Article July 1, 1933 Issue

Focusing the Camera of Consciousness

CECIL F. HERINGTON

EVEN the best and most expensive camera, unless properly focused, will record distorted and imperfect images. The blame cannot be placed upon the instrument, for it possesses the mechanism needed to produce definite, good pictures. Only when it is not properly used to erroneous results follow.

Now, our human consciousness may be likened to a camera. Unceasingly it records images of thought, and these images become part of our mental experience. A dictionary gives as one definition of "consciousness" the significant phrase, "that which includes knowledge, or knowing states, especially knowledge of one's own existence." Knowledge is purely mental; and it follows that our cognitions in large measure determine the nature and quality of our experiences. In other words, our experiences are influenced by how and upon what we focus our "camera" of consciousness.

At this point Christian Science interjects the teaching that should make mankind pause. Emphatically and definitely it declares that, when seeking reality and a knowledge of their own true existence, men should not accept the evidence of the physical senses. For the pictures of sin, disease, and death—all the ills and imperfections which seem to beset mankind—arise from false consciousness, or, to use Mrs. Eddy's words (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 301), "from the false testimony of material sense, which, from a supposed standpoint outside the focal distance of infinite Spirit, presents an inverted image of Mind and substance with everything turned upside down." Because of this, such mental pictures, projected upon human experience, are imperfect and distorted; are, in fact, the opposite of reality. Christ Jesus proved their falsity when he replaced sin with goodness, disease with health, and death with life. His thought accepted only the true view of man as God's perfect idea, possessing by reflection all Godlike qualities.

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