Day 233: Anatomy is mental Self-knowledge

461:1-463:4

Anatomy, when conceived of spiritually, is mental self-knowledge, and consists in the dissection of thoughts to discover their quality, quantity, and origin. Are thoughts divine or human? That is the important question. This branch of study is indispensable to the excision of error. The anatomy of Christian Science teaches when and how to probe the self-inflicted wounds of selfishness, malice, envy, and hate. It teaches the control of mad ambition. It unfolds the hallowed influences of unselfishness, philanthropy, spiritual love. It urges the government of the body both in health and in sickness. The Christian Scientist, through understanding mental anatomy, discerns and deals with the real cause of disease.

2010

Day 30: The Great Distance

51:28-53:24

Mary Baker Eddy writes of the shock that arises when someone realizes the great distance between himself and Truth. That when we recognize that distance, we should weep over the warning, instead of denying truth or mocking the goodness.

She must have know anyone reading the book would experience the same realization of the distance and have to deal with the shock.

But there is an additional idea I would like to add. Turning back or just stopping here on my spiritual journey isn’t an option. I’m sure it is for some people. Perhaps they weren’t committed but were just dabbling. Similar to the passport analogy Mary Baker Eddy employs.

I might be a Neanderthal in a spiritual sense but turning around or stopping isn’t a choice. Yeah, I see the distance. But I’m going anyway. If you are reading this, you are too. Good!

2010

Day 318: The Pathway

641:15-643:27

My faith in good is increased and I know I am losing my belief in evil as a power equal to good. The pathway is not wearisome, because each victory over self gives stronger faith and a more earnest desire to press on.

Day 230: Waters in the Fountain

455:3-457:6

In this section, Mary Baker Eddy uses the imagery of the fountain which can’t send both sweet and bitter water. Her point being you can’t develop a higher spiritual sense and still hold to the lower material thoughts. Another interpretation might be that you can be the empowered but bad Christian Scientist. You can’t have the ability to heal and still be wicked – therefore uses your healing power for evil.

For my own spiritual development, I think her first statement is one I need to work on:

A mental state of self-condemnation and guilt or a faltering and doubting trust in Truth are unsuitable conditions for healing the sick. Such mental states indicate weakness instead of strength. Hence the necessity of being right yourself in order to teach this Science of healing.