The principles of Christian Science, as laid out by Mary Baker Eddy, work for me. I would not have gone to all the trouble to revise and update Eddy’s book, Science and Health if the book didn’t have formidable meaning to me. It, along with other books, help me practice Christian Science.

I know the difference between church rules and the rules of God, Love, Christian Science. The churches that study Christian Science, at this time, do not work for me.

There are a multitude of other reasons why I practice Christian Science however one reason is not that I want to identify myself as a Christian Scientist. I don’t categorize things and people into the term Christian Science. Categorizing doesn’t make sense and it is a terrible distraction away from the experience of Christian Science.

I hear people say, “Oh, he is such a good Christian Scientist,” or “That book is not Christian Science.” But, I advise you to pay attention, because those statements are myopic, absorbing, and muddling.

It’s like saying, “Oh that is a good mountain,” or “that mountain is not real.” Mount Mitchell (elevation 6,684 feet) is a mountain to people on the east coast. Mount Rainier (14,411 elevation feet) is a mountain to people on the west coast. A stack of hay (18 elevation feet) is a mountain to a child.

It’s impossible to define Christian Science with a personality or human lifestyle. Impossible. I’ve met healing, morally advanced, insightful, intelligent, active people who know nothing about Christian Science.

I also know Richard.

He is calm, perceptive, intuitive, aware, healthy and agile. Richard knows when I need healing and comes to me quietly but powerfully and I feel healing. Richard never ever smokes, drinks alcohol, swears, gossips, or says a bad thing about anyone. He keeps a healthy weight and eats very modestly. He doesn’t sit around and pray all the time but is alive and aware in the environment. Richard is my cat.

To fall into the trap of categorizing Christian Science as if it is a “thing,” only leads to frustration or stupid self-righteousness. Christian Science isn’t a “thing” and it certainly isn’t a person. Christian Science is more so “how” we interpret what we see, feel, hear, touch, experience, and know. It is thought and action governed by Love, Life, Truth, God. So, I can climb any mountain, read any book, deal with any problem in life, and hang out with a variety of people or pets, with God and God will bring into light the all-encompassing truth of holiness, unity, health, and strength.