Editorial September 7, 1963 Issue

Finding Heaven Within

Helen Wood Bauman

Christ Jesus took the concept of heaven out of a space and time context when he said it is neither "here" nor "there," but is "within" us (Luke 17:21). One might say that heaven is a mental state to be found only through spiritual understanding. Heaven exists in the Christly consciousness, which is wholly submissive to God's control.

What one learns about heaven, or God's kingdom, either from the Bible or through Christian Science, which interprets the Bible, points to the idea of divine government. Even the word "kingdom" indicates this idea, for a kingdom is a realm under the control of a monarch. In heaven, God is King, eternally enthroned in consciousness and governing all thought.

Mary Baker Eddy gives us two closely related definitions in the Glossary of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." One, found on page 587, reads, "Heaven. Harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle; spirituality; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul." The other, found on page 590, reads, "Kingdom of Heaven. The reign of harmony in divine Science; the realm of unerring, eternal, and omnipotent Mind; the atmosphere of Spirit, where Soul is supreme."

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