Editorial October 1, 1921 Issue

Self-Examination

Gustavus S. Paine

The self examination that is valuable is the examination of the true self and not merely an introspective process of mortal mind to determine one's supposed faults. Even if a man thinks that he has found in his human character some faults that need correction, it is still necessary for him to examine the true self in order to know the good qualities of which the divine Mind is conscious and with which the false beliefs must be replaced. In other words, it is the understanding and demonstration of the spiritual quality that accomplishes the correction, for merely to be aware of errors is not necessarily to overcome them. Many a person who knows nothing of Christian Science is keenly cognizant of what seem to be his own shortcomings, without seeing how they may be remedied. Only Christian Science can show the way of healing for all kinds of imperfections, whether they be classified as physical or moral.

The one I am, infinite intelligence, is the true self and is infinitely manifest as right quality, spiritual idea, real man. By accepting this true self as the sole self existence and the sole influence, a man can reject the suggestions of any other supposed selfhood. The examination of the divine Mind is the right reasoning which determines what this Mind knows in any circumstances and how the divine Mind knows and enforces every right quality, no matter how lacking it may have seemed to mortal mind. It is comforting to know the perfection of the real and only self in the midst of seeming trials and failures, for the realization that the I am is the only "I" that ever has truly done anything, improves false conditions by demonstrating the unfoldment of the spiritual fact in place of them.

It is important, of course, to recognize a fault as a fault, but it is necessary to prove at the same time that it is only belief in mortal mind and never has had any part in the real man. This understanding reduces the false belief to nothingness and reveals the true idea as intact. On page 109 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says: "Examine yourselves, and see what, and how much, sin claims of you; and how much of this claim you admit as valid, or comply with. The knowledge of evil that brings on repentance is the most hopeful stage of mortal mentality. Even a mild mistake must be seen as a mistake, in order to be corrected; how much more, then, should one's sins be seen and repented of, before they can be reduced to their native nothingness!"

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Self-Examination

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access