One Mind, Two Names
Reflections on The Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes
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“In the subjective mind of man, we find a law obeying his word — the servant of his spirit.”
— Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind
Lately I’ve been returning to The Science of Mind with a “beginner’s mind”, trying to not just read it, but let it read me. With my coffee mug in hand, today’s reading brought a deep reminder… one that sounds simple yet is at the core of all New Thought teaching:
There are not two minds — only One Mind, known by two names.
For those new to New Thought, The Science of Mind was written by Ernest Holmes in the early 20th century. His teachings bridge spirituality, psychology, and metaphysics, sharing how the same Creative Intelligence that governs the universe also acts through us.
Holmes calls the two aspects of this One Mind conscious and objective, or subjective and unconscious (or sub-conscious.)
But these are not two separate entities operating within us. They are two functions of the One Infinite Mind, the same Intelligence expressing as both director and doer, Spirit and Law, Cause and Process.
The Two Aspects of One Mind
The conscious mind (the objective mind) is the chooser, the director of our thought. It determines what will be impressed upon the deeper level of mind which is the creative power that acts on our beliefs.
The subjective mind (the unconscious) is not unaware; it is subject to direction. It receives what we believe and accept it as true, and brings it into expression through the natural law of cause and effect.
Holmes calls this the Law, meaning the creative (and reliable) process by which thought becomes form. It is the way an inner idea takes shape as outer experience.
Spirit…our conscious intelligence - directs.
Law…the creative medium - responds.
This is the same dynamic that Jesus described when he said, “It is done unto you as you believe.”
The Law simply mirrors what we give it, just as soil brings forth whatever seed is planted.
Our Conscious Use of the Law
In New Thought, we use a spiritual practice called Spiritual Mind Treatment, also known as Affirmative Prayer.
It’s not about asking for help from outside ourselves, but about consciously aligning our thinking with spiritual truth and speaking that truth with conviction.
The Law is impersonal and infallible; it does not choose for us — it responds to us.
Our part is to choose consciously.
When we pray or affirm spiritually, we are not persuading some power outside of ourselves to act; we are consciously directing the Creative Power that is already at work in and around us, to unravel our patterns of thought that are out of sync with with our desired good and aligning them with Infinite Intelligence, which knows only wholeness and completion.
The Inspiration
Reading this passage this morning re-minded me — literally brought my mind back — to this awareness:
I am never separate from the creative flow of Life.
I am always impressing something upon It — through thought, feeling, or word.
When I think from fear, that energy becomes my experience.
When I think from faith, love, and Truth, that energy unfolds as peace, order, and good.
My responsibility is to choose wisely, to think lovingly, to speak powerfully.
For every word is a cause set in motion, and the servant of my spirit is ever at work.
The Law responds in perfect faithfulness. Always.
May I live with greater spiritual mindfulness — realizing that every prayer, affirmation, and vision is not wishful thinking, but the conscious activity of Spirit through me.
Here is a Spiritual Mind Treatment to affirm this spiritual truth:
Spiritual Mind Treatment / Affirmation
There is only One Mind - the Mind of God - expressing through and as me now.
This One Mind thinks through me consciously and creates through me subjectively.
My conscious word is the command; my subjective mind, the servant of my spirit, fulfills it perfectly.
Every thought and feeling aligned with Truth is a ministering spirit going forth to prepare the way.
I know my word is the Law unto that which it is spoken.
The Law responds in Love, Order, and Grace — manifesting Good in every area of my life.
And so it is.
If this reflection resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who would be inspired by it.