Article July 26, 1975 Issue

Letting Go of Personal Sense

MADGE REINHARDT RITTER

To become effective healers, we need to be free of personal will— any exercising of personal control. The talent of healing is expressed through each of us as we realize the allness of God and the fact that the true controller and healer is God. Inspired consciousness heals and realizes dominion and freedom as we reflect His thoughts. Never is it mere human logic or reasoning that forms true healing treatment—although mental argument (specific affirmation of good, and denial of evil's claim to reality) may be necessary in helping us gain the spiritualized state of thought that recognizes God's allness and perfection. Spiritual consciousness heals.

Mere human rebuke may tend to crush others, disregard another's present point of spiritual understanding, misread another's state of consciousness, or suggest to another that he can't be at one with God, Truth, without a personal intercessor. Rebuke heals only when it is the result of consecrated, selfless communion with God—communion that includes the consciousness of one's own true selfhood as God's idea.

This spiritual understanding ensures that we will not indiscriminately rebuke, treat, or try to make everyone our patient. Personally involving ourselves in other people's thinking without their consent and without highest commitment, we cannot fairly serve them. In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes: "In mental practice you must not forget that erring human opinions, conflicting selfish motives, and ignorant attempts to do good may render you incapable of knowing or judging accurately the need of your fellow-men. Therefore the rule is, heal the sick when called upon for aid, and save the victims of the mental assassins." Science and Health, p. 447;

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
RESPONSE
July 26, 1975
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit