About Us
» What We Believe
» How We Pray
» Weddings
» Volunteer by joining a SEVA Team to the right -> ->
Overview & History
The Center for Spiritual Living - Redding was founded in 1978 and is a member of International Centers for Spiritual Living, formerly known as Religious Science International. In addition to the Sanctuary, the Center is currently home to a meditation pavilion, bookstore, children’s building, social hall, and administrative offices.
We hold two weekly Sunday services at the Center for Spiritual Living - Redding, as well as many classes and seminars, activities and other special events throughout each month. In addition, our ministers perform weddings, baby-naming or christening ceremonies, memorials/funerals and other life-passage celebrations by arrangement. You can find details about these events here on our website, or you may call our office at (530) 221-4849 for more information.
Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Center is home to numerous interfaith events and practices, offers educational programs for all ages, provides space weekly for the facilitation of several community groups including AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) group meetings, a Buddhist meditation group, and several other community groups.
Our Center is one of the leading fund raising sites for the American Cancer Society’s “Daffodil Days,” and a supporter of Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” and other such events. The Center for Spiritual Living - Redding hosts many events for the Season for Nonviolence, an annual 64-day campaign to promote ways of nonviolent conflict resolution founded by the Association for Global New Thought. The Center has sponsored and hosted inspirational speakers and presenters such as Reverend Mary Manin Morrissey, Father Leo Booth, Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., Karen Drucker, Kathy Zavada, the Peace Walker, the Buddhist Monks from Dharamsala, India and others.
The church is a member of The Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce and a participant in the Shasta County Interfaith Forum.
What We Believe
There is a power for good in the universe that is available to everyone who understands and knows how to use it. Religious Science is a life philosophy, a way of living and thinking that helps people realize their true nature and individual goals in life.
Very simply, we believe that the universe is fundamentally spiritual - it has intelligence, purpose, beauty, and order.
Whether we call it God, nature, spirit, energy, or universal intelligence, all emanates from the spiritual universe. We believe this universal intelligence is within us as well as around us and we can use it to the extent we are conscious of it.
Our beliefs are in harmony with the basic tenets of the world’s great religions and many of our students are practicing Christians, Jews, and those of other faiths.
What is Religious Science?
Religious Science is the study of “The Science of Mind”, a study of First Cause, Spirit, Mind, or that invisible Essence, that ultimate Stuff and Intelligence from which everything comes, the Power back of creation - the Thing Itself.
The Science of Mind is the Science of Spiritual Psychology. It is a metaphysical teaching, the study of Life and the nature of the Law, governed and directed by thought; always conscious that we live in a spiritual Universe; that God is in, through, around and for us.
To suppose that the Creative Intelligence of the Universe would create man in bondage and leave him bound, would be to dishonor the Creative Power which we call God. To suppose that God could make man as an individual, without leaving him to discover himself, would be to suppose an impossibility. The seed of freedom must be planted in the innermost being of man, but, like the Prodigal Son, man must make the great discovery for himself. Thus the inherent nature of man is forever seeking to express itself in terms of freedom, and so the purpose of studying The Science of Mind.
The Basic Ideas of The Science of Mind
The Science of Mind is not a special revelation of any individual; it is, rather, the culmination of all revelations. The realization that good is Universal, and that as much good as any individual is able to incorporate in their life is theirs to use, is what constitutes the Science of Mind and Spirit.
The Science of Mind deals with spiritual man, which is continuously remolding and remaking the physical man. That is why Jesus summed up His whole philosophy in this simple statement: “It is done unto you as you believe.”
“To suppose that the Creative Intelligence of the Universe would create man in bondage and leave him bound, would be to dishonor the Creative Power which we call God.”
- from: "The Science of Mind", page 25
Religious Science believes all manifestation in our lives is effect and is subject to its cause.
Declaration of Principles
· We believe in God, the Living Spirit Almighty; one indestructible, absolute, and self-existent Cause.
· This One manifests Itself in and through all creation but is not absorbed by Its creation.
· The manifest universe is the body of God; it is the logical and necessary outcome of the infinite self-knowingness of God.
· We believe in the incarnation of the Spirit in humankind and that all people are incarnations of the One Spirit.
· We believe in the eternality, the immortality and the continuity of the individual soul, forever expanding.
· We believe that the Kingdom of Heaven is within us, and that we experience this Kingdom to the degree that we become conscious of it.
· We believe the ultimate goal of life to be a complete emancipation from all discord of every nature, and that this goal is sure to be attained by all.
· We believe in the unity of all life, and that the highest God and the innermost God is one God.
· We believe that God is personal to all who feel this indwelling Presence.
· We believe in the direct revelation of Truth through our intuitive and spiritual nature, and that anyone may become a revealer of Truth who lives in close contact with the indwelling God.
· We believe that the Universal Spirit, which is God, operates through a Universal Mind, which is the Law of God.
· We are surrounded by this Creative Mind which receives the direct impression of our thoughts and acts upon it.
· We believe in the healing of conditions through the Power of this Mind. We believe in the control of conditions through the Power of this Mind.
· We believe in the eternal Goodness, the eternal loving kindness, and the eternal Givingness of Life to all.
