As I was saying goodbye to a Christian Science practitioner when I was just beginning to study this Science, I said, pointing to my inflamed eye, "If you can do anything about this, please do it." I was asking for Christian Science treatment, though I didn't know much about it. On the way home, I was healed, not only of the eye flare-up, but also of a chronic sinus infection.
To me, this is proof that it isn't necessary for a patient to know all the details of what Christian Science treatment involves in order to be healed. But it is useful to distinguish between a prayerful appeal to God for help, and a scientific understanding of how God's power is accessed for physical healing, as well as for addressing other difficulties.
Christian Science treatment is a conscious recognition that God is present right where evil—whether it takes the form of sickness, wrongdoing, confusion, or other trouble—seems to be. And as in any science, Christian Science treatment deals with a problem by applying appropriate knowledge and rules to the condition, and thus brings about healing.
First steps
In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered this method of scientific treatment, wrote, "Always begin your treatment by allaying the fear of patients." Science and Health, p. 411. Again from Mrs. Eddy: "Science saith to fear, 'You are the cause of all sickness; but you are a self-constituted falsity,—you are darkness, nothingness. ... You do not exist, and have no right to exist, for "perfect Love casteth out fear.'" Retrospection and Introspection, p. 61.
Mrs. Eddy unites "perfect Love" with scientific certainty, and Christian Science treatment does likewise. I have found it helpful to remember that point when giving Christian Science treatment, and to keep a balance between Christian ideals and scientific concepts. To do this, the Lord's Prayer with its spiritual interpretation and "the scientific statement of being," Science and Health, pp. 16-17; p. 468. both of which are in Science and Health, offer a basic checklist for balanced healing treatment. But it is the spirit, not necessarily the words, that is the healing animus.
So how can fear be removed in any orderly, unfailing, scientific way? Well, here's an example. Some time ago, a friend of mine went with some co-workers to a work-related social function several miles from his home. He became ill, but since he had not driven to this event, he was afraid that he would have to stay there until the people he was riding with were ready to leave. He phoned his wife and asked her to give him Christian Science treatment. A few minutes after he placed the call, my friend was offered a ride home by someone else. When my friend arrived home and flung open the door, his wife was surprised that he was healed. Laughing, she said, "I haven't even finished my treatment!"
I've always loved this story because it indicates that treatment need not be long and laborious, so long as it is Christ-impelled. This is not to say, however that such treatment lacks specificity and thoroughness. The man's wife had given him Christian Science treatment that addressed both the illness and his feeling of being trapped at the social gathering, by affirming scientific, spiritual facts regarding his life and health. The extra time spent in treatment was not wasted. While each treatment is unique, each also deals with universal truths, has universal applicability, and contributes to a healing atmosphere for oneself and others.
Christian Science treatment affirms the presence of God, everywhere.
Basic points in treatment
All genuine Christian Science treatment recognizes in some way that matter is not real—that it's illusory in character, and, therefore, can neither forward nor interfere with healing. As Science and Health explains, "It is only by acknowledging the supremacy of Spirit, which annuls the claims of matter, that mortals can lay off mortality and find the indissoluble spiritual link which establishes man forever in the divine likeness, inseparable from his creator." Ibid., p. 491.
In this statement, Mrs. Eddy referred to both men and women as complete spiritual creations of the infinite Mind, called God. To annul "the claims of matter," is to obliterate the effect or even the existence of the material condition, whether it be illness, inharmony in a marriage, injury, or some other problem. I've found that by first "acknowledging the supremacy of Spirit," or God, I can more quickly recognize that a material condition has neither power nor presence. This does not ignore what needs to be annulled, but helps me to see that it is powerless and actually nonexistent. While the practitioner is praying to know that fear and trouble of any kind are nothing—literally—it is important for him or her to address specifically and individually the beliefs and fears of the patient. As one would not ignore a mistake in any scientific operation, one can't fully realize the perfect nature of true being if treatment reaches mistaken conclusions or has missing elements.
Treatment usually addresses more than what appears on the surface. Sometimes a patient will talk to a practitioner about a specific question that he or she is wrestling with, or sometimes an underlying issue becomes apparent to the practitioner through the spiritual intuition that comes as a result of treatment.
No matter what information comes to the surface as a result of treatment, it is held in "sacred confidence" Manual of The Mother Church, p. 46. between patient and practitioner. Treatment, which recognizes the perfection of God's creation, scientifically annuls any unhealthy influence. Such influences are immediately seen as mistakes, and are eliminated, much as the knowledge that two plus two equals four obliterates a mistaken assumption that they equal five. While treatment annuls wrong thinking in this scientific way, it does not release the patient from necessary and helpful repentance and regeneration, but forwards these health-giving, Christian states of thought.
An inspired approach
The Bible sets the tone and often supplies the inspiration for treatment. Science and Health says, "The Bible contains the recipe for all healing." Science and Health, p. 406. In this case recipe does not mean "formula," because there is no real formula for Christian healing. See Church Manual, p. 43 . But the Bible, and its companion book Science and Health, are equal to the healing of all wrong-doing and sickness, and to the healing of all nations and peoples.
Once when I had requested treatment for a painful physical condition, I suddenly realized that I was also feeling hopeless about a family situation. I knew that Science and Health lists hope as a moral quality. See Science and Health, p. 115 . I saw in an instant that if hope is moral, then hopelessness is "immoral." As I understood that hopelessness is actually unnatural and no part of me, my hope was restored, and I was again confident in God's control of the situation. Physical healing came along quickly, and a good solution was discovered for the problem that had so distressed me.
This experience has always been a reminder to me that Christian Science treatment, which recognizes eternal perfection, stands as a witness to good. If one is God's "image" and "likeness," as the Bible expressly states, then one is never less than perfect. God's image is always God's image. While treatment denies and annuls what is unlike God, it never adds to or subtracts from this glorious image.
A sacred activity
Once treatment has reached the point where the inseparability of God and His/Her creation is realized, one needs only to recognize the treatment's enduring power for it to be complete. Once I was talking to a fellow healer who brought out vividly that it is God—not a human being—who gives the treatment. Up to that point, I had more or less considered that I, as a human, was responsible. Another colleague reinforced the value of trusting the infinite instead of oneself when he said, "If you think that you have given good treatment, watch out." I saw then as I had never seen so clearly before that Christian Science treatment is a sacred, divine activity, as well as the practice and proof of an absolute Science.
I find this statement from Mary Baker Eddy helpful: "Divine Science demonstrates Mind as dispelling a false sense and giving the true sense of itself, God, and the universe; wherein the mortal evolves not the immortal, nor does the material ultimate in the spiritual; wherein man is coexistent with Mind, and is the recognized reflection of infinite Life and Love." Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, p. 190.
Of course, it is essential that an individual give the treatment, and also be aware that Mind is unfolding the content of the treatment. Sometimes treatment takes many turns before the practitioner fully recognizes that the patient has never been mortal and material, but has always coexisted as a reflection of God, Life, and Love.
My hope was restored.
Since Christian Science treatment is essentially Christ-healing, it is best to look to the master Christian for guidance. Though Jesus didn't provide details of how spiritual healing is accomplished—these remained to be discovered and fully explained in Science and Health—his example and acknowledgment of the source of his healing power continue to encourage others to do as he did.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise," said Jesus. "For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth." John 5:19, 20.
As with Jesus' prayers, Christian Science treatment offers an exact way to bring what the Father is doing to bear on a particular situation. It is a method for removing and destroying fear. In essence Christian Science treatment is answered prayer. It is the answer to humanity's great desire for a scientific, certain way to be delivered from all evil.
