photo by Phil Roeder

The following information may be found on the blog site of the Christian Science Committees on Publication’s Federal Office in Washington D.C.  It is reprinted here to remind you of the information available on the Federal Office’s site.

Harvard Law professor discusses Christian Scientists, Supreme Court oral arguments, and health care reform law in National Law Journal article

When Harvard Law School professor Einer Elhauge mistakenly mentioned in a debate that the religious exemption in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) applies to Christian Scientists, Massachusetts Committee on Publication Ingrid Peschke approached him afterward to correct the misconception. The next morning, Elhauge sent Ingrid a follow-up email: he felt he also needed to correct an article he had written that was published in the National Law Journal following the Supreme Court oral arguments on the health care reform law.

Ingrid and the Federal Office’s Dave Sterrett worked with Elhauge to revise the article to accurately represent the narrowness of PPACA’s religious exemption, which does not include Christian Scientists. In the revised article, Elhauge—who had joined an amicus brief arguing that the mandate to purchase health insurance is constitutional—refers to Justice Kagan’s mention of Christian Scientists. He suggests a potential “compromise” the Supreme Court justices could make: hold that the mandate is constitutional while also constitutionally exempting groups, such as Christian Scientists, that would not in fact use medical health care.

While Elhauge’s views do not necessarily represent those of the Committee on Publication, his article, like Justice Kagan’s comments, bolsters the case for the Federal Office’s multiple efforts to resolve the inequity facing Christian Scientists under the health care reform law, either through an exemption from or inclusion in the law.

Read Elhauge’s article.

"Breakthrough" photo by nggalai's photostream

A guest post written by Keith Wommack, Committee on Publication for Texas

It isn’t just the world-class competition, or the crowning of champions, that makes me excited to watch events like the upcoming Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It’s seeing barriers get broken—shattering common expectations—that brings me to my feet.

But you don’t have to witness a standing back full twist on the balance beam to feel that same breakthrough excitement and come out a winner.

Have you ever tried to learn a foreign language and then hit a barrier? Couldn’t take it to the next level?  Maybe it was the guitar or piano you were practicing, and then found yourself stuck. That happened to me.

Several years ago while practicing the guitar and learning languages, I noticed a phenomenon: While diligently trying to master a guitar riff or learn a German phrase, I struggled for days or weeks with no progress. Then, out of the blue, I had a breakthrough. One minute I couldn’t, the next, I could. This happened over and over.

My forays into learning showed me that often we do not gradually improve as we work at things. Sometimes we just suddenly just get it. We inexplicably leap from a lower plateau to a higher one, instead of just inching our way up.

Due to the suddenness of this improvement, it seems that the only real barrier was a belief—going from believing I can’t to seeing that I can! Instantly, what couldn’t be done before now seems natural, as if we always had the know-how.

I believe this shows, in a small way, the mental nature of things. It tells me that those who refuse to yield to discouragement are rewarded for their persistence. This enlightened stubbornness helps erode the seeming solidity of the I can’t belief.

Which raises this question: what would happen if we started earlier with the confidence of I can?

As I’ve done this and seen what can happen, I’ve learned that life is even more of a mental experience than most of us realize. Yet this phenomenon of sudden breakthrough is not confined to languages, music, and sports. I’ve learned an even larger lesson on barrier-breaking as I observe the effect of spirituality on health, my own and others.

The capacities you and I are endowed with, at this time, are barely being realized and employed. The practice of breaking beliefs which cause pain and disease, is, today, taking place because of spiritual understanding. It may be occurring in a very small degree, but the momentum behind such advancements is beginning to be noticed.

The ill-health that seems so unyielding and the health that seems so unattainable at present, perhaps, is not that far away. I’ve seen in my own healing practice of Christian Science how the breaking of one belief changes everything; changes everything for the better.

Yes, in regard to spiritual healing as well as music, languages, and sports, barriers are breaking, and, instantly, what couldn’t be done before now seems natural, as if we always had the know-how.

