Mesmerism or hypnotism is not induced always by one who professes to be a hypnotist. Subjecting oneself to the undue mental influence of others results in self-mesmerism and robs one of his God-given right to think for himself.
Christian Scientists must be alert in order to detect the things that are influencing thought. They must exercise the right and the ability to reason and to choose their thoughts. Mrs. Eddy states in Science and Health (p. 106): "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." Accordingly the alert Christian Scientist employs only Godlike thoughts and dismisses any thoughts of inharmony which, although they may claim to be his own, are but the suggestions of the carnal mind.
It is well to consider the following questions: What am I susceptible to? What impresses me? What stimulates my imagination? What illusions of thought seem real to me? What do I think about in my spare time?
