Science of Mind^® 200 Series

The SOM 200 series consists of four 20 hour units on various subjects. SOM 207, The Edinburgh Lectures and SOM 208, Emerson’s Essays are required for a practitioner license and entry into SOM 400.

SOM 201 – Mind/Body Connection The Mind-Body Connection explores the connection between the mind and the body, using The Science of Mind and other more current materials. Special attention is paid to the recent interest in alternative medicine and holistic healing.

Text: The Science of Mind (1938) – Ernest Holmes

SOM 201U - Mind Body Connection This class is designed to give the student a greater understanding of the mind/body connection, and the important role consciousness plays in the healing process. This class is a clear, step-by-step process that begins with Principle, deals with the emotional issues surrounding the body, gives emphasis to effective prayer, unlearning old concepts of duality and disease, and even practical considerations such as locating health professionals who support your belief system. This class is ideal for the beginner or the advanced student who desires a deeper understanding of physical healing.

Text: The Science of Mind (1938) – Ernest Holmes

SOM 202 – Power of Decision This 8 week class is designed to empower students to reach independent decisions, which enhance the quality of their lives. Based on the powerful metaphysical classic, this course is valuable for both the new and experienced student.

Text: Power of Decision – Raymond Charles Barker

SOM 203 – This Thing Called You This class was created to deepen the student's understanding that he or she is an individualized expression of God. Topics of exploration include: co creation, the power of belief, your inner authority, and how to increase your faith. This is excellent for new students and as a refresher course for more experienced student.

Text: This Thing Called You – Ernest Holmes

SOM 204 – Spiritual Laws This is a practical class, which empowers the student to develop positive thinking skills. The classic text provides lucid explanations of exactly how spiritual laws operate in our lives. These laws are utterly reliable, and this class shows the student how to use this knowledge to benefit every area of living.

Text: Working with the Law – Raymond Holliwell

SOM 205 – Spiritual Economics Focusing on prosperity issues, the student of this class will gain a greater understanding of the basic metaphysical principles which govern our financial well-being. Participants will learn how to use these principles effectively in everyday life. This is a sensible, solution-oriented class and is appropriate for the new or advanced student.

Text: Spiritual Economics – Eric Butterworth

SOM 206 – What the Mystics Knew The primary focus of this class is on deepening the student's actual experience of the timeless and eternal nature of Spirit.

Text: The Science of Mind (1938) – Ernest Holmes

SOM 206U – A Class-Practical Mysticism This class is an exploration of mysticism – what it is and what it is not. It provides the framework for the student to live a more mystical life in present time. Each student sets a personal intention for his or her own life. Emphasis is given to the practice of meditation and the practice of witnessing consciousness. This class is ideal for anyone seeking to deepen his or her own awareness of the Divine reality in daily living.

*SOM 207 – Edinburgh Lectures Based on the classic lecture series, the Edinburgh Lectures have inspired nearly every other early New Thought writer. Judge Thomas Troward delivered them in Scotland in 1908, and they have served as the touchstone for metaphysical thinking to this day. Troward's mind is logical, brilliant, and extremely precise. This class is excellent for the serious student of New Thought.

Text: Edinburgh Lectures – Thomas Troward

*This class is required for First Practitioner Licensing.

*SOM 207U – Thomas Troward: Edinburgh Lectures This class is designed to give students understanding and knowledge of the principles presented in the Edinburgh Lectures by Thomas Troward. Each week is devoted to a different chapter with the Core Principles from the Foundational Courses outlined. Students and teachers are asked to create questions for the class to make the discussions lively and relevant. In class exercises, expand the experience and understanding of the wisdom of Troward.

Text: The Edinburgh Lectures – Thomas Troward

*SOM 208 – Emerson’s Essays Ralph Waldo Emerson has been the most quoted, most inspirational writer in America for over a hundred years. American Voice of Self-Reliance, and The Oversoul have influenced the New Thought movement profoundly. He is quoted by all the great metaphysical writers, and he was the first to break through traditional Christianity in such a way as to inspire multitudes to higher thought. Background information on Emerson's times and his fellow members of the Transcendentalist circle is covered. They include Bronson Alcott, Margaret Fuller, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman.

Text: Emerson’s Essays – Ralph Waldo Emerson

*This class is required for First Practitioner Licensing.

