Florence Scovel Shinn (1871–1940)

This phrase might come across as a red flag to a bull to certain people, but I think you can either ‘take it or leave it’ as far as being inspired by the specifically classic/biblical New Thought flavor of Affirmation Florence. On the one hand, she has none of the ‘stinking thinking’ condemnation-is-always-safe, when-in-doubt-condemn, one-good-tribe-hath-the-lord-thy-god-made-and-many-wicked-tribes, so characteristic of the majority of the church. On the other, she certainly is inspired by Bible phrases, and has that classic background to her; it is a sort of evolution, or perhaps rediscovery, of the energy of the Bible. There are also many affirmations on the book, so it’s not all text and description. There are also stories, of course.

One of the stories that struck me was about an animal—although it’s by no means a pagan/polytheist book (“animals as gods” was the title to a book I saw once); that classic New Thought teacher is very One-y and rather abstract, philosophical. But she talked about this sheep dog who corralled a few troublesome sheep into the pen just by not getting excited by them; he just sat down and looked at them, calmly projecting power, until eventually they cooperated. I sorta understood that idea already, but the image was great. And then the other day, I got a little anxious when I was out walking—it’s this old pattern and it’s not surprising, and I sorta understand the reason, although that part is less important—and it’s like there was the thought and here I was; the fear was the sheep and I was the sheep dog, and although there was fear, I felt like I could command my fear. It was great.

…. And then when the sheep is anger, you just gotta sit and look at the sheep: really look at it; stare at it. Just sit down and stare at the sheep.

And I did.

…. I’ll finish it eventually—I’m down to a hundred pages—but sometimes you have to Apply it by actually having thoughts you like, and not just talking about it. I mean, Affirmation Florence is good, but it’s generally pretty abstract stuff. Sometimes it’s good to just read about visiting LA or something. I love my Arthuriana, of course, but sometimes high-flying tragic mythology just makes you curse gods and goddesses, in a way that some LA foodie wouldn’t, you know. It’s also nice to watch the diversities numbers and not be an abandoned pleasure-seeker, you know. Though of course, you also have to remember not to react negatively to the people at the very bottom who see everything as equally bad. They’re sharing the view from their point, and they aren’t and don’t have to be sitting in God’s seat. I’m not the One, either.

…. It’s part of a continuum with Christian psychology, even though I think it’s more application than theory or even religion. The religious language used doesn’t bother me though. If Christians believed that the Invisible God desires to be “glorified” in the visible god, (cf that verse in John), then maybe I would be a Christian, you know.

It’s funny, though, despite the similarity with a particular vein of Christian psychology and religion, when you start to try to improve your own life and disbelieve in any evil coming to you for any length of time, instead of just venting at people and trying to control them, it seems very misleading to call both those things by the same name, really.

…. I admire Affirmation Florence for having the feel of visual art appreciation; I was never able to look at someone and think, ‘They’re like a painting of so-and-so.’ Mostly I just got from the books a sense that the scientist writing it didn’t want me to understand, didn’t want to feel beauty, didn’t want to be part of work, the non-academic work that brings wealth—ordinary work, ordinary pleasure. It would be like eating fur or something to them. Anyway. People should write art books with little stories or anecdotes, or perhaps philosophies and meditations. With apology to the therapists and clients or whatever, I shouldn’t have to sit here and listen to “You make me feel like I’m eating fur because you’re not Professor Binns.”

…. But it’s fine; it’s all fine. Life is supposed to be challenging—it’s what makes it fun. As a Six I have a tendency to think that I just need to bunker down and figure it out in safety, you know: but really one of the things to learn is the mystery that a certain amount of tension, imperfection, and even apparent failure is necessary to a greater good, you know. A lot that we don’t know is necessary. Even a certain luxury is necessary, really.

…. Sometimes even when we heal ourselves, we think it something of a mystery, forgetting that it is clearly the result of our having trusted.… (mais)

I read this book on the recommendation of a friend who knows I'm getting more into spirituality and mindfulness. I've seen it compared to The Secret which I've never read so have no way to compare them. It's basically the Law of Attraction and manifestation from a Christian/Bible scripture perspective. Originally published in 1925, it's short and easy to read. This seems to be a love it or hate it book. I'm not particularly religious so that part I can't comment on. I do believe there is power in positive thinking and liked those parts. Your mileage will vary.… (mais)

It’s wonderful to be able to read a "new” book by Florence Scovel Schinn; the manuscript was discovered in 2012 and sent to Louise Hay for publication.

It is a beautiful little book with pages of different colours, and photographs.

Florence tells us that one way to cultivate intuition is to say before sleeping “In the morning I’ll know just what to do”.

“Prayer is telephoning to God, and intuition is God telephoning to you.”

“I now change all enemies into friends, All inharmony into harmony. All injustice into justice.”

She tells us that as the alchemists of old transmuted all base metals into gold (did they actually do this?), you have the power to change all evil into good.

In a chapter on finances, we are told to affirm “God is my supply and big, happy financial surprises now come to me”.

Gratitude is the law of increase and complaint is the law of decrease.

We’re also given many quotes from the Bible, for example, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid” - John 14.27.

As in previous books, the author provides us with many stories from her personal life of how people obtained success by changing their thoughts and words.

On woman had a noticeable and long-standing “flesh growth”, She kept saying “I have perfect faith that God is doing His perfect work”. One day it suddenly disappeared.

We should continuously repeat “A wonderful joy is on its way, and the wonderful joy comes to stay”.

We must live fully in the now to make our dreams come true.

The experiences you meet in life are your own creations.

“Faith is simply knowing that God can do it.”

“According to your faith be it done unto you.” - Matthew 9:29.

The more patient (non-resistant) you are, the quicker the Universe can work and bring you what you desire.”

“The desire of the heart can only be attained through non-resistance.”

When something negative happens, don’t despair, but declare “I baptize it ‘Success’!”

Florence gives us three simple rules; speak the word, follow your hunches, and dig your ditches.

She talks about the fourth-dimensional world, though these days we say we’ve moved into the fifth dimension.

Florence declares: “When you have the fixed idea that there is only One Power in the Universe, all appearances of evil will disappear from your world.”

We have read all the things in this book previously, for example, in the works of Neville, Louise Hay, etc, but Florence Scovel Schinn was one of the first to write metaphysical books of this kind, providing us with these truths, and it is always inspiring to read and re-read her books.

I highly recommend that you read this book.… (mais)