My summer travels to Turkey

This summer I had the opportunity to spend two and a half weeks in Turkey with my family. We traveled through the busy streets of Istanbul, went to ancient ruins at Ephesus, and sailed in the Mediterranean for nine days. I have been raised in Christian Science and have turned to God, Truth, in every situation and experience, and this trip was no exception. I had the opportunity to apply Christian Science multiple times throughout the summer, and I have a lot of gratitude for that!

We visited Turkey at a warm time of the year, and were out in the city exploring mosques and historic sites. The heat was definitely an issue for me. I had prayed about being hot and uncomfortable before, but this climate was extreme compared to what I was used to. I managed along the first few days without too much discomfort. I drank plenty of water, tried to stay cool when my head was hurting, and was taken in by the beauty around me and the new culture. However, there was one night where I felt all energy had drained from me, and all I wanted to do was sleep. I had intense pain in my head whenever I moved, so I skipped dinner that night and spent some time alone.

During that evening I read the weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson. The subject that week was “Life,” which could not have been more perfect. I went through all the sections, gaining inspiration from different passages from the Bible and Science and Health, by Mary Baker Eddy. One idea that really stood out to me was this one from Science and Health: “The sinless joy,—the perfect harmony and immortality of Life, possessing unlimited divine beauty and goodness without a single bodily pleasure or pain,—constitutes the only veritable, indestructible man, whose being is spiritual” ¹

This quote was the plain truth, and just what I needed at that time. I realized that I was always going to express divine beauty and goodness, and that there could never be room for pain in my head to distract me from this. I saw that I was expressing sinless joy throughout this trip, and that this pure motive could never result in any pain to hurt me. I also saw all the perfect harmony that we had on our journeys, traveling on old buses and through the deserted countryside. That harmony and sinless joy were the real experiences of my travels in Turkey, not a pain in my head.

I continued to pray with this quote, and I slept for about two hours. When I woke up, the pain was completely gone. There was not one ounce of discomfort, and I was able to eat and continue on with the night’s activities. The rest of the trip was joyful and pain free, and I was so grateful for this quick healing!
Later on in the trip, we were sailing along the Turkish coast, admiring the ancient ruins and beautiful blue sea for nine days. About halfway through the trip, huge swells in the sea began rocking our boat back and forth. These swells got to my stomach, and I felt seasick. I was stationed at the back of the boat for a while, throwing up from the turbulence, but then I realized I didn’t need to consent to be a victim of this sickness. I went back to the Bible Lesson to find more inspiration. I came across a passage in the Bible that was perfect for this situation: “Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. . . . Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth”. ²

These Bible verses helped me to focus on the spiritual qualities of peacefulness and calm. Even though the waters were rough and the swells were big, it was comforting to see that I could connect with God and know that our Father-Mother was present, taking care of us on the boat in the middle of the sea. This idea was so calming, and as my thoughts settled the seasickness went away completely! I was even able to rest for a little bit. We sailed on the open sea for many days after this and I never had a recurrence of the problem.

I am so grateful for the presence of God no matter where you are in the world, and for the ability to have instant healings!

Isabel

From the January 2012 edition of the Christian Science Sentinel
Learn more about the Bible Lesson

Spiritual illumination

Truth and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose "light shall we see light;" and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn away from

Veronica Switzer

West Virginia, USA

Truth and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose "light shall we see light;" and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn away from a false material sense.

Feed the church of God

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God

© Stephen Lue

The Lake District, UK

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God

Acts 20:28

Happy day

My weary hope tries to realize that happy day, when man shall recognize the Science of Christ and love his neighbor as himself, — when he shall realize God's omnipotence

Zinnia Madon

Istanbul, Turkey

My weary hope tries to realize that happy day, when man shall recognize the Science of Christ and love his neighbor as himself, — when he shall realize God's omnipotence and the healing power of the divine Love in what it has done and is doing for mankind.

Science and Health with Key to The Scriptures p. 55:16-21

What’s in it for me?

I’m not usually an eavesdropper, but the conversation on the subway got my attention.

“Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease?” the girl was saying as she gave her two college-age friends her most winning smile.

She needed a heavy piece of furniture moved. And soon. Would they be willing to help?

“I don’t know,” said the guy with the baseball cap. He made eye contact with the other guy, then asked, “What’s in it for us?”

I knew he was probably teasing her—and that they would end up helping her out. But his joking question stuck with me. I wondered: Is it just human nature to be calculating and self-interested? Is it natural to think of ourselves before we think of others?

Speaking for myself, I don’t think that a “What’s in it for me?” attitude necessarily has to do with a lack of generosity. Call it a survival instinct that I’m not always even conscious is operating. But when I step back and look at my thought process, I can see how sometimes—even in a split-second of decision-making—issues of time, money, effort, even a fear that I’m being taken advantage of, all come into play.

