Health through exercise or godliness?
In view of the increasing interest today in exercise clinics, health spas, and physical culture programs, where does the Christian Scientist stand on the subject of physical exercise? Since his religion finds its authority in the Bible, he accepts as sensible advice these words in I Timothy 4:8: "Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things."
Does this mean that he shuns normal exercise or participation in individual and group sports? Not at all. Christian Scientists have won medals and trophies in many sports, and most enjoy some such activity as a part of normal living. But they do not look to physical exercise, pills, and diets as means of maintaining health or regulating weight.
When through the study of Christian Science we begin to recognize ourselves as spiritual ideas of God, we come to know infinite Spirit as the true substance of our being and the real environment in which we live. Then we understand that the only activity important to our present—and eternal—well-being is the expression of godliness, our native spirituality, which comes to light through the daily, hourly knowing of the truths this Science reveals.
For example, when we attain even a degree of godliness by gaining some knowledge of ourselves as spiritual ideas—whole, free, perfect—and by reflecting Love's qualities, we begin to destroy the belief that we live in matter and are subject to its supposed laws—the law, for example, that too much exercise or too little results in physical problems.
All sickness is mental dis-ease externalized upon the body. And the body itself is a mortally mental phenomenon: a limited, material concept of man's limitless spiritual identity as Spirit's image.
The attainment of our native godliness, or spirituality, requires discipline of thought and action through prayer. It calls for systematic study, for example, of the weekly Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly. Also invaluable are regular reviews of the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, as well as a continuing study of the entire Bible and of all Mrs. Eddy's writings. The healings of the master Christian described in the New Testament can be given special attention and studied in the light of the teachings of Christian Science.
Christ Jesus consistently saw through the illusion of the material senses. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health: "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 ;
Jesus came to prove that divine Spirit is the Father of all; that man therefore is spiritual, not material; that there is no matter, no hatred, no mental or physical incapacity, no death, for man to be subject to. He proved man's completeness and pure goodness as the expression of God. And it is the knowledge of these spiritual facts and the living of them that bring healing to any discordant situation.
While it is often claimed that exercise will cure or prevent bodily ills, relax mental and physical tensions, and possibly help to dispel anger and frustration, it is not claimed that exercise will cure such emotionally charged traits as self-will, self-importance, and false ambition. Yet the emotions are becoming increasingly recognized by many—including the medical profession—as a cause of disease.
A young Christian Scientist in the military service found himself plagued with an ailment. After routine physical examination the Army doctor prescribed a rigorous exercise program. But the more the young recruit exercised, the worse the condition became.
Finally, with the help of a Christian Science practitioner, some unhealthy traits he had been harboring were uncovered: sensitiveness, jealousy, self-will. He realized physical exercise could never overcome these traits but spiritualization of thought could.
To weed out these undesirable companions, he resolved prayerfully to ponder each day the many truths of God and man he had learned. And he made an honest attempt to see, hear, and repeat good only—always, under all circumstances. He acknowledged perfect God and perfect man as the only reality in all his relationships. In a short time the physical condition was completely healed and never returned.
"Mind is the master of the corporeal senses, and can conquer sickness, sin, and death," we read in Science and Health. "Exercise this God-given authority. Take possession of your body, and govern its feeling and action." ibid., p. 393 . Anyone can learn how to do this with confidence and consistency.
"Godliness is profitable unto all things," for it heals every discord.
