Independence is the right of all, and is desired and sought by all mankind. Individuals may work long and faithfully, but in vain, to attain independence through material means. One may ask whether it is possible for them to attain real independence and, if possible, how it can be gained.
Independence is primarily a mental state. Christ Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." For many centuries mankind seemed to have lost sight of this truth which Jesus revealed, but today Christian Science has brought the new-old message of true freedom. Christian Science reveals true independence as spiritual, a quality of thought which reflects God, omnipresent Mind. Through the study of Christian Science men are bringing into their individual experience the joy of spiritual independence.
Mortal mind has no power either to improve or to deface God's creation. God, Spirit, fills all space, and evil has no place therein. Truth, operating in one's consciousness, reveals the presence of God, good, and true independence is thereby realized. As one lives in the confident understanding of God's allness and ever-presence, and of man's oneness with and inseparability from Him, he is truly independent, abiding where the many depressing, disappointing, conflicting arguments of material sense cannot reach him.
The carnal or mortal mind is itself wholly illusory. Mortals believe that an accumulation of matter brings independence; that material remedies are helpful, or necessary, in maintaining or gaining physical health and strength; that human strife is sometimes essential. But though one may believe himself to be independent in one way, he may feel himself dependent in another. One may attain to financial or physical independence, and still be dependent upon others for happiness and love.
Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered and founded Christian Science, wrote of the misleading evidence of material sense as follows (No and Yes, p. 5): "This unreal sense substitutes for Truth an unreal belief,—namely, that life and health are independent of God, and dependent on material conditions." In the light of Christian Science, we understand that life and health are dependent upon God and independent of material conditions, and, consequently, constant, eternal. As one's understanding grows clearer that God is Spirit, Truth, Love—the only Life of man—one becomes independent spiritually, mentally, and physically. As long as men seek matter to satisfy their needs, to bring happiness, health, and peace, limitation and bondage will claim to appear, for independence and security are not to be found in matter.
Christ Jesus set an example of joy and independence, and he said that all who believed in him should do the works that he did, and even "greater works." He enjoyed perfect security, because he depended on God at all times. He did not rely on matter or on human personality for support, protection, direction, happiness, or substance. He knew that nothing can add to or detract from man, the image and likeness of God. All who long for spiritual independence should seek to follow Jesus' example, through the understanding gained by the study of Christian Science as set forth in the writings of Mrs. Eddy. The search for true independence is successful only when one ceases to look for it in material existence, and turns wholeheartedly to God.
When we are tempted to feel burdened, limited, harassed, imprisoned in a sense of frustration, failure, friction, injustice, ingratitude, we do not help ourselves by material efforts at self-defense. Oftentimes, by our very struggles, we seem to sink deeper into inharmony, confusion, lack, and distress. The truth is that it is the wrong thoughts we entertain regarding ourselves and others—thoughts of resentment, revenge, self-pity— that confine us, and make life seem narrow, difficult, and fruitless. Relying on human beings, on material so-called laws and substance, one is dependent. When one turns away from material evidence and trusts in God, as Jesus did, for wisdom, health, harmony, life, he becomes truly independent. Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 263): "Mortals are egotists. They believe themselves to be independent workers, personal authors, and even privileged originators of something which Deity would not or could not create." The selfish, blind egotism of mortal mind would limit freedom, endanger health and security, encroach on home and peace; but Christian Science reveals how we may be free and independent from self-imposed bondage, and realize that God is a very present help.
As we are willing to renounce human opinions and depend unreservedly on God, we begin to enjoy life, independent, unrestricted, rich, and free. To live in the freedom of God's perfect way does not mean that one is free to indulge error, for one cannot indulge selfishness, human will, personal desire, discouragement, and be at liberty. When one admits an apparent cause or necessity for evil —sickness, lack, discord, disease, fear, resentment, anger—he ceases to be independent. All must learn that we attain independence proportionately as we depend wholly upon God for our supply of good, for harmony, joy, truth, intelligence, life. Let us glorify God in the expression of unselfed love, gentleness, patience, compassion, refusing to take or give offense, to be hurt or disappointed, to justify self, or to fight error with error.
In Psalms we read: "There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength." Materiality does not give security and independence either to individuals or to nations-. The answer to the world's cry for peace and to man's hope for freedom is always the understanding and demonstration of divine Love. Homes are blessed, states and nations find peace and brotherhood, as their members and citizens stand securely and independently on the one foundation—Love.
Our Leader writes (Science and Health, p. 106): "Like our nation, Christian Science has its Declaration of Independence. God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love." In the degree that we realize man's oneness with God, we are independent, free, whole. Mortal mind would argue that we are in bondage to matter, that we are dependent on matter for life; whereas we are in reality controlled by divine Love and are therefore independent of matter and its fictitious laws.
May we be willing to let God's will be done in our lives, for it is always good. One who feels a sense of personal responsibility may at once find release from that which burdens him, by turning to God and accepting the good that He gives. Individuals may find companionship in noble, unselfish, generous thoughts, which leave no time or opportunity for loneliness. Health, peace, and purity result from the realization that man is the joyous reflection of God, independent, rooted in love, and expressing Truth and Life eternally.
The words of the prophet Jeremiah indicate the true independence which comes from relying solely on God: "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."
