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Chapter 3 - The Christ and Christian Science.
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Disease, in this context, is recognized as merely a subjective state of thought that embraces concepts of poverty and mental blindness which simply do not reflect the conditions of reality in the least. Disease reflects a deteriorated subjective state, therefore, that can be improved by aligning thought with the patterns of Truth. Though, ultimately, even the highest subjective state of so-called corporeal existence, even those that reflects health and vitality in a corporeal being, will be supplanted by ever more absolute perceptions of advanced fundamental principles of reality.
Corporeal existence is in effect a virtual reality game, created by a mind that exists as a virtual reality itself. Mortal existence unfolds in a multistage realm of virtual reality that may appear to be totally real, but has no footing in what is actually real. The grosses aspect of this virtual reality game that is currently imposed upon thought, is the material or Earth-bound sense of man's existence which is destroying man and civilization.
The scientifically advanced concept leads to the striking realization, that sickness of whatever sort, being not a facet of the dignity and sovereignty that has been expressed in man throughout the ages, has never actually existed in real terms but is merely a phenomenon of a deficiency in self-perception. In real terms, sickness has no history, no presence, no future, no power, but that of a myth.
None-the-less, it is a hard thing to regard corporeal material existence as a basically erroneous concept, especially when the apparent evidence of sickness is strong, and when one's highest hope is that the corporeal body will undergo healing. More than a shallow formalism will be required to accurately translate the case at hand according to Truth. Deep questions must be asked: What does Mary Baker Eddy mean, when she says that man is Mind's infinite idea, whose existence is spiritual, perfect, and complete, incorporeal in being, existing on an entirely different level than the material dream? In contrast to this question her absolute statement echoes in thought: "Entirely separate from the belief and dream of material living, is the Life divine, revealing spiritual understanding and the consciousness of man's dominion over the whole earth." Then she adds: "This understanding casts out error and heals the sick, and with it you speak as one having authority."*(Science and Health 14:28)
This platform may appear totally irrational in the context of the general experience of humanity, however, it cannot be put aside, for Christian healing is not possible on any other platform than the one stated. The very same spiritual sense that is materially irrational, comes to light as scientifically beautiful and natural when the irrationality of the material concept is understood. When the spiritually real is impressed upon thought, mortal thought is urged to relinquish its erroneous, mortal, patterns, and the subjective state will reflect the harmony and perfection inherent in the spiritual patterns of Truth.
The healing process, thus, is quite simple in its basic principle. Mary Baker Eddy writes: "Become conscious for a single moment that Life and intelligence are purely spiritual, - neither in nor of matter, - and the body will then utter no complaints. If suffering from a belief in sickness, you will find yourself suddenly well. Sorrow is turned into joy when the body is controlled by spiritual Life, Truth, and Love."*(Science and Health 14:12)
The scientific statement of being.
The complexities of the scientific separation of the real and the erroneous, are summarized in a profound, but also simple, statement. Mary Baker Eddy has labeled it "The scientific statement of being." According to testimonies, this single statement by itself, has been at the heart of many a healing that resulted as it stirred the human consciousness to great depths. It represents a scientific prayer of the highest order.
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