Dictionary of New Thought Terms: The Words and Phrases Commonly Used in Metaphysics

Ernest Holmes founded the metaphysical Church of Religious Science. The New Thought philosophies espoused by that and a number of other metaphysical groups utilize terms of art which frequently appropriate and redefine common usages from Christian, Buddhist and Hindu theology. This book provides a helpful guide to the reader--whether adherent to New Thought ideas or not--to understand "what the words mean" in New Thought writing. Holmes has a conversational, Sunday preacher writing style which is easy to digest. As any apologist for a faith might, his elucidation of the terms includes a fair bit of advocacy of the ideas. The mildly evangelical undertone, however, does not detract at all from the usefulness of the book as a study guide in the terms and ideas of New Thought. New Thought ideas pervaded our popular culture for the better part of the 20th C. such that many New Thought ideas are no longer seen as "new ideas", but instead as mainstream truisms. Holmes would undoubtedly find this entirely appropriate, as he did not claim for his faith an exclusive message or a freedom from influences outside the faith. New Thought is interesting in and of itself, but it is also a fascinating window into a very American system of theology. Although this work is a "dictionary" of "terms", it is not dry reading. Holmes instead is clear and reasonably simple in his language. Holmes' great gift as a writer was to be able to write popular theology which was not unduly laden with abstruse ideas. This work exemplifies the best of his writing, and is an excellent starting point for anyone who wishes to understand better just what the New Thought adherents believe, and the language of this branch of American metaphysics. The skeptic or believer in a different faith may find much to disagree with in Holmes' work, but the book is nonetheless a good exercise in just what Holmes did believe and preach. In some instances, New Thought writing can seem to be all "positive thinking" and no system. Holmes' work seeks to systematize the ideas, without alienating the reader. In the main, the work succeeds in this task.