"Spirit is the only substance and consciousness recognized by divine Science." So declares Mary Baker Eddy on page 278 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." As students of Christian Science we are taught that all reality is spiritual; that in this spiritual reality man reflects God, Spirit, and therefore is spiritually substantial. Usually we are aware of the first part of this citation and its importance, namely, that Spirit is the only substance recognized by divine Science. But sometimes we overlook an equally wonderful scientific fact, namely, that Spirit is the only "consciousness recognized by divine Science."
Giving careful thought to this declaration, we arrive at two conclusions. Since man's true and only consciousness is of Spirit, man cannot possibly be conscious of Spirit's opposite, materiality. Man cannot be subject to limitations of any kind, since all such limitations are finite and material. Should such factors appear to exist in one's human experience, it would indicate that he is unaware of the nature of his true consciousness, for we have learned and demonstrated in Christian Science that our experience is an outward manifestation of that which is comprised in our consciousness. Since Spirit is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, it follows that man, the idea of Spirit, is ever conscious of the allness of Spirit, making it impossible for him to be conscious of anything else. He never can be affected by so-called material conditions or beliefs, because he never can be conscious of such suppositional falsehoods. The second conclusion is equally clear. Since all true consciousness is of Spirit, consciousness is eternal, immortal, and infinite. The consciousness of man never can be lost for an instant. Man never can lose consciousness, never can be unconscious!
Early in his study of Christian Science, the writer pondered the Biblical account of the raising of Lazarus. It became evident to him that Jesus did not address his words (John 11:43), "Lazarus, come forth," to a material or mortal consciousness. Yet, that Jesus' words did reach Lazarus is proved by his obedience in coming forth from the tomb. The quotation already cited from the Christian Science textbook proved to be the "key" to the Scriptures in this instance, and he saw that man has, in truth, only one consciousness, that of Spirit. It was this spiritual consciousness to which Jesus spoke, and which enabled Lazarus to receive the message of the Christ and instantly to recognize and obey it. This consciousness, being immortal, had never been lost and subsequently regained, but had always been one with Spirit, God.
An incident which occurred during the last war further illustrates the spiritual nature of man's true consciousness. A Christian Science Wartime Minister was called by a large Army hospital and told that a Christian Scientist had been critically injured in a plane crash. When the Wartime Minister identified himself and asked to see the patient, the nurse in charge agreed, but told him the man was unconscious and had been so since the crash. When they were alone, the Minister called the young man by name. He received an immediate answer. During the next three hours the patient was visited by four surgeons, each of whom tried to rouse him, but entirely without success. During all this time, however, the Wartime Minister was earnestly praying in Christian Science and frequently spoke to the flier. Each time he did so, he received an answer. Within a short time the man was completely healed and returned to active combat duty.
Humanly speaking, there was no reason why the patient should have answered one person and not the others. But the Wartime Minister, in later reflecting upon the experience, saw it as another concrete proof that man is ever conscious of Truth, God, and that his consciousness is not finite, but spiritual and immortal. The soldier did not respond to person, but he did respond to the Christ-message brought to him through the prayers of the Wartime Minister. This response dispelled the false argument of human unconsciousness, or limited, finite consciousness. His complete healing proved that he was conscious of the truth voiced, even while material sense was claiming to be in a state of unconsciousness.
The very fact that true consciousness can be cognizant only of Spirit assures its immortality and eternality, for it is only the material, finite sense of things which limits. This is further substantiated by the success with which Christian Science heals cases of so-called insanity. Although mortal mind claims such individuals have, in varying degree, lost the ability to think, to reason, or to know the truth, many such cases have been restored to complete normalcy through Christian Science treatment.
In speaking of the treatment of insanity, Mrs. Eddy states (Science and Health, p. 414), "However obstinate the case, it yields more readily than do most diseases to the salutary action of truth, which counteracts error." Man's genuine consciousness is the consciousness of God, Spirit. This consciousness obliterates all that is unlike God, lifting men above the limitations of material sense, sickness, sin, and death. Here there can be no derangement, no dementia, nor any other discord to be outwardly manifested in human experience. We never need fear decay or loss of faculties when we realize that true consciousness is spiritual and therefore never dependent upon brain or other material elements.
An understanding of the eternal and immortal nature of true consciousness also enables the student of Christian Science to reject the finality of the mortal mind verdict of death. The writer personally witnessed an incident of resuscitation because in this particular instance the Christian Science practitioner was not deceived by the verdict, "She is dead." Instead, she used those precious hours immediately following this announcement to acknowledge the scientific fact of the ever-presence of true consciousness and its immortality. Knowing that man is always conscious of Truth, and that consequently the patient could not be robbed of his Truth-filled consciousness, the practitioner continued her earnest prayers, and the patient was restored to life and health.
We have evidence in the Scriptures that wherever man's oneness with God, Spirit, is recognized and sufficiently understood, self-resuscitation is not only possible but perfectly natural, as witnessed by the Master's work in the sepulcher. The Apostle Paul was stoned and left for dead, but the Bible tells us (Acts 14:20), "Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city." This is certainly a proof that Paul was so conscious of his true relationship to God that at the identical moment mortal mind was claiming, "He is unconscious," or, "He has no consciousness," he was demonstrating the fact of one all-inclusive divine consciousness.
In "Unity of Good" our Leader tells us (p. 24): "All consciousness is Mind; and Mind is God,—an infinite, and not a finite consciousness. This consciousness is reflected in individual consciousness, or man, whose source is infinite Mind. There is no really finite mind, no finite consciousness." Here are scientific facts. True consciousness is spiritual, hence immortal, and is always reflected by man, God's image and likeness.
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding
it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be
filled with all precious and pleasant riches.—Proverbs 24:3, 4.
