Editorial October 25, 1913 Issue

Concentration

Annie M. Knott

In Science and Health we are told that as the sun is the center of our planetary system, so God is "the central Life and intelligence around which circle harmoniously all things in the systems of Mind" (p. 310). It is thus made clear that in order to realize harmony all our thoughts, motives, and aims should be directed toward divine Truth and Love with singleness of purpose. To concentrate is, according to Webster, "to bring to, or direct toward, a common center; to unite more closely." It is therefore of the utmost importance that we recognize God, divine Principle, as "the central Life and intelligence" of our being, for without such recognition we are apt to respond to any and every suggestion of mortal sense, even to the extent of being attracted by belief in disease, discord, and sin, until a great struggle is needed to free ourselves from the bondage thus entailed.

It is true that entirely mistaken views of concentration have been given out by some exponents of mental healing, who rely largely if not wholly upon the human mind for the desired results. In some cases it has been taught that the would-be healer should concentrate his thought upon the disease from which his patient was supposed to be suffering, or upon the part of the human organism supposedly affected, a method which Christian Science most emphatically repudiates. The thoughtful student of Mrs. Eddy's writings soon discovers that such practise would tend to fasten the belief of disease upon a sufferer instead of destroying it, and for this reason the word "concentration" has come to be of ill repute among Christian Scientists, because it has been misapplied, as already stated. Now the allness of God is the central point of Christian Science, and this cannot be too closely adhered to at all times, especially as the tendency of the carnal mind is to think so much about sin, disease, and discord that almost unconsciously thought is concentrated upon these errors, and the law of spiritual attraction toward the one Mind, the All-good, is largely disregarded; indeed, to the one who is thus straying it is virtually inoperative, while suffering and apparently ineffective effort to overcome it claim the day.

Here it will be asked, And what is the remedy? The answer is at hand in the words of our inspired Leader: "The rays of infinite Truth, when gathered into the focus of ideas, bring light instantaneously, whereas a thousand years of human doctrines, hypotheses, and vague conjectures emit no such effulgence" (Science and Health, p. 504). The healing light of Truth cannot illume our consciousness if we are ever and anon turning away from it and fixing our gaze upon the dark shadows of mortal belief. The discords of materiality should impel us to turn our every thought toward divine Life and Love, and to seek closer union therewith. The counterfeit of true concentration is a vain deceiver, but the spiritual fact is a strong emancipator.

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