The questions have many times been asked: What is spiritual thinking? how does it differ from mortal mind thinking? how may spiritual thinking be best promoted? and how may one eliminate the so-called mortal mind thoughts which seem so persistently to crowd human consciousness? These are, indeed, important questions, directly pertinent to one's spiritual growth. Yet Christian Science explicitly answers them all; and, in fact, gives definite and simple instructions as to how one may best progress in the process of transforming thought to conform with the true consciousness, which is spiritual. And, withal, the directions are so simple that a child may understand them. Spiritual thinking is the reflection of the one Mind, thinking the thoughts God gives, that is, of good; mortal mind thinking has to do only with the beliefs of the flesh, with all which arises from the lie which insists that life and intelligence inhere in matter. Christ Jesus discriminated perfectly between these conditions when he said to Nicodemus, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
The process of attaining to spiritual thinking is not different from the gaining of any mental condition desired. If, for example, one wishes to perfect himself in any branch of mathematics, he turns to the study of that subject, and thinks and dwells upon it constantly, or in the degree commensurate with the intensity of his desire to become proficient. Filling one's thought with a subject of a necessity excludes extraneous thinking, and he mentally dwells with his desire. Can one doubt the result of such effort?
The situation is not different in gaining spiritual understanding. The student who earnestly desires to progress rapidly turns his attention to the things of Spirit, that is, to thoughts of God and His perfect creation, including spiritual man. He dwells in the atmosphere of divine Mind, filling his consciousness, so far as possible, with the truth about all things; about the infinite universe in all its purity and beauty and goodness, wherein dwells no phase of evil, sin, and discord. This continually leads to the unfoldment of new ideas, and one's spiritual vision is enlarged in proportion to the intensity of his desire and the earnestness of his application.
On page 495 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in response to the question, "How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science?" Mrs. Eddy says: "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit. Adhere to the divine Principle of Christian Science and follow the behests of God, abiding steadfastly in wisdom, Truth, and Love." Note that one is admonished to "imbibe the spirit" as well as to study "the letter." Whole-hearted obedience to both the spirit and the letter is necessary to sturdy growth in the understanding of God and His creation.
Christ Jesus furnishes the perfect example of spiritual desire. With humility, simplicity, and childlikeness in his unfailing trust in God, he went forward to prove the presence and availability of infinite Love to meet all the needs of humanity. The days of his ministry, as revealed to us through the gospels, were wholly given to doing the works of God. We find no account of a diversion from the true course, for any reason, or under any pretense whatsoever. Nothing deterred him; nothing daunted him; nothing changed his purpose; but straight to the goal of demonstration of his Messiahship he went, without change of purpose or desire for rest. Can one doubt the degree of his devotion? He thought and lived the spirit of Godlikeness continuously.
Our beloved Leader likewise has set for us an example of sweetly childlike devotion to her high purpose—the reestablishment of Christianity on its original basis. She, too, having set her eyes upon the goal of spiritual accomplishment, pushed on, overcoming obstacles that seemed appalling in their character, and unsurmountable in number. She, too, expressed the spirit of true Christianity to the degree that it dominated her completely. Nor did she ignore the letter. The means and method of demonstration, the "how" of accomplishment, were not neglected. The textbook of Christian Science abounds in descriptions of the rule and mode of Christian Science practice. Moreover, the Manual of The Mother Church also contains most definite instructions for the student of Christian Science. What more important and effective guide could there be for the advancing student than "A Rule for Motives and Acts" (Art. VIII, Sect. 1)? Here in simplest words is written a perfect epitome to right living. To follow the instructions in the spirit and the letter is the only sure method of advancing rapidly along the road to spiritual attainment.
How to eliminate mortal mind thoughts, so called, is not more difficult. Weeds cannot grow in a garden fully occupied with flowers. Cultivating a full stand of flowers renders weed-growth impossible; or if they appear from hidden seed they cannot thrive without sunlight and nourishment. Likewise evil thoughts, thoughts based upon the material theories of existence, cannot occupy the mentality given only to the contemplation of the good, the beautiful, and the true, thoughts of divine Love and its infinite expression; or if they do appear, their expulsion is instantly accomplished by the contemplation of "the things of the Spirit."
Christian Scientists know that it is just as possible to exclude evil thoughts from consciousness as to shut the door upon unwelcome visitors in the household. And knowing the undesirable results of entertaining evil thoughts, the necessity of such expulsion is greatly emphasized. "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he," declared the wise man of old. Does it not, then, behoove each one of us to set about the correction of our thoughts, in accordance with Love's demands that our days may be righteous and happy?
Mrs. Eddy has, with characteristic force and simplicity, set forth the need and furnished the remedy. On page 596 of Science and Health we read, "The illuminations of Science give us a sense of the nothingness of error, and they show the spiritual inspiration of Love and Truth to be the only fit preparation for admission to the presence and power of the Most High."
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