I spotted unsightly graffiti painted on some concrete walls while driving through an urban center recently. I was distressed that the graffiti was even there, for it manifested a foul scorn and disrespect for another’s property by whoever smeared that graffiti all over the structure in the first place. But I was grateful to know that the graffiti could be removed. It might take an assiduous cleansing effort, but the concrete underneath was unchanged by the paint on the surface, and so could retain its original purity and clean look.
Then it occurred to me that disease is much the same way. It’s ugly and unwanted graffiti of mortal mind. It seems to come from nowhere at times, and is not wanted by anyone who deals with it. But it can never change the person it is “painted all over,” for man is much more than a vulnerable mortal that can be taken advantage of by mortal mind.
Man is an immortal child of God. Each of us has a spiritual individuality that can never be spoiled, marred, damaged or defaced. No matter what mortal mind attempts to put on us that isn’t right, we have spiritual dominion, power and authority to keep it off. Disease is never a part of God’s plan for us. Only health, peace and harmony!
So, don’t let mortal mind graffiti you. Scrub it off with spiritual truth, if necessary, and retain consciousness of your original pure and undefaced image as God’s likeness. You can never lose materially what has been given to you spiritually.
Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “We should prevent the images of disease from taking form in thought, and we should efface the outlines of disease already formulated in the minds of mortals” Science and Health, p. 174. This is wise direction for keeping the body “graffiti” free.
Seeing disease like graffiti is a great analogy and so helpful. I have seen buildings being washed clean of graffiti and the cleaned walls showing through underneath in their original state. Thank you Evan. This SV is another keeper I think!
Lovely inspiration Evan..the comparison of disease as graffiti is excellent. Just as the graffiti could not damage the strong concrete wall, which remained untouched, our pure and true spiritual self hood cannot be touched by any disease. Since God ordained only good for His children, disease could never take a hold on us.
As Evan says, we can scrub away the graffiti with spiritual truth and retain consciousness of our original and pure image as God’s likeness.
A precious pearl from Mrs. Eddy is this Truth… “We should prevent the images of disease from taking form in thought, and we should efface the outlines of disease already formulated in the minds of mortals” Science and Health.
If we look away from the body into TRUTH and LOVE (synonyms for God) we bring harmony, health and happiness in our experience.
thank you, dear Nergish, for your helpful comment – specially as I had to correct some thoughts in me.
Am grateful for all good comments:-)
Thank you, Evan. I looked up the definition of graffiti and Websters says, “unauthorized writing or drawing on a public surface.” Disease has no authority or rights to defile, deface or damage….in essence, no life. God, good has the only authority to create anything in us or on us and She creates only beauty, health and holiness, which we express. I love this idea…thanks again:))
Love the idea of disease being like graffiti, something that can be removed to reveal our pure, unchanged identity. Thank you for this inspiring message, Evan. Also, thanks for the helpful comments from others.
“You can never lose materially what has been given to you spiritually.” That hit the spot! Thank you!
Thank you Evan, for this very understandable and clear lesson, that our true spiritual individuality cannot be spoiled, marred, damaged or defaced. This whole paragraph helps me so much.
What a loving post again today 😉
Thanks, Evan. Love the simplicity of this idea — that disease (or any error) is simply like graffiti trying to cover up our whole, healthy and pure spiritual identity. And that we can simply “wash and be clean” — purified of that false claim — as Naaman finally did and was.
Graffiti is not authorized! Therefore not legitimate, therefore not permanent, therefore able to be removed to reveal the original purity of the wall it was imposed upon! This analogy is awesome, Evan. To continue that analogy, how important it is to erase the graffiti immediately so as not to invite more damage/ugliness to the original purity of the building/wall. Meeting mental graffiti instantly before it attempts to take its place in thought and then on the body is a helpful way of keeping mind and body disease-free and whole. Wonderful spiritual lesson, Evan, thank you!
This is a great analogy. Thank you! These erased images could also be compared to somewhat similar , as with a shadow on a wall. You can scrub to try to get it off, but in reality, it was never really there in the first place, altho the appearance/illusion would seem that it definitely was.
Thank you Evan… I’ve been living with graffiti on my concrete for a long time. It’s taking an “assiduous cleaning” effort but I can start seeing the original creation. I know that God is my guide and even though I misdirect myself often, He is true to my course. My rudder has been broken for a long time…but I do know thatGod has never abandoned me along my journey. I must thank my wife for never giving up on me regardless of my many disappointments to her…
Thank you Barbara… working on the graffiti
Thank, dear Evan! I so love pictures that illustrate a point. Two of my favorite quotes from our wise Leader:
“Jesus of Nazareth was the most scientific man that ever trod the globe. He plunged beneath the material surface of things and found the spiritual cause. ”
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy
“Spiritual teaching must always be by symbols.” Ibid Pg 575
I like this word “plunged,” too. I can imagine him looking, unimpressed, right through the graffiti, to focus on the fact of the wall’s original state.
He was so clear about who and what God’s man is, because he LIVED the truth of being. (As Plato said, “what thou be-est, that thou see-est.)
Good Comments, too, SV family. Thx.
:-)) Sue
Thank you..this has been one of the most helpful analogies ..it has opened many different avenues of inspiring thoughts for me
Grammar correction: Each of us has — not have
Your thoughts are always helpful.
Fixed it. Thanks!
Very helpful analogy Evan, thank you and all good comments too. It came to me that graffiti often happens at night… In darkness. How important it is to stay in the light!
Thank you Evan, Such a very clear statement, Much appreciated,
Thank you so much for sharing!
I liked that you said we never ask for it. People fear disease and never truly ask for it. But if you see yourself as material first ,you will get the whole package including disease, accidents, etc.
Whose talking? mortal man or God ?
WOW THIS IS AMAZING!!!!
Thank you so much.
Kate
So many good thoughts were shared. Thank you all. The thought of graffiti is so vivid and clear. I also liked the comment about the shadows. These all help to see through how mortal mind likes to attack us.
Some graffiti is beautiful art, but all disease is ugly.