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Title: the secret of mental magic
Description: It has everything to do with them in my own opinion
Description: It has everything to do with them in my own opinion
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Mind‑Power
i
Mind‑Power
Writings
Thought Force in Business and Everyday Life
The Law of the New Thought
Nuggets of the New Thought
Memory Culture: The Science of Observing, Remembering and Recalling
Dynamic Thought or The Law of Vibrant Energy
Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World
Practical Mind‑Reading
Practical Psychomancy and Crystal Gazing
The Mind Building of a Child
The Secret of Mental Magic
Mental Fascination
Self‑Healing by Thought Force
Mind‑Power: The Law of Dynamic Mentation (The Secret of Mental Magic)
Practical Mental Influence
Reincarnation and the Law of Karma
The Inner Consciousness
The Secret of Success
The New Psychology of Healing
Memory: How to Develop, Train and Use It
Subconscious and the Superconscious Planes of Mind
Suggestion and Auto‑Suggestion
The Art of Logical Thinking or the Laws of Reasoning
The Will: It’s Nature, Power and Development
Thought‑Culture or Practical Mental Training
The New Psychology: Its Message, Principles and Practice
Human Nature: Its Inner States and Outer Forms
Mind and Body or Mental States and Physical Conditions
The Art of Expression and the Principles of Discourse
The Psychology of Salesmanship
The Psychology of Success or Mental Paths to Power
Telepathy: Its Theory, Facts and Proof
The Crucible of Modern Thought: A Study of the Prevailing Mental Unrest
Scientific Parenthood
The Message of the New Thought (New Thought: Its History and Principles)
Your Mind and How to Use It: A Manual of Practical Psychology
The Mastery of Being: A Study of the Ultimate Principle of Reality
ii
Mind‑Power
The Secret of Mental Magic
1912
William Walker Atkinson
1862–1932
信
YOGeBooks: Hollister, MO
2013:09:05:18:57:58
iii
Mind‑Power
Copyright
YOGeBooks by Roger L
...
Cole
All rights reserved
...
yogebooks
...
Mind gleams through its every atom
...
—Flammarion
vi
Contents
Chapter I
...
The Nature of Mind‑Power
Chapter III
...
Mental Magic in Animal Life
Chapter V
...
The Mentative‑Poles
Chapter VII
...
Mind‑Power in Action
Chapter IX
...
Examples of Dynamic Mentation
Chapter XI
...
Mental Atmosphere
Chapter XIII
...
Instruments of Expression
Chapter XV
...
Mental Suggestion
Chapter XVII
...
How Suggestion is Used
Chapter XIX
...
Induced Imagination in India
Chapter XXI
...
A Glimpse of the Occult World
vii
Mind‑Power
Chapter XXIII
...
Indirect Influence
Chapter XXV
...
Mental Healing Methods
Chapter XXVII
...
Making Over Oneself
Chapter XXIX
...
In 1908, the material of
said book was edited, revised, and elaborated by the author;
portions of its sequel, “Mental Fascination,” combined with it;
and a large amount of entirely new material added thereto; the
whole being published in new form under the title: “Mind‑Power,
or The Law of Dynamic Mentation
...
Chicago, March 15, 1912
...
It embodies the
essence of years of thought, study, and experiment on the part
of its author whose original research, discoveries, and writings
along these lines have given him his worldwide reputation as
an authority
...
A portion of its material was
used in two of the author’s previous works, viz
...
Both of the said works are now practically out
of print, and will be withdrawn from sale by us, as they will
be superseded by this newer and more complete work
...
Obsolete
matter has been replaced by entirely new material, and the
work is now strictly “up‑to‑date”
...
It contains matter that well might have been expanded
into several volumes
...
”
My thought on the subject is based upon the fundamental
conception that:—
There exists in Nature a Dynamic Mental Principle—a
Mind‑Power—pervading all space—immanent in all
things—manifesting in an infinite variety of forms,
degrees, and phases
...
Its service, like that of the sun and rain,
and all natural forces, is open to all—just and unjust; good and
bad; high and low; rich and poor
...
But the proper effort must be exerted, consciously
or unconsciously, else there will be no operation of the force
...
We
shall learn something of the laws and principles and modes of
3
Mind‑Power
operation of its energies and activities, as we proceed with our
consideration of it, in this work
...
My terms will be explained and illustrated by examples, as we
proceed—so you need not analyze them at this point
...
e
...
I have postulated of my conception of Mind‑Power that it
pervades all space—is immanent in all things—and manifests
in an infinite variety of forms, degrees, and phases
...
It
is not the physical energy of science, but is something of the
nature of a living will, which is rather the cause of physical
energy, than identical with it
...
You desire to move your hand—and it moves
...
You send a current of nerve‑force which is
really a manifestation of Mind‑Power or will‑force from your
brain, along the nerves of the arm, which contracts the muscles
of the arm and hand, and your desire is gratified
...
What
was it that flowed along the nerve‑wires? Was it electricity, or
magnetism? No! it was that subtle and mysterious thing that I
4
The Mental‑Dynamo
am calling Mind‑Power, and which is bound up with the will
principle of mind
...
It is the force that makes
plants grow—and animal bodies grow—and which enables all
living things to move and act
...
Mind‑Power is not an
abstraction or speculative nothing—it is an existent, living,
mental, acting force, manifesting sometimes with an appalling
power, and sometimes with a delicate, subtle touch that is
almost imperceptible, but which accomplishes its purpose
...
Beginning with the more familiar instances of its
operation and manifestation, let us then proceed to delve still
deeper until we reach instances not so easily perceived; and
then still further back until we find it in places and in things
that are generally regarded as lacking in Mind‑Power and life
...
There is no life without mind
and Mind‑Power—and no Mind‑Power, or mind, without life
...
The universe is
alive, and has mind and Mind‑Power in every part and particle
of itself
...
Do you doubt
this? Then listen to these authorities who ably express the
thought of their scientific schools
...
Every atom, molecule, plant,
animal or planet, is only an aggregation of organized unit forces
held in place by stronger forces, thus holding them for a time
latent, though teeming with inconceivable power
...
The universe is not half dead, but all alive
...
Saleeby, in his important scientific work, “Evolution:
the Master Key,” goes even still further in his claim of a living
universe; and life accompanied by mind
...
If
evolution be true, living matter has been evolved by natural
processes from matter which is, apparently, not alive
...
The evolutionist is impelled to
believe that mind is potential in matter
...
) The
microscopic cell, a minute speck of matter that is to become
man, has in it the promise and germ of mind
...
Not only must we do so, but we must go
further, since we know that each of these elements, and every
other, is built up out of one invariable unit, the electron, and
we must therefore assert that mind is potential in the unit of
matter—the electron itself
...
Life itself, from the most rudimentary cell up to
6
The Mental‑Dynamo
the most complicated organism, is a special kind of movement,
a movement determined and organized by a directing force
...
The universe is a great organism, controlled
by a dynamism of the psychical order
...
There is mind in everything, not only in human
and animal life, but in plants, in minerals, in space
...
J
...
Fleming, in his work on “Waves, Air and Aether,” says: “In its
ultimate essence energy may be incomprehensible by us except
as an exhibition of the direct operation of that which we call
mind and will
...
And in the
search we shall find these evidences everywhere—in all things
...
Immanent in all
things—manifesting in an infinite variety of forms, degrees, and
phases, we find these twin‑principles
...
We do not need any proof to demonstrate the existence
of life, mind and Mind‑Power in man, or in the lower animals
...
And if we examine the plant kingdom we will see
manifestations of life, mind, and Mind‑Power there also
...
I refer you to
the many recent works on mind in plant‑life for illustrations
and proofs of this statement
...
These cells are “little lives,” and manifest mental
power and faculty
...
The possession
of memory on the part of the cells of organic matter, is an
accepted scientific fact
...
But the daring minds of advanced scientists of today have
brushed aside the dividing line, and have moved to a position
where they meet the Hindu philosophers and the occultists,
and now admit and teach that life, mind and Mind‑Power
invade the “inorganic” world to its utmost limits, and that
universe is indeed alive and possesses Mind
...
And Science has admitted
the existence of life and mind in the crystals! the latter “growing”
in a manner showing vital and selective energy, and even
rudimentary sex
...
Some of the cold, careful scientific records read like fairy tales to
those not familiar with the wonderful achievements of recent
science
...
Enough to say that in mineral
8
The Mental‑Dynamo
and metallic forms there has been found “response” indicating
the existence of “sensation” in varying degrees; and that in the
crystallization of minerals and metals there has been evidenced
the action of the same instinctive mental‑life energy which as
“appetency or instinct” builds up the bodies of living organic
forms
...
In fact, every particle of organic substance
was evolved in this way
...
But we do not stop even at this advanced point
...
The particles combine by reason of some inherent
“attraction” existing between certain of them, known as
“chemical affinity,” etc
...
” You think
that this is far fetched, do you? Well, listen to these words from
some of the leading scientists about this power to receive
sensations, and power to respond to the same, and maybe you
will change your mind
...
” He dwells upon this
fact in his latest works “The Riddle of the Universe,” and “The
Wonders of Life,” and writes as follows regarding “sensation in
the inorganic world”: “I cannot imagine,” Haeckel says, “the
simplest chemical and physical process, without attributing the
movements of the material particles to unconscious sensation
...
” He adds, later, that the “sensations”
and “responses” in plant and animal life are “connected by a
long series of evolutionary stages with the simpler forms of
sensation that we find in the inorganic elements and that reveal
themselves in chemical affinity
...
” And so you see that Science
now is preparing to admit elementary life and Mind‑Power in
the atoms and particles of matter
...
“Further than the atoms?” you may ask
...
And more
than this—these particles, as well as all forms of physical energy,
are believed to emerge from the ether, that subtle, tenuous,
universal substance, which, although unseen, and intangible,
is held to exist in order to account for the phenomena of the
universe
...
There is mind
in everything, not only in human and animal life, but in plants,
in minerals in space!” Cope says: “The basis of life and mind lies
back of the atoms, and may be found in the universal ether
...
” Stockwell says: “The ether is coming
10
The Mental‑Dynamo
to be apprehended as an immaterial, super‑physical substance,
filling all space, carrying in its infinite, throbbing bosom the
specks of aggregated dynamic force called worlds
...
” Dolhear says: “Possibly the ether may be the medium
through which mind and matter react
...
” And,
so, we have the best of authority to support the inevitable
conclusion that there must be Mind‑Power even in the ether
...
But
my argument does not depend even upon this—for admit that
there is Mind‑Power in the ether, and my case is won
...
For if Mind‑Power is not in the ether, from whence does
it come into the particles of matter, and in matter itself, organic
and inorganic?
Resting the consideration for a moment, let me say that
with mind as reason, intellect, etc
...
I am
trying to show you that Mind‑Power exists everywhere, and
is manifest in every activity of the universe
...
!” Yes, I do mean
just that! “How can that be?” you ask, “what has Mind‑Power
to do with electricity, light, heat, magnetism, gravitation, etc
...
I will explain
it to you in a few words, for I cannot go into this subject at
length in this book, but must hasten on to the other parts of
my subject
...
, are held by science to be forms of energy arising from
the vibration of the particles of matter
...
And
these attractions and repulsions are held to result from
“capacity to experience sensations” and the power to “respond
to sensations
...
”
And if mentality is the cause of the sensations and of the
response there; and the latter are the causes of the attractions
and repulsions; and the latter are the causes of the motion, to
and fro, of the particles of matter; and the latter, in turn is the
cause of the vibrations; and the vibrations are the causes of the
manifestations of light, heat, electricity, magnetism, etc
...
I have been preaching this thing for several years
now—and many have been the smiles; the jeers; and the sneers
...
”
And, now, in conclusion, I must ask you to form a mental
picture of this great universal dynamic mental principle;
pervading all space; immanent in all things; and manifesting in
an infinite variety of forms, degrees and phases
...
Let us then consider it as a great
living, throbbing, pulsating, mentating Ocean of Dynamic
Mind‑Power
...
On its surface are ripples, waves, great
movements of energy, currents, whirlpools, eddies—phases of
fierce tempest alternating with phases of calm and quiet
...
And
in that ocean there is an infinite store of energy, from which
may be drawn that which the human centers of consciousness
and power require, when they learn the secret
...
It is the use of this power that we
call Dynamic Mentation
...
Well, while here I cannot dip into metaphysics
13
Mind‑Power
or philosophical speculation, or even into my favorite occult
sources, I will say that each of you is a Centre of Power in that
Ocean of Dynamic Mind‑Power and each “I” is a master of the
power
...
And you are allowed to enlarge your channel
...
14
Chapter II
The Nature of Mind‑Power
A
t this point I am confronted with the question that
naturally arises when one begins to consider an
unfamiliar object, subject, or principle—the question
of: “What is it?” “What is Mind‑Power” is a difficult question to
answer, for it implies a knowledge of the thing “in‑itself,” apart
from its activities and manifestations
...
Any attempt to answer
such a question must involve one in a maze of metaphysical
and philosophical speculation regarding something which is
by nature unknowable
...
For, at the best, any attempt at an answer would
be merely a guess—for I do not know, neither do I know anyone
else who knows!
I am acquainted with the numerous speculations of the
ancient and modern philosophers and metaphysicians on
the subject—I have read and studied them, and have rejected
them as mere theories unsupported by facts
...
I have studied
15
Mind‑Power
the best of what has been written and thought regarding this
“thing‑in‑itselfness” of mind and Mind‑Power, so you see my
ignorance is not the ignorance that comes from lack of thought,
or lack of acquaintance with the thoughts of others—but is
rather the ignorance that comes as the result of much thought,
and much study of the thoughts of others—the ignorance that
is only realized through knowledge
...
” Like Pyrrhon, some twenty‑five centuries ago,
they say “Uden horizo”—“I do not decide
...
If we knew the ultimate truths regarding the tiniest
and most insignificant thing in the universe, we would know
everything that is—for that tiniest thing is connected with,
and related to everything in the universe, and that which
underlies the universe—and to know the “thing‑in‑itself” of
anything would be to know the great “Thing‑in‑Itself” of The
All
...
Apart from their activities, manifestations and
phenomena, things are but abstract no‑things so far as our
understanding is concerned—airy “words” coined by the
metaphysicians and philosophers in order to provide food for
speculation, argument, and dispute without end
...
16
The Nature of Mind‑Power
And therein lies the folly of attempting to tell “just what”
anything is
...
This is the method of modern Science,
as compared with those of speculative philosophy and
metaphysics
...
” And so we shall never
be at a loss for ingenious theories and “solutions” of ultimate
problems
...
Did you ever
hear of the youth at college, who when asked by his professor:
“What is electricity?” answered “Well, sir, I did know, but I have
forgotten!” The professor answered, dryly: “Now, isn’t that too
bad! Here is the only person in the world who ever knew just
what electricity is—and he has forgotten! What a loss to the
race!” Why do we not have courage enough to leave off this
making of the speculative soap‑bubbles with which we have
been amusing ourselves, and learn to answer honestly, “I do
not know!” or, at least like modern Science, learn to frankly
state: Here our knowledge of the subject ends; to‑morrow we
may know more, but sufficient for the day is the knowledge
thereof—and an inch of knowledge of facts is worth a mile of
unsupported speculation and theory
...
Harris has
said:
“The theorist who dreams a rainbow dream,
And calls hypothesis ‘philosophy,’
At best is but a paper financier
17
Mind‑Power
Who palms his specious promises for gold
Facts are the basis of philosophy;
Philosophy, the harmony of facts
...
”
And, now, having confessed your ignorance and mine, let
us proceed to a consideration of Mind‑Power as known by its
activities
...
Rather does it seem to
me to be correlated to mind, particularly in the operation of
mind known as desire, will, and imagination
...
Mind has
three aspects—the aspect of being, or substance; the aspect
of thought, with the sub‑divisions of reason, feeling, emotion,
desire, will, etc
...
And it is in this aspect of
action that mind is known as Mind‑Power
...
, still Mind‑Power seems to
be more closely connected with the more elementary phase
of mentation, such as feeling, emotion, and particularly desire
and will
...
And so I would impress upon you that
while Mind‑Power may be called into operation by, and still
more certainly may be directed by the intellect—still you must
not make the mistake of identifying it with that phase of mind
or attributing it solely to creatures possessing the same
...
Indeed, in order that you may understand the operations of
Mind‑Power you may as well get into the habit of considering it
18
The Nature of Mind‑Power
as correlated to that which we call will, (as distinguished from
intellect and reason)
...
This
deciding, choosing, determining faculty is one of the attributes
of intellect and Self‑consciousness superimposed upon the
elemental will in the direction of guiding, directing, turning
and restraining—it is the Ego at the wheel, directing the Ship
of Life by the Chart of Reason, the motive‑power being will,
or Mind‑Power
...
No, I did not mean will in the above sense, but in the more
elementary sense of the term—the original sense, for the word
is derived from the root meaning “to wish; to desire strongly
...
In this sense will may be considered as Desire‑Will,
both being held to be phases of the same thing—or rather the
two poles of the same thing
...
,
which arouses it into action
...
I ask that you re‑read this paragraph, that you
may fix this idea firmly in your mind, for upon it depends the
correct understanding of much that I shall have to say in this
work
...
Desire precedes action of will which releases the dynamic
force of the mind—the Mind‑Power
...
The
feeling” inspired by the attractive object coils up the spring of
desire, and this “coiled‑up” energy supplies the “motive‑power”
of the will
...
There is the other pole of the Desire‑Will which must be
called into action—and this leads us to a consideration of the
matter of choice, determination, or decision, which is so often
expressed by the term” “Will, “ as I said a little further back
...
For in these cases
this choice, determination, or decision is based entirely upon
the degree of “feeling,” or the degree of attractiveness of the
objects presenting themselves to the attention—the strongest
feeling, attraction, or motive‑interest winning the day
...
”) With the advent of reason, and
intellect, particularly when the self‑conscious ego appears, new
elements are introduced, by reason of which man is enabled to
deliberate and weigh motives, desires, feelings, emotions, etc
...
But the aspect of will with which we are much concerned is
the aspect of action—the will‑pole of Desire‑Will
...
But this we do know, that
“something happens” at a certain stage of the mental operation,
whereby the attention of the thing, or ego, passes from the
pole of desire to the pole of will—and then, one of two things
20
The Nature of Mind‑Power
happens, i
...
, (1) either the “coiled‑up” spring of desire is released
by the will, and the energy of desire is transmuted into the
energy of will, which thus releases the Mind‑Power or dynamic
quality of mind into action; or else: (2) the will refuses to be
aroused, and desire slowly uncoils her spring, and the tension
is relieved, gradually or at once
...
The aspect of “action” is the true dynamic quality of will
...
As
Prof
...
The student
must keep that fact before him, no matter how complex the
matter seems
...
“inner meaning” and reason of
the will
...
Action is the essential aspect of Mind‑Power—
the latter exists for the purpose of Acting
...
And so you will see that this “universal dynamic mental
principle”—which I have called “Mind‑Power,” is not that phase
of mind which manifests as intellectual, reasoning processes;
but is that phase of mind which is aroused by desire‑will—
and which acts
...
It
also manifests along unconscious and automatic lines, and
precedes the self‑conscious stage of man
...
It is something far more elemental and basic
than intellect
...
”
21
Mind‑Power
Whether or not that which we know as reason or intellect
were evolved from an elemental Mind‑Stuff; or whether these
higher forms of mentality are something of an entirely higher and
distinct nature; or whether, as the occultists hold, intelligence is
the result of the influence of a Spiritual Ego (something distinct
from mind) upon an elementary Mind‑Stuff—these are
questions belonging to other phases of the general subject of
Being, with which we have nothing to do in the consideration
of the subject before us
...
We are
dealing with a natural force—a universal energy—now and
here, and should examine and study its principles just as we
would were it electricity, magnetism, heat or light that we
were studying
...
These latter things have their own good places—but they have
no place here at this time
...
, there is still a greater
wonder to be witnessed in the manifestation of the same
power beyond the limits of the personality or form in which it
originates
...
”
I may as well explain my terms at this place and time
...
”
So “Mentation” means “mental activity
...
, etc
...
The word is derived from the Greek word, tele, meaning “far
off”; and the word “mentation,” above explained
...
I have been
23
Mind‑Power
led to the coining of this new term designed to take the place
of “telepathy,” for the reason that the latter term is improper
and misleading
...
” It may be used properly in connection
with the sympathetic transference of pain, or disease, or similar
mental state, but its use otherwise is improper
...
I have thought it advisable to use
the term “telementation” in this connection, believing that it
meets the requirements of the case better than any other term
of which I have any knowledge
...
And now about the transference of mental states from one
thing or person to another
...
To thousands of careful investigators it is an established fact,
and anyone who will take the time and trouble to conduct
the experiments may reproduce the phenomena to his own
satisfaction
...
Those who are desirous of
obtaining “proofs” of telementation, beyond their own personal
experiences, are referred to the records of the English Society for
Psychical Research, which contain the carefully noted reports
of many very interesting cases which have been conducted by
the society under the most careful supervision and scientific
requirements
...
