Article March 3, 1997 Issue

Material stimulation or the joy of spiritual sense?

Fujiko T. Signs

We admire the blue sky, appreciate delicious homemade soup and bread. We cherish the warm hugs we receive from children and friends. On the surface, it is through the material senses that we experience all these. Yet there is much more to any experience than its physical color, taste, or temperature. When you feel truly happy, aren't you sensing a spiritual quality?

A friend of mine started building a museum for children in the community, planning to have a room for each sense—hearing, touch, smell, sight, taste. In my study of God and His man, I have been understanding more about man's God-given spiritual sense. Science and Health states, "Spiritual sense is a conscious, constant capacity to understand God" (p. 209). At first I thought spiritual sense was only available if you worked hard to know it. I felt it was a gift that some have more of than others.

My work with the museum made me think further on this matter. Yes, children explore their environment with the five senses. But should a child's happiness be dependent on sensual stimulation? What are children really seeing? Children love bright colors not because they give them a certain retinal stimulation but because they represent the variety and brilliance of Truth, Love, and Life.

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