Clf-Thought Force in Business and Everyday Life - WW Atkinson - Deleted

ThoughtForceInBusinessandEverydayLife
ByWilliamWalkerAtkinson 1900
CONTENTS
Preface ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Salutatory .................................................................................................................................. 4 TheNatureoftheForce ............................................................................................................ 6 HowtheThoughtForceCanAidYou ........................................................................................ 9 DirectPsychicInfluence .......................................................................................................... 12 ALittleWorldlyWisdom ......................................................................................................... 17 ThePoweroftheEye .............................................................................................................. 20 TheMagneticGaze.................................................................................................................. 23 TheVolicForce ........................................................................................................................ 26 DirectVolation ........................................................................................................................ 29 TelepathicVolation.................................................................................................................. 35 TheAdductiveQualityofThought .......................................................................................... 41 CharacterBuildingByMentalControl..................................................................................... 46 TheArtofConcentering.......................................................................................................... 53 ThePracticeofConcentering .................................................................................................. 57 Valedictory .............................................................................................................................. 61
THOUGHTFORCEINBUSINESS&EVERYDAYLIFEBYWILLIAMATKINSON
Preface
Injusticetomyself,Ithinkitwelltostatethatthisworkhasbeensomewhathastilyprepared fromthenotesusedbymeincertainoflectures,thelessonsgivehereinpracticallybeingthe syllabiofthesaidlectures.Inthelectures,andinthiswork,myoneandonlypurposehas beentoacquaintthestudentswiththemeansofdeveloping,andeffectivelyusingthemight forceslatentwithinhimPersonalMagnetismandPsychicInfluence.TothisendIhave scarifiedallpretensionstoliterarystyle,allattemptstosecurefelicityofdiction.Ihavefelt thatIhadamessagetodeliver,andIendeavoredtodeliveritpromptly,clearlyandplainly, withoutanyattemptat"finewriting."IfahomelywordseemedtoexpressmythoughtI usedit.Ifaslangtermorsemislangphraseseemedtofitininitwent. Itrustthatmycriticswillsparethemselvesthetroubleofpointingoutmymanydefectsof styleandcompositionIfullyrealizethesethings.Ihavesubordinatedeverythingelse,inmy endeavortomakethisworkplainandpractical.Thisisanexplanation,notanapology. Withtheaboveunderstandingbetweenus,Isubmitthislittleworktoyourkind consideration.Whilstfullycognizantofitsdefects,Istillfeelthatitwillbehelpfultosomeof themanywhoareendeavoringtoovercomeunfavorableenvironments,whichitmayserveas aguidepost,pointingoutthepasttobetterthings.Ifeelthatitwilldoitsshareoftheworkof removingFearthoughtfromthemindsofmen,ofreplacing"ICan't"with"ICanandIWILL."I feelthatImustdothesethings,foritcontainswithinitthegermsofamightyTruth. W.W.A.CHICAGO,ILL,DECEMBER4,1900
Salutatory
Thenearertothepracticalmenkeep Thelesstheydealinvagueandabstractthings Thelesstheydealinhuge,mysteriouswords Themightieristheirpower. ThomasL.Harris ViewsofotherwritersErroneoustheoriesVegetarianismCelibacyVitalFluidDeep BreathingRealprogressmadebyinvestigation,notbytheoriesExistenceofpersonal magnetismunquestionedAselfevidenttruthResults,nottheoriesNopettheories advancedAcceptnothingthatyoucannotdemonstrate. "Theoriesarebutmightysoapbubbles,withwhichthegrownupchildrenofscienceamuse themselves."Themajorityofwritersuponthissubjecthavedevotednearlyalltheirefforts,as wellastheirspace,toproving,first,thatPersonalMagnetismreallyexisted;and,secondly, thatthephenomenonwasbestaccountedforbysomepettheoryoftheirown.Some attributethepowerofinfluencingmentotheuseofavegetariandiet,notwithstandingthe factthatsomeofthemost"magnetic"individuals"makegraveyardsoftheirstomachs." Othersinsistthatincelibacyandabstinencefromsexualintercoursemaybefoundthesecret, notwithstandingthefactthatthemajorityof"magnetic"individualsdonotdifferintheir sexualcustomsfromtheirlessmagneticbrothers.Othersholdthatthe"magnetic"force aboundsintheairaroundustoabsorbgreatquantitiesofthevitalfluid,chargingourselves withforceinthemannerofthestoragebattery.Andsoon,eachwithhislittlepettheory. Now,Ihavenofaulttofindwiththesystemsabovementioned.Althoughnotleadingalifeof celibacy,Iseemuchgoodinthedoctrineofcontinence,andtherecanbenotwoopinionsas tothemeritsofchastity;whilstnotacceptingthetheoryoftheabsorptionof"magnetic force"fromtheearth'satmosphere,Iamafirmadvocateof,andbelieverin,"deepbreathing, "andbelievethatifthesamewasuniversallypracticedmuchsicknessandphysicalweakness woulddisappearfromtheearth.Allthesethingsaregood,butalittlereflectionwillshow anyonethattheyarenottheprimefactorsintheproductionofthequalityknownas "PersonalMagnetism."Thewritersonthesubjectusuallyconcludebytellingtheirreadersof thewonderfulpossibilitiesopentoanyonewhocanacquirethispowerandlearnhowtouse it.They,however,saylittleornothingofhowthisforcemaybeacquired,thatisbeyond statingtheirtheories.Theydeliverdiscoursesbutdonotinstruct. Theyarepreachersnotteachers.Theydwellupontheoriesandneglectfacts. Therealprogressinthisbranchofscientificresearchhasbeenmade,notbywritersor theorists,butbyafewearnestinvestigatorswhohaveconductednumberlessexperiments, andhaveexploredeveryavenueofinformation,andwhohavebroughtthiswonderfulsubject outoftherealmsofmerespeculationandplacedituponascientificbasis.
THOUGHTFORCEINBUSINESS&EVERYDAYLIFEBYWILLIAMATKINSON 4
Thewriterhasbeenaclosestudentandinvestigatorofthissubjectformanyyears,andthe presentworkisanattempttogivetohisstudentssomeofthefundamentalprinciplesderived fromtheinvestigationsandpracticalexperimentsofhimselfandhiscoworkersinthisfield. Ourlessons,therefore,willbeconfined,sofarasispossible,tostatementsofprovenfacts, andpracticalinstruction,touchingupontheoryonlywhenabsolutelynecessary. Inmyopinion,IwouldinsultyourintelligenceifIweretopresenttoyouanelaborate argument,thepurposeofwhichwouldbeanattempttoprovetheexistenceofthat wonderfulforce,latentinman,developedbythefew,butpossibleofacquirementbyall;that mysteriousqualitycalled,forwantofabetternamePersonalMagnetism. Tosetouttoproveitsexistence,wouldbeakintoanattempttoconvincetheaverage intelligentmanofthefactthatthemagnetinfluencestheneedle;thattheXrayspenetrate thebodyofmanorstillmoresolidobject;thatamessagebeconveyedbyelectricity,alonga beamoflight,orevenbywirelesstelegraphy,throughtheairwithouttheneedofanyother medium.Everyintelligentpersonisawareoftheexistenceoftheabovementioned phenomena,anddoesnotneedtohavethesamedemonstratedtohim.Ifheisinterestedin thesubjectatall,hewishestobetaughthowtopermeatetheseforces,sothathemaybe abletoreproducetheexperimentshimself.ThisisequallytrueofthestudentofPersonal Magnetism.Hehaslongsincelearnedthatsuchaforceexists.Heseesitaroundhimeveryday, andknowsofthewondersthatareaccomplishedbyitsaid.He,possibly,isawarethathehas developedtheforcetoacertaindegree,andwhathewants,inanyevent,istobecome acquaintedwiththemeanswherebyhecanfullydevelopandintelligentlyusetheforcelatent withinhim.Ithereforeshallmakenoattempttodemonstratetheexistenceoftheforce, believingittobeselfevident. Ialsointendtoavoidatiresomediscussionofthenumeroustheories,whichhavebeen advancedtoaccountforthephenomenontheories,whichhavebeenadvancedtoaccountfor thephenomenonofPersonalMagnetism.Ihavenopettheorytoadvance.Iwillendeavorto teachyouhowtoobtainresults,andyoucanthenreaduponthesubjectoftheories,or possiblyformulateanewtheoryofyourown.Iwillstatebrieflymyownconceptionofthe causeunderlyingthephenomenaalludedtointhiswork,butIshallnotattempttoforcemy viewsuponyou.Youareatlibertytoacceptorrejectanytheory,astheresultinnoway dependsuponanyspecialformofbelief.Manyofthosewhohaveobtainedthebestresults, havediscardedonetheoryafteranother,andnowsaythattheydonotattempttoexplainthe realcauseunderlyingtheresults,beingcontenttoworkon,withoutadogmatictheory,so longastheyknowhowtoobtaintheresults.Withthisexplanation,Iwillleavethelandof theoryandenterintotherealmofpractice,andwillendeavortosoinstructyoualongthe linesofthedevelopmentanduseofthismightyforce,thatyoumayreproducetheresults alreadyobtainedbyothers,andperhapsmaybecomeinvestigatorsandleadersintheworkof blazingthewaythroughthewoodsofsuperstitionandmysterywithwhichthesubjecthas beensurroundedsolong.Iwillaskyoutoacceptnothingthatyoucannotprove.
TheNatureoftheForce
TheforcenotmagneticinitsnatureSubtlecurrentofthoughtwavesThoughtsarethings OurthoughtsaffectourselvesaswellasothersChangeofappearancefollowingchangeof occupationThoughtthegreatestforceintheworld"IcanandIwill"vs."Ican't"Practical instructionnottranscendentaldiscourseTheadductivepowerofthoughtFearthoughtthe rootofinjuriousthinking. Tothemindsofmostpeople,thetermPersonalMagnetismconveystheideaofacurrent radiatingfromthepersonofthemagneticindividual,drawingtohimallthosewithinthe radiusofhismagneticforce.Thisidea,whilstonthewholeerroneous,stillcontainswithinit thegermoftherealtruth.Thereisacurrentofattractingforceradiatingfromman,butitis notamagneticforceinsofarastheterm"magnetism"impliessomeconnectionwiththe lodestoneorelectricity.Thehumanmagneticcurrent,whilstbearingsomeresemblanceto thesetwofamiliarforcesinitseffects,hasnorealconnectionwiththemsofarasisconcerned itsoriginorintrinsicnature. ThatwhichwecallPersonalMagnetismisthesubtlecurrentofthoughtwaves,orthought vibrations,projectedfromthehumanmind.Everythoughtcreatedbyourmindsisaforceof greaterorlesserintensity,varyinginstrengthaccordingtotheimpetusimpartedtoitatthe timeofitscreation.Whenwethink,wesendfromusasubtlecurrent,whichtablesalonglike arayoftenfarremovedfromusbyspace,aforcefulthoughtwillgoonitserrandchargedwith amightypower,andwilloftenbeardowntheinstinctiveresistanceofthemindsofothersto outsideimpressions,whilstaweakthoughtwillbeunabletoobtainanentranceTrancetothe mentalcastleofanother,unlessthatcastlebebutpoorlyguarded.Repeatedthoughtsalong thesamelinessentoneaftertheother,willofteneffectanentrancewhereasingle thoughtwave,althoughmuchstronger,willberepulsed.Itisanexhibitionofaphysicallawin thePsychicalworld,andexemplifiestheoldsayingaboutsteadydrippingwearingawaya stone. Weareallinfluencedmuchmorethanweareawarebythethoughtsofothers.Idonotmean bytheiropinionsbutbytheirthoughts.Agreatwriteronthissubjectverytrulysays: "thoughtsarethings."Theyarethings,andmostpowerfulthingsatthat.Unlesswe understandthisfact,weareatthemercyofamightyforce,ofwhosenatureweknow nothing,andwhoseveryexistencemanyofusdeny.Ontheotherhand,ifweunderstandthe natureandlawsgoverningthiswonderfulforce,wecanmasteritandrenderitourinstrument andassistant.Everythoughtcreatedbyus,weakorstrong,goodorbad,healthyorunhealthy, sendsoutitsvibratorywaves,whichaffect,toagreaterorlesserextentallwithwhomwe comeincontact,orwhomaycomewithintheradiusofourthoughtvibrations.Thought wavesareliketheripplesonapondcausedbythecastinginofapebble,theymovein constantlywideningcircles,radiatingfromacentralpoint.Ofcourse,ifanimpulseprojects
thethoughtwavesforciblytowardacertainobject,itsforcewillbefeltmorestronglyatthat point. Besidesaffectingothers,ourthoughtsaffectus,notonlytemporarily,butalsopermanently. Wearewhatwethinkourselvesintobeing.Thebiblicalstatementthat"asamanthinkethin hisheart,soishe,"isliterallycorrect.Weareallcreaturesofourownmentalcreating.You knowhoweasyitistothinkyourselfintoa"blue"stateofmind,orthereverse,butyoudo notrealizedthatrepeatedthoughtuponacertainlinewillmanifestitselfnotonlyincharacter (whichitcertainlydoes),butalsointhephysicalappearanceofthethinker.Thisisa demonstrablefact,andyouhavebuttolookaroundyoutorealizeit.Youhavenoticedhowa man'soccupationshowsitselfinhisappearanceandgeneralcharacter.Whatdoyousuppose occasionsthisphenomenon?Nothingmoreorlessthanthatthought.Ifyouvehavechanged youroccupation,yourgeneralcharacterandappearancekeptpacewithyourchangedhabits ofthought.Yournewoccupationbroughtoutanewtrainofthought,and"Thoughtstakeform inAction."Youmayhavenevertakenthisviewofthematter,butitistruenevertheless,and youmayfindampleproofofitscorrectnessbymerelylookingaroundyou. AmanwhothinksEnergymanifestsEnergy.Theman,whothinksCouragemanifestscourage. Themanwhothinks,"IcanandIwill,""getsthere",whilethe"Ican't"man"getsleft."You knowthattobetrue.Now,whatcausesthedifference?Thoughtjustplainthought.But why?Justbecauseitcannothelpitself.Actionfollowsasthenaturalresultofvigorous thinking.Youthinkinearnest,andactiondoestherest.Thoughtisthegreatestthinginthe world.Ifyoudonotknowitnow,youwillbeforeyouarethroughwiththiscourseoflessons. Youmaysaythatthisisnonewthingtoyouthatyouknowallabout"makingupyourmind," andallthatsortofthing,longago.Thenwhydidyounotputitintopracticeandmake somethingofyourself?Iwilltellyouthetrouble.Youthought"ICan't"insteadof"ICan." Now,Iamgoingtochangethat"ICan't"intoabig"ICan"andabigger"IWill."ThatiswhatI amherefor,andIintendto"makeyouover,"beforeIamthroughwithyou.Isupposethat youthoughtIwouldgiveyouanelaborate,transcendentaldiscourseonthingsawayupinthe clouds,andhopedthatIwouldtellyouhowtochargeyourselfupwithalotofmagnetism,so thatyouwouldbeabletolightthegaswiththetipsofyourfingers,ordraweverybodytoyou likeapieceofsteeltoamagnet,now,didn'tyou?Well,Iamnot.ButIintendtotellyouhow youcangenerateinyourselfaforce,comparedwithwhichmagnetismisweak;aforcethat willmakeamanofyou;aforcethatwillmakeyourealizetheIAMwithinyou;apowerthat willenableyoutobeamanofstrongpersonalqualities;amanofinfluence;asuccessfulman. IwilltellyouhowyoucanacquirethatwhichyouhavebeencallingPersonalMagnetism, providingyouwillstartatitinearnest.Itisworthworkingfor,andwhenyoufeelyournew strengthdevelopingwithinyou,youwouldnotexchangeyournewfoundknowledgefora fortune. Whyyoufeelalittlestrongeralready,Idon'tyou?Ofcourseyoudo.Ineverhavetalkedfive minutestoaclassofstudentsasyoudo.Ineverhavetalkedfiveminutestoaclassofstudents
about"ICanandIWill"andabouttheIAMwithinthemwithouttheirthrowingbacktheir shoulders,raisingtheirheads,takingalongbreath,andlookingmesquareintheeyesasa manorwomanshould.Itwas"thoughtmanifestingitselfinaction."Doyouseethepoint?I hadplantedthelittleseedofselfknowledge,andithadbeguntosprout. BeforeIconcludethislesson,Iwishtodirectyourattentiontooneotherveryimportantthing aboutthought,andthatistheAdductivePowerofThought.Payattentiontothis;pleaseasit isofthehighestimportance.Avoidingallattemptsatascientificexplanation,andkeeping awayfromtechnicalterms,Iwillstatethematterconciselythus:Thoughtsattractlike thoughts;thegoodthoughtattractsothergoodthoughts;thebadthought,thebad;thought ofstrength,likewise;thoughtsofdiscouragementanddoubtfollowtherule,andsoon throughtheentiregamutofthoughts. Yourthoughtattractstoitthecorrespondingthoughtofothersandincreasesyourstockof thatparticularkindofthought.Doyouseethepoint?ThinkFearthoughts,andyoudrawto yourselfalltheFearthoughtinthatneighborhood.Theharderyouthinkit,thegreatersupply ofundesirablethoughtflockstoyou.Think"IamFearless,"andallthecourageousthought forcewithinyourradiuswillmovetowardsyou,andwillaidyou.Tryit.Thatis,trythelatter. Don'tthinkFearthought. FearandHatearetheparentsofallthevilethoughts.Iwillgointothismatterwithyouat greaterlengthinsubsequentlessons,butletmeurgeuponyounow,withalltheearnestness ofwhichIamcapable,totearoutthosewileseedsFearandHate.Tearthemoutbythe roots.Theyspoilthewholegardenandbreedahostofotherweeds,suchasWorry,Doubt, Timidity,LackofSelfRespect,Jealousy,Spite,Malice,Envy,SlanderandMorbidIdeas.Iam nottryingtopreachyouasermon,butIknowthatthesevilethoughtsarehinderingyour progress,andyouwillrealizeit,too,ifyouwillstoptothinkingforamoment.Openthe blinds,andletthepuresunshineofBright,CheerfulandHappythoughtspourin,andthe microbesofDoubtandDespairandFailurewillleave,andseekmorecongenialquarters. Ifyouweremydearestfriend,andIknewthatthismessagewouldbemylastonearth,I wouldshouttoyou,asloudasmyvocalorganswouldpermit:"LetGoofFearandHate Thoughts."
HowtheThoughtForceCanAidYou
SuccessdependentuponPersonalInfluence"Strongmenarrive"Apparentexceptionstothe ruleWhennegativemenproduce;positivemenreapthebenefitMoneythematerial manifestationofsuccessMoneyameans,notanendTheLawofMentalControlInfluence throughsuggestionInfluencebythoughtvibrationsInfluencebythoughtsadductivepower Influenceacquiredbycharacterbuilding. Iamaddressingyouuponthesuppositionthatyouaredesirousofdevelopingtheforces withinyou,forthepurposeofattainingsuccess.Successinlifedependsverymateriallyupon thepossessionofthequalityofattractingandinfluencingourfellowmen.Nomatterwhat otherqualitiesyoumaypossess,youarehandicappedbyalackofthatsubtleforcewhichwe areinthehabitofcallingPersonalMagnetism.Lookaroundyouandyouwillseethatnearly everymanwhohas"arrived"ispossessedoftheabilitytoattract,persuade,influenceor controlhisfellows.Theyareallwhatisknownas"strong"men.Thereareafewexceptionsto thisgreatrule,andtheseexceptionsonlygotoprovetheruleitself.Theseexceptionsare usuallyfoundamongmenwhohavedemonstratedtheirsuccessalongthelinesofart, scientificresearch,invention,literarywork,etc.,anditwillreadilybeseenthattheirsuccess, fromtheverynatureofthings,dependsmoreuponaclose,concentrated,ploddingresearch oreffort,ratherthanuponpush,energy,forceandknowledgeofhumannature,orabilityto handlemen.Thesemenaresuccessfulintheirownlinesofendeavor,but,asarule,the resultsoftheirlaborarereapedbyothersofmoreworldlyturnofmind.Iftheseburnersof midnightoilmeetwithfinancialsuccess,itisbecausesomemorepositivemanhastaken chargeofthebusinessendoftheirworkandpusheditthrough,inwhichcasethesaid positivemanusuallyreapsthelion'sshare. Thisbeingthetruestateofaffairs,Iamjustifiedinregardingsuccessasmeaningtheattaining offinancialreward,andthatmustdependlargelyuponthePersonalMagnetismoftheseeker ofsuccess.Theinventor,student,writer,andscientistcanbegreatlybenefitedbyan understandingoftheintelligentuseofthepowersofMentalControl,buttothe"manamong men"remainstheprivilegeofsecuringthebestresultsofthatwonderfulpower,foritbrings himnotonlySuccess,butalsoitsmaterialmanifestationsMoney. Money,regardedasmeremoney,isnotahighideal,butregarded,asthemeansof surroundingourselveswiththebestthingsoflike,itbecomesnounworthygoalforhuman endeavor.I,therefore,feel,justifiedintreatingitastheendtobesoughtafter. Torepeat,successinlifedependslargelyuponourabilitytointerest,attract,influenceand controlourfellowmen.Idonotthinkthatyouwillrequireanyargumentuponthatpoint,that isifyouhavehadanyacquaintance,whatever,withtheworldofmenandaffairs.
