Article August 23, 2010 Issue

MY COMMITMENT TO SPIRITUAL HEALING

BY KATHRYN DUNTON

SINCE I WAS NOT RAISED IN CHRISTIAN SCIENCE, the concept of spiritual healing was somewhat obscure to me when I began exploring it in college. But as I found myself sinking in the social and academic deep waters of a highly competitive school environment, Christian Science became my life preserver.

I took the study of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, as seriously as I took any of my academic, graded courses. I intuitively knew that Mary Baker Eddy's book was one of the most important I would ever study. Now, several decades later, I feel the same way. However, I am now even more convinced that my decision was wise, because over the years I have seen more fully the power of the ideas expressed in this life-changing book.

Initially, some of the concepts seemed strange and implausible. But when I tentatively applied them to situations in my life, I found they were true. For example, before entering college I was diagnosed with a bladder infection and was prescribed medication. The infection seemed to be under control, but later at college it flared up again. I went to the infirmary and was given another prescription, which made my normally clear skin break out. As a result of that side effect, I decided to apply what I was learning from Science and Health to the problem. Although I don't remember the specifics of my prayer, I know I prayed to express purity of mind and body, which is a reflection of thought. As Mary Baker Eddy wrote, "A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive" (Science and Health, p. 463). The symptoms abated within a week and never returned. A coincidence? I didn't think so.