SOM 209 – Bible History & Scholarship This class examines the history and the many misconceptions of the most published book of all time, with special attention to the fallacies of fundamentalist interpretation. The course looks at the most recent advances in Bible scholarship, including the discovery of the Nag Hammadi texts [Gnostic in origin] and the Dead Sea Scrolls. The class is an excellent background course for the New Thought student who wants to know more about the Bible.

Text: Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism –John Shelby Spong

SOM 210 – Metaphorical Approach to the Bible This class provides a look at the Bible as story and Bible as myth. Drawing from sources as diverse as Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Aesop, Joseph Campbell, and Jelaluddin Rumi, this course looks at the many life stories in the Bible where we play every character. Students will learn powerful and effective tools for translation and interpretation.

Text: Revised English Bible

SOM 211 – Metaphysical Bible Many students of New Thought are familiar with Rocco Errico and his translations of the Bible. This course looks at the metaphysical meanings of the parables and familiar stories you remember from childhood.

SOM 211U – UCSL Bible Class – Ignite Your Life with Bible Wisdom Jesus used short stories called parables to convey profound spiritual truths. The parables charge our spiritual journey with energy and our soul with light. During this course, students are introduced to ways to interpret stories from the Hebrew Bible, as a foundation for understanding the teachings of Jesus. Students become familiar with the power of the parable stories as inspiration for transforming the soul. Students bring the ancient parables to life, and relate them to the challenges of today’s world as they engage in discussions, role-playing, and problem-solving exercises, as well as creative arts expressions. Students may be beginners in exploring the arts as tools for contemplation and meditation.

SOM 212 – Myth and Spirit Joseph Campbell was perhaps the greatest thinker of the 20th Century. His writings cover a vast range of spirituality, culture, and human mythology. His presence, which most people only experience through the wonderful Power of Myth video series, was transcendent. This course takes an overview of Campbell’s work, helping the novice and scholar alike make sense of his or her own personal myth.

SOM 213 – Creative Process In the Individual –Thomas Troward This class is based on the book of the same name which explains the nature of creative action, beginning with the formation of the universe and ending with a vista of infinite possibilities attainable by the individual. Troward argues from basic principles we all understand, and shows how these principles may be carried into the future. He relies on the maxim that “Principle is not bound by precedent,” and by the premise that we are not only able, but also required, by the law of our own being, to take a more active part in our personal evolution than has ever occurred in the past.

Text: Creative Process in the Individual – Thomas Troward

SOM 215 – The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success This course is designed to present the key concepts of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra, M.D. and to provide tools to assist in understanding our true nature in relationship to these laws. Each class in the course curriculum begins with viewing a section of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success video showing Dr. Chopra presenting these laws to a live audience.

Text: The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success – Deepak Chopra.

SOM 217 – Spiritual Fitness Spiritual fitness is a lifestyle and an attitude that can help you rediscover the real meaning and sacredness of your life. Like physical fitness, it is not a one time experience; it needs your ongoing commitment. To stay spiritually fit means living in truth and trust, i.e., being yourself at the deepest level in everything you do, bringing all of you to your life experiences. It also means trusting that there is a greater power constantly guiding you and inviting you, through your life experiences, to live more openly and lovingly. When we trust, we start to make our choices and decisions from a place of love and courage instead of from fear. This in turn gives us clarity and strength.

SOM 218 – It's All God In his book, It's All God, Walter Starcke has managed to take one of metaphysics’ greatest truths and put them into a form and flow of words, which are easy to grasp. Starcke has done a masterful job of clarifying the necessity of finding a realistic balance between living in the Absolute and the Relative world: It’s not a matter of “one or the other”, but rather, discovering the key to doing both at the same time. His concept of the Double Thread is the key element.

This class is designed to be taught over an eight-week period. One class should be presented per week, with each class lasting for a minimum of two hours. Please bring a personal journal to the first class.

SOM 219 – Magic of the Soul Combining the integrative principles and techniques from spiritual psychology with the power of SOM, Magic of the Soul offers a dynamic training opportunity for students. It answers questions like, “Why haven’t I completely healed, even though I have been using spiritual mind treatment for years? How do we deal with fear that comes up before and after treatments? How can we embrace our shadow while affirming our divinity?” Magic of the Soul asks students to affirm and experience their inner divinity and at the same time honor their humanness and appreciate the beauty of who they are in the here and now, on their path to higher and higher expressions of divine nature. The most common theme throughout the text is to look for the magic, the opportunity for growth, and the sacredness in every situation in life; especially the challenging ones.

