Common sense reasoned that attending would be an impossibility”

During the Association address this year, I got a clearer insight on the nature of animal magnetism, and why Mrs. Eddy instructs that we handle it daily. Of course this was pointed out during Class, but realising the need to deal with the fact that human existence is a mental experience, which falsely believes that there is mind in matter, is very helpful. I would like to share an experience I had, and how prayer in Christian Science resulted in my attending Association meeting last Saturday.

I usually begin my preparation for the next Association as soon as the previous one is over. Of course this is more a mental preparation—praying and listening for ideas that will guide the human steps needed to get visas etc. In January this year, I had to travel to another country, so I sent in my international passport by courier for the visa of that country. A few days later it became obvious that my passport was lost. Obtaining a new one was fraught with delays, and getting a visa for the US would have been impossible, as all the immigration history on the lost passport, forms the basis for the approval of a visa; and even then it is not automatic.

I must admit that initially I was quite frantic, and rushed around, taking the human footsteps to try and locate the passport, to no avail. All evidence showed that it was irretrievably lost. Common sense reasoned that I should accept the fact that attending Association this year would be an impossibility. Spiritual sense quietly and persistently spoke louder. So, after a few days of futile activity, thought settled. This I attribute to the Christ, or what Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health is ‘a divine influence ever present in human consciousness.’ I became still mentally, and just acknowledged the omnipresence of God. I knew that every idea is in its right place, in the Kingdom of Heaven, whether it is the idea of a passport, or my attendance at our Association meeting. I was at peace. Immediately the human picture also began to change, and with a momentum that could only have been divine.

The courier, to their utmost surprise, found my passport in very interesting circumstances. In March, I was not only able to get a US visa, but also get the right flight dates. But there was still more work to be done. The night before Association, I woke up with a very painful, throbbing headache. The suggestion was that, even if I went for our meeting, I would not be alert, since I was up most of the night working for myself. However, by this time, I realised just how powerless animal magnetism is; it is not real, and therefore it has neither substance, reality nor authority. My friends’ cat came to me many times during the night, and this was wonderful evidence of God reminding me of His presence and love. It was also an assurance that I was being supported by the only power there is—spiritual power. The last section of the Association address concludes that we are in God’s presence always.

In the morning I was free from any pain, and I was alert and looking forward to our meeting, and I remained so. As I listened to the address, and especially the section on how to deal with animal magnetism, I was consciously aware, probably as never before, that divine Love brought me all the way. I have started my preparation for attending our next Association.