Spiritualizing Our Consciousness

LAURA M. AGASSIZ

On page 587 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy gives a definition of God which, when rightly understood, helps us to spiritualize our consciousness. It reads: "God. The great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence." It is indeed a wonderful definition of God.

Since God is "the all-knowing Mind" (ibid., p. 187), we can really know only that which is Godlike. We are conscious of His presence in the thoughts or ideas that come to us through spiritual sense, which sense Mrs. Eddy says "is a conscious, constant capacity to understand God." Continuing, she adds that spiritual sense "shows the superiority of faith by works over faith in words" (Science and Health, pp. 209, 210). Then what is more necessary for humanity than to gain in spiritual understanding, and to utilize the spiritually mental qualities which bless ourselves and others?

Through intelligent appreciation of the teachings of Christ Jesus, including the Golden Rule, we are enabled to realize the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Adherence to the understanding of Truth eliminates fear, doubt, or any erroneous thought which would try to confuse us or separate us or God. Christian Science teaches that evil in all its seeming forms is unreal—nothing. It may seem real at times; but it has neither reality nor power. Jesus proved this conclusively, and the Christian Scientist also has the joy of proving this. He is thus ever alert, knowing that in order to realize harmony he must possess and utilize spiritual understanding.

Through the study of Christian Science we become conscious of the Love—divine Love—which when reflected destroys error and upholds peace and joy. Mortal mind disputes this fact, but through Christian Science we know that in reality there is no mortal mind, since God is infinite Mind. When our thought is conformed to God's government, we are conscious only of Love's presence. Being conscious of Love or Spirit frees us from bondage to the flesh, or matter, with its inharmonious beliefs, including sin and sickness. As we understand the nothingness of matter, we acknowledge the allness of God.

Mortal mind, so called, has no reality. In the measure that we refuse to entertain in thought that which is unreal, and keep our consciousness filled with spiritual truth, we realize the fulfillment of Jesus' promise, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." As our consciousness is spiritualized through the understanding of Jesus' teachings and those of our Leader, we are released from fear of supposititious mortal mind.

The childlike thought is spiritually spontaneous. It turns to the Father-Mother Love as naturally as a flower turns to the light. This is illustrated by the following incident. A little boy was sent home from school one day with a note from the school physician saying that the sight in his left eye was very poor, and that if he continued to use it he probably would become blind in that eye. The mother, a Christian Scientist, who had been sending her boy to the Christian Science Sunday School, turned to God for deliverance.

One day, on the way to the doctor's office, the mother asked the child what he was thinking. "Why, mother, what else can I think, but that God is taking care of me!" he replied. When the doctor had finished his examination, he exclaimed, "This child's eyes are all right!" "Of course my eyes are all right!" said the little boy happily. "How did you know they were all right?" queried the physician. "I know, it because God is taking care of me, and because He gives me sight," the child replied. The physician expressed astonishment at such spiritual conviction in a child so young.

Christian Scientists love and revere Mrs. Eddy because of her wonderful gift of Christian Science to humanity. Through her spiritual revelation we are enabled to understand more clearly Jesus' teachings. Consecrated effort to live in accordance with these teachings brings the conviction of which Paul so lovingly writes to the Galatians, "Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

God's loving care for His children is brought out in many daily experiences. Mankind is made free through the gaining of spiritual understanding.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Freely, Abundantly, Immediately

July 30, 1938

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit