11 - The Sensitives by Paul Brunton

Author:Paul Brunton
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2010-10-03T19:24:51.275000+00:00

8 Christian Science, Other Spiritual Movements

8.1 Virtues And Faults

1

Christian Science is a useful anticipator of the fuller philosophic teaching.

2

Because we must refuse to follow the Christian Scientists all the way, because we must refuse to regard Christian Science as the one and only thing that matters – this is no excuse for not following them part of the way.

3

The essential difference between the Christian Science method and the one which has been explained here is that the former asserts that man is divine whereas the latter asks what man is and then awaits the answer. The first method may, and often does, easily fail by remaining a mental statement and not becoming a spiritual experience.

4

Mrs. Eddy, I regret to say, made these and other errors but it is not my purpose to evaluate either the merits or demerits of her cult. She had her part to play in the spiritual instruction of the Western world, and if she made serious mistakes, she nevertheless brought to birth a widespread movement which, as she says, has done much good. The system which she founded contains elements of the highest truth, and if her followers will only have the courage to remove the fetters which have been placed upon their independent thought, if they will not hesitate to utilize the powers of free inquiry which God has bestowed upon them, and if they will not shut their eyes but adopt an attitude of wider sympathy and less intolerance towards other systems, they may avoid the fate which overtakes most spiritual movements, when growing numbers kill the spirit and adhere to the letter. I have introduced Mary Baker Eddy's name into this book to render some small service of correction for the sake of her large following, if not for the benefit of the world at large. I cannot conceal a certain admiration for the dignified way in which Christian Science is doing its work in the world, much as I deplore its fanatical narrowness and intellectual mistakes. It contains truths which are sorely needed by ignorant humanity today.

5

The New Thought or Christian Science claims, where correct, are true only of the adept, for he alone has fully aligned himself with the Spirit.

6

With a little perception of the metaphysical truth in mentalism but a large application of it, the Christian Scientists have healed sickness and banished anxiety.

7

Theosophic misunderstanding of Indian wisdom is not surprising in view of the fact that the majority of Hindu Vedantins have misunderstood the tenets of their own doctrine.

8

Theosophy is often helpful in serving as a means of information to some seekers of spiritual truth. But it also contains elements which can lead them woefully astray.

9

Is life's purpose in us to add new experience to the old ones, as the Western theosophist thinks, or to shed all experience entirely, as the Eastern ascetic asserts?

10

The thought service of teachers like H.P. Blavatsky and Mary Baker Eddy was to help those people who were ready to move away from the materialistic view

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