In Science of Mind, we cut out the middleman. This is the really exciting stuff. “Direct revelation of truth.” That is huge. That means you don’t need layers of a religious institution to broker God for you. It also means that while we understand God to be present in the world’s faith traditions, we view interpretations differently.

So, for example, we know Jesus to be an example, not an exception, and to be followed, to serve as a model for what we can do. We believe that by following his “intuitive and spiritual nature,” he worked what are now called miracles. We know that “anyone may become a revealer of truth.”

It takes effort. I’m beginning to see how much work, how easy it is to slip out of “close contact with the indwelling God.” This is why “spiritual practice” is counseled. It’s not to get all serene. It’s to be able to work miracles. It will not happen if you’re not in alignment with the Divine.

You’re gossiping, you’re cheating in some way, you’re being slothful in some way, it ain’t going to happen. You are effective at this insofar as you are doing right things, in every area of your life, all the time. This, I think, is why other faith traditions can seem easier. It’s easier to believe that you’re a screwup and the middleman makes up for you, right? Or that a priest can absolve you of your screwups. Nice and convenient, but may not get you to your own destination in the end. And we can tend to do this in Science of Mind at times, too, only we call it a spiritual bypass …

And so then we say that we share a field of wisdom with the Divine, and when we, with complete faith and feeling, and without attachment, put our very clear intention/desire/affirmation out, we will get results. That God essence is creative, and creates in collaboration with you. Its nature is creative.

Here’s a completely random biblical example of this. Chronicles is basically a family tree, page after page of begats and descendants. And then in the middle, you find this: “Jabez called on God saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border/my experience, and your hand would be with me and you would keep me from harm and pain.’ And God granted him what he requested.” And then the begats continue.

And tucked in there is everything about how it works. Make the demand, but as Jabez knew and also requested, it better not be to the detriment of anyone else; keep me from harm and pain is a two-way street … Apparently this happening on the part of an otherwise average guy thousands of years ago was so noteworthy among the neighbors we have, not only Jesus getting how it worked way back in the day, but at least one other, Jabez …

But we must put it out there, and we must do it with complete faith and feeling. If you’re not there, don’t bother.

We’re not a society comfortable with making demands on God. It’s interesting, because the Middle Eastern faith traditions have no problem with this. You look at the biblical stories where they’re pissed at God, and yelling at God, and great gnashings of teeth and wailing. And you see those same images in news pieces. They get it. They get yelling at God.

Stake your claim. It’s not about polite. But the faith and feeling part means that you do it without backward glances, without sneaking back mentally to pick at it, without questioning your commitment or choice. Really know it, demand it and let it go.

This is “Prove me now.” A piece of Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, having to do with God as material goods and tithing, says, “Prove/test me now in this if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” Test God. Try it. Don’t sit back and wait for good to come to you. Go out toward it. In this piece of Malachi it was about claiming your good in the form of material things, but those are only slivers of God; the principle applies to all good.

And from there, we heal the sick and control conditions. There’s not much talk in modern Science of Mind about these aspects, and there should be. They are really amazing, exciting stuff. If you get to the point that you are pretty much constantly “in close contact with the indwelling God,” it’s logical that you would reveal truth in all ways, including physical healings, and we know it happens. It’s possible, and you can do it, and there’s some legwork involved.

And what do you get for all of your efforts in this direction? Increased grace. And for those of us who aren’t constantly there with God, it can still be some pretty powerful stuff.

I’ve been having discussions recently with a very traditionally Christian friend who’s been getting chemotherapy for colon cancer, and we’ve been talking about the widow’s oil. The concept of the widow’s oil, again from the Old Testament in Kings, about a widow with nothing for whom valuable oil flowed sufficient to lift her to a higher place.

To the degree that you are working in league with this energy force that we call God, this will be your experience. That’s what happens when you cut out the middleman.