Editorial October 11, 1924 Issue

Overcoming Sympathetic Mesmerism

Albert F. Gilmore

One of the strongest tendencies of the so-called mortal or carnal mind is its love for sympathy—an intense desire to have its joys and sorrows known and shared by others. So greatly does this longing for sympathy sometimes become, that without it mortals seem to droop, even to perish. Moreover, the quality of sympathy sought not only demands a knowledge of one's thoughts, desires, joys, and sorrows, but even an agreement with and acceptance of whatever mortal mind claims for itself as real and permanent. From such semblance of harmony with its claims, mortal mind appears to derive deep satisfaction, even profound gratification.

The sick rejoice to have their beliefs of illness known and accepted as true; the sorrowing desire the cause of their grief to be recognized and sympathy for their mental state expressed; at the very pinnacle of success, men demand recognition of, and agreement with, their estimates of their accomplishments. Thus mortal mind, through its great love for sympathy, becomes something of a tyrant and autocrat, not only demanding attention, but insisting that the importance of its position be recognized and due homage paid.

Students of Christian Science so frequently meet this phase of mortal belief that they entertain a profound sense of gratitude to Mrs. Eddy for having clearly analyzed the situation and supplied a remedy. In one of those concise statements with which she so frequently illumines a dark corner of human consciousness, Mrs. Eddy writes in "Unity of Good" (p. 18): "Error says you must know grief in order to console it. Truth, God, says you oftenest console others in troubles that you have not. Is not our comforter always from outside and above ourselves?"

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