Article September 29, 1980 Issue

Unlimited companionship

OSWALD J. PHILLIPS

True companionship is oneness with God.

Yearning for the company of mortal persons or material things may weaken our consciousness of the reality of God's presence. Many forms of experimentation—premarital and extramarital relationships, use of hallucinogenic drugs, displaying the body in a sensual manner—are products of this search for satisfaction in matter. The results are illustrated in a scriptural allegory: Adam's need for human companionship resulted in his dropping into a sleep or dream state. The separation of man into two persons during the dream is depicted as precipitating Adam's downfall and the sinful history of mankind. But as mankind awakes from the influence of the dream and recognizes man as God's image, or idea, more harmony, peace, and joy become apparent, as well as more satisfying friendships.

Man's completeness as God's idea is a spiritual fact. Increased understanding of his oneness with God shows that man reflects all the qualities of the great I am and removes the false concept of man as separated into male and female persons—wed or unwed, lonely or content. Marriage is a symbol of—but not essential to—completeness. Man is already complete. "Marriage is the legal and moral provision for generation among human kind," Science and Health, p. 56; writes Mrs. Eddy.

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