Text: Magic of the Soul – Patrick J. Harbula

SOM 220 – Financial Freedom This popular class contains in-depth material that allows the student to examine his or her belief systems, and to gain a new perspective of how this system of beliefs is at work in their lives. Interplay of thought, emotions, desire, action, spirit, and all facets of being work together to create a new level of well-being and abundance in the individual’s life. A comprehensive workbook and creative exercises are included. 8 weeks. Total hours: 24-One Unit

SOM 221U – Principles of Successful Living This class is designed to give the student a greater understanding of his or her place in the spiritual system and the part that consciousness plays in demonstrating greater good. On a very practical basis, this class offers the opportunity to set an intention for concrete demonstration of good and to study the tools for achieving this demonstration. Emphasis is given to use of the Law of Mental Equivalents, Spiritual Mind Treatment, and the qualities of living a spiritual life. Worksheets and a fun “Oneness Game” make the class interactive and personally relevant. 8 weeks. Total hours: 24-One Unit

Text: The Science of Mind (1938) – Ernest Holmes

SOM 222U – Self Mastery – The Emergence of the True Self The Self Mastery Class focuses on healing the perceived separation between personality and Spirit. Through an active exploration of the creative nature of thoughts and feelings, beliefs and emotions, the students have an opportunity to gain mastery in the art of living as a conscious, intentional being. 8 weeks. Total hours: 24-One Unit

SOM 223U – Meditation Class, (one unit of ICSL 200 credit) What is meditation and what is its purpose? What are some of the benefits of meditating? What helps and what hinders meditating? Which meditation type best fits your lifestyle? Discover what meditation can do for you. Learn about and experience all eight of the basic types of meditation, so you can determine which one(s) work for your personality and lifestyle. Begin to use one...or many.

SOM 224U – Exploring Roots 2003 This class provides the student with an understanding of the historical roots in America of Ernest Holmes’ philosophy. Specific emphasis will be given to the works of Thomas Troward, Emma Curtis Hopkins, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. 10 weeks. Total hours: 30, One SOM 100 Unit

SOM 225U – Essential Ernest Holmes This is a 10 week course on the essential writings of Ernest Holmes by Rev. Jessie Jennings. It includes detailed Facilitators Guide and Student Workbook. There are also 21 student handouts in relation to the meditation practice for each lesson. There is a course project to be completed by the end of the class. The course also includes a PowerPoint presentation in PDF format on the Declaration of Principles which has inspirational pictures.

Text: Essential Ernest Holmes – Jessie Jennings

SOM 226 – Shortcut To A Miracle, How to Change Your Consciousness and Transform Your Life. This intensive 8-week course presents basic Science of Mind principles in the light of modern quantum physics, with special emphasis on the Co-creative Process and Law of Belief, the Law of Expectancy and the Law of Attraction. Students learn how to develop a “miracle-making attitude” and how to use Spiritual Mind Treatment to “make miracles” of their own choosing in Health, Success, Prosperity, and Relationships. Complete with class exercises.

SOM 231 – Essential Emma Curtis Hopkins Emma Curtis Hopkins' course is designed to move the committed student from “zero to healer” in twelve lessons. Unveiling Your Hidden Power: THE CLASS includes a "translated" text of her 12 lessons into modern language, along with daily practices and guidelines for setting up and facilitating a series of classes.

SOM 299 – One Time Optional Class Ministers and teachers may give an eight-week course where students receive SOM 200 credit based upon a book or a topic consistent with SOM Principles. The requesting teacher must submit an application to the ICSL Department of Education & Professionalism describing the class in a minimum of 250 words; explain why the class benefits the teaching of SOM, and how it is consistent with SOM principles, as well as an outline describing each of the eight lessons listing the key concepts of each lesson. Students may not use more than two optional classes in the SOM 200 series for certification.

Information on SOM 200: SOM 200 classes consist of a total of 80 hours, comprised of 4 Units of 20 hours each. Units are to be taught in increments of not more than one session per week. SOM 100 and SOM 200 may not be completed by a student in less than two academic years. Selection and sequence of units is at the discretion of the teacher.

The tuition for SOM 200 is a minimum of $440 for the entire course, $110 per unit, which includes a $10 recording fee to be sent directly to ICSL Admin Services. Optional rates are allowed for spouses, review students and high school students.

International Centers for Spiritual Living Admin Services will issue a Certificate of Completion upon the completion of SOM 200. The required attendance is 80%. Certificates of Completion must be requested within ninety (90) days of the student’s completion of SOM 200.