The following is from Ernest Holmes original Science of Mind Home Study Course from 1939.
"Let's talk about the need to meet situations as they come along, without fear and without in any way trying to avoid them? For every issue of life must be met right where it is, and what is wrong must be made right.
This coming to understand our psychological difficulties, and how to clear the passageway in order that the original source of life may flow through us unobstructed, in its broadest sense, is called self-awareness. It means a clearing up in the mind of the unconscious representations and conflicts which are so deeply buried that we are aware of them only because they echo in everything we do, say, and think. Coming to oneself, coming to awareness, coming to understand why and how we started on the wrong path emotionally, explaining this to the self - this is what is meant by self-awareness.
But self-awareness alone is not enough for this reason: There is an incessant urge back of everything to create, to express life, to come to the gratifications of happiness, peace, joy, and self-expression. Self-awareness is not enough. It is merely clearing the track for right action. Something has to be done with self-awareness. We are not seeking a way to escape from life or living, for this would be the exact opposite of the whole purpose of existence, which is to express the self.
We have hands and feet as well as mind, and unless the hands and feet are employed, together with all other faculties, we shall not come into complete self-expression. This is why physical therapeutics are used. People are told to do something with their hands and feet, to paint pictures, or write poems, or songs, to learn to dance, to have a hobby, to play golf, to enjoy life; all of which means entering the spirit of life and being part of it.
Self-awareness without self-expression can almost as readily produce emotional disturbances as can the lack of self-awareness. It can easily become another frustration, causing the mind to continually revert to itself and become self-centered. Life must be expansive and expressive. One is not happy unless one has a purpose in living.
Too frequently, older people have become frustrated because there is no longer anything to engage their attention. They must find something to take up their time, whether it be gardening or calling on the sick or helping to take care of someone's children. Any activity that engages the attention and produces the gratification of outward self-expression is not only good, but necessary.
We do not teach people to sit still and monotonously repeat God is all there is. For, while it is true that God is all there is, it is also true that God is everything that is. The creative genius of the universe goes forth into action everywhere. There is no monotony in nature. The individual life must avoid monotony and self-centeredness through self-expression.
Consequently, after we have come to self-awareness. We must start expressing ourselves again, no matter what our age. Engage in the joy of living and do it with others. The well-Integrated person gets along with other people, not by tolerance but through cooperation. This is the game of life, and it must be played."