There have been many theories advanced to account for
telementation, and there has been much talk of “two‑minds,”
24
Mentative Induction
“dual‑mentality,” etc
...
In this work I shall
have very little, if anything, to say regarding man’s “two‑minds
...
In fact, I believe that the mind of man is a far more complex
thing than a “dual‑mind” combination—there are many more
planes and regions of mind than the “objective” and “subjective”
minds of the “dual‑mind” authorities
...
I
find it in the atoms, or in the particles of which the atoms are
composed
...
In other words I showed that physical forces
were produced by the motions of the particles, or vibrations
of the atoms, which arose from states of like and dislike; love
and hate; attraction and repulsion; pleasure and pain; among
these tiny particles of matter
...
If you will think
for a moment, you will see that the motions of the atoms are
two‑fold, viz
...
Haeckel has told us that there is the voluntary movement of
the atom itself, in response to the “desire” awakened in it by the
25
Mind‑Power
attraction—how does it become aware of the presence of the
other atom unless something passes between them? And that
something must be in the nature of a mentative current, for
there is nothing else to pass, because all other forms of energy
being produced by vibrations of the atoms arising from mental
states, the Mind‑Power must precede the physical energies, and
must be the “something that passes between” the two atoms
...
But there is
another cause of motion, as we have seen—the mutual pull of
the attracting atoms
...
That this attracting or pulling force is in operation between
the particles of matter, there can be no doubt
...
There
seems to be an individuality in these tiny particles which,
although allowing them to form combinations, nevertheless
prevents absolute blending or amalgamation
...
Every ion, electron, atom, and molecule of matter is
alone, and separated even from its closest affinity by a “touch
me not” circle of influence, which is also mentative in its nature,
in my opinion
...
So true is Nature in her proportions and laws,
that scientists assert that in the hundreds of ions of which the
tiniest atom is composed (and which atom is invisible to the
sight by reason of its smallness) there is a “distance between”
observed and maintained by these particles, which bears the
same proportion to their sizes that the distance between the
planets of our solar system bears to their particular sizes—in
other words, that the ions composing an atom are akin to a
minute solar system, each ion being attracted to the other, and
yet “kept at its distance,” the combined pull and push of the
desire and the “keep off,” respectively, tending to cause them to
circle round and round each other
...
And what holds the atoms and molecules of
matter together, or rather in proximity—what causes their
propinquity? Science answers: chemical affinity, and cohesion!
But these terms are merely names, and science does not
explain the nature of the force employed,—but it knows that
it is not electricity or magnetism, or any other known physical
force
...
” Mind‑Power, the existence of which in the atoms was
postulated by Haeckel, and which always has been taught by
the occultists
...
And I believe that the vibrations of mental states,
feelings, desires, etc
...
,
in the receiving mind along the lines of what we call “induction”
in physical science
...
It
appears to us altogether unreasonable to reject this conclusion if we
accept the facts
...
There is nothing unscientific, nothing romantic in admitting that an
idea can influence a brain from a distance
...
” He
further states: “There can be no doubt that our psychical force creates
a movement in the ether, which transmits itself afar like all movements
of ether, and becomes perceptible to brains in harmony with our own
...
”
As I have said, I account for the transference of mental states,
etc
...
The
term “Mentative Induction” will be readily understood by
those familiar with the phenomena of electricity
...
” In electrical science the word induction is used in the
28
Mentative Induction
sense of “the process whereby one body possessing magnetic or
electrical properties reproduces that property in another body
without direct contact
...
An iron nail, or steel needle, is held a little
distance below the magnet so that it will not actually touch the
latter but will be near enough to be magnetized by “induction,”
that is, without direct contact
...
This induced magnetism renders the nail, or needle, a
magnet, possessing all the properties of the original magnet, so
long as the current flows
...
The text‑books
are full of examples to illustrate this law
...
And I hold
that just as the vibratory‑waves of magnetism and electricity
pass through the ether and produce similar properties in other
bodies by means of induction, so do the vibratory waves of
Mind‑Power, from one mind, pass through the ether, and by
induction set up similar mental states in the minds of other
persons within the “field of induction
...
I hold that there
is the closest possible relationship between motive energy and
emotive energy—in fact, that both are forms of the same thing
...
But I wish
you to fix in your mind the elementary principles of Mind‑Power
in its phases of telementation or “long‑distance effect,” and of
mentative induction, or the process by which “like begets like”
on the mental plane as on the physical
...
For this reason, the illustration or
symbol of wireless‑telegraphy will help us to understand
telementation; and electrical or magnetic induction will help
us to understand the phenomena of mentative induction
...
30
Chapter IV
Mental Magic in Animal Life
I
have spoken of the manifestation of Mind‑Power among the
atoms and particles of matter, whereby the tiny corpuscles
become aware of each other’s proximity, and whereby they
move voluntarily in response to the desire aroused by the
attraction or affinity of the other atoms; and whereby they also
exert a pull or drawing power on the other atoms, and respond
to the same attracting force of the other particle
...
Passing on to the low forms of animal life, we find tiny
life‑forms in the slime of the ocean‑bed, which are apparently
no more than tiny drops of glue—cells without a nucleus—
which nevertheless perform the functions of all organic forms,
being born, taking nutrition, assimilating, eliminating, growing
old, and finally dying, after reproducing their kind by growth
and division
...
In some way they become “aware” of these
31
Mind‑Power
things—how, man does not know
...
Some of these forms of life, when
viewed under even a strong microscope are seen to move by
gliding from place to place, apparently at will, and with no
perceptible employment of organs of motion such as false‑feet,
fins, etc
...
How do they
do this? How do they become aware of the approach of other
creatures, without sense‑organs, or the rudiments of the same?
It seems that mentation and telementation are manifested here
...
Students of ant‑life relate many remarkable
instances of this kind
...
A professor in an
American university has related that upon one occasion he met
with an instance of telementation on the part of a colony of
ants
...
When approaching this house for the purpose of
studying the progress of his ant colony, he would notice that
other ants had collected on the outside of the walls, and were
running about trying to get through the stone blocks
...
In each case,
after each change, when he would emerge from the house he
would find the outside ants grouped on the stone wall as near
to the inside ants as possible, changing their position from side
to side according to the position of the ant‑cage inside of the
32
Mental Magic in Animal Life
house
...
Another authority relates that a pair of foreign moths were
brought to England
...
One of them, the male, escaped in a part of England
many miles distant from the place to which the remaining moth,
the female, was taken
...
In the morning, much to the entomologist’s surprise, he found
the male moth clinging to the tiny cage which contained the
female
...
, it corresponded exactly; besides which there
was not another moth of that particular species known to be
in England
...
Schools of fish seem to have some method of instantaneous
communication between the individual fishes composing
them, for the entire school moves from side to side, turning
sharply, etc
...
Some
scientists have held that many of the lower animals who live in
groups, schools, etc
...
There
is undoubtedly communication over distance of the cells of the
blood in animals, and the phenomenon of the school of fish,
just noted, may be analogous—at any rate, there is some sort of
distant mental communication between the individual fishes
...
Wild animals undoubtedly have some subtle
sense whereby they find each other when separated by long
distances
...
That animals exert a mental control over their fellows by
some form of manifestation of Mind‑Power, there seems to
be but little doubt among those familiar with the ways of
animals, particularly of wild animals
...
E
...
But one of them, even though he may possess the
uglier dentition, will blow with a difference, with an inward
shakiness that marks him for the under dog at once
...
It is the same with the big cats
...
Thereafter, he takes the
choice of the meat; if he chooses, the rest shall not even begin
to eat until he has finished; he goes first to the fresh pan of
water
...
’”
Among the animals we find many instances of the power
of “charming” or “fascinating,” both of which I hold to be but
varying forms of manifestation of Mind‑Power in the direction
of powerfully influencing the imagination, desire, or will of
another by mentative induction
...
, (1) along the
lines of desire operating in the direction of sex manifestation,
such as the winning of mates, etc
...
These cases are capable of liberal illustration and
proof, and natural history affords us full authority for accepting
the same
...
After a bit, the insect made
a series of desperate plunges at the scorpion, as if in a frantic
desire to terminate the charm; the scorpion soon striking down
the insect, and afterwards devouring it
...
I have
seen a mouse manifest the same emotion in the presence of a
cat; and the same is true of a rat in the presence of a ferret, or
similar enemy
...
If you have ever witnessed the
courting of a bird, during the mating season, you will have a
keen sense of the reality of the power employed
...
When compared with the attitude of the same bird,
when charmed by a serpent, the resemblance will be striking
...
I will give you a few of
them, condensed, and abbreviated
...
Silliman is quoted
as stating that one day, while crossing the Hudson River, at
Catskill, he passed along a narrow road with the river on one
side, and a steep bank, covered by bushes, on the other side
...
Upon examination the professor found an
enormous blacksnake, partly coiled, and partly erect, showing
an appearance of great animation, with his eyes flashing like a
35
Mind‑Power
brilliant diamond, and his tongue darting in and out
...
The professor adds
that although the snake disappeared in the bushes, frightened
at the approach of the men, still the birds seemed too dazed to
escape, and perched on the nearby bushes, evidently awaiting
the reappearance of their “charmer
...
The bird described
gradually decreasing circles around the snake, at the same time
uttering piteous cries
...
Another case is related of a ground‑squirrel, which was
observed running to‑and‑fro between a creek and a large tree
a few yards distant
...
Investigation disclosed the head
and neck of a rattlesnake, protruding from the hole of the tree,
and pointing directly at the squirrel
...
The snake
then proceeded to swallow the squirrel, when his meal was
interrupted with a cut of a carriage whip in the hands of the
observer, and the squirrel, released from the spell, ran briskly
away
...
Good is quoted as having made quite a study of the
curious fascinating power that rattlesnakes manifest over small
animals, such as birds, squirrels, young hares, etc
...
He goes on to state that the animal creeps nearer and
nearer, until at last it is drawn into the serpent’s mouth, which
has been open all the while to receive it
...
Barrow is quoted
as relating many instances of this kind, known to peasants in
36
Mental Magic in Animal Life
all parts of the world
...
The traveler shot the snake, but upon picking up
the bird, he found it dead—killed either by fear or the power
of the serpent, or perhaps by the violent breaking of the spell
...
A case is related in one of the early reports of the Philosophical
Society, in which a mouse was put in a cage with a viper, by way
of an experiment
...
The mouse,
finally, actually entered the jaws of the viper, and was devoured
...
They are said to handle these creatures
fearlessly, the latter seeming to be robbed of their power of
resistance
...
He says, “I have constantly observed that however
lively the viper was before, upon being seized by any of these
barbarians, he seemed as if taken with sickness and feebleness,
and frequently would shut his eyes, and would never turn his
mouth toward the arm that held him
...
When I
was a boy, in Maryland, I knew of a farmhand who was called
a “snake‑charmer
...
This man generally carried a
few pet snakes around with him for company
...
The negroes on the farm had a mortal terror
of this man, and would walk a couple of miles rather than pass
by his house
...
And
nearly everyone has known of men who could “charm” the
wildest horses, as if by magic
...
The
Swedish writer, Lindecrantz, tells of certain natives of Lapland
who are possessed of some process of charming dogs, to such
an extent that they have been known to cow the most savage
great‑hound, causing him to fly from them with all the signs of
abject fear
...
There are cases recorded in which men who have been
“charmed” by a snake, have afterwards given in their experience
...
He found himself
fascinated, as if by a spell, and unable to withdraw his eyes from
those of the creature
...
He grew dizzy and
would have fallen in the direction of the snake, had not his
wife approached, throwing her arms about him, and breaking
the spell
...
The man was leaning toward the snake, and would have fallen
toward it in a few moments
...
The companion finally picked up a stick and struck at
the snake, which glided away savagely
...
When I was a boy, I had a somewhat similar personal
experience, although not nearly so serious
...
In a moment
I ceased to see anything but those awful eyes which glistened
and displayed all the prismatic colors to my frightened glance
...
I cannot say whether the spell would have
been broken by me, if the snake had not moved away—perhaps
it might, or perhaps not
...
But I have said enough regarding the manifestation of
mentative induction among the lower animals
...
I have
mentioned these features of the subject merely for the purpose
of showing you that we have to deal with a general natural
principle which manifests throughout all life
...
But in
39
Mind‑Power
closing this chapter, I would ask you to notice the resemblance
between the manifestation of the force among the animals, on
the one hand, and among mankind on the other
...
e
...
And how do
men and women use it? Along similar lines! Yes, I mean this, as
startling as it may appear
...
? You may see
that evolution simply changes the form of use in this and other
natural qualities, and power—the force or power remaining
the same, under all of the changes
...
Now, as never before, is this mighty force being employed for
worthy or unworthy purposes in everyday human life
...
; as well as by the ignorance of
the masses of people regarding the effect of negative thoughts
and depressing auto‑suggestions
...
We also witness the exploitation of Mind‑Power, under various
names by numerous cults, sects, and organizations, through
many schools, teachers, and publications—under many
different names, and backed up by various “authorities
...
But it is all the same
power—no matter how used
...
I would caution the student of this work from being misled
by the many names and terms used by teachers and writers
describing some form of Mind‑Power, and which the said
persons claim to be “something new,” or “something different”—
it is always the same old thing—as old as creation, and just
as universal as is electricity or light
...
The same
old Mind‑Power, you will find it
...
, with which all are more or less
familiar; or in the phenomena attendant upon the revival of
the ancient occultism in the last twenty years, under various
names and forms, the fundamental principle of which consists
in forms of mental “treatments” of one kind or another, present
or “absent”; or in the phenomena of what has been called
“suggestion,” of which we hear so much in scientific circles; or in
the various forms of mind or faith cures, of which so much has
been heard of late years, and upon which a number of religions
and cults have been built; or in the repulsive forms of mental
influence, known as Black Magic, etc
...
—we have the same
fundamental principle, and manifestation of some phase of the
general phenomena of Mind‑Power
...
” It is
all the operation of the one great law, or principle of Nature
...
Leaders spring
into prominence, apparently owing their power to some
mysterious influence over the minds and wills of others
...
When we meet certain
people, we become at once impressed by a something about
them that makes its power and influence felt by us
...
We know that when some people enter a room, they bring
with them an indefinable influence that becomes apparent to
all
...
Some places
are depressing to all who live or do business in them
...
Some persons attract—others repel
...
We all know how far a
strong “magnetic” leader may carry his followers
...
People have
followed some of these leaders like a flock of sheep
...
And all of these things go to form part of the phenomena of
Mind‑Power
...
Now, as never before, the subject of the mystic forces of
Mind‑Power is attracting the attention of the majority of
thinking people
...
And even now, notwithstanding the popular interest in the
subject, but very few have arrived at a scientific understanding
of the matter, and the majority take their knowledge of the
New Psychology in the capsule of dogma and theory advanced
by some particular cult or sect
...
In the earliest
records we find many traces of it among all peoples
...
Many have been turned away from a serious consideration
of the subject by the fact that many of its forms have been
accompanied by the grossest superstition, and the most absurd
repulsive ceremonies
...
And, inasmuch as this law
is in constant operation, and all are subject to its influence
and effect, does it not become the duty of intelligent people
to acquaint themselves with this mighty force or law, in order
that they may understand its workings; take advantage of its
benefits; and protect themselves against its misuse? Believing
that there is but one answer to this question, this book has been
written in order to throw light on a subject commonly left in
the dark, or at least in the twilight of the human understanding
...
But all students of the
subject are aware that these theories, cleverly as they have been
designed, are more or less self‑contradictory, and many a reader
44
Mental Magic in Human Life
has thrown aside the subject in disgust after a vain attempt at
reconciling the opposing views
...
Many of these cults have practically claimed a monopoly
of the great natural force, and have assumed the right to be
the sole custodians of the secrets thereof, alleging that they
have the “only real article—all others are base imitators,”
notwithstanding that all of them show that they have arrived
at at least a working knowledge of the force, and are obtaining
results—each obtaining about the same percentage of successes,
notwithstanding the fact that each denies the other the fact of
possessing the information and right to use it
...
” The Persian priests were “wonder‑workers,” or
“magicians,” the latter word being derived from the word “Magi,”
the name of the hereditary caste of priests of ancient Persia and
Medea
...
So highly
were its members respected and considered, that the term
“Wise Men,” and “Magi” were synonymous
...
II)
were known as the Magi, or “wise men from the East
...
”
So we may consider the word “magic” to mean: “mastery of
the occult forces of nature,” the term indicating the existence
of such forces, and the possibility of the mastery or control of
them
...
Effects were believed
to result because some magician either “willed it”; “desired it to
be”; or else “imagined it would occur”;—in each case the result
happening as a materialization of the mental conception or
wish
...
And so, I felt that I was justified in using the term “Mental
Magic” in considering the various phenomena resulting from
the manifestation of Mind‑Power
...
” I meant
that these “occult forces of nature” are themselves mental in
character and nature, and that their control or mastery means
simply the conscious use, control, mastery, and application of
certain mental forces, called “occult,” that are possessed by the
race, and are used by all, either consciously or unconsciously
...
And as knowledge and intelligent use
always means Power, the knowledge of the principles of these
forces, and the consequent intelligent application of them
brings power to those acquiring it
...
The magicians
were nearly always priests in the old days, that being the only
career open to them, and one that enabled them to erect the
barrier of primitive religious rites between their wisdom and
the ignorance of the race
...
There was
always to be found an esoteric or inner cult, within the mass
of the exoteric or ignorant priesthood and followers of the
temples
...
And, among the dim records of the ancient mysteries
that have come down to us from ancient India, Egypt, Persia,
Chaldea, Babylon, Greece, and Rome, and the other old centers
of civilization and culture, we may always find the underlying
principle of the existence of some mighty force connected with
the human mind—or more particularly, the will—that was at
the bottom of the mysteries, and magic, and miracles
...
Back of the amulet and charm was
the working of the will of the person wearing them, which was
called into effect by the faith or imagination (a real power and
not a fancy as many believe) of the man ignorant of the real
force
...
” And the same writer in another place speaks of: “The
element in Magic, not depending upon ‘spirits,’ depends upon
imagined powers and correspondences in nature, of which the
adepts avail themselves in order to discover hidden knowledge,
and to act upon the world around them by means beyond the
ordinary capabilities of men
...
,
etc
...
Behind all the masks he will see
the features of this use of the Mind‑Power of man—always
the same, in spite of the fantastic and grotesque masks and
trappings
...
The ancient mysteries
of Egypt, Greece, etc
...
The sick were
brought to the temples and healed
...
What we know
in these days as “Mental Suggestions,” including that which we
now call “affirmations” or “auto‑suggestions,” were understood
and skillfully used by the priests, or magicians, in order to
control the people
...
On the contrary, the priests were
the real governing classes—the powers behind the throne—
and they felt the responsibility of power, and endeavored by
48
Mental Magic in Human Life
their knowledge of the occult forces of the mind to lead the
people in the right path
...
In all ages we learn of the healing of the sick by mental
power, for Mental Healing presents an unbroken line from
the earliest days down to the present, concealed often under
fancy trappings, but the same in principle always
...
The great leaders of men have always been adept
in the use of Mind‑Power, although many of them have never
suspected the sources of their power
...
But it is true
...
It is neither good nor
evil, but may be used for either
...
And we might as
well look this fact squarely in the face, and govern ourselves
accordingly
...
The same force pervades all, just as the same life‑force
flows through the saint and sinner; the angel and demon; the
49
Mind‑Power
dove and the serpent; the lamb and the tiger—Nature’s one
force through all
...
The secret is this: The power does not come from
the supposed source, but from within the mind of the man
employing it
...
Passing from the past to the present age, we see in greater use
than ever this wonderful Mind‑Power
...
Often, the persons using it have not the true knowledge of
its real nature, and such persons often involve themselves in
a terrible whirlpool of effects by reason of a selfish and base
employment of this power
...
It is one of the purposes of this book to call the attention
of such people to the nature of the force they are employing,
and the possible, nay, probable, results of a misuse of it
...
Black magicians are invariably caught in the meshes of their
own nets—are entangled in the psychic machinery of their
own manufacture—and are blown up by their own psychic
high explosives
...
Mental treatments
for wealth and success are commonly known and advertised;
instructions in the use of suggestion for commercial purposes
are furnished both personally, and in correspondence courses;
the laws and principles are explained, partially, at least, in books
written for the instruction of those selling or advertising goods,
and otherwise soliciting the patronage of the public
...
It has been reserved for America to recognize the
force, and to boldly apply it in this way, i
...
, to the making
of dollars
...
And in
view of this fact, is it not time that those who know of the real
nature, principles, and laws of this force should give to the
world their knowledge, that the race may know with what they
are dealing—and may he enabled to extract the good from it
by proper use, and, seeing the evil possibilities of improper use,
may avoid such prostitution of one of nature’s greatest forces
...
They have claimed that it was “dangerous” for people generally
to know that such a force existed and could be used
...
This may have been good reasoning in the earlier days of
the world, when the masses were grossly ignorant, and when
the only knowledge was locked up in the minds of the caste of
priests and other leaders of the race
...
The result
has been that a considerable body of occult knowledge has
been opened to the gaze of the public, and they are clamoring
51
Mind‑Power
for more
...
