Mary Baker Eddy says in Science and Health: “In order to pray aright, we must enter into the closet and shut the door. We must close the lips and silence the material senses” (p. 15). How do I turn off the so-called material senses, or mortal mind? How do I know that I am using the human mind or the divine Mind? —A reader in New York
A1: Years ago, I stood on top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps. I was alone. I saw the beautiful lakes, meadows, the snow-covered summits in the sun. There was silence around me—just the blue sky. And I started to pray, out of joy and gratitude for happy hours with my family and friends, for a wonderful work atmosphere, and for a number of healings that came solely through prayer.
Two hours later, back in the busy streets of Zurich, I suddenly understood something more of what Jesus refers to in the Bible: “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet” (Matt. 6:6). That “closet” on top of the mountain did not depend on the locality. And immediately I “relived” that peaceful atmosphere.
