Article May 30, 1959 Issue

THE SPONTANEITY OF REFLECTION

ANNA-MARIE HOOK

Most students of Christian Science understand the surface implications of the use of the word "reflection"; however, referring at intervals to the citations on "reflection" in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy is rewarding. As more experience in the practice of Christian Science is brought each time to the study of these references, new facets of this subject are revealed; new heights are gained, leading to greater spiritual vision, freedom, health, and joyous living.

Mrs. Eddy helpfully uses the illustration of a mirror and its reflected image to explain what reflection means in Christian Science. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she writes (pp. 515, 516): "Your mirrored reflection is your own image or likeness. If you lift a weight, your reflection does this also. If you speak, the lips of this likeness move in accord with yours. Now compare man before the mirror to his divine Principle, God. Call the mirror divine Science, and call man the reflection. Then note how true, according to Christian Science, is the reflection to its original. As the reflection of yourself appears in the mirror, so you, being spiritual, are the reflection of God."

When a person in front of a mirror raises his hand, the reflection in the mirror does not ask, "Now, let me see, shall I raise my hand?" No, the hand is raised simultaneously, spontaneously, effortlessly with the original. This instantaneousness hints of the spontaneity so important in Christian Science.

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