The Universal Atmospheric Conditioner
"Each student should accept responsibility for the condition of his own mental atmosphere"
Demonstrating harmony in diverse atmospheric conditions is engaging much attention today. An article published not long ago discussed future air conditioning on a world-wide basis, stating: "We will live, work, and play in an air-conditioned world. ... Air conditioning's future is everybody's future."
The trend of modern science to condition and control atmosphere by human inventions turns the alert Christian Scientist to the spiritual way of demonstrating harmony in all atmospheric conditions. Christian Science reveals God, Mind, Spirit, as the eternal and sole disseminator and conditioner of His own infinite atmosphere, forever maintaining its pure and invigorating mental nature. In this ever-present spiritual atmosphere, which fills the infinite realm of Mind, the real man of God's making forever dwells. Paul pointed to this truth when, referring to God, he said (Acts 17:28 ), "In him we live, and move, and have our being."
In order to demonstrate harmony in all atmospheric conditions it is important for us to remember that Mrs. Eddy states in Science and Health (p. 374 ), "Heat and cold are products of mortal mind." As a compound idea of infinite Spirit, man has never been subject to varying degrees of material atmosphere, either hot or cold, comfortable or uncomfortable, nor has he been controlled or surrounded by them. One does not therefore need to do something to material atmospheric heat or cold. He needs to eliminate mortal mind's claims regarding man as dwelling in a mortal atmosphere.
The Christian Scientist who enthrones the divine Mind as his Mind and as the sole conditioner of his atmosphere is lifted above the varying and unpredictable atmosphere of the physical realm into the unchanging, harmonious, spiritual atmosphere of divine Love, in which degrees of heat and cold are unknown.
Understanding man's perfect atmosphere as actually ever present, even as divine Mind is ever present, the Christian Scientist strives to demonstrate harmony wherever he may be. Once he recognizes that the only real atmosphere is spiritual, he does not feel impelled to remove to a different climate to find relief from hot or cold weather. Foreboding weather prophecies of heat waves or blizzards and their effects will not disturb him. And his prayerful work will show the presence of a controlling spiritual force, which will act to moderate their operation or effect. To the degree that his work is effective, he will enjoy immunity from harm in changing from extremes of heat or cold, such as from cool indoor air conditioning to outdoor summer heat, or vice versa.
Understanding the control which divine Mind has over man, the Scientist ceases to let weather reports and thermometer readings predict or dictate his bodily comfort or discomfort. The buoyancy and energy of divine Mind, when understood and demonstrated, nullify humidity, depression, and atmospheric discomfort in his experience. On page 205 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," Mrs. Eddy, discussing the significance of the last Thanksgiving Day of the nineteenth century, declares "that the atmosphere of the human mind, when cleansed of self and permeated with divine Love, will reflect this purified subjective state in clearer skies, less thunderbolts, tornadoes, and extremes of heat and cold."
Under God's direction, Mrs. Eddy instituted the weekly Lesson-Sermon, published in the Christian Science Quarterly, as a means whereby anyone can, through daily study of the citations from the Bible and Science and Health, cleanse and purify his individual consciousness. Progressively these Bible Lessons unfold the Christly comfort, which is spiritual and universal, forever in and of God. They also reveal the possibility of mankind's utilizing the pure, comforting, and health-giving atmosphere of the kingdom of God, right here and now.
The writer, through her systematic study and application of the truths found in the Lesson-Sermon, learned that it was self-love which was manifested in self-pity, self-justification, self-righteousness, and self-will. She also began to feel more genuine warmth and affection toward those about her, and a deep desire to comfort others through the ministration of Christian Science developed in her heart. This warmer, more unselfed Christian approach to all was accompanied by physical healing. Suffering from chronic cold feet and hands, which she had endured for years, entirely disappeared. She enjoyed a happy sense of normal comfort, well-being, and peace.
Through her gradual realization that divine Love is the one true source and conditioner of atmosphere, the writer overcame a lifelong fear of the damp, foggy atmosphere of the river town in which she resides. She was also permanently healed of chronic sinus trouble, raw throat, rheumatism, and arthritic pains of many years' standing. Fear of draughty or air-conditioned rooms, of exposure to night air, and of inhaling smog was also overcome.
Such healings through spiritual means alone presage mankind's ultimate recognition of the healing mission of Christian Science. How soon mankind as a whole will demonstrate harmony with respect to atmospheric conditions rests largely on each Christian Scientist's utilization of the purifying powers of the Christ, Truth, in his individual experience.
Each student should accept responsibility for the condition of his own mental atmosphere. Through his unhurried daily study of the Bible Lesson, he reaches out in quiet communion with the divine Mind, God, for a more exalted concept of the spiritual atmosphere in which man forever dwells. Thus the Christian Scientist each day contributes to the scientific cleansing and purifying of the atmosphere of the world.
Right here the question might well be asked, Is it compatible with the study of Christian Science to condition atmosphere by human inventions and enjoy comfort from them? Certainly it is. During his day-by-day demonstration of harmony over atmospheric conditions, the Scientist gratefully avails himself of these temporary means of comfort. However, he does not for one moment feel or become dependent on them.
Wherever the Christian Scientist finds himself, be it an arctic region, a desert place, a rocket ship, an office, or a home, he can, through his daily study and utilization of the truths set forth in the Lesson-Sermon, demonstrate mastery over earthly atmosphere. He can prove step by step that Mind, divine Love, is enfolding him in its perfect and health-giving atmosphere.
