Editorial June 28, 1924 Issue

Divine Intuition

Albert F. Gilmore

Students of Christian Science learn to discriminate between true ideas and false, that is to say, between ideas which originate in divine Mind and concepts having their seeming source in the so-called mortal or human mind. Likewise, students of Christian Science learn to distinguish between the thoughts which are known intuitively, that is, instinctively and innately, and conclusions arrived at through the process of material reasoning. Since true intuition deals only with the emanations of divine Mind, through intuition we can know that of which the physical senses have no cognizance; for the mortal or carnal mind has no knowledge of reality.

The counterfeit or mortal mind, however, also claims to instruct mortals through the same processes, that is, through intuitive or innate knowledge, as well as through reason and the physical senses. But it will be seen that since true intuition is a spiritual process,—spiritual consciousness,—its counterfeit, so-called intuition, pertains only to the beliefs of a human or mortal mind, and may serve only still further to confound the avowed materialist. Divine intuition, on the contrary, is the "still small voice," through which God's will becomes known to men. To receive its gentle admonitions is a precious experience, by the assiduous cultivation of which men may keep themselves constantly under the guidance of the Father's commands. Mrs. Eddy says of the ideas which come to us through intuition, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 174), "The angels of His presence—the spiritual intuitions that tell us when 'the night is far spent, the day is at hand'—are our guardians in the gloom." How important, then, that we keep thought open to these angel visitants which guard consciousness and are ever available to guide and direct us whenever we are prepared to receive the message of divine Love.

Through cultivation, the capacity to receive this spiritual guidance may be developed to an extraordinary degree. Humility, meekness, patience, willingness to obey, self-immolation, and a deep desire to know God's will and to do it, are important steps in the unfoldment of intuitive sense. Without such qualities there can be no progress in this direction. Intuition thus considered by no means pertakes of mysticism, for the ideas of divine Mind which are thus received are both definite and tangible, that is, to spiritual sense. That these emanations are not cognized by the material senses in no wise disproves their substantiality. Since Truth is the only substance, its expression in spiritual ideas is the true manifestation of substance.

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