The time has arrived when the public should be made
acquainted with the great force underlying the phenomena of
Mind‑Power
...
It is too late to deny or ignore the existence of the mighty
mental force in Nature that underlies the various forms of
phenomena that go to form the outward phase of Mind‑Power,
good and bad
...
” On the one hand
they have witnessed the various “treatments” of the healers,
tending toward the cure of disease, the attainment of success,
etc
...
, and have heard of, or read, the various courses
of instruction in hypnotism, mesmerism, etc
...
, and have
seen evidences of the good and bad effects of what has been
called “suggestion,” in all of its forms
...
And they are
demanding, like the man from Missouri, to “be shown
...
The race has always recognized the existence of a mighty
force of Nature which man has employed, consciously or
unconsciously, in the direction of influencing his fellow men;
other forms of life, and even the so‑called lifeless things
around him
...
, and in its more base and evil uses, black art;
witchcraft; sorcery; voodooism, etc
...
Like any other great natural force—like electricity; the power
of explosives; steam; the X‑rays; radium, etc
...
Different as are the results arising from
the varying applications, the force is the same in each case
...
This may
seem like a terrible thing, but a moment’s thought will satisfy
you that it is true of all natural forces, and the question of good
and evil, and its reward or punishment, belongs to another
plane of life
...
The answer is simple
...
If a thing is good, the greater publicity
given it the greater the good—if it is evil, the brighter the
searchlight turned upon it, the less danger is there attendant
upon it
...
“Turn on the Light” has always
been the watchword of progress and civilization
...
And in many cases it is being practiced upon
people who are unfamiliar with the subject, and therefore it
is time that some one should “turn on the light,” that it may
be seen by all men and known for what it is—capable of the
highest and the lowest uses, but a great force of Nature
...
If it be a bane—here is the antidote
...
What would be thought
of people who would suppress knowledge of all natural laws,
because of the possibility of improper use? Ignorance is no
protection
...
So much for the unpleasant side
...
This force has come to
man just when he most needs it
...
And these new worlds will be conquered by
the mind, rather than by the muscle
...
By it man will be enabled to fight off the forces of
ignorance and materialism, and to draw to himself knowledge
from the Universal Mind that will enable him to accomplish
the heretofore Impossible
...
e
...
In the case of the beneficial application, full directions will be
given that the student may avail himself of the force to the
fullest extent
...
This is what I should do in lessons
upon electricity, steam, or explosives—and that is the course I
purpose following in this work
...
” To such people, and all others, I would say that I have
no sympathy with such an attitude, and I believe that the race is
ready for all the Truth, and that that which is proper for the few
is proper for the many
...
I
believe that ignorance is not happiness; and that to keep a man
ignorant of a natural fact, in order that he may escape its effect,
is like allowing him to smoke when seated on a keg of powder
rather than to acquaint him with a knowledge of explosives—
or, to use another figure, to advise him to bury his head in the
sand like an ostrich, rather than to look upon the approach of
a possible danger
...
Like electricity, Mind‑Power
undoubtedly has two poles, or phases
...
Like electricity, it operates by induction
...
And, like
the higher forms of energy—super‑electrical in nature—it
possesses radio‑activity, or radiant energy—that is, like many
other forms of radiant energy, it is constantly throwing off
streams of active energy, in the shape of “rays”; “vibrations,”
or “waves
...
Already we are receiving hints of
“Mental Photographs,” or “Radiographs,” and before long we
shall have “Tele‑Mentometers,” that will register the telemental
waves
...
The brain cannot create Mind‑Power; its office
is merely to “transform” or “convert” the existent energy into
57
Mind‑Power
usable forms and phases
...
Just as there is a
constant “burning‑up” of the elements of an electrical battery
in the production of electricity, so is there a “burning‑up” of
brain matter in the production of Mentation
...
” And
I believe that the same holds good in mental action in the brain
...
In this book I shall hold to the fact there is evident in the
manifestation of Mind‑Power, in any and all forms, two distinct
poles, or phases
...
I shall call these two Mentative Poles respectively
“The Emotive Pole” and “The Motive Pole
...
” The
word “Emotive” means: “That which manifests feeling; emotion;
agitation; passion; sensation; etc
...
You will be able to fix these
two ideas connected with the Mentative Poles by thinking of
the Motive Pole as “Will”; and of the Emotive Pole as “Feeling
...
The Motive Pole manifests actively as Will‑Power
...
Not only does desire cause the response of
one’s own will, but both desire and will are active forces in
themselves, and act and react upon the desire and will poles
of mentality of others
...
In fact, the entire theory and practice of
Mind‑Power depends upon this underlying principle
...
It may likewise set up vibrations
in that other mind, awakening there similar desires
...
It may also overpower the will
of another, and lead it captive
...
These
two poles of the mind are both active and powerful in their
effect
...
Let us take a few moments’
time and consider the subject of Desire‑Force and Will‑Power,
before we proceed further
...
I,
too, fell into this error, and for many years taught of the power
of “thought,” etc
...
Of course, everyone who has paid any attention to the subject
knows that thought‑transference is a fact, telementation
being an established reality
...
It is like the difference between
thinking and doing in ordinary life
...
What is thought? Webster defines it as “An exercise of the mind
in any of its higher forms; reflection, cogitation
...
We must look for something in the
mind having more elementary force and power
...
What part of the mind seems to
produce the greatest moving power and strength? Is it not
59
Mind‑Power
chiefly that region of the mind that produces what we call
emotions—feelings—desires—cravings—passions? Does not
this part of the mind really cause the greatest incentive action
on our part? Is not the whole moving‑force largely summed up
in the two words desire and will? Think of this a moment
...
Desire is
“that which incites to action
...
I will tell you more about this wonderful thing, the will, in
a moment or two, but let us now think of desire, for that is the
real emotive‑power
...
After a bit, gathering enough force, she emerges
into the conscious field, and then begins to demand expression
...
Many people think of desire as only the craving
of a low nature, but desire really means a feeling that wants
something—and that something may be the very highest
aspiration of the human mind
...
It manifests as the Law of Mentative
Attraction which is constantly drawing toward us the things we
60
The Mentative‑Poles
desire, and also drawing us toward them
...
Our desires
constitute our nature, and our nature is always operating the
mighty power of Mentative Attraction
...
It is only when we learn the secret of
concentration and focusing the Desire‑Force by the will that we
are able to get results above the average
...
Desire‑Force not only has its effect upon the person,
and others near him, but it may be, and often is, sent for
thousands of miles where it affects and influences others, in
ways
...
It spreads out from the
mind of the person affecting and influencing others even at
other parts of the world, if concentrated and directed by the
will
...
It moves not merely blind, lifeless things, but the
living minds, thoughts, emotions, passions and actions of men
...
Like any
other great natural force it is capable of being used for good or
evil
...
What phase of mental effort is more apt to be a motive‑force—
the cold, lifeless thought about an abstract metaphysical
proposition, or a mathematical problem, on the one hand;
and a warm vital wave of “feeling,” emotion or passion, such
as love, hate, ambition, aspiration, courage and desire on the
other? And remember that these last mentioned all belong
to the “feeling” side of the mind, and all are manifestations of
elementary desire
...
Before we can love
or hate, there must be desire
...
Before we can manifest
courage and energy there must be desire
...
Abstract thought is a cold, bare thing, lacking vitality and
warmth—desire is filled with life, throbbing, longing, wanting,
craving, insisting, and ever pressing outward toward action
...
And not only does desire incite us to action—move us to
accomplish its ends, but it also, when sufficiently strong, surges
out from our minds in great waves and clouds of invisible and
subtle energy or force, and travels here and there toward the
object of its inner urge—affecting, attracting, drawing, forcing
the desired thing into submission to its cravings and demand
...
Who has not met people who actually
seemed to be living desire and will?
The source of Desire‑Force exists in every person, and it may
be developed to a wonderful degree
...
These people “wish” for things
in a faint, pink‑tea way
...
The majority of
people do not know how to desire
...
They are
like sheep, pigeons, or rabbits, and sit meekly around while the
strong ones of the race—the ones filled with masterful desire—
walk around and pick up every good thing in sight
...
They have had the elementary vigor and virility bleached
out of them by the “refinements” of one phase of civilization,
and have nearly lost all that goes to make up manly men, and
natural women
...
The forces of Nature are at the disposal of the man of vigor
and determination and desire
...
Instead of
doing this, the majority of us sit around the doorsteps whining
that the door shall be opened to us
...
I have shown you that Desire‑Force is the great force
underlying the phenomena of Mental Magic
...
The will is the lever and director of the great power of
desire and without its aid the latter is almost inoperative and
ineffectual
...
The will has two offices in connection with desire
...
The will acts as the arouser, director, restrainer, concentrator,
and manager of the great occult force of desire
...
Remember this, please, for it will enable you to form
a better idea of the subject of Will‑Power
...
The effort of the will is operated in the
63
Mind‑Power
direction of this directing, focusing, concentrating, etc
...
Not only is the will able to do
this, but it is able also to direct the Desire‑Force into the mind
of other persons, awakening similar vibrations there, and then
by its own power the will is able to direct the Desire‑Force of
the other persons into action, taking away that office from the
will of the other persons, if their will be not strong enough in its
protective office to resist the attack
...
All recognize the wonderful
power of the will, and know of many instances of great
accomplishment by reason of its power
...
Unless a person desires,
that is, wants to do a thing, he will manifest no Will‑Power
...
Desire arouses
will; and will may stimulate desire
...
The two should work in unison, and the trained
individual has both under control and pulling well together,
like a well‑trained team
...
It is a living force
...
And both, together, manifest that which we know
as Dynamic Mentation
...
The greatest
feats of the occult magicians depend upon telementation
operated by trained Will‑Power
...
64
The Mentative‑Poles
The exercise of will shows itself in two ways, (1) the mastery of
one’s own mind; and (2) the mastery of the minds of others
...
One must first train his mind so that he will hold it firmly in
the grasp of the will, and prevent it from jumping this way and
that way, instead of moving ahead to its purpose
...
But so long as his mind is in a stage of
disorganization, one faculty pulling this way, and another that
way, and so on, he cannot hope to concentrate upon others
the force that is being wasted in keeping order at home
...
The term, Will‑Power, is commonly used in connection
with the manifestation of firmness, or determination
...
And I think it well to consider this
fact at this point, for back of all outward manifestations of
mentative influence along active lines, lies this determined will
of the individual
...
This statement should not require proof, for
its truth is apparent to all who have made a study of man and his
powers
...
Here are
a few quotations that will tend to fix the matter firmly in your
mind, and create in you a desire to manifest the determined
will—the lever that directs and concentrates Mind‑Power
...
That quality will do anything that can be done in this
65
Mind‑Power
world—and no talents, no circumstances, no opportunities
will make a two‑legged creature a man without it
...
Mitchell said: “Resolve is what makes a man
manifest; not puny resolve, not crude determination, not
errant purpose—but that strong and indefatigable will which
treads down difficulties and danger, as a boy treads down the
heaving frostlands of winter; which kindles his eye and brain
with a proud pulse‑beat toward the unattainable
...
”
Disraeli said: “I have brought myself by long meditation to
the conviction that a human being with a settled purpose must
accomplish it, and that nothing can resist a will which will stake
even existence upon its fulfillment
...
”
John Foster said: “It is wonderful how even the casualties of
life seem to bow to a spirit that will not bow to them, and yield
to subserve a design which they may, in their first apparent
tendency, threaten to frustrate
...
”
As we have seen, the use of the will as the projector of
mentative currents is the real base of all mentative induction,
under whatever name it may manifest
...
The will currents of a strong
man reach out far beyond the limits of his brain, and influence
people and things, causing them to be inclined toward his wishes
...
, is really this working of the will currents
over space
...
,
are really manifestations of the energy of the will
...
It has a
66
The Mentative‑Poles
property of reacting upon others, and permeating them with a
mental essence not their own, unless they repel the invasion or
fortify themselves against the aggression
...
They underlie thought
...
They ever precede thought; and are
closely allied to the essence of what we call “feeling
...
The infant feels, desires and wills before it
can think
...
A modern writer on mysticism has said: “There is no force
in the universe except will‑force,” meaning, of course, the great
natural force of energy called will, of which desire and will in
man are expressions
...
And what we know as Will‑Power is the positive
phase of directed desire
...
But even the ‘West has its men of “Iron Will,” whose influence
is felt on all sides, and whose power is openly acknowledged
by the public
...
Mind‑Power is the essence of all mentative induction
...
Mind‑Power manifests in the
phases of both desire and will, as we generally use these terms,
for it is composed of the elements of both
...
It may help you to fix in your mind the attributes,
67
Mind‑Power
characteristics and nature of these two phases of mentative
energy by associating them with the idea of masculine and
feminine
...
By fixing these mental images in your mind, you will be better
able to manifest the two phases as occasion arises
...
When
under the control of the “I” of the person, and taking the
suggestion of reason and judgment, it is able to prevent one
from expressing undesirable or hurtful desires
...
It also turns back the desire upon itself,
and refuses to allow it to manifest
...
And the will has still another important office
...
The will repels the influence or vibrations of another
mind, and renders its possessor immune to undesirable
thought‑waves
...
The will when properly used acts as
an insulator for attacks upon the desire pole of one’s mind, and
prevents the vibrations from reaching their mark
...
69
Mind‑Power
70
Chapter VII
I
Desire and Will in Fable
herewith reproduce “The Fable of the Mentative Couple,” a
bit of writing in the lighter vein perpetrated by myself about a
year ago
...
It brings out the distinction existing between
the Motive and the Emotive phases of the mind, and beneath
its flippancy is concealed some good, sound psychological
truth
...
It will show you, in figurative style, the operation of the
two poles of the Desire‑Will
...
It will also show
you how the protective faculty may be disarmed and overcome
by a diversion of its attention from its task
...
I trust that you will seek for the truth and principles underlying
the trifling words of the fable
...
”
Each of us, man or woman, has a Mentative Castle, in which
dwells a Mentative Couple—Volos and Emotione
...
And the
fascinating stranger often puts in an appearance
...
And Volos often is fooled by
having his attention and interest distracted by clever schemes,
leaving Emotione unprotected again
...
” Heed the advice of the wise man of the fable
...
The Fable of the Mentative Couple
...
” They were happy
though married
...
Well, now, the man was called “Volos” (which is the same as
the English name “Will”), and the woman was called “Emotione,”
which in the language of that country meant something like a
combination of emotion, desire and imagination
...
We
are told that Volos was of a stern, inflexible, strong, positive
nature; apt to stick to a thing once begun; full of the “will‑to‑live”
and “vitality”; full of determination and spirit with a strong
dash of the “let‑me‑alone” and “get out of my way” in his
make‑up; with a taste for meeting difficulties and overcoming
obstacles; with a goodly habit of reaching out and taking
72
Desire and Will in Fable
hold of what Emotione wanted and needed; and a powerful
lot of self‑respect and self‑reliance in him
...
His general keynote was strength
...
But Emotione was of an entirely
different type, temperament, and character
...
While
Volos was all willing and thinking, Emotione was all feeling
...
Volos had to “figure
out” everything, while Emotione had intuition, and jumped
at a conclusion in a way remarkable to Volos, who couldn’t
understand the process at all
...
But, nevertheless, he learned to respect
these “becauses” of Emotione, and found that they helped
him in his business
...
Volos couldn’t see very far
ahead of his nose, while Emotione could see miles beyond, and
years ahead
...
Emotione was like fire, and Volos like water
...
And,
so, you see these two—this Mentative Couple—formed a fine
co‑partnership, and prospered mightily
...
And this is what
happened:
One day Volos was absent from the castle, being engaged
in some arduous enterprise
...
Volos had provided against this by instructing
Emotione that she was to keep the castle gate closed tight,
when he was away from home, and never to gaze without in
his absence, for there was some mysterious danger lurking
without when he was away
...
Many the time she had heard strange
knockings at the castle gate, but she heeded them not, and
even refrained from looking out of the little peep‑hole in the
gate—though this last was much against her inclination, for
she could see no harm in “just looking
...
This particular day when Volos was
absent from home, her curiosity was too much for Emotione
when she heard the strange knockings at the gate
...
Looking down
she saw a most attractive stranger, with a fascinating smile on
his lips
...
He had the strength,
but also the charm that Emotione recognized as being a part of
her own nature
...
” The fascinating stranger smiled sweetly, and
looking her in the eyes, masterfully asked to be admitted
...
” “Ah, fair lady,” said the Stranger softly
...
He
does not ‘understand,’ as do you and I
...
” And, like
Mother Eve, Emotione took the bait
...
of Fifth Avenue, to be issued in 824 weekly parts, at the nominal
74
Desire and Will in Fable
price of $5 a part—739 parts of which were already out, and
would be delivered shortly
...
Volos cried aloud to the gods of his
land—but it was too late, the contracts had been signed
...
Volos did not understand
just what was the matter, and contented himself with scolding
Emotione, whereat she wept bitterly
...
And when Volos again was absent from
home, the habit reasserted itself, and when the fascinating
stranger again called at the castle, he was admitted
...
He also found that
the castle had been lightning‑rodded from ground to turret, on
each wing, tower, and annex; and that sundry promissory notes,
containing a law‑proof, judgment‑confessed clause, had been
given in exchange therefor
...
And he did
...
And this is how he played it on Volos, even though the latter
remained at home
...
Volos sat on the great stone beside
the open castle gate, and his attention was attracted by the
sounds and sights
...
Then one of the mountebank gang (who
was really the attractive stranger disguised in motley array)
75
Mind‑Power
slipped, unseen, past Volos, and in a moment was engaged in
eager conversation with the impressionable Emotione
...
“Alack a‑day, woe is me,” she cried, “I am again in trouble,
O, Volos, my liege lord! I have just ordered from the fascinating
stranger, who slipped past you at the gate, a baby‑grand,
self‑playing, automatic, liquid‑air‑valved, radium carburetter,
piano‑playing, Organette, upon which I may play for you all
classes of music, ranging from Vogner’s Gotterdammerung
to the popular “Merry Widow Waltz” with feeling, depth of
expression, and soulful understanding, according to the words
of the fascinating stranger who took my order
...
And by my halidom, e’en shalt thou soon be performing the
waltz just mentioned by thy false red lips! Zounds! Of a truth
I have been stung again by that fascinating stranger
...
Aha! Volos is himself again, and the next time the fascinating
stranger appears upon the scene, he shall be smitten hip and
thigh with my trusty battle‑axe, and my snickersee shall pierce
his foul carcass!”
But, alas! even once more was poor Volos deceived and
trifled with—once more poor Emotione fascinated by the
stranger
...
On the day of his last undoing, Volos sat on the open step,
in front of the narrowly opened castle door
...
But fate willed otherwise
...
Most agreeable were these visitors, and most considerate
of Volos’ feelings were they
...
“’Tis passing strange,” quoth Volos,
“but nevertheless ’tis true—that I always find myself on the right
side of every question
...
Verily, am I developing into a wise guy!”
And, pondering thus, he fell sweetly asleep from the rigor of
the disputes; the flattering attentions shown him; the joy of the
victory; and the exceeding amount of attention and interest
he had expended, for human nature has its limitations, even
in the case of one so strong as Volos
...
” And when Volos discovered what had happened he wept
aloud, crying bitterly, “Odds‑bones; s’death—of a cert am I the
Baron E
...
Mark
...
The wise man came, and after hearing the story said: “My
children, yours is a sad case, but matters may be adjusted without
a visit to Sioux Falls, and without the raising of the question of
alimony
...
He has no wants to satisfy,
and therefore does nothing
...
And without her he has no feeling—he is nothing but a
hard‑shell clam
...
And without
her he has no imagination, and cannot see beyond the end of
his nose—and what is life without imagination? Gadzooks, one
might as well be a mummy!
“And on the other hand, Emotione without Volos, is a
consuming fire of desire; an unrestrained imagination; an
intuitive faculty degenerated into the basest superstition,
most deplorable credulity, and the idlest fancy
...
“Verily, cannot it be seen by all that this
couple needs one another the worst way? Each, alone, is but an
incomplete half
...
In union
alone is there strength for them
...
We have seen how
Emotione was fascinated and controlled by the stranger who
gained access to the castle
...
Verily, art these people quits with one another and
should now begin over again
...
“And this is the secret of the undoing of Emotione
...
And so she became so impressionable
as to allow herself to be mastered by the will of the stranger,
who took advantage of the same and gathered to himself many
choice orders for things
...
And, again, when Volos allowed himself to become
engaged in weighty discourse with the visiting committee, and
used up his energy and force in argument and dispute with
them—and when he permitted himself to be ‘jollied’ into a
false security by these United Brethren of the Blarney‑Stone—
he relaxed his vigilance, and allowed himself to become tired,
drowsy and sleepy, and so fell into a doze at his post, and the
stranger again entered and took Emotione’s orders for goods
...
Each person of this Mentative Couple must stick close to the
other
...
And Emotione must stick close to Volos, and satisfy her
curiosity, imagination, emotion and desire, by setting him to
work out things for her—to do things dreamed of by her—to get
her things she desires—to express the things felt by her
...
Now, then children,
stick close to each other!”
