Text of the meditation
Belief is an attitude of mind determining the whole course of one's life. Belief is the basis of all action, and, this being so, the belief that dominates the heart or mind is shown in the life. Everyone acts, thinks and lives in exact accordance with the belief that is rooted in their innermost being, and such is the mathematical nature of the laws that govern the mind that it is absolutely impossible for anyone to believe in two opposing conditions at the same time.
For instance, it is impossible to believe in justice and injustice, hatred and love, peace and strife, self and truth. Everyone believes in one or the other of these opposites, never in both, and the daily conduct of each person indicates the nature of their belief.
Belief and conduct are inseparable, for the one determines the other.
James Allen (1864–1912), Book of Meditations for Every Day in the Year (1913) – public-domain text, gently modernised.
The original 1913 text is in the public domain.