Consciousness-Raising Book Discussion, 1/10/20 at 6 p.m.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE ART OF LIFE

By Ernest Holmes

1) What was your overall opinion of the book?

2) What, according to Holmes, transforms our thoughts into things? (p. 5.2)

3) What did you think of Holmes explanation of evil on p. 20.5? According to Holmes, what causes evil? (p. 30.3)

4) According to Holmes, does it matter now what we have thought in the past? (p. 21.4)

5) On p. 22.2, Holmes writes, “There is something about our very nature that demands a constant communion with the Invisible.” Do you feel this in your life?

6) What do you think about the use of denial as a tool for achieving right thinking? (p. 29)

7) On p. 35.4, Holmes writes, “Only as we give the best we have to every passing experience can we hope to enter into the joy of living.” Do you do this?

8) Why do you think Holmes taught that we shouldn’t “hold” thoughts? (p. 40.2)

9) What, according to Holmes, gives your affirmations real power? (p. 41.1)

10) Have you taken a close look at that with which you identify? According to Holmes, why is it important to do that? (p. 41.3)

11) Do you understand why, in prayer (Holmes called affirmative prayer “treatment”), you make statements about a person rather than to them? (p. 47.3)

12) What do you think of Holmes’ idea that faith needs direction? (p. 49.2)

13) Why do you think Holmes taught that our acceptance should be definite? (p. 66.1)

14) Life expectancy has increased significantly. Why do you think this is? Do you think there has been a shift in thinking, or is it all science? (pp. 70.4-71.1)

15) What were the dreams of your youth that you “have laid on the shelf?” Did you think about resurrecting any of them? (p. 73.4)

16) On p. 93.3, Holmes writes, “It [the Law of Mind] knows no difference between big and little.” Do you embody this truth? Or is it hard to believe?

17) On p. 98.1, Holmes writes, “…a healing is brought about by bringing the unconscious reactions to the surface and causing them to be self-seen, to be understood.” Have you ever had the experience of uncovering a hidden belief and healing yourself as a result?

18)  Can you buy into the truth “that there is no difference between your thought, the flow of the Power through your thought, and the manifestation of the Power in your experience?” (pp. 127.3-128.1)

19) What, according to Holmes, is a purpose of prayer? (p. 130.2)

20) On p. 137.2, Holmes writes, “This is why we have been told that in effective prayer we must believe even though we do not yet possess.” How easy/difficult is this for you to do?