Article January 2, 1965 Issue

The Art of Self-defense

JOHN STANLEY HOCKER

For many years newspaper and magazine advertisements have encouraged masculine readers to gain proficiency in the arts of boxing and wrestling so that they may ward off the attacks of bullies. "Learn the manly art of self-defense!" is the recommendation. Today, as the popularity of other defensive sports increases, even the womenfolk are invited to learn so that they too may be protected from those who may seek to harm them.

No doubt these methods have some value in safeguarding a mortal. But they fall far short of affording any lasting defense against the myriad attacks of evil that seem to beleaguer mankind. To gain effectual, permanent protection, an individual must learn to see himself as he really is—the man of God's creating, the spiritual idea of Mind. Christian Science elucidates the status of God's man. God preserves his being.

We must realize, of course, that there are not two kinds of man: one mortal and material who requires physical protection, the other immortal and spiritual. In her writings, Mrs. Eddy makes perfectly clear that there is in reality only one kind of man. Describing man on page 591 of Science and Health she says that he is "the compound idea of infinite Spirit; the spiritual image and likeness of God; the full representation of Mind."

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