Thenextthingistolearnhowthiswonderfulandvaluablepowermaybeacquired.The answeris:bythemasteryofthelawofMentalControl.ThatisthesecretofnotonlyPersonal Magnetism,butalsoofSuccessinLifeandofHappinessaswell.Tothemanorwomanwho mastersthislaw,theworldisanoystertobeopenedandenjoyedincomfort.Evenhe,who lackstheapplicationandperseverancetofollowuptheexercisesforthedevelopmentofhis latentpower,willbestrongerandmorepositivefromamereacquaintancewiththesubject. "Thisisallverywell,"yousay,"buttellushowwemaydevelopthispower."ThatisjustwhatI amdoingnow.Iamleadingyouuptoanunderstandingofthetheory,byeasysteps.Iwishthe ideatounfoldnaturally,soastoavoidgivingyoumentaldyspepsia. Now,forasummingupofthegeneraltheory,beforeItakeupthesubjectindetail. Ihavetoldyouthatthepowerofthoughtcouldbeusedinanumberofwaysinthedirection ofinfluencingmenandgainingsuccess.Ihavegivenyouanideaofhowthoughtoperatesin thedirectionnamed.Beforeproceedingtoournextlesson,Ithinkitwelltoagaincallyour attentiontotheseveraldifferentwaysinwhichthoughtcanaidyouinattainingsuccess, throughtheinfluencingofmen. Thoughtwillaidyouinthefollowingmanner: 1.Bytheuseofyourpositivethoughtforceinthedirectionofdirectlyinfluencingmenin person,throughthelawofSuggestion.BythisImeanthatyouwillbeabletointerestmenin yourschemesandplans,enlisttheiraid,securetheirpatronage,andinfluencethemgenerally. Thisfaculty,naturaltosomemen,canbeacquiredbyanymanorwomanwhohasthewill powerandperseverancetodevelopitwithinthem.Moststudentsofthesubjectaredesirous ofacquiringknowledgeofthisbranchofMentalControlbeforetheotherphasesofthe subject,andI,therefore,willtakeitupinmynextlesson. 2.Bythepowerofdirectthoughtvibrationssetinmotionbyyourmind,whichwillexerta powerfuleffectuponthemindsofothers,unlesstheyunderstandthesecretofguarding againsttheseforcesandrenderingthemselvespositivetoothers.Anunderstandingofthislaw willalsoenableyoutopresentapositivementalattitudetowardthethoughtwaves emanatingfromthemindsofothers. 3.Bythepoweroftheadductivequalitiesofthought,whichworksuponthetheory"like attractslike."Byholdingcertainthoughtsconstantly,inyourmind,youattracttoyouthoughts andinfluencesofthelikenature,fromthegreatbodyofthoughtsurroundingus,unseen,but allpowerful.Thispowerisoneofthestrongestforcesinnature,andifproperlyusedwill attractassistancefromthemostunexpectedquarters."ThoughtsareThings,"andpossessa wonderfulpowerofattractingtothemselvesotherthoughtwavesofthesamevibratorypitch andquality.
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4.Bythepowerofthoughtinshapingyourcharacterandtemperamenttomeetthe requirementsofyourorganization.Youlackcertainqualitiesneedfulforyoursuccess.You knowitaswell,ifnotbetter,thananyoneelse,butyouhavebeendeludedbyabeliefthat theseshortcomingswereapartofyouandthat"theleopardcannotchangehisspots."Toyou thestudyoftheLawofMentalControlcomesasamightally,foryoucanovercomethese deficiencies,andcanacquirenewcharacteristicsandqualities,aswellaslearninghowto strengthenthosewhichyouhavealready.Iwillendeavortostartyouontherightroad,bythis seriesoflessons.Iwillprintoutthewayforyou,butyoumustdotheworkyourself.Every manmustworkouthisownsalvationinthisstudy,asineveryotherbranchofhuman endeavor.
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DirectPsychicInfluence
InfluenceinapersonalinterviewThethreegreatmethodsDirectsuggestionThought wavesTheadductivequalityofthoughtWhatissuggestion?TheDualMindHypnotic SuggestionTheActiveandPassivefunctionsThequalitiesofthetwofunctionsHuman sheepThetwobrotherpartnersThePassivebrotherTheactivebrotherTheirrespective traitsThe"deadeasy"manThe"hardasnailsmanHowtoeludethevigilantpartner NevertakeNo!forananswer,inbusinessorinloveFortuneisfeminineLovelaughsat locksmithsConfidencewillwintheday. InthisandthenextlessonIwillendeavortomakeplaintoyoutheprocesswherebyan individualexertsandinfluenceoverhisfellowmen,inapersonalinterview,andinterests theminhisschemesandplans;enliststheiraidandsupport;securestheirpatronage;and influencesthemgenerally.Weallknowmenwhoareabletoaccomplishtheseresults,andyet wecontentourselveswithwonderingabouttheirstrangepower,withoutendeavoringto acquireit. Theartofinfluencingmenorwomenwhilstweareintheirpresence,ofnecessityincludesthe otherseveralmethodsofmentalinfluencementionedintheprecedinglessons,andpartakes ofthenatureofeach.Itisdifficulttospeakintelligentlyofthisphaseofmentalinfluences, withoutcoveringtheentiregroundsthatwillbeexplainedinsubsequentlessons.Imust contentmyselfwithageneralreferencetotheseseveraldifferentbranchesofthesubject;as youwillmeetthemlateron,atwhichtimeIwilltakethemupatgreaterlength.Iwould suggestthataftercompletingthisseriesoflessonsyoutakeupthisparticularlessonagain, andgooveritcarefullyasecondtime.Youwillhaveamuchclearerideaofthissubject,and manythingswhichnowseemmoreorlessvagueandunsatisfactory,willappearclearand easilyunderstood. Ininfluencingmenwhowemeetfacetoface,weaffecttheminanumberofways,whichmay beroughlysummedupinthreeforms,viz.: 1. Bydirectsuggestionthroughthevoice,manner,appearanceandeye.Thisincludesnot onlyvoluntarysuggestionsonourpart,butalsothesuggestionsmadeinvoluntarilyby everyearnestman. 2. Bythoughtwavesdirectedtotheotherpersonbyavoluntaryeffortofourmind. 3. Bytheadductivequalityofthought,resultingfromtheprocessofcontrolledthought, ofwhichIspokeintheprecedinglesson.Thisforce,oncegenerated,operates involuntarilyandconstitutesthemoststrikingphaseofwhatwecallPersonal Magnetism.
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InthislessonIshallconfinemyselftothefirstmentionedformofpersonalinfluence,andwill takeupthesucceedingformsinsubsequentlessons. ItisamostdifficulttasktogiveanintelligentcomprehensiveideaofthesubjectofSuggestion, inthelimitedspaceatmydisposal.Ifthestudenthasacquaintedhimselfwiththeprinciples underlyingHypnotismorHypnoticSuggestion,hewillreadilyunderstandjustwhatImean whenIsay"Suggestion."Tothosewhohavenothadthisadvantage,Iwillsaythata suggestionis"animpression,consciouslyorunconsciouslyreceivedthroughanyofour senses."Weareconstantlyacceptingorrejectingsuggestions,theacceptanceorrejection dependinguponthedegreeofsuggestibilityinourselves,thedegreebeingcausedbythe developmentorcultivationofthenonreceptivequalitiesofthemind.Wecannotattemptto godeeplyintothesubjectofwhatisknownastheDualMindinman,whichhasbeen variouslydesignatedastheObjectiveandSubjectiveminds;theVoluntaryandinvoluntary minds;theConsciousandSubconsciousminds,etc.Ifthestudentisdesirousofacquainting himselffullywiththissubject,IwouldsuggestthathetakeupsomegoodworkonHypnotism orHypnoticSuggestion.Thereareseveralgoodbooksonthissubject,butIwouldsuggestthe occultbookspublishedbyTheLibraryShelf(knownasSeriesA,B,C,andD),whicharecourses ofinstructioninthebasicprinciplesofpersonalmagnetism,hypnotism,suggestionand kindredbranchesofpsychicresearch. InorderthatthestudentmaygrasptheideathatIwishtoconveyregardingtheuseof suggestionasameansofexertingpersonalinfluence,Iwouldhavehimunderstandthatthe mindhastwogeneralfunctions,which(followingthetermsusedbymeinmyotherwritings) areknownastheActiveFunctionandthePassiveFunction,respectively.TheActivefunction doesthevoluntary,volitionalthinking,andalsomanifestswhatwecall"willpower."Itisthe functionusedfrequentlybytheactive,energetic,vigorous,wideawakeman,inhisbusy moments.ThePassivefunctiondoestheinstinctive,automatic,andinvoluntarythinking, exhibitingno"willpower"andmanifestingonentirelycontrarylinesfromtheActivefunction. ThePassivefunctionisamostvaluableservantonman,andreallyperformsthegreaterpart ofhismentalwork,doingallthedrudgeryandfulfillingitsallottedtaskwithoutreceiving praiseorthanks.Itworksuncomplainingly,andapparentlywithoutanyeffort,andnever seemstotire.TheActivefunction,ontheotherhand,worksonlyatthepromptingsofthe will,andusesupagreateramountofnervousforcethanitsPassivebrother.Itdoesthe energeticactiveworkofthemind,andtiresafteragreatdealofeffortandcriesoutforrest. Youareconsciousof,moreorless,theeffortwhenyouemploytheActivefunction,butnotso whenyouusetheeasygoing,faithful,goodnaturedPassivefunction.Ithinkthatyouwill understandthedistinctivefeaturesofthesetwofunctions,fromthisbriefexplanation. SomepersonsdonearlyalltheirthinkingalongPassivelines.Suchpersonsfindittoomuchof atasktodotheirownthinking,andpreferthe"readymade"thoughtofothers,tothatof theirownproduction.Theyarepracticallyhumansheep.Theyareverycredulousandwill acceptalmostanystatementmadetotheminanearnest,positivemanner.Thesepeopleare
verysuggestibleandarepracticallyatthemercyofthoseofamoreactivemind.Theyfindit hardtosay"No,"andareinclinedtosay,"Yes,"ifitiseasierandrequireslessthinking.Others arenotquitesosuggestible,andsomearescarcelysuggestibleatall,attimes.Butthelatter, whentheyrelaxandgivetheirActivefunctionsarest,aremuchmoresuggestiblethanat othertimes. Toenableyoutoformamentalpictureofthetwofunctions,forthepurposeofcarryingout theinstructionsgiveninthiscourse,Iwillaskyoutoimagineapairoftwinswhoare associatedaspartnersinabusinessenterprise.Theylookexactlyalike,buthaveverydifferent qualities,andeachoneiswellfittedfortheperformanceofthespecialduties,whichhehas undertaken.Theyshareequallyintheprofitsandlossesofthebusiness.ThePassivebrother attendstoreceivinggoods;fillingorders;packinggoods;keepingthestickinorder,etc.,while theActivebrotherfinanciering;pushingthingsalong,and,inshort,istheexecutiveofthe concernanditsactivespirit.Whenitcomestothebuyingofgoods,however,bothbrothers takeahand. ThePassivebrotherisagoodnatured,easygoing,"deadeasy"sortoffellow;aplodding, automatic,mechanicalsortofman.Heissomewhat"set"inhisnotions,rathersuperstitious andbigoted,butverycredulousandapttobelievealmostanythingonemaytellhim, providingthenewstatementdoesnotdirectlyconflictwithsomeofhispreconceivednotions. Togetaradicallynewideaintohisheaditisnecessaryto"insinuate"itintohim,bydegrees. Heisinthehabitofdeferringtotheopinionsofhisbrother,whenthelatterisaround,and,in hisbrother'sabsence,totheopinionsofotherpeople.Hewillbeapttograntyouanyfavor,to giveyoualmostanythingyouask,providingyoumaketherequestinafirm,confidentmanner. Heisafraidofhurtingyourfeelingsbyarefusal,andwillpromiseyouanythingtogetridof you,andtoavoidgivingyouapositiverefusal.Youcansellhimalmostanythingifhisbrother isnotwatchinghim,ifyougoaboutitright.Allyouhavetodoistoputonabold,confident front,andtakethingsforgranted.Youknowthetype. TheActivebrother,however,isaverydifferentsortofafellow.Heisasuspicious,watchful, wideawake,"hardasnails"sortofindividual.Thereisnononsenseabouthim.Hefindsit necessarytokeepaclosewatchonhisPassivebrotherinorderthattheinterestsofthefirm donotsuffer.ThePassivebrotherisalwaysgetting"stuck"bysomebody,oronsomething, andreallyneedssomesortofaguardian,andiftheActivefellowhappenstotakeanaporbe toobusywithhisworktokeepaneyeonthePassivebrother,somethingissuretohappento thelatter.TheActivepartner,accordingly,isnotinclinedtoallowyoutomeetthePassive brother,untilheknowsyouprettywell,orthinksthatyouhavenodesignsontheeasyfellow. Hewatchesyoucarefullyandinquiresintoyourbusiness,andtriestofindwhatyouareupto, beforehewillallowyoutoseetheotherpartner.Ifhethinksthatyouhavedesignsonthe easyfellow,hewilltellyouthathiseasybrotherisout,etc.Evenifheallowsyoutoseehis brother,hewillwatcheverymotionandlistentoeveryword,andinthecasehethinksthat youaretryingtoplaysomesortofagameontheeasyman,hewillputhisfootdownonthe
schemeandcallthedealoff.Heconsiderseveryproposition,andacceptsit,ifreasonable,or rejectsitifnot.Hegrowslesssuspiciouswhenhebecomesaccustomedtoyourpresence,and mayevengrowtohaveconsiderableconfidenceinyou.Healsomaybeentertainedand amused,atwhichtimesherelaxeshisvigilanceandgrowslesssuspicious.Ifhissuspicionsare onceallayed,youmaybeabletogetinawordwiththeotherbrother,inwhichcaseyouhave madeagreatadvance,fortheeasybrothers,onceacquaintedwithyou,willhimselfcontrive tomakethenextmeetingeasier.Hefeelslonesomeandchafesundertherestraintimposed uponhimbyhisbrother,andwhenheoncemakesyouracquaintancehewillbeonthe lookoutforanotherchancetohaveachatwithyou.Thefirststepisthehardest. Pleaserememberthatthemindofeverymanorwomanisapartnership,composedof functionsrepresentedbythetwocharacterswithwhichIhavejustendeavoredtoacquaint you.Thereisadifferencehoweverinfirms.ThePassivepartnerisprettymuchthesameinall cases,althoughinsomehemanagestohavehisownwaymore,andinothersheiskeptstill furtherinthebackground,thedifferencebeingcausedbythedegreeofpositivenessinthe Activepartner.ThereisagreatdifferenceintheseActivepartners.Someofthemaresplendid examplesofprudence,watchfulnessandsagacity,whilstotherspossessthesequalitiesina lesserdegree,andsomearenearlyas"easy"astheirPassivebrothers.Someofthemcanbe "bulldozed,"otherscoaxed,othersflattered;andotherstiredoutintorelaxingtheirvigilance. Someofthemgetsointerestedinsomethingthattheydonotnoticethatthevisitorisgetting wellacquaintedwiththePassivebrother,andmayevenallowhimtogiveanorderforgoods. Eachonehashisownpeculiarities,hisweaknesses.Asamanisnostrongerthathisweakest point,toobviousruleistofindthatweakestpointanddirecttheattackrightthere.Youwill readilyseethatthemainthingtobeaccomplishedistoeludethevigilanceoftheActive partner.Therearemanywaysofdoingthisthethingtodoistofindoutthebestway.Ifone waydoesnotwork,tryanother.Ifyoukeepatityouwillwineventually."Faintheartnever wonfairlady."Itcanbedoneifitisgoneaboutproperly.Itisdoneeveryday.Itiseasywith some,andhardwithothers,butitcanbedonewithallofthesewatchfulpartnersifyouwill onlykeeppeckingawayatit. Nevertake"No"forananswer.Pursuethesameplaninbusinessthatyouwouldifyouwere courtingthegirlyouloved.Inthelattercase,a"No"ortwo,oradozenforthatmatter,would notcount.Pursuethesametacticsinyourbusiness,andyouwillwintheday.Fortuneis feminine,youknow,andpossessesallofthecharacteristicsofthesex. Suggestionsgainforcebyrepletion.Amanmayrejectapropositionwhenfirstmade,but uponhearingthesamethingoverandoveragain,hewillcometobelieveit.Nowonder,you believeityourselffromthemererepletionofit,andwhyshouldn'the.Moreover,a suggestionmayproducenoapparenteffectatthetimeitisgiven,butmaybeliketheseed plantedinfertilesoil,whichwillhavesproutedbythetimeyoucomeagain.Bytalking properlytotheActivepartnerandgettinghiminterestedyouhaveenabledthepassive brother,actuatedbycuriosity(ofwhichhehasafullshare)todrawnearandoverhearyour
conversation.Hewilloftenthinkovertheoverheardwordsafteryouhavegone,andthenext timeyoucomehewillmanagetogetaninterviewwithyou,inspiteofhissternbrother."Love laughsatlocksmiths,"andsodoesthePassivefellowathisbrothersometimes.Youshould carrytheabovementalpictureofthetwofunctionsofthemindtheActivepartnerandhis Passivebrother.Withthispictureinyourmind,youwillbeabletodirectyoursuggestionsto thebestadvantage,andalsotoguardyourselfagainstthesuggestionsofothers. Ininfluencingamanwithwhomyoucomeinpersonalcontact,youwillnothavetodepend entirelyuponthepowerofsuggestioninovercomingthewatchfulnessoftheActivepartner ofhismind.Youwillbeaidedbytwopowerfulallies,i.e.,directthoughtwavesconsciously projectedbyyourmind,andbytheinvoluntaryadductivequalitiesofthought.Thesepowers canbehighlydevelopedbytheexercises,whichwillbegivenyouduringthiscourseof lessons.Youwillalsolearnhowtoacquirecharacteristicscalculatedtoaidyouinmakinga goodimpressionupontheActivebrother,whoisapttobeimpressedbyexternal appearances. Thereisonething,whichyoumustlearn,however,andthatisConfidenceandabeliefinyou abilitytomasterthissubject.Itislikeaboylearningtoswim.Theswimmingpowerisinherent ineveryboy,buthedoesn'tbelieveit.Assoonashebelievesthathecanswimheswims; butsolongashebelievesthathe"can't"hecannot.Hemayimproveintheartofswimming bypractice,buthehadtheswimmingpowerinhimfromthebeginning,andallheneeded wasbelief.Youcandoit,andhavebuttostrikeout.Youcanbeginoneasyexercisesatfirst, butyoumusthaveConfidencesfromthestart.Somemendiscoverthisbyaccident,anddo notknowthereasonfortheirsuccess.Youknowthereason,now,andcandoaswelland betterthanthemanwhohasstumbleduponthetruth.
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ALittleWorldlyWisdom
HowtoinfluencetheActivepartnerConversationTheartoflisteningCarlyleandhis visitorAdelightfulconversationKeepyourselfpositiveAppearanceApparelCleanlinen PerfumesCleanlinessMannerReserveTemperFearlessnessSelfRespect ConsiderationforothersFranknessEarnestnessFirmhandshakeTheeyeToneofvoice AusefulruleHowtoremedydeficienciesinmanner. IntheprecedinglessonIcomparedthetwofunctionsofthemindofeachindividual,tothe twobrotherspartnersinabusinessenterprise.Fortheconvenienceofexplanation,Iwill continuethisillustration,whichisquiteapplicabletotherealstateofaffairs. ThisActivepartnerisa"particular"oldfellow,andneedsconsiderablehumoring,andcareful handling.Heisinfluenced,tosomeextent,bytheconversation,appearance,manner,voice, eye,etc.,andeachActivepartnerhashisowntastesandpeculiarities,althoughthereare somethings,whichtheyallhaveincommon.Astoconversation,weshouldifpossible ascertainwhatinterests,butdonotmakethemistakeoftalkingtoomuch."Givetheoldman achance."Youshouldtalkuntilyougethimwellstartedonafavoritetopic,andthenyou keepquiet.Youshouldcultivatetheartoflistening,foritisoneofthemostvaluable accomplishmentsintheworld.Manyaman(orwoman)hasrisentoahighpositionsimplyby beingagoodlistener.YoumayremembertheoldtaletoldofThomasCarlyle.Avisitoronce calledonhim,andbeingagoodlistenerandastudentofhumannatureaswell,managedto gethimstartedtalkingonafavoritesubject.Carlyletalkedforoverthreehourswithoutgiving thevisitor"achancetogetawordinedgewise."Whenthecalleratlastrosetodepart,Carlyle accompaniedhimtothedoor,inasurprisinglygoodhumor,andbadehimgoodbyesaying, "Comeagain,Mon.,we'vehadamostdelightfulconversation."Doyouseethepoint?Listen attentivelytotheoldActivepartner,andactasifeachofhiswordswasabrightgoldendollar, freshfromthemintbutdonotfallundertheinfluenceofhisspell.Payearnestattentionto whathesays,butdonotlethisthoughtsproduceanyrealimpressionuponyou,orelsehe willbesellinggoodstoyou,Passivepartner.Keepyourselfpositive,notnegative,foryouwill haveawordtosaytotheeasybrotheraftertheoldfellowbecomes"intoxicatedwiththe exuberanceofhisownverbosity,"andrelaxeshisvigilance.Byallmeanscultivatetheartof intelligentlistening. Astoappearance,Iwouldadviseyoutoavoidthetwoextremesofflashinessanddowdiness, respectively.Keepinthemiddleoftheroad.Youshouldparticularlyavoidclothingcalculated toattractspecialattention,eitherbyitsextremestyleorthereverse.Theapparelshouldbe simple,neatandclean.Donotwearashabbyhatormuddy,shabbyshoes.Tothiseffect,even afinesuitofclothesislost.Alwayswearcleanlinen.Thesethingscount.Eschewtheuseof strongperfumes.Tomostmen,strongperfumesareanabomination.Itisscarcelynecessary toaddthatpersonalcleanlinessisanimportantprerequisiteforobtainingafavorablehearing withthemajorityofActivepartners,eventhoughtheymaynotbetooparticularthemselves.
Yourmannershouldbepleasantandcheerful,yetnotfrivolous.Acertaindegreeofreserveis desirable.Yourtemper,ofcourse,shouldbewellundercontrol.Angerisasignofweakness notstrength,andtheangrymanisalwaysplacedatadisadvantage.Youshouldbeabsolutely fearless,bothphysicallyandmorally,thelatterbeingtherarerquality.Ifyouarequick tempered,orapttogivewaytofearofmisfortune,orworry,etc.,youshouldpayparticular attentiontothelessononCharacterBuilding,andcorrectthesedefects. Yourmannershouldconveytheideaofselfrespect,butshouldlikewiseshowadelicate considerationforthelikesanddislikesofothers.Ifyoulackthelatterquality,youshould cultivateitbyallmeans,asitisofparamountimportanceincreatingfriendsandingainingthe favorofActivepartners,thelatterbeingonlyhumaninspiteoftheirroughexteriors.Ifyou willcarryinyourmindthisthought:"IacttowardyouasIwouldlikeyoutoacttowardme," andmakethethoughttakeforminaction,youwillacquirethisvaluablequality. Cultivateafrank,openmanner.Mostpeoplelikeit.Beearnestwhenyoutalk.Itnotonly holdstheattentionofthepeopletowhomyouaretalking,butisavaluableaidtoyouin havingyoursuggestionsaccepted,and,besides,isanimportantfactorinimpartingforceto yourthoughtvibrations.Cultivateafirm,honest,manlyhandshake.Nobodylikestohave thrustuponhimaflabbylimphand.Youdon'tyourself.Donotforgetthis.Ifyouhavenotthe properhandshake,starttoworkandgetitatonce.Shakehandswitheveryoneasifhewere yourbestgirl'smillionairefather.Andthenlookpeoplesquareintheeye.Iwillhavemoreto sayaboutthepoweroftheeye,inthenextlesson,butIwishtocallyourattentiontoitin connectionwiththeheartyhandshake.Thetwogotogether. Cultivateanagreeabletoneofvoice,avoidingamumblingutteranceontheonehand,anda loudboisteroustoneontheother.Anexcellentruleistopitchthevoicetothetoneofthe partywithwhomyouareconversing,providingalwaysthatyoudonotshoutinordertokeep pacewiththeotherperson.Iftheothermanshouts,keepyouownvoiceevenandsubdued, andhewillsoondroptoyourpitch.This,bytheway,isagoodplantoaadoptwithaperson whoisexcitedandisattemptingtogiveyouagood"tonguelashing."Insuchacasekeepyour temperandseethatyourvoiceissubduedandsteady,andyouwillfindthevoiceoftheother man(orwoman)graduallydroppingdowntoyourpitch.Ashelowershisvoicehistemper subsides,andhefeelsashamed,andyouhavewontheday.Tryit.Thereismuchinthevoice. Aflexible,wellmodulatedvoiceismostpleasing,andwinsmanyvictoriesforitsfortunate possessor.Letyourvoiceexpresstheshadeoffeeling,whichyouwishtoconvey.Thisisoneof themostpotentformsofsuggestion.Anexpressivevoiceisoneoftheprincipaltoolsofthe successfulsuggestionist. Thestudentmustnotdespairifhelackssomeoftheimportantrequisitestosuccessabove mentioned.Heshouldknowthateveryoneofthesegiftsiswithinhisreach,ifhewillbuttake thetroubletoacquireit.IexplainthispointfullyinCharacterBuilding.
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Anotherveryimportantmediumofinfluencingothers,includingouroldActivepartner,isthe Eye.TheHumanEye!Whodoesnotknowitspower,andyethowfewknowhowtoacquire thesecretoffenseanddefense,anditsaidininfluencingmanandtheloweranimals,andyet notbegintoexhaustthesubject.Iwilldevoteournextlessontoanexplanationoftheuseof theeyeasaninfluencingmedium;howtoacquirethe"magneticgaze";andhowtoavoidthe influenceoftheeyesofothers.
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ThePoweroftheEye
ThemostpotentmeansofinfluencingothersThereasonsThetrainedeye,apowerful weaponMentalvibrationsconveyedbytheeyeItspoweroverwildbeastandsavages SteadygazealmostunbearableProperuseoftheeyeFascinationandhypnoticattraction ThemagneticgazeThebeginningoftheinterviewHowtousetheeyetocommand attentionHowtoholdattentionHowtoregainattentionGetwhatyouwantbeforeyou leaveSelfprotectionHowtopreventothersfrominfluencingyouHowtosay"No!"How togivesuggestions. Theeyeisoneofthemostpotentmeansofinfluencingothers.Itnotonlyservestoholdthe attentionofthepersontowhomyouaretalking,therebyrenderingiteasiertoimpressyour suggestionsuponhim;butitisalsoapowerinitself,whichwhenproperlyusedisthemeans ofimpressingyourwilluponanother.Itattracts,fascinates,andholdsspellboundtheActive partner,andgivesyouachancetotalkwiththeeasygoingbrother.Theeyeoftheman,who hasmasteredthelawofmentalcontrol,isapowerfulweapon.Itconveysthestrongmental vibrationsdirecttothemindoftheotherparty,atshortrange.Youhaveheardofthepower ofthehumaneyeoverwildbeastandsavages,andmanyofyouhavemetwithmenwho seemedtolookclearthroughyouandwhosesteadygazewasalmostunbearable.Iwillgive youafewexercises,inournextlesson,whichwillaidyouinacquiringwhatisknownasthe "magneticgaze,"amostimportantacquisitionforthestudentofpersonalinfluence.Inthis lesson,Iwillassumethatyouhavealreadyacquiredthe"magneticgaze."Theproperuseof theeye,ininterviewswithotherpersons,willenableyoutoexertaninfluenceoverthem somethingakintofascinationorhypnoticattraction.Thisistheresultofstrongmental vibrationsconveyedatshortrangebymeansofthemagneticgazeofthetrainedeye. You,ofcoursewillbegovernedbythecircumstancesofeachparticularcase,anditisdifficult togiveyougeneraldirectionsapplicabletoallcases.Youmustadaptthesegeneral instructionstosuittheemergenceofeachparticularcaseasitarises. Oneofthemostimportantthingsaboutthebeginningofaninterviewisthatyoushouldlook theotherpersonsquarelyintheeye,withafirm,steady"magneticgaze."Youneednotstare athim,butyourgazemustbesteadyandfirm,andindicativeofstrongwillpowerand concentration.Duringtheconversationsyoumaychangethedirectionofyourgaze,but wheneveryoumakeaproposition,statementorrequest,orwhateveryouwishtoimpress himstrongly,youmustdirectafirm,steadymagneticgazetowardshim,lookinghimstraight intheeye.Thisishighlyimportantandmustnotbeneglected.Whenyouaretalkingbusiness, haveanearnest,determinedlookormannerandholdtheotherman'sattention.Ifyouhavea requesttomake,makeitinaclear,dignified,earnestmanner,keepingyoureyesfixedupon his,andwillingatthesametimethathewilldoasyousay.Byallmeanspreventhimfrom lookingawayfromyouatthispoint.Youmustholdhisattentionatallhazards.Ifyouhavehis wholeattention,theActivebrother,willbetooengrossedtobotherabouthiseasybrother,
andthelatterwilldrawnearandhearwhatyouaresaying.Iftheotherpartyavoidsyourgaze, youcansometimesregainhisattentionbylookingawayyourself(watchinghimallthetime outofthecornerofyoureye)andassoonashefindsthatyouarelookingtheotherwayhe willbeopttostealaglanceatyou.Youmustwatchforthisstolenglance,andthemoment youfindhiseyeturnedtowardsyourfaceyoumustquicklyturnyoueyeandgiveaquick, sharpdeterminedlook,keepingyoureyesfasteneduponhis,andholdinghislookbyaneffort ofthewill.Rightthereisagoodpointforyoutodriveinyourlittlenail.Youhavehimata disadvantage,andthepsychologicalmomenthasarrivedfordrivinginastrongsuggestion. Ifyoucannotgethimtolookatyouinthewayabovementioned,itisaverygoodplanto havesomethingtoshowhim;asample,picture,orsomeotherobjectascertainingtoyour business.Youwillfindthatafterhelooksattheobjectshownhim,hewillraisehiseyesto yours.Hewilldothiseverytime,andyoumustbereadyforhimwithafirm,magneticgaze andastrongsuggestion.Ifyoucankeepamansattention,andcanmanagetolooksquarelyat himduringtheinterview,youwillsurelyinfluencehimtoagreaterorlesserextent;unlesshe iswellpostedonthissubjectinwhichcaseitwillbeverydifficulttoinfluencehimbydirect means.Veryfewpeople,however,possessthisknowledgeandyouneednotfigurethat elementintotheordinarycalculation.Youmayfindthattheothermanwillbegintofeelthat youaregainingsomesortofinfluenceoverhim,andhemayinselfdefenseendeavorto terminatetheinterview.Thisyoumustnotpermit,foryouhavegainedaninfluenceandyou mustfollowitup.Donotleavehimuntilyougetwhatyoucamefor. Inthisconnectionitmaybewelltosuggesttoyouthat,inasmuchasitisdifficultforanyone toreasonordeliberateclearlywhilsttheyareundertheinfluenceofthemagneticgazeof another,itwillbewellforyoutoguardyourselfagainsttheuseofthispoweratthehandsof anyoneelsepossessingthesecret.Youmustpreserveapositivementalattitudewhenyou findthatsomeoneistryingtoinfluenceyou,andholdthethought,firmly,thatyouarestrong andbeyondsuchinfluence.Thismentalattitudewillprotectyouandyoumust,ofcourse, reversetheinstructionsgivenyouforinfluencingothers.Ifamanisendeavoringtointerest youinaproposition,donotallowhimtoholdyourgazeuninterruptedlyduringthe conversation.Youmaywithoutseemingtoavoidhisgaze,lookawayreflectivelyatintervals,in aneasyway.Thiswillgiveyoutimetoreflectalittle,andmaintainyourbalance.Whenhe makesyouaproposition,lookawayfromhiminadeliberativemannerasifyouarecarefully consideringeverywordthatheissaying.Ifhemanagestodriveinasuddensuggestion,or proposition,whenheholdsyoureye,donotanswerhimuntilyouhavetakenyoureyesaway foraminuteandregainedyourpositivebalance.Then,ifyouransweris"No,"lookhimsquare intheeyewithapositiveglanceandsayyour"No,"firmlyanddeliberately,butofcourse politely.Whenindoubt,say"No."Keepasharplookoutforinsidioussuggestiongivenata psychologicalmoment,forthisiswheremuchofthedangerlies.Letyourown"Active partner"bealivetohisdutiesanddonotlettheotherfellowgetinawordwithyourPassive partner.Theywillwanttogetawordwitheachother,butyoumustputdownyourActivefoot onit.Theman,whoisdoingthetalking,ifheunderstandshisbusiness,alwaysisthepositive
factorinaconversation,whilstthelistenerismoreorlesspassive.Themoreintentlyand earnestlyhelistens,themorepassiveheis.Thepositiveisstrongerthanthenegative,and peopleshouldalwaysbeontheirguardtoavoidhavingpositivessuggestionsforcedupon themwhentheyareinanegativecondition. Youshouldlearntogivesuggestionsinanearnest,firm;positivemanner,yourvoiceshowing thatyouexpectthemtobeactedupon,andyourmindassumingthebeliefthatsuchwillbe thecase.Ifyouhavenotthisdesirablequalityyoushouldtakeafewlessonsfromsomegood suggestors,andpracticeonhissubjects.Theexperiencethusgainedwillbemostuseful.Itis almostimpossibletoconveyinawrittenlessonthemannerandtoneofvoicebestadapted forthispurpose,whichinformationIalwaysimparttomypersonalclassesbymeansofactual experiments,undermysupervision.Ifyouwillformamentalpictureofwhatisimpliedbythe twowordsConfidentEarnestness,youwillbeabletograsptheideaIintendtoconveywhenI tellyoutomakeyoursuggestions"inthepropermanner."ThelessononConcentrationwill alsoaidyouintherespectOurnextlessonwillbedevotedtothe"MagneticGaze."
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TheMagneticGaze
WhatisthemagneticgazeFullexplanationofexercisesHowtoacquirethemagneticgaze AninterestingstudyPeoplewillmanifestfearExperimenton"livesubjects"ExerciseI:Full directionsforacquiringthefirm,steadygazeRemarkableachievementsAmasterful expressionEffectsonmenandanimalExercise2:Mirrorexercisesfordevelopingthegaze HowtowithstandthegazeofothersExercise3:RollinggazeExercise4:Strengtheningthe nervesandmusclesoftheeyeExercise5:ExperimentsonothersTrialonanimalsAnimals willmoveawayMenunpleasantlyaffectedProperuseofthepowerKeepyourown secrets. WhatisknownastheMagneticGazeistheexpressionofastrongmentaldemand,bymeans oftheeyewhosenervesandmuscleshavebeentrainedforthework,andwhichisthereby enabledtomaintainafirm,steady,positivegaze.Theproductionofthementaleffortwillbe explainedinasubsequentlesson,andwewillnowspeakonlyoftheeyeitself.Thefollowing exercisesareveryimportant,andItrustthatthestudentwillcloselyfollowthesame.Bythe practiceyouwillsodevelopthisfacultythatfewwillbeabletowithstandyourgaze.Thisisa mostinterestingstudy,andyouwillhavethepleasureofseeingtheincreaseofthepowerof youreyemanifestedbythepeoplewithwhomyoucomeincontact.Youwillsoonfindthat peoplewillbecomerestlessanduneasybeneathyourgaze,andsomewillmanifestindications ofsomethingakintofear,ifyouconcentrateyourgazeuponthemforafewseconds.When onceyouhavemasteredthisaccomplishmentandhaveacquiredthestrongmagneticgaze, youwouldnotpartwithyourgiftforalargesumofmoney.Youshouldnotcontentyourself withmerelyperformingtheexercisesgivenbelow,butshouldexperimentonpersonswith whomyoucomeincontact,andnotetheresults.Youcanacquireaperfectworking knowledgeofthepoweroftheeye,onlybyexperimentupon"livesubjects."
EXERCISES
Exercise1.Takeapieceofwhitewritingpaperaboutsixinchessquare,uponwhichyouhave drawnacircleaboutthesizeofasilverquarterdollar,thecirclethenbeingfilledinwithblack inksothatthespotwillstandoutblackanddistinctuponthewhitebackground.Pinthe paperuponthewallatabouttheheightofyoureyeswhenareseated.Placeyouchairinthe middleoftheroomandseatyourselfdirectlyfacingthepaper.Fixyoureyessteadilyuponthe blackspot,andgazeatitfirmly,withoutwinking,foroneminute.Afterrestingtheeyes, practicetheexerciseagain.Afterrestingtheeyes,practicetheexerciseagain.Repeatfive times.Withthechairinitsoriginalplace,moveyourpaperthreefeettotherightofits originalposition.Seatyourselfandfixyourgazeonthewalldirectlyinfrontofyou,then, withoutmovingthehead,casttheeyestotherightandgazesteadilyatthespotforone minute.Repeatfourtimes.
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Then,placingthepaperonthewallthreefeettotheleftofitsoriginalposition,gazesteadily atthespotforoneminute.Repeatfivetimes.Continuethisexerciseforthreedays,andthen increasethetimeofthegazetotwominutes.Attheendofthreemoredays,increasethetime tothreeminutes;andsoon,increasingthetimeinoneminuteincrementseverythreedays. Somepersonshaveacquiredthepowerofgazingsteadilyfortwentytothirtyminutes, withoutwinkingorhavingtheireyesfillwithwater,butIdonotadviseextendingthelimit beyondfifteenminutes.Theman,whocanmaintainthegazeforfifteenminutes,candirectas powerfulagazeashewhohasattainedthethirtyminuterecord. Thisexerciseisthemostimportantone,and,iffaithfullyfollowedup,willenableyoutogaze steadilyandearnestlyatanyonewithwhomyouaretalking.Itwillimpartastrong,masterful expressiontotheeye,andenableyoutomaintainasteadygaze,whichfewwillbeableto withstand.Dogsandotheranimalswillquailbeforeyourgaze,anditseffectwillmanifest itselfalsoinnumerousotherways.Thepracticeoftheexercisesissomewhattedious,but anyonewillbeamplyrepaidforthetimeandtroublebestoweduponit.Ifyouarepracticing hypnotism,youwillfindthisgazemosthelpfultoyou.Itwillhavethefurthereffectofcausing theeyetoappearfuller,byincreasingthespacebetweentheeyelids. Exercise2.Youmaysupplementthefirstexercisewiththefollowing,whichwilladdvariety, relievethemonotony,andaccustomyoutogazeintotheeyesofotherswithout embarrassment.Standinfrontofyourmirrorandgazeintothereflectionofyourowneyes,in themannermentionedinExerciseNo.1.Increasethetimeasinthepreviousexercise.This exercisewillaccustomyoutobearthegazeofothers,andalsowillenableyoutoobtainthe bestexpressionoftheeye,andinotherwayswillbeusefultoyou.Itwillenableyoutosee thegrowthanddevelopmentofthecharacteristicexpressionofyoureyewhenitisacquiring themagneticgaze.Byallmeanspracticethisexercise,systematically.Someauthoritiesprefer thisexercisetotheprecedingone,but,inmyopinion,thebestresultsareobtainedbya combinationofthetwo. Exercise3.Standerect,facingthewallatadistanceofthreefeet.Placeyoursheetofpaperin frontofyou,withthespotdirectlyinfrontoftheeyes.Fixyourgazeuponthespot,andthen moveyourheadaroundinacircle,keepingyourgazefixeduponthespot.Asthisexercise causestheeyestorollaroundandkeepingthegazesteady,thenervesandmusclesreceive considerableexercise.Varytheexercisebycirclingtheheadindifferentdirections.Usethe exercisemildlyatfirst,andavoidtiringtheeyes. Exercise4.Standwithyoubackagainstthewall,and,facingtowardtheoppositewall,shift yourgazerapidlyfromonepointofthewalltoanotherright,left,up,down,zigzag,circle, etc.Thisexerciseshouldbediscontinuedwhentheeyesbegintofeeltired,thebestplanfor concludingtheexercisebeingtogazeintentlyatonepoint,whichwillresttheeyesafterthe previousmotion.Thisexerciseiscalculatedtostrengthenthemusclesandnervesoftheeye.
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Exercise5.Afterhavingacquiredafirmgaze,youwillgainconfidencebypersuadingafriend toallowyoutopracticeyourgazeuponhim.Placeyourfriendinachairoppositeyourown; sitdownandgazecalmly,steadilyandfirmlyintohiseyes,instructinghimtolookatyouas longashecan.Youwillfindthatyouwilleasilytirehimout,andthatbythetimehecries "enough"hewillbeinanalmosthypnoticcondition.Ifyouhaveahypnoticsubject,he(or she)willanswerstillbetter.Youalsomaytrythestrengthofyourgazeonadog,catorother animal,providedthatyouareabletoinduceittostandstillorliestill.Youwillfind,however, thatmostanimalswillmoveaway,orturnthehead,inordertoavoidyousteadygaze. Youofcoursewilldistinguishbetweenasteady,calmgaze,andanimpudentstare.Thefirstis indicativeofthemanofstrongpsychicalpowerwhilstthelatterdenotesthecad. Youwillfind,atfirst,thatyourstrong,steadygazemaysomewhatdisconcertthosewith whomyoucomeincontact,andmayembarrassthoseatwhomyouaredirectingyourgaze, causingthemtobecomeuneasyand"rattled"Youwillsoonaccustomyourselftoyournew power,andwilluseitdiscreetly,soastoavoidembarrassmenttootherswhilstproducingan effectonthem. Iwouldcautionyouagainstdiscussingorspeakingofyoureyeexercises,orpracticeof PersonalMagnetism,toothers,asthatcoursewouldresultonlyinmakingpeoplesuspicious ofyou,andinotherwaysprovingaseriousdetrimenttotheproperuseofyourpowersof influencingpeople.Keepyourownsecrets,andletyourforcemanifestitselfbyresults,notby boasting.Inadditiontothesereasons,therearegoodoccultreasonswhyyoushouldkeep yourowncouncilaboutyournewaccomplishments.Aneglecttoobservethisadvicewillbea sourceofregrettoyou.Takeyourtimeinpracticingtheseexercises,anddonotrushthings unduly.FollowNature'sruleanddevelopyourpowergraduallybutsurely.
