We quickly found grandiose statements like, "I don't like change," or, "I thrive on change," imprecise. We all have areas where we'd like to see some change and others where we would not. One thing seems clear: whether we'd like it or not, change is an inevitable part of being human. We can accommodate it after the fashion of a ping-pong ball or perhaps better, access spirituality and let it unfold with meaning and purpose.

Here are some approaches discussed:

• Both the desire for change or its sudden unbidden appearance need to be guided by Science — otherwise the results will partake of the merely human or dualistic belief of things — where even a "good" result is a house built on the sand, subject to mood shifts.
• Since each one of us is in reality changeless infinite idea, including all right ideas, our Christian Science practice should consist of constantly translating the beliefs about ourselves and others into the facts of being. This will promote change as the human picture more accurately reflects these facts, and the divine-human coincidence shines forth. Mary Baker Eddy, in her usual colorful manner, puts it this way: "Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,—this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony," (Science and Health, p. 323:32).
• In accomplishing the previous point, any human aid — whether a talk with a friend, counseling, psychotherapy, even astrology (see Miscellaneous Writings, p. 334: 5-6) — could be helpful in discerning the human drive trying to represent the divine idea. One must take care here not to get lost in the minutiae of these well-developed human systems. Once the drive is seen in the belief of things, it should be translated into its Science. If it is left at the belief level, the work will not have been done, and no healing in Christian Science will follow.
• Absolute honesty and striving for Truth are sure guides to productive change. This is the foundation for the work accomplished in Alcoholics Anonymous and essential in Science as well.
• We spent some time on the demonstrations of St. Paul on the Damascus road, Mary Baker Eddy's healing of serious injuries from a fall on the ice, and Bill Wilson's healing of alcoholism before founding AA. None of these sought the problems they were faced with but once their attention was engaged, they were driven to find salvation in Spirit and went on to share their insights with countless millions. Surely wonderful stories of seeming loss turned to immense gain.
• Quite often people find they are unable to keep up the false personality facade established in their early years and a "neurotic collapse of the persona" ensues. This is terribly uncomfortable for those who have identified with their roles, but great gain can be wrested from this if properly managed. Those afflicted need to reach for deeper insights into who they really are. While this process is described in a Jungian book entitled "Mirrors of Transformation" in an article by Polly Young-Eisendrath it could be quite a good first step for the Scientist in reassuring himself that he's going through what most people do at some point. Our Leader's writings are full of not only examples of what to do in these circumstances, but also exhortations to embrace enthusiastically changes. Two movies now before the public address this subject: Summer of Sam and Eyes Wide Shut. Also the last of Michael Reynolds' books on Hemmingway describes the results of an attempt to hang on to a threadbare persona.

Members brought in problems to work on:

• On the way to the meeting, one member became involved in an argument with a man on the subway. It escalated to the point where our member said something that apparently humiliated the man who withdrew into glaring silence. Our member tried to be calm and know the Truth but as the man got up to leave the car a few stops later he made a move to strike our member who avidly sought the spiritual facts. He told the man he was sorry for what he had said. The man failed to strike but let loose a stream of invective that left our member quite shaken even an hour later. Others at the meeting first offered a loving, non-reproachful atmosphere for our friend to regain a sense of peace. He was quite aware of the need to be cautious henceforth in such circumstances and to keep a rein on his comments to strangers. One member reread the quote from Science and Health, p. 424:5-9, and invited us all to unite with divine Mind and let a "proper sense of God's unerring direction...bring out harmony." Others spoke to him individually after the meeting and offered support.
• Another member's therapist announced during the week that she is moving to California in two weeks. They'll have perhaps four sessions to wrap up their work of several years wherein our member feels they established a level of comfort and trust that will be very difficult to replace. Our member is understandably experiencing a lot of sadness and anger over the impending abandonment. She was able to cry and we provided a safe space for her to do so. One member who has been through psychotherapy cautioned that these feelings are meant to be handled in session with the professional who is trained to help the patient work out uncomfortable feelings one-on-one with the person about whom the feelings have arisen and perhaps spot deeper motives pointing to childhood issues needing attention. To leak the contents of the work to people outside the consulting room is to forego healing in favor of a quick fix of sympathy from well meaning friends.

We then went on to Science. Some reminded our member that she is already complete, perfect in every way. As she processes the feelings with the therapist she can hang on to the absolute facts of her being. One member said this rupture in the therapy may indicate that healing at a very deep level has occurred, and that our member is either capable of flourishing on her own or will find even a more appropriate partner for the next leg of her journey. Another member offered these two quotes: "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore," (Psalms 16:11) and, "When the real is attained, which is announced by Science, joy is no longer a trembler, nor is hope a cheat," (Science and Health, p. 298: 19-20).

We ended the meeting by repeating together the first line from our Textbook, "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings," (Science and Health, p. vii:1).

It was interesting that as we walked the few blocks to our diner, the two members requesting special help at the meeting walked together and appeared to get a lot more help from each other.

We'll look at how to Handle a Relapse next week.