Chapter X - Science Of Being
Figures of being
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The real Life, or Mind, and its opposite, the so-called
The real Life, or Mind, and its opposite, the so-called
material life and mind, are figured by two geometrical
symbols, a circle or sphere and a straight
line. The circle represents the infinite with-
out beginning or end; the straight line represents the
finite, which has both beginning and end. The sphere
represents good, the self-existent and eternal individuality
or Mind; the straight line represents evil, a belief in
a self-made and temporary material existence. Eternal
Mind and temporary material existence never unite in
figure or in fact.
Opposite symbols
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A straight line finds no abiding-place in a curve, and a
A straight line finds no abiding-place in a curve, and a
curve finds no adjustment to a straight line. Similarly,
matter has no place in Spirit, and Spirit has
no place in matter. Truth has no home in
error, and error has no foothold in Truth. Mind cannot
pass into non-intelligence and matter, nor can non-intel-
ligence become Soul. At no point can these opposites
mingle or unite. Even though they seem to touch, one
is still a curve and the other a straight line.
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There is no inherent power in matter; for all that is
There is no inherent power in matter; for all that is
material is a material, human, mortal thought, always
governing itself erroneously.
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Truth is the intelligence of immortal Mind. Error is
Truth is the intelligence of immortal Mind. Error is
the so-called intelligence of mortal mind.
Truth is not inverted
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Whatever indicates the fall of man or the opposite of
Whatever indicates the fall of man or the opposite of
God or God's absence, is the Adam-dream, which is neither
Mind nor man, for it is not begotten of the
Father. The rule of inversion infers from
error its opposite, Truth; but Truth is the light which
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dispels error. As mortals begin to understand Spirit,
dispels error. As mortals begin to understand Spirit,
they give up the belief that there is any true existence
apart from God.
Source of all life and action
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Mind is the source of all movement, and there is no
Mind is the source of all movement, and there is no
inertia to retard or check its perpetual and harmonious
action. Mind is the same Life, Love, and wis-
dom "yesterday, and to-day, and forever."
Matter and its effects – sin, sickness, and
death – are states of mortal mind which act, react, and
then come to a stop. They are not facts of Mind. They
are not ideas, but illusions. Principle is absolute. It
admits of no error, but rests upon understanding.
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But what say prevalent theories? They insist that
But what say prevalent theories? They insist that
Life, or God, is one and the same with material life so‑
called. They speak of both Truth and error as mind,
and of good and evil as spirit. They claim that to be
life which is but the objective state of material sense, –
such as the structural life of the tree and of material
man, – and deem this the manifestation of the one Life,
God.
Spiritual structure
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This false belief as to what really constitutes life so
This false belief as to what really constitutes life so
detracts from God's character and nature, that the true
sense of His power is lost to all who cling to
this falsity. The divine Principle, or Life, can-
not be practically demonstrated in length of days, as it
was by the patriarchs, unless its Science be accurately
stated. We must receive the divine Principle in the under-
standing, and live it in daily life; and unless we so do, we
can no more demonstrate Science, than we can teach and
illustrate geometry by calling a curve a straight line or a
straight line a sphere.
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Are mentality, immortality, consciousness, resident in
Are mentality, immortality, consciousness, resident in