"Entirely separate from the belief and dream of material living, is the Life divine, revealing spiritual understanding and the consciousness of man's dominion over the whole earth. This understanding casts out error and heals the sick, and with it you can speak 'as one having authority.'" This quotation from page 14 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy states one of the first truths which the student of this Science needs to know

As we honestly and steadily pursue our study of Science and Health, spiritual understanding reveals to us in small and greater degrees that divine Life, which is our only Life, is entirely separate from matter. Through persistently affirming that man is spiritual and denying that he is material, we are able to apply this truth to every detail of our living and find ourselves gaining dominion over error. Spiritual truths predominate over material illusions.

Each small victory over sin, sickness, discord, or inharmony of any sort is cause for gratitude and rejoicing, because it proves that we understand something of man's perfect being and his dominion over the whole earth. In describing her proving of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy writes (ibid., p. 108), "My conclusions were reached by allowing the evidence of this revelation to multiply with mathematical certainty and the lesser demonstration to prove the greater, as the product of three multiplied by three, equalling nine, proves conclusively that three times three duodecillions must be nine duodecillions,—not a fraction more, not a unit less." We can allow our little demonstrations to multiply with equal certainty.

An understanding of how completely man is separate from inharmony enabled the writer to heal quickly her little child, who lay in his cot burning with fever. The previous day she had been reading a lecture on Christian Science, published in The Christian Science Monitor. The lecturer referred to Mrs. Eddy's reply to a hypothetical question as to whether one should get out of a burning house, or remain in it, and the reply states, "I would have you already out, and know that you are out" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 335). The child seemed to be dwelling in a burning house, or body.

The writer held to the fact that the spiritual child was not in that body, but was already out and living in divine Mind, entirely separate from matter. She held to this thought throughout the morning, singing hymns from the Christian Science Hymnal as she went about her work. About five hours later she heard a voice; it was her son, demanding to get down from his cot. The child was healed. He was dressed, fed, and was soon playing with his brothers.

Whatever it is that seems to be burning, be it house, body, or wrong desire, we can know that man is already outside of this state. If we seem to be burning with hatred, envy, jealousy, or passion, we can know that we are completely separate from these evils. As the reflection of God we are at all times expressing love, joy, unselfishness, and self-control, and we are incapable of expressing anything else. If we seem to be surrounded with such burning conditions as discord, persecutions, sickness, lack, danger, or turbulent world conditions, we can know that these are the products of mortal mind, lies, which vanish before the power of righteous thinking. In reality, we are now living in the kingdom of heaven.

As we would patiently discipline a little child, we need to discipline our thinking by constantly separating the dream of evil, fear, sickness, sin, or death from the reality of man as spiritual, the image and likeness of God, pure, unafraid, unwavering, constantly enjoying the abundance of blessings pouring upon him like sunshine. Just as members of a royal family are constantly aware of who they are and of their duties, responsibilities, and privileges, so we must become constantly aware that we are in reality the spiritual sons and daughters of the great Lord of all. We read in John's first epistle (3:2), "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." We may have to tell ourselves this glorious truth over and over again, and we may have to be reminded of it. Once we understand it, we are able to prove unreal the evil beliefs which would try to find a foothold in our thinking.

Truth is infinite, and each statement of Truth is infinite in its application to the needs of mankind. Therefore, there is no condition or difficulty which cannot be healed by the understanding that inharmonious evidence is a belief, a dream. Man is already perfect and spiritual, with only one life to live and that one eternal, divine.