Category: Principle - Sharon Leman, C.S.Practitioner of Christian Science Healing

Get to Know God - a 28-day Project - Epilogue

30/10/2013

This is not the end, it is just the beginning! Keep asking questions! Here's one more:
"Question. — What is God?
Answer. — God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love.
Question. — Are these terms synonymous?
Answer. — They are. They refer to one absolute God. They are also intended to express the nature, essence, and wholeness of Deity. The attributes of God are justice, mercy, wisdom, goodness, and so on." (SH 465:8-15)

We have just scratched the infinitesimal surface of a new point of view on how to Get to Know God. We only explored 4 qualities for each synonym for God and there are a whole lot more! If you wish to continue to your exploration of God in this way, here is a list of several more qualities organized under the seven synonyms for God.

If you really want to deepen your understanding of God in this way, I urge you to get the comprehensive work on this subject, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy which can be purchased online. Or, if you want to buy one at a bookstore and be able to chat with someone about it, check your local White or Yellow Pages listings for a Christian Science Reading Room near you.

If you just want someone to talk to about it, don't hesitate to contact me and we can continue the conversation.

Above all, have fun Getting to Know God!!

Get to Know God - a 28-day Project - Summary: God is Mind

29/10/2013

Summary: God is Mind

“God is wise and powerful! Praise him forever and ever. He controls the times and the seasons; he makes and unmakes kings; it is he who gives wisdom and understanding. He reveals things that are deep and secret; he knows what is hidden in darkness, and he himself is surrounded by light. (GNT, Dan 2:20-22)

Reflection: We can be thankful that the supremely wise intelligence of the universe is in control, is the divine Truth, and is entirely separate from the discord of the human mind. When we have but one Mind, God, this Mind forms its own likeness in us, and we can then express this soundness in our lives.

Spiritual Fact: “When we fully understand our relation to the Divine, we can have no other Mind but His, — no other Love, wisdom, or Truth, no other sense of Life, and no consciousness of the existence of matter or error.” (SH 205:32)

“Mind is God. The exterminator of error is the great truth that God, good, is the only Mind, and that the supposititious opposite of infinite Mind — called devil or evil — is not Mind, is not Truth, but error, without intelligence or reality. There can be but one Mind, because there is but one God”. (SH 469:13-18)

Tomorrow, the Epilogue

Get to Know God - a 28-day Project - Day 28

28/10/2013

God is Mind
Day 28 – Transcendence

tran·scend·ence /tran-sen-duhns/ η: 1 the quality or state of being transcendent: exceeding or surpassing in degree or excellence. 2 a. (of a concept) falling outside a given set of categories. b. beyond consciousness or direct apprehension. 3 theol (of God) having continuous existence outside the created world. 4 free from the limitations inherent in matter.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa. 55:8-11)

Contemplate that God, Mind, is like a sole Broadcasting intelligence system that perpetually transmits Life, Truth and Love, without interruption out to the entire universe including Man. And, that we are like radios that have to be tuned into the station to get a clear transmission of the broadcast. Sometimes its clear as a bell; sometimes it’s fuzzy and hard to hear; sometimes there’s so much interference all we can hear is “white noise”. But, we can trust that the broadcast continues above the din and free from the limitations of the interference.

Awareness Exercise: Take several quiet moments today to become aware of Mind’s transmissions. Ask for clarity about something you need help with in your life right now and then listen patiently for a transmission. Notice whether you can hear a transmission or not. Remember back to God is Soul: Intuition and know that this sense is direct communication with God. How easy or difficult is it to hear? Does the level of ease or difficulty change as you do this exercise? Consider how you might tune in to the station with less interference. What do you have to do to adjust the dial? Practice tuning in and adjusting the dial. What happens when you tune in and act on the direction you received? Did it fix the problem? If not, keep practicing and note the results.

