IT ISN'T EXACTLY A WARM AND FUZZY WORD. Think lethargy, indifference, time-wasting, complacency, a glazed attitude of ... who cares anyway? The Bible warns against the vice of apathy (as one of the seven deadly sins) in the form of sloth, which "casteth into a deep sleep" (Prov. 19:15). Christian Science explains that deep sleep as a mesmerized state of thought, or the effects of animal magnetism—the downward pull toward matter-based, dead-end thinking. Who wants that?

It's wise to guard against such thoughts. Whether you're feeling redundant after a layoff, numb to the enormity of global challenges, or frustrated by a relationship, how vital it is to be alert to the state of thought that leads to vulnerability.

In an article called "Struggling with a bad thought" Kathleen Norris (author of Acedia and me), maintains that "if the Christian church has made too much of the vice of pride, which seduces us into thinking too highly of ourselves, it has not made enough of sloth, which allows us to settle for being less than we can be, both as individuals and a society." She goes on to explain that acedia, an ancient term referring to apathy or sloth, is something "we can learn to recognize and resist when it strikes. A method that was recommended by a Christian monk in the fourth century . . . is to 'think about your thoughts' " (www. cnn.com/2010/LIVING/personal/04/06/got.acedia.spiritual. morphine/index.html?hpt=Sbin).

Christian Science challenges the spiritual thinker to constantly take stock of his or her thoughts. In fact, the very purpose of this magazine is to guard thought. Equally important is the realization that we are not subject to psychological models of bettering ourselves. Rather than trying to dissect human thoughts to make them better, scientific prayer looks to the divine Mind as the only influence and guide for one's thoughts, instead of mortal mind, the mentality that has no power or ability to make itself better.

The protection each one of us needs comes from the activity of the Christ—from the strong, pure thoughts God constantly sends, which reaffirm our untouched spiritual nature. The Christ makes us aware of the presence of good in our lives, and of our part in it. When we align ourselves with the Christ, we naturally begin to feel energized, full of vitality, productivity, forward motion, honest effort, genuine concern for our global neighbors. Apathy can't take hold in the consciousness filled with the Christ-light.

One form apathy might take is in the temptation to go far without exerting much effort. The subtle feeling that to get ahead in life, a little cheating is OK. A recent blatant example came to the surface in the form of a student fraud case, where a college student allegedly duped Harvard University into admitting him to the elite Ivy League school on fake documents. He was also awarded a substantial scholarship. Experts say that because of today's increased economic pressures, the value of a higher education from a reputable university has gone up, thereby opening the doors to an equal increase in fraudulent student activity.

The desire to succeed in life without putting forth the effort required can weasel its way into thought and masquerade as having a higher purpose. But it ultimately fails. To detect such deception, we need to be honest with ourselves. Mary Baker Eddy wrote: "Ignorance of self is the most stubborn belief to overcome, for apathy, dishonesty, sin, follow in its train. One should watch to know what his errors are; and if this watching destroys his peace in error, should one watch against such a result? He should not" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 233).

It might be painful to confront error, especially when it points to ourselves. Still, we shouldn't ignore this task, because it causes us to go higher in our spiritual understanding and ultimately to realize that error cannot paint itself on our mental canvas. Pulling up the weeds of mortal thinking takes effort, but the effect is always to cleanse and purify thought rather than dissect it. And as thought is purified, it is less weighed down. Then, unwanted burdens like apathy fall away. We see ourselves and others as God made us to be.

If we find ourselves resisting spiritual growth or commitment to church—perhaps feeling that someone else's work is sufficient or we're just not good enough for the task—those are the very thoughts that need expunging. Our growth Godward is never vicarious. We cannot rely on others for our own spiritual demonstration. "We must have trials and self-denials, as well as joys and victories," wrote Mrs. Eddy, "until all error is destroyed" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 39).

Today is the time to begin experiencing Love's true design for us—impelling us to good, joyful, and satisfying work. Empowered by Love, the journey will be a joyous one.CSS