COLLEGE OF METAPHYSICS, OpenMindedness

From the base 10 counting of ancient Egyptians to geometric theorems of the Greeks to the use of zero in India, the ancient science of numbers describes the structure of our universe. We describe how old we are in a number of years, we assess something's value in a number signifying how much it will cost you to own it, and we identify where we live with street numbers and postal codes. Numbers are everywhere in our lives. They help us know where we are, where we have been, and where we are going. From the number of miles we have traveled to the number we have yet to go to reach our destination, numbers tell us what we want to know.

The numerology of your name tells you about you. This is discerned through the structure, value and arrangement of the letters in your name. In a similar fashion, exploring the nature and significance of numbers give insight into a collective influence – like the numbers of a year. There are many numbering systems for time (Chinese calendar, Hebrew calendar, Mayan calendar, etc.). The one used around the globe for communication and commerce is the Greogorian calendar which marks this year as 2003. It is using this number that we derive the significance of this year as "The Year of the Open Mind".

Certainly world events are reflecting the power in these numbers. The specter of war has polarized people around the globe – those who see war as the only way to deter those who would harm others and those who see alternatives free of anyone harming anyone else. This is certainly an expression of duality, the energy of the number two.

The amount of reasoning that has gone into whether to war or not war is an expression of five, which is derived from adding the 2 and the 3. Whether you are for or against war has become a mind expanding question, testing the boundaries of previously held beliefs. How can someone who values life enough to want to protect it, take another's life? How can someone stand by and do nothing when others are being hurt? How is one person dying for their beliefs different from the person on the "other side" dying for theirs? An open mind asks questions that before were beyond the level of its ability and desire.

2003 is about wholeness, the two zeroes, and about power. Certainly this is being played out on the world stage as well. Even the three has manifested in triumvirants, for instance, the U.S., Britian, and Spain at odds with Russia, France, and China on the Security Council of the United Nations.

Open minds continue to receive opportunity.

Open minds create.

Open minds learn.

Open minds can grow in wisdom.

Open minds know Self beyond the limits of the physical world.

This year is incredibly full of opportunity to expand our understanding of ourselves and our relationship with others. As the Universal Peace Covenant says,

"Peace is built through communication.

The open exchange of ideas is necessary for discovery, for well-being, for growth, for progress whether within one person or among many. We vow to speak with sagacity, listen with equanimity, both free of prejudice, thus we will come to know that peace is liberty in tranquillity."

Living Peaceably

begins by

Thinking Peacefully

“Bringing insight, bringing peace, the mind is open.
The open mind knows eternity.” - from the song "Eternal Tao"

The Year of the Open Mind brings with it the opportunity for an evolution of peace. At the College of Metaphysics, we are preparing our consciousness to receive this peace.

Each individual must work with their own understanding of an open mind. The open mind creates space for peace to exist. Tad Messenger says, “Where there is an open mind there is no fear. When there is fear the mind is closed. Stop! Think, ‘Still mind. I will fight no more’.”

As college students, each of us spends time creating in the dome each week. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not only do we learn valuable information on everything from installing plumbing to hanging drywall, we also are part of creating a structure that exists as a physical manifestation of peace. The combined skill and vision of the dome project gives each of us valuable tools that will benefit us as directors and field directors.

You can have this incredible opportunity to build the world’s first Peace Dome and welcome the world to our campus by choosing to attend the College of Metaphysics in July. This is the last class that will work on the Peace Dome before the October dedication. We are in the midst of transformational energy that will continue to build to 2012. We encourage you to do whatever you need to do to be here during this historic time. For more details on the Peace Dome dedication in October, see the related article.

College of Metaphysics Chancellor, Dr. Daniel Condron says, “An open mind makes it easy to learn. The degree to which your mind is open is the degree to which you can learn.” In our metaphysics class we are coming to know the value of a still mind. We are learning about the open mind in the inner levels. John Crainshaw has been experiencing newfound wholeness and happiness from his inner level experiences. He is committed to a still mind.

John Harrison is learning to use the whole mind. “The year of the open mind fits right in with what my Transference of Energy Report suggests for me to do. I need to embrace the quality of infancy to let energy flow into new areas of my mind. An open mind will allow me to receive more light and to give my warmth in a greater way to fulfill my karma.”