And saying this, the Wise Man vanished from sight
...
And what happened
to the couple in the fable, may happen, and does happen, to
many in everyday life
...
And, again, the will has its
attention distracted by passing objects of interest, and forgets
the castle door
...
And in each case, inside the gate is
Emotione unprotected and innocent, true to her own nature,
credulous, imaginative, fanciful, desireful, and emotional—is
it any wonder that she “orders goods” that are not wanted by
the family? And the remedy of the wise man as given to the
Mentative Couple may be, and should be, applied by every man
and woman in his or her Mental Castle
...
And thus endeth the fable of the Mentative Couple, who
dwell in the Mentative Castle, in Mentalvania, in the days of old
when brave knights held their sway and fair ladies had their way
...
80
Chapter VIII
A
Mind‑Power in Action
nd now let us consider the subject of the operation
of Mind‑Power, in the phase of its employment,
consciously or unconsciously, to affect the minds of
others
...
I shall cover the points briefly, the elaboration being
made at the proper points in the lessons
...
As you have seen, the currents of Mind‑Power flow
in vibratory waves from the mind of the individual, and act
upon the minds of others according to the laws of mentative
induction
...
In other words, these vibrations “induce” or set
up by induction in the minds of others, mental states similar to
those existing in the mind of the mentator
...
But, of course, they are less in
degree; for a part of the original energy has been dissipated in
many directions, and then again, a certain amount of force is
81
Mind‑Power
lost according to the degree of resistance in the receiving mind
...
If, on the contrary, the receiving mind be in its nature
more or less in accord with the vibrations, it will set up little or
no resistance, and the induced condition will be very nearly as
strong as the original impulse
...
These
currents, of course, come in contact with each other, and often
either combine or else act to neutralize each other
...
But if they are opposing vibrations they will antagonize each
other and act in the direction of neutralizing each other’s force
...
That is, the
weaker will lose twice as much power as the stronger, and the
stronger will lose only half as much as the weaker—supposing
that the stronger is of twice the strength of the weaker
...
, have their own “personal atmospheres,” which
affect persons living in them or visiting them
...
, of the various vibrations arising from mentative currents
from the minds of the people living in the town
...
A little thought will make it clear to
you that this is a correct statement of the mental conditions
manifest in various towns, cities, etc
...
82
Mind‑Power in Action
Each place has its own individuality, which soon makes its
impression on those taking up their abode in it
...
The average mental
state of the people living in the town strikes the key‑note
...
The best proof of this effect being caused by
mental vibrations is found in the fact that two towns only a few
miles from each other, each having the same atmospheric and
geographical conditions, will manifest entirely different mental
atmospheres
...
And then again, Nature
instinctively affords a safeguard and sets up additional powers
of resistance
...
Bring a person from a quiet place into a bustling, active city,
and he is apt to be swept off his feet at first with the “spirit of
the place”—he will either be swept into its prevailing life with
an almost irresistible impulse, or else he will be repelled by
reason of the inharmonious mentative currents
...
But, the
same man, after a time, will fail to be so affected—he will be
better able to resist the vibrations and will manage to live with a
greater peace and poise than at first, although he will, of course,
83
Mind‑Power
alter his nature more or less in harmony with the prevailing
tone of the place
...
Some people have so developed this resisting power that
they are almost immune, while others have so little power of
resistance that they are swept here and there by each strong
wave of mentative energy that reaches them—they are always
in some field of induction and being swayed by its vibrations
...
You will remember the first shock
that came to you when you read the account in the morning
papers
...
This latter feeling
grew perceptibly as wave after wave of feeling passed over the
country in mentative currents, setting up increased mental
feeling by induction
...
These things are common, and give you a clue to the
apparent mystery of the action of mobs composed of a number
of individuals who combine in numbers and then commit acts
that no one man of the lot would think of perpetrating singly
or individually
...
After the excitement—the morning after—many, if not all,
of the persons concerned, felt a sickening horror and wonder
at their work
...
Great waves of religious fervor noticeable in communities
during the progress of “revivals” are accounted for in the same
way
...
These whirlwinds or whirlpools of emotional excitement, of
whatever kind, are, of course, strengthened by the constantly
repeated suggestions of those participating in it, which with
the constantly growing volume of mentative energy being
thrown forth serves to add fuel to the fire
...
Everything has its rise, its
climax, and its decline
...
But there is another phase to be
considered—many phases, in fact
...
First there are mentative currents, arising from the strong
centered desire of some person, who forming a strong mental
image, by means of visualization, creates for himself a center of
desire‑force, which guided by his will‑power attracts to himself
all that will fit into his plans
...
He thus sets into operation the great
mental Law of Attraction, of which the early writers on Mental
Science talked so much
...
The original desire in the man’s mind is reproduced in kind
in the minds of thousands of people by the law of mentative
induction, and they all fall in with the plan, the degree, of
course, depending upon the degree of positivity or negativity
85
Mind‑Power
of the receptive mind, multiplied by the degree of positivity
of the mentator
...
Many of these great centers of Desire‑Force—these
successful men, who attract to them that which they want,
and those whom they need—do not realize the nature of the
force that they are using, but there are a constantly increasing
number who do know it, and they are “working it for all it is
worth
...
If the true facts of the case were
to creep out, there would be the greatest sensation that the
country has ever known
...
I allude to
the cases of men who (generally consciously, but sometimes
unconsciously) are focusing their mentative currents directly
upon some person or persons who are necessary to their plans
and desires
...
These
men, according to their degree of concentration and will‑power
direct to the other person or persons strong mentative currents
of Desire‑Force, and by mentative induction set up vibrations
of a corresponding rate in the minds of these others, the degree
of effect produced, of course, depending upon the degree of
negativity of the recipient
...
The first way is to set up corresponding desire vibrations in
the mind of the other, so that it will in turn cause his will to carry
out the desire
...
This
will be understood if you will remember what I have said about
the resemblance of the desire pole to the feminine, and the
will pole to the masculine
...
86
Mind‑Power in Action
The second way is for the will of the sender to force its way
past the will of the other and boldly “make love” to the desire
of the other, and endeavor to “seduce” it by mere strength and
persistency until it accedes to his wishes
...
This latter is
very rare, except in cases of personal interviews between the
two persons, aided by telementation between interviews
...
The
giants in the art of mentative attraction combine poles in their
attacks and work, and thus in the words of “Uncle Remus”:
“Dey cotch ’em comin’, and dey cotch ’em goin’,” like “Brer Fox
...
In this phase the mentator pours forth
his mentative currents, either in a general way, or else in a
concentrated, directed manner, toward the other, in a personal
interview
...
” The “personal magnetism” phase of personal
influence is the phase of feminine activity; and the “force of will”
phase is the phase of masculine activity
...
Although
suggestion has to do with words, etc
...
And then there is very little mental
suggestion that is not accomplished with mentative currents—
very little, indeed
...
Remember,
that fear in itself is the most negative influence and most
weakening mental state known
...
No matter how potent may
be these mentative currents, there are none that may not be
rendered impotent, and ineffectual by your own will‑power set
in motion by your own desire‑force
...
Nature has blessed all of us in this respect—it makes no
bane without its antidote, and does not depart from its rule in
this phase any more than in any other
...
As a matter of fact, you are
defending yourself constantly, although you may not know it
...
You are using the mental “No!” all the
time—that is, unless you are some poor creature who is afraid
to say “No!” even mentally, and if you are that, then this book is
doubly needed by you
...
No one who studies this book need ever again fear any undue
influence on the part of others
...
I intend to make you strong, positive
individuals, instead of weak, negative personalities
...
While this is not the place for exercises,
still I want each and every one of you to start right in now and
form a mental attitude of fearlessness and strength, that you
may begin at once to send forth mentative currents of that
rate of vibration
...
You will begin to
realize your increasing power, and you will also see that others
are beginning to feel it
...
Stimulate the currents by arousing a strong, intense, burning
desire to be strong and to radiate strength vibrations—then
back this up by the application of a strong, steady, masterful
and dominant will—and then “the trick will be done
...
Thoughts
are cold, but feelings are warm, alive and vital
...
Feeling is living thought
...
Feeling—Desire—Emotion—Passion—Wanting—Willing—
Demanding—these are the things that have creative power
...
It is not simply “holding the
thought,” it is “holding the desire,” and backing it up with the
will, that does the work
...
”
89
Mind‑Power
90
Chapter IX
P
Personal Magnetism
erhaps the most interesting manifestation of Mind‑Power
along the lines of telementation and mentative induction,
at least to the beginner in the study of the subject, is the
phase known as “Personal Magnetism
...
We often hear of “personal
magnetism”; “mental magnetism”; “magnetic personality”;
“magnetic attraction”; “magnetic influence,” etc
...
, used in
the sense of mental attraction; personal influence; fascination;
charming; psychological influence, etc
...
The explanation involves an interesting bit of little
known occult history
...
” Now here is an interesting bit of history
...
This explanation is most
amusing to those familiar with the records of the old occult
brotherhoods, for the latter know that instead of the magnet
being named after the town, the town was named after the
91
Mind‑Power
magnet, the latter being known centuries before the town of
Magnesia was built
...
Its name “magnet,” arose from the
same Persian word as “magic,” namely, “mag,” signifying the
esoteric priesthood or Magians
...
” So you see we come by our use of the word
in a perfectly natural way
...
, noticed in Europe and America during the past century or
so, came to be naturally called “Animal Magnetism”; “Personal
Magnetism,” etc
...
And, in our day, we speak of people being “very
magnetic,” “lacking magnetism,” having a “magnetic presence,”
etc
...
And so history repeats itself
...
” because its force
resembled the mentative attraction manifested by the Magi
or Magians, serves to give a name to similar manifestation of
mental force centuries after
...
It has repaid the debt
...
Its
very frequent occurrence often causes us to overlook it, but it
is the phase which is effectively used by those who understand
it, and the one against which it behooves us to guard ourselves
...
The so‑called “magnetic” man is able to sway audiences or
individuals by his mystic power, and one often fails to realize
just how it was done when he recalls the words spoken, or reads
them in cold type the morning after
...
Many persons who have dealings with the public in the
direction of selling goods; securing subscriptions; selling
life‑insurance, etc
...
, have acquired a degree of the art of
using personal magnetism, often being unconscious of the
force they are employing
...
, and more or less of
personal magnetism although under some other name
...
While the statement may bring down upon my head
the wrath of those who believe that the phenomena of the
“old‑fashioned revival” are due to the “workings of the Spirit,” I
do not hesitate to affirm that all students of psychology know
that the greater part of the fervor is due to emotional excitement
produced by personal magnetism, manifesting along both the
lines of mentative currents and suggestion
...
And not alone in the field of “emotional religion” does
this force manifest itself so strongly—it is just as plainly
demonstrated in the case of “emotional politics
...
See how men are swayed by emotional appeals to
their prejudices and party spirit
...
Their emotions are skillfully played upon by the leaders and
speakers, and the current of personal magnetism, and suggestion,
spreads over the body of the party until they become a mob
possessed of certain fixed ideas that have taken possession
of them
...
The excitement grows
fiercer and fiercer, until at last the day of the election is at hand,
and the country goes into a paroxysm of emotional excitement
...
The next day every one suffers
from a relapse, and the country begins to laugh over what has
happened
...
The people play their parts year after year—that is
the majority of them—being swayed by emotional excitement
rather than by reason, thought, or intelligence
...
”
And in both revival and political campaign the moving spirit
is the same
...
Gaining force
under the force of the desire and will of each person who adds
his force to the original impulse it swells in volume until, like
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Personal Magnetism
the rolling snowballs, it grows to mammoth proportions and
sweeps all before it
...
” Did
you ever wonder why? Have you ever wondered why you
enjoyed a theatrical performance more when the house was
filled than when only half its seating capacity was used? Have
you ever understood the cause of the wave of enthusiasm that
has swept over the large audience, including yourself, until
you felt all in a mental glow? Have you ever realized that what
is known as “the psychology of the crowd,” by which term is
meant the influence that can be gained over a crowd, whereas
the separate individuals composing the crowd could not be so
affected, is due to personal magnetism and mental suggestion
which is started into operation and then spread from mind to
mind by the added desire and will manifested in mental states
and their associated physical actions?
And there is another fact to be remembered while we are
considering audiences and crowds
...
It is action and, reaction always
...
Many sober, sensible people have
been swept off their feet by these waves of personal magnetism,
and have done and said things that would otherwise have been
impossible for them
...
We have seen, or heard, of respectable citizens, including the
members of the so‑called learned professions, lawyers, doctors,
teachers, preachers, joining in mobs and allowing themselves
to be carried away by the personal magnetism and suggestion
95
Mind‑Power
of the more excitable members thereof, and participating
in acts that afterwards seemed like horrible nightmares to
them
...
The motive‑pole of the mind—the
will‑power, should ever be on guard to resist this invasion of
the emotive pole—desire‑force
...
In all of these cases of personal magnetism, and mental
suggestion whether along the lines of personal influencing,
appeals, artful suggestion, etc
...
He thus induces in them the desires, emotions and feelings
which act as motive forces, causing them to act according to
his wishes and will
...
The will of the
man sending the mentative currents, or mental suggestions,
is in control, instead of the wills of the hearers and persons
influenced
...
I trust that what I have said along these lines will appeal
to the student in the direction of causing him to interpose a
resistance to these currents and suggestions in cases such as I
have mentioned
...
Surround yourself with an armor of will‑power
which will act as a shield against influences of this sort, and
which will beat them back upon their senders
...
It is apparent to all students of human nature that there is a
wonderful difference in the degrees of what is called “personal
force” observable in different persons with whom we come in
contact
...
This difference in “personal force” depends upon the degree of
dynamic “positivity” or negativity” in the “magnetism” of each
person
...
” I use the word “positive” in
this connection in the sense of Webster’s definition: “having
the power to direct action or influence
...
” By “negative,” as I use it here, I mean:
“non‑positive; lacking the power of direct action or influence
...
”
Each one is dynamically positive to some others, and dynamically
negative to others still—unless indeed one has reached the limit
of positivity or negativity, which limit cannot be definitely fixed
...
At once there ensues a silent,
quiet struggle between their dynamic mentation, depending
for its intensity upon the importance of the meeting
...
It
may be over in a moment, or it may last a long time, but from
that struggle, sooner or later, one or the other must emerge a
97
Mind‑Power
victor, unless, as is rarely the case, they are of equal degrees of
positivity
...
I do not mean by this that the degree of dynamic positivity is
fixed permanently in either person
...
One of the persons who is really stronger, usually, may be weaker
at that particular time owing to his will being fatigued, or by
reason of his having relaxed his will‑power, as is often the case
...
One may have a strong will, in moments of
activity, and yet in moments of passivity he may relax it very
much
...
All of us
know of instances of this kind in our own personal experiences
...
These people fairly paralyze the
wills of those around them, and induce emotive states almost
at will
...
Such men are of course rare, and
whenever they exist they make a strong mark on the history of
their times, local or general
...
But still, the mind intuitively flies to him in
thinking of the dominant will
...
It was manifested not only on the
world at large, but also upon those closest to him in the way
of personal contact
...
He dominated
98
Personal Magnetism
everything and everybody, and his contemporaries, even his
enemies, testify to this marvelous personal power
...
Passing down the scale, we see men of strong personal
force in all walks of life
...
A little lower in the scale of personal force
we find men of marked power, but still a little less strong than
those above them
...
At the extreme negative
end of the scale we find those impressionable creatures, known
to students of experimental psychology as “somnambules,” or
“impressionables,” who have merely to be told to do a thing, in
an authoritative manner, in order to have them attempt to do
it, or at least to feel impelled to do so
...
They will feel the “burn” on their hands, caused
by your finger, if you but suggest it to them in the right way
...
They will
be drawn backward, or forward, by your suggestion
...
Fortunately,
this fact is not generally recognized, or else we should hear of
still more cases of “strange influence,” etc
...
But the subject is becoming more widely discussed and known
now, and it is only a question of time when the law will be
compelled to take cognizance of it
...
Knowledge of the nature
of the subject robs the force of much of its effect, the latter
depending largely upon the passive ignorance of the subject
...
Every man has his present place on the scale, but
he may improve his position!
Personal magnetism bears a close resemblance to that which
in olden times was frequently caned “Mental Fascination
...
” The word “fascinate” springs from the Latin word
“Fascinare,” meaning “to enchant; bewitch, charm by eyes or
tongue; captivate, attract,” etc
...
”
The above definition is condensed from a number of the best
dictionaries, and gives the essence of the idea embodied in the
word
...
This is my
own broad definition which includes all the varied phenomena
...
Coming to primitive man along with
other inheritances from still lower forms, it was used from the
beginning
...
The positive minds of the race influenced and
dominated the more negative ones
...
Many of the leaders of barbarian races owe their positions
of prominence and leadership to this law of mental induction
...
All races
have had their priests, and have today
...
The priests, not being
occupied with warfare, or agriculture, and by reason of their
support being contributed by the people, found plenty of time
to “think,” a somewhat rare privilege in the early days (and even
in these times, for that matter)
...
These priests soon began to recognize
the importance of Mind‑Power, and they studied its underlying
principles and laws of operation
...
There
seems to be no doubt but that even in the early days of the race,
the priestly caste held a very wide knowledge of the laws and
practice of dynamic mentation
...
It was also known among the early American
Indians, although their degenerated descendants seem to have
lost the knowledge, except in a few instances
...
And, as we see the
race ascending in the scale, so do we see the priests displaying
a broader and fuller knowledge of the subject in question
...
In the pictured stories of the Egyptians,
the traces of which appear in their ruined temples and other
buildings, we see that they understood the art perfectly
...
In
fact, among all of the advanced ancient races of men, we find
an important place given to the subject before us
...
Back of the rites and ceremonies were
102
Examples of Dynamic Mentation
always the underlying principle and application
...
But still we read in the pages of early history of many
instances of mental fascination, pure and simple
...
, was well
known to the ancients, and, in fact, some of the recorded
results coming down to us from the past, have never been
equalled by modern experimenters
...
Ancient history is full of instances of the operation of
dynamic mentation among the people of the early days
...
They held him for several weeks, while awaiting
the ransom money being raised by his relatives
...
When he wished to rest
or sleep, he forbade them to make any noise, and they obeyed
him without question
...
He did not hesitate to threaten them with death when
he regained his liberty, and they did not resent it—and he
afterward made good his threats
...
Not only did he bet that he would do this
thing, but be also claimed that he would afterward compel the
old man to give him his favorite daughter in marriage
...
The old
man seemed dazed and bewildered and retired to his home
...
But the next day
Alcibiades went to the home of Hipponikos and, after making
a pretence of baring his back for punishment, he managed to
induce in the old man a feeling of good humor and mirth, and
obtained his pardon and goodwill, the latter increasing daily
thereafter until finally he grew so devoted to the young man
that he offered him the hand of his daughter in marriage, which
was accepted
...
It was a striking exhibition of dynamic
mentation, without a question
...
Caesar, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Frederick the Great,
and the modern mystic‑warrior, Gen
...
The single instance of Napoleon, when he
returned from Elba, and confronted the Bourbon army drawn
up to capture him, should satisfy anyone of the possession of the
greatest dynamic power by this wonderful man
...
Then the officers shouted, “Fire!” A single shot would have killed
Napoleon, and would have brought to the man who fired it
a fortune from the Bourbon King
...
Instead of firing, they threw down their guns and
ran joyfully toward the Corsican, shouting
...
Other troops flocked to his
standard at each point where he confronted them, although
they had been sent out to capture or kill him
...
The fascination manifested by this man was one of the
most marked instances of its possession of which we have any
record
...
The very mention of his name makes one’s
blood tingle
...
If you have ever come in contact with
a man of this sort, you will always remember the impression
he made upon you
...
Blaine will
remember his “personal magnetism,” of which so much was said
during his lifetime
...
J
...
Bryan was almost unknown to the majority of the delegates,
and no thought of nominating him was entertained by them
...
And although
defeated twice, this man still possesses a wonderful fascination
over hundreds of thousands of people in this country, who
would rally around his standard at any time that he would
sound the call
...
The whole meeting
was against him, and drowned his words by hoots, yells, and
other noises
...
He was
but one man facing thousands of other men hostile to him, and
determined to prevent him from speaking
...
It was not alone the words, in these
cases—it was the Mind‑Power behind the words
...
In pursuit of war in Normandy, Richard
demanded more supplies from his barons, and the bishop refused to
supply any men; the see of Lincoln was bound to military service, he
admitted, but only within the four seas of Britain
...
So
enraged was the king with the spiritual peer that when he presented
himself in Normandy to answer the charge against him, two friendly
barons met him to urge upon him the necessity for sending a
conciliatory message to the king before entering his presence
...
The king was sitting at mass when the
prelate walked up to him and, despite the monarch’s frown, said, “Kiss
me, my lord king
...
Hugo shook him and
repeated his request
...
“I have,” returned the prelate, and shook him all the harder
...
Mere indifference to death could never
have produced such a result
...
As well as
utterly fearless, Bishop Hugo possessed a will‑power of most unusual
character, of which several instances are on record
...
The Lion was tamed for the moment
...
’ Such is the story as told by Froude
...