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TheVolicForce
DistinctionbetweentheadductiveQualityofThoughtandtheVolicForceVarying manifestationsofthoughtvibrationsDefinitionofVolationandVolicForceAmostpotent forceTherealmanThe"IAm"ItsrecognitionItsimportanceManattainshitherto unknownpowersTheSoulofManThewillThesecretofthedevelopmentofthewill ActiveandPassivementationTheprojectionofthoughtwaves. Intheprecedinglessons,Ihavegivenyouanexplanationofthemannerwherebyoneperson mayattractanother,inapersonalinterview,bymeansofthepowerofsuggestion,etc.The personthusmakingtheimpressionuponanotherisaidedinhisworkbytwootherforces.The firstoftheseassistingforcesiswhatisknownastheAdductiveQualityofThought,ofwhichI willspeakinsubsequentlessons;thesecondistheVolativeinfluenceofthemindofone personoverthemindofanother.Thereisamarkeddifferenceinthesetwomanifestationsof thepowerofthemind.Inthefirstinstances,theAdductiveQualityofThought,oncebeingset inmotion,affectsotherswithoutaconsciouseffortofyourmind;yourmerethinkingstrongly ofcertainthings,settingamightyforceinmotionwhichinfluencesothers.Inthecaseof Volation,thementalvibrationsaresentoutandimpelledbytheconsciousexerciseofthewill powerofthesender,andaredirectedtowardsomespecialobject;whentheimpellingpower iswithdrawn,thevibrationscease. Ifindnotermingeneraluse,whichisespeciallyapplicabletothisformofthoughtforce,andI donotdesiretocontinuetospeakofitas"theconsciouseffortofthewill,producingthought vibrations,andimpellingthesametowardagivenobject."Iamdriven,bynecessity,tothe coiningofanametoexpressthisidea.Ishall,accordingly,hereafterusethetermVolation,to indicatetheideaabovedefined,thesaidwordbeingderivedfromtheLatinwordVolos,the will.ThiswordmustnotbeconfoundedwithVolition,meaningthefreeexerciseofthewillin makingachoice.IshallalsousethetermVOLIC(fromthesamesource),meaning"ofthe will."TheVolicpowerisoneofnature'smostpotentforces,andatthesametimeistheleast understood.Itisexerted,moreorless,unconsciouslybyallmen.Someareawareofitseffects withoutunderstandingthelawsofitsproductionanddevelopment.Itmaybegreatly increasedbyintelligentpracticeandtraining,ifonewilldevotetothetaskthenecessarytime andeffort.Iwillgiveyouexercisesfortheproperdevelopmentofthispower,inthelessonon Concentration. TobeabletomakeintelligentuseoftheVolicForce,itisnecessarytounderstandthereal natureofthewill;andtounderstandtherealnatureofthewill;youmustrealizewhatisthe realMAN. ManyofushavebeeninthehabitofthinkingoftheEgothe"I"ofourselvesasmerelythe physicalbody.Thisisthematerialisticpointofview.Othersthinkoftheir"I"asamental creaturehavingcontrolofthebody,andhavinghisabodeinthebrain.Thisispartiallycorrect,
butisonlyhalfthetruth.Othersrealizethatthereisa"higherself"intheman,andafew haverecognizedthat"higherself,"andliveinaccordwithitsdictates.TherealEgo,or"I,"isas muchhigherthanMind,asMindishigherthanthebody;andbothbodyandmindare subordinatetoit.Bothareitstoolsandareusedforitswork,whenitseesfittousethem.The realselfisthatwhichwefeelwhenintimesofreverieandintrospection,wethinkorsay,"I AM."Allofushavefeltthisconsciousnessoftherealself,atcertaintimesinourlives,but havefailedtorealizeitsfullimportance.Laydownthisbookforafewmoments,and,relaxing themusclesofyourbodyandassumingapassivestateofmind,thinkquietlyandcalmlyon thewords"IAM,"andendeavortopictureyourrealself,superiortobothmindandbody.If youhavesecuredtheproperstateofmindandbody,youwillperceiveaglimmerofthe presenceoftherealselfwithinyou.Continuethepractice.Itwillawakeninyourminda perceptionofthetruth.Nothingcaninjureordestroytherealself.Thebodyandmindmay passaway,butthe"IAM"iseternal,andimpregnabletoharm.Itispowerful,and,whenthe mindhaslearnedtoadaptitselftoitsinfluence,manbecomeslikeanotherbeing,andacquire hithertounknownpowers. Thepurposeofthisseriesoflessonsdoesnotpermitmetodwellatlengthuponthissubject. Itsimportancedemandsaworkofmanyvolumestodoitevenfaintjustice,butIwish,atthis point,todirecttheattentionofthestudenttothisvitaltruth,withalltheearnestnessof whichIamcapable.Takewhateverviewyouwishregardingtheinstructionsgivenyouinthis course,acceptitsteachingsorrejectthem,asyouseefit,butletthisonethoughtsinkdeeply intoyourmind:THEIAMISYOURREALSELF.Whenyourmindrecognizesitsmaster,youwill havelearnedthesecretofLife.Ihaveplantedthisthoughtseedinyoumind,anditwillgrow andevolveintoabeautifulplantbearingaflowerwhosefragrancewillsurpassthatofearth's fairestblossoms.Whenitsleavesunfoldandshowtheflowerinallitsbeauty,thenwillyou knowthatyouhavefoundyourself. LordofathousandworldsamI, AndIreignsincetimebegan; Andnightandday,incyclicsway, ShallpasswhiletheirdeedsIscan. YettimeshallceaseereIfindrelease, FORIAMTHESOULOFMAN. CharlesH.Orr Thatwhichwemeanwhenwesay"thewill"isamanifestationof;theIAMoftheindividual, bearingnearlythesamerelationtoitthatthoughtitdoestothemind.Whenwespeakof "developingthewill,"wereallymeanthedevelopingofthemindtorecognizeandbe controlledbythewill.Thewillisstrongenough;itdoesnotneed"developing."Thisis contrarytothegenerallyaccepteddoctrine,butisitcorrect,nevertheless.Astrongwill currentisflowingoverthepsychicwires,butyoumustlearntoraisethetrolleypoletothe wire,beforeyouareabletomovethementalcar.
Manthinksalongdifferentlines.OneclassofthinkingwhichwehavecalledPassiveMentation islittlemorethatinstinctiveeffortitsortof"thinksitself,"andrequireslittleornoVolic Forceforitsproduction.Anotherclassofmentaleffort,whichwewillcallActiveMentatioin,is producedbyagreaterorlesserdemandoftheminduponthepowerofthewill.Icanmerely callyourattentiontothisfact,asadetailedtreatmentofthematteriswithoutthescopeof thiswork.Ihavegonedeeperintoyou.InthisworkIamcalledupontoteach"How"andnot "Why,"and,therefore,Idonotcaretotakeyoubeyondtheborderoftherealmoftheory.The moremanthinksalongthelinesofActiveMentation,thestrongerandmoreforcefularehis thoughts.Thereverseis,ofcourse,likewisetrue.ThemanwhounderstandsthelawofMental Controlisplacedattheimmenseadvantageoverhisbrother,whofollowsthe"calfpath"of Passivementaleffort. Thoughtsofallkindsareprojectedbythemind,andtheirvibrationsgooutfromthe individual,influencingotherstoagreaterorlesserdegree,accordingtotheforceofthe impellingeffort.Passivethoughtsarelesspowerfulthanactivethoughts,buttheformer,if constantlyrepeated,havemuchforce.Itwillbeseen,readily,thatinordertoproduceadirect effectuponthemindofanotherbythoughtvibrations,aneffortofVolationisrequired;the strongertheeffort,thestrongertheeffect. ThenextlessonwillbedevotedtothesubjectoftheexerciseofthepowerofVolation.
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DirectVolation
Volation,themeasureofsuccessLeadersofmenpossessitUnconsciousacquirement NapoleonBonaparteawareofthetruthStrongmenfeelthe"I"DesireSomenotwillingto "paytheprice"ofsuccessMenwhohavemasteredoccultpowerThevibratoryforce Telepathy,thoughttransferenceandmindreadingMastersoftheartguardtheirsecrets TheprimerequisiteforacquirementExerciseofvolationinpersonalinterviewExpectation SomemenbutpuppetsGeneralinstructionsPowermustnotbeusedtoharmothersA warningSatan'sterribleexampleHowto"will"athingExerciseI:Makingapersonturn aroundExercise2:InfluencingapersoninapublicplaceExercise3:Influencingaperson withoutlookingdirectlyathimComicalresultsExercise4:Suggestingaforgottenword RemarkableresultsobtainedbyaGermanstudentExercise5:Directingthemotionsof anotherpersonExercise6:WindowexercisesInfluencingpassersbyFascinating experimentsTobeusedforyourowndevelopment,notforamusementortosatisfyvulgar curiosity. TheexerciseofVolationdiffersverymaterially,indegree,amongdifferentmen.Itmaybe states,broadly,thatamanexertsaninfluenceoverothermeninanexactratiotohismeasure ofVolation.Theledgerofmenhasdevelopedthispowertoacomparativelyhighdegree, althoughperhapsunconsciouslyandwithoutanyknowledgeoftheworkingsofthemighty forcewhichisoperatinginhisbehalf.Manysuchmenfranklyadmitthattheyareunableto explainoraccountfortheirpowerovermen.Theyknowthattheyhavesomesortofpower, butareignorantofitsnatureorlaws.Napoleonisastrikingexampleofamanofhighly developedVolation.Hiswillwasimposeduponmillionsofmenwhoobeyedhiscommands, andheaccomplishedresultslittleshortofmiraculous.Fromremarksdroppedbyhim,it seemsprobablethathehad,atleast,afaintideaoftheforceathiscommand,andheactedin accordancetherewith,forawhile.Heafterwardsattemptedtomisusehispower;lostsightof thesourceofhisstrength;neglecteditslaws,andfell.Youwillnoticethatallsuccessfulmen instinctivelyfeelthe"I"strongly.Theyhavefaithinthemselves,andfrequentlyfeelthatthey haveaspecialProvidenceoverlookingtheiraffairs.They,likeNapoleon,feelthattheyhavea "starofdestiny."ThisisaninstinctiverecognitionoftheIAM.Theyhavebutaglimpseofthe truth,andhavemadethemostofit,theirstrongdesireforpower,fame,orrichespushing themon,andcausingthemtoinstinctivelyavailthemselvesofthepowerfulaidoftheEgo. TherearemanywhorecognizethepoweroftheIAM,someofwhomunderstanditslaws, andyetthesemendonotassertthemselvesinthestruggleformaterialreward.Theyhave thepowerwithinthem,butDESIREisnotthere.Theyarecontentwiththelessermaterial rewards,andarenotwillingto"paytheprice"ofwhatisknownasSuccessorthemasteryof men.Manymenwhohavemasteredtheoccultpower,scornwealth,positionandfame,and exertnodesireforthem,feelingthatthesethingsareunworthyoftheirpower,andpreferring tousetheforcesattheircommandforwhattheyconsiderhigheraims.Theysaywiththe prophet,"Vanity,vanity,allisvanity,"andwithPuck,"whatfoolsthesemortalsbe."Thelawof
compensationsseemstoevenallthings,andwealth,powerandpositiondonotalwaysbring happiness.Theoldsayings:"uneasytheheadthatwearsthecrown,"and"Thereisnorose withoutitsthorn,"areliterallytrue. However,IdonotproposepreachingasermononLife,nordoIwishtopointatmoral.Every individualmustchooseforhimself,andnomancandecideforanother.Isay,however,that whateveryoudo,doitright.Thereisonlyonewaytodothings,andthatistodothem.You must"putyourhandtotheplow,andlooknotbackward."Selectyourgoalandthenmove straighttowardit,sweepingfromyourpathallobstacles.Toaccomplishyouraim,youmust haveDesirestronglypresent,andmuchrecognizeyourrealself,theIAM,inordertoexert whatisgenerallyknownas"willpower,"inthefurtheranceofyourplans. IntheprecedinglessonIhavedefinedVolationas"theconsciouseffortofthewill,producing thoughtvibrationsandimpellingthemtowardagivenobject."Thevibratoryforcemaybe exertedintheordinarywayatshortrange,upontheoccasionofapersonalinterview;itmay alsobeexertedinamuchlessunderstoodway,bymeansoflongrangevibrations(sometimes calledtelepathy).Thefirstformisquitecommon,andweallhaveseenexhibitionsofit;the secondformissomewhatrare,andthosewhounderstanditbesthavebutlittletosayabout it.Itispracticedquietly,however,bymanymorepersonthanweusuallydreamofinthat connection.WeseemildexamplesofitinwhatisknownasTelepathyorThought Transference,mindReading,etc.,butthosewhounderstandthesubjectveryimperfectly usuallygivetheseexhibitions.Iknowseveralpersonswhohavedevelopedthispowertoa wonderfuldegree,andinnocasewilltheyconsenttoanexhibitionoftheirpowertoanybut afewchosenfriends,withwhomtheyareinperfectsympathyandwhohappentobelikewise familiarwiththesubject.Thesepeopleknowtherealnatureofthepowerofwhichtheyare makinguse,andwillnotdegradeitbymakingitthesubjectofanordinaryshow.Theyare contentwiththeirknowledgeandseektoconvincenooneelse.Thearenotlookingfor converts,and,infact,discourageanyattempttomakepublictheiroccultknowledgebelieving thatthetimeisnotyetripeforsuchpublicity,andthatitspromulgationatthistimewould resultinitsmisuse. TheprimerequisitefortheacquirementoftheartofVolationistherecognitionofthepower oftherealselftheIAM.Themorecompletetherecognition,thegreaterthepower.Icannot giveyouspecificdirectionsforacquiringthisfacultyofrecognition.Youmustfeelitratherthat reasonitout.Youwillnotbeindoubtastowhetheryouareontherighttrackyouwill realizeitatonce.AsnearasIcanexpressittoyou,istosaythatyouwillfeelthatyourbodyis asasuitofclothes,which,whilstcoveringyoutemporarily,itsnotYOU;thatyouareseparate andapartfromyourbodyandsuperiortoit,althoughforthetimebeingconnectedwithit. YouwillrealizethatevenyourmindisnotYOU,butthatismerelytheinstrumentthrough whichYOUmanifestyourself,andwhichbeingimperfect,preventsthecompleteexpressionof yourrealself.Inshort,whenyousayorthink"IAM,"youareconsciousoftheexistenceof yourrealself,andfeelthegrowthofanewsenseofpowerwithinyou.Thisrecognitionofthe
selfmaybebutfaint;butencourageitanditwillgrow,andwhilstgrowingwillmanifestitself toyourmindbyimpressinguponthelattertheknowledgeoftheproperplanforfurther development.Itisanexampleof"tohimwhohathshallbegiven,andtohimwhohastnot shallbetakenawayeventhatwhichhehath."Theirmerecallingoftheattentiontotheact mayawakentherecognitioninsome,whilstotherswillfinditnecessarytoreflectuponthe ideaandawakentorecognitionofthetruthmoreslowly.Somewillnotfeelthetruth.Tosuch Isay:thetimeisnotyetripeforyourrecognitionofthisgreattruth,buttheseedisplanted andtheplantwillappearintime.Thismayseemliketheveriestnonsensetoyounowbutthe timewillcomewhenyouwilladmititsliteralcorrectness.Tothosewhofeelthefirst indicationsoftheawakeningoftherealself,Isay:Carrythethoughtwithyouanditwill unfoldlikethelotus,naturallyandgradually;thetruthoncerecognizedcannotbelost,and thereisnostandingstillinnature.Tothosewhorecognizethetruth,Iwouldliketosaymore, butthisisnottheplace. Thepracticeofconcentration,asexplainedinasubsequentlesson,willenableanyoneto developthisideaoftherealself.Thethought,"IAM,"heldintheSilence,whilstyouare concentrating,willgrowstrongerandstronger. ToexercisethepowerofVolationininfluencingothers,inapersonalinterview,youhave merelytomakeastrongmentaldemandoftheotherperson,accompaniedwitha consciousnessofyourrighttodoso,andtheveilthatyourcommandwillbeobeyed.You mustfullyexpectthatyourcommandwillbeobeyed.Inallmentalprocessestheearnest expectationisaprimefactorinproducingtheeffect.Ifyouhaveonlyafaint,halfhearted expectation,youwillhaveonlyhalfwayresults.Youwillrealizethereasonforthisafteryou havecompletedthiscourse,thematterbeingexplainedinsubsequentlessons. Now,donotunderstandthatyouwillbeabletoapproachanyone,andbysimplywillingand expectingtheresults,makethatpersondojustwhatyouwill.Youcoulddoallofthisifthe personhadnopowerofmentalresistance,noVolicForceofhisowntocounteractyours. Somepersons,unfortunatelyforthemselves,havebutlittleVolicForces,andarebutpuppets inthehandsofthosewhoknowthesecretofpersonalinfluence;othershavealittlemoreof theforce,andsoon,untilthehighstagesarereached. Idosay,however,thatyouwillobtainsomedegreeofsuccessfromthisplanfromevery personwithwhomyoucomeincontact,thedegreeofsuccessdependingentirelyuponthe degreeofVolicForceoftheotherperson,ascomparedwithyouown.Youwillunderstandthis wellafterafewtrials.Donothesitateincommencingtopracticethisformofmentalinfluence atonce.Youwillimprovebypractice,andwillgraspthetheorybetterfromhavingputitinto practice.Remembertheboynotbeingabletoswimuntilhebelievedhecould,andtried.You shouldofcourseuseVolationinconnectionwiththepowerofsuggestionasexplainedin precedinglessons.Youwillbeabletoconcentrateyourpowersofcommandbyobservingthe exercisesgiveninthelessononConcentration.Inotherlessons,Iwillexplainwhytheseoccult
powersshouldnotbeusedforanyevilpurposesorinworkingharmtoanyone,butIthinkit well,atthispointtocautionstudentsagainstanymisuseofthispower.Suchpractices,besides beingwrongmorally,willresulttothedisadvantageofthepractitioner,andifpersistedin,will wreckhisprospectsintheend.Hemaybesuccessfultemporarilybuttheresultintheendwill bedisastrous.Therearegoodoccultreasonsforthis,andIhopethatmywarningswillbe heededbyanyonereadingthiscourse.Thereisnoharminusingthisknowledgeand informationtowardpromotingyourlegitimatebusinessinterestsandyourwelfare,providing alwaysthatnoharmisinflictedonthepersoninfluenced.Youmayinfluenceamantodeal withyou,andifyoutreathimfairly,youaremakingnomisuseofyourpowers.But,onthe otherhand,ifyoushouldinfluenceamanforthepurposeofswindlingorcheatinghimor doinghimotherharm,youcommitagreatworkingforwhichyouwillsomedaysufferin proportiontothewrongperpetrated.Iamnotspeakingofpunishmentinafuturelife,but righthereinthisworld."Asyesowsoshallreap,"holdswellinthiscase.Thereisverylittle likelihoodofyourmisusingyourpowersofVolation,forwhenyouattainthemfully;youwill instinctivelyrecoilfromtheideaofworkingevilbymeansofyournewfoundstrength.There are,however,afewmenintheworld,who,likeSatan,usetheirmightypowerforevil,but, likeSatan,thesemenaredoomedtoextrememiseryandunhappiness.Theyarelikefallen gods. ThebestexerciseforthedevelopmentofVolationisofcourseConcentration,butitmaybe interestingtothestudenttobeableto"tryhishand"onafewsimpletestssoastogain confidenceinhimself.Iappendafewexercisesforthispurpose.Manyotherswillreadily occurtothestudent.Tryonlyeasytestsatfirst,andthengraduallyworkuptomoredifficult feats.Practicemakesperfect. Letmesayherethatwhenyou"will"anything,donotgetthenotionthatyoumustfrownor clinchyourfistsoranythingofthatsort.Theforceisattainedbyacalm,undisturbedattitude, the"willing"beingdoneintheformofaclam,earnestdemand,andthethoughtthatwhat youexpectwilloccur.Theearnestexpectationisthesecret.Youwillsoongetthe"knack"ofit. Donotbediscouraged,butkeepatituntilyougetthingsworkingsmoothly. Inournextlessonwewilltakeupthesubjectof"longrange"Volationor,moreproperly, TelepathicVolation. Exercise1.Whilstwalkingdownthestreet,fixyourattentionuponsomeonewalkingjust aheadofyou.Adistanceofatleastsixtotenfeetshouldseparateyou,andagreaterdistance isnoobstacle.Fastenafirm,steady,earnestgazeuponyoursubject,focusingthegazeupon thebackoftheneck,justatthebaseofthebrain.Whilstgazingfirmlyatthispoint,willthat thesubjectshallturnhisheadandlookaroundinyourdirection.Alittlepracticeisrequiredto perfectyourselfinthisexercise,butafteryouonceacquirethe"knack"ofit,youwillbe surprisedatthepercentageofpeoplewhomyoucanaffectinthisway.Womenseemtobe morehighlysusceptibletothismentalinfluencethanaremen.
Exercise2.Fixyourgazeuponsomeonesittingaheadofyouinchurch,theater,concert,etc., focusingyourgazeuponthesamepointasinthepreviousexercise,andwillthattheperson shalllookaround.Youwillnoticethatthesubjectwillfidgetaroundinhisseat,appearmore orlessuncomfortable,andfinallyhalfturninhisseatanddirectaquickglanceinyour direction.Thisexperimentwillprovemoresuccessfulwithpersonswhomyouknow,than withstrangers.Thebetteryouknowtheperson,thequickertheinfluencewillmanifestitself. Thetwoexercisejustgivencanbeindefinitelymultipliedbytheingenuityofthestudent.The principleisthesameinallcases,theconcentratedgazeandstrong,earnest,expectantwilling ordemandingtheresult,beingtheprimefactorsinproducingthephenomenon.You,of course,realizethattheconcentratedwillpowercanbedevelopedbythepracticeofthe exercisesgiveninthelessononConcentration.Ifyoufinddifficultyinproducingtheabove results,youwillknowthatyourpowersofconcentrationarenotsufficientlydeveloped,and youwillaccordinglyperfectyourselfinthisrespect. Exercise3.Selectsomepersonwhomaybeseatedontheoppositesideofastreetcarfrom you,butseveralseatstotherightorleftofthepointdirectlyoppositeyou.Youmaylook straightahead,soastoappearasifyouwerenotlookingattheotherparty,butyouwillbe consciousofhispresence,andwillseehimoutofthecornerofyoureye.Directastrong mentaldemandtowardhim,willingandexpectingthathewilllookinyourdirection.Ifyou manageitproperly,youwillfindthatinafewmomentsthepartywillsuddenlyglanceinyour direction.Sometimestheglancewillbedirectedinaseeminglyunconsciousmanner,justasif thepartyhadmerelyfeltapassingfancytolookatyou,whilstinothercasestheglancewill beshotatyou,suddenlyandsharply,asifthepartyhadbeenconsciousofamentalcall.The personobeyingthecalloftenwilllookembarrassed,andsomewhatsheepish,whenhemeets yourfullmagneticgaze,whichyouhavedirecteduponhimwhenheturnedhiseyesinyour direction. Exercise4.Whentalkingwithaperson,andheseemstohesitateinthechoiceofaword, glancesharplyathimandgiveastrongmentalsuggestionofaword.Inmanycaseshewill immediatelyrepeattheword,whichyouhavesuggested.Yourwordmustbeappropriate,as otherwisehisPassivemindmayhesitateaboutusingit,andhisActivemindwillstepinand insertanotherword.Somestudentshavetriedthisexperimentinthecaseofapublicspeaker, preacher,etc.,andhaverelatedmanyamusinginstancesintheirexperience.Iremember readingawork,translatedfromaGermanwriter,inwhichismentionedthecaseofayouth whosepowersofConcentrationandVolationweremosthighlydeveloped.Hewasastudent ataleadingcollege,andbeingmoreinterestedinathleticsportsthaninstudy,ranagreatrisk offallingbehindinhiswork.Havingdiscoveredhispowers,accidentally,hecontrivedaplanin thefurtheranceofwhichhewouldcommittomemorybutafewanswersineachlesson. Whentheprofessorwouldstarttoquizhimhewouldsendforthstrongvibrations,willingthe "professor"toselectcertainquestions,theanswertowhichhehadmemorized,theresult beingthathestoodupwellineachclass.TheGermanwriter,however,wentontosaythathis planfailed,theyoungmaninhisexamination,asthefinalquestionswerebeingpreparedby
thefacultyandsubmittedinwriting,thestudenthadnoopportunitytotrythe"willinggame" onthedayoftheexamination. Exercise5.Aninterestingexperimentisthatofwillingthemovementofapersoninacertain direction.Thiscanbetriedwhenwalkingbehindapersononthestreet,byfocusingthegaze asinstructed.Whenthepersonapproachesanotherpersonwalkingintheoppositedirection, youmaywillthesubjecttoturneithertotherightorleft,inpassingtheotherperson.You mayalsotrythisexperimentinthecaseofapersonapproachingyouinthestreet.Inthiscase youshouldwalkstraightahead,turningneithertotherightnortotheleft,keepingyourgaze fixedontheapproachingparty,andmakingamentalcommandthatheturntotherightor left,asyouwill. Exercise6.Standatyourwindowandfixyoureyesuponanapproachingperson,atthesame timewillingthatheturnhisheadandlookatyouwhilstpassing.Youwillfindthathewillobey yourmentalattraction,seventimesoutoften,providingyourpowersofconcentrationare sufficientlywelldeveloped.EvenwithoutthepracticeoftheConcentrationsexercises,youwill beabletoinfluencepasserbysufficientlyoftentosatisfyyouthatthereis"somethinginit." Youwillbeabletoobtainbetterresultsinthisparticularexperiment,ifyouwillstandatafirst floorwindowratherthanatawindowhigherfromtheground.Themotionofobeyingthe impulseandmerelyturningtheheadbeingsomucheasierthanthemotionoflookinguptoa secondorthirdfloorwindow,thepercentageofresultsobtainedbythefirstplanwillgreatly exceedthoseofthelatterone.Thisexercisemaybevariedbytheplanofcompellingthe attentionofapersonseatedatawindow,whichyouarepassing,andsoon.Whenyouonce begintopracticetheseexercises,youwillfinditsofascinatingthatyouwillinventnewplans oftestingyourpower,youbeinggovernedbytheparticularcircumstancesoftheoccasion. Theseexerciseswilldomuchtodevelopconfidenceinyoupowers,andtoaidyouinacquiring the"knackofsendingoutthevibratoryimpulses.Theyareofcoursemoreorlesstriflingin theirnatures,andunworthyoftheexerciseofthementalpowers,exceptasameansof practice.Theyshouldnotbeusedmerelyfortheamusementofthestudent,andneverforthe amusementofhisfriends.Oneshouldnevertriflewiththesemightyforces,norexhibitthem forthegratificationofthevulgarcuriosityofothers.Thestudentwhograspsthereal significanceoftheLawofMentalcontrolwillhavelittleornodesiretoparadehisknowledge.
