Released by Healing Science Today, “Science and Spirituality” contributes to the discovery of restorative forces
Launched online in 2010, Healing Science Today carries into the New Year its resolve to ask thought-provoking questions and seek meaningful answers about science, miracles, and faith. It does not ask, “What is the fastest, smartest, or sleekest?” Instead, it asks, “What is infinite mind and its power to heal?”
Healing Science Today offers educational resources that encourage exploration of open-ended questions. It introduces Science and Spirituality: Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the First Edition of Mary Baker Eddy’s Science and Health, by Cheryl Petersen.
Science and Spirituality acknowledges that the activities of science and spirituality may appear vastly different in design and temperament. Yet, the book explains how these fields work together, not against humanity. As Petersen states, “Even if pitted against one another by human beings, science and spirituality rise to the occasion and prove the self-destruction of that which is unscientific, unspiritual, and inhumane.”
Scientific spirituality emphasizes the greater power of reasoning and the broader knowledge of principles essential for navigating today’s increasingly complex world. The book offers a clear, sharp perspective that illumines science, spirituality, and humanity usefully. As seen in the chapter titled Natural Science, “Human beings may not have a hold on science and spirituality, but they have a hold on us.”
Petersen further notes, “Laboratories and ascetic lifestyles do not give science and spirituality force, but mind power does.”
To better grasp mind power, Science and Spirituality outlines a system called the “science of spirit,” observing a wide range of research from the extraordinary to the everyday. Content refers to past, present, and future breakthroughs. “Discovery reveals the healing power of infinite mind remains logical and timeless,” says Petersen. “To echo ongoing renewal, I chose to acknowledge Mary Baker Eddy as one of many individuals who proved that scientific spirituality is neither magic nor mysterious.”
Science and Spirituality mirrors the structure of the first edition of Eddy’s Science and Health, originally published in 1875. Petersen explains, “Though Science and Health may seem closely tied to a religious organization today, discovery shows that it was written years before Eddy founded a church. The book was intended for anyone interested in exploring healing through mind power.”
The Preface of the 1875 edition reads, “To do good to the upright in heart, and to bless them that curse us, and bear to the sorrowing and sick consolation and healing.”
Petersen chuckles, recalling other words from the 1875 Preface: “Owing to our explanations constantly vibrating between the same points, an irksome repetition of words must occur.” Petersen adds, “Her use of the word “irksome,” tells me that Eddy had an honest sense of humor. Her book has 130,000 words. My book reflects today’s language culture. Science and Spirituality is much shorter and more concise—about 21,000 words.”
Mary Baker Eddy revised Science and Health hundreds of times before her death in 1910. While Science and Health addressed the issues and solutions of late 19th century, Science and Spirituality tackles contemporary challenges such as COVID-19 aftermath, real-time anxieties, relationships, and holistic healing in an age dominated by technology.
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Contact:
Cheryl Petersen
Healing Science Today
845-324-8995
4CherylWrites@gmail.com
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.