The sudden transition from I can’t to the seemingly impossible I can is exciting. It always brings me to my feet. But even more so, is the thrill of shattering the belief “I’m not well,” and being able to honestly hear and say: “I am well and I know it.”

Link to Keith Wommack’s blog.

Photo illustrated by Paul Joseph

A guest post by Tracy Clifton

A few months ago I read an article about domestic violence that began with the phrase “Trigger Warning!” It warned readers that the article might bring up emotions that were unresolved – that there was the potential for someone’s innate “trigger” to go off.

While I respected the warning’s intent, I also found myself saddened. How often do we have those internal “triggers” go off, sometimes at the most inconvenient and uncomfortable of times? And more importantly, do we have a choice whether or not the “trigger” goes off at all?

The answer came to me in a quiet, firm “Yes! We always have a choice!” I realized I needed to adjust my view of humanity as reactionary and subject to the past, and instead focus on what I know to be a more clear idea of who we are: that God maintains our innocence and gives us the capacity to grow. I thought of the Bible story in Daniel of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who, even as they were rescued from a fiery fate, didn’t even have the “smell of fire” on them. They saw that they could never be victimized. For me, it was a wonderful illustration of how we remain free and untouched from the past – no lingering effects, just pure joy and gratitude that we are completely delivered from times of trouble by God.

A few weeks later, I had the opportunity to apply this radical adjustment of thought in my own life. Someone from my past, with whom I’d parted ways in less than perfect terms, popped back into my life. All the mental work I thought I’d done to be free from the past seemed to fly out the window, and I was definitely having triggered emotions of grief and resentment.

This issue felt a little out of my depth, so I turned to prayer. I was able to silence the reactive thoughts and get to the root of the problem, which was, of course, fear. Fear that what I’d gone through in my life could happen again; fear that this person hadn’t changed. As with all trigger warnings, this fear spoke to me of my own supposed powerlessness and inability to control my reaction to how people treat me.

I had to break free from those thoughts that suggested that I was a victim my whole life, using a mental sword to swing at each one as it came to me. I countered with the idea that not only had my innocence remained untouched, but also that the person I viewed as able to wound me was also innocent! As Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, states in her book, Science and Health, “Innocence and Truth overcome guilt and error.” Because we were both innocent, we were both free from harming one another, and could co-exist harmoniously. Just as I was free from my past, this person was also free. And I most certainly had a choice – I wasn’t on autopilot or unable to control my emotions. I felt calm and loving towards this person, and matters were resolved that encouraged growth in both of us. We truly became a blessing to each other as we strove to reflect only God in our lives.

I’m so grateful that Christian Science offers us choices in how we react and deal with issues on a daily basis. Knowing that we are never powerless over our emotions and reactions brings a sense of peace and innocence to all our lives.

Photo illustrated by The Wandering Angel

by Don Ingwerson

This was my very first posting on this blog – almost two years ago (8/3/10). I wanted to repost this article because it presents an important concept to align our thought to. Enjoy!

I have a great interest in the concept of the unlimited potential of individuals – from the very young to the more mature.  During my many years as an educator, I found great support in the search for man’s unlimited ability during my study of Christian Science.

A recent article started my engine again in thinking about the native capacity of young children and the many concepts mentioned by Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science over 140 years ago.

Studies have now been done with children throughout the world, from the wealthy Christian homes in Canada to the poverty stricken children in New Delhi  and the results are the same; children have an innate spirituality.

It was found that children grasped their faith with a subtlety that eluded many adults, according to researcher Mark Holder, an associate professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia.  They believe in a higher power which watches over them. They relate to the 23rd Psalm, understanding that they are the sheep and that this higher power is their shepherd.

They’ve found that often when we as adults speak of a spiritual experience it will be something we recall from childhood. (Do we as adults develop a certain crust of cynicism as we nibble at the “tree of knowledge”?)

