"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.
