The Determining Factor

Alfred Pittman

The supposition that it makes little difference what one thinks, so long as what he says and does meets the human requirements, is completely disproved in Christian Science. Thought is shown by this Science to be not only relatively important, but the determining factor in all experience. The Scriptural declaration concerning a man, that "as he thinketh in his heart, so is he," is shown to be a statement of fact for all men—a statement which, when understood and utilized in the light of Christian Science, becomes the means of liberation from every trouble.

Thinkers in many fields of human endeavor have observed that every experience is an experience of consciousness. They have recognized what indeed becomes obvious to anyone who considers it, that when one sees a mountain, for example, all that he is aware of is his consciousness of the mountain; that one can be aware of nothing but that which he entertains in his consciousness.

This fact is now widely recognized, but what is clearly set forth only in Christian Science is that consciousness, and not something outside of it, is the controlling factor in experience. The common opinion, in the case of the mountain, is that something at a distance from the beholder, something material, determines his consciousness, and thereby his experience. But Christian Science shows that true experience is determined, not by matter, but by the measure of spiritual understanding possessed by the beholder. If he understands that God, Spirit, is the only creator, and that His creation expresses His nature—the beauty, majesty, and infinite goodness of Mind—then he will see more of beauty appear in the mountain, because his concept of creation will have become less material. His viewpoint will have improved, because his vision is more spiritual. As Mary Baker Eddy writes in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 516): "The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by His creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere."

The thought and experience of all mankind, then, are not controlled by what appear to be material circumstances. No matter what these circumstances may seem to include—danger, grief, want, sin, sickness, or death—a Christian Scientist recognizes that man is not in reality subject to them. He recognizes, further, that Science opens the way of freedom from them, for him and for all, by its revelation of the spiritual facts of being. In the face of discordant conditions he turns confidently to the divine facts. He realizes the perfection of God and of the universe of spitirual ideas, and proportionally as he does this the discordant condition is healed.

The Christian Scientist is not less careful of his words and actions, by reason of his being careful first of his thought. Rather is he more careful of them. He sees both the importance and the practicability of letting the wisdom, power, and perfection which Science discloses be evident in human affairs. He lets his light shine, in accordance with the admonition of Christ Jesus. Going meekly and earnestly forward in his study and practice of Christian Science, the student soon discovers that the good he has sought, even the wholly good and true consciousness which expresses God, infinite Life, Truth, and Love, is natural to him. Far from being impeded by any fact of being in his endeavor to know and demonstrate spiritual truth, he sees that Mind, omnipotence, supports this endeavor.

The great quest of mankind has been for that which would satisfy—for what is truly good. In a single sentence (Science and Health, p. 261), the beloved Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science has shown how it is to be attained. She writes: "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." Wholehearted and steadfast watchfulness is required that this may be done with the best results; but the student of Science, as he progresses, sees with ever-increasing clarity and comfort that it is the natural and right thing to do.

Alfred Pittman

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