106
Examples of Dynamic Mentation
“Hugo was such a remarkable illustration of what high will‑power can
do, that another story may be related of him
...
Hugo had already braved his wrath once, and the king, despite the
episode of Thomas a Becket, was savagely angry
...
The king took
no notice of his spiritual peer
...
Watching the royal proceedings
he remarked—‘Your Highness reminds me of your cousins at Falaise
...
This reference to his ancestry was too much for the king,
who was utterly worsted in the discussion which followed
...
107
Mind‑Power
108
Chapter XI
F
Dynamic Individuality
or the purpose of illustrating the personal qualities of
the dynamically positive man, along the lines of Personal
Influence, I shall proceed to describe these qualities as
existing in a person whom I will call the Dynamic Individual
...
You must endeavor to imagine him in this
way, that you may understand his qualities
...
How does such a man act, talk, look, move
and conduct himself
...
He may
be tall or short; dark or fair; stout or slender—these things
do not count
...
Let us notice this “air” carefully, for it may
give us a clue
...
Our man
seems to have a certainty of an inward power and force about
109
Mind‑Power
him
...
Our man seems
to feel that there is “something in him” that gives him a strength
and firmness unknown to the majority of people
...
As I said in the first chapter, there exists in Nature a Universal
Dynamic Mental Principle
...
This Dynamic Principle in its outward
manifestations of one pole of its energy, at least, resembles a
universal will
...
And, so, we are justified
in thinking of it as Universal Will‑Power
...
And the closer he is to this Universal Will, the more positive
does he become
...
“To him that
hath shall be given” applies in this case
...
But there is this to be noted in connection with this truth
...
But if, in his conceit arising from some successful action,
he begins to think that the power is due to some “personal
strength,” then he becomes “conceited” and “the pride of
personality” grows upon him
...
By this personal view of the matter he fences himself
off from the Universal Will and limits his force to that portion
which is locked up within his own mind, induced there by the
will of the universe
...
This is in accordance with the inner teachings
of the great schools of occultism, and which teachings agree
perfectly with the latest theories of modern Science
...
Let us pause for a moment and see what forces are combined
in this active mentative center
...
That
which we have called the Desire‑Force, and that which we have
called the Will‑Power, appear as the two mentative poles
...
But here is an
aspect of the matter that I did not bring out in those chapters
...
e
...
Desire‑Force, like magnetism, manifests in a drawing, pulling,
attracting power; while Will‑Power, like electricity, manifests
in a pushing, compelling, driving power
...
This dual manifestation of energy is seen all
through Nature in all of its manifold forms and conditions
...
And this law manifests upon
the mental plane as well as upon the physical plane
...
We
do not hear so much about people being “electric,” and yet the
term is just as proper and applicable as the term “magnetic
...
These people “get after” others and
111
Mind‑Power
make them do things
...
All great leaders possess this phase of energy to a marked
degree
...
” There are men who are able to make the crowd
around them do their bidding—they are able to work their
will upon the mass of people
...
It is entirely different
from the fascinating, alluring, charming, attractive personality
of the “magnetic” man, for it forces, and compels by sheer force
of character and will, instead of drawing and attracting
...
But, while both of these forms of power, the “magnetic”
and the “electric,” have their strong points and advantages, I
hold that the highly developed Individual must have both
of these phases developed highly
...
” In
other words, he must have both sides of his mentative energy
highly developed and in full operation
...
I would advise all who wish to become dynamic individuals
to cultivate the mental image of the Universal Will—think of
it as a great ocean of Will‑Power, in which you live, and move,
and have your being
...
Think about
your relation to it, constantly, and you will find that your mind
will gradually open out to admit of the inflow of its power
...
112
Dynamic Individuality
This inner consciousness of the dynamic individual, especially
if he understands its true nature, will react on a man’s personal
manner and appearance and cause to manifest in him that calm,
serene, positive “air” of power, will and strength, that the great
leaders of men always possess
...
Just as the feeling manifests itself in
action, so will the outward action tend to induce the inward
feeling, as I have told you
...
But do not
remain satisfied with this—go right to the fountainhead and
receive your power direct from the Universal Will
...
The will is a cold, keen,
powerful force, devoid of color—it is like a great natural force
devoid of feeling or emotion, although acting in response
thereto
...
No matter how strong a will a
man may have, even though he gets in the closest touch with
the Universal Will, he will accomplish nothing unless he be
possessed of a developed desire
...
Let us see what this Desire‑Force is
...
It does not seem to have the attributes of personality about
it, except when it becomes manifested in personal minds, or
centers of power
...
This Desire‑Force is seen all through Nature, in all of her
forms, and is inherent in all that we call Life Energy—that is,
113
Mind‑Power
the energy which prompts the building up of form and shape
...
It is the essence of the great Creative Life Energy ever
manifest in Nature
...
” It stirs
the will into action, and never is satisfied unless it is performing
creative work, mental or physical
...
Their mental
plane manifests very little of this force, and consequently they
accomplish little or nothing of the world’s work, and merely
carry out the desires of others
...
They are
possessed of a craving, longing, desiring force that impels
them to “do things
...
The strong men and women of the world have this
Desire‑Force highly developed, and its effort toward expression
is what causes these people to accomplish things
...
This desire is not always in the direction of “owning
things,” but rather in the direction of “doing things
...
”
Our dynamic individual has a great deal of Desire‑Force
within him
...
He wishes to accomplish certain ends, and
the desire becomes an ardent, glowing force that stirs up the
desires in those around him, and at the same time incites his
own will into action
...
When you come into contact with a man of intense desire,
you can fairly feel the force emanating from him
...
When he
wants some particular thing, he forgets about the minor things,
and focuses his desire upon the particular thing craved by him,
and thus draws it toward him with intense energy
...
”
When our dynamic individual meets you, and wants you to do
something, you can feel the pull of his Desire‑Force, drawing,
coaxing, inducing, alluring, and attracting you toward him and
his objects
...
He should continually pour upon it the
oil of suggestion, and place before it the lantern‑slides of the
mental images of the thing desired
...
He has a “pull” upon things and leaves nothing
undone in the direction of his want
...
And he
draws people to him by the very strength of his Desire‑Force
...
People, as
a rule, are “drawn” rather than “pushed” or forced into a thing
...
Yes, again I say to you
that he who would succeed must, of necessity, keep his fire of
desire burning bright and fierce, else it will not awaken into
action his own will, nor stir the desire in others
...
They must want things “the worst way,” and then they
will bend everything toward getting them
...
We are acquainted with
the disastrous consequences attendant upon the possession of
115
Mind‑Power
evil desires, and have seen many instances of the harm wrought
upon others by reason thereof
...
This Desire‑Force in the dynamic individual is that which
causes us to feel that “he wants this thing, and is going to
have it
...
And they draw their own to them by the
exercise of this elementary force of Nature
...
Both draw from the same source, and both have a
constant source of supply
...
In our dynamic individual, both poles are
fully charged, and in active operation
...
I shall ask you to read over what I have said
above several times—in fact reread it until you thoroughly
understand it
...
Taking it for granted that you have carefully
considered what I have just said, I shall ask you to perform the
following exercises, etc
...
In order to realize the reality of the statement
that you are a centre of Mind‑Power, you must first enter into
a realization of the existence of a Great Ocean of Mind‑Power
itself
...
You
must begin to create a mental picture of the Universe as a Great
Ocean of Living Mind‑Power, vibrating with life and force and
116
Dynamic Individuality
power
...
Picture yourself as alone in the Universe and surrounded
on all sides with a vibrating, pulsating sea of energy, or power
...
Shut out from your mental field all other
persons, things or conditions
...
You must practice frequently upon this
mental picture until you are able to visualize it distinctly
...
You will begin to understand just what I mean after you have
practiced this a little
...
The importance of the above exercise may be understood
when I tell you that it will be impossible for you to manifest
more than a moderate degree of power until you are able to
realize yourself as a real centre
...
For how can you think
of yourself as a centre of power, in an Ocean of Power, until you
realize the existence of the Ocean itself? The Universal Ocean
of Mind‑Power contains within itself all the Mind‑Power, force
and energy that there is
...
It is filled with an infinite number of tiny centres of
energy, of which you are one
...
By all means
endeavor to clearly visualize this Great Mind‑Power Ocean, for
it is the source of all the force with which you are filled and
which you hope to acquire
...
Exercise II
...
While
117
Mind‑Power
seeing the Ocean on all sides of you, you must see Yourself
as the Centre of it
...
The highest occult teaching informs us
that the Great Mentative Ocean has its centre everywhere and
its circumference nowhere
...
Being extended in every direction infinitely, its circumference
is nonexistent
...
Each dynamic individual is such a centre, and each has his world
circling and revolving around him
...
There are centres so mighty and
exalted that the human mind cannot grasp their importance
...
So
hesitate not, but begin to form a mental picture of yourself as
a centre of power
...
You must learn to think of yourself as a focal
point of force in the great Ocean of Mind‑Power
...
In urging you to perfect yourself in this
realization I would impress upon you the fact, known to all
advanced occultists, that in the measure of your realization of
this mighty quality of the Ego will be the measure of the power
possessed by you
...
It is this feeling of inherent strength that makes men strong and
successful and positive
...
” By the exercise of your desire and will you may
build up this realization of power, and in the building up there
will come to you a constantly increasing stream of desire and
will
...
Exercise III
...
This force, energy or power with which you
are being filled, and which you are now attracting toward your
centre, consists of the electrical manifestation of Will‑Power
and the magnetic manifestation of Desire‑Force
...
And,
therefore, you must begin to realize that these qualities are
within you in order that you may be able to express them, and
thus gain the additional and increased power that comes to
those who do express them
...
When you realize this dual force within you, it will begin
to express itself automatically
...
Therefore picture to yourself this dual force within you
...
See yourself as a power in the land
...
Picture yourself
as a Dynamic Individual
...
You are dynamic because you possess
the Electric Will and the Magnetic Desire—the twin‑poles of
Mind‑Power
...
When you
119
Mind‑Power
feel weak, or when you feel the need of additional Power, use
this Statement of Power:
“I Am Dynamic!”
And when you say it, or think it, you must picture to yourself
just what you mean by the statement, hence the importance
of knowing just what is meant
...
Those
around you will soon become aware of a new sense of power
within you
...
Do not invite the
ridicule of those around you by telling them the source of your
Power
...
Hoe your own row and mind your own business—and
let them do the same
...
And each must work out his own salvation
and climb the ladder of attainment for himself
...
Don’t be a
leaner, or a leaning‑post
...
There has been too much of this foolish business about living
other people’s lives for them, or letting other people live your
life for you
...
There is no such thing as vicarious
individuality
...
And don’t be afraid to shake off and trim off the
parasitic persons that have encumbered your own unfoldment
toward individuality
...
This is the only way,
120
Dynamic Individuality
and the lack of the knowledge of it is filling the world with
weaklings instead of with individuals
...
It is true that some persons not physically
well, but unhealthy, have exercised strong powers, but this was
in spite of their lack of physical health, and owing to a strong will
which allowed them to master even this obstacle
...
(2) Belief in One’s Self; for without this no one manifests
positivity
...
Confidence is contagious
...
”
(3) Poise; for the calm, well‑poised, imperturbable man has
an enormous advantage over one lacking these qualities
...
Cultivate the
calm masterful mood
...
Fearlessness is a most positive quality, just as fear
is the most negative
...
Do one thing at a time, and do it
with all the power that there is in you
...
Cultivate the
Bull‑dog quality—it is needed
...
122
Chapter XII
O
Mental Atmosphere
ur dynamic individual places himself in a receptive
attitude only toward the great Universal Will, and
in a positive attitude toward all else
...
He may not
realize just what he is doing, and may know nothing of the
truth herein stated, but, still he feels that he is “in touch with
something” that aids and assists him and which gives him
strength and dynamic force
...
And this belief takes form in action and causes him to
manifest that “air” of calm, positive power and self‑confidence
noticeable in such men in every instance
...
Every person has his or her own
mentative aura, or body of radiant mentative energy, which
123
Mind‑Power
flows from them in all directions
...
You know
people who seem to carry with them an atmosphere of “feeling”
which affects a roomful of people, or even a building
...
All of these things arise in the way
which I have mentioned
...
That which so many call “Personal Magnetism,” as
distinguished from Personal Force, consists of this mentative
atmosphere, or radiant mentative energy, which induces in all
within its field a feeling of similar emotion or vibration
...
It is all a matter of the mentative currents inducing feeling
in others
...
It
operates by the strong mentative currents pouring from one’s
mind, and inducing mental states in others
...
Persons whose personality is
weaker have a mental atmosphere extending only a few inches
from their bodies, and which is scarcely perceptible to those
coming in contact with them
...
People say about such a man that he “has something about
him” which impresses them, but which they fail to understand
...
I cannot very well describe this “air” to you, for unless you
have met a man of this kind you will not understand it
...
The dynamic individual does not
tell you how great, or smart, or important he is—he leaves that
for his cheap imitators; he makes you feel his strength by his
very manner and atmosphere, without saying a word
...
And that “something” comes from his conscious or unconscious
relation to the Universal Will
...
But the real
“big ones” of life know better; they may not understand it all,
but some way they feel that there is a “something” back of
them from which they are able to draw strength and power,
and believing this, they are filled with courage and daring and
radiate their power on all sides
...
And this conviction and realization
gives to the strong individuals that, air of calm, positive power
and self‑confidence that impresses those with whom they
come in contact and which forms their mental atmosphere
...
In short, that you are a living dynamo
...
So first, last and all the time build up this realization
...
And, of course, always realize what all this means
...
When you wish to manifest a special degree of power just
let this statement: “I am Dynamic!” flame out in vivid letters
in your mind
...
He
will feel your strong mental atmosphere and will cease trying
to affect you
...
So much for the general mental atmosphere
...
Not only does his will and desire
affect other persons directly by means of mental currents, but
mentative induction is also set up by the mental atmosphere,
without any special effort on his part
...
Do not allow yourself to become negative to others,
even where there is nothing lost by so doing, for by this neglect
you create a negative habit which will cause you trouble to
126
Mental Atmosphere
overcome later
...
It is
not necessary for you to manifest the same in words, for that
would make you ridiculous in many cases; nor is it necessary for
you to give any special physical expression to your mental state
...
In exceptional cases you may add mentally, “I am
more dynamic than you!”
It will be well for you to practice the creation of special
mental atmospheres in order to establish the habit and thus
render it easier to avail yourself of the same on special occasions
...
The gist of the matter is to surround yourself with
a mental aura of such a nature that people will act toward you
as you wish them to do
...
I know a lady, living in Chicago, who was constantly
complaining that people were “always running over her” on
State Street (the crowded retail street of the great Western
metropolis)
...
She asked me for instructions as to what
thought she should use to prevent individuals from so acting
...
I then advised her to build up a mental atmosphere around
this statement: “People respect my rights; they will not unduly
impose on me in the street; I deny the power of the crowd to
impose on me
...
She would simply go
on her way calmly, serenely and undisturbed, and the crowd
let her alone
...
The new mental atmosphere dispelled the old one
and gave her an additional positivity besides
...
If you want a thing very much you
attract it to you—and if you fear it very much you do likewise
...
I think the explanation
is that in both cases a vivid mental picture is held, and the
attraction results along the line of visualization, which always
tends to materialize the mental image
...
Another lady, also a
resident of Chicago, complained that the clerks in the great
department stores would not treat her courteously, but would
keep her waiting without paying her any attention, and in other
ways would treat her like a “human door‑mat
...
I told her that she had gradually built up around
her a mental atmosphere of expectancy—that she had fallen
into the habit of expecting such treatment, and consequently
she got what she expected
...
And then, after this drew upon her the neglect
of the clerks, who seem very ready to wipe their feet on human
door‑mats, she grew to regularly expect the shabby treatment
...
It was simply a
matter of a negative mental atmosphere
...
The cure was perfect
...
The statement
of the first‑mentioned lady (the one who objected to
street‑crowding) was altogether along the lines of Will‑Power
...
I once directed a lady who complained that she was
unpopular, and that “nobody loved her,” etc
...
, to apply a
similar method
...
”
After a time she reported that from a state of “wall‑flower‑dom”
she had become quite a favorite, and in fact was at a loss to
adjust herself to the changed conditions, finding somewhat of
an embarrassment of “likings” and “lovings
...
Now do not imagine for a moment that in the above cases,
and hundreds of others known to me personally, the desired
result was obtained merely from repeating, parrot‑like, or like a
129
Mind‑Power
phonograph, the words of the statement
...
I have seen and heard so much of this nonsense since
I have become acquainted with certain people who consider
themselves “in the New Thought” that I dislike to use the words
“statement” or “affirmation
...
Pshaw! What nonsense! They remind me of the Chinese, and
certain other people who write long prayers on slips of paper
and allow them to flutter in the breeze, hoping that the gods
will accept their prayers at face value while the prayer‑makers
are amusing themselves elsewhere
...
Others paste the prayers on water‑wheels, turned by
the streams, thereby claiming credit for a prayer at each turn
of the wheel
...
You have been making your statements
and affirmations in the same spirit, and now feel disappointed
because “nothing happened
...
If there is no feeling
there is no result
...
That’s the way to do
it
...
The ladies mentioned above, whom I have used as “typical
cases” to illustrate the principle—did not rest content with
words, for I wouldn’t allow them to do so
...
And now I shall give you
the same instruction and directions that I gave them—adapt
them to your own cases and you will be likewise successful
...
” Visualization is simply
the creation of a strong mental image of the thing desired,
the perfecting it each day until it becomes almost as clear
as an existing material thing
...
The statement of words is the pattern around which the
visualized mental images form themselves
...
The lady above mentioned made
her mental image of the street conduct of the crowd—and the
people unconsciously felt it and built themselves around it
...
The mental image manifested itself as a mental
atmosphere, and gradually materialized
...
Then
by constant practice and meditation the mental atmosphere
becomes formed, and the rest is all a matter of time
...
See others as you wish them to be
...
Think them out—dream them out—act
them out
...
In this connection, however, I must call your attention to
the fact that the degrees of receptivity of other people to your
mental atmospheres and mental pictures depend entirely upon
their degree of positivity
...
The strong avoid
influences to which the weak yield, in this as in every other
phase of the phenomena
...
You may make yourself positive—you have had the
instructions given you, and it is now your own work to do the
rest
...
If
you have carefully read this book, and have studied between
the lines as well as the lines themselves, you will have grasped
the little details of the matter which will not be apparent to
those who have not done so
...
I think the
careful students among you will readily understand just what I
mean by this
...
But
I would say that a re‑reading of this work is advisable—several
re‑readings, in fact
...
The man who wishes to be successful in his dealings with
his fellow‑men must surround himself with a positive mental
atmosphere
...
This positive mental atmosphere is that
subtle influence that emanates from the strong men of affairs,
and which affects, influences and controls people to a greater
degree than the flow of words which many affect, believing it
to be the key of success
...
And if it has this effect on you
in the case of other persons, why should you not reach out and
possess this power yourself? Why should you not be a positive
instead of a negative?
The directions and exercises given in this chapter, coupled
with the instruction given in other chapters of the book, should
enable you to develop around yourself a most positive mental
atmosphere, that will make you a power
...
The rule operates in the mental as well as in the physical world
...
I shall merely give you the verbal framework, and you must
build around it the mental picture, which in turn produces the
mental atmosphere
...
Here are the statements referred to—the verbal framework
around which you are to build your mental picture that you
wish to materialize on the objective plane
...
I
...
II
...
I have a strong will
...
III
...
IV
...
I am bright, cheerful and happy,
and make all around me feel the same way
...
I am well poised, calm and self‑controlled
...
I have a perfect mastery over my temper, emotions and
passions, and all recognize this to be a fact
...
I am at ease here, and all bashfulness and timidity has
departed
...
VIII
...
IX
...
133
Mind‑Power
X
...
No one’s adverse thoughts, currents or suggestions can
penetrate this protective armor
...
I am safe, strong and positive
...
,
which put flesh on these verbal skeletons and make a living force
out of the dry bones of words
...
134
Chapter XIII
I
Channels of Influence
n the last chapter I spoke of the effect of mental atmospheres
with which people surround themselves
...
Let us now consider the channels of
direct personal influence
...
This mental struggle is usually the combat between the general
mental powers of the two, without regard to special mental
states induced at the time
...
This direct personal influence operates along the lines of
both Desire‑Force and Will‑Power of course
...
I have also explained how Desire‑Force induces a similar
desire in the second person; and also how it is often used to
captivate the will of the other person
...
And so I
shall proceed to a consideration of the channels of expression
of personal influence, and the methods usually employed by
those using it
...
These channels of influence may be classified as follows:
1
...
The instrument of the eye;
3
...
Let us consider
them in the above order
...
You will see there that
suggestion is the outward symbol of the inward mental state,
and that it is the inner state that gives vitality to the suggestion
...
I have explained to you, also, that
when one receives a suggestion through a physical agent, there
is induced in him the mental state corresponding to the one
originating that physical suggestion
...
These others
will instinctively feel that your inner state is as I have stated
...
