Leave the mortal basis of belief

". . . we must leave the mortal basis of belief and unite with the one Mind," (S&H 424:6-7)

I'm sure you recognize this passage form Science and Health 424:6-7
I thought it might be worthwhile to consider the nature of that "basis of belief"...

Generally speaking, it represents the tendency to accept the "terminology of Science while keeping the old, familiar framework of thinking - which tends to start from "man" as a"thinker" with "objective" "conditions and situations".
As is apparent in many of the Wed. evening testimonies, God has "new metaphysical names", but is still frequently thought of to be an "outside agency" that may somehow "come TO us", and help make our present, familiar sense of life comfortable, healthier, and happier.
From that basis, one is left with the impression that Christian Science is but a "remedial method", a "remedy" on may "rely on", "turn to" for the express purpose of "applying to" the vagaries of human experience.

The familiar story in the Gospel of Matthew illustrates the "drawback" rather well:
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth [it] empty, swept, and garnished.
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." (Matthew 12:43-45)

The "unclean spirit" represents the specific "problem du jour" - the particular bit of false testimony that is especially troublesome at the moment.
We "sweep and garnish" the house - we remove the "bad thoughts" - but we KEEP the "house" - the general sense of identity as a "human person" who "had" a problem, but now is "healed" of it. We "work" to get rid of what we "don't like", yet cling to those aspects of human sense that we happen to prefer.
The "end result being, "the last [state] of that man is worse than the first". We, eventually reach a point where there isn't enough "garnish", and Science doesn't seem to "work for us" any more. There begins a nostalgia for the "good old days" when "healing was easier and quicker . . ."
It's interesting to note that it says, "shall it be also unto this wicked generation." The "generation" is not a "group of bad persons", but represents the "basis of belief" - from which thought seems to "generate" or "originate".

As long as that "origin of thought" is believed to be "me" - "human personality" we are left with attempting to "put new wine into old bottles".
In the above mentioned "testimony meetings" there has been the assumption offered that the passage tells us to "change our thinking and change our lives".
This has also been in agreement with that perspective that suggests "doctors" or "medicine", should be "avoided", "refrained from", as a "noble gesture" on the part of a suffering person who is "going to rely on Christian Science".
This overlooks the fact that the "practice" is likely to become more like a "ritual" where one is trying to "make something work", or where one is "doing one's duty" to NOT do something that they really believe WOULD work, but it is presumed one "shouldn't do".
Here, I think it is VERY important to appreciate that what really IS important isn't what one "doesn't do", but what One "knows".

John Hargreaves tells the story of one who dreamt he was in a National Park and was chased by a bear into a phone booth. Once there, he had to decide whether to call the Park Ranger to remove the bear, or call a practitioner for "protective work"!

To identify oneself with a character in a dream, and when that character has a problem, assume that it is important to decide between remedies - whether or not to "use" a practitioner" - or "take a pill" - apply some other aid to "put the situation right" - misses the main point that "it is only a dream" and therefore, any "remedy" and its presumed "effects", do nothing to lead one out of the dream.

We must be especially alert when we begin to experience what is called "physical healing" - the apparent improvement of "bodily symptoms", and begin to naturally feel confident we "understand how to use this Science", while we are simultaneously, albeit unwittingly, still looking to "others" for love and affection, relying on jobs or the stock market for our supply, and presuming that our personal efforts at "study" are "gaining" or "producing" for us "intelligence and understanding".

As the passage indicates, the WHOLE of one's thinking has to be "based on" - "rest upon and proceed from Divine Principle", the One, infinite, Mind.

I have found it helpful to appreciate the terms Mrs. Eddy used in this passage.
Specifically, "must, leave, basis, and,"

When I was beginning my study, a friend recommended that I look up all the references to "must" in the writings, and appreciate that, since Science IS Divine Revelation, these "musts" should not be taken lightly, but recognized as "rules" for practice.

So, in this passage, it isn't something one "may" do if one feels like it, or "should" do if they want to be recognized as a "good student" - but acknowledge that the "Law of Mind" has established that thinking IS NOT out from the "mortal basis of belief".
It appreciates that "The basic error is mortal mind". (S&H 405:1) We don't argue with what it "says", but dispute its claim to speak in the first place!

"Mortal mind sees what it believes as certainly as it believes what it sees. It feels, hears, and sees its own thoughts." (S&H 86:29-31)
So they are not "my" thoughts, nor "my" experience.

It's also helpful to clarify that "leave" doesn't imply "depart from" - as much as "leave it alone".
Like my Mother used to say, "You don't know where that's been!"
And, most importantly, IT ISN'T YOURS!

Existence, separate from divinity, Science explains as impossible." (S&H 522:10-11)

So we don't start with the presumption that we HAVE a mortal mind or mortal life and are now required to somehow, "contact" or "unite with" God. We aren't "here on earth" and now, through our own efforts with the "Lesson" EVERY day, along with regular church attendance, learn to progress sufficiently, and do enough good deeds, to earn sufficient "brownie points" that we may someday "get to heaven" - or, at the very least, "know enough" to MAKE a "demonstration".

We have emphasized "basis" sufficiently to appreciate that it isn't "thought" which changes, but the entire framework - we don't try to change WHAT we see, but HOW we see.

Which brings us to "and".
To simply "not do" "negative thinking" isn't positive Science. We aren't finished until we have the recognition and acknowledgement that the ONE, Divine, Infinite, Mind IS the ONLY Mind and therefore IS our Mind - now and always.
It is not a "position" a person may aspire to, but as thought "rests upon and proceeds from Divine Principle, it doesn't "come down" into the "mortal basis", but instead remains to "elevate the race".

In a sense, we may appreciate that "Absolute Science" is a redundancy, for there is no "relative" Truth. Science is not a "new and improved gimmick" to "heal" human problems, but is rather the "correct view", the accurate interpretation and understanding of Existence from the standpoint of Its Divine Principle.

"You can never demonstrate spirituality until you declare yourself to be immortal and understand that you are so. Christian Science is absolute; it is neither behind the point of perfection nor advancing towards it; it is at this point and must be practiced therefrom.
Unless you fully perceive that you are the child of God, hence perfect, you have no Principle to demonstrate and no rule for its demonstration." (My 242:3-10)

With ALL Blessings
Michael
):->