"Praying for humility with whatever fervency of expression,"according to Mary Baker Eddy, "does not always mean a desire for it."( Science and Health, p. 8: 20-22) We took on the topic Humility lightheartedly last week, most of us apparently feeling it would provide an interesting, perhaps humorous, intellectual exercise but nothing central to the practice of Christian Science.

Human events — as often happens to us — conspired to drive us deeper. This was the week an article about our group and the movement appeared in New York Press. This excellent piece, based on the author's attendance several times at our meetings and interviews of some members, generated quite an upsurge of interest in the group. We even had a call from Standard and Poors.

In the circumstances, humility had to become a large part of our study and practice of the Science. Several members noted a tendency to inflated egos. One owned his own "dread of being crushed by the Great Mother"for daring to stand up and say something. (He mentioned the Hindu goddess Kali as repository of the dark archetypal energies trying to undermine him).

Egos fluttering in elation or fear are the cross we learn in Science to bear until they wear thin enough to let the one Ego, God, take control. Here's a relevant quote from Science and Health: "As the children of Israel were guided triumphantly through the Red Sea, the dark ebbing and flowing of human fear...so shall the spiritual idea guide all right desires...from sense to Soul...up to the glory prepared for them who love God."(See Science and Health, p. 566: 1-9 for the complete passage).

Furthermore, the article itself need not be seen merely as information and opinion about the group and the Christian Science movement — where all manner of dualism of course reign — but as a part of the ongoing emergence of Church in ever clearer form. Could an article in Christian Science periodicals — or even in this group's journal notes — be as frank and therefore as potentially healing?

Two members found this week's Bible Lesson on Sacrament, from the Christian Science Quarterly, a big help in understanding humility. It's a feature of every section of the lesson. (Those not familiar with Christian Science can find and study it at their local Christian Science Reading Room). One member brought out a major theme running through the lesson — Peter's discovery of and practice of the transcendent or impersonal Christ behind the fleshly Jesus (Matthew 16:13-18). This moves Jesus to call him Peter or Petros (translated "pebble") for the first time and to add that on this Petra or bedrock he would found his church. So he saw the "transcendent Peter"at the same moment. Later in the lesson Peter denies further the fleshly Jesus (beware, this is not the traditional view of this passage, see Mark 14: 29, 30). At Gethsemane, Jesus renounces the fleshly disciples (Mark 14: 33-41). The final transaction between Jesus and Peter (John 21: 15-17) is really the omni-action of God operating in and as His idea. Thus is scientific humility wrought.

Another member added that Mrs. Eddy's career mirrored the experience of Peter. Her discovery of the healing Christ occurred as she lay dying from a fall incurred on the ice as she rushed to a temperance meeting. Her instantaneous healing resulted from the mental and emotional breakthrough to the presence of God as her very Life. The rest of her life was spent teaching others to access this healing presence, freed from its historical and mythical trappings

The meeting was large (12 people versus our usual 5 or 6) and individual healing experiences had to be brief — here are some of them:

1) A newcomer who is an artist noted the need in his work for ego humility before inspiration; but craft enough is required (from the ego) to render a work.

2) Another newcomer came out of addictions through 12-Step programs and Jungian therapy. In both these paths humility was an absolutely essential element. Any pride or hubris ("I'm special") in the process would have aborted recovery.

3) Another newcomer told of singing in a concert with other performers. He prepared for it with Buddhist practices establishing the wholeness and perfection of everyone concerned. It went quite well, but he was critical of his performance when he saw it on video. He'll work in Science with another member on this and associated problems.

4) One of our regulars used Jesus' idea of faith equal to "a grain of mustard seed"( Matt 17: 20) to humbly yet powerfully subdue terrible thoughts arising about herself and her business. As she keeps this up — turning constantly to God rather than material belief to guide and heal her — she notes that the difficult ideation tends to withdraw.

5) Another started reading a new book by John Strausbaugh, Rock Til You Drop, about baby boomer rock stars and fans massaging each others' teenage fantasies, decades after they should have moved on to more meaningful vehicles for purer aeternus energies. Rock is for adolescents, as composers, performers and fans. Our member asked what made this scenario and thesis so compelling to him, since he's not particularly turned on by rock. The answer came: he's stuck in some actions based on teen fantasies, so far unquestioned and not serving an adult life. He had to question however whether he would be humble enough to let this rich material move forward. (See the reading above, Science and Health, p. 323:32-6).

We will not hold a meeting July 12. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center where we meet will not be open for regular business as it moves back to its original space on West 13th Street. Some of us will attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and open house that evening from 6:00 to 10:00. All are welcome.

For our meeting of July 19 the topic is Destiny.