Article June 24, 1996 Issue

Realizations that generate healing

Geoffrey J. Barratt

Realizing the truth of being in Christian Science is wonderfully practical. Mary Baker Eddy proved this again and again in healing and regeneration. Her statements on spiritual realization are authoritative. They're based on her broad and deep experience. She writes, for example, "An incontestable point in divine Science is, that because God is All, a realization of this fact dispels even the sense or consciousness of sin, and brings us nearer to God, bringing out the highest phenomena of the All-Mind" (Unity of Good, p. 7).

A graphic happening in the Bible shows the power of spiritually realizing—clearly perceiving—the allness of God, good (see II Kings 6:8–17). Elisha, menaced by his surrounding enemy's horses and chariots, evidently realized the mightiness of God's protection and shielding care. And his perceptiveness in this tight spot brought out high "phenomena of the All-Mind." The truth that God is All was so actual and concrete a fact to him that his realization appeared to him as defensive chariots of fire and horses all about. His servant, not so. But Elisha prayed, in effect, that his servant's perception be opened up as his own had been. The servant realized what Elisha had seen, and he himself saw the flaming chariots and horses.

If invited to help someone spiritually, through prayer, the Christian Science healer doesn't try merely to "realize" that someone who's sick is well. That would be an exercise in self-kidding because it would be leaving God out. Any cure that such an approach might seem to effect would not be lasting. The healer might instead prayerfully realize the truth that God's whole and perfect man is the actual identity of the one who seems to be ill. That the divine Mind is always man's true Mind, and that Mind is conscious only of good. It has no capacity to know unrealities and lies.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
On the playground
June 24, 1996
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit