Like everyone else, attendees at our last meeting at the old "Center", approach transition or change with a full range of emotions;  we fear, even dread it in some cases and look forward to and rejoice in it in others, depending upon our desires and what we're comfortable with.  The work in Christian Science is to plunge beneath the surface of events and let our divinity govern not only our mood but the actual events as well.  Atonement (or at-one-ment) in Science is not just bearing up under the strain but is the "exemplification of man's unity with God, whereby man reflects Truth, Life, and Love", "as in heaven so on earth." (See Science and Health, pp. 18:1-3 and 17:2)

As our readings brought out, both Jesus and Job underwent severe corrections (this is stock market terminology but will do here as well) and were transformed by accessing a more vivid appreciation of their divine nature.  Jesus appears to have embraced the onrushing cataclysm consciously (see for instance his rebuke of Peter, Matthew 16:22-23) while Job was a more reluctant participant.  In both cases, healing seemed in some measure to depend on their reaching out to  comfort their companions.  Jesus' resurrection reassured his friends of the fact of immortality and his own ongoing wellbeing — some of our members have had similar brief visits from departed dear ones and were comforted thereby.

In Job's case, "he prayed for his friends" (see Job 42:10). The student of Christian Science is often the only person on the scene equipped to see through appearances to Reality;  so while it is fine—indeed probably necessary—for us to be aware of our emotions and feelings in a situation, it is essential that we not be overwhelmed and paralyzed into dereliction of duty by them.  The Swissair crash came up for comment and although we were shocked and empathetic none of us had lost anyone in the wreck as far as we knew so it was not difficult for us to render aid  by seeing that eternal Life, the very Mind of man, is unaware whether someone is so called "alive" or "dead". Good goes on living and loving as the one I or Us eternally. If this is clearly seen and adhered to, it will help those involved in this unwelcome transition.  And anyway, what alternative does a Christian Scientist have?   It's rather like the Disciples asking where but to Jesus might they go!

There are many problems of change and transition screaming for help today—for instance the evolution from crony capitalism to a more impersonal form;    religious fundamentalism reaching bloated red dragon stage; all the racism, sexism, heterosexism, tribalism seemingly locked and not moving blissfully to extinction — all which the student of Science can aid in moving along with scientific prayer.

Healings:

One member mentioned his healing of a tumor — a healing he has discussed before in our meetings — when he saw after years of struggle that his homosexuality was his own unique way of manifesting God's love.  He was healed overnight when he surrendered to this fact. He also described  a near death experience that occurred after a lover broke up with him and he felt he no longer wanted to live.  He collapsed during a church service and an usher had him carried downstairs where he undertook Christian Science treatment.  Our member recalls seeing a tunnel and white light; he was also aware of looking down on his body from above. Suddenly  he felt a strong pull back to his life  and awoke. Interestingly the usher had expressed homophobic sentiments on previous occasions but apparently did not allow these to get in the way of his duty.

Another member, before he came to Christian Science, found himself in a class with a teacher who treated him and his other sixth grade classmates like second graders.  He was feeling trapped in a very boring situation and for a whole year!  He could only think to bow his head and fervently pray "God, get me out of here."  Half an hour later the Principal entered the room and led the whole class to another room and another teacher.

Another member recalled a demonstration of the unreality of time and space.  He was doing the Christian Science Lesson during a flight between two cities, normally   taking three hours to accomplish.   He saw the city he had left and the one he was going to as thoughts — what looked like a trip was only a change of thought;   furthermore time and space were  beliefs, only as real as we make them.The pilot came on the p.a. system right after he saw these truths and announced to our astonishment — perhaps his too — that we'd be arriving an hour ahead of schedule

One member has  felt a great upsurge in his self worth based on his own living divinity rather than forms of  clothing he used to consider essential, or catering to others in a codependent way, or defining himself by problems.  He sees it as "growing up" even though he is decades past the time when such things are supposed to occur according to mortal belief, which thankfully is not a "standard"  we have to give a lot of credence to.

Another member wanted very much to go to a workshop bringing yoga and analytic psychology together but felt shy and fearful.  He drew on the power of our members' prayerful  consideration of our  topic Transition and was emboldened to arrange attendance.  He  is still a bit fearful but will go forward knowing the infinity of Good as the only person he'll be dealing with at the seminar.

Many of our healings brought up the idea of being in our right place. We saw that this could be seen in two ways — on the human belief level we inevitably are in the only place we could be given our beliefs;  but also on the divine level,  as the image and likeness of God   we're inescapably the expressed image of His being.   We'll look at this topic for next week, Place, and it fits in nicely with our move to the new temporary quarters.