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TelepathicVolation
Telepathy,anacceptedfactWonderfulprogressofPsychicScienceThoughttransference VibrationsWonderfulproficiencyofsomeGeneralknowledgenotdesirableDangerofits useforimproperpurposesPracticalusestaughtGeneraltheoryHowtoobtainthebest resultsAdvantagesofconcentrationUseoftelepathicVolationpriortointerviewToattract atadistanceHowtoobtainenrapportconditionsFulldirectionsMentalcontactata distanceTelepathicthoughtwavesMentalpicturesMovingcirclesofthoughtwavesThe psychictubeHowtoformanduseitSelfprotectionfromthethoughtvibrationsofothers PositivementalattitudeToshutoutoutsidethoughtprojectionsHowtopreventoutside PressureandinfluencesEffectofpreviousthoughtinfluencesinpersonalinterviewMatters renderedmucheasierPropermentalattitudeEsotericteachingforthosepreparedand qualifiedtoreceiveitManfindeththatwhichheseekethDiamondsorcoal. Iwillnotattempttotakeupyourtimeinendeavoringtoconvinceyouoftheexistenceof Telepathy.Psychicsciencehasmadesuchwonderfulstridesoflate,thatnotonlyareits studentsfullyawareofthetruthoftelepathy,butthegeneralpublicaswellarefullyposted onthesubject,andgenerallyacceptitasanestablishedfact,asreadilyastheydotheXRays orWirelessTelegraphy.Infact,thepublichasalwaysbelieved,inageneralway,inthought transference,andtherecentscientificexperimentsintelepathyhavebutservedtoconfirm manypeopleintheirbeliefs,whichhavebeenalwaysentertainedbythem.Thepurposeof thislesson,therefore,isnottoconvinceyouofthefactthattelepathyorthoughttransference isanexistentfact,buttogiveyouanideaofthepropermeansofusingthesametoyourown advantage. Everythought,whethervoluntaryorinvoluntary,causesthoughtwavesorvibrationstobe projectedintospace;withVibrations,affectthemindsofotherstoagreaterorlesserdegree. Thereisawaytoprojectthoughtvibrationstowardanotherperson,inastraightline,and therebyattracthisattentiontoyou.Thisplan,comparedtotheordinaryplanofundirected projectionofthoughtwaves,isasarifleballcomparedtoaloadofmustardseedshot.The rifleballisvastlysuperior,providingyouaimstraight. SomemastersofmentalsciencehaveattainedawonderfulproficiencyintheartofTelepathic Volationandsomeoftheresultssecuredbythemwouldbedeemedincrediblebythosenot familiarwiththelawsofdirectedthoughtvibration.Theseresultshavebeenaccomplished onlybyyearsofstudy,experiment,andtheleadingofalifefardifferentfromthatofordinary men.Ifancythatveryfewofmyreaderswouldcareto"paytheprice"ofsuchattainments. Itiswell,perhaps,thatthispowerisnoteasilyacquired,asotherwisemanymightmasterit anduseitforunworthypurposes.Iamintheconfidenceofsomeofthemastersofthis wondrouspower,andhavewitnessedmanystartlingexhibitionsofthoughttransference,but
asthepromiseofsecrecywasexactedfrommebythesefriends,mylipsareofcoursesealed. Outsideoftheseconsiderations,Iwouldbeofverydoubtfulwisdomtospread,broadcast informationofthisnature,whichwouldplacewithinthemeansofunscrupulouspersonsthe powertoworktheirwillsupontheirfellowmen.Evenasitis,fragmentsofthisoccult knowledgehaveleakedoutandhavebeenmisused.Somehavestumbled,byaccident,upon someofthefirstprinciples,andhatepursuedthematterasfarastheirlimitedknowledge wouldpermit,oftensecuringresultswhichbothsurprisedandstartledthem. However,thepurposeofthiscourseofinstructionisnottoattempttomakeitsstudents venerablemastersofoccultlore,mystics,yogis,orwonderworkers,butmerelytogivethema workingknowledgeofthelawsofpersonalinfluencebymeansoftheexerciseofthepowers ofthemindinshort,PersonalMagnetism.Thisbeingthecase,Ishallnotdwelluponthe wonderfulphenomenaproducedatwillbythemastersofthisscience,butwillproceedto giveyouanideaofthefirstprinciplesandpracticeofTelepathicVolation,whichwillbeuseful toyouinyoureverydaylife.Ishallnotattempttocarryyoufurtherthanthemerecompelling theattentionofthepersonwhomyouwishtoinfluence,evenifyouhavehundredsofmiles removedfromthatperson.Ifyouwishtopursuethesubjectfurther,buyreadingand experiment,youareatlibertytodoso,butIwarnyouthatyouwillfindtheattainmentofthe higherdegreesofthissciencenoeasytask.Theprimarydegrees,whichIwillnowteachyou, arequiteeasyofattainment,whenthetheoryisonceunderstood,andneedonlypracticeto makeperfect. AsIhavesaidbefore,allthoughtsproducevibrations,whichspreadlikeripplesonapond, producedbythecastinginofapebble.Theyaffectpeopleinalldirections.If,however,you throwthepebblealongthesurfaceofthewater,theirrippleswillmanifesttheirenergyinthe directioninwhichthestonetravels.Soitiswiththevibrationsoftelepathicvolation,as comparedwiththevibrationsofordinarythought.Forinstance,supposethatyouwishto attracttheattentionofanypersonwhomyouaredesirousofinterestinginyourbehalf.You maythinkearnestlyofyourdesiretointeresthim,andifyouhavereadsomethingofMental Science,youmaypicturehimasbeinginterestedinyou.Bysodoing,youwillundoubtedly sendforthstrongthoughtvibrationsinalldirections,someofwhichwillreachyourmanand mayaffecthimtoagreaterorlesserdegree,dependingmateriallyuponyourdegreeof positivenesstowardhim.Atthebest,hereceivesnostrongerimpulsethandoesanyother personinanywayconnectedwithyou.But,ontheotherhand,ifyousoarrangeyourmental telepathicapparatusthatthestrongvibratoryimpulsetravelsinastraightlinetothedesired person,themessagewillbereceivedfarmoreclearly.Theimpactofthevibrationswillbe muchstronger. Inordertoproducethebestresults,youshouldpracticetheexerciseintheconcentration giveninthiscourse.Youwillbeabletoproducesomeresultswithoutknowledgeof Concentration,butwithityouhavetenfoldpower.Iwillassumethatyouhaveacquireda
36
workingknowledgeofConcentration,andhavepracticedtheexercises.Now,forthe productionofresults: Youexpecttohaveaninterviewwithaman,inafewdays,inwhichyouhopetointeresthim inyourplansandenterprises.Thismanisperhapsastrangertoyou,oratleastisindifferent toyouandthereexistsnoattractiononhisparttowardsyou.Youknowthatyouwillbeable toinfluencehimbythemethodsalreadyexplained,butyouwish,ifpossible,toopenup directcommunicationwithhimbeforetheinterviewtogetenrapportwithhimata distance.Youareperfectlyrightinfeelingthatyourchancesofsuccesswillbeimprovedby thesemeans,asonceyoumanagetogetenrapportwithamanorwoman,youhavegained animportantpoint,forthatpersoncannothelpfeelinganinterestinyouthereafterperhaps astronginterest. Thebestplanforyoutopursue,undertheabovecircumstances,istoestablishamental rapportwithyourmanbymeansoftelepathicvolation.Yourfirststepistogetbyyourself,in somequietplace,andeitherliedown,orsitdowninaneasychair.Getatease,andrelax everymuscle;"letgo"ofyourbodyuntilyouareaslimpasadampclothandarescarcely consciousofhavingabody.Calmyourselfandsecureapassive,restfulframeofmind,thinking ofnothingoutsideofyourself,and,aboveeverythingelse,shutoutalldisturbingfear thoughts.Youwillbeabletodothiseasilybyconcentration. Afteryouhavesecuredthepropercondition,thinkintently,butcalmly,oftheotherparty.Do notfrownorclinchyourfistsinyoureffortsto"think,"butremainpassiveandrelaxedthe effortmustbeacalm,steadymentaleffort.Youwillbeassistedbytheclosingoftheeyesand theproductionofamentalimageofthepersonwithwhomyouwishtogetenrapport.Ifyou haveneverseenthisperson,makethementalfigurewithoutdistinctfeatures.Afterafew trialsyouwillnoticethatthementalpictureseemsmorerealtoyou,infact,yourealizethat insomewayyouareinmentalcontactwiththeotherperson.Whenthisstageisattained, thenyouwillletyourminddwellonyourwishesinregardtothisperson,andimaginehim doingasyouwish.Yourprincipalmindpicture,however,mustbethatofthemanhimself,as thisholdstheconnectionbetweenyouthe"daydreams"ofhisactingasyouwishmerely shapingthelesserthoughtwaves.Theselesserthoughtwavesare,ofcourse,movingincircles inalldirections,butarereachingyourmanwithmuchgreaterforcethanusual,thedirectline ofcommunicationbeingopen.Youwillimprovegreatlybypracticeandexperiment. Thebestresultsareobtainedwhenyougettheimpressionoflookingthroughalongtube aboutonefootindiameter,youbeingatoneendandyourmanattheother.Thisimpression, whichcanbeacquiredbyconcentration,isanindicationofperfectrapport,andindicatesthat youhavesucceededinshuttingoutalloutsideimpressionsandhaveopenedupthepsychic lineofcommunication.Whenyouattainthisstage,youmayrestassuredthatyouaremaking astrongimpression,unlessthemanattheotherendofthepsychictubeunderstandsthelaw ofmentalcontrolandhadfeltanindicationofthoughtvibrationsbeingdirectedtowardhim,
inwhichcasehewillassumea"positive"mentalstate.Themorepassivetheothermanmay beatthatmoment;thebetterwillbetheresults.Alittlepracticewilldevelopthispower,and youwillgettheimpressionofthe"tube"moreclearly,andwillformamuchclearermental pictureoftheotherperson. Somelittlepracticemayberequiredbeforeyoucanobtainthismentalimpressionofthelong tube,althoughsomestudentsseemtobeabletoproduceitfairlywellatthefirsttrial.You,of coursewillhavesecuredthenecessarypassiveconditioninyourself.Thenextstepisto producethementalimpressionofthetubularconnection.Thiswillappearfirstasafaint, shadowyring,whichbydegreeswillbecomemoredistinct,andwillresolveitselfintothe shapeofanopenendofatube.Thetubewillthenlengthenout,and,lateron,youwillbe abletoseeclearalongitsenormouslength.Youmayobtainthisresultinafewexperiments, and,ontheotherhand,mayberequiredtopracticeitanumberoftimes.Itseemstobe greatlyamatterofobtainingthe"knack"offormingthementalpicture.Youmayobtaingood resultswithouttheproductionofthetubulareffect,butthebestresultsseemtobeobtained bythosewhocanproducethiseffect. Imayaswelltellyouatthispoint,thatyoushouldcultivatethe"positivementalattitude,"as itwillenableyoutoobtainmuchbetterresultsandwillpreventyourbeinginfluencedbythe exerciseofVolationonthepartofothers.Ifyoufeelanindicationofoutsideinfluence,you havemerelytoformthethoughtrecognizingthe"IAM"whichwillimpartafeelingof psychicalstrengthtoyouatonce,andrenderyouimpervioustothevibrations.Byafull appreciationandrecognitionofthehigherself,youwillsurroundyourselfwithathought aura,whichwillprotectyou,withoutanyvoluntaryeffortofthemindfromoutsidemental influences.Untilyoufullyacquirethisrecognitionyoumerelyhavetoholdthethoughtfora moment,assertyourrealselfbytheaffirmation"IAM,"accompaniedwiththemental conceptionoftherealself.Amentalimageofyourselfsurroundedbyaprotectingthought aurawhichdeflectsthevibrationsofothers,will,ofitself,createanaurawhichdeflectsthe vibrationsofothers,will,ofitself,createanauraofmoderateproportionswhichwilllastas longasyouholdthethought,andwillactasaperfectdefenseagainstoutsidevibrations.You shouldpracticetheproductionofthesementalpictures,astheresultswillbeofgreatvalueto you.Ifyoueverfeelthatyouwishtobealoneandabletothinkwithouttakingtheopinionsof othersintoconsideration;justsitdownandshutoutthevibrationsasabovestated,andyou willbesurprisedattheclearnessofthoughtwhichwillresult.Iwilltellyouinmynextlesson abouttheinfluenceofthoughtvibrationsofothers,evenwhennotdirectedatus,movein wideningcircles,affectingusallmoreorless.Naturehadprovideduswithinstinctivepowers ofresistance,butneverthelessweareaffectedmoreorlessbythethoughtvibrationsof others,andwhatwethinkareouropinionsareoftenmerelytheconsensusoftheopinionsof otherswithwhomwearesurrounded.Thechangeofresidencebyamanmayresultinhis changinghisviewsofreligion,politics,ethics,etc.,tocorrespondwiththegeneralimpressions ofhisnewenvironment,thechangebeingwroughtbytheeffectofthecombinedthought wavesofhisnewneighbors.Alittlereflectionwillremindyouofnumerousinstancesofthese
phenomena:Wavesofpopularfeelingwillsweepoveracountry,arousingnearlyeveryone, andthen,willdieoutassuddenlyastheycame.Apeaceablecrowdmaybeconvertedintoa savagemob,andsoon;theemotionsandopinionsofamanbeingmoldedtoagreateror lesserdegreebythequalityofthethoughtwavesreachinghim.Youwillreadilyseehow valuableistheknowledgewhichwillenableyoutoshutouttheseoutsideimpressionsatwill, andallowyoutobegovernedentirelybyyourownreason,judgmentorintuition.Donotpass bythismatterlightly,forthetimemaycomewhenthisknowledgewillbeofincalculable benefittoyou.Therearetimesinwhichclearthinkingisofvitalimportancetoeveryman.A powerfulpressuremaybebroughtonyoutodoacertainthing,andyouareundecidedjust howtoact.Youneedyourbestthoughtathispoint,andthewaytogetitistosurround yourselfwiththeprotectingthoughtaura,andwhilstsecureinyourownmentalcastle,decide whatisbesttobedone.Manyofyourbestdecisionswillbemadeinthisway.Byallmeans acquiretheart. Ihavedigressedsomewhat,inmydesiretoinstructyouinthemeansofdefense,andwewill nowresumeourdiscussionofoffensivemethods.Wewillsupposethatyouhavefollowedthe instructionsregardingtheopeningupofdirectmentalconnectionswithyourmanbymeans oftelepathicvolation.When,lateron,youcomeintohispresenceyouwillfindthatheseems toevincemoreinterestinyouthanformerly;hewillactasifheisbetteracquaintedwithyou andhasknownyouforyears,andwillconsequentlycauseyoutofeelmore"athome"with himthatusual.Idonotmeantosaythathewill,ofnecessity,dojustwhatyouhavewilled thatheshould(youhavenotadvancedthatfar),buthewillshowadispositiontomeetyou halfway,andmatterwillprogressmuchmoresmoothlythanmighthavebeenexpected.Of course,arepetitionoftheexerciseoftelepathicvolationwilltendto"easeup"mattersstill more.Donotbediscouragedatseemingfailures,butkeepatitandsuccesswillcomewhen youleastexpectit. Inallinterviewsmaintainafearless,confidentframeofmind,anddonotforgettousethe powerofyoureye.Thelatteroftenreopenstheconnectionpreviouslyestablishedby telepathicvolationreestablishestherapportconditionsandmakesthebalanceofthe interviewmuchmoreinconformitywithyourdesires.Youmustbegovernedbycircumstances andmustlearntoapplytheabovestatedmethodstowidelydifferingconditions.Theabove sampleisgivenyoumerelyasanillustration.Itsprinciplesarecorrectandmaybeapply,with appropriatevariations,toanycaseinwhichyouwishtoinfluenceanotheratadistance, preparatorytoapersonalinterview.Theprincipleisthesameinallcases. Thestudentwhohasgoneovertheselessonscarefullywilldiscovermuchthatwillbemissed bythecasualreader.Hewillbeabletoreadbetweenthelines.Ifyouareontherighttrack, muchthathasbeenstatedwillappearplainertoyouwitheachreading.Youwillgetnewideas everytimeyoutakeupalessonandreadit,whilstthecasualreaderwillmerelyskimoverit andnotenterintoitsspirit,theresultbeingthatsuchpersonwillmisstheesotericteachings andwillonlyseetheoutwardoresotericmeaning,andwillfindtheexplanationsandexercise
aboutas"clearasmud."Thisisjustasitisintended.Manfindeththatwhichheseeketh.One manwillfindcoalplainlyexposed,whilstanotherwillfindthediamondembeddedinthe earth,butbothdiamondandcoalarecomposedofthesamematerial."Askandyeshall receive;""seekandyeshallfind."Inconcludingthislesson,letmesaythatwhilstthepowers ofthemind,asillustratedintheformssetforthinthisandprecedinglessons,mayappear wonderful,thepowerofthoughtasexemplifiedbywhatisknownastheAdductivePowerof Thought,farexceedsthephasesofwhichIhavetoldyou.Iwillendeavortoimparttoyouan ideaofthiswonderfulsubjectinournextlesson.
