Ernest Holmes, the founder of the New Thought movement and author of The Science of Mind (1938), drew inspiration from a variety of philosophical and spiritual traditions to create a framework for understanding the creative power of thought and its connection to divine principles. While Holmes did not explicitly cite Zoroastrianism as a source of his teachings, many of his core ideas reflect Zoroastrian principles, suggesting that the ancient Persian religion indirectly shaped his worldview through its profound influence on global consciousness.
This article explores the connections between Zoroastrian thought and Ernest Holmes’ Science of Mind, illustrating how the spiritual principles of truth, cosmic order, and the creative power of thought traveled through history and inspired a modern philosophy of mental and spiritual empowerment.
1. Zoroastrian Dualism and Holmes’ Concept of Universal Law
- Zoroastrianism: The teachings of Zoroaster emphasize the cosmic struggle between asha (truth and order) and druj (falsehood and chaos). Humans are tasked with choosing asha through good thoughts (humata), good words (hukhta), and good deeds (hvarshta), aligning themselves with Ahura Mazda’s divine will.
- Ernest Holmes: In The Science of Mind, Holmes writes extensively about the importance of aligning with the Universal Mind, a creative force governed by immutable laws. He emphasizes that our thoughts, words, and actions must harmonize with divine principles to manifest positive outcomes.
- “We are surrounded by an Infinite Possibility. It is goodness, life, law, and reason.” (The Science of Mind, p. 29)
- Parallelism: Both Zoroastrianism and Holmes emphasize the human responsibility to align with cosmic truth and the natural order. This alignment, for Holmes, activates the creative process inherent in the Universal Mind.
2. The Creative Power of Thought
- Zoroastrianism: The concept of vohu manah (good mind) highlights the creative power of righteous thoughts. Zoroastrians believe that the mind, when aligned with asha, participates in the ongoing creation and maintenance of cosmic order.
- Ernest Holmes: Holmes posits that thought is a creative force capable of shaping reality:
- “The Universal Mind contains all knowledge. It is the potential ultimate of all things. To it, all things are possible.” (The Science of Mind, p. 66)
- Parallelism: The Zoroastrian emphasis on vohu manah as a co-creative force aligns directly with Holmes’ assertion that mental alignment with the Universal Mind is the key to manifesting a harmonious life.
3. Unity and the Universal Spirit
- Zoroastrianism: Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord, represents an omnipresent, all-encompassing divine intelligence. Everything in the universe exists as an emanation of this singular source.
- Ernest Holmes: Holmes echoes this idea by describing the Universal Mind as the source of all creation:
- “There is One Life, that Life is God, and that Life is our life now.” (The Science of Mind, p. 402)
- Parallelism: Both Zoroastrianism and Holmes emphasize the unity of all existence, with individuals capable of realizing their divine nature through spiritual understanding.
4. Ethics and Practical Spirituality
- Zoroastrianism: Ethical living is central to Zoroastrian practice, encapsulated in the triad of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. This practical approach to spirituality ensures that individuals contribute to the cosmic battle against druj.
- Ernest Holmes: Holmes focuses on practical spirituality, encouraging individuals to apply spiritual principles to their everyday lives to create tangible results:
- “We must constructively use the law of mind… for no matter what the intellect tells us, we shall receive that which our thoughts embody.” (The Science of Mind, p. 288)
- Parallelism: Both traditions advocate for an applied spirituality that connects internal alignment with external action.
5. Eschatology and Evolution of Consciousness
- Zoroastrianism: The ultimate goal of creation, according to Zoroastrianism, is Frashokereti, the renewal of the world where good triumphs over evil, and all souls are purified.
- Ernest Holmes: Holmes envisioned humanity’s evolution toward a state of perfect spiritual alignment, where individuals realize their inherent divinity and manifest a harmonious world:
- “The goal of evolution is the manifestation of the perfection already inherent in life.” (The Science of Mind, p. 388)
- Parallelism: Both traditions see the world as moving toward a divine renewal, guided by human alignment with higher principles.
6. Freedom of Choice and Responsibility
- Zoroastrianism: Humans possess free will, a gift from Ahura Mazda, and are tasked with choosing between asha and druj. Their choices determine the state of their souls and the world.
- Ernest Holmes: Holmes highlights the power of free will in shaping reality, stating that individuals are responsible for their thoughts and actions:
- “Man’s mind is an outlet through which the creative intelligence of the universe seeks fulfillment.” (The Science of Mind, p. 124)
- Parallelism: Both systems emphasize the individual’s responsibility in shaping their destiny through conscious choice.
Mechanisms of Influence: Zoroastrianism’s Journey to Holmes
The principles of Zoroastrianism traveled through history via the Achaemenid Empire’s influence on Greek thought, the incorporation of Zoroastrian ideas into Jewish and early Christian theology, and the eventual blending of these ideas into Western esoteric traditions. Ernest Holmes, drawing from these esoteric traditions and the writings of philosophers like Emerson and Plotinus, inherited Zoroastrian-inspired concepts indirectly.
Key Transmission Pathways:
- Greek Philosophy: Zoroastrian dualism influenced figures like Pythagoras and Plato, whose ideas on metaphysics and cosmic harmony shaped Western thought.
- Christian Mysticism: Zoroastrian eschatology and ethics informed early Christian theology, which later influenced Holmes’ spiritual framework.
- Esoteric Traditions: Theosophy and transcendentalism, both significant in the New Thought movement, incorporated Zoroastrian-inspired ideas about divine order and the power of thought.
Zoroastrian Wisdom in Modern Spirituality
Ernest Holmes’ Science of Mind reflects a profound resonance with Zoroastrian principles, whether through direct influence or the echoes of Zoroastrian thought in the esoteric traditions he studied. The duality of thought, the creative power of the mind, and the unity of divine order are universal truths that Zoroastrianism articulated thousands of years ago and that Holmes reimagined for a modern audience.
Through Zoroastrianism’s enduring legacy, Holmes’ teachings demonstrate how ancient wisdom can inspire new frameworks for understanding the relationship between humanity and the divine.
References:
- Holmes, Ernest. The Science of Mind. 1938.
- Boyce, Mary. Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. 1979.
- Dhalla, Maneckji Nusservanji. Zoroastrian Theology. 1914.
- Insler, Stanley. The Gathas of Zarathushtra: Hymns in Praise of Wisdom. 1975.
- Armstrong, Karen. The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions. 2006.