Editorial January 18, 1975 Issue

Mental influences: The Great Hoax

Naomi Price

Present-day interest in the occult and the considerable publicity now being given to methods that claim to enable one to influence others through mental control sound a warning that should not be ignored.

These methods are neither attractive nor awesome to people who understand not only the Science of the divine Mind but something of the workings of the human mind. They know how false is the foundation of these mortal systems of mental control, and how illusory are their consequences. They will not wish to use them, and they will not be fearful of or affected by them. They are equipped to guard themselves against the temptation to use these so-called mental powers on others, and know why they are wise to refuse to be influenced to accept as their own the mortal thoughts that others may attempt to impose upon them.

In her writings, Mrs. Eddy often refers to the insidious and clandestine methods of the enemies of society who seek to dominate others through mental means. She exposes and condemns the practice of mentally manipulating others, and at the same time she reassures us and explains the basis from which we may defend ourselves from accepting alien suggestions into our consciousness. She writes in Science and Health, "Never fear the mental malpractitioner, the mental assassin, who, in attempting to rule mankind, tramples upon the divine Principle of metaphysics, for God is the only power."^{Science and Health, p. 419;}