OUR VALUES
WHO WE ARE
“Our philosophy is a correlation of laws of science, opinions of philosophy, and revelations of religion applied to human needs and the aspirations of mankind.”
–Ernest Holmes
WE BELIEVE...
In every religion and honor all paths to God. We believe that every life is sacred and valuable. We believe that every person is on a spiritual journey that will ultimately lead to their greatest good.
GLOBAL VISION
We envision all people, all beings, and all life as expressions of God.
We see a world in which each and every person lives in alignment with their highest spiritual principle, emphasizing unity with God and connection with each other; a world in which individually and collectively we are called to a higher state of consciousness and action.
We envision humanity awakening to its spiritual magnificence and discovering the creative power of thought; a world where each and every person discovers their own personal power and ability to create an individual life that works within a world that works for everyone.
We envision a world in which we live and grow as One Global Family that respects and honors the interconnectedness of all life; a world where this kinship with all life prospers and connects through the guidance of spiritual wisdom and experience.
We envision a world where personal responsibility joins with social conscience in every area of the political, corporate, academic, and social sectors, providing sustainable structures to further the emerging global consciousness.
We envision a world where each and every person has enough food, a home and a sense of belonging; a world of peace and harmony, enfranchisement and justice.
We envision a world in which resources are valued, cared for, and grown, and where there is generous and continuous sharing of these resources.
We envision a worldwide culture in which forgiveness (whether for errors, injustices, or debts) is the norm.
We envision a world which has renewed its emphasis on beauty, nature, and love through the resurgence of creativity, art, and aesthetics.
We envision a world that works for everyone and for all of creation.
OUR HISTORY
HISTORY
In 2023 the Long Beach Community, known as Namasté Center for Spiritual Living and Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living came together to form one spiritual community, now called Pacific Coast Center for Spiritual Living.
Namasté CSL began in 1999 in the living room of Reverend Kristin Hawkins with a group of people desiring a supportive and inclusive community; a community that supported the idea that we all mattered, are all creative beings who, through the practice of universal principals and community involvement, can make a difference in our individual and collective world.
Seal Beach CSL began in 1962, in the study room of Dodie Dyrneforth's apartment at Leisure World. By 1964, with 166 members, the group voted to incorporate as Seal Beach Church of Religious Science. Over the years, the church transitioned locations several times until 1975, when a bike ride by Rev. Roger Teal lead to the Bernstein Salad Dressing building. It was purchased, remodeled and later renamed “Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living” in 2010. The Spirit and Consciousness of this community has always been deemed “Jewel By the Sea.”
Both Namasté and Seal Beach community (now Pacific Coast) are part of the global network of Centers for Spiritual Living which base teachings and education on the work of Ernest Holmes and his seminal work, "The Science of Mind". The Science of Mind philosophy teaches that our thoughts are creative and that through our thinking we can change the circumstances of our lives.
FAQ
- What is CSL?
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CSL Stands for Centers for Spiritual Living. Religious Science is the name of the church that Dr. Ernest Holmes started, which was the precursor to Centers for Spiritual Living. Dr. Holmes’ comprehensive book of teachings is entitled The Science of Mind. Members of Centers for Spiritual Living often use the phrases Science of Mind and Religious Science interchangeably.
- Who founded Centers for Spiritual Living?
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Dr. Ernest Holmes founded the spiritual movement that started Centers for Spiritual Living. Born in 1887 on a small Maine farm, Dr. Holmes spent his teenage years outdoors, asking himself “What is God? Who am I? Why am I here?” This questioning led to his 1926 book, The Science of Mind, which outlined the foundational viewpoints of modern New Thought.
- What is Science of Mind?
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Science of Mind® (also referred to as Religious Science) is the core teaching of Centers for Spiritual Living. Science of Mind is a philosophy that integrates spiritual truths with science and physics. Simply put, Science of Mind teaches the unity of all life. Intentions and ideas flow through a field of consciousness, which actually affects and creates the world around us. This idea is common to most major religions and is supported by the teachings of psychology and quantum physics. In Science of Mind, we believe that the secret to living a successful life is to consciously choose positive and productive thoughts. Put another way, “As you think, so you become.”
- What is a Science of Mind Practitioner?
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A practitioner has a loving heart and a healing presence of expanded consciousness with the ability to reveal the Wholeness and Truth of all life. Every Practitioner has a complete conviction that a higher use of the Law of Cause and Effect transcends a lower use of it. All Practitioners are trained through the study of the Science of Mind, in the art, science and skill of Spiritual Mind Treatment (affirmative prayer). Licensed Practitioners have spent countless hours of study and have undergone rigorous training and testing to become skilled in compassionate listening, sensitivity, intuitive awareness into core beliefs, and the skilled use of Spiritual Mind Treatment. Practitioners don’t give advice. They will listen, ask questions, pray with you, and work with you to understand and apply spiritual principles to the circumstances you wish to change. Practitioners charge a fee when working one-on-one and whatever is discussed is confidential.
- Are SCS communities a place for healing?
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Yes. Centers for Spiritual Living spiritual communities are places where amazing healings and life transformations take place.
- What is the role of prayer within Centers for Spiritual Living?
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Centers for Spiritual Living honors all forms of prayer. In addition, we teach a unique and scientific form of prayer called Spiritual Mind Treatment. This powerful, affirmative method of prayer was developed by Dr. Ernest Holmes. Spiritual Mind Treatment involves a five-step process that harnesses the creative process of consciousness. This type of powerful, scientific prayer allows new levels of health, wealth, love, and wholeness to become a reality in our lives.
- Are Science of Mind and Religious Science the same?
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Religious Science is the name of the church that Dr. Ernest Holmes started, which was the precursor to Centers for Spiritual Living. Dr. Holmes’ comprehensive book of teachings is entitled The Science of Mind. Members of Centers for Spiritual Living often use the phrases Science of Mind and Religious Science interchangeably.
- Is Science of Mind real science?
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In Science of Mind, we believe that the fields of religion and science are complementary, and that science will prove what the mystics have said for thousands of years about the nature of God, human beings, and the Universe. These beliefs are being proven even now by many quantum physicists who have found that the universe is made up of energy that cannot be destroyed and is infinitely intelligent. Science of Mind is also scientific in that is uses laws of nature to prove spiritual principles. Any person can experiment with the principles and measure the results.
- Is Centers for Spiritual Living a "New Age" organization?
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Science of Mind is a New Thought philosophy that incorporates spiritual tools of affirmative prayer, healing and creative visualization to transform lives and make the world more peaceful, harmonious, and prosperous. Centers for Spiritual Living does not consider its teachings to be New Age, but rather incorporates the ancient wisdom of all the spiritual traditions through the ages. People of all spiritual paths — Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Islam, New Age and others — are all welcome in our communities.
- Is CSL associated with Christian Science?
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No. Centers for Spiritual Living is a unique and separate entity from Christian Science.
- Is CSL related to or connected with Scientology?
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No. Religious Science and Centers for Spiritual Living are in no way related to Scientology.
- In Center for Spiritual Living a cult?
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No. At the Centers for Spiritual Living we teach that each individual has influence over, and responsibility for, his or her own life. We support personal responsibility and strongly discourage the “following of” any one person, including founder Ernest Holmes. The philosophy taught by Centers for Spiritual Living challenges people to think for themselves and only believe what feels true to them.