“The verity of Mind shows conclusively how it is that matter seems to be, but is not. Divine Science, rising above physical theories, excludes matter, resolves things into thoughts, and replaces the objects of material sense with spiritual ideas. The term Christian Science was introduced by the author to designate the scientific system of divine healing.” (SH 123:11-18)

Congratulations! You've completed the 28-day Get to Know God Project! Tomorrow we'll summarize God is Mind and the following day, we'll reflect on our entire journey!

Get to Know God - a 28-day Project - Day 27

27/10/2013

God is Mind
Day 27 – Soundness

sound·ness /sound- nis/ η: 1 the quality or state of being sound: free from injury, damage, defect, disease, etc.; in good condition; healthy; robust. 2 financially strong, secure, or reliable. 3 competent, sensible, or valid. 4 having no defect as to truth, justice, wisdom, or reason. 5 of substantial or enduring character. 6 following in a systematic pattern without any apparent defect in logic. 7 uninterrupted and untroubled; deep: sound sleep. 8 free from moral defect or weakness; upright, honest, or good; honorable; loyal. 9 having no legal defect.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (KJV, II Tim 1:7)

Contemplate that you were created by Love and that Love could not create anything unlike itself – fear, or weakness, or instability; that the Mind of Love is a practical power that establishes and maintains soundness, and which is permanent and stable and is, therefore, incapable of defect. Consider that restoration happens at the mental level since this is Mind’s work.

Awareness Exercise: Become aware today of your thoughts first and then what you see externally, second. See if you can notice a connection between the two. You know that age-old question: “What came first, the chicken or the egg?” What if the answer was not in the externalized image of the chicken or the egg, but the thought of either one? Think of it this way: If you want to make a meal, you have to think of it first before you can cook it, right? The meal does not cook itself. It requires you to think about it before it can appear in your external world. Get really curious with this exercise and write down all the questions and discoveries that arise. Try not to judge what you’re thinking; just allow the thoughts to flow.

“Dear reader, [of Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy] which mind-picture or externalized thought shall be real to you, — the material or the spiritual? Both you cannot have. You are bringing out your own ideal. This ideal is either temporal or eternal. Either Spirit or matter is your model. If you try to have two models, then you practically have none. Like a pendulum in a clock, you will be thrown back and forth, striking the ribs of matter and swinging between the real and the unreal.” (SH 360:13)

Last but not least, we’ll be checking out God is Mind: Transcendence

Get to Know God - a 28-day Project - Summary: God is Soul

21/10/2013

Summary: God is Soul

“Crowds of disheartened people ask, “Who can show us what is good?” Let Your brilliant face shine upon us, O Eternal One, that we may know the undeniable answer. You have filled me with joy, and happiness has risen in my heart, great delight and unrivaled joy, even more than when bread abounds and wine flows freely. Tonight I will sleep securely on a bed of peace because I trust You, You alone, O Eternal One, will keep me safe.” (The Voice, Ps. 4:6-8)

Reflection: Consider that trusting the Eternal, trusting your intuition will bring more peace, more joy, more happiness and delight and satisfaction than any material thing like food, drink, sex, shopping, video games, movies, etc., could ever bring. Have you ever imagined something good and then felt that goodness permeate your senses as if it was right there with you? It is our true spiritual sense that satisfies, and not the thing that we think brings it. Experiment throughout your day with tuning into your feelings about the things you are giving and receiving. Now remove the “things”. Can you still feel the sense without it?