Erika Scholz is learning to print in the SOM print shop. She relates this about infancy, “The first day I printed with Dr. Pam Blosser, I sat and observed as the papers rolled off the press and the machine clattered and hummed. I was still, as I experienced the wonder of printing. With my mind open, I connected with the history of printing and the importance it has played. From the Gutenberg Bible bringing a holy work to the masses, to Benjamin Franklin printing ideas that would bring forth a nation, in that moment I understood the sacred art of printing. I watched Dr. Pam attend the printing press as she has done for well over a decade and was filled with gratitude. The SOM has in its own means the ability to print our revolutionary ideas for the world. In that moment of understanding, I also understood the beauty and power of infancy.”

In Dr. Barbara Condron’s Tuesday morning Bible class, she shared with us that the power of 2003 can be found in Luke 7. The class was moved by the image of the woman washing Jesus’s feet with her tears and how this is a picture of the conscious mind cooperating with the higher self. Dr. Pam says, “This story is a beautiful description of the open mind. It is one that is giving the conscious life experiences, giving conscious thoughts, giving value and understanding and devotion to knowing.”

In Teachology class we are discussing keeping the student’s best interest in mind first. It is about intention and holding high expectations for students. Dr. Barbara taught us how an open-minded teacher gives opportunity and instruction while the student chooses to develop his/her potential. Paul Madar says, “I have discovered and am practicing the idea that an open mind is a choice. An open mind is an open heart, and both have to be desired and chosen.” Paul Blosser shares how a teacher discerns the student’s best interest. “An open mind is a questioning mind, the mind of the child and the mind of a sage. Asking questions allows expansiveness in thoughts, understanding, and experiences.”

This is the best time to live here at SOM World Headquarters. We welcome you to the College campus March 21-23 for the All Student Weekend. It will be a time to come together with students from 14 schools and taste what the College life is like. This weekend gives all students an opportunity to share in the creation of the October Dome Dedication. See you then!

We send you our circle of love,

Erika Scholz

24th General Assembly meets on College campus

January 2-5, 2003 School of Metaphysics directors and the Board of Governors gathered to align their ideal and purpose with that of SOM . Here is a taste of the visionary outcome.....

During General Assembly, the leaders of the School came together to create our National Ten Most Wanted list. In alignment with our October Peace Dome dedication, number eight on the list is to distribute all 500 copies of the Kundalini Poetry book and receive donations for them.

There is no other book like this available. It represents the collective understandings of the individuals in the School of Metaphysics. This beautiful book spans the great variety of kundalini experiences. The reader revels in the sacred joy and power of the kundalini goddess revealed. Reading this book from cover to cover will awaken your kundalini. A minimum donation of $25 is requested for each book. Get your copy today! This book is also unique because all of the proceeds go directly to the Peace Dome.

As we move closer to our goal, the importance of fund raising for the dome increases. With a newly poured concrete ramp and foam insulation, we spent approximately $13,000 in 48 hours. Creating fund raisers for the dome is an act of love, peace, abundance, and prosperity. Each student, teacher, and director has a chance to build on their understandings of creation, to reach further than they have before. Imagine the future, where people come on pilgrimages to the Middle West to see the Peace Dome, the sacred sight where many Christs served the people, causing peace to move across the face of the earth. Imagine what it would be like to have been one of the people who brought this dream into reality. You have this opportunity. The time is now.

Another visionary experience we had at General Assembly was viewing video footage from SOM’s first 30 years. This experience brought us to deeper connectedness within ourselves, with each other, and with the School. Matthew Marion says, “During General Assembly I had an experience working with a group of people to produce a video. We experienced technical difficulties with the equipment while we had a limited time to finish our project. I was able to stay still and reason, being open to ideas from within me and other people of possible solutions. Our entire group experienced love, laughter, and fun as we fulfilled our goal.”

Christine Madar built a deeper understanding of the open mind during General Assembly. “On Saturday afternoon during General Assembly I sat with two fellow teachers. We started talking about the new video that will be shown on the night students receive lesson four. As we dreamed more and more people joined in until nine of us sat together. At one point I looked around and experienced the joy and synergy flowing between, within, and around us. I perceived the drawing power of many creative minds in action. This is the essence of an open mind, many open minds with a common ideal and purpose.”•

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®2004, School of Metaphysics