We have been focused on the power of the Master Mind over the last few weeks.  In his best-selling book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill encouraged everyone to use the “Power of the Master Mind” through “coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose.”  Hill took this principle from Matthew 18:12, when Jesus said “where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”

The late Jack Boland, who was the spiritual leader of the Church of Today in Warren, Michigan, taught even more about the Master Mind concept and created the following Eight Master Minds Steps.

Master Mind Principle One:  “I Surrender.”  In John 5:30, Jesus said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”

I surrender — not by resisting change but by accepting all of the good that the universe has in store for me.

I surrender  — not by drowning in the self-pity of doubt but by being patient, by trusting that all things are working together for my good in perfect, divine order.

I surrender — not by holding onto what once was but by releasing old habits and patterns, by letting go of any criticism that I have of myself, by stepping out of the shackles of the past.

Master Mind Principle Two: “I Believe.”  In Mark 9:23, Jesus says “All things are possible to him that believeth.”  But the question is what do you believe in?  Do you believe that you are a spiritual being, living in a limitless Spiritual Universe, endowed with the whole potential energy flow of the Universe?  Do you believe that you are not only human but divine?  Do you believe that you are not too old, not too technologically illiterate, not too busy, not too be the change that you want to see take place in the world?  When you believe, you know that even before you formulate a desire, it is the universe in you desiring.  When you believe, you know that when you have a need, the answer is already moving towards you.  When you believe, you know that before you call, Spirit, God, Buddha, Jesus, Source, Abundance — whatever you call the Divine — will answer.

Master Mind Principle Three: “I Am Ready.”  Readiness is an active state of consciousness.  I have talked the talk, and now I am ready to move beyond what I used to be into what I long to become.  I have had the experience of living in the wilderness of doubt; the wilderness of fear; the wilderness of shame; the wilderness of revenge; the wilderness of lack. But I am ready now.  The beauty of life in the wilderness is that it taught us to appreciate the Promised Land.  It shows us where we don’t want to be — so that we can be in the consciousness that pulls us towards change.

Master Mind Principle Four: “I Decide To Change My Life.”  “I make a decision to surrender my will and my life to the master mind.  I ask to be changed at depth.”  I choose to realize my divine connection to the inexhaustible source of the universe. I choose to relax and let go.  I don’t worry about what I used to do or who I use to be.  I expand in the unlimited consciousness of who I AM.

Master Mind Principle Five: “I Forgive.”  Someone once described anger directed towards someone else as swallowing a bottle of poison – and waiting for the other person to die.  When we condemn someone, we don’t punish them; we punish ourselves.

When we don’t forgive, we put up a barrier in our consciousness that cuts off the flow of our connection to  Source.  But when we forgive, release and let go of the past — we push past our self-imposed boundaries and start evolving from Spirit’s unlimited source of divine possibilities.

Master Mind Principle  Six: “I Ask.”  I ask – because I could never accomplish what Spirit can do for me.  I ask – knowing that Spirit will bless me beyond my wildest dreams.

I ask for the unborn to manifest in this existence.  I ask to give birth to those possibilities that I have not yet embraced.  I ask for the unseen to reveal itself to me.  I ask and my request itself becomes the catalyst of my change.

I ask, and I receive.

Master Mind Principle Seven is “I give thanks that the Master Mind is responding to my needs, and I assume the same feelings as if my requests were fulfilled.”  “I assume the same feelings as if my requests were fulfilled.”

I am grateful — or great-filled — because I know that I have been blessed.

I am great-filled because I know that whatever I ask for, I will receive.  I am great-filled because I know that I don’t have to beg God; I don’t have to cajole; I don’t have to plead – because nothing and no one can keep my good from me.

Master Mind Principle Eight: “I Dedicate My Life.”  I recognize my covenant with Spirit as the Master Mind: the creative process that gives us the strength, the power, the intelligence to manifest a successful and happy life — but not just for my individual goals.

What I desire means nothing if I don’t serve others.

I dedicate my life to giving, and I go forth with a new energy of enthusiasm, excitement and expectancy.