Article May 30, 1931 Issue

Weeding Our Mental Gardens

OSCAR C. ZILISCH

An English dictionary defines the word "weed" as "wild herb springing where it is not wanted." The French, known for their clarity and definiteness of language, call a weed mauvaise herbe, which literally means an injurious herb. A French dictionary definition for weeds is "all parasitic plants hurtful to agriculture." Surely there is naught in any of the connotations cited above to encourage one to grow or cultivate weeds. The aim of every good gardener is to keep his garden free from weeds, so that flowers and other desirable vegetation may be assured a natural development and growth.

If a flower garden reflects more beauty without weeds, how careful we should be to keep our mental garden, where thought grows and blooms, clear of parasitic plants that seem to thrive so well in the false fertility of the carnal or mortal mind. To those seeking help in the process of weeding their mental garden, Christian Science offers a simple, scientific way of carrying out this highly important work. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 343) Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes: "Are we clearing the gardens of thought by uprooting the noxious weeds of passion, malice, envy, and strife? Are we picking away the cold, hard pebbles of selfishness, uncovering the secrets of sin and burnishing anew the hidden gems of Love, that their pure perfection shall appear? Are we feeling the vernal freshness and sunshine of enlightened faith?"

Recently a student of Christian Science found himself in a beautiful garden spot of France, endeavoring to recuperate from the falling away, as it seemed, of financial, mental, moral, and other resources. He saw nothing ahead except ruin. Due to the weeds of wrong thought that had been permitted to take root and grow, recuperation in the true sense of the word was retarded.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"Make channels for the streams of love"