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TheAdductiveQualityofThought
PrenticeMulford'stheoryThoughtsareThingsThoughtadynamicforceMindandmatter identicalMiraclesofNatureProfessorGray'sexperimentswithvibrationsWonderfulresults ProfessorWilliams'significantstatementFoodforthoughtCharacterofthoughtvibrations MurkythoughtwavesandfleecythoughtwavesYourthoughtretainsaconnectionwithyou andaffectsyouThoughtaurasLikeattractslikeAwonderfulmanifestationofpsychic phenomenaResultsoffearorworrythoughtAdvantageofconfidentthinkingSuccessful mentheresultofproperthoughtRealizedtheiridealRequisitesforsuccess"IcanandI will"OthersattractedtowardyouAnythingisyoursifyouonlywantithardenoughHelen Wilman'stheory. ThatgreatwriteronthepowerofthemindPrenticeMulford,hassummedupmuchofhis philosophyinthestatement:"ThoughtsareThings."Inthesewordshegaveexpressiontoa mightytruth,which,iffullyapprehendedbymankind,wouldrevolutionizetheworld.Thought isnotonlyadynamicforce,itisarealthing,justasisanyothermaterialobject.Thoughtis merelyafinerformofmatter,orgrosserformofspirityoumaycalliteitherwithequal correctness.Matterisbutagrosserformofmind,mindbutafinerformofmatter.Thereis butonesubstanceinnature,butthatsubstancehasmanyforms,rangingfromthemost material(socalled)forms,tothehighestformSpirit. Whenwethink,wesendoutvibrationsofafineetherealsubstance,whichisasrealasthe finervaporsorgasses,theliquids,thesolids.Wedonotseethoughtneitherdoweseethe finervaporsorgasses.Wecannotsmellortastethoughtneitherdowesmellortastethe pureair.Wecanfeelithowever,asmanycantestifywhichismorethanwecansayofthe powerfulmagneticvibrationsofamightymagnet,which,whilstexertingaforcesufficientto attracttowarditapieceofsteelweighingahundredpounds,isabsolutelywithouteffect uponus.Itsvibrationsmaypassthroughourbodiesandexertitsforceonthesteel,whilewe maybeunawareofitsexistence.Lightandheatsendoutvibrationsofalowerintensitythan thoseofthought,buttheprincipleisthesame.Theevidenceofthefivesensesisnot absolutelynecessarytoestablishtheexistenceofamaterialsubstanceorforce.Theannuals ofsciencearefullofproofsofthisfact,ProfessorElishaGray,andeminentscientist,saysinhis littlebook"TheMiraclesOfNature." "Thereismuchfoodforspeculationinthethoughtthatthereexistssoundwavesthatno humanearcanhear,andcolorwavesoflightthatnoeyecansee.Thelong,dark,soundless spacebetween40,000and400,000,000,000,000vibrationspersecond,andtheinfinityof rangebeyond700,000,000,000,000vibrationspersecond,wherelightceases,intheuniverse ofmotion,makesitpossibletoindulgeinspeculation." M.M.Williams,inhisworkentitled"ShortChaptersinSciences,"says,"Thereisnogradation betweenthemostrapidundulationsortremblingsthatproduceoursensationofsound,and
theslowestofthosewhichgiverisetooursensationsofgentlestwarmth.Thereisahugegap betweenthem,wideenoughtoincludeanotherworldofmotion,alllyingbetweenourworld ofsoundandourworldofheatandlight,andthereisnogoodreasonwhatsoeverfor supposingthatmatterisincapableofsuchintermediateactivity,orthatsuchactivitymaynot giverisetointermediatesensations,providedthereareorgansfortakingupandsensifying thesemovements." Icitetheaboveauthoritiesmerelytogiveyoufoodforthought,nottoattemptto demonstratetoyouthefactthatthoughtvibrationsexist.Thelastmentionedsubjectwould befarbeyondthescopeandpurposesofthiswork,andcanonlybetoucheduponherein. Thecharacterofthethoughtvibrationssentoutbyusdependsuponthenatureofthe thoughtitself.Ifthoughthadcolor(andsomesaythattheyhave),weshouldseeourfearand worrythoughtasmurky,heavy,cloudshangingclosetotheearth;ourbright,cheerfuland happy,confident,"IcanandIwill'thoughtaslight,fleecy,vaporycloudshangingclosetothe earth;ourbright,cheerfulandhappy,confident,"IcanandIWill"thoughtsaslight,fleecy, vaporyclouds,travelingswiftlyandminglingwithothersoftheirkind,formingfleecycloud banks,highabovethelevelofthedense,mephitic,foulexhalationsproducedbyfearand worry"Ican't"thoughts. Nomatterhowfaryourthoughtwavesmaytravel,theyretainacertainconnectionwithyou andexertaninfluenceoveryouaswellasothers.Youcannoteasilygetridoftheinfluence overyouaswellasothers.Youcannoteasilygetridoftheinfluenceofthese"childrenofyour mind."Ifyouhavebeensendingoutbadthoughts,youaresubjecttotheirinfluence,and youronlyhopeistoneutralizeandcounteractthembysendingoutstrong,newthought wavesofthepropersort,orbyassertingtheIAM,andtherebycreatingamentalaura,orby bothmeans. Theoldsaying"Likeattractslike"and"Birdsofafeatherflocktogether,"arebothliterally exemplifiedbythetendenciesofthoughtwaves.Thereiswhatisknownasthe"Adductive QualityofThought,"theword"adductive"beingderivedfromtheLatinwordadductum,to bringto.Themanifestationofthisqualityofthoughtisoneofthemostwonderfulfeaturesin therealmofpsychicphenomena. Fearorworrythoughtwillattractothersoftheirownkind,andwillcombinewiththem,the resultbeingthatyouwillbeafflictednotonlybytheproductofyourownmind,butalsoby thoseemanatingfromthemindsofothers,thewholeformingaheavyburden.Andthelonger thatyoupersistinthatlineofthought,theheavierwillbeyourburden.Ontheotherhand,if youthinkbright,cheerfulandhappythoughtstheywilldrawtothemselvesothersofthe samedegree,andyouwillfeelbrighter,morecheerfulandhappierfromtheircombined influence.Thisisabsolutelytrue,butyouarenotaskedtoacceptitonfaithalone.Tryitand beconvinced.But,intheexperiment,besuretocouplethethoughtswithafeelingof
confidenceintheoutcome,andyouwillobtainmuchbetterandquickerresults.Halfhearted, doubtingthoughtshaveonlyasmallpercentageoftheforceofconfident,expectantones. Ifyouthinkalongthelinesofdiscouragement,lackofconfidence,"afraidtotry,""knowI can't"lines,youwillattracttoyourselftheforceofothermurkythoughtsofthesamekind, andyouwillfindthatyoureally"can't,"andmoreover,everyoneelsewillseemtoentertain justthesameopinionregardingyourability.Butjustbraceupandsendoutearnest, confident,fearless,"IcanandIWILL"thoughtwaves,andyouwillattracttoyourselfthe similarthoughtwavesofothers,whichwillstillfurtherstimulateandstrengthenyou,and helpyoutoaccomplishyouraims. Ifyousendoutjealous,enviousthoughts,theywillcomehomebringingtheirmateswith them,andyouwillbewretcheduntiltheeffectpassesoff.Sowillwavesofhatereturnto harmyou,havinggainedforceandpowerontheirjourney.Theoldproverb"Curseslike chickenscomehometoroost,"ismuchnearertherealtruththanisgenerallysupposed. Angerthoughtarousesangerintheotherman(unlesshehasrenderedhimselfpositiveto them),andhesendsbackhisreturnthoughtwaves;besideswhichotherangerwavesmingle andhelpontheviciouswork.Youhaveheardpeoplesay,"Amanalwaysfindswhathelooks for."Ofcoursehedoes,hecannothelpit,forhisthoughtattractsothersofthesamesort,and heseesaworldofthesamecolorashismentalspectacles. Goodthoughtattractsgoodevilthoughts,evil.Ifyouhateamanandsendhimyourhate thoughts,youwillgethateinreturn,andwillfaceahatingandhatefulworld.Inthethought world,yougetbackwhatyousendoutwithgoodinterest.Sendoutkindthoughtsandkind thoughtswillreturntoyou,withcompoundinterest,andyouwillfindyourselfgreetedbya kind,helpingworld,andwillbemuchthegainer.Ifonlyfromaselfishpointofview,itpaysto thinkthebestthoughts.Ifyouwillpracticethinkingalongtheselinesfor,say,onemonth,you willfindthegreatestdifferenceinthings,thegreatestchangeinyourself,andyouwillfind thatyoulookwithaversionsanddisgustuponyourold,mean,low,miserablewayofthinking, andwouldnotreturntoitunderanyconsiderationno,notforafortune.Beforethemonth willhavepassedyouwillbeconsciousofthehelpfulforceoftheresponsivethoughtwaves, andyourlifewillseementirelydifferenttoyou.Tryit.Tryitnow.Youwillneverregretit. Therearetwoparticularlybadthoughts,whichyoushouldrootout,firstofall,andyouwill findthat,whenyouhaveridyourselfofthebalancewilldieoutoftheirownaccord.Iallude toFearandHate.Thesetwofollowingweedsaretheparentsofmostoftheothers.Worryis theoldestchildofFear,andbearsacloseresemblancetoitsfather.Envy,Malice,andAnger aresomeofthenumerousbroodsclaimingHateastheirparent.Destroythe"oldones"and youwillnotbetroubledwiththeiroffspring.Iwillspeakfurtheronthispointinthelessonon CharacterBuilding. IwillnowprocesstoanotherphaseoftheAdductiveQualityofThought.Irefertoits exhibitionalongthelinesofSuccessbyrightThinking.
Itmayseemalmostincredibletoyou,butitisafact,thatallsuccessfulmenowetheir greatnesstotheirearnest,forceful,concentratedthoughtvibrations.Theyfixedtheirmind uponacertainlineofthought;broughttheaidofWilltherecognitionoftheIAMtobear onthatlineofthought;allowedthatlineofthoughttomoldtheircharacters;wentstraightto themarkatwhichtheyandaimedinthebeginning.Othershadaimedforthesamemark,but failedbecausetheyfailedtoholdthethought,andhadallowedthemselvestobecome discouraged,intimidated,temptedorcoaxedawayformtheirideal. Therequisitesforthesuccessfulfollowupofathoughtidealtotheend,are,first,an overpoweringDesire(notamerewish);second,astrongbeliefinyourabilitytoaccomplish yourdesire(notamerehalfheartedfaith);and,third,aninvincibleDeterminationtowin(not amerebackboneless"I'lltryto"). Itisastrangethinganddifficulttoexplain(withoutleadingyouintometaphysicaldepths),but themeasureofsuccessbythisplanseemstodependmateriallyuponyourbeliefintheforce. Ahalfheartedbeliefwillbringonlyhalfwayresults,whilstanearnest,firm,confidentbelief that"yourwinwillcometoyou"willaccomplishresultslittleshortofmarvelous.Cultivate thatsortofbelief,andaccompanyitwithafirmmentaldemandforwhatyouwant,andyou willsucceed."Askandyoushallreceive,knockanditshallbeopeneduntoyou,"but accompanytheaskingandknockingwiththefirmbeliefandexpectationofSuccess. HelenWilmansays:"HewhodaresasserttheIMaycalmlywaitWhilehurryfateMeetshis demandwithsuresupply." Butthewords"calmlywait"referonlytothestateofmindandindicatesthatcalm,confident expectationofa"surething."Itdoesnotmeanthatamanshallsitdownandfoldhishands anddonothingmorethan"calmlywait"for"hurryingfat"todrophisrewardinhislap.Oh, no.HelenWilmansnevermeantthatsheisnotbuiltthatway.Theman,whoispossessedof thedominatingdesire,andconcentratedthoughtimpulses,doesnotsitdownandmerely waithecouldn'tdothatwithoutsacrificinghiskeendesireandearnestpursuit."Thought manifestsitselfinAction"thefirmerthethought,thestrongertheaction.Youmaywanta thingintheworstway,andbefullyconfidentofyourabilitytosecureit,butyouaregoing afterthatthingthebestwayyouknowhow,andare"goingtogetit."Youwillagreewith Garfield,whosaid,"Donotwaitforathingtoturnupgooutandturnsomethingup,"with allyourmightandmain,butcarryingwithyouthecalmdemandthatthatthingwillbe "turnedupastheresultofyourgoingoutandturning."Andyouwillfeelallthetimethe confidentexpectationofthe"thing"obeyingyourcommand. Iwishthatmyspacewouldallowmetotellyouofthewonderfulresultsofthisplanof thinkingandacting,butIcanmerelytouchuponitandcallyourattentiontotheworkingsof theLaw.But,afterall,onemustlearnathingbyexperiencebeforetheywillappreciateits truth.TheIAMisnotsatisfiedinanyotherway.Iwanteveryonewhoreadsthislessontostart inandpracticetheNewThoughtplan.YouwillhavetoacceptwhatIsayonfaith,atfirst,but
youwillsoonbegintodemonstrateitscorrectnessbypersonalexperience,andthenyouwill knowittobetrue,andwillpushforwardtowardSuccess. Anythingisyours,ifyouonlywantithardenough.Justthinkofit.ANYTHING.Tryit.Tryitin earnestandyouwillsucceed.ItistheoperationofamightyLaw. OurnextlessonwilltakeupthesubjectofCharacterBuilding,andwillshowyouthat"asa manthinkethinhisheart,soishe."
45
CharacterBuildingByMentalControl
MancanmakeofhimselfwhathewillRegenerationnoidledreamAlivingtruthStrong facultiesmadestronger,weakfacultiesdevelopedThenew"Regenerator"TheLawof MentalControlThenewpaththroughthewoodsMakingyourselfoverTobreakupold thoughthabitsandformnewonesThefourgreatmethodsForceofWillHypnotic SuggestionAutoSuggestionThoughtAbsorptionIdealtreatmentFullinstructioninthe theoryofeachofthefourmethods,showingtheirrespectiveadvantagesanddisadvantages, withillustrationsofeachHowtoacquireadesiredqualityofmindThepracticeofThought AbsorptionPracticalexercisesanddirectionsExercises1to6Youareyourownmaster Makeofyourselfwhatyouwill. Thestudentwhohasreadtheprecedinglessonshasdoubtlesslysaid,afterreadingsomeof thestatementscontainedtherein,"yes,thatisalltrueenough,andIcouldaccomplishthese resultsifIbutpossessedthenecessaryqualitiesofmindandcharacter." Thisseemstobethegreatstumblingblocktomany.Theyknowjustwhatisnecessaryto produceSuccess,butbecausetheydonotpossessthecharacteristicsofthesuccessfulman theyfancy,thattheprizeisbeyondtheirreach.Thereisnogreatermistakeintheworkthat thisfalsebelief,thiskindoffearthought,thislackofrecognitionofthepoweroftheIAM. Mancansomoldhismindbythepowerofthewillthatcanmakeofhimselfpracticallywhat hewill.Hecan"makeover"himself,withoutadoubt.Amanisjustwhathewillshimselfto be.Thisisaboldstatement,butitisabsolutelytrueandwehavehundredsofinstancesofitin everycityinthisland.Hundredsofmencantestifytoitscorrectness,andmanyhundredsof othersareontheroad.Regenerationisnoidledream.Itisalivingtruth.Youwillrealizejust whatthismeans,ifyouwillstoptoconsiderthateveryeffecthasitscause.Businesssuccessis duetocertainqualitiesofmind,characterortemperament.Ofthesethreequalities,thefirst istheonlyrealone,asthelasttwoarebuttheresultsofthefirst.Thosewhohavethegiven qualities,producethegivenresult;thoselackingthesaidqualities,failtoobtaintheresult. Whenonceyourealizethatthesequalitiesarewithinyourgraspthatyoucanmakethema partofyourself,youwillreadilyseethatwonderfulpossibilitiesareopentoyou.The acquirementofthesequalitiesiskeytothesituation. Youknowjustwhatthesenecessaryqualitiesare:Energy,Ambition,Determination,Courage, Confidence,Perseverance,Patience,Prudence,andtherestofthelist. Allpersonspossesssomeofthesequalities,andlackothers.Somearestronginsomeofthese qualities,andweakinothers.Andeverymaninstinctivelyknowsinjustwhatrespecthefalls short.Hemaynotadmitittohisfriends,oreventohiswife,butdeepdowninhisinner consciousnesslurkstheknowledgeofthetruth.Ifhecouldacquirethemissingqualitiesbya merewish,hewouldknowjustwhattowishfor.Nodoubtaboutthat.
Buthelackstheconfidenceandperseverancethoughttobenecessaryfortheacquirementof thatwhichheknowsheneeds.Heisnotwillingtopaythepriceofattainment.Ifsomegreat scientistwouldannouncetotheworldthathehaddiscoveredsomewonderfulchemical combination,orsomenew"serum,"thatwoulddeveloptheshrunkenandatrophiedfaculties ofthemind,andwhichwouldrenderamanstrongerinthequalitieswhereinhehadbeen weak,whatarushtherewouldbeforthenew"regenerator."Thousandswouldwantit,and everymanwouldbeabletotelljustwhatbrandofserumheneeded.Hewouldneedthe diagnosisorprescriptionforthat.Everymanwouldbeabletodiagnosehisowncaseand ordertheserumindicatedbyhissymptom.OnewouldwanttripleextractofEnergy;another, the"Sticktoit"brand;another,thevialbearingtheconfident"ICAN"label;andsoon.They wouldbeabletoroundouttheircharacters,andcommandsuccess.Now,thereisnodrug thatwillproducethisresult.Andthereneverwillbe.Butthedesiredresultcanbeobtained bytheoperationofthelawofMentalControl. Icangiveyoubutageneralideaoftheworkingsofthisgreatlaw,butifyouwillpayattention towhatIhavetosayonthesubject,youwillgrasptheprinciple,andwillbeabletoworkout yourownsalvation.Thefirstpointtorememberisthatweareallcreaturesofhabit,bodily andmentally.Ourcharacteristicsarelargelytheresultofhabitsofthought.Wemayhave inheritedimpulseswhichmadeiteasiertoformcertainhabits,andmoredifficulttoform certainhabitsofthought,andmoredifficulttoformothers,andweconsequentlymovealong thelinesoftheleastresistance;butthecharacteris,afterall,theresultofcertainacquired habits.Wefollowwellwornmentalpaths,inpreferencetomakingnewpathsthroughthe woods,eventhoughweknowthatthenewpathwouldbethebetter,byfar,andthatiswould beaseasytotraveloverasthepresentone,whenitwasfinallyformed.Weknowallthis.Itis anoldstory.Thenwhydowenotstartintomakethenewpath?Simplybecause"itistoo muchtrouble."Welackthewillpower,determinationandpersistencytodoit.Iadmitthatit isnoeasytask,butthinkofthereward. Thesethingsare"ancienthistory"toyou,ofcourse,butIhavesomethingelsetosaytoyou onthesubjectthatisnotso"antiquated."Iproposetomakeyouapresentofalaborsaving "pathmaker,"whichisguaranteedtoclearawaytheunderbrushandrubbishinbutafraction ofthetime,andwithmuchlesslabor,thattheoldploddingclearingawayprocess. Thisnewplanisverysimple,butveryeffective,andwillenableyouto"makeyourselfover" withouttherippingapartprocessdependentupontheothermethod.Iwilltellyouaboutitin asfewwordsaspossible.Ihavealreadyexplainedtoyouthatyourmindpossesstwoplanes ofeffort,twofunctions,theActiveandthePassive.TheActivefunctiondoesthevolitional, originalthinking,whilstthePassivefunctiondoesonlywhatitistoldtodobytheActive function(orbyothers).ThePassivefunctionistheeasygoingpartnerofthefirm,towhomI introducedyouinapreviouslesson.Itisthispartoftheminduponwhichhypnotistsoperate, afterlullingtosleeptheActivefunction,thecriticalpartner.ThePassivefunction,althoughin asensetheinferior,reallyrulesus,unlessweknowhowtomanageit.Itisthehabitfunction,
thebeatentrackfunction,ofwhoseexistenceweareallconscious.Itiseasilyinfluenced,but neverthelessis"set"initsways.Tellitathingoverandoversomething,whichyouwishitto believeanditwillendupacceptingthenewthoughtandbeingas"set"inthenewnotionas itwasintheformerone.Thisisthesecretofbreakingupthehabitsofthought;action; disposition;andcharacter.ThesuggestionuponwhichthePassivefunctionactsmaycome fromyourownActivemind,orfromthemindofanother.Thisistheexplanationofthe beginningofahabit,goodorbad.Tobreakupoldthoughthabits,andtoreplacethemwith newhabitsofthinking,oneormoreofseveralplansmaybeused.Onemayaccomplishthe resultsbysheerforceofwill;anotherbyhypnoticsuggestionfromanexperiencedqualified operator;toyourPassivemind,afourthbythatwhichIwilltermThoughtAbsorption. Breakingupthoughthabitsbysheerforceofwillisamostdifficulttask,asmostofusknow, forwehavealltiredit.Itisaplanbywhichonlythestrongestsucceedwhilsttheweakerare defeatedandrelinquishtheeffort,experiencingadditionaldiscouragementanddespair.We accomplishthisresultbythe"strengtheningofthewill,"ormorecorrectlybythe strengtheningoftheActiveFunctionofthemindbythewill,enablingittostepinandsimply commandthePassivefunctiontodroptheoldthoughthabitandadoptthenewinitsplace.It isamagnificentfeat,butverydifficultofperformance.Thesameresultcanbeobtainedbyan easierplan.TheveryhabitofmakingthePassivemindmoreamendabletothecommandsof theActivefunctioncanbeacquiredbytheeasierplanofwhichIwillspeakinthislesson. Thesecondplan,thechangingofthethoughthabitbyHypnoticSuggestion,hasbeen followedbymany,withexcellentresults,provided,always,thattheoperatorwasaproper person,thoroughlyunderstandinghisprofession,andbeingfullyacquaintedwiththelatest methodsoferadicatingundesirablethoughthabits.Inthisconnection,Iwouldsaythatone shouldbeverycarefulinwhosehandstheyplacethemselvesfortreatmentofthissort.One shouldnottrusttheircasetoapersonjustbecausethatpersoncouldgivehypnotic suggestion;onewouldnotemployamanascashierofabankjustbecausetheapplicantcould keepbooks,andcountmoneyrapidly. Thethirdplan,whichofproducingtheresultbyautosuggestionisgood,especiallywhen accompaniedbyThoughtAbsorption.Inautosuggestionyousimplykeeponrepeatingtothe Passivemindthestatementthatthenewhabitsexists(ignoringtheoldon),andthePassive mind,althoughinclinedtobealittlerebelliousatfirst,willeventuallyacceptwhatyousayas thought.Itwilladoptthenewthoughthabitasitsownthoughtjustasdosomepeopleunder likecircumstances.Autosuggestionispracticallyselfhypnosisofthepassivemindbythe Activemind.Itisacaseof"everymanhisownhypnotist." Thethirdplan,taughtAbsorption,consistsintheplacingofyourselfinaperfectlypassive condition,atfrequentintervalsandfixingthemindintentlyupontheideaormental statement,thatthenewhabitsexist;picturingyourself,byaneffortoftheimagination,as beingamanpossessedtothedesiredqualities.Youshould"carrythethought"withyou continually,picturingyourselfaspossessingthedesiredhabit,ineveryleisuremoment,day
