Surprise! Against all odds — with a topic like this — major arguments did not break out during the meeting.

We went right to work looking carefully at the passage from page 412 of Science and Health, included in our readings. This is one of several descriptions of how to give a Christian Science treatment Mrs. Eddy put in the book; it is studied in Christian Science Class Instruction in connection with learning how to argue a case. Some members have used this technique successfully. One felt it kept one locked in the belief that he's a mortal giving a treatment. He read us the passage included in the readings from page 59 of Miscellaneous Writings. He apparently prefers deriving the Truth which heals from the imagery the case presents. Some word or expression — or perhaps something extraneous — will evoke the impersonal "spiritual fact of whatever the material senses behold" (Science and Health, p. 585: 11). Reality Itself then argues the "case" into healing.

Two distinct approaches. Both are valid in Christian Science, as our other quote from Miscellaneous Writings makes plain.

A member then read us a copy of a letter from John Doorly to Arthur Corey — Christian Scientists with greatly different ways of stating Science. Doorly feels students need to avoid trying to get others to agree with their way of interpreting or stating Christian Science. Members at the meeting saw this idea as applicable to all forms of political and religious discourse. Argument could be greatly refined and elevated by such circumspection. The student of Science will in any case revise and revision another's words to accord with his own Soul sense of divine Being; mostly this should be done in his closet, within the confines of thought, where silent argument is powerful to heal.

One member felt there could be value in vigorous disagreement. World mythology certainly contains plenty of it: for instance, Osiris and Seth, Cain and Abel, Jesus and Judas. Grand transformations were being revealed in the process. The remarkable speech by Gamaliel at Acts 5: 29-39 was a step beyond contesting mortal mentalities towards the one Mind.

Another member recalled that Hegel's philosophy — which worked with a model of thesis, antithesis and synthesis — was introduced to Mrs. Eddy by early students and worked its way into unfolding Christian Science thought. Hegel's view of the conflict of forces leading to a higher truth seems exactly parallel to that of Mrs. Eddy. "The Science of physical harmony, as now presented to the people in divine light, is radical enough to promote as forcible collisions of thought as the age has strength to bear" (Unity of Good, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 6:10-13). They both went beyond this to the absolute, but she saw and practiced healing through letting the Reality thus identified hold total presence and control in the relative as in the absolute. Our member said that the central argument of Science is harmony, ever working its purpose out, no matter the beliefs arguing counterfeit claims.

Last week members uncovered a number of areas needing scientific attention and now told us of progress. Grief, bitterness over failed love affairs, childhood problems were all lessened. The member whose dog died reported much love and support from his boyfriend and neighbors.

One member expressed gratitude for the study undertaken for this week's meeting in helping him deal with the news from the Mid-East and Serbia; he was able to dive beneath the surface to the oneness of Being, the one Mind directing everyone. He also mentioned problems treated in Northern Ireland and China, as described in op-ed pieces in the Christian Science Monitor of October 4th.

We then discussed the presidential debate held this week. It was hard to get our focus off appearances of perhaps a child throwing a tantrum vs. a character from Mad Magazine but one member suggested we look at the topics covered — such as education, social security, health care, the economy, taxes, defense, right to life, and energy. What are the metaphysical counter facts of these highly dualistic concepts? For instance, on education we might hold to the fact that everyone is fully known and knowing through reflection. Nothing is embryonic. For defense, is anyone less than fully secure by reflection? On right to life, each of us is lived by God now. And so on. If we could look at the next debate with scientific seeing, we might have some healing effect on the political process. As for which man is better, we could stick with God's man in Science and let the winner emerge from that standpoint.

A couple of healings not included above were reported.

1) An internet friend sent us a description of the work he and his mother did in Science to help him let go of extreme loneliness, and thereby establish a number of good friendships and a harmonious domestic partnership. This helped some of us to see the benefit of reorienting our relationships towards an understanding that Love, God is their source and condition.

2) A member had had electrical problems in his apartment for years. Repeated requests for the landlord to repair them had been unsuccessful and he was near exasperation this week. He called again but was careful to prepare his thought and to keep any temper well cloaked. This he did by actively seeing management and the repair person as agents of Love. The repairs were quickly handled.

Next week we'll work with the Seven Synonyms for God, as given by Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health. These are Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth and Love. This is part of our preparation for participation in the Emergence International conference in Los Angeles October 19-22. The notes from our meeting of October 12th will be posted on or about Monday, October 16th.