby cq more than a century ago.

"Basically, Science of Mind is about gaining an understanding of how universal laws and principles work and how people can utilize them to lead the life they'd like, rather than sitting by and waiting for the unexpected. The goal is to help empower people to create the highest quality of life that they can have for themselves, which in turn has a ripple effect on the community, giving it a higher degree of consciousness. Learning these principles can be quite transformational."

The study of Science of Mind also can be quite challenging to some of the students.

"I have to remind people that when you get into this stuff, you're in graduate school," said Peregoff, 41, with a ready smile. "We're replacing old belief systems with knowing, and remembering what they already instinctively know can sometimes be a hard thing to do-we have to get rid of those destructive habits. But I think that the principles that we are teaching our students are going to become more a part of everyday life for a lot of people-Just watch the Oprah Show and you'll see for yourself."

One of the ways that Science of Mind followers apply the principles they learn is through a form of prayer called a treatment.

"A treatment is a form of active prayer," explained Lisa Hall. "It is declarative rather than petitioning. We state things as if they are now, rather than asking for something. Basically, it is directing our thoughts to make positive changes in our lives or the lives of others."

"The goal of Science of Mind is to help empower people to create the highest quality of life that they can have for themselves," added Hall, "which in turn has a ripple effect on our community to enable them to have a higher degree of consciousness."

While the class mainly uses Science of Mind teachings, books, and discussion of Ernest Holmes' philosophy, both Hall and Peregoff incorporate their experience in the healing arts into the weekly meetings. Peregoff grew up familiar with the work of Edgar Cayce, then went on to study Breathworks, massage therapy, Reiki and other healing arts, meeting Hall in many of these classes. The two have been Science of Mind students for eight years and have been teaching together for the past three.

Betty Boyce still has many questions about the philosophy, but as she said at a recent class, "I think I'm starting to get it!"

Smiling broadly at Boyce's revelation was visiting Religious Science Minister Gussie Scardina cq . "I love to see that," said Scardina. "It is just wonderful to be part of a group of positive minded people who are taking responsibility, making changes in their lives, and supporting each other."

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