andnight,andinotherwaysactingoutthebelief.ThisispurelyanactionofthePassivemind, assistedbytheimagination.Itseemsverysimple,buttheresults,whichhavebeenattained byit,seemlittleshortofmarvelous.Itisbyfartheeasiest,andoneofthemosteffective methodsofmakingoveryourcharacter.Theimaginedthingbecomesarealityina comparativelyshorttime,andactionfollowcloseuponheheelsofthought. InmyopinionthecombinationofautosuggestionandThoughtAbsorptionaffordtheideal treatmentinCharacterBuilding.Ifpersistedin,itwillaccomplishthemostmarkedresultsina comparativelyshorespaceoftime,theeffectbeingfeltfromtheveryfirst.Donotpassover thislightly;becauseitseemssosimple.Itisasecretworththousandsofdollarstoyou,and one,whichyouwouldnotpartwithforanymoney,onceyouhaveexperienceditsbenefits. Iwillnowgiveyouabriefexplanationoftheseveralmethodsabovereferredto.Letustake theFear(worry)thoughthabit,asanillustration.Itaffordsanexcellentillustrationofthebad habitsoftherestofthebadthought,foritdoesmoretounfitoneforthedutiesoflifethanall therestofthebadthoughtscombined,andalsobringswithitthevilebroodofmiserable weakeningthoughthabitsofwhichitistheparent.Themanwhohastornoutbytheroots thevileFearthought(worrythought)hasprogressedalongdistanceontheroadtoFreedom. Fearthoughtneverhelpedanyone,andneverwill;butithaswreckedthecareersof thousandsofmenandwomen,paralyzingtheirenergies,preventingtheirprogress,enfeebling theirminds,anddiseasingtheirbodies.Wehaveallfeltit,andthoseofuswhohavebanished itwouldnotreturntoitsthralldomunderanyconsideration.Lifeisanentirelydifferentthing tothemanwhohasrootedoutthisnoxiousweed.Hebecomesanentirelydifferentorderof being.Mostofthethingswefearneveroccur;andthefewthatdooccurcanberootedbya boldfront,aidedbythestrength,whichtheabsenceofFearandWorryimparts.Theenergy andvitalforcewastedonWorryismorethatsufficienttoenableustoconquerourreal troubleswhentheyoccur.Yourememberthetaleoftheoldmanonhisdeathbed,givinghis songoodadvice,whosaid:"John,Ihavelivedeightyyearsandhavehadmanytroubles,the majorityofwhichneveroccurred."Theoldmanmerelyvoicedtheexperienceofallmenor womenwhohavelivedtooldage.Themoralisobvious. IwillsupposethatyouareavictimtoFearthought(andIamverylikelycorrect)andthatyou areabouttotrythefourplansofriddingyourselfofit.Iwillsupposethatyouwilltrythemin turnoneaftertheother.YouwillfirsttrythepoweroftheWill,andwillsaytoyourself:"Iwill notFear,""IcommandFeartodepart."Thisistheheroicremedy.Ishallnotgointodetailsof thistreatment.Youknowallaboutit,already.Youhavealltriedit.Youwillnexttrytheeffect ofHypnoticSuggestion,andwillemployagoodsuggestionistwhowillplaceyouinaneasy position;causeyoutorelaxeverymuscle;quieteverynerveandassumeastateofmental calm;andwho,havingsecuredyourundivided,concentratedattention,willgiveyoustrong, repeatedsuggestionsofFearlessness,Courage,Hopefulness,Confidence,etc.Thecapable suggestionistwillstudyeachcaseclosely,andbycarefullyselected,andproperlyadministered suggestions,willplanttheseedofthenewthoughthabitwithitsdesignedtosupplantand
crowdouttheoldone.Splendidresultsareobtainedbythislineoftreatment.Thewriterhas curedmanypersonsofundesirablethoughthabitsinthisway,whentheyfeltthatthey preferredoutsidehelp.Hehasalsousedthisformoftreatmentinordertogetthepatient startedontherightmentalpath;togivehimconfidenceinhimselfandintheefficacyofthis formofmentaldevelopment;andtheninstructedhiminthetheoryandpracticeofauto suggestionandThoughtAbsorption,leavinghimtofinishthefighthimself.Youwillthentry thepowerofautosuggestionbyconstantlyrepeatingtoyourselfthewords:"IamFearless";"I amConfident";"IhaveabolishedFear";"IFearNothing,"etc.Theseautosuggestionsmustbe madeearnestly,justasifyouweresuggestingtoanotherperson,andyoumustendeavorto liveuptothem. LetyourPassivemindseethatyoubelievewhatyousay,anditwillhaveconfidenceinyour statements,and,acceptingthemascorrect,willactaccordingly.Ifyougoaboutthispractice ingoodfaithandinearnest,youwillnoticeanimprovementfromthefirst.Youmust remember,however,thatifthePassivemindthrustsaWorrythoughtuponyour consciousness,youmustdoubleyourassertionofFearlessness,untiltheintruderretreats. Thismaybotheryouatthefirst,fortheWorrythoughtisprettyconfidentofafriendly reception,butlikeanyothermangycuritwillsoonlearnthatyoucarryaclub,andwillbeara hastyretreatatthemeresightofit. Carrythisideaofthecurandtheclubinyourmind,andyouwillhavebutlittletroublewith thebrute.YouwilllearntodespisetheWorrythoughtasyoudothesnarling,snappingcur, andwillnothesitatetodealhimagoodsoundwhackwithyourmentalclub,providedhe stayslongenoughtobehit.Hewillsoonretreatwithhistailbetweenhislegs,andwill thereaftermanifestawholesomerespectfortheclub.Don'twaituntilheactuallybothers you,butgetinthehabitofreachingoutfortheclubatthefirstsightoftheyellowhideofthe mongrel. AndnowyouarereadytotrytheeffectsofThoughtabsorption.Inthiscaseyouplaceyourself inthesuggestible,passivecondition,justasyoudidatthebiddingofthesuggestionistwhen waspreparingtogiveyouhelpfulsuggestions.Themorepassiveyoubecome,thebetterwill betheeffect.Inotherwords,yourelax,letgo,andbecomeperfectlypassive,bodilyand mentally.YouthusrelievetheActivemindfromdutyandallowthePassivemindtohave undisputedcontrol.Youthencarrythethoughtof"IamFearless,"andtheothersabovegiven, calmlyandfirmly.Youalsopictureyourself,onyourimagination,asbeingFearless,acting fearlessly,havingmoralandphysicalcourage,andasdrivingawaytheWorrymongrelwithour mentalclub. Giveyourimaginationfullscope,butholditdowntothedesiredlineofthought.Youwillfind theexercisesinconcentrationmostvaluablehere.Youalsowillcarrythethoughtof Fearlessnesswithyouallthetime,andendeavortoactthepartnaturally.ImeanadjustwhatI say;actthepartjustasdoestheactorwhenheassumesarole.Theassumedcharacterwill
soonbecomemorereal,andintimewillbethe"realthing"withyou.Afteralittlepractice,it willbecomesecondnaturetoyou;andeventuallywillbecomeyourrealnature. AsIhavesaidbefore,thecombinationofThoughtAbsorptionandAutosuggestionformsthe idealtreatmentinCharacterBuilding.Iwillclosethislessonwithafewexercisesdesignedto aidyouinThoughtAbsorption.DonotforgettopracticetheConcentrationexercises,butdo notwaittomasterthembeforecommencingyourfightontheFearthoughtcur.Commence thisflightatonce.Cutyourclubtoday,andjust"lay"forthebrute.Onceyougethimoutof theway,youwillbeabletopursuethestudyofthissubject,withouttheannoyanceofhaving himaround,howlingandyelpingatyou.ThetreatmentforlackofEnergy,Confidence, Perseverance,etc.,isidenticalwiththatdirectedforFearthought,thewordsoftheauto suggestionsandaffirmations,ofcourse,being,alteredtosuittheparticularcase.
THEPRACTICEOFTHOUGHTABSORPTION
1. Findasecure,quietplace,asfaraspossibleremovedfromthescenesandsoundsof theoutsideworld.Iftheidealconditionscannotbesecured,youmustcontent yourselfwiththebestobtainableconditions.Theideaistoshutoutthedistracting, impression,andenableyoutobealonewithyourself. 2. Placeyourselfonacouch,bedoreasychair,obtainingapositionofabsoluteeaseand comfort.Relaxeverymuscle;withdrawthetensionfromeverynerve;allowyourselfto beperfectly"limp"allover,fromheadtofeet.Breathedeeplyandslowly,retaining thebreathforseveralmomentsbeforeexpellingit;continuethedeepbreathinguntil afeelingofcalm,restfulquietmanifestsitself. 3. Concentrateyourwholeattentioninwardlyuponyourself,shuttingoutalloutside impressions.Concentrationexerciseswillenableyoutodothis. 4. Havingobtainedtheproperconditionsofbodilyandmentalrelaxation,fixyour thoughtfirmly,calmlyandsteadilyupontheword"FEARLESS,"lettingitsoutward formsinkintoyourmind,astheydiveintothewax.Giveyourselfuptothethought andtheword.Thenthinkofthemeaningoftheword,thecharacteristicsofaperson possessingthat,quality,etc. 5. Formthementalpictureofyourselfpossessedofthedesiredquality,actitoutinyour mind,asinadream;thinkofyourselfdoingcertainthingsbyreasonofthepossession ofthewoman,youbeingpossessedofthedesiredquality.Inshort,indulgeina pleasant"daydream,"havingforitsthemeyourpossessionofthequalitydesired. Giveyourimaginationfullsway,merelyinsistinguponitstickingtothetext,andit's alwaysshowingyousuccessfulthescenesandoccurrencesofthedream.Always concludethis"dream"withastrongimpressionandthoughtof"IAM."
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6. Repeattheseexercisesasoftenaspossible.Itislikethedrippingofthewateronthe stone.Therepeatedthoughttakesrootandgrowsrapidly.Itisagoodplantopractice thisexercisewhenyouretireforthenight,andalsoduringyourwakinghoursatnight, ifyouhaveany.Theexerciseswillnotkeepyoufromslumber,butwillrathertendto inducethedesireforsleep.Ifyoufeelyourselfdroppingintoadoze,donotresistit,as theimpression,whichyoucarrywithyouintosleep,willdwellwithyou,andwilldoits workevenwhileyouareslumbering. Intheaboveexercises,Ihaveusedtheword"Fearless"anditsaccompanyingthought,to illustratetheprocessofinducingThoughtAbsorption.Youwillunderstandthatyouaretouse thewordexpressingthequalityofwhichyouaredesirousofacquiring.Ifyouwishtorid yourselfofanundesirablequality,selectthewordexpressingtheoppositethought.For instance,ifyouareinclinedtobeindolent,selecttheword"Active"or"Energy,"etc.,andso on.Youmustrememberthatwhenwewishtobrightenaroom,wedonothavetodriveout thedarknessfirst;wemerelyopentheblindsandadmitthelight,andlo,thedarknesshas departed.Donotbotherabouttheundesirablethought,butconcentrateontheiropposites, andthepositivewillneutralizethenegative.Donotbecomediscouragediftheresultsdonot comeassoonasyouwouldlike.Remember,theyaresuretocome,intime.Allthatyou requireisrepeatedpractice.Themindcanbedevelopedjustascanbethemuscles,andby thesameprocesscontinuedpractice. Youhavebeengiventhemeansofremedyingyourdefects.Ifyoudonotavailyourselfofits benefits,itissimplybecauseyoudonotwantto.IfyouhaveDesirestrongwithinyou,youwill doit.Ifyoulackthestrongdesire,Icannothelpyou.Ifyouprefertosellyourglorious birthrightofMentalControlforthemessofpottageofpresentindulgence,thatisyourown business.Youareyourownmaster.Makeofyourselfwhatyouwill.
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TheArtofConcentering
DefinitionofthetermExotericandesotericmeaningsAvaluableacquirementThought combinedwithactionVolitionalconcenteringHowto"arrive"Advantagesofconcentering MeansofdoingthebestworkGettingthefullresultofyourworkCurefordiscouragement WorkoutyourownsalvationDon'tbeahumandoormatGetdowntobusinessHeavens notaloafingplaceWorkrobbedofitsterrorsRemedyforthe"blues"Aspecificfor discouragementConcenteringnoeasytaskAsimpleexperimentAdvantagesof concenteringNomorewasteeffortorlostmotionFocusingtheattentionFocusingthought AvaluableremedyformentalandphysicalexhaustionExplanationRequisitesof concentering. Inordinaryconversation,wemakefrequentuseoftheword"Concentration,"inthesenseof "bringingtogether,"or"diminishinginbulkandincreasinginstrength,"or"consolidating," etc.Inordertoavoidanerroneousconception,Ihavepreferredtousetheterm "Concentering."Aplaindefinitionoftheword"Concentering"is"thebringingtoacommon center,"or"focusing."Carryinyourmindtheanalysisoftheword,thus"ConCENTER,""to bringtoacenter." Theword"concenter"hasitsexoteric,orcommonmeaning,anditsesoteric,orhidden, meaning,whenusedinconnectionwiththeexerciseofthepowersofthemind.Theexoteric ideaistheconcenteringofthemindupontheoneparticularthoughtoraction,inhibitingall outsidethoughtsorimpressions.Theesotericideaistheconcenteringoftheminduponthe Ego,theIAM,inhibitingalloutsidethoughtsorimpressions.Theesotericideaisthe concenteringofthemindupontheEgo,theIAM,inhibitingallthoughtsofthematerialbody orofthegrosserself,anddwellingthehigherregionsoftheSoul.TheFirstmentionedformof concenteringisamostvaluableacquirementformaninhiseverydaylife;thesecondformisa mostdesirableacquirementforthosewhowouldknowmoreoftheirrealself,andwhoaspire toknowsomethingofthesecretsofTHESILENCE.InthislessonIwillspeakexclusivelyofthe practicalsideofconcentering,thatbeingthepurposeofthiswork.Ihave,however,giventhe readerhintsoftheesotericphase,thathemayknowhowtoproceedifheisattractedtothe same. Theartofconcenteringuponagivethoughtoractionisoneofthemostdesirable acquirements,whichamancanpossess.Wehavebeentoldtheadvantageof"doingathing withallourmight,"and"doingoneatatime,anddoingitwell,"etc.Weallknowofthe painterwhoattributedhisexcellentworktothefactthathe"mixedbrainsinhispainting," andoftheminerwho"putalittlebrainsintohispick." Weknowthatthesimplesttaskisbetterperformed,ifwebutcombineconcenteredthought withtheaction.Workmendifferindegreeaccordingtotheamountofconcenteredthought placedintheirwork.Themanwho"takesaninterestinhiswork,"andwhofindsan
intellectualpleasureinhisdailytask,isthemanwhodoesthebestwork,andisalsothe happierman.Themanwhokeepshiseyeontheclock,orwho"leaveshispickintheairatthe soundofthewhistle,"isameremachine,andwillneveramounttoanything,unlesshe changeshispointofviewregardingwork.Themanwho"thinkswithhishands,"orwhocan "carryamessagetoGarcia,"isindemand.Heisascarcearticle,andmanyemployersare lookingforhim.Whenwillourboyslearntoappreciatethisfact? Well,whathasallthistodowithConcentering?Justthis,thattheinterestandbrainsthata manputsintohisworkistheresultofanexerciseofvolitionalconcentering.Themanwho practicesconcenteringinhisdailylife,shutsoutdistractingimpressions,andgiveshisbest thoughtforcetothetaskbeforehim,anddoesbetterworkbyreasonthereof,whetherhebe daylaborer,architect,clerk,salesman,poet,painterorbanker.Everymanwhohas"arrived" hasdevelopedtheartofconcentering.Hemaynotrealizeit,buthehas,justthesame.And more,anymanwhowilldeveloptheartofconcenteringwill"arrive."Tryitandbeconvinced. Why,youcanseeitforyourself;itcannothelpproducingtheresult.Ifyouconcenteronan object,andholdthethoughtfirmly,youcannothelpdoingthebestwork,andifyoudothe bestworkyouwillreceivetheproperreward,providingyouhavethesensewithwhichyou wereborn,andhavenotallowedyourselftobehypnotizedintoabeliefthatyouareaworm ofthedust,orahumandoormat.Ifyoudothebestwork,youwillfindamarketforyour services;ifyourpresentemployerdoesn'tappreciateyou,thereareplentyofotherswhowill. Butyouwillhavetodotheworkdon'tforgetthat.Nomanisgoingtobefoolenoughtopay youforsomethingthatyoudonotdo.Oh,no,heisnotbuiltthatway,andhewouldnot "arrive"ifhedid.But,justthesame,hewillnotpermityoutoleavehisemployforthatofhis rival,ifyoudothebestwork,andyouwilldothebestworkifyouonlywillgetdownto business,andconcenter.Ifyouhavebeendiscouragedbyyourapparentlackofsuccessin yourvocation,justyoulearnhowtoconcenteranddoit;spitonyourhandsandtakeafresh grip,alittlehighup,andpullforallyou'reworth.Youjustpullhardenough,andsomething willbesuretogiveattheotherendoftherope.Don'tyouwasteyourtimecomplainingofthe "oppressionofCapital"andallthatsortofthing.Ifyouarea"concentering"man,Capitalwill soonfallalloveritselftosecureyourservices,ortobuyyourgoods.Can'tyouseeit,man?Of courseyoudo.Well,then,stopfoolingaroundaboutit,andgettoworkinearnest.Geta moveon,andhustle.Ifyourefusetoacceptthemeansoffinancialsalvationsnowoffered you,whyjustliearoundandbeahumandoormatallyourlife;whocares!Ifamanistoolazy tobesaved,why,justlethimbetheotherthing.Itserveshimright.Someofyoufellows needamanaroundyouwithaspikedclub,withinstructionstogiveyouagoodbangevery timeyouslackupandengageinmentalwoolgathering.Stopyour"moaning"andgetdown tobusiness.Somepeoplespendtheirlifeindreamingofthehereafter,wheretheyexpectto spendtheirtime"loafingaroundthethrone."Now,they'resuretobefooledaboutthat.All Natureisinmotion,andGodisworkinghardeveryday,andIbelievethatwhenyougettothe othershoreyouwillbeconfrontedwithasignhavingthereoninscribedthewords,"NO
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LOAFINGPERMITTED."Ifyoutakeaninterestinyourwork,yourobitofitsterrors.Startin, man,andworkoutyourownsalvationfrompovertyandunhappiness.Doit,anddoitNOW. Themanwhocanconcenterhasathishandasureremedyforthe"blues."How?Why,justby shuttingofftheunpleasantthoughtandconcenteringonabrightersubject.Now,don'tsay thatyoucan'tdothis.Youcandoit,ifyouacquirethe"knack."Thousandsofpeoplehave foundthisplanaspecificforthe"blues,"discouragement,worry,fear,andtherest.Tryit,and youwillfindthatlifewillappearentirelydifferenttoyou.Tryit,andyouwillfeelsogoodthat youwouldnotcallthePresidentyourcousin.Tryit,andyouwill"feelthethrilloflifealong yourkeel,"andwillthankGodthatyouarealive,insteadofcuringthedaywhenyouwere born.Youwilldoyourworkbetter;youwillfeelbetter;youwillbebetter.Isitnotworththe trial? Youmayhaveanideathatyouknowsomethingaboutconcentering.Well,maybeyoudo;let's see.Takeupaleadpencilandtrytosharpenitproperly.Takeyourtimeatit,andturnouta firstclassjob.Now,seeifyoucanconcenteronthatpencilsharpening,totheexclusionofall outsidethoughts;trytodevoteyourbestenergyandthoughttothetaskathand.Forthe moment,liveforthesolepurposeofgettinganA1pointonthatpencil. Well,howdiditfeel?Prettyhardjob,wasn'tit?Yes,Ithoughtso.Youneedpracticeyoung man.Takeuptheexercisesgiveninthislesson,andgooverthemuntilyoucandoanything, whatsoever,withoutyourthoughtswandering.Anyonecanconcenteruponanagreeabletask, butjustgivethemanunpleasantormonotonous,job,andyouwillfindthattheirthoughtwill wanderawayinspiteofthem;thatis,untiltheylearntoconcenterbyaneffortofthewill. Thatisthetesttheabilitytoconcenteruponanunpleasant,unattractive,monotonoustask. Whenyouhaveovercomethesetroubles,youwillknowthatyouhavebrokenthebackbone ofWasteEffortofLostMotion.Byconcenteringyouareabletofocusyourattention,thought andenergyuponagiventhing,therebyobtainingthebestpossibleresults.Theraysofthe sun,whenfocuseduponanobjectbymeansofasunglass,produceaheatmanytimegreater thatthedirectrelayofthesamesourceoflightandheat.Soitiswiththatattention.Scatterit andyougetbutordinaryresults;butfocusituponthethingtobedone,andyouobtaina wonderfulamountofenergy.Theconcenteringmanfocuseshisattention,andthoughtforce, uponanobject,andtheresultisthathiseveryaction,voluntaryandinvoluntary,isinthe directionoftheattainmentofthatobject.AsIsaidinapreviouslesson,amancanhave everythinghewantsifonlyhewantsithardenough.Ifhisenergiesarefocuseduponathing, totheexclusionofeverythingelse,theforcesogeneratedandfocusedmustbringtheresult. Themoralofallthisis:"Whatsoeveryoudo,doitwithallyourmight."Doitinearnest."Do onethingatatime,anddoitwell." Inordertoobtainthebestresultsfromthethoughtcoerces,asexplainedinprecedinglesson, youshouldacquiretheartofconcentering.Byfocusingthethought,youaddtoitsstrength, asamoment'sreflectionwillshowyou.Theexercisesaccompanyingtheprecedinglessons
shouldbeaccompaniedbytheexercisesinconcentering.Theseexercisesaremoreorless tediousandmonotonous,butshouldbepersistedatuntilperfected.Youwillberepaidfor yourworkbytheconsciousincreaseinyourpowersofconcentering,whichwillbeapparent fromthefirst. ThereisonethingmorethatIwishtosaytoyou,beforestartinginwiththeexercises,and thatistopointouttoyoutheadvantageofconcentering,asameansofmentalandphysical rest.Ifthisweretheonlyresultobtainablebytheexercises,itwouldbeworthyourwhileto acquireit.Supposeyoufeelcompletelytiredoutbysomephysicalormentallabor,andare sadlyinneedofrest.Ifyouliedown,thethought,whichhasbeenoccupyingyourmind, returnstohauntyou,andpreventsyourmindfromobtainingthemuchneededrest.Now,the theoryisthateachthoughtcallsintooperationandactivatescertainsetsofbraincellsthe othercellsofcoursetakingarestinthemeantime.Thisbeingthecase,youwillsee,readily, thatwhenonesetofbraincellsbecomeutterlyfaggedoutbyexcessiveexercisesandwork,its onlychanceofgettinganentirerestisforyoutoconcenteruponanentirelydifferentlineof thought,shuttingoutthecellswhichyouhavejusttiredout,andwhicharestillvibratingwith excitementfromthestrongimpetusgiventhem.Byconcenteringuponthenewthought,the oldcellsarerelievedfromfurtherworkandobtainamuchneededrest.Thesecellsare hungryforwork,andmayattempttoreturntotheirtaskinspiteofyou,butifyouhave acquiredproficiencyintheartofconcentering,youhavelearnedtomasterthem.You doubtlessrememberthetimewhenyourbrainfeltexhaustedbythehardworkofthe businessday,butwhenyoupickupupaninterestingnovelyoubecamesointerestedinitthat youroldbraincells"knockedoff"forawhile,andwhenthenovelwascompletedyoufelt completelyrefreshed,notwithstandingthefactthatthereadingofthebookwasinitselfno slightexercisesofthemind.Thatisthetheory.Now,putitintopractice,andyouwillhaveno needtocomplainofmentaloverwork.Youwillbeabletoputthoughtsoffandon,likeyour coat,changingthemwheneveryouseefit. Iwillnowgiveyouafewexercises,thepracticeofwhichwillenableyoutodevelopthepower ofconcentering.Inleavingthisphaseofthesubject,Iagainwouldremindyouthatthe underlyingprincipleofconcenteringisthefocusingoftheattentionuponacertainthoughtor action.Anyexercise,whichwillstrengthenthefacultyofvolitionalinhibitionofnonessential thought,willbeofvalue,theexerciseshereingivenherebeingmerelyfurnishedas suggestionsofothers.
