Edna Lister’s Lectures, 1932

Training for Mental Hygiene
Edna Lister outline, 1932

  Acquire the habit of emotional self-control. Conscious self-constraint is a source of inner strength.
  Extreme sensitivity, physically, emotionally or mentally, is unhealthy. Train yourself to endure slights, criticism, prejudice, dislike, even abuse. This psychological training is highly important if your mind is to remain unwounded and healthy.
  Improve your use of your senses. Learn to see more, hear more, taste more, smell more and touch more accurately. Exercise the senses deliberately every day.
  Put aside unwholesome images and ideas. Turn your attention to something else that is interesting and healthy.
  Increase the accuracy of your thinking. Exercise your mind while at work and at play; the good mind is both firm and swift.
  Control your focus of attention. Always attend wholly to the matter at hand. Never let your attention dwell on the useless or the painful.
  Study your normal body positions and movements. Adopt good posture consciously when standing or sitting. Your natural attitudes are best for you.
  Learn to relax. Muscular relaxation removes fatigue, both physical and mental.
  Learn to practice. If you find a thing hard to do, but desirable, devise exercises.
  Imitate good role models. Surround yourself with people whom you want to resemble in given qualities; avoid the others.
  Increase your physical and mental lightness. Most people walk too heavily, think too heavily, play too heavily.
  Establish good motivation principles. Be sure your ruling motives are good. Do not allow self to impel you by permitting yourself to indulge resentment, envy, jealousy, hatred, etc.
  Establish healthy relations with other people, morally and socially.
  Establish a healthy philosophy of living. Have a good goal. You may chance it occasionally, but be sure of what you want to accomplish today, tomorrow, next month and in ten years.

Top ↑

Training in Self-Mastery
Edna Lister outline

  Be the master of self.
  Rule and direct self with an iron hand.
  Be an inspiration to everyone about you.
  Be absolutely free from all that is undesirable.
  Exercise your absolute liberty to express the highest.
  Inspire the finest and best.
  Make friends who have self control.
  Naturally avoid all that is undesirable.
  Have great distaste for all that is undesirable.
  Have every cell of your being divinely contented.
  Have every cell of your being divinely satisfied.
  Have every cell of your being divinely peaceful.
  Be thoroughly normal and conscious of health and strength.
  Love to be known as a temperate person.
  Be free from all troubles and forget them.
  Have a pure, clean mind.
  Have high ideals and live up to them.
  Have most radiant health and strength.
  Be temperate in all things.
  Have a vital, absolute Divine determination.
  Be a master over your self and achieve.

Top ↑

Training in Joy Consciousness
Edna Lister outline

  Just be glad! “All things respond to the call of rejoicing; all things gather where life is a joy.”–Christian D. Larson
  Strive to be pleased, and yet poised.
  Strive to be gay, and yet calm.
  Strive to be delighted, and yet serene.
  Strive to be exhilarated, and yet tranquil.
  Strive to be animated, and yet still within.
  Strive to be happy, and yet have interior quiet.
  Strive to be full of joy, and deep peace.
  Strive to rejoice with my whole heart, and yet express self-control.
  Strive to radiate, inspire and infect others with your gladness, delight, joy,cheerfulness, felicity, gaiety, happiness, good nature, exaltation, and kindly humor.
  Strive to visualize myself as typifying Joy:
  Strive to make your face animated and smiling, yet peaceful.
  Strive to make your eyes enraptured with happiness.
  Strive to make your voice cheerful and full of felicity.
  Strive to make your carriage firm and erect, expressing exaltation.
  Strive to make your step elastic and buoyant, yet poised. Strive to be apt to unconsciously burst into song.
  Strive to make your whole being show the serene rapture and welling up of joy in my soul.

Top ↑

Training in Poise
Edna Lister outline

  Strive to have deep poise and harmony.
  Strive to be calm and deeply happy.
  Strive to be full of peace, yet radiate joy.
  Strive to be tranquil and glad.
  Strive to be serene and have unfailing good will.
  Strive to be deliberate and considerate.
  Strive to be unhurried.
  Strive to utterly ignore the unpleasant.
  Strive to be indifferent to all that is annoying.
  Strive to have great confidence.
  Strive to be full of deep trust.
  Strive to feel absolute assurance.
  Strive to have true balance.
  Strive to be spiritually ballasted.
  Strive to have sound common sense.
  Strive to use good judgment.
  Strive to be rested and restful in achieving.
  Strive to have perfect freedom.
  Strive to have a keen sense of true proportion.
  Strive to have right perspective.
  Strive to understand relative values.
  Strive to have a clear, intelligent grasp of every situation.
  Strive to be cool, steady, consistent and dependable.
  Strive to radiate, inspire and infect others with your peace, serenity, stillness, balance, reliability, assurance, efficiency, calmness, tranquility, quietness, poise, confidence, trustworthiness, and steadfastness.

