In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 276,) "When we learn in Science how to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect, thought is turned into new and healthy channels,—towards the contemplation of things immortal and away from materiality to the Principle of the universe, including harmonious man." As we deny material sense and ponder with rejoicing the perfection of spiritual being, our consciousness is touched with divine light and we learn more of the beauty of holiness.
One of our vital and joyous tasks as Christian Scientists is to guard this faculty of contemplation against negative tendencies and keep it in accord with divine Principle. Through true contemplation we amplify our recognition and demonstration of "harmonious man." It is only by understanding the nature of God and His creation that we find the way out of trouble into peace, out of false belief, sorrowing, and subjection to evil, into true knowing, true rejoicing, and spiritual dominion. Solely through adding to our spiritual understanding of God and man, and living what we understand, can we overcome fear, sickness, and sin, and see more of the truth through which the problems confronting individuals and nations are destined to be solved.
Many inspired resolves relating to true contemplation are found in the Psalms, and they are of value to us as we adopt them. Among such passages we find: "I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings;" "My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding." The arguments of doubt, complaints, and fretting are silenced as we resolutely hold our thought to "the contemplation of things immortal," for these are invariably harmonious. There are no vagrant thoughts in divine Mind, no material beliefs, tremors, or treacheries. It is only our acceptance of false suggestions which makes spiritual enlightenment appear remote. Perfect consciousness —the consciousness of perfection—is ever present. With so much good to contemplate, to utilize, to triumph in. why should we consent to be robbed of good for even a moment? Yet such seems to be the downward tendency of undisciplined thought that we must train ourselves to contemplate the things which "are true, . . . honest, . . . just, . . . pure, . . . lovely, ... of good report." In this way we can under all circumstances resist animal magnetism and respond to spiritual attraction.
