Article May 4, 1981 Issue

Science and art

GUERNSEY LE PELLEY

What does it mean to be an artist?

In the light of Science, it is to allow one's thought to be a clearer and less limited transparency for Soul, divine Spirit. To be able to do this, one must successfully resist the temptation to think of himself as a personal creator, since God is the divine author, architect, and artist. As Mrs. Eddy explains: "Infinite Mind creates and governs all, from the mental molecule to infinity. This divine Principle of all expresses Science and art throughout His creation, and the immortality of man and the universe."^{Science and Health, p. 507.}

The temptation to think of oneself as a personal creator can be mesmeric—especially when one is unconsciously aided and abetted by others "ooing and aahing" over one's work. The expressions of awe and appreciation can be sincere, but to be enticed into this juicy mortal concept of creativity immediately makes one subject to material beliefs about art: lack of ideas, vacillating moods, "artistic" temperament, self-will, and all the tormenting mental struggles associated with trying to achieve esthetic perfection. But in Christian Science, to be a good artist one must also be a good Scientist.

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