Amy Crawford, a program minister with the United Church of Canada, said, ”Children are very familiar with mystery and with not knowing, which is a quality of spirituality. Their days are filled with new discoveries and new insights. They’re open and they’re curious; they understand that we don’t always have words to describe what it is that we’re thinking and feeling…we’ve begun to understand and work from the perspective that there’s an innateness to spirituality, so it’s something that we’re born with and it may even be that children are more open, so they may even have a greater ability to be spiritual beings than adults do.”

Although this is current research, let’s step back a few centuries in time to this man Jesus who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14

Now let’s step back a few decades and hear what a New England woman had to say about it: “Children are more tractable than adults, and learn more readily to love the simple verities that will make them happy and good.  Jesus loved little children because of their freedom from wrong and their receptiveness of right. While age is halting between two opinions or battling with false beliefs, youth makes easy and rapid strides towards Truth.” S&H p. 236:25

It’s interesting how long it takes society to catch up with those who were centuries and decades ahead of their time and how easily little people catch on while we’re trying to catch up.

Footnote:  ”Children happier for being spiritual: study” by Shannon Proudfoot for Canwest News Service

Photo illustrated by Al Pavangkanan

by Don Ingwerson

I am happy to report a recent visit with several media outlets this past week – to KABC-TV, Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader, Pasadena Outlook/La Cañada Outlook, and Brentwood News.

I enjoyed visiting with KABC-TV’s Lisa Bartley, writer/producer, and Denise Dador, health specialist, as they were both very engaging and helpful. They are interested in the area of health and alternative medicines and are discussing the opportunity for me to share my ideas on health alternatives. Over the past several years, Lisa has interviewed the Christian Science Board of Directors and met with the Manager of the Committees on Publication.

The managing editor for the Pasadena Outlook/La Cañada Outlook has always been very helpful. As the Outlook newspapers become more web oriented, I look forward to further discussions. Because of time constraints, the contact with the Glendale and Burbank newspapers was very brief. The Brentwood News is considering one of my health blogs on alternative medicines. While meeting with her, I found that the editor is very interested in spirituality and has attended several Christian Science lectures.

All around, a very pleasant day!

Photo illustrated by monkeywing

A guest post written by Ingrid Peschke, health blogger, legislative liaison for Christian Science and spirituality in Massachusetts

It’s Mother’s Day this coming Sunday so today’s blog is a tribute to moms everywhere.

Mother’s Day in America had its beginnings back in the late 1800s when grieving mothers from both the North and the South came together after their sons died in the Civil War. They raised a collective voice with mothers across the world asking for an end to war. On May 9, 1914, a Presidential proclamation declared the 2nd Sunday of May to be observed as Mother’s Day.

As I see it, a mother’s job is to raise a well-adjusted human being, ready to give back and to make a difference.  At the heart of her teaching should be the nurturing of qualities that end wars in all kinds of places, starting on the home front–with friendship and sibling squabbles, as well as the “wars” that can rage within.

A mother models and emphasizes the basics of human kindness: peace-keeping, forgiveness, grace. This is what contributes to the health of one’s family and ultimately to the health of one’s community and world.

May happens to be mental health month and good mothering is a big part of the solution to maintaining mental well-being.

My own mother’s example–along with that of some pretty amazing men and women in my life–taught me a few key ingredients I’ve added to the recipe of raising my family:

• Respond with love
• Form good habits
• Walk in the other person’s shoes
• Be a good listener
• Practice patience
• Learn to laugh
• Have good manners
• Forgive, forgive again
• Be honest

I’ve found practicing these ideas is easier and more possible with a solid spiritual foundation, so I would add “love God” to my list, too. Without that you might think, “I/he/she isn’t capable of forgiving, being honest, (fill in the blank)…”  But when you realize that the creator of the universe–everyone’s divine parent, or Mother–actually compels us and created us to be all of those good things, it’s so much easier.

Imagine if we all followed these few points perfectly every day and maintained peace on our home fronts. Arguments would end or perhaps never begin. Friendships would form and remain strong. And the ultimate would be the cessation of war…

Even with the best of intentions, one of the enemies in raising children in today’s social media culture is the constant influx of information and “screen time” they are faced with. There’s a place for social media interaction, but nothing replaces real time/real life experience.

