Article July 3, 1920 Issue

The Realm of the Real

BARBARA KYNER VINSON

ALL true and sincere seekers in Christian Science learn through unfoldment what it means to be ushered into the realm of reality. All beliefs due to ignorance of man as made in the image and likeness of God must be completely destroyed through the understanding gained by striving to know the truth, as we are taught in Christian Science. To gain entrance into this realm simply requires on our part an earnest effort to practice with a calm and steadfast assurance and daily gratitude, the truth we have grasped, no matter how small it may seem. We know when we enter, by the beautiful recognition which comes of man as God has made him, spiritual, free, happy, and joyously active, a recognition obtainable here and now. Mrs. Eddy has inspiringly pointed out in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 298), "When the real is attained, which is announced by Science, joy is no longer a trembler, nor is hope a cheat." What greater goal of endeavor or attainment could we desire than an assured knowledge of man as manifesting freely all the qualities of the one Mind? This heritage is divinely bestowed upon man and is revealed through a careful study of the Scriptures as spiritually interpreted" through the writings of Mrs. Eddy.

The sincere desire to obtain a clearer understanding of man as made in God's image and likeness was most beautifully realized by the writer. Not until the mists of all the selfish plans for her own welfare had been laid aside and there was the desire to become more humble in thought, together with unflinching faith and secure confidence that "with God all things are possible," did the gleam of the truth of being dawn upon her thought. The true meaning of prayer became clearer. We read on page 1 of Science and Health, "Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds," and the sincere desire to gain an understanding of the truth of being was indeed answered. With this answer came the clear discernment that man is dependent upon God alone for all things. She learned that God is man's only employer and only teacher and we should dutifully and obediently strive to lean upon this spiritual fact daily. This comforting knowledge acts as an armor in all lines of endeavor and also as the greatest means for one's advancement, whether in an office, or in any character of activity.

The perfect sense of freedom, never before enjoyed, which came to the writer upon learning somewhat of the operation of God's ceaseless good to His children, can best be likened to the unexpected pleasure which comes to one who discovers that a flower has bloomed in his garden after all hope of its blossoming forth had been given up. What a wealth of gratitude was felt for the demonstrable understanding which is revealed in Christian Science. A greater sense of activity was gained and what before seemed responsibility was seen to be an ever increasing unfoldment of the knowledge of God, good. She learned that she was free to go forward courageously despite all seeming opposition to progress, whether in business or at home; for had she not found the one eternal Father, who ever imparts to those who are thirsty for righteousness their needful nourishment? To overcome the idol of self, the false sense of self which mortal beliefs have tried to magnify and which is the barrier to a recognition of the true self, the spiritual man of God's creating, involves a straightforward determination to turn neither to the right nor to the left, until the desire to gain the glorious realization of perfect being is answered by an uplifted and purified sense of God and man. No mortal opinion can interfere with the orderly operation of divine Mind or bar the door of spiritual understanding.

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