Traditionally, the word "Metaphysics" comes to us from Ancient Greece, where it was a combination of two words-Meta, meaning over and beyond and physics. Thus, the combination means over and beyond physics. In the definition found in most dictionaries, Metaphysics is referred to as a branch of Philosophy that deals with First Cause and the Nature of Being. It is taught as a branch of Philosophy in most academic universities today under the label of "Speculative Philosophy."

In today’s world, however, the word "Metaphysics" has become a description of many fields of interest. When one expresses an interest in Metaphysics, that interest may be in any one or a combination of the following subjects:

Philosophy, Religion, Parapsychology, Mysticism, Yoga, ESP, Dreams, Jungian Psychology, Astrology, Meditation, Self-Help Studies, Positive Thinking, Life After Death, Reincarnation, etc.

The common denominator of these and all similar subjects, of course, deals with an exploration of Reality, and in the idealistic sense, how such knowledge may benefit human life on this earth, both individually and collectively. If, then, this is the aim of such interests, it is why most professional Metaphysical Practitioners regard Metaphysics as a Spiritual Philosophy of life. All but a very few practitioners in Metaphysics today have a pivotal point of some sort of Spiritual Philosophy in whatever system or teaching of Metaphysics they are engaged. It is important to understand this, especially when reviewing the legal technicalities of being a professional Metaphysician.

If we were to travel from one metaphysical teacher or organization to another, we would find people engaging in different things, all under the label of Metaphysics. This could be a wide range, such as yogis, mystics astrologers, positive thinking teachers, meditation teachers, grapho-analysts, spiritual healers, self-help teachers, etc. The range is wide, but again the basic denominator is the search for truth, purpose and meaning in life, which cannot be isolated from basic spiritual questions. All of these fields, therefore, are regarded as part of Metaphysics by the University of Metaphysics and the University of Sedona, in regard to its Doctoral Degree and to its other programs and affiliations with its students and graduates.

It is not the position of the university or its parent body, the International Metaphysical Ministry, to take one phase of the study of Metaphysics over another, as it is the belief of the universities that there are many paths humans may travel on the way to finding Truth. There is an old proverb which states "No matter what path a human may travel, it is My Path; no matter where he walks, it leads to Me" 

In a more absolute sense, we like to think of Metaphysics as dealing with the basic questions of life, i.e., the relationship of man. Mind and the universe, which leads to answers to the age-old questions of anyone who has truly paused to reflect on life by asking the most fundamental questions of all—"Who am I; what am I; where have I been, and where am I going?"

The success of Unity and Religious Science stimulated the birth of many independent churches and teaching centers along metaphysical lines. Because of a common shared spiritual philosophy held by Unity, Religious Science and many independents; the term New Thought was adopted to denote a metaphysical religious movement. From this was born the International New Thought Alliance, that brought together various metaphysical groups. In more recent years a new organization bringing together New Thought oriented organizations was formed called Global New Thought.

In 1959, Dr. Paul Leon Masters began what has later on evolved to become the International Metaphysical Ministry. I.M.M. has joined Unity and Religious Science as one of the major metaphysically oriented movements that comes under the description of New Thought. The major difference between I.M.M. and the other majors is that I.M.M. ordained ministers are free to choose operating names of their choice, as well as what they teach and how they operate providing only that the basic metaphysical teachings of the organization and its founder are still an integral part of what is shared with the public.

I.M.M. was born of an independent, Dr. Masters - for those who also wished to be independents though ordained by I.M.M. I.M.M. and its University System of the University of Metaphysics and the new University of Sedona are therefore very unique indeed in the field of metaphysics, religion in general, and in New Thought.