Article December 31, 1932 Issue

Active versus Passive Desires

LYMAN S. ABBOTT

We often hear the remark, "I should like to be able to do that," referring to some activity in which one might wish to engage. Experience may show that rarely does this desire take form in actually engaging in the activity mentioned. The reason for this is not far to seek: with many the desire is passive, not active. A passive desire may be defined as one which simply passes through one's consciousness, leaving no permanent impression, or which one makes no effort to bring into expression. An active desire is one which is expressed in an effort to bring about the desired result. To illustrate, one might eagerly wish to become a good musician. While that is commendable and one might express the desire in words, it would still be a passive desire unless one made an effort to learn music, engaged a teacher, practiced faithfully the lessons outlined, and thus made the necessary sacrifice of time and effort to bring the desire to fruition. Then it would be a truly active desire, and one would have a right to expect favorable results.

We sometimes hear such remarks as, "I wish I knew more of Christian Science," or, "I wish I had a better understanding of Truth." These are apt to be mere passive desires unless a real effort is made to gain a thorough understanding of the truth as taught in Christian Science.

Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, on page 495 of her principal work, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," answers the question, "How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science?" She says in part, "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit." This calls for active desire on the part of the student. The letter must be thoroughly studied, but that is not all: the spirit of Christian Science must be gained. To imbibe is to drink in, and we must drink in the spirit of these teachings in order to be able to use our understanding in daily experience. How may we "imbibe the spirit"? Our Leader has said on page 113 of this textbook: "The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love. Without this, the letter is but the dead body of Science,—pulseless, cold, inanimate." We all can express more love in our daily life: a loving word to those of our own household, a kindly greeting to those we meet, a helping hand to one who may be in need. Innumerable opportunities to express love are seen if we are watchful.

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