Top ↑

Prayer: Your Magnetic Power
Edna Lister outline, June 17, 1932, Durban, South Africa

  God is the animating Spirit that quickens and enlivens the manifest universe. You may not use a term that expresses the manifest physical world when you are referring to God, who is the immaterial invisible spiritual Being of Supernal Light. Nature, as a manifestation of God, cannot logically or accurately express that which is not manifest. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”–John 4:24.
  The youth of today are largely materialists and hedonists who argue that the desire for pleasure is only natural and therefore, a part of their nature. Hedonism teaches the doctrine that pleasure is the chief end of life. In fact, hedonism is the Greek word for pleasure, ἡδονή. The hedonist philosophy was formed into dogma by Aristippus (c. 435–356 BC) of Cyrene in North Africa, who founded the Cyrenaic or Hedonist School there. Hedonism is the foundation of the utilitarian doctrine of Jeremy Bentham, who wrote, “Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain, and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do.” To teach the doctrine of hedonism—that the physical body should dictate to the soul—is a spiritual anathema!

  God made you, the living soul that you are, of His spiritual substance, perfect, whole and complete, untouched by anything of the outer world. Spirit cannot be touched, separated or divided; only physical matter can be perceived and dealt with through the senses. The substance of Spirit is supernal, invisible and divine, comprehensible only through the mind as the knowing, thinking facet of the soul.
  Truth is the basis of prayer to which you can turn forever: “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”–Matthew 21:22. If I then intelligently ask for anything on earth, it is already in my hand, in the invisible substance of Light, before I have finished speaking. “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”–Isaiah 65:24. Do not ask again or repeatedly for the answer to your prayer, but believe forever that you already have it. Then release Light as love, thank God that you have it now, and let it become visible! Whenever you recall the need, release a little more love, and praise God without ceasing. “Let it become visible. Open my eyes to see it. Let it come to pass! Thank Thee, thank Thee, thank Thee, Father, that this miracle has already come to pass!” Pray, believe, and thank God.
  These three laws go together as an integrated set: 1. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”–Matthew 6:33. 2. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”–Luke 6:38. 3. “Love is the fulfilling of the law.”–Romans 13:10. Integrate yourself with these laws by declaring, “I am in the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom is within me, and all things else shall be added unto me! Thank Thee, Father!”
  Always take your mind off the world of appearances before offering prayer or any healing treatments. Release love constantly, and know that no matter the appearance of the situation, you are living in the inner kingdom of love now. When you have released enough love, which is Light as divine substance, you shall have everything for which you have prayed. Praise condenses heavenly substance and brings it into visibility. Your words of praise are the perfect way to set the stage for God to accomplish miracles through you!
  Now is always God’s perfect time to let you have your heart and soul’s desire. Take any setback, whatever it is, on the chin, gracefully. Separate the blow from your confidence, and examine it to garner every grain of truth and wisdom it may impart. Use every delay and obstacle as a guide, a measuring rod of progress, but first and always, give it to God in prayer.
  The Master said, “He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”–John 14:12. To this law you may add, “if you follow me, live by the laws I have taught and assume the responsibilities that I did, you become personally responsible.” This is how our Lord speaks to us.
  Your truth statements must be of two types, general and specific. Specific statements can be as follows: “I, (Name), am ready for my teacher, ready for my mate, for companionship, for perfection. I am now ready for my very own. Nothing can touch me that does not belong to me. Only my own can come to me. I, (Name) am coming into my very own inheritance. I am ready for my life’s work. I am accepting my new position, my promotion, an increase in salary. I am accepting perfect health, to give perfect service. I am filled with the life of God, with peace, with poise, filled, ready, and accepting. I am receiving. I am building my new eyes. I am praising and loving God. I am praising Him for the world. I am praising and loving my family. I am praising and loving my new position while building my new physical body according to God’s perfect design and plan for me.”
  To yourself, say, “Name, you are now building your new body, your body consists of pure spiritual substance. Your heart, your eyes, etc. consist of spiritual substance.”
  Answers to questions from the audience:
  To train a disorderly, messy child, say, “John, you are God’s orderly child. You are whole and complete in your attentions to details.”
  For a boy who was having trouble in school: “Bill, your behavior is perfect. You are filled with radiant Light now and always. You have the capacity to know anything that any teacher knows. You can learn to do anything you are asked to do.”
  For your work or business, say, “This is God’s perfect business. I am now filled with life and Light, with completeness. I express poise and assurance. I am now drawing to me all that I need. God’s business has thousands of new customers who are eager to contract with and buy from us.”
  If you need a raise, say, “Thank You, Father, that I am now receiving my increase in salary. I am now accepting my new position. I am now a radiant Light of God’s power of love.”
  When a thought of fear, lack or doubt crosses your mind, see the Master on the Mount of Transfiguration. Praise God, then make your statements loaded with more power of love, put more emphasis into them. Speak aloud and sometimes you may even shout, which releases the power of love more dynamically. One woman told me that she goes to the ladies’ room at work and runs the water while she makes declarations for her boss and co-workers. Use definite tones of command, intense conviction, and use the name of the person you are treating.
  General healing statements are also necessary. “My body is now the temple of the living God and God is in His Holy temple. God is in the midst of me, healing me. Every cell in my body is now filled with the life of God, is now alive and alight and alert with the life of God. Every cell that my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be surrounded by a wall of love, shall be melted and dissolved, and absorbed, and made into spiritual substance. If I go to the uttermost parts of the earth Thou art there, even to the utmost depths. There is no place I can touch that Thou art not there.” Search the Scriptures, especially Psalms and Proverbs, for good statements you can make.
  For relief from a trying situation, to emancipate yourself from some condition, or to attain a new position, say, “Thy kingdom is now come. Thy will is now done in me and in my affairs.” You may use rhythmic general statements, such as “I am that radiant life, I AM.” Or use such terms as Light, power, love, strength, health, joy, and so on. Another example of using rhythm for a general statement is, “I am releasing the power of love, and it goes forth to melt, dissolve and absorb all darkness, and to establish perfection everywhere.”
  Some teachers use and teach the rhythm of nine repetitions, which releases a universal vibration for the world, not the individual. I use groups of three, such as, “Let there be peace. Let there be peace. Let there be peace. Let there be love. Let there be love. Let there be love.” The vibration of three unifies body, emotions and mind. Use such statements as these as often as you can. If you can use them ten thousand times a day, so much the better to train your subconscious mind into new positive ways of expressing.
  Do not use denials such as I am not. If you unconsciously use one, quickly follow it with a strong and positive statement. Fear is faith inverted, and the lack of wisdom, so the beginning of wisdom comes with the end of fear. To rid the mind of fear, say, “I, (Name) am filled with the confidence of God. I am overflowing with the trust of God. I am expressing perfect wisdom, confidence, assurance, and perfect faith.”

