To be spiritually independent is to be self-governed, to do one's thinking, under God's direction, unswayed by mortal opinions and beliefs. Dependence on divine Mind and independence of mortal mind make way for Love's leading and control and so bring a natural unfoldment of good into human experience. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 106): "Like our nation, Christian Science has its Declaration of Independence. God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love."
Spiritual independence is a necessity in preserving physical and mental poise. It is a defense against general false belief, against unhappy entanglements, personal influence, or any form of mesmeric ensnarement. To demonstrate spiritual independence we must seek the answer to our problems by consulting Principle, not person. In this way we gain the wisdom and the strength to meet each challenging situation. This does not necessitate aloofness from people or from anything good, but only a withdrawing from mortal mind and its falsities. While spiritually independent thought is firm in not yielding to erroneous human opinions, it carries with it no hint of coldness, superiority, or indifference. It is not activated by self-will, arrogance, or pride, but by obedience to divine Principle. Never presumptuous, it respects the rights of others, and since it looks to God for inspiration and guidance it is naturally gracious, co-operative, and kind.
Spiritually independent thinking maintains a singleness of purpose which ensures progress. It was spiritual independence in Abraham, his obedience and faith, which brought him forth from Ur of the Chaldees to find a better way of life. It was spiritual independence, his undivided allegiance to God, which spurred Moses on to free his people from Egyptian bondage. It was spiritual independence in Jesus, his determination always to be "guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love," which enabled him to teach and prove the gospel of Christian healing despite implacable opposition. It was spiritual independence, a turning from oppressive human beliefs to divine law and power, which enabled our intrepid Leader to launch out on her great mission of revealing to mankind the spiritual truth of being and of restoring to them the inalienable right of "self-government, reason, and conscience."
