Q: What path or teaching is closest your own heart? I could sense similiar thoughts and insights as in the books of Joel S. Goldsmith. (BD)
A: I was raised as a Christian Scientist, and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, have been most important in shaping my spiritual direction. My theology and practice differ somewhat from things she wrote a hundred years ago, but my experience as a Christian Scientist was wonderful and one for which I have great affection. Infinite spiritual thinking reaches several levels of abstraction beyond Christian Science as it is currently taught, but many of the practical conclusions are similar. The fundamentals and prayerful techniques of Christian Science are invaluable. They provide for spiritual training and experiences of the very best sort.
As I was studying and practicing Christian Science, and pushing on it vigorously, I found my basic beliefs making a pronounced change, as if I were leaving one room and entering another. This new level of belief, what I have called level four in the book, was a revelation to me. The chapter entitled The Dawn discusses this transition. There is a "Divine Science" church here in Washington, D.C., and at first I found their sensibilities somewhat compatible with my new ones. Even though these were comfortable, my C.S. background accustomed me to having more radical tools for dealing with the negative, and so I kept reaching for the infinite. I ended up finding out how the meaning of every infinite word is good, and how infinite opposites are integrated in wholeness. Incidently, I just looked in my files and found a chapter by Joel Goldsmith, given me by the local Divine Science church. Here is an exerpt:
It may take a month, a year, or ten years before you can break the crust of personal sense and finally hear that still small voice within yourself, but when you do, it says to you, "Be still, and know that I am God." It does not say that Joel or Mary is God. No, no! It does not say that William or Robert is God, or Mildred. It always says I. And do you know what else it says? "Fear not, for I am with thee. ... I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Fear not. Though your sins be scarlet, in the moment of your recognition of I in the midst of you, you are white as snow.
(From "The Mystical I" by Joel S. Goldsmith, page 20)
Thanks for asking about him. I got some good thoughts from re-reading his chapter. The other day I did some research and found that Mr. Goldsmith was a Journal listed Christian Science Practitioner from 1935 to 1947, so we may have traveled some similar paths. Here is a hotlink to a web page on Joel Goldsmith.
My current conception of the Infinite Godhead is that it includes both infinite inclusivity and infinite exclusivity as one. My understanding of Divine Science is that it wonderfully embraces the inclusivity of the Fatherhood of God. What remains is the infinite exclusivity of the Motherhood of God, providing a forever safe place and time for infinite conception.
(4/16) (Rev 8 - 9/01)
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