The practical method which is here presented differs radically from the method of the Christian Scientists, although a superficial reading may give the impression of similarity. The Christian Scientist asserts his inner nature to be divine and a part of God, but the assertion remains a mere intellectual statement unless he has previously opened up a channel to that inner nature with the tool of meditation, prayer, or aspiration. If he has done this, then the assertion rises into the realm of reality and may produce remarkable results; if he has not succeeded in doing this, then his assertion remains mere words, one thought out of the multitude which pass and repass through the brain of man. Moreover, so long as he possesses false notions of what constitutes "demonstration," so long as he thinks that he is entitled to prosperity, good health, and other desirable worldly things because of his spirituality, so long will he find--as so many Christian Scientists do find--that his successes alternate with startling failures. It would be an unpleasant task to illustrate this statement with instances of such failures, not in the rank and file, but in the foremost ranks of the Christian Scientists, and I shall not attempt it. These failures indicate that we must follow no narrow track of sect-ordained thought, but do some research on our own account.
-- Notebooks Category 10: Healing of the Self > Chapter 2 : The Universal Life Force > # 40
