According to one theory of modern psychology, the blame for present difficulties of the individual lies hidden in his past history. It is believed that by ferreting out past darkening events, bringing them from the so-called unconscious into the present consciousness and re-experiencing the emotions they aroused, the individual can be helped to correct his present difficulties.
From a superficial consideration, the theory might seem to have its attractive points. We might like to blame our shortcomings on the sins of our parents rather than face them ourselves and thereby assume an active, constructive responsibility. It is easy to understand that under this method of thinking, we could continue along indefinitely, nourishing a group of treasured weaknesses, considering ourselves the victims of circumstances or of an unfortunate childhood. But through the study of Christian Science, one becomes aware that the only way to correct any error is to bring into consciousness the specific truth that the error or lie is about. This mental action replaces unreality with reality.
The more one discusses and amplifies the error that two times two is seven, the more one remains in ignorance of the fact that two times two is four. The analysis of error is impossible, and because of its character of mimicking or counterfeiting the truth, the pursuit to clarify it, or to explain it, is a hopeless and futile task. What is the answer to the following problem: "Once in my childhood I added a column of three fours and got a result of sixteen"? The quest to explain error or ignorance in the past as well as in the present is not constructive and will always lead us into a dead-end street.
