WEEK 13 SUMMARY
Rev. Ike’s Secrets For Health, Joy and Prosperity,
For You: Science Of Living Study Guide
Foreword
The jury was sequestered. The world anxiously waited . . .
Finally, the verdict – GUILTY!
The whole world exhales together. Yesterday, justice was served, although it was just one particular outcome in the ongoing social justice movement. MLK, Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. Change takes a long time, but it does happen.” It is clear, after many years of individual and collective spiritual study, I have come to respect that our most powerful posture is in silent repose with our Higher Self, God-in-Me. Allow me to explain . . . Breathing softly and evenly, eyes closed, body straight and unmoving, hands upright, mind relaxed and receptive to ‘hear’ the voice of God. Allowing at least 20 minutes of stillness before resuming activity. With this proper fortification, then and only then are we ready to march, return to social media, or engage in any way with other people. Unless we come ready to serve the world from a place of elevated consciousness, we may otherwise do more harm than good.
Summary
Chapters 27 and 28 emphasized freedom, individual freedom. We are, however, criticized by Rev. Ike because he believed many people are “spiritually lazy.” If that criticism stung, check yourself! Perhaps you are not doing your daily practices. Perhaps you are operating with high anxiety, feeling you cannot breathe. There is a better way to live, and ASC, Inc. offers it to you each Thursday with our study group gatherings.
To prepare this evening zoom space for a spiritual adventure, we began our session listening to Nina Simone singing “I Wish I Knew How It Feels To Be Free.” Nobody can pour soul into those words like Nina Simone. If you have not heard it, listen right here –
Following that, we shared our feelings about freedom and recognized certain common qualities, such as “joyful, “creative,” and “expansive.” Just speaking the words aloud about how freedom does feel – or may feel – produced these emotional sensations in our body. The remainder of the evening went up… up… up… from there.
Chapter 27 – SPIRITUAL INDEPENDENCE
Key Spiritual Principle
It is up to the individual to free himself from the negative beliefs and teachings that keep him from acknowledging his Divine Mind, that keep him from acknowledging the Presence and Power of God within. Knowing the Presence, the Power of God-in-you, will set you free – free from limitation, free to be what you want to be, to do what you want to do, and to have what you want to have.
The main point of this chapter teaches about self-reliance and self-awareness. Do not look for anyone or anything outside of yourself to create the good you desire. “There is no will of God outside of you to impose itself on you.” There is no sky God. There is only God-in-Me. Once you understand this, you experience freedom.
Chapter 28 – BE RIGHT BEFORE YOU UNITE!
Key Spiritual Principle
You must be right with yourself before you can be right for someone else.
The context for much in this chapter concerns couples preparing for marriage. However, whether engaged or not, the bottom line is this
– Find happiness within yourself FIRST! Rev. Ike leans heavily on the thinking that “Romance without finance is no good.” He also vehemently advises against reciting the traditional wedding vows that say “I take thee . . . for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse . . .” He believes people should say only positive, happy, loving words.”
Outstanding Quotes & Affirmations
Rev. Ike Says. . .
“God didn’t give Jesus anything He didn’t give to you!”
“I AM a responsible person and have made the positive, affirmative decision to be self-sufficient and independent.”
“I see myself as a whole, happy, and healthy individual.”
“Between here and the pearly gates, you need some money, honey!”
“The Love of God-in-me draws to me all the right people for every right purpose.”
Thank you, God-in-me!”.