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ThePracticeofConcentering
ExercisesintheconcenteringShuttingoutoutsideimpressionsConqueringinattention CultivatingwillpowerTrainingthebodytoobeythewillVolitionalcontrolofmuscular movementsNotsoeasyofacquirementsSittingstillexercisesControllingmusclesofthe armExercisesSteadyingthemusclesExercisesCultivateequanimityandmentaland physicaleaseExamplesGettingridofuglyhabitsofmotionVolitionalattentionExercises developingsameDirectionforadditionalexerciseConcenteredattentionuponoutsideobject GeneralexplanationMiscellaneousexercises. Thefistrequisiteofconcenteringistheabilitytoshutoutoutsidethoughts,soundsand sights;toconquerinattention;toobtainperfectcontroloverthebodyandmind.Thebody mustbebroughtunderthedirectcontrolofthemind;themindunderthedirectcontrolof thewill.TheWillisstrongenough,buttheMindneedsstrengtheningbybeingbroughtunder thedirectinfluenceoftheWill.TheMind,strengthenedbytheimpulseoftheWill,becomesa muchmorepowerfulprojectorofthoughtvibrations,thanotherwise,andthevibrationshave muchgreaterforceandeffect. IntheseexercisesIwillbeginwithtrainingthebodytoreadilyobeythecommandsofthe Mind. Thefirstexercise,andonewhichmustbemasteredbeforethesucceedingexercisesare undertaken,isthecontrolofthemuscularmovements.This,atfirstsight,mayappearvery simple,butafewexperimentswillconvinceyouthatyouhavemuchtolearn.Thefollowing exerciseswillbeofgreatbenefittoyouinacquiringperfectcontrolofthemuscles. 1. SITSTILL.Thisisnoeasytask.Itwillatfirsttryyourpowersofconcentering,torefrain frominvoluntarymuscularmovements,butbyalittlepracticeyouwillbeabletosit still,withoutamovementofthemuscles,forfifteenminutesormore.Thebestplanis toplaceyourselfinaneasychair,assumingacomfortableposition,thenrelaxallover, andendeavortoremainperfectlyquiescentforaperiodoffiveminutes.Continuethis exerciseuntilyoucanaccomplishitwithease,andthenincreasethetimetoten minutes.Afteryouhavemasteredthetenminutesexercise,increasethetimeto fifteenminutes,whichisaboutasfarasyouneedpursuetheexercises.Youshouldnot tireyourselfwiththis,oranyofourotherexercises.Thebetterplanistopracticea littleatatime,butasoftenaspossible.Bearinmindthatyoumustnotsitinarigid position;theremustbenostrainonthemuscles;youmustrelaxcompletely.Thisplan ofrelaxingwillprovevaluabletoyouwhenyouwishtogetagoodrestafterfatiguing physicalexertion.Itisanideal"restcure,"andmaybetakeneithersittinginachairor lyingdownonacouchorbed.
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2. Siterectinyourchair,withyourheadupandyourchinout,andshoulderthrown back.Raiseyourightarmuntilitislevelwithyourshoulder,pointingtotheright.Turn yourheadandfixyourgazeonyourhand,andholdthearmperfectlysteadyforone minute.Repeatwiththeleftarm.Whenyouareabletoperformthisfeat,perfectly, increasethetimetotwominutes,thentothree,andsoonuntilyouareableto maintainthepositionforfiveminutes.Thepalmofthehandshouldbeturned downward,thisbeingtheeasiestposition.Bykeepingtheeyesfixedonthetipsofthe fingers;youwillbeabletoseewhetheryouareholdingyourarmperfectlysteady. 3. Fillawineglassfullofwater,andtakingtheglassbetweenthefingers,extendthe rightarmdirectlyinfrontofyou.Fixtheeyesupontheglass,andendeavortohold thearmsosteadythatnoquiverwillbenoticeable.Commencewithoneminute exercises,andincreaseuntilthefiveminutelimitisreached.Alternaterightandleft arms. 4. Inyoureverydaylife,endeavortoavoidatense,strainedconditionsofthemuscles, whenyoushouldbeatease.Endeavortoacquireaselfpoisedattitudeanddemeanor. Cultivateaneasy,selfpossessedmanner,inpreferencetoanervous,strained,over anxiousappearance.Mentalexercisewillhelpyoutoacquirethepropercarriageand demeanor.Stopbeatingthe"devil'stattoo"onthetableorchair.Suchactionsindicate alackofselfcontrol.Don'ttaponthefloorwithyourfoot,norswingyourfeet backwardorforwardwhiletalkingorsitting.Don'trockbackwardandforwardina rockingchair,asifyouwereworkingamachineatsomuchanhour.Don'tbiteyour nails,norchewyourlipsorcheek,dontwiggleyourtonguearoundinyourmouth, whilstreadingorstudying,orwriting.Don'twinkorblinkyoureyes.Getridofany habitoftwitchingorjerkingofanypartofthebody,whichmayhavebecomesecond naturetoyou.Youcanstopiteasilyby"carryingthethought"andpracticing concentering.Trainyourselftobearwithequanimityandcomposure,noiseswhich havebeenstartlingyouheretofore,suchasthebangingofasuddenlycloseddoor,the droppingofabookorotherobject,etc.Inotherwords,keepyourselfwellinhand. Theaboveexerciseswillbeofgreatassistancetoyouingettingyourselfjustwhere youwant. Theaboveexercisesweregiventoteachyoutheartofcontrollinginvoluntarymuscular movement,thusbringingyourbodyunderthecontrolofthevoluntaryfunctions.The followingexercisesaredesignedtoenableyoutobringyouvoluntarymuscularmovements underthedirectcontroloftheWill,inotherwords,totrainthementalfacultiesproducing voluntarymuscularmovement. 1. Sitinfrontofatable,placingyourhandsuponthetable,thefistsclinchedandlying withthebacksofthehandsonthetable,thethumbbeingdoubledoverthefingers. Fixyourgazeuponthefistforawhile,andthenslowlyextend.Thenreversethe
process,closingfirstthelittlefingerandcontinuingtheclosinguntilthefistisagainin itsoriginalposition,withthethumbclosedoverthefingers.Repeatwiththelefthand. Continuethisexercisefivetimesatasitting,andthenincreaseittotentimes. 1. Thisexercisewillmakeyou"tired,"butyoumustpersevereasitisofimportanceto youinthedirectionsoftrainingyourattentionbydirectingittotrivialand monotonousexercises;inaddition,itwillgiveyoudirectcontroloverallofyour muscularmovements.Yousoonwillfeelthebenefitaccruingfromthesesimpleand apparentlyunimportantexercises.Donotfailtokeeptheattentioncloselyuponthe closingandunclosingofthefingers.Thatisthemainpoint,ifyouneglectit;youlose theentirebenefitoftheexercise. 2. Thisexerciseisnothingmoreorlessthantheoldtrick,oftenobservedamongour countrycousins,knownas"twirlingthethumbs."Placethefingersofonehand, leavingthethumbsfree.Thenslowlytwirlthethumbsoneovertheother,witha circularmotion.Besuretokeeptheattentionfirmlyfixedupontheendsofthe thumbs. 3. Placetherighthandontheknee,thefingersandthumbclosed,withtheexceptionof thefirstfinger,whichmustbepointedoutinfrontofyou.Thenmovethefingerslowly fromsidetoside,keepingtheattentionfirmlyfixedupontheendofthefinger. Theseexercisesmaybeextendedindefinitely,andyoumayexerciseyouringenuityin supplyingadditionaloneunderthishead.Themainideaisthattheexerciseshallconsistof sometrivial,familiar,momentousmuscularmovement,andthattheattentionmustbekept firmlyfixeduponthemovingpartofthebody.Yourattentionwillrevoltattheslavery enforceduponit,andwillendeavorineverypossiblewaytoescapeitsthralldom.Thisis wherethetrainingcomesin,andyoumustinsistthatyourattentiondoesitswork,from beginningtoend,andnotwanderawaytomorecongenialscenesoroccupations.Thinkof yourselfasastrictschoolmaster,andofyourattentionasaplayful,funlovingboywhotiresof lookingathisbookandwishestostealslyglancesoutofthewindowanddooratthemore attractivesightsontheoutside.Yourbusinessistokeeptheboyathisbook,knowingthatit willbebetterforhim,althoughhecannotseeitjustthatwaynow.Beforelong,youwill noticethatyouhavemuchbettercontroloveryourmuscularmovements,carriageand demeanor,andwillalsoobserveanincreasedpowerofattentionandconcenteringinyour everydayaffairs,whichwillbeofconsiderableadvantagetoyou. Thisclassofexercisesisintendedtoaidyouinconcenteringyourattentionuponsome materialobjectnotconnectedwithyourself.Takesomeuninterestingobject,suchasapencil, andconcenteryourentireattentionuponitforfiveminutes.Lookatitintently;everythingof it;turnitover;considerit;thinkofitsuses;itsobjects;ofthematerialsofwhichitismade; theprocessofmanufacturing,etc.Thinkofnothingelsebutthepencil.Imaginethatyour chiefobjectinlifeisthestudyofthatpencil.Imaginethatthereexistsnothingelseinthe
worldbutyouandthepencil."Onlyoneworld,andbuttwothingsinit,thepencilandI."Do notletyourattentiongetawayfromthepencil,butkeepitdowntoitswork.Youwillrealize whatarebelliouscreatureyourattentioniswhenyoutrythisexercise,butdon'tlethimget theupperhandofyou.Itisverytiresometohim,butitisforhisowngood,sosticktoit. Whenyouhaveconqueredtherebelliousattentionyouwillhaveachievedagreatervictory thatyounowrealize.Manyatimeinafterlife,whenyouneedtheclosestattentionupon somematterbeforeyou,youwillthankmefor"puttingyouon"tothisexercise. Thisexercisecanbevariedeachday,alwayschoosingsomeuninterestingandfamiliarobject uponwhichtoconcentertheattention.Don'tselectaninterestingobject;foritrequiresno efforttoconcenteruponthat.Youneedsomethingthatwillseemlike"work"totheattention. Thelessinterestingtheobjectthemoretheworkandthebettertheexercise.Thetrouble withthisexerciseis,thatyouwillsoonrunoutofmaterial,asthecontinuedconcenteringof theattentionuponuninterestingobjectswill,intheend,causetheattention,inselfdefense, totakeaninterestinthethingsuponwhichitconcenters.However,whenyouhavereached thisstage,youwillhavebutlittlefurtherneedoftheexercise,asyouthenwillbeableto concenteryourattentionuponanything,oranybody. Theaboveexerciseswillbesufficientforyourpurpose,itbeingunderstoodthatyouwill extendtheseveralexercisesbymaterialsuppliedbyyourowninventionandingenuity.You maypracticeuponsomethingoccurringinyoureverydayworld.Youwillnotbeatalossfor materialuponwhichtopractice,nowthatyouhavethemainideaimpresseduponyou memory. Theexercisesgivenintheprecedinglessonscanbepracticedmoreintelligently,nowthatyou understandtheadvantagetobegainedbyconcentering.Youwillbeableto"carrythe thought"better,todirectmoreenergyintosuggestions,andintotheprojectionofthought vibrations.Youreyeexerciseswilltakeonanewphase,andsowilltheexercisesinTelepathic Volation,etc.Youwillbeabletoovercomebadhabits,andacquiregoodhabitsintheirplace. Inshort,bytheacquirementoftheartofconcentering,youwillbeabletodoeverything betterthanformerly.Youwillhaveacquiredafirmcontroloverbodyandmind,andwillfind thatyouarenowthemasterofyourinclinations,nottheirslave.Thepowergainedover yourselfwillmanifestitselfinthepowertocontrolothers.Theman,whoconquershimself, hasnotroubleinimpressinghiswilluponothers.Continuethepracticeofconcenteringand developingtheamenabilityoftheMindtotheWill,andyouwillbecomeagiant,comparedto menwhohavenotacquiredthispower.Tryyourwillpoweronyourselfindifferentways,until youfeelconfidentthatyouhavewonthemasteryofself.Besatisfiedwithnothingelse.When youhavegainedthat,themasteryofothersisalreadyyours.
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Valedictory
IntuitiveperceptionofthetruthAmerehintatagreattruthLatentpowersdevelopedThe practicalsideTheoccultsideAnunderstandingoftheScienceoftheMindhasanelevating effectRecognitionoftheEgoAliteratureoffrothandbubblesAfewgrainsofwheat amongthechaffPracticalknowledgescarce,butdemandedAdvicetoseekersafterthe truthThesmallflamewithinyouAthreefoldmightydynamicforce"IAM"strengthNew resolves,newstrengthTheBrotherhoodofManSelfrespectDonotbeimposedupon Don'tbeayellowdogAshortruleofactionDonotmisuseyournewfoundpowerAhintat agreattruthFarewelladvice Ifeelthatthosewhohavefollowedmethroughtheprecedinglessonsmusthavefeltwithin themtheintuitiveassuranceoftheTruthcontainedintheinstructionhereingiven.Inawork ofthissizeandcharacter,IcandonomorethatmerelydirecttheMind;togivethemahintof thegreatTruth;toacquaintthemwithafewexerciseswhich,iffollowedconscientiously,will enablethemtodeveloptheirlatentpowers.Morethanthiswouldbebeyondthescopeof thiswork,whichisintendedtogivepopularinstructionintheexerciseanduseofPersonal MagnetismandPsychicInfluenceintheaffairsofeverydaylife.Theaveragereaderwillrest satisfiedwiththe"practical"sideofthesubject,andwillnotfeelinclinedtoenterintothe occultphase.Tothefewwhofeelaninclinationtopursuethesubjectstillfurther,whowould penetratebehindtheveil,thereareothersourcesofinformationopen,whichIwillbe pleasedtopointouttothosewhomaysorequest.Aletterwillreachmeifaddresstomeat 30AuditoriumBuilding,Chicago. Withoutattemptingtogofurtherintothesubject,Iwouldsaythatinmyopinion,an intelligentunderstandingofthelawsunderlyingtheScienceofMind,suppliesonewitha mostelevatingruleoflifeandconduct;bringstomanarealizingsenseofhisown individuality,strengthandpoweraconsciousnessoftherealityandimmanenceofhisreal self,theIAM.TherecognitionoftheEgocarrieswithitasenseofnewdutiesandthemeans ofperformingthem. Thestudentofwhatisknownasthe"NewThought"findshimselfsurroundedwithamassof literature,muchofwhichconsistsoffrothandbubbles.Grainsofthoughtarethere,butare surroundedbybushelsofverbalchaff.Thesearcherforideasreceiveswords,words,and words.Theworksonthesubject,whicharereallyworththetimeandtroubleofreading,are few,andthestudent,alas,knowsnotwheretofindthemPractical.Understandableworkson thissubjectarebeingdemandedbymanymindsandfollowingtheinvariablerule,which causestheproductionofthethingwhichisearnestlydemanded,worksofthiskindaresureto appear.Speedtheday. TothestudentIwouldsay,donotbedeludedby"isms"orleaders;youpossesswithinyouthe realTruth,anditwillmanifestitselftoyou,intimedevelopinggraduallyandnaturally,asthe
flower.TherecognitionoftheIAMwillbringitsreward.Thesmallflamewithinwillthrow lightonallsubjectsandilluminatethem. Pursueyourwaythroughlife,earnestlyandcalmly.HurryisnotHast;BustleisnotEnergy; NoiseisnotStrength.Themanofquietcalm,earnestandpersistentqualitiesreachesthegoal longbeforehisbrotherofoppositetendencies.Confidence,ExpectationandCalmDemandis athreefold,mightydynamicforce,whichwouldsolvemanyproblemsifmanbutrealizedit. Thewisemanusesthatwhichthefoolneglects."Thestonewhichthebuildersrejected becomesthecornerstoneofthetemple." Donotcrawlonyourbelly,likeaworm;donothumbleyourselfinthedustandcallupon heaventowitnesswhatadespicablecreatureyouare;donotcallyourselfa"miserable sinner,"worthyonlyofeternaldamnation.No!Athousandtimes,No!Risetoyourfeet;raise yourheadandfacetheskies;throwbackyourshoulders,andfillyourlungswithNature's ozone.Thensaytoyourself,IAMapartoftheEternalLifePrinciple:IAMcreatedafterthe Divineimage;IAMfilledwithDivineBreathofLife;NothingcanhurtME,forIAMapartof theETERNAL. Goyourway,friend,stronginyournewresolves,stronginyournewfoundstrength.Doyour duty,firsttoyourself;thentoyourfellowmen.RecognizetheBrotherhoodofMan;realizethat allmenareyourbrothersprettypoorlotofrelations,butbrothersatthat.Donotimposeon yourbrotherman,butdonotlethimimposeonyou.Ifyougiveintohimagainstyour judgmentandconscience,younotonlyhurtyourself,butalsoinjurehim.Donotstartfights; butletnomansmiteyouwithimpunity.Ifamansmitesyouononecheek,donotturntohim theother,butdoalittlesmitingonyourownaccountandsmitehard.Donotsmitehimwith Hateinyourheart,anddonothesitatetoforgivehimafterhehas"cometo."Thedoctrineof nonresistanceismisunderstood;itdoesnotmeanthatyoushouldbeabackbonelesscreature asheeplike,rabbitheartedspecimenofhumanity.No,no;whenyouallowamantoimpose onyouandwrongyou,youarenotactingrighttowardtheotherman;dutytohimdemands thatyoulethimknowjust"whereheisat."Iamspeakingofrealaggressionorinvasionof yourrights,now,notoffanciedwrongsormountainsmadeofmolehills;thatistheother extreme.ButdonotallowHatetofindalodgingplaceinyourheart.Gothroughtheworld "withthegraceofGodinyourheart,andagood,stronghickoryclubinyourhand."Don'tuse theclubforoffense(neverdothat),butkeepitaroundtodefendyourselfwith.Ifyouare "cladinthearmorofarighteouscause,"andtheworldseesthatyouhaveselfrespectand willstandnononsense,itwilltreatyouwithrespect.Thedogwhomaintainsaconfident, calmdemeanor,isinbutlittledangeroffeelingtheboottoeofthepasserbybutthewhite liveredcurwhodrawshimselfup,andplaceshistailbetweenhislegsthathemaypresenta betteraimforthekickgetsthekick.Hegetswhatheexpects.Whatistrueofthedogis equallytrueoftheman.Ifyouhavefollowedtheadviceandinstructionscontainedinthis littlework,youwillnothavemanykicksaimedatyou.But,remembernokickingofdogson yourpartyoumustbeabovethat.
Anoldwriterhassummedupmansdutytomaninthefollowingwords,whichshouldbe inscribedinlettersofgoldovereverydoorwayintheland: "WRONGNOMAN,ANDRENDERUNTOEVERYMANHISDUE." Iftheabovewordsformtheruleofaction,andlife,ofmen,therewouldbenoneedof lawyers,courts,orprisons;lifewouldthenseem"onelong,sweetsong."Trytodoyourpart inbringingaboutthisresult.Oncemore,Icautionyounottomisuseyournewfoundpower, donotdragthegiftoftheSpiritthroughthemud. Useitfreely,inyourownbehalf,ineverylegitimateway,butharmnomanbyreasonof,orby meansofit.Ifyoufailtograspthemeaningofanyoftheteachingscontainedinthislittle work,donotfeeldiscouraged,foritwillcometoyoulater.Readoverthelessons,whichseem tobemostdifficulttoyou,andthenplaceyourselfintherelaxedconditionofbody,andmind. ENTERTHESILENCEandanewlightwillbreakuponyou. "Knockanditshallbeopeneduntoyou;askandyeshallreceive." Andnow,friends,wehavecometothepartingoftheways.Wemaymeetagain,but,ifnot, letuspartfeelingthatwearenonetheworsefortheshortacquaintance.IfIhavedoneyou anygood,ifIhaveawakenedinyounewthoughts,hopesandaspirations,mayyoumake themmanifestinactionsandresults. Ourlittlejourney,alongthebanksofthestream,hasbeenpleasanttome,andItrustthatI havenotboredyou,norcausedyoutoregrettheacquaintancenotachanceacquaintance, youmayrestassured,for"nothingeverhappens." Ithankyouforyourkindattention. ***
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