"Matter's supposed selfhood"—this is the arresting marginal note to be found on page 479 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." It is related to a paragraph which contains these epochal statements made by the author of this textbook, Mary Baker Eddy: "Matter cannot see, feel, hear, taste, nor smell. It is not selfcognizant,—cannot feel itself, see itself, nor understand itself. Take away so-called mortal mind, which constitutes matter's supposed selfhood, and matter can take no cognizance of matter." The truth in this statement robs what is called matter of any life and power within itself whereby it can be or act apart from the supposititious mind of which it is the expression.
Looking upon matter as a substance in and of itself, we find that "matter's supposed selfhood" seems to be composed of what is called flesh and bones, blood, nerves, and so forth—corporeality. But the fact that matter is not a solidified substance existing apart from mind shows that what is called corporeality is purely a false mentality. It is the belief in a mind or self apart from God that can create and do that which is contrary to the will of God, divine Principle. Jesus overcame this sense of corporeality when he knew and acknowledged that he could do nothing of himself. He had so completely surrendered matter's supposed selfhood and its claims to power and action that his God-ordained individuality appeared, governing all his thoughts and deeds, revealing divinity and its omnipotence. He said, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise," indicating the indivisibility of God and man in origin and action.
Realizing the true nature of what is called matter as but the evidence of mortal mind, one sees that matter's supposed selfhood is outlived not through the passing of time, or through the disintegration and death of a matter body, but through spiritual enlightenment, through an understanding of the one and only Mind, which is divine, perfect, and indestructible in origin and manifestation. This is done in the eternal and ever-present now. One begins now, this moment, to outlive this supposititious selfhood by seeing its mythical nature and denying it all identity. Denying it identity, he denies it existence and fulfills the demand, "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?"
