Insecure thinking is the result of focusing on what has gone wrong, either with us or with things around us. As an example, if you realize a mistake, there are two ways to address it. You can sink into regret and feel bad about yourself and embarrassed to admit it, or you can attempt to ask for help correcting it. We've all seen this or done it: "I can't believe I did that stupid thing. I hope no one noticed. I can't talk about it. I'm so ashamed," etc.&nbs...

Who hasn't experienced periods of feeling entangled in habitual unpleasant thoughts -- maybe worry, or anxiety, or fear, or self-criticism, or pressure to perform, etc.? Who hasn't had periods of feeling haunted or punished by persistent thoughts that limit them -- "I'm not smart enough," "I'm not comfortable talking to strangers," "I'm afraid of heights," "I always mess up under pressure." Everyone has their own collection of such thoughts. We've thought them so often for s...

Central to the understanding of the contribution of the Three Principles to our understanding of mental well-being, ease, and grace in life is Insight. Insight is, literally, "sight from within," a new thought that arises effortlessly, without the effort of "intellectual figuring out." It's a common experience. We have ordinary terms for it. Ideas that came "out of the blue," or "when I wasn't even trying to come up with something," or "as a surprise." It i...

The ease and availability of electronic communication is changing the experience of gatherings. Many groups have stopped holding in-person events, and we are losing touch with the importance and depth of people coming together in one space -- the spiritual connection of a shared feeling. We describe the early days that the first generation of Three Principles students met with Sydney Banks, and why we are inviting people from around the world to join us in August 2026 in Vancouver...

Life is a series of ups and downs for all of us. We have no choice about where and into what era we're born, who we will encounter throughout our lives, and what circumstances we may face. Our navigation system APPEARS to be the thoughts we have about life, but it isn't. Thoughts are the ideas and images we bring to mind, sometimes intentionally, sometimes randomly. But the feelings engendered by our thoughts are the true navigation system. What we make of our th...

Beliefs are thoughts we have taken seriously over time, so that they appear increasingly less malleable and come to look like truths to us. They take on power in our minds. When a group of people share certain beliefs, they drive actions, both good and bad -- for example, placing service to humanity as a priority, or turning away from certain groups of people they consider not deserving of mercy or compassion. Once a thought is entrenched in our minds, it can lead to prejudi...

The essential message we receive from the Principles of Mind, Consciousness, and Thought is that all people, always, have access to insights. But we also have the ability to ignore in-the-moment fresh thoughts when we are caught up in habits or memories. If we start to recognize and trust the ease and certainty we feel when we are guided by the flow of fresh thought, we feel confident and present, even in the face of challenges. We are relying on wisdom beyond our intellect ...

It may seem counterintuitive that we accomplish more and enjoy what we're doing more from a state of ease and a quiet mind. But effort, drive, and urgency come from fear of failure, not from wisdom. Inspiration, fascination, and pleasure in our activities are positive feelings that arise from a quiet mind focused on what we're doing in the present moment. We don't need to create pressure, anxiety, and drive to succeed. We succeed when we are fully engaged and in touch ...

Hope, as we are discussing it here, is not "wishful thinking" or "unrealistic optimism." Hope is a deep, uplifting feeling we have that things will work out fine, regardless of how they may look at the moment and regardless of whether they work out as we may have predicted. People who generally experience hope are buffered from dread or disappointment. The gift hope offers is that it keeps us in the present, accepting life as it unfolds. It allows us to forget about ou...

Without intending to, we often put pressure on ourselves from trying too hard and seeking to achieve goals that may be unreasonable, which amounts to doing more and more and becoming increasingly frustrated. Many "accomplished" people live on the edge of exhaustion and get no joy from what they do. If we turn in the direction we want to go, and then quiet our minds and listen for our own wisdom, we'll see what to do, at what pace, and we'll enjoy the journey as much as appreciatin...