Spiritual fact: “Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind, and happiness would be more readily attained and would be more secure in our keeping, if sought in Soul.” (SH 60:29-31)

“To an ill-attuned ear, discord is harmony; so personal sense, discerning not the legitimate affection of Soul, may place love on a false basis and thereby lose it. Science corrects this error with the truth of Love, and restores lost Eden. Soul is the infinite source of bliss: only high and holy joy can satisfy immortal cravings.” (Miscellaneous Writings 287:8-10, 12-13)

Get to Know God - a 28-day Project - Day 20

20/10/2013

God is Soul
Day 20 – Identity

i·den·ti·ty /ahy-den-ti-tee/ η: 1 the state or fact of remaining the same one or ones, as under varying aspects or conditions. 2 the condition of being oneself or itself, and not another. 3 condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is. 4 the state or fact of being the same one as described. 5 the sense of self, providing sameness and continuity, individuality, distinctiveness, uniqueness.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (KJV, Jer 29:11)

Contemplate God’s unvarying thoughts about us, of goodness, of all the qualities we have been exploring. Just as we, His/Her reflection, have been contemplating God as qualities, God, the primary Thinker, the Source of all good thought, knows perpetually who we are and holds that fact eternally. Think about Soul, the perfection of Being, as being the Source of your identity, rather than a limited sense of flawed personality.

Awareness Exercise: Imagine that your identity is composed of peace, and joy, inspiration and expression, and, strength and courage. Notice how knowing that the source of these qualities is not you, means that, at any time, if you should feel depleted, you can turn to the Source, whose unchangeable and eternal thoughts about you are constantly being imparted, and you can fill up with them. In other words, imagine God is like a gas pump supplying the gas and you are the car tank which requires a fill up. All you have to do is drive up to the pump and fill yourself up with God’s qualities by filling your awareness with God’s substance. Try it.

“Soul, or Spirit, is God, unchangeable and eternal; and man coexists with and reflects Soul, God, for man is God’s image.” (SH 120:4)

Tomorrow, we'll summarize God is Soul and begin exploring God is Spirit

Get to Know God - a 28 day Project - Summary: God is Principle

17/10/2013

Summary: God is Principle

“Lord God … may you be praised forever and ever! You are great and powerful, glorious, splendid, and majestic. Everything in heaven and earth is yours, and you are king, supreme ruler over all.” (GNT, I Chronicles 29:10, 11)

Reflection: Consider that all that is jarring and in conflict in life is the absence of principle. Now consider that bringing the presence of God as Principle, to our thought, - to whatever is out of order, - is always corrected and governed, harmonized and adjusted by the operation of divine Principle. Would you not feel the omnipotence of God as a present help in your life?

Spiritual fact: “Man lives by divine decree. He is created, governed, supported, and controlled in accord with the law of God. Law means or implies a rule that is established and maintained by power; that which possesses permanence and stability; that which is unchanging, unyielding, and continuous,—"the same yesterday, and today, and forever." The efficiency of law rests entirely in the power that enforces it. A law (so called) that is incapable of being enforced is not law and bears no relationship to law. God is the only creator, the only lawmaker. All the power, action, intelligence, life, and government in the universe belong to God and have always belonged to Him. He is the Supreme Ruler, and does not share His power with another.” (From an article entitled God’s Law of Adjustment by Adam H. Dickey, from the January 1916 © issue of The Christian Science Journal.)

“The Principle of Christianity is infinite: it is indeed God; and this infinite Principle hath infinite claims on man, and these claims are divine, not human; and man’s ability to meet them is from God; for, being His likeness and image, man must reflect the full dominion of Spirit — even its supremacy…” (Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy 16:9-14)

Get to Know God - a 28 day Project - Day 16

16/10/2013

God is Principle
Day 16 – Government

gov·ern·ment /guhv-ern-muhnt, ‐er-muhnt/ η: 1 the political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states; direction of the affairs of a state, community, etc.; political administration: Government is necessary to the existence of civilized society. 2 the form or system of rule by which a state, community, etc., is governed: monarchical government; episcopal government. 3 the governing body of persons in a state, community, etc.; administration. 4 a branch or service of the supreme authority of a state or nation, taken as representing the whole. 5. the parliament along with the particular group of persons forming the cabinet at any given time.

“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne … and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.” (KJV, Isa 9:7)

Contemplate what it would be like to be aware that good qualities such as law, order, justice, fairness, reliability, effectiveness, wisdom, and so on, are always present to guide, guard and govern us. How would that change the way you navigate your life? What would be the impact on your decisions?

