Interesting question! When I first came across this question, my initial thought was to try to pick a number – an age that I would like to be – and to think of myself as that age. Then I realised that I didn’t want to be the me that I was back then. I’ve learned too much in meantime. The next question that occurred to me was: What if I didn’t attribute a number to myself at all? How would I feel if I thought of myself as ageless? That’s a very freeing concept!
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, wrote in her textbook on spiritual healing, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (p246):
Never record ages. Chronological data are no part of the vast forever. Time-tables of birth and death are so many conspiracies against manhood and womanhood. Except for the error of measuring and limiting all that is good and beautiful, man would enjoy more than threescore years and ten and still maintain his vigor, freshness, and promise.
This is interesting to think through and liberating to put into practice. Christian Science helps me to do this.
Christian Science is based on the Bible. It provides important truths that help us live harmonious and productive lives. In the book of Genesis we are told that man is made in the image of God – that we are God’s likeness. God, we are also told, is Spirit – not a material being. This means that man’s true nature is spiritual. Spirit doesn’t age.
Our society gives common consent to ageing. We are conditioned to expect to slow down as the years go by, to be physically less able. How often do we hear people say when they have aches and pains: What can you expect at my age? We can take back this permission by claiming our agelessness – ageless because we are spiritual, the image of God who never ages, never tires, never wears out.
I have proved this often. Once, after not having been on a horse for many decades, I did an eight-hour day of horse riding. I was allocated a large frisky mount that challenged my strength all day. By the end of the ride every muscle in my body screamed and ached, and I could hardly move. As I lay moaning I realised that I had given myself permission to be affected by this. So, I mentally took back permission by reminding myself that as the likeness of God, Spirit, I could say ‘No’ to this situation. I dwelt on this and trusted these thoughts. Within half an hour all pain and tiredness had left. I participated fully in the evening’s activities and remained completely free.
Nowadays when people ask me how old I am, I reply that I try not to have a number. Without a number, I can be the ageless me – free and healthy.
This article, submitted by a member of the Canberra Christian Science community, was first published in the 21 May issue of the Canberra Weekly.
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