This week’s ‘bright light’ blog, is written by David Goldsmith, a graduate student of the University of Adelaide who received an Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts. He now lives in Melbourne, Victoria.
I have been thinking about Mental Health Week and how high school students are under a lot of psychological pressure right now to do well in their upcoming exams. At this end of the school year, much of the work comes down to being able to remember facts and figures. It can be a worrying time. Fear creeps in about one’s ability to recall answers to questions. This is where a spiritual approach can be helpful.
When I was a first year student at Adelaide University, there were times when I felt that I didn’t have the memory capacity to recall sufficient information for success with an exam. I would sometimes feel mentally depressed and completely overwhelmed by the thought of the daunting challenge that lay ahead of me.
On the evening of final preparatory study for one exam I suddenly felt panic-stricken. It seemed as if I’d set myself an unrealistic amount of revision as my goal for that night. There was much that I just couldn’t remember. The workload appeared insurmountable. Although I knew I’d devoted conscientious application to the subject throughout the year, I felt overwhelmed by the fear that I had inadequate memory capacity. I knew that I needed to gain a sense of composure.
So, I stopped what I was doing, sat quietly, and calmed my turbulent thinking. After a few moments I found these reassuring ideas gently entering thought. My thinking is the calm expression of divine Mind. It is complete. Divine Mind made me clear-minded. Therefore fear and doubt could not block from my memory what I had studied. Remembering ideas is effortless – just like the coordinated unfolding of the petals of a flower as it comes into bloom.
I continued to ponder these spiritual thoughts, until I felt confident that all was well. Later that evening, without attempting any further study for the exam, I went to bed and slept soundly. Next morning I woke still feeling completely at peace. When I attended the exam later that day, the same feeling of calm assurance stayed with me.
The subject results were posted some weeks later, and I was pleased to find that mine was one of the best results of my academic career. Prayer-based preparation for exams certainly brings beneficial results. It’s a great way to study and to achieve exam success.
My time at university taught me that there is a relationship between thinking spiritually and recalling information when doing exams. I learned that memory is a spiritual faculty. Every student has the ability to experience and express boundless memory and enduring, good mental health.
‘Bright Lights’ features guest posts from people who like sharing ideas about health trends or the connection between spirituality and health. I’m looking for guest bloggers. So if you’re seeing the connection between your health and your spiritual practice, you could be just the person to contribute a piece. Ask for some simple tips, or email me your draft at: s(hyphen)wau(at)compub(dot)org with “Bright Lights submission” in the subject line.
I’m a professional Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher. Through my prayer-based practice, I help people find happiness, health and healing.
Pauline says
Yes agree sooo much with your explanation David of how when we identify ourselves, bring thought in line with the divine Mind our spirituality shines through and we get our peace to do all we need to do, many thanks,
Loving thoughts to all.
David says
Thank you for your comments Pauline. They summarize precisely what took place in that exam situation. It was the first of many wonderful, memorable, spiritually enlightening experiences that I had at university.
Beverly says
Thanks Pauline for posting your comment. With the focus this week on mental health, it’s good to be reminded that memory is not something that’s here today and gone tomorrow. Every student has the capacity to be calm, recall information during an exam and to do well.
Carey says
Thanks for taking the time to write about this, David. It can be tempting to forget or overlook experiences like this – a sneaky thought can say, ah, well that’s so long ago; or actually, it wasn’t that big a deal. It’s good to know there’s a greater power than ourselves in action that we can depend on!
Beverly says
What a pleasure to be able to share David’s experience with the current-crop of school students preparing for final exams. Although they may feel challenged, a spiritual approach to their study period will enable them to be confident and mentally ready. On the day, they can expect to find inner peace, and the divine intuition that will guide them to the right response to each exam question. Our thoughts are with each student. Thanks for leaving your comment Carey.