"Atomic action is Mind, not matter." What a revolutionary concept this is! What power is here indicated, what an infinitude of possibilities! There is no hesitation, no compromise in this statement by Mary Baker Eddy, which is found on page 190 of "Miscellaneous Writings." She tells us unequivocally, "Atomic action is Mind, not matter."
We learn in Christian Science that Mind is God, that God is good, and that God is All-in-all. Thus we come logically to the realization that atomic action must be good, for it is of God. It cannot be anything else, since God, good, is Mind, All-in-all— all there is, or ever was, or ever can be. But one may say: "What about atomic action as expressed materially in the form of nuclear explosions, and so forth? Surely they cannot be called good, because they are not of God."
The material manifestation called atomic energy is most certainly not of God. But does any material manifestation come from God? Can any material concept, whatever its shape, size, outline, or experience, be of God, good, or be true or real? Of course not. God is the only reality. He is Spirit, Mind, Truth, Love, Life, Soul, Principle, as we are taught in Christian Science. This concept of God constitutes totality, in whatever direction thought turns. It is impossible for a scrap of room to be left over for anything material or destructive.
On page 544 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy states, "Material, erroneous belief reverses understanding and truth." And on page 129 she says, "If you wish to know the spiritual fact, you can discover it by reversing the material fable, be the fable pro or con,— be it in accord with your preconceptions or utterly contrary to them." The next time we visualize the mushrooming effect of a nuclear bomb explosion, threatening death and destruction and apparently giving out a radiation of fatal proportions, let us deny this material picture vehemently, remembering the assurance of protection given in the ninety-first Psalm. Let us turn to the active Word of Truth, God, which is "quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword" (Hebr. 4:12).
This Word of Truth, spoken, understood, lived, uproots and dispels the discords of mortal mind. As a result, we shall find that peace reigns, that our thought is quiet, and that the radiation of Spirit gently bestows on us its warmth and blessing and its love.
"Atomic action is Mind, not matter." Let us read the next sentence. Mrs. Eddy goes on to say, "It is neither the energy of matter, the result of organization, nor the outcome of life infused into matter: it is infinite Spirit, Truth, Life, defiant of error or matter." Atomic action is not the result of organization. The comfort of this fact is immediate when we realize that Mind, God, is One, without division.
The word "atom" is derived from the Greek "atomos" meaning "uncut, indivisible." It is then clearly logical that true atomic action can only be the self-expression of divine Mind, whole and complete. There is no escape from the oneness of Mind and its action.
"Defiant" is a word which has come to have a somewhat distasteful connotation, frequently implying an improper rebellion. But definitions of the word "defy" include "to challenge to combat ... to set at naught"; and the word "defiant" often indicates an inevitable rebellion to be undertaken against the beliefs of a power opposed to God. How often do we, understanding that man is the reflection of God, of infinite Spirit, defiantly oppose the claims of matter? Do we not instead sometimes tentatively feel our way in order to probe the close mists of error, trembling lest the power of God, good, be not strong enough to make a path for us?
Let us see ourselves as the pure and powerful reflection of infinite Spirit, and, knowing this, let us defiantly resist all erroneous claims to the contrary, whatever the guise in which they present themselves. We have the ability to resist error when we realize that we are in reality God's reflection. We overcome erroneous suggestions when we are defiant of all that would set itself up against the power of our being.
The material manifestation of atomic action is the most violent, powerful form of energy yet devised by mortal mind. How infinitely greater, then, by virtue of its translation into spiritual fact, is the atomic action which is Mind, radiating life, and health, and boundless motion! The power expressed therein is beyond measure, yet its annihilating effect on all unlike good is felt through Science. If we should be tempted to fear, let us realize that we have access to the power of Mind through the understanding of man as the image and likeness of divine Mind. Can we do otherwise than utilize this power if we know ourselves to be the sons and daughters of God? We read in the Bible (II Tim. 1:7), "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
"Atomic action is Mind, not matter." Let us consider well this statement of our Leader's and be at peace.
