The foundation of mortal discord is a false sense of man's origin. To begin rightly is to end rightly." This statement of Mrs. Eddy's, found on page 262 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," gives a clear clue to our right starting point. In order to realize and experience the harmony of being we must begin our thinking from a true sense of man's origin. Now, the teaching of Christian Science, based on the record of creation given in the first chapter of Genesis, makes plain man's origin in God, or Principle. The first verse of that record starts with the words, "In the beginning." One dictionary meaning of the word "beginning" is "first principle," and the Armenian translation of the Bible thus translates that word; so we begin with that which has no beginning, but which is from everlasting to everlasting the eternal perfection of creative Mind. This means that we begin with qualities and ideas of Mind proceeding from and infallibly governed by divine Principle rather than with false beliefs and the lawless emotions of sense.
Starting with Principle, we start with that which is immutably right in origin and in action, incapable of error of any kind. All that is, is now being governed harmoniously, continually, and unalterably by divine Principle. From this starting point of perfection we realize that there is a perfect solution for every human problem that claims to be; from the simplest personal perplexity to the most intricate racial and international relationships. Our starting point, then, will always be one of great joy and gladness of heart, of deep peace and security, because we never start with the problem but with the freedom of Principle, in which is found the solution of the problem. Thus this starting point becomes a vantage point from which is controlled all succeeding activity.
Starting with divine Principle, perfect Mind and its perfect reflection, one's motives and interests are unselfed, his aims and purposes purified from material getting and doing to spiritual accepting and being. Thus realizing that in the perfection of reflection man already has all good, one starts out not to get but to accept—not to do but to be. Realizing the significance of Jesus' statement, "The Son can do nothing of himself," he sees that man cannot do something God is not doing. Man cannot get something God has not already bestowed upon him. Understanding and demonstrating this truth, one's doing becomes reflecting and his having is in the measure of his accepting. How clearly Jesus knew this great truth and demonstrated its power! He did not start out to make man well, but he perceived the immutable perfection and health of man, uninterrupted in its manifestation by any illusions of the senses, and so the sick were healed, the lame made to walk, and the blind to see. Jesus knew that divine Love has provided for every human need, so he fed the multitude and found the money for taxes in the fish's mouth.
