THE modern world is coming to realize the importance of thought in relation to daily life. It is coming to concede that real living is based on true thinking, that all right achievement is the result of progressive thought-processes. Enlightened thought not only lifts the one entertaining it above the common abilities, but also inspires others to strive for like attainment. Each of us has been stirred at one time or another by some brave or loving deed, some glorious accomplishment of good which has given new hope to the human race.
As we have come to see that the quality of a man's thinking not only colors his daily life but actually controls it, we have sought for ways to guide our thinking into healthy channels. This desire for mental and spiritual freedom has resulted in the growth of various mistaken methods of mental therapy, all based on belief in the human or mortal mind as the origin of thought. Such belief leads only to confusion and failure.
Yet it is possible for one so to elevate his habit of thought as to improve his entire standard of health and happiness. In fact, this is exactly what Christian Science teaches one to do—but not through any dependence on erring mortal mind. A Christian Scientist early learns that there is one Mind only, which is God, and therefore always good. This infinitely good Mind is the creator of the perfect spiritual universe, including perfect man, forever protected and controlled by God's infinite wisdom, through spiritual law. This Mind is also the source of all true inspiration, and guides men to a healthy, harmonious, fruitful life.
Most inventions or discoveries come as the fruit of consecrated study along some particular line. To solve a problem correctly, usually the student must sacrifice much to that purpose; he must control every desire that might retard his progress toward the consummation of his hope. So everyone who would achieve great spiritual things must consciously contemplate the true nature of the Mind that is God, for, as Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, tells us on page 283 of her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "Mind is the source of all movement, and there is no inertia to retard or check its perpetual and harmonious action."
As the student learns more of divine Mind in Science, he repudiates the limitations of mortal mind, and sees himself in his true being as the expression of infinite intelligence. He finds that Christian Science presents an invariable Principle with which to control every activity. Understanding God as infinite Love, he naturally manifests love toward his fellow man. He inevitably stands for Principle when he learns that God is Truth. The more he knows of God as the source of all real being, the better he can prove that life is the very law of man's being. And when the student reaches this point in Christian Science he begins to heal, for he sees that sin, disease, and death are entirely contrary to the law of God, and therefore unreal.
We read on page 323 of our textbook: "Beholding the infinite tasks of truth, we pause,—wait on God. Then we push onward, until boundless thought walks enraptured, and conception unconfined is winged to reach the divine glory." Man's opportunity, then, is boundless. A spontaneous unfolding of the wonders of the universe awaits our spiritual awakening.
Our Leader disproved the limitations of mortal sense by a life of truly remarkable achievement, and has left for us an inspired statement of how we may continue that work. On page 128 of Science and Health we read these words: "A knowledge of the Science of being develops the latent abilities and possibilities of man. It extends the atmosphere of thought, giving mortals access to broader and higher realms. It raises the thinker into his native air of insight and perspicacity."
