An Idea for Eliminating Conflict!

Conflict!  The world seems to be full of conflict between individuals, families, governments, religious movements, societies, and special interests!  These conflicts are caused by opposing thoughts.  A basic premise of human existence is that each individual has a mind or consciousness of his own produced by a material organ called a brain. This condition of individual, independent minds leads to opposing beliefs, interests, and goals and an unhealthy mind can lead to depression and mental illness of individuals.  With billions of minds in the world is it inevitable that there will always be conflict, limitation and confusion?

Mary Baker Eddy, a Christian healer and teacher, proposed an idea that goes against the apparent existence of many minds and offers a basis for hope and progress for humanity.  She writes in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures:

"The exterminator of error is the great truth that God, good is the only Mind and that the supposititious opposite of infinite Mind -- called devil or evil -- is not Mind, is not Truth, but error, without intelligence or reality."

This idea of one God, one Mind that is wholly good became the foundation of her healing method and is expounded upon in her book.

I had an experience that showed me the practical application of this idea of one Mind.  Many years ago, another individual and I had differing opinions on how to manage a difficult situation.  I implemented what I thought was the best solution, but the other individual disagreed so vehemently that they filed a suit against me to force me to follow a different course of action.  In the months of legal maneuvering that followed, I thought long and hard about this idea that there was one mind - not my mind or another's, but one divine Mind or God that creates and governs all.  As I grew in my understanding of this idea, it shifted in my consciousness from an abstract concept to a practical reality that I could depend on.  I stopped worrying about how to respond to the legal challenge and instead focused on praying to discern and follow what this Mind was directing me to do.

Prior to the case going to court, we were required to meet with a mediator.  The night before this meeting, a new idea came to me that did not directly involve the issues of the case, but that seemed like a good solution for all involved.  The next day, I proposed this idea to the other party and it was accepted.  Not only did they get something that met their needs, but I found that the resulting arrangement was far better for me than my original course of action.

You can read Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures online or purchase it from Amazon or any major book retailer.  It is also available for sale or study at the Christian Science Reading Room in Evergreen, Colorado at 4602 Plettner Lane.