Perfection itself includes progress. This fact totally contradicts the traditional philosophical assumption that perfection is static. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Infinite progression is concrete being, which finite mortals see and comprehend only as abstract glory." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 82;}

We can, indeed must, demonstrate the truth that perfection is not static, but dynamic, including "infinite progression." An un-progressive state is error. Understanding dynamic perfection, we nullify beliefs of stagnation, inactivity, dullness, and apathy. Then real progress is made evident in our lives.

But what if we have tried to work out a problem for some time and are disappointed with the results? Does this take the wind out of our sails? If we feel our healing is "dead in the water," perhaps we can learn a lesson from the kedging practiced by sailors of the tall ships whose only driving power was the wind.

When their sailing ships were becalmed, the sailors, unwilling to wait for the wind, would kedge: that is, they would put the ship's anchor into a small boat, row it forward as far as possible, and drop the anchor. Then the ship's crew would haul, or warp, the ship forward to the anchor. This process was repeated until the becalmed area was passed and the ship could sail again. "Kedge" is another name for the anchor used in this process.

Like the sailors of old, we must be willing to kedge—to take the anchor of our hope forward, again and again, if necessary. Mrs. Eddy never used the word "kedge" in her writings, and she uses its equivalent noun, "anchor," only once in Science and Health. She writes: "The nature of Christianity is peaceful and blessed, but in order to enter into the kingdom, the anchor of hope must be cast beyond the veil of matter into the Shekinah into which Jesus has passed before us; and this advance beyond matter must come through the joys and triumphs of the righteous as well as through their sorrows and afflictions. Like our Master, we must depart from material sense into the spiritual sense of being." ^{Science and Health, pp. 40–41;}

Actually, the details of how we kedge are not so important as our willingness to use present capabilities to achieve freedom from an unprogressive or unproductive state. Like those sailors, we must want to get things moving. Every effort we make to overcome a seeming limitation is really "kedging," but Christly striving must not be seen as a laborious but as an uplifting experience. Christ Jesus said, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." ^{Matt. 11:30;}

We must be willing to "depart from material sense into the spiritual sense of being." Likewise, we must cast the anchor of hope "beyond the veil of matter into the Shekinah"—the place of God's presence, or the abode of Spirit. Putting our hope in Spirit will bring progress, though the method of progressing is a matter of individual demonstration. At times, we may need to use the kedging method until we reach the point where, with a steady wind, we can sail uninterruptedly to our goal of healing.

Consider the definition of "wind" in the Glossary of Science and Health. It begins with the spiritually enlightened concept, "That which indicates the might of omnipotence and the movements of God's spiritual government, encompassing all things." ^{Science and Health, p. 597.} Thus, spiritually interpreted and understood, the power behind our forward movement can never be interrupted. Realizing that we are ever encompassed in the might of omnipotence, we cannot lose spiritually impelled action.

Dynamic perfection is the basis for the work of a Christian healer. If the winds of progress should seem to cease, let's be willing to "kedge"—to use the anchor-and-rowboat approach until we overcome inertia and the apparent lack of progress. Soon our sails will be full again. Even now our hearts can be filled with gratitude for the Science of Christianity and for our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, who gave us, not formulas for healing, but explanations and rules of divine law that bring progress and glorify God.