A good place to go for spirituality in Massachusetts!

Alongside Mount Denali in Alaska, the Dallas Interfaith Peace Chapel in Texas and synagogues, churches, chapels, mosques, and temples around the United States…guess what was chosen to represent Massachusetts as “the most spiritual place” in the state? Yup – The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston!

Front page of “Religion” in Huffington Post, June 2014.

This is not exactly based on scientific research, as the article by Yasmine Hafiz in the Religion section of the Huffington Post admits:

Spiritual enlightenment is a great reason for a road trip this summer (as if any reason were needed). In order to help you on your path we have compiled a completely subjective list of the holiest places in America – one in each 50 states. (Italics added)

Nevertheless, I would highly recommend every spirituality-seeking, road-tripping American passing through Massachusetts to visit The Mother Church and The Mary Baker Eddy Library for The Betterment of Humanity, and to tour the Church or attend a service. In addition, I would just as heartily suggest picking up a copy of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures while you are there, Eddy’s evergreen book on divinely sourced health and healing.

However, in case it’s the idea of a holy building that draws you to Back Bay, Boston, here’s a handy tip for road-trippers from another of Eddy’s writings:

Our proper reason for church edifices is, that in them Christians may worship God, — not that Christians may worship church edifices! (The First Church of Christ, Scientist and Miscellany, p.162)

Ouch! 🙂

“Admin” on the TMC plaza, by Tony Lobl

Nevertheless, it is only just to say that over many years of working in the I.M.Pei designed office building pictured here – on the same plaza hosting the Church – the serene plaza and its “Reflecting Pool” was a great place for taking what I called “prayer walks”.

That is, the environment was very conducive to seeking and finding a holy calm, even during some trying times.

So it is no surprise the plaza remains popular with locals and visitors alike – for quiet contemplation, lively conversations and for joyfully running through the fountain on hot summer days in what the neighbourhood kids know as “the brick beach”.

So – objectively – the Christian Science plaza is a great place for spiritual thinking and spiritual community.

Road-trippers…drop by!