Series 2 - Lesson 6 - Annotation 14
Explain the difference between substance and what man calls matter.
14. Substance is the idea of perfect form or body in Divine Mind, but is itself without form or shape; it is the Mind essence out of which everything both visible and invisible is formed.
"Substance has its source in a mental idea of form and shape. ... Substance in Divine Mind is an idea of perfection in form, but man's thought usually caricatures it" (Charles Fillmore Christian Healing 44).
Substance can be termed "the body of God" (i.e., the embodiment of all good). It is omnipresence — that is, it is omnipresent and formless until by the action of our word and the molding effect of our thinking and feeling it is formed into tangible or visible forms and shapes. So far as the rest of creation is concerned, substance takes the forms and shapes to fit the needs of the particular species under consideration.
When substance is recognizable by the senses, we have what we term "matter," which is formed substance. The perfection of the form depends, in man's cases upon the degree of man's understanding and use of substance and how he has applied his spoken word to mold substance.
Substance, being a spiritual idea, does not change; matter, being formed in the world of visibility, is subject to change; and so far as man is concerned, his thought action can influence matter. Substance is constant; matter is the variable manifestation of substance.
"God substance lies back of matter and form. It is the basis of all form yet does not enter into any form as a finality. Substance cannot be seen, touched, tasted, or smelled, yet it is more substantial than matter, for it is the only substantiality in the universe. Its nature is to 'sub-stand' or 'stand under' or behind matter as its support and only reality" (Charles Fillmore Prosperity 14).
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Preceding Entry: How may one attain the consciousness necessary to speak real creative words?
Following Entry: What is the fourth dimension?
