Through the centuries many have seen that the universe is governed by a supreme intelligence, or Mind. Christian Science reveals that Mind, God, is all good and all-powerful, is All-in-all. This Science shows how the real man's perfect relationship to divine Mind can be practically demonstrated in human affairs.

Most people value such qualities as integrity, strength, intelligence, and wisdom. These have their direct source in the one Mind and constitute man's true, spiritual identity as Mind's reflection. Christian Science teaches that God, Mind, is infinite, incorporeal, supreme good, and that man is Mind's perfect idea, including nothing unlike good. Through an understanding of these truths, Mind's intelligence, power, and love can be demonstrated in restoring and maintaining human harmony.

To many, the concept of God as Mind may, on first acquaintance, seem difficult to grasp. Perhaps one has been educated to believe that mind is identical with brain. On this basis he may tend to regard God as similarly endowed, that is, with finite mind capable of materially-oriented thought processes.

The Bible makes clear that the deific Mind is, in fact, quite different from the so-called mind of a mortal. We read: "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." ^{Isa. 55:8,9;}

When the concept of God as the only Mind is accepted in consciousness, it begins to revolutionize our human experience. Mind's thoughts are ever present to regenerate and heal. We can recognize God's thoughts and apply them in solving our problems. "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind," ^{Rom. 12:2;} wrote Paul. And Mary Baker Eddy states in Science and Health, "Immortal ideas, pure, perfect, and enduring, are transmitted by the divine Mind through divine Science, which corrects error with truth and demands spiritual thoughts, divine concepts, to the end that they may produce harmonious results." ^{Science and Health, p. 259;}

Christian Science explains that to distinguish between immortal ideas and mortal beliefs is a necessary part of healing. Emanating from Mind, immortal ideas are entirely spiritual, perfect, and good. Mortal beliefs invariably deny Mind's allness by according reality to matter in some form. In the practice of scientific Mind-healing elimination of the belief in matter as substance and cause is essential.

Some people accept what may be termed the theory of automatism, that is, the belief that the action of the physical body is involuntary or mechanical. This theory regards a person's body as an intricate mechanism that acts and reacts independently of his thinking. It would make human life seem to be a complicated web of circumstance operating like some mindless mechanical toy.

But Christian Science shows Mind's allness. Omniactive, omniscient Mind is the only real activating power. Mind's gentle impulsions inspire thought and open avenues of harmonious activity. This truth, held to, eliminates the false logic of material belief in automatic physical cause and effect.

Often the false belief in matter at the root of a problem is nurtured by fear. Fear is eliminated through faith in God's love and by understanding the specific mental nature of the problem, regardless of the claims of physical sense. Since Mind is All-in-all, we live in a divinely mental universe, a universe of spiritual ideas, not matter. Therefore the problem can be solved when we see clearly that we are dealing not with a material condition but with a false concept. When the mortal belief is replaced in consciousness with the divine idea, Mind's control is demonstrated, and healing follows.

Christ Jesus' clear consciousness of ever-present, all-powerful, divine intelligence enabled him to uncover and eliminate false fears and ignorant beliefs manifested as sin, disease, and death. We all have the power to put on the Mind of Christ, Truth. And when our primary goal is to attain Christly consciousness rather than to improve matter, divine concepts govern our thoughts and experience, bringing unfailing guidance, supply, and protection, together with ability, health, and harmonious human relationships.

Such demonstrations of spiritual truth demand a consistently correct approach in our metaphysical work, our prayer, for mortal consciousness would constantly obscure our clear view of Mind's allness. Perhaps one of the most subtle suggestions is that we possess a mind separate from God, and that the good thoughts we entertain will somehow invoke the favor of the divine Mind and produce a healing. Science and Health says, "The mere habit of pleading with the divine Mind, as one pleads with a human being, perpetuates the belief in God as humanly circumscribed—an error which impedes spiritual growth." ^{p. 2;}

Certainly our thinking can always be improved. But even good human thinking is not the healer. It is only the transparency that lets in the light of Mind's healing ideas. In reality, Mind's infinitude precludes the existence of any other mind. Therefore the only true thoughts are those emanating from Mind. Only Mind knows. Only what Mind knows really is. And Mind knows only infinite good. Thus healing comes when we reject false belief in a struggling material mentality and accept God, good, as the only real Mind and Life.

Another instance of mortal mind's subtlety is the erroneous assertion that Mind's ideas can become material. The temptation to look to Mind, Spirit, for matter, in the form of money, food, or health, implies that existence can be both spiritual and material, and that Mind can create matter. Christian Science reveals that creation is entirely spiritual, and that Mind's allness excludes matter. Science and Health explains, "From the infinite elements of the one Mind emanate all form, color, quality, and quantity, and these are mental, both primarily and secondarily." ^{p. 512 .}

While our human needs may appear to be largely for more or better matter, essentially they always are demands for increased spiritual understanding. Because one's body and experience are the subjective state of his consciousness, spiritual growth is externalized in improved supply, health, relationships, and so forth.

At our present stage of progress we may only have touched the fringes of Mind's infinitude. However, step by step, our practice of scientific Mind-healing will become increasingly lucid and unlabored as the false sense of a mind apart from God diminishes and is finally wiped out by the light of omnipotent Mind's absolute allness.