Mankind has always sought those conditions of happiness and comfort which represent heaven. Why is it so difficult at times to obtain them? Let us examine for a moment what most of us consider to be the essential ingredients of this supreme happiness. Don't we believe that abundant material possessions—new automobiles, fine clothes, comfortable homes—or that success in business, good health, and harmonious relations with others constitute the heaven we are seeking? Humanly speaking, desire for all these seems quite normal. Certainly God's children are not expected to experience lack, sickness, failure, or unhappiness of any kind. Why, then, do these conditions seem to exist and why do some who have gained abundant wealth often fail to obtain that supreme happiness or bliss which constitutes heaven?
Mrs. Eddy has shown us that the answers to these questions are clearly stated in the Holy Bible. Emphasizing the importance of the Bible, she writes on page 497 of Science and Health, "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life." Christ Jesus said (Matt. 6:31–33): "Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?... For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
How do we seek the kingdom of God? Referring again to Science and Health, we find these words (p. 242:) "There is but one way to heaven, harmony, and Christ in divine Science shows us this way. It is to know no other reality—to have no other consciousness of life—than good, God and His reflection, and to rise superior to the so-called pain and pleasure of the senses." Further she defines "heaven" as "harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle; spirituality; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul" (ibid., p. 587). It is therefore this consciousness of God, good, and of man as His reflection, not material substance and health, that we must gain, if we are to obtain heaven.