In view of the above, you will see why it is that those familiar
with the subject deem it important to cultivate the suggestive
channel instruments
...
And also, why we have confidence in a man whose
manner indicates that he is a person used to being trusted
by others—accustomed to having confidence reposed in him
...
And if the
man happens to be a good actor, we may be imposed upon and
fooled by his suggestive manner
...
, but it
also operates along the lines of the appearance and manner
of failure, weakness, and distrust
...
In illustrating this point, I have frequently used the illustration
of the two dogs, the one carrying himself in a manner betokening
self‑respect and an ability to prevent and resent undue liberties,
and the other carrying his tail between his legs, in a manner
and appearance indicating that he expected to be kicked and
cuffed
...
And
137
Mind‑Power
this illustration is as true in the case of people as in the case of
dogs
...
In other
words, if you wish to convey a suggestive manner of confidence,
you must begin to think “Confidence” from morning until
night
...
And you must
also begin to act out the part
...
You must form a mental image of how you would look
and act if you were filled with confidence, and were approaching
people
...
And,
more than this, it will actually tend to build up confidence in
yourself
...
Think of how the
actor on the stage impresses you—and then remember that
the manner was acquired by constant practice, and work
...
And what is true in the case
of “Confidence” is true regarding any character that you wish
to play
...
I wish I could make you realize how much
there is in this method
...
In this acting out, you must remember that the practice will
make you so perfect that the part will appear natural when you
play it in public
...
Remember the illustration of
the real actor, and you will have the secret of acting out
...
When you practice,
you must throw your mind into the acting, just as you would if
you were in earnest
...
The second suggestive channel or instrument is “the
suggestive tone
...
You
must practice until you are able to express your meaning with
“feeling” that all who hear may be impressed
...
Try it now, and see how roughly,
clumsily and crudely you give the morning greeting
...
Practice this awhile and you will
soon acquire a natural, cheery, bright, and invigorating tone
when you say “good morning
...
Try to feel the part, and
you will express it naturally
...
After you have mastered the
simpler terms of expression, work up to larger sentences, and
speeches
...
You will not realize
how much you may gain by such practice until you actually
try it
...
There is nothing more important in personal influence than
a good suggestive tone
...
Not only the quality of the voice, but the tone
...
There is a subtle vibration about the tone
of the latter that causes one to feel confidence and respect, and
which exacts obedience in a quiet, calm way, devoid of bluster
or rant
...
You will see that when you say to
a person, “You can!” the tone in which you say “can!” goes a
long way toward producing the response
...
It always
impresses upon one that the speaker using it means what he
says
...
Again would I refer you to the example of the actor—see how
he manages to throw feeling into his tone
...
Think of the thing you wish to express—visualize
it—and then act it out in your tone
...
Remember always, though,
the tone is but the instrument of expression of the mind back
of it
...
In other words, they seem to throw muscular force into their
tones, instead of nervous energy, and in so doing they make
a great mistake, for the former has a dull, non‑penetrating
effect, whereas the latter vibrates subtly and reaches the feeling
part of one’s mind
...
The voice is a mighty indicator of the mental state within
...
The voice and eye are the two principal outward avenues
of expression of the mental states within, and both register
the subtle changes and degrees of the inner state
...
Not alone the quality of the voice but
the tone
...
In the tone of the latter there
is noticeable that peculiar something that denotes power and
authority, and inspires attention, interest and respect, without
need of vulgar self‑assertion or blustering speech
...
First, it is under the control of his will
...
If the person
to whom he is talking raises his voice to a strident pitch, our
individual does not follow suit
...
I have seen many instances of this fact, and have noticed that
the temper of the other person is toned down in accord with
his decreasing pitch of voice
...
By making captive the outer expression you
often capture the inner man
...
So in its inner, and
outer, aspects the cultivation of the voice is quite desirable
...
The reason
is plain
...
The man of affairs does not know
just why he does this, but his tone is the outward expression
of his forceful mental state
...
It is somewhat difficult to correctly define and explain the
suggestive tone, although if one once hears it he will never
forget it
...
In the first place, the suggestive tone is fairly charged with the
mental idea back of the words
...
Do
not imagine that this tone is theatrical, or tragic, or unnatural
...
It is a forceful, natural tone
...
You know how you would speak if you were earnestly telling
some one to do some important thing, upon which much
depended
...
It must
be in earnest—must be more or less “intense”—must have
focused in it the “feeling” behind it, in such a way as to awaken
in the mind of the hearer the feeling back of the words
...
It may be positive and masterful, along the lines of
suggestion by direct command, or authority
...
Or it may assume a teacher‑like tone, along the lines
of suggestion by repetition, in which the statement is made in
a quiet, convincing way, as a teacher makes his statements to
his class, the repetition of which brings conviction to the mind
of the hearer
...
” This power, which finds its
expression largely in the voice always reminds me of a female
leopard or tiger, for the feline is mingled with the feminine in
a peculiar way
...
In short, the dynamic individual, in his use of the voice, has
acquired to a certain degree the art of the actor and orator
...
And one may acquire this art
...
Sheppard relates
that when he first made up his mind to devote himself to
public speaking he was told by his tutors that he would be a
perfect failure in such a profession, because, as he says “My
articulation was feeble; my organs of speech were inadequate;
if I would screw up my little mouth it could be put into my
mother’s thimble
...
And he succeeded
marvelously
...
” He became one of
the best public speakers of his time
...
The third suggestive channel is “the suggestive word
...
” In every
word there is an imprisoned thought
...
And, this
being so, it becomes important for one to carefully choose the
crystallized thoughts, or words, which he wishes to implant in
the mind of another
...
Take the word “strong” for instance
...
Pronounce the words “lion” and “lamb,” and see the different
feelings you experience from the differing sounds
...
Compare the sound
of the words “rough” and “smooth”—and you will see what I
mean
...
Listen to
the words used by others, and note their effect on you
...
A man does not have to be “highly
educated” in the usual sense of that term, in order to use
strong, suggestive words
...
Think over
this matter
...
This is the whole thing in a nutshell
...
Let us
consider it in its former aspect
...
The expression of the eye will induce
mental conditions in others along the lines of suggestion, and
those who understand and have mastered this art of using the
eyes have at their disposal a wonderful instrument of suggestive
influence
...
Actors and public speakers, as well as those
whose business it is to meet and impress people, often make a
close study of eye‑expression in order to produce a heightened
effect along these lines
...
” The
eyes have well been called” the windows of the soul,” and they
give a clearer idea of the inner man than all else combined
...
And we are not disappointed,
for even a hasty glance will show that he has what people
call “an expressive eye
...
Now stern, now tender, now commanding,
now loving, now masterful, now caressing—it is an obedient
instrument of the will operating it
...
As an inducer of mental states, the eye has no equal among the
physical agents—even the voice, wonderfully potent though it
be, must yield precedence to it
...
Very dynamic people, when aroused by deep interest,
emotion or desire—combined with will—seem to have a
constant stream of mentative energy flowing from their eyes,
which is felt by those within their field of influence
...
You know
how power shows itself in the eyes of people
...
I have known and heard of cases in which a powerful glance
halted people in their tracks
...
Andrew Jackson
is said to have so paralyzed the will of a noted desperado by his
glance that he surrendered meekly and accompanied his captor,
although fully armed and heretofore deemed absolutely fearless
and dangerous
...
It is related in some of the ancient histories, or tales, that
one of the old Greeks paralyzed an enemy by a single burning
glance
...
You, personally, know how this feels
...
The boy looks at his mother to see if she is in earnest
in her threat; when older he likewise looks at his schoolmaster
to read his purpose
...
”
Oliver Wendell Holmes describes an “eye‑battle” as follows:
“The Koh‑i‑noor’s face turned so white with rage that his
blue‑black mustache and beard looked fearful seen against it
...
The young Marylander
fixed his clear, steady eye upon him and laid his hand on his
arm, carelessly almost, but the Jewel felt it was held so that he
could not move it
...
The youth was his master
in muscle, and in that deadly Indian hug in which men wrestle
with their eyes, over in five seconds, but breaks one of their
two backs, and is good for three‑score years and ten, one trial
enough—settles the whole matter—just as when two feathered
songsters of the barnyard, game and dunghill, come together
...
”
The following rules for the cultivation of eye‑expression
were obtained from one of the leading authorities in this line
in America
...
I know of none better for the purpose
...
“Begin by studying your eyes in a mirror
...
The larger circle surrounding the pupil is called
the “iris
...
The upper
eyelid moving over the eyeball produces a variety of expressions,
each giving to the face a totally different appearance, or
expression of suggestive meaning
...
Standing before your
mirror, study these various expressions
...
“1
...
This gives an
expression of Calmness
...
Rest the edge of the upper eyelid at the top of the pupil
...
“3
...
“4
...
“5
...
“6
...
“Practice the above expressions and positions
...
The last exercise—Emotional Excitement—
especially, is found to be quite difficult of attainment, and but
a small percentage are able to produce the expression without
considerable practice
...
The exercises will not only enable you to express
150
Instruments of Expression
the different mental states easily and freely, but will also tend
to strengthen the muscles and nerves of the eyes themselves,
providing that you proceed gradually and do not over‑task the
eyes at the beginning
...
A few minutes at a time is all that you should use
in practicing
...
5 and 6, you may try the following, which is the most difficult
of all:
“7
...
3),
and then at the same time lift the edge of the under lid to the
lower edge of the pupil
...
“You will be surprised at the added power of expression that
the careful practice of the above exercises will give you
...
A little practice will give you
such convincing proof of this that you will not need urging to
further perfect yourself in them
...
”
development exercises
...
Open the eyes quite widely, but not so widely as to strain
them, and hold them in that position for a few seconds, gazing
into your mirror, which must be directly in front of you on a
level with your eyes
...
Do not move the eyebrows, but allow them to remain normal
...
Resume the above position, and then change to the
expression of Strong Interest (see previous exercises), looking
at yourself in the glass just as you would in looking at another
person with that expression
...
Resume position 1, and then gradually change to the
expression of Emotional Activity (see previous exercises),
gazing at yourself in the mirror
...
Resume position 1, and then gradually change to the
expression of Emotional Excitement (see previous exercises),
gazing at yourself in the mirror
...
Resume position 1, and then gradually change to the
expression of Close Scrutiny (see previous exercises), gazing at
yourself in the mirror
...
The better you act this out, the better will
your results be
...
Practice the expression of Strong Interest on persons to
whom you are listening, until you feel that you have awakened
a response in them, I may add that the expression of Deep
Interest consists of but the same expression heightened by
more feeling behind it; and the expression of Loving Interest is
the same, “only more so
...
“7
...
Many persons have built up a
reputation for being ‘good listeners’ and ‘keen observers’ by
this practice
...
I
am merely giving you the ‘rules of the game,’ not necessarily
advising you to play it
...
Owing
to some law of nervous mechanism not fully understood as yet,
152
Instruments of Expression
the eye is one of the most effective mediums for the passage
of mentative currents from one person to another
...
I may
add, however, that advanced occultists inform us that portions
of the human brain, during a manifestation of strong emotional
effort, or exercise of will, resembles an incandescent surface,
glowing and phosphorescent
...
And
more than this, these “beams” of energy transmit mental states,
thoughts, etc
...
One who has mastered the fascination of the eye, is able to
convey most readily to others the mentative currents which
tend to produce similar mental states by mentative induction
as explained elsewhere in this book
...
That is, when you wish
to use these mentative beams; you should imagine them as
actually existing in full force and reality, this will have a tendency
to give them a material reality, and thus render them a highly
efficient medium for the passage of your mentative currents
...
” There has been much nonsense written on this subject,
and in some of my own earlier writings I gave directions along
these lines which I am now able to replace with more approved
153
Mind‑Power
methods, and later discoveries coming from the study and
experimentation of myself and others along these lines
...
There is no standing still in
scientific work—he who stands still really goes backward
...
Now this
was all very well, but there is a far better plan
...
You may prove
this by holding up a pencil before your eyes, and focusing your
eyes upon it as you draw it nearer and nearer to your eyes
...
A gaze from
a pair of “crossed eyes” is not nearly so dynamic as one from a
pair of straight eyes, giving out a direct, forceful impression
...
You will find this difficult, and
tiring, if you perform it in the ordinary way—and herein lies the
“secret
...
A little practice
before a mirror will show you what I mean better than I can
explain it to you in words
...
Try for instance focusing your
eyes upon the wall opposite you as you raise your eyes from this
154
Instruments of Expression
page
...
This gaze must not consist of a blank, vacant, stupid stare,
but must be intense and earnest
...
It will help you if you have some friend with whom you can
practice it
...
He will see your pupils dilate, as they always do when looking
at a distant object, and your “expression will be one of calm,
serene power
...
You may out‑stare another person,
or animal, in this way, without fatigue, while the other’s eyes
grow tired and weak
...
If ever you get a chance to
observe an animal fascinating another, you will see that I am
right in this theory
...
To show you why you are able
to maintain this gaze such a long time without tiring your eyes,
I would remind you of the ease with which you may maintain
the expression of being “wrapped in thought,” “day‑dreaming,”
“lost in a brown study,” “just thinking about things,” etc
...
In such a mental state you are able
155
Mind‑Power
to “gaze into space” for a long time without the slightest fatigue,
while a few seconds’ focusing your eyes upon a near‑by object
will tire them very much indeed
...
The whole secret is that short‑range focusing
upon an object tires the eyes much more than does “long‑range”
gazing into space
...
In practicing the maintaining of the gaze for a long time, I
would advise against tiring the eyes by gazing at short‑range
objects
...
In fact, I advise you to practice the
“gazing into space,” because proficiency in that will enable you
to perfect the “Dynamic Gaze
...
Avoid all exercises tiring to the eyes, and proceed slowly
working from trifling successes to more important ones
...
You have long wished for such an
expression—here it is for you
...
The brain, you know, is the great transformer, or converter of
the mentative energy, and acts just as does a dynamo in the
direction of sending forth great waves of power
...
It will be well for two people to practice the eye exercises
together, but in the absence of a friend in whom you have
confidence, you may obtain excellent results by practicing
before your friendly mirror
...
Put your feeling into your glance, and it will be felt
...
Look into the eyes of your friend (or your own
in the mirror) and then say mentally: “I am stronger than you
...
Exercise 2
...
Exercise 3
...
After you have acquired the faculty of making your strength
felt by above exercises you may use the same upon other
people when the occasion renders it advisable
...
As a rule the person
who is doing the talking has a slight advantage over the listener,
all else being equal
...
But you may counteract this, if you
are the listener, by simply sending him a glance, accompanied
by the feeling of “I scatter your force into bits—you cannot affect
me!”
In resisting an attack of this sort, keep your mouth closed,
with the jaws tight, for this “bite” denotes strength and firmness,
and brings into play the parts of the brain manifesting these
qualities, and thus charges your mentative currents with these
feelings
...
” I would bid you
remember that the person standing has an advantage over the
one sitting
...
In speaking to persons and requesting them to do something,
you should accompany the verbal request by a mental command
...
” If you are the person
158
Using the Mentative Instruments
requested to do something that you do not wish to do, you
should answer, “No, I do not care to do this,” or “I do not see
my way clear to do it,” or “I am unable to oblige you,” etc
...
,
but at the same time you must send the mental answer, with
its accompanying glance, “I will not do it, and you cannot make
me
...
I am looking through your eyes into your brain
...
You are under my control
...
You must do what I say
...
Do it at once
...
But right here I shall
give you an antidote for this kind of influence
...
The positive denial is the powerful force that scatters into tiny
bits the force directed against one
...
One
who understands the scientific use of this destructive force
may undo the mentative work of others, to a surprising degree
...
This formula will
give you a general idea of it
...
In that case you should say
mentally, accompanying it with the proper glance, with feeling
back of it: “I deny positively your power over me
...
I will not do your bidding, and I deny your right and
power to command me
...
”
You may cultivate this power to use the positive denial by
practicing on an imaginary person whom you may suppose
is trying to influence you
...
These imaginary
mental battles will develop a great power of mentative
resistance in you, and I advise you strengthen yourselves along
these lines, if you feel that you are weak
...
These imaginary rehearsals will do more for one than
people think possible
...
They are the fencing lessons from which the
swordsman gains skill, and strength
...
There are good psychological and occult reasons
behind this method and practice, but I shall not enter upon
that field at present—this book is intended to give you the
“how” of the subject, rather than the “why
...
By so doing you
will impress most forcibly upon his mind that which you wish
him to see, and feel
...
In the degree that you see and feel the
thought that you are expressing in words, will be the degree
of impression made upon, and mentative induction produced
in, the other person
...
You may find an evidence of your increasing mentative
influence by trying the psychological experiment of “willing”
people to move this way or that way, by gazing intently at them
...
Gazing at their back, preferably at the upper part of the
neck, at the base of the brain, will answer
...
Or
160
Using the Mentative Instruments
you may “will” that they turn to the right or left of you, when
approaching each other on the street
...
These and many similar experiments have
an interest to the majority of students, and are accomplished
with comparative ease, after sufficient practice
...
That is all there is to it
...
Read this book over a
number of times, until you have fully grasped the underlying
principles
...
Then practice frequently, and perfect yourself in the
methods pointed out, until you render them “second nature
...
The flame of
dynamic mentation once lighted, it will never die out—tend
the flame carefully, keep the wick trimmed clean, and fill the
lamp with oil, and it will ever burn bright and emit heat and
light and power
...
” There was a time, in my early stages of
experimentation and psychological research, when I laughed
at the idea of the touch playing any real part in the work of
mental influence
...
I now
explain it by the idea of the nerves being like the wires upon
which the electric current travels
...
Certain parts of the body have nerve‑cells very highly developed
in them—are in fact miniature brains
...
The lips are also highly developed in this respect, as the
well known phenomena of “kissing” evidences
...
The use of the touch of the hands as a channel for conveying
mentative energy depends greatly upon the development
of the hands by the individual
...
You will
soon develop your hands to such a degree that some sensitive
persons will actually “feel” the current passing into them
...
” In fact, the gaze and
the hand‑clasp should be used together, when possible, for by
so doing you double the effect
...
Throw your feeling down to your hand,
and at the same time make a mental command or statement
appropriate to the case
...
” Then, when you draw your hand away, if possible
162
Using the Mentative Instruments
let your fingers slide over the palm of his hand in a caressing
manner, allowing his first finger to pass between your thumb
and forefinger, close up in the crotch of the thumb
...
You will find
that this method of shaking hands will open up a new interest
in people toward you, and in other ways you will discover its
advantage
...
It is a part of the fascinating personality
...
For
instance, they sit near the other person and place their hands so
that their fingers will point toward him, at the same time willing
that the current flow through the fingers and toward the other
...
This last plan becomes
highly effective when used with the appropriate gestures, for it
is akin to the mesmeric “pass” of the hands
...
Avoid it
in the ordinary way, if possible, or else deliberately practice the
positive denial toward the person, holding the idea and mental
statement that “I deny the power of your magnetism—I scatter
it by my denial
...
Not only does this “familiarity breed contempt”
but there are good psychological reasons why the practice is
to be condemned
...
There is
a danger in this sort of thing, and I want you to know it
...
And the same thing is true of the man who is always patting
other men on the shoulder, or resting his arm around them, or
else “taking hold of them” in a friendly caressing way during
a conversation
...
Make them stop it, either by
moving away, or by positive denial
...
If this book
taught you nothing else, it would still be “worth while” to you
because of this one point of instruction
...
Learn the secret of positive statement,
and positive denial, and you are clad in an invulnerable armor
and are armed with the weapon of power—and so you may,
like the “Warrior Bold” go “gaily to the fray
...
The outer forms are but reflections of
the inner
...
But in mounting the first steps of
attainment, it becomes important for the student to pay
attention to the outward characteristics, because by so doing
he makes a clearer mental path for the acquisition of the
desired mental states
...
I do
not mean that one should allow the suggestion of the other’s
appearance to move him in this way—this is not the idea
...
Remember the rule—
mental states take form in action—and action reproduces
their associated mental states! It is a rule that works both ways
...
There is a certain point to which I would direct your
attention at this stage
...
”
Every mental state has its associated physical action
...
But there is another law, less understood by the
public, and that is that “the manifestation of physical action
tends to induce in the mind of the person performing it, the
mental states generally associated with the production of the
action
...
Let us suppose that you are holding a
mental state of anger, fight, combativeness, etc
...
Very well, then—you all recognize this fact
...
If you will frown deeply; clench
your fists savagely; fix your jaws in a fighting trim, etc
...
(as it surely will)
165
Mind‑Power
without interference, you will find yourself growing into a
mental state of annoyance, combativeness, etc
...
” So true is this
that if you carry the thing far enough, and run into someone
else, you will be very apt to “get into a row” with him
...
” It would not take much to stir up
trouble between the two of you
...
So you see the close
connection between physical action, mental states, suggestion,
and telementation! They act, and re‑act upon each other
...
Like begets like, along all
the lines mentioned
...
But when a man does not “feel” sufficiently strong
to manifest the suggestive actions, he may produce the same
effect by “acting the part” (without being actually involved in
it) by first reproducing the physical actions, which will thus
induce a sufficiently strong mental state to manifest itself both
along the line of suggestion, and also along the line of personal
magnetism
...