As you honor the mothers in your life including those who are no longer with you, here’s something to ponder from a great spiritual thinker, healer–and also a mother:

A mother’s love behind words has no language; it may give no material token, but lives steadily on, through time and circumstance, as part and paramount portion of her being. -Mary Baker Eddy

photo by yourcoco's photostream

A guest post by Marc Thompson

On a day off from work a couple of months ago, my wife and I took a drive south along Hwy 101 from our home in San Clemente to La Jolla, which we enjoy doing several times a year. Although the fastest route is the interstate, we enjoy the drive along this coastal scenic route. La Jolla has many one-way streets and a lot of hills and I found that on the way back home I started feeling unwell. Although I was familiar with the route back, I decided to let the automated voice of my GPS guide me.

Deciding not to cast a shadow on a perfect day, I chose not to mention my discomfort to my wife as we discussed which town along the coast we might enjoy stopping at for dinner. I chose instead to quietly pray for myself. It was a struggle for me because I wanted to have a pleasant meal with her, but I was worried that I might not be able to. Meanwhile, with each familiar turn I made back to the coast, the GPS voice persisted in redirecting me to the interstate. I was becoming somewhat annoyed and I still wasn’t feeling any better. Every attempt we made to prompt the device to provide coastal directions was followed by the voice saying, “re-calculating,” and then the voice gave the same directions back to the interstate. Even turning it off and back on again several times had no effect. Finally, out of frustration I jerked the device’s plug from the outlet.

That took care of that problem.

Then the thought came to me: do the same thing with the physical challenge you’re experiencing. I remembered when my son was little he would say, “plug it out dad” when he wanted me to unplug something. As a student of Christian Science, I’ve learned that my body is really the manifestation of my thought. In identifying God as Mind, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, states in her book Science and Health, “it is wise earnestly to consider whether it is the human mind or the divine Mind which is influencing one.” I reasoned that because God is the source of all good thoughts, this thought of illness isn’t coming from Him. I have the divine right as his beloved child to unplug my thinking from any source other than the divine Mind. So I “plugged it out.”

And I was able to continue on to enjoy a perfect dinner at the end of a perfect day.

photo by geraldbrazell's photostream

by Don Ingwerson

Article first published in Blogcritics

This morning as I prepared to go to work – work that I find exciting yet demanding – it was difficult to be enthusiastic or appreciative. I wanted to express more gratitude, but worry-laden thoughts would not leave me alone. When I arrived at work, an article by Sara Novak, “Living without Regret: The Key to Happiness Later in Life”  caught my attention. Actually it was not the article that caught my attention, but the second sentence of the article, which stated, “Worrying is like a rocking chair, it takes energy, but doesn’t get you anywhere.” This piqued my interest. How much time do we spend in this mental rocking chair with worry, what ifs, regrets, day dreaming, or just spacing out?

Charles Choi, LiveScience contributer, also backs up the idea that letting go of regrets may be the key to aging well. Choi presented a couple of studies that highlighted the effects of regret in “No Regrets: Why ‘Letting Go’ May Be Key To Happy Aging.” In one study, the participants were organized into 3 groups: a group of 25-year-olds, a group of depressed older adults, and a group of healthy older adults. The younger group and the older depressed group made riskier decisions during the study, while the older healthy group really did not change their behavior or strategy. Researcher Stefanie Brassen, a neuroscientist at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany, explained, “Given that unsuccessfully aged people demonstrated a more ‘youthlike’ behavior, it seems to be essential for our emotional well-being to adapt to changing life-demands when we are older — that is, to not look back in anger and to focus on the positive.”

Simply put, regret leads to poor emotional health.

