Spiritual Vision

MYRTLE R. BIGGINS

Happy is the man who holds to spiritual vision when dark clouds of trouble appear. Paul wrote: "When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.... For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face."

The most important thing is to see the truth, even though it be but darkly at first. And he who sees, discerns, the truth, who is even in the smallest measure conscious of spiritual reality, is blessed beyond words to express. If he but holds to this vision, his spiritual sight will grow and expand into the realization of the truth.

In early Biblical days Noah built an ark to provide safety for himself and his family, and in this they were protected from the danger without. Today, sufficient human protection must be provided while humanity is gaining a clearer sense of Truth and Love, which eventually will unite all men in one harmonious brotherhood. Even while supporting the human measures that are being taken for human safety, the Christian Scientist is learning how to build an ark, not with material supplies or by the aid of human inventions, but with spiritual truths that take possession of his consciousness and rule out the sense of fear and uncertainty, divine reality being wholly and eternally free from the beliefs of hatred, malice, greed, envy, and revenge. As we gain this true consciousness, which we are learning to do more fully through the teachings of Christian Science, not only are these false traits ruled out of our thinking, and so no longer indulged by us, but the belief of any reality in them when seeming to be expressed by others is erased from thought, and there remain in our consciousness only the facts of true being, as set forth in Mrs. Eddy's words in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 468), "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all."

In the Glossary in Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy defines "ark" in part as follows (p. 581): "Science showing that the spiritual realities of all things are created by Him and exist forever. The ark indicates temptation overcome and followed by exaltation." Was there ever a time in history when spiritual vision of reality was more needed than it is today, when it was more imperative for all who have caught a glimpse of spiritual reality through Christian Science to hold more firmly to the vision? Wise counsel which has sustained and comforted Bible readers through the ages declares, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." This not only is a call to each one to lay hold of and enjoy the comfort, peace, and security of spiritual vision, but also an assurance of the ultimate extinction of mortal belief or darkness, wherein is no spiritual light.

If it were possible for evil beliefs, expressed as hatred, greed, revenge, to have power abiding in them and the ability to perpetuate themselves, and through such seeming power to accomplish the destruction of good, then we should have to admit that what the Bible teaches is false, and that Truth is untrue. But can Truth be false? Can the hate or malice of misguided mortals be an overmastering power? Can these states of thought annihilate the love for God and man which, as Christ Jesus proved, expresses the power that alone is real and eternal? Under the marginal heading, "Annihilation of error," Mrs. Eddy writes (ibid., p. 243), "Truth, Life, and Love are a law of annihilation to everything unlike themselves, because they declare nothing except God."

Let us ask ourselves the question, "Is there fear or doubt in our heart that, equipped with the Bible teachings, prophecy, and proof, the power of good is unable to master all that is unlike good?" Is it not time to seek diligently more of that spiritual vision which sees, beyond the temporary display of human passions, the spiritual realities of being, which exist forever? For then the temptation to believe in error as real will be overcome and "followed by exaltation."

When, through spiritual vision, we see all true selfhood as free from bondage to mortality and its gross traits, and let love, generosity, peace, purity, benevolence, and charity reign in our own thought and life, we shall be a long way on the road toward realizing the truth that "all is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation." We shall then be laying the weight of our own thinking into the scale of right, and the efforts of mortals to subjugate and rob humanity of its rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" will be proportionately deprived of their seeming temporary power.

Paul wrote, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." "The Spirit of the Lord" is everywhere present, even in the most seemingly hopeless hours of human experience. As we throw the weight of our thinking on the side of spiritual reality, and hold to the spiritual vision unflinchingly, right will dominate, and the dark hour of temptation to believe in evil as power will be "followed by exaltation"—not mere emotional ecstasy, but the joyful assurance that comes when belief in evil is dethroned and everlasting Truth demonstrated.

As we remain faithful to the spiritual vision, our understanding of this great truth will expand, and the realization of its vitality, reality, and power will grow in our consciousness, which in its measure will bless all humanity.

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