Top ↑

Prayer: Your Magnetic Power
Edna Lister outline, August 5, 1932, Johannesburg, South Africa, Matthew 6:33, Luke 6:38, Romans 13:10

  “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”–Matthew 6:33.
  “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”–Luke 6:38.
  “Love is the fulfilling of the law.”–Romans 13:10.
  The basis of prayer, to which you can turn forever, is “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”–Matthew 21:22. If you then ask intelligently for anything on earth, the invisible substance of it is in your hand. Do not ask again, but know forever that you already have it. Then release love, thank God that you have it now, and let it become visible. Continue releasing a little more love, and praise without ceasing: “Let it become visible. Open my eyes to see it. Let it come to pass.” Pray, believing, and thank God for it.
  Three laws apply when we consider prayer: 1. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”–Matthew 6:33. 2. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”–Luke 6:38. 3. “Love is the fulfilling of the law.”–Romans 13:10. You can integrate yourself with these laws by declaring, “I am in the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom is within me, and all things else shall be added unto me.”
  Always take your mind off the world of appearances before offering prayer or healing treatments. Release love always, and know that no matter the appearance of the situation, you are living in the inner kingdom of love. When you have released enough love, which is divine substance, you shall have everything for which you have prayed. Praise condenses divine substance and brings it into visibility.
  Now is always God’s perfect time to let you have you heart and soul’s desire, when you have offered sufficient praise and fervent prayer. Take any setback, whatever it is, on the chin. Separate the blow from your confidence, and examine it. Use every delay and obstacle as a guide, a measuring rod of progress, but always give it to God in prayer.
  The Master promised, “He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”–John 14:12. To this law you may add this qualifier, “If you follow, live by my laws and assume the responsibilities that I did, you become personally responsible.” Ever-increasing responsibility is the yardstick for measuring your progress in soul conquering.
  Take your mind off the world of appearances, always, and release love, which is divine substance, always. Know that you are living in the inner kingdom. When you have released enough love, you shall have everything for which you have prayed. Praise condenses divine substance and brings it into visibility. It is always God’s perfect time to let you have anything you unselfishly want.
  Your statements must be both specific and general. Sometimes you may need to speak aloud and emphatically, which releases the Power more dynamically. Use definite tones of command with intense conviction, and name the person you treat. When thoughts of fear, lack or doubt cross your mind, put more Power, more emphasis into your statements.

