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Barking at an illusion?
The puppy barked loudly and persistently at the glass doors to the patio, and I went to see what was outside. Upon closer examination, I realized she was barking at her own reflection in the glass. It was the only thing "out there" threatening her. I laughed when I saw this was a good example of being fooled by appearance.
Thinking further about the incident, I realized it explained something of what happens when we believe in a mind or intelligence other than God. In Christian Science, the term mortal mind is used to refer to this false sense of mind, the supposed opposite of the one Mind, God. This counterfeit of intelligence has no self-awareness; it is ignorant of itself. Just as the puppy was seeing her own reflection in the patio doors, which were acting as a mirror, so mortal mind sees its own images, its own beliefs and expectations. But they are illusions. In Science and Health Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, observes, "Mortal mind sees what it believes as certainly as it believes what it sees" (p. 86).
In constrast, to recognize and obey God, as the one Mind, enables us to see more of the underlying reality—the infinity, goodness, harmony, of Spirit. When we see that God, Mind, is All, and all-knowing, there is no room for any opposite to Him, and man, God's likeness, reflects his intelligent source.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
November 7, 1994 issue
View Issue-
Refuse to be discouraged
Marian Cates
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Barking at an illusion?
Sylvia Messner
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"The mind of the Lord" overruling human opinions
Arthur S. Bradley
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How can we know God is guiding us?
Robert A. Johnson
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Surrounded by God's care
Patrick Errett Welch
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Science and Health—the book I treasure
Eleanor P. Humphrey
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A kitty who was healed
Jane Partis McCarty
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"What are your politics?"
Mary Metzner Trammell
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Are you waiting?
Russ Gerber
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More than twenty years ago I was encouraged to explore...
Forrest M. Rishel
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Since I began to study Christian Science fourteen years ago...
Francisca Machado de Eussner
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When I was eighteen years old, a Christian Science healing...
Kathryn Thompson
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A few years ago I attended a dance with a friend
Carol Ann Alves