The contemporaries of Columbus looked at a curved earth and called it flat. But that did not make it flat. It remained unchanged and round. The only flatness was in the thoughts of those who accepted the prevailing belief of their time; it existed in a false sense only. Columbus saw the earth to be round. Why? Because, being governed by a more intelligent sense and not by what others believed, he saw the earth in its true aspect.
Christian Science teaches that what appears as a mistake, an illness, an inharmonious relationship, a discordant environment, or a depressing sorrow is a defective view that has been consented to individually. Mortal mind does not see things as they are. It sees its own thought or belief. Inasmuch as there can be nothing wrong with God or with His perfect spiritual creation, if mortals have been accepting a false, discordant appearance as real, the mistake is obviously in their understanding or vision. Nothing but a changed view will correct such an error. Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, indicates the way to practice revision when in answer to the question, "How is a mistake to be rectified?" she replies, "By reversal or revision,—by seeing it in its proper light, and then turning it or turning from it" (Unity of Good, p. 20). Webster gives this interesting definition of "revision": "A seeing again; a rebeholding."
To rectify mistakes and heal discords involves seeing them in their proper light. Vision cleared and widened, perceives that which has always been present, namely, the goodness of God and man's present perfection as His likeness. To see spiritually enables one to see aright. And to see spiritually is the real man's eternal, nonforfeitable prerogative. The divine Mind does not behold sickness, lack, estrangement, or danger. It sees only its own perfect, unblemished, spiritual creation. And because God is All and includes all, there is in reality nothing else to be seen. Divine Love sees man as it created him, as its own beloved son, in whom it delights. Soul is satisfied with, loves, rejoices in its offspring. In man's God-illumined consciousness there is nothing that can obstruct or resist the recognition of his spiritual, harmonious, perfect being and its immediate evidence. This right view, accepted by mortals with no mental reservations, heals; it brings to light humanly that which is normal and harmonious.
