Article April 13, 1940 Issue

"Silencing self"

DOROTHY MARY HUTCHINGS

Every sincere student of Christian Science keeps in thought the high goal set before him by our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, namely, the attainment of a state of consciousness into which the beliefs of sin and sickness cannot enter. This is certainly not the work of a moment; rather does it entail the patient habit of replacing thoughts of materiality, disease, and sin with the truth that man's real being is the reflection of the one divine Being, God; his health, the holiness or wholeness of the one perfect Mind; his life, the reflection of the one infinite Love.

In her book "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 67), Mrs. Eddy in one short sentence points the way to this goal. She writes, "Silencing self, alias rising above corporeal personality, is what reforms the sinner and destroys sin." "Silencing self," with its strident arguments of its own importance, its blatant assertion of its claims, its beliefs of self-love or self-depreciation—this indeed is necessary before the voice of Truth can be heard. Mrs. Eddy makes it clear in her writings that this is done not through repression, but through spiritual growth, so that in ascending measure thought can grasp spiritual realities. Repression, whether practiced by individuals or nations, throws thought back on itself, and produces an unhealthy reaction which tends to becloud it. Rather should we lift our thinking above the sense of corporeality, till we begin to grasp man's true status as the reflection of perfect Mind.

Man's true being is the spiritual, pure expression of God-given qualities, of the attibutes of Love; and this being is forever safe from contamination, defilement, or disintegration. Man's real existence, then, cannot be touched by evil. These facts must be kept in thought in order to silence mortal fears; and as we do this we are regenerated, faults and failings being gradually eradicated. God is expressed by man. It is demanded of each one of us that we bring out the fullness of this truth in our lives. How good it is to contemplate the beauty, glory, and purity of this true expression of the one Father-Mother God, and how far removed it is from that which we may have erroneously supposed to be our own selfhood!

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
The "louder song"
April 13, 1940
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit