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Even people who try to be thoughtful about the feelings of others can make mistakes, but this experience began to bother me so much that it became central to how I thought about these friends. In essence, I had allowed this story to color my thoughts about the people involved. 

My natural inclination is to see people in spiritual terms—as God’s children, pure and good, but in this case, I began dwelling on the bad things they had done.

What was really going on was that I was being fooled by animal magnetism. This term, which Mary Baker Eddy uses to describe evil, represents the subtle ways that matter-based thoughts ingratiate themselves into our consciousness. Animal magnetism would tempt us away from expressing our true spiritual nature and make us think that we (or anyone) can be separated from God’s goodness and love.

When we allow a situation or condition to repeat itself over and over again in our thoughts—instead of addressing it with prayer—it may fool us into believing these are our own thoughts. I’m glad to say that as I thought more about the nature of God as all-inclusive Love, I understood everyone involved had to reflect and express this same universal Love, which would satisfy everyone involved. 

In proportion as I let go of my own opinions and looked to see the purity and innocence all of us include as God’s spiritual ideas, other activities presented themselves for my friends. This enabled each one to find the place where their individual talents would shine.

As I look back on this story about my friends, I am grateful for the inspiration to pray that led me to reject even a possibility that man is aggressive or promotive of inharmony. I was able to let go of the story as having cause, effect, or power. I insisted instead that divine Love is the only influence and Mind. Even the individual who initially brought this to me became less enthralled with the incident as my own thoughts became clearer.

Each of us can correctly identify negative thoughts trying to lull us into believing that something unhealthy or inharmonious is taking place. By taking a moment to refute these thoughts before they dominate our thinking, we can resist an inclination to remain passive and accepting of these influences. 

The important thing for me, as I look back on the events, was that focusing on the story of bullying wasn’t really where the solution could be found. Instead, I needed to focus on understanding God’s government of me and my friends so that I could break through the mesmeric messages of animal magnetism. When I did that, I was freed from my intense feelings, and my friend began to find freedom too.

There is, however, another side to this. What about animal magnetism that comes in ways that seem benign and pleasurable?

The other day I was having lunch with a girlfriend who was talking about her nail polish. Her nails are always long and lovely, and I had mentioned how nice they looked. She said she was thinking of using a navy blue polish next time. 

She told me that she hadn’t ever liked it much, but she was starting to see it more and more on other women. She said, “The more I see it, the more I like it.” Now, people can often change their preference about something, but it’s useful to think about what brings on the change, and what influences we might be accepting. For me, it’s important to ask, “What is motivating me?” Eddy warns, “In a world of sin and sensuality hastening to a greater development of power, it is wise earnestly to consider whether it is the human mind or the divine Mind which is influencing one” (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pp. 82–83). By being alert to just what the motivating factor is, I’ve found that I’m better able to enjoy the products and activities that promote my spiritual growth and that don’t undermine my ability to think for myself. 

Animal magnetism’s suggestions may also come in likeable forms through social media, the newest political slander, or accepted sexual behavior. It can also work its way into our language. Profanity and shocking phrases that were once rare are now being used regularly in sitcoms and news programs.

Jesus knew God as his Father and that God’s power far exceeded anything evil could suggest. This is our goal also.

One way to challenge an intruding thought that is trying to manipulate us is to insist that the power of God is omnipotent. Eddy states, “Every function of the real man is governed by the divine Mind,” and then adds, “The human mind has no power to kill or to cure, and it has no control over God’s man. The divine Mind that made man maintains His own image and likeness” (Science and Health, p. 151). In the same book, she also assures us, “The divine Mind includes all action and volition, and man in Science is governed by this Mind” (p. 187).  

If we believe evil is a real adversary that we personally must defeat, it may feel at times like the battle will never end. Christ Jesus’ example can give us fresh inspiration. When the devil was tempting him, Jesus simply said, “Get thee behind me, Satan” (Luke 4:8). 

His ministry shows he wasn’t afraid of evil; nor was he enticed by it. He wasn’t afraid of being influenced by wealth, power, or popularity. Jesus knew God as his Father and that God’s power far exceeded anything evil could suggest. In his healing work, he expressed true dominion over evil. 

As Jesus’ followers, this is our goal also, even if some situations seem more challenging than others. The reality is that none of them can overpower God. Our job is to know this and also to reject the beliefs and suggestions of evil.

Does this have to seem like a lot of work or a burdensome responsibility? A few nights ago, I had an insight that came in a very unexpected form. After I put the last dishes into the dishwasher, I leaned under the sink and pulled out the full garbage bag. Tying off the ends, I lifted it out and carried it to the garbage bin. In a few days I’ll roll the bin out to the curb, and the trash company will come to collect what’s in it. Once again I will flip out a clean garbage bag and put it in place.

If we think of garbage as a synonym for animal magnetism, we have a very simple “how to” for handling it: Think of it simply as garbage—and get rid of it. 

We don’t need to wonder what part of it is true or whether any of it comes from God—it doesn’t. Nor do we need to ask ourselves if it might be relevant to our lives—it isn’t. All we need to do is keep a clear concept of God and what God is causing us to be—His perfect spiritual ideas. When we’ve got that straight, even a little bit, we’ll know what’s garbage and what isn’t.

We’ll also be protected from believing that it’s a battle that is never really won. The insight I had that night enabled me to see how many times in my life I have taken out the garbage without feeling it’s a job that is unending. Simply put, it is no more effort to take out the mental garbage, called animal magnetism, that tries to influence us and keep us from making the true spiritual progress we are capable of, than it is to put out any other garbage. 

So let’s do it!