(Updated September 22, 2025)
The Mary Baker Eddy Library’s Research & Reference Services staff is frequently asked about a piece titled “Mind and Body”—or simply “Body.”
A notice precedes the text: “Statement copyrighted by Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy at the Congressional Library in Washington, D.C. January 19, 1886.”
The essay then begins, “The term Mind and body literally means God and man, for man is the expression of Mind and the manifestation of Mind is the embodiment of Mind….”
We have never located any evidence to show that Mary Baker Eddy wrote “Mind and Body.” In fact, the Library of Congress—which administers and registers United States copyrights—has no record of this piece on file. And we have not located any information on the essay’s author.
“Mind and Body” is not an authentic statement by Eddy.
