We Can See Clearly—Near or Far

Christian Science offers effective relief to those suffering from any of the myriad claims of impaired vision. This healing religion affirms that perfect vision is spiritual, the reflection of Soul, or God, forever intact and continuously available without limitation to all God's ideas.

During World War II the writer was rejected when he applied for pilot training because his physical examination showed he had limited distance vision in one eye. He silently rejected the report of the oculist and immediately began to pray to correct this condition through Christian Science. A Christian Science practitioner, whom he asked to help him, pointed out that true sight is a faculty of Soul, forever perfect and without a history of deterioration—that matter is not the basis of sight.

The writer's sense was greatly uplifted by the practitioner's steadfast rejection of the negative testimony of material sense and her emphasis on the divine promise that perfect vision is God's gift to all. Soon his sense of impaired vision was replaced by a sense of confidence in God's omnipotence, perfection, and goodness. In a few months he was drafted into the Army and passed the eye test with 20/20 vision in both eyes. This test was repeated many times during his five-year military career, each time with the same result.

The widely held belief that one need only put on glasses to correct certain forms of impaired vision may hinder one's development of a demonstrable understanding of Christian Science. To resist and overcome the false belief that poor vision is an inescapable physical condition rewards one with significant spiritual growth.

Christian Science teaches that impaired vision is not the symptom of a defective material organ but the seeming result of accepting false mortal beliefs. Among the more common beliefs that limit vision are those of heredity, age, and accident. Then there are the more subtle beliefs of our time: sluggish, apathetic mental states, distorted views of our fellowmen, and an incomplete understanding of God.

How do we overcome the false beliefs that limit vision? We must set aside the universal mortal belief that perception is a sensory action of the material eyes. Then we can realize that God, Soul, alone is all-seeing, and that our true and only spiritual selfhood reflects perfect vision at all times. To strengthen this realization, we require a clearer concept of Soul and Soul's expression, perfect man.

Mrs. Eddy helps us gain this clearer concept of true seeing in the following description of our Way-shower's mode of healing: "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick." ^{Science and Health, pp. 476, 477 ;} Because Christ Jesus saw man thus, he could overcome false mortal testimony.

Moses, too, exercised clear spiritual vision in leading the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt and in recording the Ten Commandments. The Bible states that at the close of his distinguished career "Moses was an hundred and twenty years old ...: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." ^{Deut. 34:7 ;} He clearly demonstrated that dim vision need not accompany increasing age.

To awaken from the dream of limited vision and to express Soul more clearly, one should examine the basis of his seeing and determine whether it is Soul-inspired or sense-limited. If the result of this self-examination is spiritually affirmative, he can readily change any false seeing. He can exercise the Soul quality of farsighted vision and perception. He can foresee the unlimited unfoldment of good before him. He can drop his limited sense and accept the crystal clear concept of Soul's unlimited bounty for himself, his family, the community, and the world. When this unlimited perception fills his consciousness, there will simply be no room for a limited sense of anything, let alone a limited sense of vision. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Mortal mind is constantly producing on mortal body the results of false opinions; and it will continue to do so, until mortal error is deprived of its imaginary powers by Truth, which sweeps away the gossamer web of mortal illusion." ^{Science and Health, p. 403 ;}

If the student seems to be suffering from the belief of nearsightedness, he can ask himself: "Am I limiting my outlook on life? Am I seeing limited opportunities, failing health, uncertain supply, or an unclear future for myself, my family, the community, and the world? Am I seeing good as far off, but not near at hand? Am I anticipating good in the future, but not seeing it all around me, here and now?" The possibilities of further self-examination along these lines may prove helpful. Then how does one correct this unawareness of Soul's nearness and present bounty? He must see and doggedly and persistently affirm that good, as needed, is present here and now without measure. God sustains the Christian Scientist in these efforts, which promote spiritual growth and bring success.

In general, one suffering from any form of limited vision may well ask himself: "How am I viewing the world about me? Am I seeing the world as evil, sensual, racist, crime-laden, hate-filled, or ugly?" If so, one can revise this distorted view of his environment and by purifying his heart see the perfect universe of God's creating. As Christ Jesus said in that loved beatitude he gave us: "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." ^{Matt. 5:8 ;}

The Christian Science Hymnal offers still another healing thought:

And what if mortal sense persists in reporting that one can't see clearly no matter how hard one tries or how much one prays in Christian Science? One can rebuke these lies by asking himself what import the testimony of the material senses can possibly have. Can these senses possibly report truth? Only the evidence of spiritual sense is true. Spiritual sense does not need material corroboration to be true. Spiritual sense informs one that reflected vision, like its source, Soul, is perfect here, now, and forever.

Persistently denying the claims of material sense and importunately and humbly praying to express Soul more fully, to demonstrate our love of God, good, more completely, will awaken us to realize our present perfect vision. And as we pray, we can take great comfort from Mrs. Eddy's words: "Whoever would demonstrate the healing of Christian Science must abide strictly by its rules, heed every statement, and advance from the rudiments laid down. There is nothing difficult nor toilsome in this task, when the way is pointed out; but self-denial, sincerity, Christianity, and persistence alone win the prize, as they usually do in every department of life." ^{Science and Health, p. 462 .}