Awareness Exercise: Think back to a time when you were in a difficult situation and didn’t know what to do. What role did your conscience play? What led you out of that situation? Even though it may have seemed as if it were circumstances, or an individual or individuals, what were the qualities that were present that guided, guarded and governed you?

“God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love.” (SH 106:7)

Tomorrow, we'll summarize God is Principle and we'll start examining God is Soul

Get to Know God - a 28 day Project - Day 14

14/10/2013

God is Principle
Day 14 - Order

or·der [awr-der] η: 1 an authoritative direction or instruction; command; mandate. 2 a command of a court or judge. 3 the disposition of things following one after another, as in space or time; succession or sequence. 4 a condition in which each thing is properly disposed with reference to other things and to its purpose; methodical or harmonious arrangement.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Gen. 1:1, 3, 5, 26, 27, 31)

Contemplate that the order of being is God first, and Man as reflection. “Your mirrored reflection is your own image or likeness. If you lift a weight, your reflection does this also. If you speak, the lips of this likeness move in accord with yours. Now compare man before the mirror to his divine Principle, God.” (SH 515:25-29) Think about this in terms of the synonyms and qualities for God. If God is Love, is good, then Man, God’s likeness reflects this goodness, and so on.

Awareness Exercise: Throughout your day take note of the wonderful qualities you and others express. Applying the order of God first, Man as reflection, notice how the qualities you are observing in yourself and others had to first exist in God, Principle, before you or others could express them. Observing that we, as children, have similar physical features to our parents, now compare your spiritual qualities, to your Father/Mother/God.

“God, the divine Principle of man, and man in God’s likeness are inseparable, harmonious, and eternal. The Science of being furnishes the rule of perfection, and brings immortality to light. God and man are not the same, but in the order of divine Science, God and man coexist and are eternal. God is the parent Mind, and man is God’s spiritual offspring.” (SH 336:25 God)

Tune in tomorrow for God is Principle: Law

Get to Know God - a 28 day Project - God is Principle

13/10/2013

God is Principle
Day 13 - Causation

cau·sa·tion /kaw-zey-shuh/ η: 1 the action of causing or producing. 2 the relation of cause to effect; causality. 3 anything that produces an effect; cause.

He who created the universe—heavens and earth—gave it form and shape.  The Eternal alone set it all in motion; He didn’t make it a disorganized wasteland but made it a beautiful and comfortable home. Eternal One: I am the Eternal One, and there is no other god who exists.”(The Voice, Isa 45:18) “Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” (KJV, Ps 100:3)

Contemplate the notion that God does not create anything that is not good. Since God is the Principle of the universe including Man, then anything that is not good is not created by God and therefore has no foundation. Think about the idea that darkness, rather than being a thing, is actually just a word we use to indicate the absence of light. Consider the various qualities we have been exploring and the absence of them instead of their opposites.

Awareness Exercise: Now, throughout your day, notice when you think about someone, some place, or something as bad or negative. Apply the postulate that God, good, is the only Cause and Creator of the universe including man, and reason that there cannot be a person, place, or thing that is bad, but only the absence of some good quality. Explore what those good qualities may be. Then, take it a step further and actually apply those good qualities to that person, place or thing in your thinking. What happens? You may want to jot down your observations in a journal.

“There is but one primal cause. Therefore there can be no effect from any other cause, and there can be no reality in aught which does not proceed from this great and only cause. The spiritual reality is the scientific fact in all things. The spiritual fact, repeated in the action of man and the whole universe, is harmonious and is the ideal of Truth.” (SH 207:20-23, 27-29)

Tomorrow, we'll to delve into God is Principle: Order

Sharon Leman

Sharon Leman has been studying and practicing Christian Science for over 14 years and in 2012 dedicated her life to responding to requests for prayer in service to God and mankind.

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