As the Leader of the Christian Science movement, Mrs. Eddy has given this command to her followers: "Christian Scientists, be a law to yourselves that mental malpractice cannot harm you either when asleep or when awake." Science and Health, p. 442; To call attention to this command, she refers to it twice in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," emphasizing that this is an important point of instruction and that we should give daily attention to it (see pp. 236, 237).
Starting from the premise that one's consciousness is the key to one's experience, we may see how this instruction must be applied. It is primarily in the realm of his thinking that one must be a law to himself. This correlates directly with another statement from the textbook, Science and Health: "Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously." p. 392;
The exercise of this control is not accomplished through human will, suggestion, or what is called positive thinking. Actual control rests on the recognition that there is one Mind, or God, who is wholly good, and that man, God's image and likeness, expresses this Mind individually and exclusively. Christian Science reveals that God is Love, Truth, and Life, that this perfect nature characterizes the divine Mind and hence is the basic nature of man as the child of God. As we prayerfully acknowledge only one God, one Mind, we shall live in accord with this Mind and realize the presence of Mind that constitutes the perfect protection.