And you may do the same if you want
to—many dynamic people are doing it every day
...
Better go back over this part of the
lesson again—many times—until you are able to catch its inner
meaning, and are able to read between its lines
...
Of course, some of my kind critics will take me to task for
teaching this “acting out” idea
...
, etc
...
I have noticed that these hyper‑critical people are generally
hypo‑critical as well
...
” And I have known quite a number, not quite so good,
who possessed quite a goodly degree of dynamic force, and the
world received them with open arms, and showered its praises
and rewards upon them
...
There are
plenty of “good” men who are highly “dynamic”—and there are
plenty of “bad” men equally so
...
” But, note this fact, please—
that the good men, and the bad men, who are highly “dynamic,”
generally manage to “get there,” along their own line of life
...
Dynamic‑force is neither good nor
bad—it is a natural force—and is used by all
...
And, then again, this book is not for the purpose of teaching
the “bad” use of “dynamic‑force,” rather than the “good
...
It is true that the
bad man may take advantage of the law and use it for bad
purposes; but so may the good man take advantage of it and
make himself a greater power for good, “dynamic‑force” is just
as effective in the “preacher” as it is in the “confidence man”—
and just as effective in the salesman and business man, and
167
Mind‑Power
everyday person, as it is in either the preacher or the confidence
man
...
If the good folk prefer to leave this important subject for
the bad folk, that is their own concern, not mine
...
The old preacher looked kindly at the old veteran “conservative”
of the flock, and said: “Well, brother, it may strike you in a
different way, but to me it seems wrong to allow the Devil to
monopolize all the good music—I believe in giving the Lord his
share of it
...
If “dynamic mentation” was as much used to further the
interests of right, as it has been to further the interests of wrong,
the old world would get down to a little easier motion
...
If “goodness”
was made as attractive as “badness,” the Devil would be placed
on the retired list
...
(2) Such induced mental states may be caused by the
Mentative currents of Personal Magnetism; or by the Mentative
currents of Telementation; or by Mental Suggestion
...
(b) There are two poles of Mind‑Power, i
...
, the emotive‑pole,
manifesting desire, feeling, emotion, etc
...
; the acting force, affecting other minds,
manifested by these two poles being called Desire‑Force and
Will‑Power, respectively
...
(d) Will‑Power tends to awaken desire in the minds of
others by sheer mastery and forcefulness—it also acts in the
direction of combating and over‑powering the wills of others,
and taking them captive—it also directs, masters, concentrates,
or restrains one’s own Desire‑Force, on occasions—its action
bears a strong resemblance to masculine mental power
...
When the same manifestation
occurs when the projector and recipients are not in the personal
presence of each other, then we use the term Telementative
Induction
...
In Personal Magnetism, however, Mental Suggestion
usually assists in the induction of mental states
...
(4) Mental Suggestion induces mental states, by reproducing
the original mental states of others; or one’s own previously
experienced mental states, including the experience of the
race‑ancestors, inherited and recorded in the sub‑conscious
minds of their descendants
...
In Personal Magnetism, the mentator pours out his
mentative currents, generated by his will or desire, or both;
either in a general way, or in a concentrated, directed manner;
in a personal interview, and thus influences the mind of others
170
Mental Suggestion
by induction—this is usually, or always, accompanied by
Mental Suggestion, using physical agents, such as the voice, eye,
manner, etc
...
And, now, with the understanding of the above‑stated
general principles, let us proceed to a consideration of the
subject of “Mental Suggestion
...
” Much has been written and taught about
it, and the term has been claimed by some teachers to cover all
phases of mental influence
...
But, nevertheless, I
feel certain that mental suggestion plays a most important part
in almost every instance of this class of phenomena and must
be seriously considered by all careful students of the subject
...
Therefore I shall devote several chapters to
the consideration of its underlying principles, laws and method
of application
...
While all who have examined the subject are aware of the force
and effects of mental suggestion, few have found it possible to
correctly define or describe the term, or to explain it to others
...
“Mental Suggestion” is the term used to designate the process
of inducing or exciting mental states or ideas, by means of
171
Mind‑Power
the imagination, by the agency of words; actions; outward
appearances; or other physical symbols
...
e
...
, bearing directly upon the desired
mental state
...
Active Suggestion is associated with the
use of the motive‑pole of the mind of the suggestor; and Passive
Suggestion is associated with the emotive‑pole of the suggestor
...
And here is a good place in which to direct your attention to
a very important fact concerning the operation of suggestion
in inducing mental states in others
...
It belongs clearly to the “feeling”
side of the mind, rather than to the “thinking” side
...
, and an effect gained—but this belongs to an entirely
different phase of mental action
...
It deals with the
production of “emotional mentality” rather than with “rational
mentality
...
It is true that suggestion may accompany an appeal to the
reason or judgment of the person influenced, and, indeed, is
generally so used; but, strictly speaking, it constitutes an appeal
to a part of the mind entirely removed from reasoning and
172
Mental Suggestion
judgment
...
And it operates along the same lines as the mental
induction produced by mentative currents, as we shall see
...
There
is nothing like a clear understanding of the terms employed
in treating of a subject
...
To understand the
full and complete meaning of the terms of any subject is to
know the whole subject thoroughly, for no one can understand
a term thoroughly until he knows it in all of its relations—all
that pertains to it
...
Some authorities give the broad, general
definition of “anything that is impressed upon the mind
through the senses,” but this I consider entirely too sweeping,
for this definition would make the term cover knowledge of
all sort, no matter to what part of the mind it appealed, for
all knowledge of the outward world is obtained through the
senses
...
” But this last definition
of mental suggestion does not fit all the phases of the subject
...
And so I must give my own definition of the term to fit my
conception of and understanding of its meaning
...
This is a broad definition, which,
I think, will cover all the observable phenomena of Mental
Suggestion
...
Of
course this distinction will not please those who would claim
all “mental” action as a form of the “physical,” or vice versa
...
The
word “agent” means, of course, “an acting power or cause,” etc
...
The word “excite” means “to call into activity
in any way; to rouse to feeling; to kindle to strong emotions
...
”
In my use of the term “physical” in the above definition I
include all words, spoken, written, or printed; mannerisms;
physical actions of all kinds; physical; characteristics and
appearances, etc
...
All of these physical manifestations act as
“agents” inducing mental states under favorable circumstances
...
” By
“ideas,” I mean “images of objects conceived of by the mind
...
Certainly! And in that
sense they act as suggestions
...
One may present an
idea to the mind of another, in a bold, forcible, logical manner,
accompanied by argument or proof, but this is an appeal to
reason and judgment” not to “feeling or emotion,” which
174
Mental Suggestion
belong to an entirely different field of the mind
...
One may subtly insinuate
into an argument or conversation an appeal to the feelings or
emotion of the hearer, in the shape of an idea in the nature of a
hint, or indirect mention
...
He will
think that he “thought” it, whereas, really, he simply “feels” it,
and the “feeling” is induced
...
”
In ordinary social intercourse you will find that women
are adepts in this subtle form of insinuative suggestion, as
compared to men
...
” I think
I need not give examples of this fact—it is apparent to all who
have mingled with people
...
It is true that the practitioner
of mental suggestion, in his “treatments,” often makes use of
direct, forceful statements, such as: “You are strong, cheerful,
well and happy,” but you will notice even here that he does
not “argue the point,” or attempt to “prove” his statements
...
So you see a “suggestion” may be either a
subtle insinuation or a bold, positive statement—but it is never
an argument, or process of proof
...
“What,” you may say, “I thought that induction was a
term used when a mental state was set up in one by mentative
175
Mind‑Power
currents from the mind of another?” Yes, this is true, but my last
statement is true also
...
The word “induce,” you know, means:
“to lead; to influence; to prevail on; to effect; to cause,” etc
...
Any physical agent that tends to induce a feeling in the mind
of another may be called a suggestion
...
In that instance it is related that a soldier
was carrying some bundles and a pail to his barracks, when
some practical joker yelled to him in an authoritative voice,
“Attention!” Following the suggestion, which induced in him
the “feeling” preceding certain habitual actions, he dropped his
pail and bundles with a crash and stood at “attention,” with
eyes front, chin out, protruding breast, stomach drawn in, and
hands at his sides with little fingers touching the seams of his
trousers
...
We accepted this suggestion, or that one,
and it changed the whole current of our lives
...
There are varying degrees of suggestive power, just as there
are varying degrees of what is called the “suggestibility” of
persons—that is the tendency to accept suggestions
...
The development of
the Will‑Power regulates the degree of suggestibility
...
But note the apparent
176
Mental Suggestion
paradox, persons of weak will may have their wills so developed
and strengthened by scientific suggestive treatment that they
may become veritable giants of will
...
Are not “ideas,” he asks, something connected with thought
rather than with feeling? The question is a proper one, and I
must meet it
...
” In its general use it means “a mental image,
or a general notion or conception held in the mind
...
” It is a symbol of something
thought or felt
...
To tell the truth, the majority
of people scarcely “think” at all, in the highest sense of the word
...
They
accept their ideas at second hand or second‑hundred hand—
their thoughts must be pre‑digested for them by others, and
the handed‑down “idea” is the result
...
People may not understand things, but they have experienced
feelings or emotions regarding them, and have consequently
formed many ideas and “ideals” therefrom
...
And the majority of people are moved, swayed
and act by reasons of induced “feelings,” rather than by results
of reasoning
...
Do you know what a feeling is? The word, used in this sense,
means: a mental state; emotion; passion; sympathy; sentiment;
susceptibility; etc
...
“Feelings” belong to the instinctive side of our mind,
rather than to the rational or reasoning side
...
The instinctive part of
our minds are stored with the experiences, feelings, emotions
and mental states of our long line of ancestors, reaching away
back to the early beginnings of life
...
The reason or judgment, by means of the will, act as a
restrainer, of course, according to the degree of development
of the individual
...
Look around you at the world of men and women
...
Are their actions based upon good judgment and
correct and careful reasoning! Or are they the results of feeling
and emotion! Do people do things because the things are
considered right in the light of reason, or do they do them
“because they feel like it?” Which produces the greatest motive
force—an appeal to the reason of a number of people, or an
appeal to their feelings and emotion? Which sways a gathering
of people; the votes of a people; the actions of a mob—reason
or feeling! Which moves even you, good student, reason or
feeling! Answer the questions honestly, and you will have the
key of suggestive influence!
178
Chapter XVII
Four Kinds of Suggestion
M
ental suggestion produces its effect upon the
minds of people along one or more of four general
lines or paths of action
...
These four paths, or lines of action, along which Mental
Suggestion operates, are as follows:
1
...
Imitation;
3
...
Repetition
...
Beginning with the
first mentioned line of action, let us consider:
Suggestion Through Obedience—Suggestion operating
along this line consists of the induction of mental states, etc
...
, which so impresses itself upon the
mind of the person suggested to that he sets up no opposition
or resistance, but acquiesces quietly to the suggestion made to
him
...
When such
people hear a statement made, positively and in a tone of
conviction, by some person in authority, they accept the
statement, and the feelings arising from the accepted statement,
without resistance, and without any attempt to submit the
matter to the exercise of their reason
...
, but also when some pretender sets up an appearance of
authority, and speaking in a positive style, assuming the “Thus
saith the Lord” manner, impresses his hearers with the idea
he wishes to suggest to them
...
It is astonishing, from one point of view, to see how obedient
to this form of suggestion the masses of people are
...
These self‑constituted
authorities utter their oracular statements and opinions in a
tone of absolute certainty, and the crowd takes them at their
own valuation
...
Did you ever think that people as a rule are “obedient
animals?” Well, they are, providing you can manage to impress
them with your authority
...
They find it easier to say and
think “Yes” rather than “No
...
There is a fundamental law under this phase of suggestive
action, and in order to find it we must go back to the beginning
of the race, perhaps farther
...
These natural leaders were implicitly
obeyed by the masses, who had learned by experience that it
was better for the tribe, or herd, as a whole, to be governed by
their strongest and sharpest‑witted members
...
And it is
firmly planted in the mind of the race today, so much so that
only the strongest minds are able to free themselves from it
to any great extent
...
People do not begin by asking themselves: “What do
I think about this matter?” but instead start off by saying: “What
does So‑and‑So think of it?” Their “So‑and‑So” is their authority,
who does their thinking for them, and they take their keynote
from him or her
...
If these leaders and authorities were really the wisest of
the race, it would not matter so very much, although even
then it might prevent the development of individuality in
the masses
...
They assume the manners,
air, appearance, etc
...
This fact is well known to the classes that prey upon the public
...
They are good actors—that is one of the requisites of
the suggestionist, and these people understand the law
...
” And so these folk
keep on “boldly asserting,” and “plausibly maintaining,” and
find that “it generally goes
...
And the extreme instance
in this case is the hypnotic “subject” who has surrendered his
judgment entirely to the mind of the operator
...
And suggestion, you
know, is the active factor in hypnotism, the hypnotic condition
being only a psychological condition in which the effect of
suggestion is heightened
...
They have no quality of initiative, but must always be
told just what to do, and how to do it, by others
...
They do not have to be
persuaded by argument, but are fairly driven and ordered to do
things by stronger‑willed persons
...
These people
are very suggestible, and every day’s history records many
startling cases of the effect of suggestion through acquiescence
on the part of such people
...
The secret of the effect is the tendency upon the part of the
majority of people to acquiesce in an authoritative statement
182
Four Kinds of Suggestion
or command, rather than to dispute it, and the tendency
toward thinking “Yes” rather than “No!”
This form of suggestion is to be observed in the highest
degree among those who have always depended upon others
for orders, or instruction, and who have not had to “use their
own wits” and resources in life
...
These people seem to
need someone to do their thinking for them, even in the smallest
events of their lives, and are most suggestible along these lines
...
It is the slightest among people who have had the ordering of
others to do, or who have had to depend upon their own wits
in getting through life—the men of marked degree of initiative
have scarcely a trace of this form of suggestibility
...
The degree of power in giving this form of suggestion depends
materially upon the development of will on the part of the
suggestor, and also upon his assumption of the appearance,
manners, air and tone of authority, the latter requisites being the
outward symbols
...
But to those who have not the developed Will‑Power, and
whose authority is more or less “counterfeit,” the assumption
of the outward symbols becomes a matter of great importance,
and these people devote much study to the cultivation of these
outward forms
...
183
Mind‑Power
To those who are negative and who are too susceptible to
this form of suggestion, I advise the cultivation of Will‑Power,
which will be fully taught in the later chapters of this book,
entitled “Mental Architecture,” etc
...
The second line of action of Mental Suggestion is that called:
Suggestion Through Imitation—This form of Mental
Suggestion is very common—perhaps the most common of all
the forms
...
He is always
copying the actions, appearances and ideas of others, thereby
going to prove his descent from the monkey‑like ancestors, in
whom this trait of character was largely developed
...
Then a motion of fright on the part of one would
be communicated to the others of the tribe, and gradually the
trait of instinctive imitation was developed, the traces of which
are still strongly with the race, even to this day
...
When we watch a tight‑rope
walker, our bodies instinctively sway in imitative motion
...
And so it goes on all around us, and
in us—ever the tendency toward imitation
...
People
are constantly taking up the suggestion of the mental states,
feelings, and emotions of those around them, and reproducing
them in their own acts
...
Let the old bell‑wether jump over a rail, and every
sheep in the flock will do likewise—and they will keep on
jumping over the same place, at the same height, even if the rail
184
Four Kinds of Suggestion
be removed before the whole flock gets over
...
We are
constantly aping after others
...
, we are servile imitators
...
Funny! isn’t it?
This law of imitation plays an important part in the
phenomena of Mental Suggestion along these lines
...
Let the newspaper
record a certain crime and many others of the same type follow
closely after
...
Let there be a number of
cases of some kind of folly and dissipation, and immediately
there is “an epidemic” of the same thing
...
Diseases get to be
quite the fashion in this way
...
Shrewd men take advantage of this tendency of the human
mind, and, by getting a few people interested in certain things,
they manage to set the fashion, and the crowd follows like
sheep
...
The
majority of people are more or less susceptible to this form of
suggestion, the degree depending upon their habit of thinking,
judging and acting for themselves
...
The method of curing an undue tendency toward imitative
action is to start in to build up your individuality, and to
185
Mind‑Power
develop positivity, along the lines mentioned in the concluding
chapters of this book
...
It is based upon the acquired
impressions of the race, by which certain words, actions,
manners, tones, appearances, etc
...
Mental States take form
in physical action and expression, as we know
...
These actions and words thus become symbols
of the mental state producing them, and consequently they
produce upon the mind of the person seeing or hearing them
the mental image connected with that mental state
...
So that
these symbols are really Mental Suggestions, since they tend to
induce mental states
...
The words are the “outward and visible signs” of an “inward
feeling”—remember this always
...
The word “horror,” for instance,
or “uncanny,” has a definite meaning to persons familiar with it
...
One may say
the word over and over again to a person who has never heard
it, or to one of another race who does not understand the term,
and no suggestive effect follows
...
The word “love,” used properly, will awaken
in the mind of its hearers feelings corresponding with the term
...
Feelings experienced by one’s ancestors leave a record in one’s
subconscious mentality, which may also be induced by the
appropriate suggestion
...
The record is covered with minute impressions
produced by the sound‑waves entering the phonograph
...
In this
way a word, which is the physical symbolic record of feeling,
will produce its associated feeling in the mind of the person
hearing or reading it
...
For instance, in the case
of the word “love,” let us suppose that the term is strongly and
feelingly suggested to a number of persons at the same time,
and in the same way
...
The same word may induce a feeling of the greatest
pleasure in one person, and the greatest horror or disgust in
another—the difference depending upon the association of
the word in the mind of the two persons
...
The word is the body—the feeling is its soul
...
Each of these depends for force and effect
upon some accustomed association with some inner feeling,
which feeling is reproduced or induced by the outward symbol
of the thing
...
People have been overcome by the sight of a
picture, or a scene in a play—a song—a poem—or suggestive
music
...
He watches closely and discovers that certain words, tones,
manners, appearances, actions, motions, etc
...
And so
when he wishes to reproduce, produce, or induce in others
these ideas or feelings, he simply reproduces the associated
physical symbols, in words, manner, motion, or appearance,
and the effect is produced
...
The
“confidence man” assumes the appearance, manners and
actions which you have always associated with certain qualities
of character and you feel that he is what he seems to be—but
he isn’t, and you are fooled
...
The
actor assumes the actions, tones, dress and words of certain
characters, and if he is a good actor you forget the reality and
laugh and weep, and otherwise feel that what you see is reality,
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Four Kinds of Suggestion
although you really know underneath it all that it is only a play
...
Remember, now and always, that a mental suggestion
operates by the presentation of the outward symbol associated
with the feeling to be induced
...
Do you see? This law underlies all the phenomena of
Mental Suggestion—understand the law of suggestion and you
have the master‑key to the phenomena
...
The orator; the lawyer; the preacher; each
uses words calculated to induce mental states, feelings and
emotions, in the minds of his hearers
...
He avoids the use of cold, abstract words, and drifts into the
use of those which are symbols for deep feeling and emotion,
knowing that these word symbols uttered with the proper tone
and expression will induce the feelings for which they stand in
the minds of the hearers
...
The emotion or
passion, whether it be love, fear, hate, greed, patriotism, courage,
jealousy, sympathy, etc
...
, is awakened by the skillful use of
the words, tones, and expression which stand as symbols for
these feelings
...
The skillful salesman operates upon you
in the same way
...
The revivalist has this art reduced to a perfect science
...
Even when written, their potency is great
...
Let
me make the catch‑phrases of a country, and I care not who
makes its laws!
The man best adapted to employ this form of suggestion is
he who is more or less of an actor—that is, who possesses the
faculty of throwing “expression” and “feeling” into words, actions
and manner
...
It belongs to the feminine side
of the phenomena, for it has the “charming,” drawing, leading
aspect, and works by the employment of the emotive‑pole of
mentation, rather the will or motive pole, as in the case of the
first mentioned phase of suggestion—that of authoritative
statement or command
...
One should ever be on guard against this kind of influence
...
Rather wait
until the effect has worn off, and then submit the matter to
the consideration of your reason and judgment
...
Fence yourself off from a
too ready response to sympathetic appeals along the emotional
lines
...
Men should have the reason in the ascendant, not the
emotional nature
...
When you know what a Mental Suggestion is, then you wilt
learn to recognize them, and be on the lookout for them
...
Have your torpedo nets out, no matter
how secure you may imagine yourself to be
...
On these occasions, “when in doubt, say No!” You will save
yourself much regret by remembering this bit of advice
...
I have learned this law by
bitter personal experience
...
”
You know the story of the man who told his favorite lie so
often that he believed it himself! Well this is a psychological
fact
...
Then they kept on repeating the thing, adding
a little here, and a little there, until the thing got to be “a fixed
idea” with them, and they actually believe it
...
The secret of the operation of this form of suggestion lies
in the psychological facts of weakened resistance through
repetition of the “attack,” and the “force of habit
...
You know the old verse:
“Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
That, to be hated, needs but to be seen
...
”
And this rule holds good with suggestions
...