In her article, Novak provides a list of tips for living without regret. One I found very meaningful was to “set your own path; don’t live the path of others.” This speaks to individual accountability, thoughtfulness, responsibility, and trust. I have found that when I focus on expressing these qualities, it helps me avoid second-guessing and regrets. And when I acknowledge that my ability to do this comes from my relationship to a higher power, rather than from will power, it’s a kind of prayer.

Mary Baker Eddy, author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, was an early writer in the area of health and longevity. In her early research on health she wrote, “All conditions of the body are conditions of thought. When thought proceeds from divine Mind, the conditions manifested are Godlike.”

Early studies on aging and health, as well as current research, indicate that, “worrying is like the rocking chair, it takes energy, but doesn’t get you anywhere.”

At least not anywhere that you want to be.

Photo illustrated by Kate Ter Haar

by Don Ingwerson

The legislature is now in the second year of a two-year session. This is the legislative update of what we are keeping track of.  There are 4,773 bills for the 2011-12 legislative year, with 54 bills that we are watching.

For further information on legislative work at the federal level, click here.

photo by chakrawandelingen's photostream

A guest post written by Steven Salt, Committee on Publication for Ohio

Religion and spirituality have often been viewed in medicine as largely irrelevant, even conflicting with care. That impression is changing according to Dr. Harold Koenig, Director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University.  He has studied the links between health and spirituality for nearly 30 years.

Faith and healing went hand-in-hand until the Freud era in the mid-20^th century says Koenig who addressed health professionals and students over a two day period at the Cleveland Clinic last week.  Freud’s negative take on religion has had a major impact on the health profession ever since.

In his introductory remarks, Dennis Kenny, Director of Spiritual Care at the clinic commented that Koenig has “blown off the doors” in this field of study and has initiated a dialog among health experts about the influence of spirituality on patient outcomes.

There is resurgence in the interest of the health/spirituality connection.  Of the 3000+ quantitative original data-based studies ever done in this area, two-thirds have occurred in the last ten years.  A majority of the research points to a positive relationship between spirituality and health according to Koenig.

Here are a few of the findings:

Well-Being: Of the 326 quantitative studies examining the relationships between religion/spirituality and well-being, 256 (79 percent) found greater happiness and satisfaction with life in those individuals who were more spiritual.

Mental health:  In the 444 studies investigating the relationships between spirituality and depression (the leading cause of disability in the world since the 1990s), 272 (61 percent) found less depression, faster remission, or a reduction in depression severity in response to an inclusion of a religious/spirituality component.

Heart disease: Of the 19 studies exploring the association between spirituality and coronary artery disease, 12 (63 percent) reported significant inverse relationships.

Longevity:  Among studies with more rigorous methodology, 13 of 17 (76 percent) found that religion/spirituality predicted greater longevity.

Dr. Koenig went on to share many other findings covering a plethora of ills, both physical and mental.  The outcomes were similar: there is a positive link between religion/spirituality and better health.

Why is this important? For me it corroborates my own experiences.  Over the years I have found for myself that a deeper spiritual approach to life’s events enhances my well-being and has restored me to both physical and emotional health. I have also seen the same evidence for those I have helped to overcome their own health concerns.

In his work Koenig admits that not all studies indicate a positive relationship between spirituality and health.  Some show no association.  But he continues his work with the desire to enhance the healing arts.

When I asked Koenig about his career and what his research means to the medical community he responded that his hope is for this research to benefit health professionals in their ability to heal.   He said he wants there to be a realization of the power of the patient’s spirituality to influence their health.

In his book, Spirituality & Health Research, Koenig writes, “There are practical reasons that research in this area is so important, is likely to have a high payoff in the years ahead, and is worth the investment by government and private funding agencies.”

He goes on to say, “Given the role that religion/spirituality could play in preventing illness, speeding recovery, and motivating individuals to care for one another in the community (thereby reducing the need for expensive health services), research in this area will be of critical importance in addressing the escalating health-care costs in the United States and countries around the world.”

Koenig’s research reveals some provocative findings.  Does it answer the question as to a connection between spirituality and health?  Each of us has to answer that for ourselves.

Link to Steven Salt’s blog.