Editorial September 4, 1965 Issue

Spiritual Exercise

William Milford Correll

We hear a great deal about physical exercise and the advisability of it in connection with health. The Christian Scientist understands that health is not a condition of matter, and so physical exercise is not a requisite for health. There is nothing wrong with being physically active; but if one believes that it improves his health, he is as guilty of material thinking and practice as if he were regularly taking drugs for health purposes.

The worship of the human body takes many forms. Idolatry is still current. Gaining mastery over the body through athletic endeavor may have a legitimate motive. Overcoming limitation is always in line with progress. But motive makes medicine, and motive determines whether or not we are practicing material modes or seeking to attain spiritual goals.

There is a higher meaning and practice to exercise. In his study of the Lesson-Sermon from the Christian Science Quarterly, the individual is enjoying daily exercise. He is strengthening his thought with spiritual ideas. He is exercising his faith and his spiritual sense. He is developing his capacity to run the race of human experience. One's stamina depends upon one's spiritual grace. One's ability to master the problems and surmount the difficulties is in proportion to one's developed spiritual understanding.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Destroying the Stubborn Belief