We seem today to have so little control over our lives, but Mr. Kilpatrick brings out that our lives are our thoughts objectified. We are what we think.  Then he analyzes the source of our thoughts. He writes about the carnal mind, the human mind, and the divine Mind, showing a distinct difference between the three.

Mental Atmosphere

He explains that there is present an atmosphere of mortal thoughts and emotions outside the individual mind. This mental atmosphere has no power to control or harm us unless we accept it into our own consciousness. We do not originate the illusion of matter and mortality ourselves. Only as we accept certain aspects of it into consciousness do we seem to experience mortal existence. Our entire experience is governed by either the carnal beliefs or divine ideas that occupy our mind.

All things are subjective – health, affluence, relationships. Because we are already mesmerized by the belief that matter and evil are real, our prayerful work is to purify consciousness through understanding our oneness with God. Thus we free ourselves of harmful illusions by replacing them with divine ideas. As we replace the carnal mind with the one Mind, we find infinite blessings just at hand. This book is a powerful statement concerning the subjective nature of being – a subject that has never before been explored in such depth.

Individual Consciousness

Mr. Kilpatrick writes: “The only reason you and I see another person in need of anything is because of the need in our own consciousness. So human need exists in individual consciousness, and it is the human consciousness that must be healed of the human need and not matter or person. Now, what is it that is going to heal that human need which exists only in individual human consciousness? Why, nothing but divine Love. And why has not divine Love already met that human need which you and I see all about us? Simply because our individual consciousness has not been filled with divine Love. . . . If your or my consciousness beholds hundreds of different people, and we are entertaining hate in consciousness towards one person, the hate which we hold in that consciousness cannot be separated so that it will affect everything and everyone of which and of whom we are conscious.

We may not be aware that we are hating everyone because we hate one. Nevertheless, we are, and we can never gain the true concept of even our dearest friends and relatives while we are holding in consciousness hate towards anyone. Whatever is held in consciousness affects, in some way or another, every object of that consciousness, be it person, place or thing.”

He teaches us how to govern our thoughts and so spiritualize them that we rise above the carnal or human, and reflect the divine.

In his lecture, Christian Science: Its Message of Individual Salvation, he writes: “To avail ourselves of our true sonship with God, it is necessary that we consciously express those ideas which come from God. In Science and Health, in her definition of Mind, Mrs. Eddy says, ‘God, of whom man is the full and perfect expression.’ Hence, man is God expressed. God is Love. Therefore, Love expressed, is man. Truth expressed, is man. Honesty, purity, kindness, joy, compassion, gratitude, etc., expressed is man. Love unexpressed, is not man. Remember that. Love unexpressed, is not man. In the actuality of being, Love is eternally expressed. In the false human concept of existence, hate often seems to transplant and usurp the place and prerogative of Love, As we gain true manhood, we gain true freedom. Therefore, do you not see how individual the process of salvation becomes, and how, no matter what others may think or do, it is the better part of wisdom to devote our time to expressing those qualities of thought which bring individual freedom from the bondage of the material? Try this expressing business around the home, in your office, in the shop — wherever you may be — and see what it accomplishes. Express joy, happiness, gratitude, appreciation, thanksgiving, consideration for others, patience, forgiveness, gentleness, trust in God and your brother man and the like, and see how the clouds disperse, the skies become blue, and all mankind and nature react to your emotions.

“Don’t measure your endeavors in expression by what someone else may do or think. Don’t make your expression of love, devotion, care, kindness, compassion, tenderness, and the like, dependent upon the attitude of others. Don’t assume the position of meeting others only halfway in your business of expressing God. That will accomplish nothing. What others think or do, is their concern. They have their own salvation to work out. Your concern is to bring yourself into that sense of freedom where you will not be bound by the fetters of poverty, sickness, unhappiness, and the like; and if your freedom from these ills is to be accomplished solely by your own expression of God, you cannot allow your endeavors to be measured, or curtailed, by the opinions, the attitude, or the reaction of others. Your motives may be misunderstood and your efforts scorned, but do not let that deter you. There is no neutral ground. Never compromise with evil or your conscience for the sake of expediency. Simply to refrain from outwardly manifesting hate, malice, jealousy, and the life, will not answer. Your expression of God must be positive. The negative attitude of refraining from expressing hate and malice, while commendable, will not serve the purpose of the positive example of outwardly, actively, and sincerely expressing love, gratitude, patience and the like. Do not suppress or repress nobler qualities of thought. Express them, for in their expression lies your true selfhood.”