Article December 9, 1939 Issue

True Poise

KATHLEEN O'CONNOR

A DICTIONARY defines "poise" as a "state of balance by equal weight or power; balance; equilibrium; stability." Harmony is defined as "the just adaptation of parts to each other in any system or combination of things or, in things intended to form a connected whole."

As understood in Christian Science, true poise is not a human attribute, but a spiritual state of consciousness, expressing the divine Mind, God, and one creation, man and the universe, forever maintained in perfect harmony. This spiritual truth must, however, be demonstrated in human experience. Only by putting into practice the teachings of Christ Jesus, as understood in Christian Science, with complete subordination of human will to the government of God, divine Principle, will mankind approximate that harmony in which God maintains man in His image and likeness.

Many lessons on the subject of poise may be learned from study of the great Bible characters. Because of his pure spirituality, Christ Jesus furnishes the perfect example of poise and equanimity in the face of unprecedented opposition. Peter, on the other hand, was sometimes too impetuous and personal in his outlook to be well balanced, until he had learned better to follow the Master's teaching Then, in his first epistle, he was able to say, "The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." Likewise Paul, having suffered countless persecutions and indignities, was able to manifest perfect poise, as expressed in his words, "None of these things move me."

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