· We believe in our own soul, our own spirit, and our own destiny.
· We understand that the life of all humankind is God.
Suggested Readings by Ernest Holmes
· The Science of Mind
· How to Use The Science of Mind
· Ideas For Living
· Practical Application of Science of Mind
· The Basic Ideas of The Science of Mind
· Can We Talk to God?
How We Pray
Our idea of prayer is based on the fact that there is a supreme Intelligence, God, Mind, or Consciousness that is ultimate Reality, which is both the source of and is all things. The physical world, as we know it, is the word or thought of God made manifest. And the manner in which the “word” becomes tangible is through the orderly process of Law; another way of saying God acts in an orderly and consistent fashion.
From this foundation, we have discovered that our own minds are individual expressions of the One Mind, and that, as a result of this, our words or thoughts are similarly creative. God is ever going forth into new expression; and every word we speak, every thought we think is a further creative activity of God at the level of our expression of God.
Our form of effective prayer is called Spiritual Mind Treatment and is based upon a faith that is logical and scientific; an attitude of mind and the fact that the Universe is a system of Law and Order. The Law of Mind always responds according to our thought and acts specifically on what we include in our treatment, no more and no less. We believe all prayers are answered, although not always in the way we would like, but always according to the individual’s pattern of thinking and conviction at the time.
What is Spiritual Mind Treatment?
Spiritual mind treatment is affirmative prayer, spoken in a scientific manner and in faith. It is a statement placed into the Law, embodying the concrete idea of our desires and accompanied by an unqualified faith that the Law works for us, as we work with it. Prayer or treatment is the alignment of our individual thought with the perfect right action of God.
Treatment is not something one does to another, nor to a situation. It is always the thing one does for oneself. Treatment is an action in thought alone. It opens up the avenues of thought, expands the consciousness and lets reality through. Spiritual mind treatment involves deliberately inducing constructive thought within the medium of Universal Mind, which in its creative function as Law tends to produce in the outer world an equivalent of our inner thought.
· It is an art - a skill that can be learned and taught.
· It is an act - something that is done, and is not done until you do it.
· It is a science - a technique that operates in accordance with definite Law.
Five Steps in Spiritual Mind Treatment
1. Recognition - God is the source of all, the unlimited power. "GOD IS..."
2. Unification - God acts through me, as me, in me and all life. "I AM..."
3. Declaration - I initiate my like experiences through my thought.
I now choose my desired experiences. "I ACCEPT..".
4. Thanksgiving - I joyfully accept the now present activity of Law acting
through my intention perfectly. "I GIVE THANKS..."
5. Release - I release any doubts or concerns as I let go and let God, “the Father within”,
do the work. I now feel and act as if it were so. "AND SO IT IS!"
If you have questions about Spiritual Mind Treatment or would like to know more about us, our Practitioner staff will be happy to talk with you. Just call the office at (530) 221-4849 or send an e-mail to office@cslredding.org for the number of the Practitioner of the Week.
Weddings
Creating Your Ideal Wedding
Thank you for considering us to officiate at your wedding ceremony. We know how important your special day is to you, and we would be honored to be participants.
Personalizing Your Ceremony
There are many ways you may choose to personalize your ceremony. Some of these include writing special vows, exchanging flowers, including family members such as children from a previous marriage or parents, and lighting a unity candle. You may choose to have a completely unique ceremony, incorporating anything from sky-diving to an underwater location. Your wedding may be quite traditional, or highly spiritual and non-traditional. It’s all up to you...and we are here to help you with your special day.
We can also help you with details such as wedding coordination, music arrangement, and obtaining photography, audio and video recordings to preserve your wonderful memories for a lifetime.
Choosing A Location
The ministers at the Center for Spiritual Living - Redding are happy to officiate at your wedding here at the center or at another site of your choosing. At the Center, the church sanctuary, the Meditation Pavilion, the church office, and the Center’s gardens are all available for your celebration.
Among the many beautiful nearby locations you may consider are:
· Historic French Gulch Hotel
· Whiskeytown Lake
· Shasta Lake
· Castle Lake
· Nearby park area
· Coastal Redwoods
· Mt. Shasta Park
· Ashland, Oregon
· A private home or backyard
About The Ministers
All ministers of the Center for Spiritual Living - Redding perform wedding services. Their universal philosophy of life is all-inclusive.
Our other ministers are also available to perform your ceremony, should you so choose. Pre-marital counseling is also available by request.
The entire staff at the Center for Spiritual Living - Redding welcomes the opportunity to work with you to make this special occasion a wonderful and memorable celebration and to honor the joining together of two people as one. Please feel free to contact us with your questions about arranging your ceremony.
Our Fees
The basic fee for one of our ministers to officiate at your wedding is $200. This cost includes a one hour pre-marital counseling consultation, customizing your ceremony, attending the wedding rehearsal (if applicable), and officiating at your ceremony in the Redding area.
Travel outside of the Redding area is $50 per half-hour plus any expenses incurred.
For more information or to inquire about reserving a date, contact the Center for Spiritual Living - Redding office at (530) 221-4849.