ONE'S human experience need not be a series of sometimes joyful and occasionally tragic events that "just happen," seemingly impelled by some vague, misguided element of chance, against which the individual has little, if any, defense. Some find consolation in the belief that experience, although a hard taskmaster, is somehow a conditioner for experiences yet to come. Fortunately, many are learning that although experiences may be used as steppingstones to human progress when one is responsive to their lessons, still the quality or type of experience need not be determined by mere chance or circumstance.
The earnest student of Christian Science is daily proving that in proportion to his understanding of God and of man's relationship to Him, his human affairs are subjected to the control of definite spiritual laws. These laws restore harmony to discordant situations; they bring abundant supply to the impoverished sense, health to sickly bodies, and peace to the anxious thought.
This Science teaches that God is Principle, forever maintaining the spontaneous, unlabored unfoldment of all true being in perpetual harmony. It emphasizes that the demonstrator of this truth must constantly and consistently identify true selfhood with Mind's spiritual idea, which is subordinate only to God.
It may prove helpful to think of one's human experience as a loom on which is woven with tiny threads of thought either a pattern of bright and imperishable colors or else one of somber and faded hues, but ever portraying the order or disorder of individual consciousness. Referring to the mental nature of all that is included in one's experience, Mary Baker Eddy writes in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 261), "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts."
It is sometimes said that human steps to successful accomplishments are conditioned by one's mental attitude. It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that true success, which is lasting, proceeds from the altitude of divine Mind, not from an attitude of mortal mind. When thought is purified and lifted into the rarefied atmosphere of Spirit, then will the human experience assume a semblance of whole cloth, beauteous and without rent or seam. Into such a consciousness nothing can enter that "defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie" (Rev. 21:27).
Without the benefit of the enlightened understanding which Christian Science affords, one is apt to continue groping, blindly and hopelessly, desperately struggling with the phantoms of doubt and fear, discouragement and vain regrets, even as one caught in a bed of quicksand is forced deeper and deeper into the very problem from which he earnestly strives to free himself. Through the inspired teachings of Christian Science, which have Scriptural authority, the voice of Truth loudly proclaims that salvation is a present possibility.
There is a resistance in some quarters to a wholehearted acceptance of this truth because of a mistaken belief that its demands are too stringent and its rewards uncertain. Some do not presently recognize that Christian Science is actually the way of Life, as Christ Jesus so clearly pointed out when he said (Matt. 7:14), "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Better the fear and unrest engendered by the appearance of deep, turbulent waters of discord than the apathy born of complacency in the immediate prospect of ease beside the shallow waters of pleasurable material attractions; for in the face of fear and unrest often grows the desire for a more harmonious and abundant life. Our textbook states (p. 296), "Progress is born of experience." And later, in the same paragraph, we read, "Either here or hereafter, suffering or Science must destroy all illusions regarding life and mind, and regenerate material sense and self."
A young boy attempting to justify his recent delinquency to his father, who had just reprimanded him, said, "But, Father, we learn from experience." The father wisely replied, "It is right that we should learn from our experiences, but our own experience will be better if we profit from the experiences of others." Indeed, we cannot afford to encounter all the pitfalls and obstacles which a blind, confused mortal sense would seem to implant along one's pathway. Why endure the suffering, even for a moment, when Science stands ready to lead and protect?
Perhaps someone may say: "I can readily understand how my thinking will influence my own actions and thereby shape my personal affairs to some extent, but how can my thinking correct the difficult situation at the office? How can it, for example, improve my employer's thinking, or that of my business associates, or even that of my customers?"
The answer, as in the case of every problem involving social relations—family, church, or business affairs—lies in the realization of the oneness of infinite Mind, God, wherein the family of Mind's ideas exist in perfect accord. Christian Science emphasizes that the problem is always within individual consciousness and that the right solution is immediately apparent when consciousness is governed by the one Mind.
In making one's demonstration of place, it is important that no element of self-will, self-seeking, or any other phase of selfishness be permitted to continue in one's consciousness. One does not work through spiritual means for the attainment of a material place, but rather he works for revelation of place as already and forever established in Mind. From this correct standpoint one's place is spiritual and is not to be found in a vacancy created by another, nor can one's place be conscripted in making way for someone else. Man, as idea, is subject to Mind's guidance and control. Divine ideas, though interrelated, are nevertheless individual and subject to God's control alone.
If an employer seems dictatorial or unfair, the employee might well search his own thinking for any element of resistance to constituted authority, supported perchance by a tinge of jealousy, or envy, or even a hint of satisfaction over another's chagrin or failure. These are some of the tools of mortal mind with which error would continue to enslave us within the limitations of personal sense.
A humility which requires willing submission to the government of divine Principle in human affairs is essential for the demonstration of harmony and success in all worthwhile endeavors. This surrender of one's personal desire to outline is of utmost importance. With this surrender comes the patience which quietly and confidently awaits the unfoldment of one's affairs in accord with God's purpose.
Mrs. Eddy makes this pertinent observation in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 117): "The disobedient make their moves before God makes His, or make them too late to follow Him. Be sure that God directs your way; then, hasten to follow under every circumstance." As we more clearly comprehend God and individual man, His reflection, we see that the reflected image must move in accord with that which it reflects. We must be responsive to Mind's direction so that demonstration will coincide with revelation.
When the writer was quite young in the study of Christian Science, he was employed in a type of work which, although adequate to meet the current financial need, was less than desirable in many other respects. Convinced that he was qualified for a more suitable position, he mistakenly concluded that this factor was sufficient grounds for making an immediate change, without the benefit of prayerful metaphysical work, in which the human will must always be subjugated to the divine if the transition is to be blessed with success.
A precipitant move to another company was made at a reduction in salary and to a position for which he was not especially suited. Very soon he realized his mistake. After conquering a belief of false pride, he approached his former employer and was promptly re-employed.
Profiting from this experience, he quietly laid the mental groundwork for future advancement by diligent study, during which time he also applied for Primary class instruction in Christian Science and was accepted by an authorized teacher. A few months later a greatly desired position was obtained with another firm, and the association proved to be a steppingstone to a higher type of service.
Now, it is not always requisite that one retrace his human steps after having succumbed to the blandishments of error. But from a scientific standpoint one must inevitably pick up the broken thread at the point of willful severance and, through spiritually mental growth, re-establish his spiritual relationship with the one Mind. Divine Mind gently leads one to more ethereal heights, causing the human experience to pattern ever more closely the divine plan. One who is thus led is given the promise found in Isaiah (58:12), "Thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."
To the student of Christian Science, his human experience is a proving ground for spiritual fact. He is, therefore, neither awed nor overcome by the appearance of difficult situations; rather does he accept each one as a challenge to his understanding of spiritual truths. That such an attitude is not too transcendental to be practical is evidenced in improved human affairs, wherein man's God-given dominion is seen as a present reality, adequate proof that God's kingdom is come in earth, even as it is in heaven.
