Articles & Testimonies

Animal Magnetism for Dummies

by | Apr 2, 2012

Let’s be clear….animal magnetism is nothing;  it’s not real and it has no power — because it does not exist in reality.  It has no more cause, substance, law or power than the false belief that 2 + 2 = 5 … (which, admittedly, can be problematic if you happen to believe it to be true).  What does it take to correct a mathematical mistake?  Understanding the truth – and it needn’t take a long time or involve a “process” or require growth and study.  It’s just getting it right.

In a nutshell, animal magnetism is simply a term used to describe the (supposed) absence of the Christ; the denial that God is all.

Animal magnetism hides out, (and seems to exist), in human consciousness.  That’s where it resides; in our own thinking…no one else’s thinking—in our thinking.  That’s why we don’t need to correct anyone else’s thinking.  That’s as futile as trying to “fix” 2 + 2 = 5.   The problem is only our perception, and that’s what needs to be fixed.

So what’s the big deal and why is it vital to begin every Christian Science treatment by nullifying the apparent effects of animal magnetism?   Because animal magnetism is what impedes healing.   It would have us believe that all problems, (disease, poor relationships, lack of supply, lack of harmony, aging, our national debt, et cetera), are real.   Remember, animal magnetism always takes the form of a person, a place or a thing as its identity in order for us to believe it to be something, true and real.   When unmasked, we see it is not a person, place or thing, but only a false belief or suggestion in our consciousness – not the other guy’s thinking, but in ours alone.   That’s why we don’t need to change or correct a problem, only our thinking about it.   In the example of 2 + 2  = 5,  we are not responsible for making “2” larger of “5” smaller in order to fix the problem.   Fussing around with matter is never the solution but “knowing the truth” or knowing that which is true about any situation–leaves no room for error.

Mary Baker Eddy, (supposedly) said: “It isn’t as important to uncover the error, as the truth which the error is trying to hide.”  Now, even if she didn’t say it…it’s true and very helpful.   The truth is never a person, a place or a thing.  The truth is always what God knows about himself.

Animal magnetism disguises itself as someone else, somewhere else or something else and hides as our thoughts.  Trying to define animal magnetism is like trying to define darkness.  It’s not something – it’s the absence of something, in this case, the absence of Truth; the absence of light.  So we need to stop making something out of nothing and stop fussing around with matter and turn on the light.  Watch the darkness vanish quickly, effortlessly and without argument.

When we understandingly declare that God is all, all-power, all-presence, we have destroyed the belief that animal magnetism is real or has power over us – or even the world though which we walk.  Sometimes we feel as if we are walking through “the valley of the shadow of death.”  If that’s what’s before you, you have your impervious armor…do it and be done with it…just don’t bother to stop and pitch a tent.  You are the world through which you walk, and you make of it – what you will.

If you understandingly believe that YOU are the world through which you walk, then you take with you – your dominion over the pernicious false belief that animal magnetism is real, has power and that it can supplant Life, Truth and Love.

What a great way to begin every prayer; by sincerely thanking God for being all, all-Life, Truth and Love.  It’s just that simple:   God is…Animal magnetism isn’t…And that’s that!