Ever since that conversation on the subway, though, I’ve been inspired to pray not just to express more selflessness, but to embody more Christliness. For me at least, selflessness is a quality I embrace and aspire to; but it’s not always sufficient. In fact, it can feel a lot like human effort—with all the ego that can inadvertently go along with that. By contrast, Christliness allows me to put God first—to feel the power that comes from knowing I’m not an independent actor, but that my thoughts and actions are actually an expression of divine Love itself.

My prayers led me to an unexpected place—to a Bible story that I’ve read dozens of times since I first learned it in Sunday School. In this New Testament tale in the book of John, Jesus has been doing God’s work in the outskirts of town, and his healings have impelled a multitude of people to follow him. The problem is, it’s growing late, and the only food on hand is one “lad’s” five barley loaves and two small fishes. The part of this story that I’ve always focused on in the past is the dramatic conclusion: With this small amount of food, Jesus feeds the thousands. ¹

This time, though, my prayers got me to stop on that lad with the loaves and fishes. It occurred to me that he had every right to be asking that question: “What’s in it for me?” Were those loaves and fishes his food for a week? Did he have a family to share them with? Even the disciples were skeptical: “What are they among so many?”

Given the probable downside to sharing, what was it that impelled that boy to hand over his provisions? I felt like my prayers were showing me that being in the presence of Christliness as he was—or acknowledging our own Christlike nature, as we can—is what removes barriers to unselfed love and radical generosity and healing. The power of that Christliness is unstoppable and all-encompassing. Just witness what happened when the lad yielded to it: More than five thousand people were blessed, and so was he.

Mary Baker Eddy described Christ as “the divine nature, the godliness which animated [Jesus].” ² That moment on the subway has been a welcome reminder that each of us possesses that divine nature and expresses that godliness. Which means that the most natural thing in the world actually isn’t to say, “What’s in it for me?” Instead, with hearts and minds aligned with God, we’re always in the perfect position to listen for inspired solutions and then act on them—freely.

Jenny Sawyer

Lovely thoughts

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there

Veronica Switzer

West Virginia, USA

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Phil. 4:8

Spiritual teachers everywhere

My Christian Science teacher was an incredible man who explained to me the faith that changed my life. But he had plenty of pre/post assistance from a diverse group of God’s children who I’ve also been blessed to meet and learn from.

My early Methodist preacher, Reverend Markham, carved daily gratitude to God into my soul, when I would peek at him through a child’s closed eyes during long Pastoral Prayers. Hands outstretched to the heavens, eyes closed and a beatific smile on his uplifted face, he’d exult in a joyful, booming voice that made you believe it: “It’s so GOOD to be alive today! Oh THANK YOU, FATHER; thank you for EVERYTHING!”

Roman Catholic priests, Father Bob and Father Pete, so loved dedicating their lives to God at my college parish, and seemed to have so much joy in doing it, that they made a teen-age boy seriously think that dedicating your life to serving God might not be a reluctant drudgery, but an incredible possibility.

My lawn maintenance contractor, lifelong friend, and faithful Sikh, Chenchal Singh, showed me a daily, indescribable degree of selflessness and sacrificial tender love for his family. It was one of the closest earthly examples I’ve ever seen of how I imagine Jesus acted toward others.

Long-time friend, Rabbi Tenenbaum, who served the Conservative faithful at his shul into his 90’s, showed me the best possible way to encourage students to live morally pure lives.

He was visiting my class of tough Los Angeles gang members, having accepted my invitation to explain the teachings of Judaism. When asked what advice he would give today’s young people about sexual behavior, he paused and looked genuinely puzzled. With a humble, apologetic look, he told my group of promiscuous teens that he didn’t have anything to share with them, because the only woman he’d ever loved or been with was his wife.

Judging by the looks on their faces at that moment, it looked like all my girls, and half the boys, wanted to follow in his footsteps from that point forward.

The many Mormon missionaries I’ve invited into my house for a non-caffeinated drink have inspired me to examine my own willingness to unselfishly serve others. Usually teenagers, living away from home for two years, paying all their expenses themselves, and working six days per week - for free - at one of the most thankless jobs there is, these dedicated Christians give eloquent sermons about their faith, without saying a word.

All the help I’ve received in becoming a better Christian Scientist - by countless individuals who were not - is summed up by an agnostic, former teaching partner of mine. He was always gentle and kind - always selfless and patient - at times when I was not expressing any of those qualities.

When we’d talk about religion, he’d always remind me: “Paul, faith in God can be a wonderful thing. But people’s religious beliefs are usually so emotionally-charged, and have resulted in so many huge problems for mankind, that a person can’t be too careful to make sure that they’re respectful of others’ beliefs, and humble about their own.”

Paul D. White

Enlightenment

Jesus' deed was for the enlightenment of men and for the salvation of the whole world from sin, sickness, and death.

© Stephen Lue

Nepal

Jesus' deed was for the enlightenment of men and for the salvation of the whole world from sin, sickness, and death.

Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 45:7-10