What Is an Affirmation?
An affirmation, in a spiritual context, is a deliberate statement of truth used to align the mind with a greater reality. It is not merely positive thinking, but a conscious declaration that helps redirect the mortal consciousness toward the deeper awareness of who we truly are. When we understand what the affirmation means and repeat it as though we truly mean it, we strengthen our inner focus and clarify our intention. In this way, an affirmation becomes both a reminder and a tool, guiding us back to the spiritual principles that shape our growth. It serves to reaffirm who and what we truly are, and the qualities we seek to express outwardly in the conscious state.
Foundational Reading
The following articles are not required reading; however, they provide a valuable foundation for a fuller understanding of this affirmation and the principles it expresses. Those who choose to review them beforehand may find that the meaning and intent of the affirmation become clearer and more complete as the ideas unfold.
- The Dual Nature of the Human Condition
- The Process of Individualization
- The Law of Karma
- Reincarnation and the Wheel of Life
- The Core of Life
The Affirmation
The affirmation of the Agasha Temple of Wisdom is:
I am master of myself.
I am all powerful, and nothing can come to me of an inferior nature.
I am peace.
I am power.
I am all there is.
The Meaning of the Affirmation
On the surface, the affirmation may seem arrogant or egotistical if taken literally, but a deeper understanding reveals that it is not an expression of the mortal self, but a recognition of the soul’s true nature and its relationship to all that is. With that in mind, let us look more closely at each line of the affirmation, one at a time.
I am master of myself.
I am in control, the one who directs my destiny, not some exterior force, entity, or deity. This does not mean I control every circumstance in the present moment; rather, it is my response to those circumstances that remains within my control. Through that response, guided by the Law of Cause and Effect, I begin to shape and bring about the conditions I will experience in the future.
I am all powerful, and nothing can come to me of an inferior nature.
True power comes from within. I hold the power to create that which I seek to bring into manifestation. Nothing can come to me of an inferior nature unless I have created it or allowed it to enter through my thoughts, choices, or actions.
I am peace.
Peace comes from within, not from an outside source. There is no peace in tomorrow that is not first established today. That peace is realized by turning inward and surrendering to the consciousness of the soul, as the mortal consciousness gives back the gift of free agency to the soul. In that state, I am able to create in a mindful and orderly manner.
I am power.
The power that I am comes from the soul and is expressed through the discernment of choice. I have the power to change and to grow. The power within is a refined power, guided by the wisdom of the soul and the expression of agape.
I am all there is.
Within each of us is a spark of divinity. This spark is the I AM within, the godhead, also referred to in Sanskrit as Brahman. The I AM is the infinite, all-pervading reality that is both the source of all creation and the essence within all things. All that exists is created through this divine essence, and in that sense, all that is can be understood as an expression of the I AM. If I am all there is, then I am fully responsible for all that I create, for all creation arises from this same source.
If I am all there is and I am, and you are all there is and you are, then we are participating in a shared reality. A great responsibility follows. Any love or harm expressed toward another not only reflects back upon the one who gives it, but also ripples through this shared consciousness, affecting the whole. This responsibility should remain in the forefront of our awareness with every breath we take. I am a part, and yet I am whole within that part.
How to Use This Affirmation
Say the affirmation with sincerity. Say it with conviction. Say it as though you truly believe it. There is no exact or prescribed time or method for using this affirmation; what matters is the consistency of the practice and the understanding behind the words. The author of this discourse uses it upon waking in the morning, as the last thought before sleep, and again before entering daily meditation. Over time, the repetition of this affirmation helps establish a deeper awareness, allowing its meaning to move beyond words and become a living presence within one’s consciousness.
As you say your affirmation, the universe will bring to you the opportunities to be those things that you declare to be in your affirmation. It is up to you to take advantage of those opportunities, for if you do not, they will pass.
“I am master of myself.” Indeed you are, but to understand, you must take responsibility for the self. “I am all powerful.” Truly you are. You are the power of your own life. “Nothing can come to me of an inferior nature,” unless you open the door for it to come. “I am peace. I am power. I am all there is.” These are profound statements, and the true disciple strives to understand and live them.
The affirmation speaks to who we are within and to the qualities we are seeking to express in our outer, conscious life. It serves as both a reminder and a direction, guiding us toward a more refined expression of ourselves. These are not merely words to be spoken, but principles to be lived, gradually brought into form through our thoughts, our choices, and our actions.
There will be moments when we fall short of that expression, when our responses do not fully reflect the understanding we are working to embody. This is not a failure, but part of the natural process of growth. Each experience offers an opportunity to see more clearly, to adjust, and to move forward with greater awareness.
What matters is that we do not turn away from the effort or become discouraged. Instead, we continue, with patience and sincerity, to align ourselves with these principles. In doing so, the affirmation becomes more than something we say. It becomes something we are.
Grow in peace and grow in light.
