In the study of Christian Science humanity learns the value — nay, the necessity — of establishing its thinking upon a sound basis, the bed rock of Truth. The individual who studiously approaches this subject begins immediately to recognize that superficial thinking or living is not conducive to success or happiness, and that ephemeral qualities cannot fulfill the imperative demands for practical demonstration gained through the consistent application of both the spirit and the letter of this Science.
Mrs. Eddy has much to say in her writings upon the importance of correct thinking. On page 263 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she makes this pertinent statement as to the method and quality of thinking which produces harmonious results: "When mortal man blends his thoughts of existence with the spiritual and works only as God works, he will no longer grope in the dark and cling to earth because he has not tasted heaven."
Scientific, systematic thinking, then, must be anchored upon the foundation of undeviating divine Principle, upon spiritual reality. This often seems a difficult task for mortals to achieve, because mental inertia or laziness claims to constitute a tenacious proclivity of mortal mind. This lethargical sense can be overcome, however, as the student faithfully puts into practice the rules of this Science so far as he understands them. Intermittent right thinking falls short of fruition, for to agree with Truth part of the time, and then to indulge in the contemplation of materiality and error, which produces a fluctuating sense of discouragement or impatience in the seemingly delayed obtaining of right results, must delay our demonstration. Truth is true all the time, and erroneous claims are never true. Here we must stand in unshaken faith, if we are to know the truth about God and man as His idea; and nothing short of knowing demonstrates the truth. Christian Science succinctly shows that the clear reasoning necessary to right activity and demonstration in human affairs finds no expression through the channels clogged by indifference, by casual or superficial thinking. A writer illustrates superficiality versus profundity in these words: "It is in knowledge as in swimming; he who flounders and splashes on the surface, makes more noise, and attracts more attention, than the pearl-diver who quietly dives in quest of treasures to the bottom."
