Returning with Gratitude: A Reflection on New Thought and Liberation Theology

I want to start with a simple and heartfelt apology. I have not been writing for this space for the past month, and for those of you who have been following along, I recognize that absence. I have spent the majority of my time here reading other authors, and thought leaders. No excuses—just an acknowledgment that I value this community and the conversations we engage in here. I’m grateful for your patience, and I’m excited to step back into this dialogue with renewed energy.

During this time, I’ve been reflecting deeply on the role of New Thought in today’s world—not just as a personal philosophy of empowerment, but as a movement that calls us into collective liberation. This reflection has been influenced by the work of Rev. Dr. David Alexander and the profound ways in which Liberation Theology and a mature understanding of New Thought are not just compatible, but essential to one another.

New Thought, at its core, teaches that our consciousness shapes our experience. For many, this has been interpreted through the lens of personal manifestation—how we, as individuals, can create lives of abundance, joy, and wholeness. But if we follow this thread deeper, we realize that our consciousness does not exist in isolation. We are part of a collective, a shared field of experience.

A mature understanding of New Thought recognizes that spiritual principle is not just about personal success; it is about the liberation of all people from suffering, oppression, and limitation. If we truly believe in the power of consciousness to transform reality, then we must ask: How are we applying these principles beyond ourselves?

This is where Liberation Theology enters the conversation.

Liberation Theology and the Call to Collective Awakening

Liberation Theology, as it emerged in Christian and Catholic traditions, centers on the belief that spiritual practice must actively engage with the realities of oppression and injustice. It asserts that faith is not just about personal salvation—it is about creating a world where all people can thrive.

While New Thought has often been seen as distinct from Liberation Theology, Rev. Dr. David Alexander and others have been articulating a vision that brings these two streams together. His work challenges us to see New Thought not just as a philosophy of self-improvement, but as a transformative force for collective justice and liberation.

If "thoughts become things" and "consciousness creates experience," then we have a spiritual imperative to bring these principles to the systems, structures, and institutions that shape our world. It is not enough to manifest good for ourselves—we must be committed to the universal good.

New Thought as a Movement for Liberation

Rev. Dr. Alexander has pointed out that New Thought, when fully realized, is inherently a liberation theology. It teaches that:

🔹 Each person is a divine expression and has the right to live in dignity and wholeness.

🔹 Systems of oppression are not divine truth but human constructs that can be transformed.

🔹 Spiritual principle demands action, not just contemplation.

This calls us to a broader understanding of what it means to practice New Thought. It is not just about individual prosperity but about creating a just and thriving world for all.

We are invited to take our spiritual practice beyond our own lives and into conscious activism, compassionate leadership, and a commitment to justice—not out of obligation, but out of the realization that our liberation is interconnected.

Stepping Forward Together

As I return to this space, I do so with a renewed commitment to this conversation: How do we evolve New Thought into its fullest expression? How do we ensure that our spiritual principles lead not just to personal transformation but to collective awakening?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Let’s continue this dialogue together.

P.S. You can pick up a copy of Dr David’s latest book Freedom from Discord: The Promise of a New Thought Liberation Theology by following this link https://amzn.to/4jSAXfs