"…a clear example of the mental nature of disease"

A few days ago I was feeling feverish, had a sore throat and was a bit achy. I did not think it was the virus but was not making headway on alleviating the symptoms myself, so I contacted a practitioner for help. Within a short time, the symptoms and sense of oppression lifted.

Then it occurred to me that these symptoms were widely published as symptoms of the current virus and that like “wandering pollen finding unsuspecting lodgement” it was finding its way into my consciousness and experience. The next morning, I turned on the news and once again began experiencing some of these symptoms. I immediately turned off the news and the symptoms abated.

Not only was this such a clear example of the mental nature of disease – of what we take into our consciousness – but a clarion call to defend my thinking. “Stand Porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously”. (S&H 392: 24 – 27)

It also reminded me of the story of the man who died of cholera because he was told that a cholera patient had died in that bed. No cholera patient had ever been in that bed, but it was his belief that caused his death.

“Disease arises, like other mental conditions, from association. Since it is a law of mortal mind that certain diseases should be regarded as contagious, this law obtains credit through association, – calling up the fear that creates the image of disease and its consequent manifestation in the body. (S&H 154: 3 -8)

Beyond just working for myself to clear and purify my own thought, I have taken to identifying the spiritual fact in all situations that appear. For example: seeing and hearing stories of the unselfish health workers caring for people under strained conditions.

“Constant toil, deprivations, exposures, and all untoward conditions, if without sin, can be experienced without suffering. Whatever it is your duty to do, you can do without harm to yourself.” (S&H 385:15-18) Honest toil has no penalty and “His arm encircles me, and mine, and all”. (Hymn 207:2) It is where each and every child of God abides and who they are as children of God.

Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need” (S&H 494:10) is the counter-fact to the claim of lack of supplies or lack that seems to be so prevalent for so many people Spirit is the source of supply and “Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind…” (S&H 60:29)

In her article ‘Personal Contagion’, Mrs. Eddy tells us, “At a time of contagious disease, Christian Scientists endeavor to rise in consciousness to the true sense of the omnipotence of Life Truth and Love, and this great fact in Christian Science realized will stop a contagion.” (My 116:1-5)

Being part of this realization is how in these challenging times I see the manual directive:

“It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor neglect his duty to God, to his leader, and to mankind.” (Man 42:4)

Countering the well-publicized information we get on a daily basis about the virus and meeting these with spiritual facts is how I understand the demand to not to be made to forget nor neglect his (my) duty to his (my) God, to his (my) Leader, and to mankind.

It is not to hide or run from what presents itself to my consciousness but to meet every claim with a spiritual fact. I am working to “hold steadfastly to the enduring the good and the True,…” (S&H 261:4-5) and not “stand aghast” but to keep working to be part of the leaven that will stop a contagion.