“I experienced a familiar outbreak of poison ivy.”

(1) What do you feel the word creation implies?
The word creation implies to me the never-ending, infinite manifestation of God as the divine Principle of the universe. It is the ever-appearing of God’s nature in new forms and expressions.

(2) In your own words describe your impressions of the chapter “Creation” in Science and Health.
The chapter “Creation” in Science and Health focuses on the entirely spiritual nature of God’s creation, understood and experienced through spiritual sense (as opposed to material sense). It elaborates on the Biblical account of creation in Genesis 1 (as opposed to Genesis 2), as well as the “scientific statement of being”.  Just as there is only one creation, which is spiritual, there is only one power, which is God.

(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.
The increased understanding of true creation expands our mental and physical abilities. “The human capacities are enlarged and perfected in proportion as humanity gains the true conception of man and God.” (SH 258:22)  It enables us to understand rightly not only our own true nature and identity, but that of our fellow man as well as all of God’s creation, including our beloved pets. An increased understanding of true creation as entirely spiritual and good, rather than as both spiritual and material, good and evil, leads to the healing of sin and disease in ourselves and others.

For example, a week ago I experienced a familiar outbreak of poison ivy that rapidly spread.  In the past it would always get worse and last for many weeks or months.  This time, however, I clearly saw that it was an aggressive mental suggestion trying to take over my thought, rather than a physical reaction inevitably taking over my body. The next thing I was aware of was a sudden and complete cessation of itching and the disappearance of any sign of poison ivy from my body. It was simply no longer there.