The Law of Substitution

We cannot think about two things at the same time.

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church in Philippi, Greece, instructing them in various matters. He concludes by instructing the members on how to direct their thoughts, that is, as gatekeepers of their minds, allow only thoughts of a certain nature to enter, to be given access.

Those thoughts should be characterized by truth, honesty, justice, purity, loveliness, good repute, virtue, and praise. All else should be locked out.

The Law of Substitution is a principle of the way our minds function which enables us as gatekeepers to prevent negative thoughts from taking root. As we develop the habit of continually monitoring our minds for negative thoughts, in parallel we must develop the habit of substituting positive thoughts and thereby crushing the power they have to prevent us from living up to our potential.

These are instructions for how to live in the Way of Love. As in Scroll II, our life in Harmony means to live in the Way of Love, which is to look on all things in love. Turning the hearts of enemies through praise. Our words become the hands of the surgeon to change outcomes because they are words of love.

As in Og’s scroll II, we look at love as a weapon to open hearts, so also love acts as a shield against anger and hate, adversity and discouragement. We are to respond to aggression by turning the other cheek, not by returning aggression.

Substitution is an important tool as we learn to distract our mind from pursuing a path of negativity. Our minds release neurochemicals which continue to be released as we allow our minds to pursue negativity. When the negative emotions are removed, the thought loses its power.

Scroll II closes with the declaration that we do not have time to hate, only to love. If our lives are consumed with negativity toward ourselves and/or others, time for love is diminished and crowded out. Dwelling on the negative detracts from the opportunity for love in our lives.