Mental Altitude

[Written Especially for Young People]

OLIVE PEARSON RICE

Perhaps some of you who have traveled by air have found that on a cloudy day one can fly above the clouds in a clear, sunny atmosphere by rising to a higher altitude. At this height, the airplane speeds onward to its goal unhindered.

In our journey from sense to Soul most of us have moments when our mental outlook seems clouded. In school, we may believe that some of our teachers are not co-operative, that we cannot understand a certain subject necessary to our course, or that we have more work assigned to us than we can get through.

Sometimes clouds gather around our home and social life, and sometimes we are tempted to believe that the demands of divine Principle are too strict, and the seeming popularity of those classmates who drink and smoke looks to us just a little bit attractive.

We may well call these beliefs mental clouds. So long as we stay among them our thinking is confused, and in time becomes inactive. Right here is our opportunity to rise to a higher mental altitude. Our beloved Leader says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 355), "To strike out right and left against the mist, never clears the vision; but to lift your head above it, is a sovereign panacea."

As we begin to lift our thought, we remember that we have learned in Christian Science that God is All; that God is good, and therefore good is all. What a wonderful truth to know! "The Sun of righteousness" and of right thinking has begun to dispel the clouds of earth. In this light we see God's ideas, and perceive that all ideas of God work together in perfect harmony and blessedness. In this light, Mind makes clear to us whatever before seemed hard to understand, and so makes us capable of performing all duties assigned to us with ease and assurance.

Let us consider for a moment just one angle of social drinking. We know that exceptional sobriety is required of airplane pilots, because drinking takes from them that mental clearness so necessary in their work. So we ask ourselves, Who could possibly desire to indulge in that which would dim, even in the slightest degree, our precious ability to think wisely and accurately?

Consider also the social custom of smoking, so prevalent today. It can be classed only as an unnecessary and superficial habit, for not only has one to learn to smoke, but also to like it. Many are made ill in their first attempts. Should such a forced habit have any attraction for an intelligent thinker?

A student of Christian Science once found it necessary to make a business appointment in the cocktail lounge of one of New York's larger hotels. She was a professional woman and had had many occasions to refuse both cigarettes and cocktails. Her refusal was seldom commented upon, and she never felt embarrassed at such times. On the contrary, her heart generally surged with gratitude that these habits had no attraction for her, and that she was learning to understand the real joy of life as taught in Christian Science.

Mrs. Eddy says in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 452), "Never breathe an immortal atmosphere, unless in the attempt to purify it." So before joining the party, this student endeavored to lift her thought to that higher mental altitude where she would be conscious of the presence of the ideas of God, pure and perfect.

At the close of the appointment, a member of the party remarked that the Christian Scientist definitely had something that they lacked—a spontaneous enthusiasm and sense of joy that was independent of stimulants for expression. On page 420 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, "Mind is the natural stimulus of the body, but erroneous belief, taken at its best, is not promotive of health or happiness."

So, as we stop reasoning after the manner of mortal mind and approach the altitude of God's wisdom, as Mrs. Eddy has so clearly shown us how to do, life becomes a joyous and progressive experience with success assured. Thereby we also bless our fellow men. Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

As young Christian Scientists, we should be ourselves, our real selves. We should dare to stand out from the crowd and think rightly. Then we shall win. It is said that if one flies often enough, no other mode of travel satisfies. This is likewise true of one who consistently rises to a higher mental altitude. For, once experienced, no other kind of thinking (so called) will ever satisfy. So let us stay above the clouds of material sense and God will speed us to our goal.

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