Many astrophysicists believe that entities called black holes can be formed from stars whose density and size have reached such critical values that inward-pulling gravitational forces overwhelm outward-pushing electrical and nuclear forces. When these conditions exist, it is believed that the core of the star will collapse from its original radius of a few thousand miles to a compact object, at which time it vanishes from our sight. Then, under the relentless compression of gravitational forces, which are ever increasing as its size is decreasing, the star will shrink to an incredibly dense object the size of a pea. Over such minuscule distances, gravitational forces have now reached stupendous values, and there is nothing to prevent this stellar pea from shrinking to zero dimension.
Don't black holes of a kind occur in consciousness when heavy, sensual, inward-looking thoughts pile up on themselves until they finally collapse and vanish? Might not the astrophysical description of gravitational collapse be a portrayal of the process that is inevitably set in motion when the erroneous, unstable mortal beliefs of life and intelligence in matter start accumulating and contracting upon themselves until they ultimately vanish?
Mrs. Eddy set forth the following practical solution to the problems caused by sensual, inward-looking thinking: "Mortals must gravitate Godward, their affections and aims grow spiritual,—they must near the broader interpretations of being, and gain some proper sense of the infinite,—in order that sin and mortality may be put off."Science and Health, p. 265;
