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Rules for understanding and healing

From the April 2026 issue of The Christian Science Journal


During the spring, some bird species become territorial. Mistaking the reflection of themselves in a window for another bird, they believe they see a rival and attack it. But they are attacking their own reflection—a phantom rival. This “rival” does not exist; the bird only believes that it does. 

We may ask ourselves, “Do I have a phantom enemy or threat—a false belief, an illusion, something I believe to be existent in my life but that is not real?” If so, wouldn’t wakening from this false belief to see reality—our perfect relation to God—bring healing?

Christian Science teaches that God, infinite good, holds man in perfect harmony with Himself through divine law. God’s all-powerful presence encompasses all space. So, there is no place for sin, disease, or discord to occupy. If they seem to be present, we can waken from these phantoms, or illusions, by receiving a clearer understanding of God’s ever-good, ever-powerful presence expressing itself in each one of us. 

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