We looked at our topic once before ([#topic=20000928#], 9-28-00) but took it in a somewhat different direction this time.

The historian Joseph Swain observed that it is historians who "make"history, in the sense of uncovering details of the past, arranging them in some kind of order and choosing what to emphasize. We can study the past with a view to promoting harmony and avoiding mistakes in the future, but we need to be acutely aware that we are using an unavoidably biased tool in the process. Furthermore, as both Freud and Jung pointed out, it is our unconscious histories — individually and collectively — that have the most profound effect on our actions: thus the drive by analysts in depth psychology to make the patient aware of his unknown parts.

Our members in preparing for and taking part in the meeting were mostly interested in Christian Science techniques for interrupting the so called flow of history, which uncorrected, could land us in environs not considered desirable. Since everything of which we are now aware is embedded in history, this is quite an undertaking although fully supported by Mary Baker Eddy's writings on and practice of Christian Science.

Our facilitator underlined the thought that our histories are not entirely negative. For instance, the many talents he has honed in the arts and sciences are quite valuable to him: these are the positive outcome of long hours of practice during his history. We could all find this sort of experience in our own lives. Yes, there were also some sad, embarrassing and anger-producing episodes in our histories, still casting paralyzing effects into the presence. Positive or negative, however, if history includes one it has to have the other, for we're describing the human belief level.

This somewhat depressing thought led one member to ask whether history was really nothing more than matter — "sometimes beautiful, always erroneous"(Science and Health, p. 227:29). Some thought this an apt description, since even its glories and talents need translation into scientific fact. If a talent is considered wonderful, it can still be enhanced by turning it over to God and letting its origin be in Him whence fresh insights can flow, while material belief would leave things in a wasting, depleted state. Whatever the case we do need to know the details of our histories, individual and collective, in order to do this work of revising it and expunging the material record.

Our facilitator read us the story of the woman who did not age as she awaited, for many years, her lover's return (see Readings above, Science and Health, p. 245: 1-16). She certainly had interrupted the flow of history as regards the appearance of aging. One member saw it as a warning to baby boomers obsessed with the preservation of a youthful appearance at all costs — even to the extent of failing to live full adult life, accepting its losses and moving on. This poor woman — and how many of us? — are still living an infantile, matter-based existence, caught in a web of delusions. This is the point where Christian Science needs application — to disrupt fully the beliefs of functioning in a dualistic material realm with its inevitable wounds and sad withdrawals. Each of us as infinite, eternal idea has far better concepts to bring forth than these puffs of insanity would indicate.

One member argued that history could be viewed as a succession of beliefs about Good being overturned by ever clearer beliefs. That is if we're progressing. What of a period like Hitler's? He and his followers thought they were doing good. Perhaps the intensity of their belief accounts for the severity of their eventual awakening. Most of us doubted it was a benefit to see good emerging from human history. History merely identifies the appearing of good, which can be accessed by the Scientist focusing his work on God and paying no attention to the appearing. A member quoted this from Christian Science Re-Explored by Margaret Laird "When we no longer mistake the belief of health for Health, we shall have Health for our belief"(p. 123). This would apply to peace, prosperity and so forth.

Several members voiced regrets about career paths or love objects they had failed to manifest. These failures were embedded in our thought, draining energy from present endeavors. We agreed that here was a prime area to practice the principles we had been developing in the meeting.

We spent some time on the momentous week in U.S. history we'd just passed through — with George Bush now designated president-elect. There was disappointment and fear about what would happen to Gay people and other minorities during his administration; but some felt we must not hold him to his history or past statements, but actively junk these in favor of his present divinity — and ours. Mention was made of Nixon and China and Saul's conversion to Paul. As for "W's"intelligence, one member, playfully perhaps, referred us to Exodus 3: 2-4, where Moses turns aside to see the burning bush. Was he attracted by some sagebrush in a desert, or by the presence of God? Indeed the seeming emptiness of the mortal container is an opportunity for God to shine through.

Next week we'll look at Light, in celebration of Christmas, Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanza.