How I Used Truth - Lesson 10 - Annotation 2
What is demonstration, and how is it made?
2. The word demonstration as used in the text (How I Used Truth 97) refers to the showing forth of some divine idea or spiritual principle. Demonstration is good made manifest in mind, body, or affairs. One person may demonstrate good judgment so that it shows forth as keenness, efficiency, positiveness, and divine order. In another the principle of life is demonstrated as health, vitality, and strength of body. In yet another person the idea of abundance is demonstrated as prosperity and success in business affairs.
Webster's dictionary points out that the word demonstrate comes from the Latin word demonstrare, meaning "to show." The word demonstrate is defined as "To show outwardly or by sign; to give visible evidence of; to manifest, display." Strictly speaking, we are always demonstrating whatever we have in our consciousness.
"For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known" (Matt. 10:26).
If we have good thoughts, then we will demonstrate or show forth good things and conditions. On the other hand, if we hold negative, anxious thoughts or beliefs, then by this same law of demonstration we will bring forth corresponding things and conditions. A "spiritual demonstration" (referred to at the opening of the chapter for this lesson) is definitely the result of consciously applying spiritual principles or divine ideas such as faith, power, and imagination, to a desired end.
If a salesman makes a demonstration of an automobile, a vacuum cleaner or any type of machinery, for a prospective customer, he explains how the different parts of the mechanism have their place in the effective working of the machine. He demonstrates the purpose of each part and its relation to the other parts. The salesman then indicates how correct operation depends on the coordination of all the parts of the machine. In other words, he demonstrates the principle that is back of the machine.
A "spiritual demonstration" is made in much the same way. We first become acquainted with God as Creative Mind. We come to recognize our relation to Him and the divine ideas that make up His nature of Absolute Good. The value and character of these ideas have to be understood. Then, step by step, we consciously use them by applying the law of mind action according to the inherent law governing each idea specifically.
"Divine Mind first images the idea, then perceives its fulfillment. Man, acting in co-operation with Divine Mind, places himself under this same creative law and
 thus brings his ideas into manifestation.
"The idea is the directing and controlling power. Every idea has a specific function to perform" (Mysteries of Genesis 20-21).
Through the prompting of desire we turn to God in prayer for the idea (principle) that we wish to demonstrate or manifest. We dwell upon the idea until its character is clear to us. It may even be necessary to cleanse our mind by denial of any beliefs that are contrary to the idea. Then, in order to train our mind, we begin our work of identification with the idea by affirming it. Faith sustains our affirmation and calls the power of imagination into activity, so that we are able to conceive of ourselves as demonstrating this particular good.
For example, we may take the idea of life, or the life principle as we sometimes refer to it. Knowing God as life and the Source of all life, we deny that we are subject to limitations in health, strength, vitality, or wholeness, and affirm their presence in us as our divine heritage.
But there is more than just the work of our intellect to be done. No matter how clearly the intellect may have grasped the truth of our right to life in its fullness, we have to begin to feel (in the subconscious or feeling nature) the truth back of the words ive have affirmed. Then the Spirit of God, inherent in the life idea, makes of our affirmation the true "spoken word" that is accepted by the subconscious, which demonstrates what has been spoken.
In the Annotations for Lesson Two of How I Used Truth, a quotation from the book Jesus Christ Heals (page 175) states that for success in demonstration we need to persist in our mental work. Results are neither effective nor permanent if we do not "hold to the Truth" through the various processes at our command. As we take definite, persistent control of our mind activities we begin to feel the truth of the statement we make. Thus we reach the goal of "spiritual demonstration."
"But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it" (Rom. 8:25).
In How I Used Truth Lesson 9 Annotation 2, the seven "steps" of creation are outlined. When we take these "steps," demonstration or manifestation in the realm of visibility follows as a natural sequence in the creative process. All that we do in mind concerning ideas is part of the expression phase that eventually leads to manifestation in the outer which we term demonstration.
We may sum up the subject of demonstration by saying: Demonstration is Truth understood, realized in our consciousness, and applied in our daily living.
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Preceding Entry: What is meant by absolute Truth?
Following Entry: What is the primary cause of failure, poverty, sickness, and death?
