Article June 23, 1934 Issue

Man's Peaceful Dwelling

[Original article in French]

CHRISTIANE R. PANTET

He who does not know that he is a child of God believes himself mortal and subject to ills and troubles. Nevertheless, in his real spiritual being he lives, has ever lived, and always will live in the dwelling place of the Most High. Mortals, indeed, lay themselves open to fear and suffering because they do not know that this house of the Lord, or kingdom of heaven, is the only true state of consciousness. "Heaven is not a locality," says Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 291), "but a divine state of Mind."

In what way, then, can we gain this state of consciousness? Jesus said, "Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret." Is it possible for all to dwell in paradise? asks the suffering one. Yes. God created man; and heaven, Christian Science teaches, is harmony. Then, in order that one may even now enjoy this felicity, the only prerequisite is acknowledgment and demonstration of the fact.

First of all, in order to realize our safety in this mental dwelling we must close the door to error. If it is not closed, the enemy will attempt to take possession of our thoughts. Our Leader gives us this very clear spiritual interpretation of what this sacred chamber is (Science and Health, p. 15): "The closet typifies the sanctuary of Spirit, the door of which shuts out sinful sense but lets in Truth, Life, and Love." Communing with divine Mind in this mental closet, we shut out the material and untrue that we may have communion with Spirit alone. The enemy, which is mortal mind, may knock in vain. Though it rap once, or ten times, or a hundred times, it makes no difference when one firmly closes the mental door against aggressive mental suggestion. We have nothing to fear, as we are told (ibid., p. 235), "if virtue and truth build a strong defence." The devil, mortal mind, clothed in the form of erroneous thoughts, will finally be vanquished. In the story of Jesus' temptation we read, "Then the devil leaveth him." Through his steadfast resistance, Jesus had denied error any access to the closet of his pure consciousness, and the voice of error then faded into nothingness.

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