MANY persons who are not yet students of Christian Science and some who have begun to study its teachings ask, "What constitutes a Christian Science treatment?" Unillumined human consciousness longs for a formula or ritual, but just as each idea in God, infinite divine Mind, is completely individual, so no formula or ritual could possibly comprehend the infinite ways in which divine Love meets the human need. Each treatment in Christian Science is an original prayer and never follows a formula. It is a spontaneous communion with the Father-Mother God which meets the specific need of that moment.
In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy gives many helpful recommendations for Christian Science treatment. Next to the longest chapter in this textbook is the one entitled "Christian Science Practice," and the last thirty-two pages of this chapter are devoted to the topic, "Mental Treatment Illustrated."
Christian Science teaches that fear, ignorance, or sin is the basis of all inharmony, including sickness, disease, and death; also that ignorance of God or sin is a basic cause of fear. Our Leader says on page 411 of Science and Health: "Always begin your treatment by allaying the fear of patients. Silently reassure them as to their exemption from disease and danger." Then she continues, "If you succeed in wholly removing the fear, your patient is healed."
