“There’s high degree of care I felt, in this chapter, for ‘tired humanity.’”
/(1) What do you feel the word creation implies?
I believe that Mrs. Eddy’s use of the word creation implies a clear delineation between the real and unreal.
(2) In your own words describe your impressions of the chapter “Creation” in Science and Health.
Mrs. Eddy goes to great length to distinguish between mortal mind and divine Mind, with Mind being the only creator. There’s also a high degree of care I felt, in this chapter, for “tired humanity,” those walking (or stumbling) along the path from sense to Soul. I’m including some passages that mean a lot to me in this chapter, as well as some reasons why.
“Mind creates His own likeness in ideas, and the substance of an idea is very far from being the supposed substance of non-intelligent matter.” (p. 257)
Mrs. Eddy reminds us that there’s much more to man than what we see with our eyes.
“The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea, — perfect God and perfect man, — as the basis of thought and demonstration.” (p. 259)
I’ve always valued how this citation helps get me back to basics, how to start praying.
“The lost image is no image. The true likeness cannot be lost in divine reflection.” (p. 269)
This citation stands out to me for its strength and clarity. God’s ideas are never, can’t be lost. And Jesus’s admonition to, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your father which is in heaven is perfect,” carries a new kind of hope to me that it hasn’t in the past. We CAN aspire to be perfect because our spiritual origin is perfection.
“Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts.” (p. 261)
The world mocks this promise, or would reduce its spiritual significance to some form of positive thinking, but I know that it’s true.
“By putting ‘off the old man with his deeds’, mortals ‘put on immortality.’” (p. 262)
The word immortality in this citation doesn’t speak to me so much about eternal life, but mental and physical freedom; mortal mind subordinate to Mind.
“Starting from a higher standpoint, one rises spontaneously, even as light emits light without effort; for ‘where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’” (p. 262)
The image of light emitting light without effort reminds me that spiritual inspiration is unavoidable, if sought with my whole heart.
(3) How can the increased understanding of true creation make a difference in your life? Better yet, share with us how the truth of creation has been, or is being, demonstrated in your life.
I have a lot that I want to change with my life. I need to be a better Christian Scientist. On a certain level the picture is that necessary steps in many areas have been lacking. But what the “Creation” chapter reminds me of, more than any one thing, is that Mind is the mover, the creator of circumstances, ideas, and inspiration far beyond what I can outline. And what cannot God do?