Saturday, February 14, 2009

Toxic Assets: Theirs and Ours

We hear a lot these days about big banks whose financial portfolios are bloated with and in thrall to hundreds of billions of dollars in what are frequently referred to as toxic assets. The huge amounts locked up uselessly in these financial instruments keeps the banks from being able to function normally because their money is tied up in stuff they can't get rid of because no one wants it, at least not at a price the bank would accept.

The thought occurred to me that many of us may be unable to demonstrate Christian Science as completely as we should because toxic assets in our mental portfolios corrupt and poison our sense of Truth, of Christ's everpresence within us. Unlike the banks' toxic assets, however, any bad stuff on our mental books can and must be gotten rid of. It is instructive to look up the few sentences in Science and Health where Mrs. Eddy uses the verb "rid" and then continue with renewed vigor the defenestration from the window of consciousness these detrimental states of thought which stifle spiritual progress.

The number of times Mrs. Eddy uses "rid" may be few, but as we set about ridding ourselves of all error, the days, months, and years of invigorating spiritual activity and progress awaiting us will be many.

Note: In Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute" the Queen of Night padlocks Papageno's mouth shut for being mendacious and boastful. The birdcatcher is thereby reduced to silence or humming. Could this explain...? Surely not, but it's an intriguing possibility.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are so good! Especially helpful is your paragraph about our mental porfolios. As we learn in Christian Science, everything is mental actually, and it is here we get at the problems.
A very powerful blog. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Very well done! You make a very good point about getting rid of those states of thought that block Christ healing. This should help many of your readers.

Anonymous said...

Dear Blogger:
Another fine posting. Aren't we grateful for what Christ Jesus proved, and Christian Science reiterates, that understanding God's laws, and living in accord with them, sets us free from all kinds of difficulties.
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

For those who think your blog is too critical of others, what I see is an earnest desire to grow in Christlikeness, to be the kind of Christian Scientist our Leader calls for.
God speed your progress in this direction!

Anonymous said...

That part about toxic mental material really speaks to me. I have to pray every single day to keep Satan out of the picture. It's challenging sure, but the other way of not doing what Jesus says is much harder!

Anonymous said...

I have a friend in the practice of CS who prays each day, along the lines of that verse in Psalms, "Dear Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart (and my body language and the tone of my voice even) be acceptable in Thy sight." This is fighting the good fight for sure.

Anonymous said...

Yes, as Jesus states plainly, it is what is within our hearts, the evil in various forms, that defile us. And they make us ill!
Thanks for helpful blog post.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for most substantive blog today. Or yesterday posted I see. Should uplift many of your readers, I should think.
(Bet I know what the last # is referring to! Clever...)

Anonymous said...

Really, really like this website. Always find something to think about worth giving time to.
God bless what you are doing for the Cause!

Anonymous said...

A very helpful blog you have here. As to poisonous states of thinking we jolly well need to get rid of, what is more important than being right with God? Absolutely nothing. And through obedience to His Word, and to the teachings of dear Jesus, we are assured of making much spiritual progress.
My thanks to you!

Anonymous said...

You express your thoughts so well. No wonder this is a successful blog and has taken off so.
Keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

Speaking of toxic thoughts,(and practices!) have you heard any rebuttal to the Trammell business? I'm not aware that it has been refuted officially, and can't help thinking it must be true that there has been a foray into paganism at the highest human levels of our church. Keep us posted on this, will you?
Thanks for your blog!

Anonymous said...

An excellent blog you have here. This entry calls to thought something Jesus points out in Matthew, that the scribes and pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and platter, but oh the uncleanness within! You have rightly pointed up this need for us to be as Christlike in our hearts and minds as we can--and not just appear ok on the surface.
Many thanks to you...

Anonymous said...

This blog was recommended to me, and I can see what all the shouting is about. Very well written, and deeply thought out, in my view. I intend to be a regular visitor here.
Thanks!