MAN

Self-knowledge:

SHAKESPEARE wrote, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” (Hamlet, Act II, scene 2).  Clearly, the quality of our thought has a great deal – in fact, everything – to do with the nature of our experience.  It’s vital, then, that our thoughts be conducive to harmony, that they be in accord with God, who is the very Principle of harmony.

 

If we’re honest with ourselves, we find plenty to discard in the way of unproductive thought patterns, enough to keep us busy for a lifetime.  But each facet of spiritual self-knowledge we gain along the way inspires us anew while it transforms our character and heals our body.

Scientific, inspired, original, pure thoughts, derived from God, are seen in tangible results – a more spiritual concept of ourselves and our fellow beings, which leads to deeper love and compassion for others, progress in the healing of a troubled world, and a higher quality of living.  St. Paul apparently found it inspiring and practical to entertain Godlike thoughts from the divine Mind.  He said, “Whatsoever things are true, 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).

…the divine influence in human thought, frees us from egotistical, overly sensitive, unkind, and self-destructive traits, and anchors our thought in Truth.  Fresh, vital, and clear thoughts – spiritually refreshing thoughts – are winged with inspiration.  They reveal what God, divine Love, knows of us, reveal that He delights in us as his spiritual idea.  And the more we listen to God to discover our true identity made in His likeness, the more the true goodness of divine reality becomes concrete to us.

--An excerpt from an article The impact of spiritual thought on experience, 

by Eva-Maria Hogrefe, C. S.,

published in the Christian Science Sentinel, August 8, 1994--

Mortal thought must obtain a better basis, get nearer the truth of being, or health will never be universal, and harmony will never become the standard of man.

--Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,

by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 553—

 It is important to distinguish between the diligent rectification of misdeeds 

                                                                   and the mere casting of blame.

The man throws a stone at you.

The devil throws a man at you.

Get the devil off – and leave the man alone.

Prometheus

The ruling principle of Hate

Which for its pleasure doth create

The thing it may annihilate. …

--George Gordon Noel, Lord Byron—

(an excerpt)

  

The Drop that wrestles in the Sea –Forgets her own locality –

As I – towards Thee.

--Emily Dickinson—

Spain I/MAN --acrylic on canvas (1971) by Eva-Maria Hogrefe

Our life is filled with the kind of things we think about.  Our thoughts tend to 

father our actions, and they shape the kind of world we make for ourselves.  --Eva-Maria--

on a visit to Cambridge/England

Spain II/YOUNG MAN --acrylic on canvas (1971) by Eva-Maria Hogrefe

“They said give up.

They said it couldn’t be done.

They said I’d regret it.

They were wrong.

My dream is to rise to every challenge.

And from up there,

All the mountains look like molehills.”

Ye are the light of the world.

Let your light so shine before men, 

that they may see your good works, 

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

--The Bible, Matthew 5:16—

THE PROVERBS

"To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: ..."