Top ↑

The Law of the Spiritual Breath
Edna Lister outline, November 1932, Tacoma, WA, Luke 11:9-10

  “And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”–Luke 11:9-10
  You’ve been thinking of your sick body, have you not? You say that you cannot help it, but you can help it. Yes, you can; but not simply by trying to think of something else. Something greater must lift you into a new state of consciousness.
  Willingness: The simplest way to get away from your old, tired, limited self is to desire to do so, especially by understanding of the law of spiritual breath. When desire is wholehearted, it of itself attracts on every level of your consciousness. If your desire is too positive a state of consciousness for your state of limitation, at least declare: “I am willing to be a channel through which heavenly power flows.”
  Willingness is a state of receptivity. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Open that I may come in. Open! Be receptive. Meditate on this marvelous word. Open! Think on the glorified body of Jesus as something you, too, can create. Think on the fullness of his expression. Keep before your mind's eye a mental vision the likeness of Jesus kneeling in Gethsemane, the Light from on high permeating and glorifying his whole being, ever with the perception that as you open yourself to the powers of Truth you also will grow into his image and likeness.
  Remember that God breathed into man the breath of life and he became a living soul. Remember also that Jesus breathed upon his disciples and they received the Holy Ghost. Then breathe long, deeply, gratefully, recognizingly of God’s air. I say breathe recognizingly, because the simplest breath you take is the breath of God, but it is in your conscious acceptation of it that the power lies.
  Recognition: Then, too, if you remember that the body is not a time-worn garb but a flowing garment, building, dying, passing off daily from the Spirit that inhabits it, you will learn the lesson of giving each little cell of it as it is born and incorporates itself with the rest of your body the vitalizing power of breath and the positive power of thought.
  Relaxation: If you’ve lived under the thought of limitation, either lack of health, supply, love, joy, harmony, or contentment, you have been on a tension in both mind and body. Let go. Lie down without a pillow or take an easy chair with a headrest. Tighten every muscle of your body as rigidly as you can. Then let go. Do this several times until you feel your body consciously relaxing under the influence of your mind. It may be difficult, but the only body you can forget is the relaxed body, so practice. Close your eyes and mouth and rest.
  Inhale a breath so deep that all the muscles of your abdomen expand. Inhale very, very slowly at the same time saying quietly to yourself the words I AM the Breath of God! Having filled your lungs to the utmost capacity on a count of eight, hold the breath for a count of eight and then as evenly, as slowly as you inhaled, exhale ona count of eight.
  Here a new difficulty may arise, for you will want to exhale with a rush. But you will build strength by your of the mastery of the outgoing breath. Remember that Jesus breathed on his disciples. Exhale on a count of eight. Practice patiently and correctly. As you exhale affirm what you desire, say the word health for well-being; harmony if peace; understanding if openness or expansion of vision; spirit if love; abundance if freedom from lack; sleep if insomnia is your limitation. Use the perfect word that you wish to be one with in spirit and desire to be in form.
  Inhale while counting to eight. Hold your breath while you count to eight. Exhale while counting to eight, then hold your breath as you again count to eight. Having established your rhythm, use words instead of numbers.
  Loyalty permits no disloyalty. If just one person will stand with God, then the family or social group of which he is a member will see the quality of his loyalty. He who is truly loyal to God never excuses, justifies or qualifies his statements of truth. You can know the degree of a person’s sincerity by experiencing or witnessing his occasions of insincerity.
  In judging yourself, you must know that you are loving as God loves. The love that you give acts as a magnetic vibration, attracting and returning your own soul substance to you. This is how love fulfills the law through you. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”–1 John 4:20. To love your brother truly, you must keep in step with him, and you must serve him.
  Love is the flame of life within you. Love burns the dross of self up to the surface, and unless you lift the heaviness of the self, giving it to God, love may burn out your body. Love draws what you need to you, magnetically because it attracts your own soul substance from the world of invisible substance. Love is also a facet of Power. Another may assault you with Power as force, through hatred, criticism, or condemnation. You can convert any force someone sends your way into harmlesss energy; however, you must be a powerful agent to transmute the negative force into positive love.
  A blacksmith, for example, works the iron he is forging by heating and hammering it to reduce the amount of carbon in it, which makes it brittle. He hammers it to crack off the dross, which strengthens it. You must use the hammer of love against the anvil of soul. Love breaks down all barriers between you and God, or between you and others. Love is passive on the outer plane of consciousness, but intense activity on the inner. How great is your love? Do you love God more today than you did yesterday?

Top ↑