The International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM)

Beginning with the ordination of six ministers in 1963, what is now the IMM has grown to over 8,000 active ministers in over 120 countries worldwide. Over the past half century, the IMM has become the world’s largest Transpersonal, Transcendent, Theocentric, Holistic New Thought Metaphysical Ministry in the world. This has been accomplished as the result of the open-minded, spiritual outlook of its founder, Dr. Paul Leon Masters.

Through decades of consciousness research conducted with thousands of student research participants, Dr. Masters discovered universal truths that were the original higher consciousness truths upon which many of the world’s great religious traditions were founded.

This included the revelation that the highest of all spiritual truth is One, that every religion had something to say according to the degree of spiritual awareness and awakening of its followers. This led to an appreciation of the ancient Hindu saying, “Whatever path a man may travel is my path – wherever they walk, it leads to me”.

Thus, the IMM gives its ministers the latitude to teach spirituality as they currently understand it, forming ministries with members who are at a corresponding spiritual level of awareness. Closed, narrow-minded religious dogma is replaced with open-ended spiritual expression.

There is great diversity in the spiritual teachings of ministers throughout the IMM. Though this great diversity exists after ordination, studies leading to ordination are based on decades of consciousness research with thousands of research students and members. Seminary studies are based on the results of such research together with testing the results of the effects of such spiritual experiences to improve the lives of participants in the research. Such seminary studies leading to ordination when a bachelor’s degree level is achieved are taught by the IMM University System comprised of the University of Metaphysics and the University of Sedona.

How the IMM Operates

The IMM oversees two private, post-secondary, distance-learning theological schools. The Universities specialize in self-paced home study programs. Programs range from the minister’s and bachelor’s degree study through the doctoral degree program. The IMM provides quality control over the University’s educational programs. This guarantees that all IMM Ministers and Graduates have received the same solid foundation and have achieved a personal understanding of Metaphysical knowledge commensurate to their degree courses.

IMM Ordination Ceremony

The Bachelor’s Degree in Metaphysical Science, B.Msc., program is offered through the University of Metaphysics in conjunction with the Ordained Minister’s Program.

The IMM has set a tradition in its organization that grants the maximum independence allowed by law to its ministers, graduates, and members. This allows them the freedom to minister and teach according to their individual and unique insights, understandings, and talents. The one provision is that the rudimentary metaphysical teachings of the organization and its founder continue to be an integral part of what is shared with the public.

The IMM never requires that the name or initials of the IMM organization, the IMM logo, or notice of IMM affiliation be included in the name of its member’s personal endeavors and/or ministries. The IMM exists to support our members in their accomplishments – not take credit for them.

IMM Minister’s Ordination Ceremony

About the International Metaphysical Ministry University System (IMM)

University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona

The University of Metaphysics and the University of Sedona are private, postsecondary, distance-learning theological schools operating under the auspices of the International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM). The IMM is a 501(c)3 non-profit tax exempt organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States. The curricula of both Universities are strictly non-secular and theological in nature—in the Holistic, New Thought Transcendent branch of Metaphysical Theology.

Beginning in 1959 Dr. Masters established educational and research facilities in New Thought Metaphysical studies. His activities evolved first into the International Metaphysical Ministry, granting students the right to minister. In 1976 he applied for and was granted the legal right to award non-secular degrees up to the Doctoral or Ph.D. level through the University of Metaphysics. In 2003, Dr. Masters applied to have the University of Sedona begin operating under the same legal right as that of the University of Metaphysics, but offering only doctoral degrees.

The University of Metaphysics provides an accelerated undergraduate program that serves both schools. Each university has its own accelerated doctoral degree program. Thus, students enrolling in a doctoral program with the University of Sedona will receive their Bachelor’s Degree, Ministerial Practitioner’s Diploma, Ministerial Ordination Certificate, and Master’s Degree through the University of Metaphysics. Doctoral Degrees are awarded from both the University of Metaphysics and the University of Sedona.

Since both Universities are totally focused on a Transpersonal, Transcendent, Theocentric, Holistic, New Thought Metaphysical curriculum, they each legally exist beyond the scope of the U.S. Higher Education Act of 1965. As there is no official agency governing Metaphysical education in the U.S., the IMM maintains extensive oversight, quality control, and critical evaluation of the Universities’ activities and curricula. The IMM ensures, through examination, thesis, and dissertation review, that both Universities maintain the highest academic standards for Metaphysical education.

The IMM has over five decades of service and experience in the private, postsecondary religious field, with students and graduates not only in the United States and its territories, but also in over 120 other countries. Internationally, IMM has over 8,000 active ministries. The IMM remains respectful of the individuality and independence of our Metaphysical graduates, ministers, teachers, and practitioners, encouraging independent research, the use of individual talents, modalities, and points of view, with the only requirement being that they stay true to the basic precepts of their Metaphysical education from the Founder.

It is the goal of the IMM University System to ensure that our graduates will always be able to take pride in their alma mater and be able to say with integrity and confidence, “I received my degrees from the most respected Metaphysical university in the world.”

With warmth and love, we welcome you into our worldwide International Metaphysical Ministry family.

What is Metaphysics?

Metaphysics acknowledges and respects the beauty in ALL of God’s Creation.

Metaphysics is religion without dogma.

Metaphysics does not explore religious beliefs and laws created by man, but rather, it explores the immutable laws of nature, set by The Creator, God/Universal Presence, in the creation of the Universe.

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that studies the ultimate nature of existence, reality, and experience without being bound to any one theological doctrine or dogma.

Metaphysics includes all religions but transcends them all.

Metaphysics is the study of ultimate cause in the Universe.

Metaphysics is the only science capable of inquiring beyond physical and human science.

Metaphysical Questions and Answers from Founder Dr. Paul Leon Masters

Higher Consciousness Meditation by Dr. Paul Leon Masters

For many years, Dr. Paul Leon Masters taught students the practice of higher consciousness, mystical meditation in his classes. Being divinely guided, he brought forth many new and innovative techniques and practices of meditation. We invite you to listen to a 6-minute meditation.