Final Thoughts

In an infinite, space-less Mind, time and space do not pose limits or requirements. When an idea exists in Mind, it is instantaneously accessible in all consciousness. There is no need for the playing out of material events in physical dimensions or spans of time. Infinite consciousness is not compartmentalized into separate regions, periods, or human brains.

The instantaneous physical phenomena Albert Einstein called spooky action at a distance may be hinting at this aspect of reality. These phenomena may be an instance of the mental reality breaking through to human sense, or the breaking down of the mortal mind's illusive theories and beliefs—its stitching together of an incorrect perspective.

Physical scientific fields of study, or the natural sciences, observe specific sets of phenomena, each founded on other scientific fields of study and practice that describe and prove its basic assumptions. For example, the study of anatomy is founded on the laws and discoveries of biology. The study of biology is founded on the laws and discoveries of chemistry. The study of chemistry is founded on the laws and discoveries of physics. At the ground level, we currently find quantum theory.

Some theoretical physicists look reluctantly to consciousness for its foundation and have developed interesting concepts. However, the tendency in much of the physical sciences to define reality only by that which can be physically tested is particularly problematic in this instance. Consciousness is no more found in a brain than reality is found in a misstatement.

In my view, the foundation of all science has been discovered and described by Eddy in Christian Science.

If so, the search for an all-encompassing physical science, or a physical theory of everything, will always be incomplete, not accounting for consciousness as the foundation of the entire system. Incomplete premises yield inconsistent, faulty, and enigmatic results throughout. The notion of matter as the building block of the universe, or as any part of it, is a faulty premise. Therefore, a physical theory of everything is an impossibility.

The universe, like man, is to be interpreted by Science from its divine Principle, God, and then it can be understood; but when explained on the basis of physical sense and represented as subject to growth, maturity, and decay, the universe, like man, is, and must continue to be, an enigma.*

Understanding mortal, material consciousness as the foundation of matter explains the compartmentalization—the localization and limits in scope—of material premises, findings, and conclusions. And it unites all human experience and discovery into one holistic field of study, practice, and demonstration.

A theoretical understanding of the mechanics of consciousness has been an attractive endeavor for many since early on in the Christian Science movement. However, I should note here that the proper study of this science must be accompanied by its dedicated application in thought for sound conclusions to be reached—for proof to be seen and progress to be made—because experience cannot be separated from perspective. The mechanics alone, without the reformative activity of reality upon thought, tend to lead thought away from reality rather than towards it.

These mechanics became much of the basis for our modern metaphysics and philosophies. For this reason, you may have found some overlap in the language of both, though the meaning of the words used is often very different. These modern trends tend to offer plenty of exciting notions for consideration, but not as much in the way of objective, consistent demonstration.

The early metaphysicians who strayed from Eddy's discovery and started their own movements and religions tended to prefer their Science without the Christ (or vice-versa). However, this Christ is the discovered identity of man, and Science is the process by which this identity is revealed and demonstrated.

Eddy defines this Christ as, " ... The divine manifestation of God, ..."* It is that which destroys material sense in human consciousness.

"The advent of Jesus of Nazareth marked the first century of the Christian era, but the Christ is without beginning of years or end of days. Throughout all generations both before and after the Christian era, the Christ, as the spiritual idea, — the reflection of God, — has come with some measure of power and grace to all prepared to receive Christ, Truth."** "Jesus was born of Mary. Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness."*** "The divine image, idea, or Christ was, is, and ever will be inseparable from the divine Principle, God."****

For Christian Scientists, it seems a wonderful age has arrived where this science has been discovered and methodically proved in human experience. As Eddy writes, " Truth is revealed. It needs only to be practised."*****

The human experience and the Christian Science perspective are irreconcilable. Attempting to mix the experience of many thinking persons with the understanding of one infinite Mind leads to further false perspectives and confusion—to pseudo-metaphysics that are not scientific.

However, when the Christian Science perspective replaces the evidence gathered from material sense in human consciousness, healing occurs.

This healing is proof of a higher truth.

" This scientific sense of being, forsaking matter for [God], by no means suggests man's absorption into Deity and the loss of his identity," writes Eddy, "but confers upon man enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace."*

Mind is always thinking, and what it is thinking is you, its compound idea.

An infinite consciousness means that man is at the same time one and uniquely individualized beyond measure, in a way that is inherently counterintuitive to material or mass mentality, but can become intuitive to the individual whose worldview and experience changes to reflect this reality.

In this infinite intelligence, being conscious of reality is simply reality itself thinking. The evidence of this reality breaks through the stubborn experience of general belief and spontaneously reveals itself to man's awareness constantly. It cannot help doing so, because consciousness is this Mind's constant activity, which man reflects.

I suspect that this activity reveals itself in your experience daily.

The sciences have proved time and again that the obvious or intuitive assumption is seldom correct. The earth is not flat and static, human flight is not impossible, the sky is not a blue surface above our heads, the universe does not revolve around the earth, and so on. Biblical prophecy did the same thing in its time. The expression of God's perfect creation did not come from a pulpit or throne. It began humbly in a manger.

The final and permanent dispensation of God's deliverance has not come in the manner that was humanly expected either.

Sometimes the least valued idea, like that least valued domino, carries the most weight. In the words of my grandfather, "it has no holes." In the words of scripture, “ The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."*

Christian Science shows us that, in a world of complex material perspectives and opinions, it is our mental unity that hints at reality. It is rightly-directed thought instead of complex material systems that solves the great problem of being.

Not only has the earth never been flat, it has never been material. We are not a compilation of mortal beings on a round surface; man is an immortal idea in the boundless creative Mind—a Mind which includes the earth, the universe, and the entirety of existence as distinct and spiritual. We are not conscious of a world outside, existence is inside of consciousness.

“... The kingdom of God cometh not with observation," was Jesus' explanation to the Pharasees, "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."**

ON CONSCIOUSNESS and the Christian Science view of existence

Final Thoughts