Our Philosophy
& Frequently Asked Questions
We are a spiritual community that studies and teaches spiritual principles and practices to help us live a healthier, happier life right here and now. We recognize timeless wisdom, a thread of Truth that has been woven throughout all Life, and seek to embody and embrace it in our lives. Listed below you will find an introduction to what we believe, teach, and support in and around our spiritual community. We have a section of FAQ’s if you choose to dig deeper. You can also view one of our Sunday talks, visit our blog, or choose one of our Ministers or Practitioners for prayer or questions. We’re glad you’re here!
What We Believe
We are a spiritual community that holds a deep conviction in the inherent goodness of Life, and we all can experience it to the degree we accept it for ourselves. We know God to be a loving power and presence, and we are all manifestations of this God power/presence. In place of Dogma, we are a philosophy, a faith, and a way of life where we recognize every person as a unique expression of Divine Intelligence, Wisdom, and Love. We encourage our community to think freely, feel deeply and decide for themselves what is right and true.
“Our philosophy is a correlation of laws of science, opinions of philosophy, and revelations of religion applied to human needs and the aspirations of mankind.” –Ernest Holmes
We study and practice spiritual tools like meditation, affirmation, and prayer because we believe the power of our positive thoughts coupled with our feeling conviction leads to a more awakened and fulfilled life experience.

Life is not just something to be endured. It is to be lived in joy, in a fullness without limit.
Ernest Holmes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Centers for Spiritual Living?
What is Science of Mind?
Who founded Centers for Spiritual Living?
What is a Science of Mind Practitioner?
Are SCS communities a place for healing?
What is the role of prayer within Centers for Spiritual Living?
Are Science of Mind and Religious Science the same?
Is Science of Mind real science?
Is Centers for Spiritual Living a "New Age" organization?
Is CSL associated with Christian Science?
Is CSL related to or connected with Scientology?
In Center for Spiritual Living a cult?
What is Centers for Spiritual Living?
Religious Science is the name of the church that Dr. Ernest Holmes started, which was the precursor to Centers for Spiritual Living. Dr. Holmes’ comprehensive book of teachings is entitled The Science of Mind. Members of Centers for Spiritual Living often use the phrases Science of Mind and Religious Science interchangeably.
What is Science of Mind?
Science of Mind® (also referred to as Religious Science) is the core teaching of Centers for Spiritual Living. Science of Mind is a philosophy that integrates spiritual truths with science and physics. Simply put, Science of Mind teaches the unity of all life. Intentions and ideas flow through a field of consciousness, which actually affects and creates the world around us. This idea is common to most major religions and is supported by the teachings of psychology and quantum physics. In Science of Mind, we believe that the secret to living a successful life is to consciously choose positive and productive thoughts. Put another way, “As you think, so you become.”
Who founded Centers for Spiritual Living?
Dr. Ernest Holmes founded the spiritual movement that started Centers for Spiritual Living. Born in 1887 on a small Maine farm, Dr. Holmes spent his teenage years outdoors, asking himself “What is God? Who am I? Why am I here?” This questioning led to his 1926 book, The Science of Mind, which outlined the foundational viewpoints of modern New Thought.
What is a Science of Mind Practitioner?
A practitioner has a loving heart and a healing presence of expanded consciousness with the ability to reveal the Wholeness and Truth of all life. Every Practitioner has a complete conviction that a higher use of the Law of Cause and Effect transcends a lower use of it. All Practitioners are trained through the study of the Science of Mind, in the art, science and skill of Spiritual Mind Treatment (affirmative prayer). Licensed Practitioners have spent countless hours of study and have undergone rigorous training and testing to become skilled in compassionate listening, sensitivity, intuitive awareness into core beliefs, and the skilled use of Spiritual Mind Treatment. Practitioners don’t give advice. They will listen, ask questions, pray with you, and work with you to understand and apply spiritual principles to the circumstances you wish to change. Practitioners charge a fee when working one-on-one and whatever is discussed is confidential.
Are SCS communities a place for healing?
Yes. Centers for Spiritual Living spiritual communities are places where amazing healings and life transformations take place.
What is the role of prayer within Centers for Spiritual Living?
Centers for Spiritual Living honors all forms of prayer. In addition, we teach a unique and scientific form of prayer called Spiritual Mind Treatment. This powerful, affirmative method of prayer was developed by Dr. Ernest Holmes. Spiritual Mind Treatment involves a five-step process that harnesses the creative process of consciousness. This type of powerful, scientific prayer allows new levels of health, wealth, love, and wholeness to become a reality in our lives.
Are Science of Mind and Religious Science the same?
Religious Science is the name of the church that Dr. Ernest Holmes started, which was the precursor to Centers for Spiritual Living. Dr. Holmes’ comprehensive book of teachings is entitled The Science of Mind. Members of Centers for Spiritual Living often use the phrases Science of Mind and Religious Science interchangeably.
Is Science of Mind real science?
In Science of Mind, we believe that the fields of religion and science are complementary, and that science will prove what the mystics have said for thousands of years about the nature of God, human beings, and the Universe. These beliefs are being proven even now by many quantum physicists who have found that the universe is made up of energy that cannot be destroyed and is infinitely intelligent. Science of Mind is also scientific in that is uses laws of nature to prove spiritual principles. Any person can experiment with the principles and measure the results.
Is Centers for Spiritual Living a "New Age" organization?
Science of Mind is a New Thought philosophy that incorporates spiritual tools of affirmative prayer, healing and creative visualization to transform lives and make the world more peaceful, harmonious, and prosperous. Centers for Spiritual Living does not consider its teachings to be New Age, but rather incorporates the ancient wisdom of all the spiritual traditions through the ages. People of all spiritual paths — Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Islam, New Age and others — are all welcome in our communities.
Is CSL associated with Christian Science?
No. Centers for Spiritual Living is a unique and separate entity from Christian Science.
Is CSL related to or connected with Scientology?
No. Religious Science and Centers for Spiritual Living are in no way related to Scientology.
In Center for Spiritual Living a cult?
No. At the Centers for Spiritual Living we teach that each individual has influence over, and responsibility for, his or her own life. We support personal responsibility and strongly discourage the “following of” any one person, including founder Ernest Holmes. The philosophy taught by Centers for Spiritual Living challenges people to think for themselves and only believe what feels true to them.
Questions?
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the material on this page, one of our Ministers would be happy to speak with you. Send us a note on our contact page and we will get back to you within a day. In the meantime, feel free to look around our site here. We are an active community. From our Youth Program, Music Program, Events, Classes, and groups, there’s something for everyone.
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