The psychological fact involved in this form of suggestion
is that impressions upon brain‑cells become deepened by
constant repetition
...
The mind is very apt to accept as
true anything that it finds deeply impressed upon its records
...
It finds itself
“feeling” these things that have been repeatedly impressed upon
it
...
”
There is a constant struggle for existence upon the part of the
ideas, or mental images impressed upon me
...
And in the majority of cases, the strongest ones
are those which have either been impressed in a vivid manner,
or else by repetition
...
And so it is with these suggested ideas—you grow familiar with
them through repetition; they lose their strangeness to you;
and at last you cease to concern yourself about them
...
,
192
Four Kinds of Suggestion
but after the strangeness has worn off you cease to exercise the
former caution
...
” and also lack of
caution
...
This is one
of the fundamental laws of suggestion, and one that all should
remember
...
You have heard certain things affirmed,
over and over again, until you have come to accept them as
veritable facts, notwithstanding that you possess not the
slightest personal knowledge of any logical proof, concerning
them
...
Many a man has gained a reputation for wisdom, merely
because his friends repeatedly affirmed it, and the public
accepted the suggestion
...
And many a
reputation has been destroyed by the repeated shrugs, sneers,
and insinuations of gossips and evil‑wishers
...
“If at first
you don’t succeed,” and “Never take No! for an answer,” are two
axioms very dear to the heart of the man who uses suggestion
“in his business
...
Do
not imagine that an untrue thing becomes true because it is
repeated often
...
Keep awake—
keep awake! An understanding of this law of suggestion will
193
Mind‑Power
throw light on many things that have puzzled you heretofore
...
194
Chapter XVIII
L
How Suggestion is Used
et us now consider the various forms of application
of suggestion in everyday life
...
e
...
Let us now consider the first form:
Involuntary Suggestion
...
We are giving suggestions of words, manner,
action, etc
...
And these suggestions
are constantly being accepted by those around us
...
We are acting as living inspiration for some, and living
discouragement for others, according to circumstances
...
, act as
suggestions to those around us
...
, but of mental suggestion,
pure, and simple
...
He sets the gait
195
Mind‑Power
of the place
...
We affect those around us by our mental attitudes,
manifested in action, and they affect us—if we allow them to
do so
...
If the parent treats the child as
being beyond control, the child will respond; if the child be
considered obstinate, etc
...
People talk before their
children, little realizing that the little minds are very suggestible,
and are constantly taking suggestive color from those around
them
...
They should avoid giving the child the impression that
it is “bad,” or “mean,” or “deceitful,” or “shy,” or anything of that
sort
...
I have heard of children who
had become so impressed with their parents’ suggestion that
they “would come to some bad end, yet,” that they had to fight
against it the balance of their lives
...
This subject of suggestion to children can be merely
alluded to here, for it would fill a book of itself
...
This is the rule of Involuntary Suggestion: Our words, actions,
manner, tones, appearance, and general personality convey
suggestions to those around us, inducing mental states in
accordance therewith
...
The world
196
How Suggestion is Used
will connect you with the part you are playing, according to
the suggestions thus made—sometimes you will get a better
verdict than you really deserve; sometimes a worse one, but in
either event, your mental attitude, reflected by your involuntary
suggestions, will have caused the verdict, whatever it may be
...
Observe the outward appearance of the
part you are playing, for this is what the world sees first, last and
all the time—and you are judged by your suggestive “make‑up,”
and stage action
...
The second form of the application of suggestion is:
Voluntary Suggestion
...
Its manifestations may be grouped into three
classes, as follows: (a) Suggestive Treatment; (b) Hypnotic
Suggestion; (c) Suggestion in the form of Personal Influence
...
The treatments for physical ills come
under the term of “Mental Therapeutics,” and will be spoken
of in the chapter bearing that title
...
, is a branch of science that is
rapidly coming to the fore
...
Its principle rests on the fact
that brain‑centers and brain‑cells may be “grown,” developed,
and increased by properly directed suggestions, so that one
may be practically “made over” mentally
...
Objectionable
habits and traits may be eliminated, and desirable ones
substituted or newly induced
...
The broad principle of the “treatment” lies in the fact
that the mental states induced by the proper suggestion tend
to exercise and develop the portion of the brain in which they
are manifested
...
I call this form of treatment “Brain Building,” by
suggestion, etc
...
Sufficient
it is to say that hypnotism is a combination of the use of
mentative energy in a certain form, coupled with suggestion
...
In this state
the most absurd suggestions are accepted, and acted upon—
the most extraordinary delusions are entertained—and the
suggestions of future action, or post‑hypnotic suggestions,
are made effective
...
It is conducive to negative conditions, and I
heartily disapprove of the practice
...
” The best effects of suggestion
may be obtained without hypnosis—the latter is merely an
abnormal and morbid state, most undesirable to normal
people
...
198
How Suggestion is Used
The third form of application of Suggestion is what is known
as:
Auto‑Suggestion
...
This is a most
interesting and important phase of the subject, and will be
dealt with fully in the chapters on Mental Architecture, etc
...
It is by auto‑suggestions that so
many people have “made themselves over,” mentally, and have
become that which they willed to be
...
The vehicles of suggestion, i
...
, the voice, the manner, etc
...
An eminent teacher of the use of suggestion in commercial
pursuits, in speaking of the effect of suggestion in inducing
mental states, says: “You can make a man think with you if you
work on his feelings or higher nature, even though you run
counter to his ordinary judgment
...
” And this teacher is perfectly right in
his statement, although he follows the old “subjective mind”
idea and identifies “feeling” with the “higher nature,” instead of
treating it as belonging to the emotive pole of mentation
...
The teachers of Business Psychology very ably instruct
their pupils in the art of suggestion in the process of making
sales
...
These steps in the psychology
of salesmanship apply equally well to the science of advertising,
or any other appeal to the minds of people, and are logically
correct
...
Did you ever subscribe to a
book at the solicitation of a good book agent? Well, if you did,
and will let your mind run backward over the proceeding, you
will see how the above rule works in practice
...
Great is suggestion
in business!
I have known salesmen to gently suggest the closing of a
sale by handing the customer a fountain pen, placed at the
“suggestive slant,” at the same time pointing to the space on the
order blank, with the “take‑it‑for‑granted” tone and utterance:
“Sign right here, please!”—and it was signed
...
The agent is told how the different classes of people act,
the objections they will be likely to raise, and how the trained
agent may overcome these obstacles by clever work, including,
of course, an intelligent use of suggestion
...
One of these agents once told me that one of the first
things he learned when starting to work was that the agent
should never permit the customer to take his “prospectus,” or
sample pages, in his own hands
...
He will then have the matter in his
own hands, and will have gotten away from me—he will then
do the leading, instead of my doing it
...
I do the leading, guiding, directing
and influencing myself—I keep the controlling gear in my own
hands, always
...
This is
taught in the “courses” and “schools” of advertising, and the “ad
...
The use of the “direct
command,” as the “ad
...
People are
positively told to do certain things in these advertisements
...
Or they see a mammoth
hand pointing down at them from a sign, and almost hear the
corresponding mammoth voice, as it says (in painted words):
“Say, you! Smoke Honey‑Dope Cigars; they’re the best ever!!!”
And, if you manage to reject the command the first time, you
will probably yield at the repeated suggestion of the same
thing being hurled at you at every corner and high fence, and
“Honey‑Dope” will he your favorite brand until some other
suggestion catches you
...
Then there are other subtle forms of suggestion in advertising
...
And then
you are constantly told that “Babies howl for Grandma Hankin’s
Infantile Soother,” and then when you hear some baby howling
you think of what you have been told they are howling for, and
then you run and buy a bottle of “Grandma Hankin’s
...
999% Pure”; and
that some pickle man makes “763 Varieties”; etc
...
, etc
...
It was
smooth—the idea, not the stuff, I mean
...
They “get in their work” on you
...
“Sweet,” “refreshing,”
“thirst‑quenching,” “nourishing,” etc
...
—how suggestive they
are! And how effective! How do they act? you ask
...
I once heard a story of a bad little boy,
who would stand in front of a “German band,” with a lemon to
his mouth, sucking away vigorously
...
Exit boy, with Professor Umpah, the bass‑horn
player, in full pursuit, the air being filled with “Dunner und
Blitzen!” and worse
...
I have seen
hat dealers start up the straw hat season by putting on a straw
themselves, their clerks ditto, and then a few friends
...
Business men understand
suggestion
...
The best ones
are above asking as the novices do, “Want a paper, mister?” or
worse still, “You don’t want a paper, mister, do you?” The good
ones say, instead, boldly and confidently, “Here’s your paper,
mister!” sticking it under your nose—and you take it
...
He was the best I ever heard
...
Many were the ponies
lined up to carry the children around the ring, for a nickel a
ride
...
The very air seemed to quiver
and vibrate in the rhythm of his “r‑r‑r‑r‑r‑r‑ide, r‑r‑r‑r‑r‑r‑ide!”
And every child within hearing who could raise a nickel would
surely ride! The word “ride!” positively, authoritatively and
constantly repeated, was one of the most startling exhibitions
of this form of suggestion that I have ever seen or heard
...
Perhaps he has now passed on to some higher form of
usefulness—he was worthy of it
...
I have seen men in bowling alleys caused to make false plays
by some bystander suggesting the false shot
...
You have but to look around
203
Mind‑Power
you and see these, everyday instances of suggestion, in some
form or other
...
Look out for it! And, in conclusion,
I know of a little boy who exemplified the law of suggestion one
April Fool’s Day by placing a sign on the coat‑tail of another boy
...
He suggests things to a suggestible
witness, and coaxes and leads him on to admissions and
statements that he did not intend making—sometimes
statements that are not strictly correct
...
, the
direct statement made in an authoritative manner, causing the
suggestible witness to acquiesce
...
It is calculated
to lead one into acquiescence, for man is “an obedient animal,”
and it is “so much easier to say Yes! than No! when you see that
Yes! is expected
...
This firm, decided, authoritative statement
or demand, when allied to the law of repetition, has caused
much mischief in the world, and many have “given in” to it, to
their sorrow
...
When the law is once understood
it is comparatively easy to escape the suggestion
...
Forewarned is forearmed, in this case
...
,
etc
...
Do you see the point? The statement is made first, and
204
How Suggestion is Used
the question is asked right on top of it
...
I took my own suggestion
...
And the person seated
below the speaker is forced into a relatively passive or negative
condition, or position
...
The raised platform
of the teacher, speaker, preacher, etc
...
And the power that a lawyer feels when “talking on his
feet” to the jury seated in front of him is a manifestation of a
law that he may not be aware of—but the judge has the best
of the lawyer, for the latter must look up to him when he talks
...
The raised position of clerks in the large stores, and
the low seats so accommodatingly placed for the customers,
have good reasons
...
This is a little hint that
may be worth many times the price of this book to you, some
of these days
...
This is a
little thing—but it works big results, sometimes
...
There is a great difference in the suggestibility of persons,
some being almost immune from suggestion, while others are
so suggestible that they have but to be told a thing in a positive,
forceful, confident, authoritative tone and manner, to accept
the suggestion, particularly if it be repeated several times
...
But I have told you about this elsewhere in this
lesson
...
The hypnotic “subject” is at the extreme
negative end of the scale
...
Future suggestions are like seeds planted in the mind,
which grow, blossom and hear fruit at some future time
...
But the newer school
of psychologists have discovered that these future suggestions
may be made in the ordinary receptive state, just as is the case
with any of the other forms of mental suggestions, and the
result will be the same as that obtained by the hypnotists, in
spite of their theories and methods
...
Many foolish suggestions are given in everyday life along the
lines of future suggestion, and alas! many of them are accepted
carelessly, owing to a lack of knowledge of the principle
...
Or to a
man, “Wait until the novelty wears off and you’ll see how sick of
the job you’ll get
...
” Or, “You’ll find him out after a while and will see
206
How Suggestion is Used
that he’s not what he seems
...
And too often these
suggestions are recalled and have a tendency to cause the person
to “make them come true
...
I have given you a key to this principle now—
heed the lesson! If you feel that an attempt at future impression
is being made on you neutralize it with a mental “No, I won’t”!
That is the antidote for the bane
...
e
...
You
make up your mind that you must awaken to catch a train at
four tomorrow morning and you awaken in time
...
If you have an engagement at three
this afternoon you may set your alarm as follows (talking to
yourself, of course): “Now, see here! Remember that you must
see Smith at three this afternoon—three, three, I say! Remember
now, three, I say”! And if you impress it sufficiently strong upon
your mind, a little before three you will begin to feel uneasy,
and then suddenly your Smith engagement will “pop” into your
mind from your sub‑conscious region, and you will reach out
for your hat and overcoat Mental alarm‑clock, remember! That
tells the whole tale
...
He makes the mental suggestion and attaches it to the mental
alarm‑clock—when the alarm goes off the suggestion emerges
into the field of consciousness and acts just as if it had been
freshly made
...
But don’t be frightened, you timid people
...
The only reason a future suggestion
207
Mind‑Power
has the advantage over a present one is that it is more subtle,
and people are not as much on guard about future things as
they are about things to be “done right now
...
” But now that
you know the facts of the matter you may laugh at them both,
and take the sting out of them by your little “No, I won’t”!
And, just one word more
...
That
is, you may say “I shall not act upon any adverse suggestions that
may have been made to me—I will them out of my mind—I kill
them this moment by the power of my will
...
Try this plan
and be free!
208
Chapter XIX
T
Induced Imagination
here is a form of suggestion which tends to arouse activities
in the imaginative regions of the minds of people
...
I call this class of phenomena “Induced Imagination
...
, etc
...
”
The imagination is creative in its nature and works with
the plastic material of the mind
...
By
“imagination proper” is meant the higher forms of activity of the
image‑creating faculty, such as is manifested in the creation of
literature, art, music, philosophical theory, scientific hypothesis,
etc
...
“Imagination proper” may be considered as a
positive phase, and “fancy” as the negative phase, of the
image‑creating faculty
...
It lies at the basis of active mental
manifestations
...
It is distinctly creative
in its nature, and really forms the mould in which deeds and
actions are cast—it forms the architect’s plan, which we use
to build our life of action and deeds
...
Positive imagination is very far from being the fanciful,
capricious, light, whimsical thing that many suppose it to be
...
Not
only does it precede, and is necessary to, the performance of
objective acts, and the producing of material things—but it is
also the faculty by which we impress our mental‑images upon
the minds of others by mentative induction, and by the uses of
desire and will
...
” An
“idea” is but “an image formed in the mind”; and the imagination
is the faculty in which the “image” (or “idea”) is formed
...
And as is the strength of the image or idea,
so is the degree of its power to impress itself upon the minds of
others
...
But it is largely with its negative phase that we shall
have to deal with here
...
You hear a piece
of music, and before you know it your fancy is running along
painting all sorts of pictures in your mind, and inducing all sorts
of feelings
...
A piece
of poetry, or poem, may lift you out of yourself on the wings
of fancy
...
You scowl at the
villain, and tremble at the danger of the heroine
...
And you feel these things in proportion
that your negative imagination or fancy is called into activity
by induction
...
The first is an act of positive
creation, while the second is merely a reflection impressed upon
your mind, by either the suggestion; or the mentative energy of
the actor
...
Suggestion is merely
the presentation of the outward symbol of the inner feeling
...
They claim
that “suggestion” is sufficient to account for it all
...
And I think that any
careful investigator will agree with me in this, if he will open his
mind to all the impressions received during his investigations,
instead of tying himself to a previously conceived theory
...
The facts of the suggestionists are undoubted, but they make
the mistake of ignoring the mental states of the suggestionist
...
If their theories be true, why is it that
two men using the same words of suggestion, upon the same
subject, produce varying degrees of effect? It is because the
mental states or dynamic mentation of the two men vary in
quality and degree
...
Nearly all races of men have discovered
that there are means possible to people whereby they may
produce in themselves abnormal conditions, known as the
“trance,” “dream‑states”; “transcendental condition”; etc
...
The means by which these
states are obtained are various, the favorite methods being the
gazing at a bright object; fixing the gaze at the root of the nose;
staring at the umbilicus, staring at a drop of ink; inhaling vapors;
listening to weird music, etc
...
Much mock‑occultism, which
is really “psychism,” depends upon these methods for its results,
manifestation and phenomena
...
And much of the latter‑day western psychism is also based
upon the same practices, and brings about like results
...
I have
212
Induced Imagination
seen certain methods advised for “Going into the Silence,” in
which the student is advised to focus his gaze on the root of
his nose, etc
...
Is it not time
that the truth regarding these things should be known?
This “trance” phenomena, whether produced by mesmeric
processes or by other means, are abnormal, unhealthy, and
undesirable phases of mental condition
...
It is high time that someone should
call the attention of the public to the dangers of this so‑called
“psychism
...
I know, also, that it
is very far from true occult development
...
This false occultism, which is not occultism
at all, but merely a negative form of “psychism,” has deluded
many into its folds, and has led its followers on to planes which
are akin to mental quagmires and swamps, following the ignis
fatuus, or “will‑o’‑the‑wisp” of this pseudo‑spirituality which is
but a negative form of psychism
...
These
conditions may be produced by hypnotic methods, simply
because any mental state may be so produced, and not because
of any mystic process, or knowledge, or connection
...
The
only difference is that the operator induces the condition by
213
Mind‑Power
mental influence, and suggestion, just as he would induce any
other mental state—instead of the subject inducing it in himself
...
And anything that is said against the self‑induced condition is
equally applicable to the operator‑induced one
...
I shall not describe the conditions at further length, nor shall
I give any instructions in the production of them
...
The practice
is weakening to the will, for the reason that it depends upon
the tiring of the attention by straining the eyes or other organs
of sense
...
Bright objects to stare at and thus tire out
the sense of sight have been employed; monotonous sounds
ending in “um‑m‑m‑m‑m” are used by the Orientals to tire out
the sense of hearing by its monotonous and soothing sound;
vapors and perfumes and incense are used to overcome the
sense of smell—all tending to tire out the will, and to reduce it
to a passive, non‑resisting stage
...
Let me urge upon you to avoid this abnormal “psychism”—
put it away from you as you would a poisonous cobra, for it seeks
to strike at the heart of your will, and would thus paralyze your
mentality
...
Beware
of the claims of “soul‑development” or “spiritual‑unfoldment”
that are accompanied by these methods, for they are but
psychism masquerading as occultism or spiritual development
...
214
Induced Imagination
Concluding this, part of the subject, I would say that if any
of you are disposed to question the correctness of my above
statement, then you have but to examine the types of “psychics”
seen on all sides
...
I am not
alluding to these people, but to the poor, frail‑willed, negative
sensitives, who are as impressionable as the photographer’s
“negative”—and to whom also the “development” means but
the bringing out of impression from outside
...
I allude to the wonderful
manifestations of induced imagination displayed by some of
the magicians of the orient, particularly of India and Persia
...
Without going into an extended consideration of the subject
in question I will mention a few of the recorded instances of
induced imagination among the oriental people, in order to
give you an idea of the degree of power possible to an adept in
the practice
...
The writer was a profound skeptic,
who believed that it was all “hanky‑panky” along the lines of
sleight‑of‑hand or similar methods—that is, he so believed
until he actually witnessed the demonstration
...
217
Mind‑Power
The magician seated himself on the ground, with several
jars, boxes, implements, and other paraphernalia before him
...
An English naturalist present
identified the snakes as belonging to a well known native
variety
...
The snakes reared themselves up and moved
their heads from side to side at the sound of the chant, the
magician touching them softly with his wand from time to time
...
The magician bade
the audience remain quiet and assured them that there was
no danger—then he reversed the process, and the snakes were
seen to gradually decrease in size until they vanished from sight
altogether
...
The magician placed
one of his assistants in the center of a circle described on
the sand, and with appropriate gestures and ceremony went
through some magical incantation
...
Then the magician reversed the process
and brought him down from the aerial heights, the boy
appearing like a small speck at first, gradually growing larger as
he neared the earth, until he stood before the audience, bowing
and smiling
...
The magician then
218
Induced Imagination in India
began his chant and waved his hands over the hillock
...
Then blossoms were seen, and the ripe
fruit appeared, which was passed among the audience
...
And, wonderful to relate, the fruit that
had been distributed among the people also disappeared
...
The
magician produced a coil of real rope, which was passed around
for examination
...
The rope rapidly uncoiled itself, and the
knot was seen away up in the air, and still ascending
...
At a shout from the magician
he began climbing rapidly up the rope, and in a short time
disappeared from view, after appearing as a tiny speck in the air
...
This concluded the performance
...
When the
negative was developed there was no trace of rope, boy or anything
else appertaining to the manifestation
...
This fact demonstrated that which similar tests have
also proven; i
...
, that the feats were not really performed at
all, but were simply illusions produced by impressions upon the
minds of the audience
...
I shall give you another proof of this in a moment or
219
Mind‑Power
two, after I have related a few more instances of this wonderful
manifestation
...
There was nothing about the man to distinguish him from the
ordinary fakirs, but he soon showed his quality
...
Then passing a sailor who
was holding in his hand a broken cocoanut shell containing the
liquid or “water” of the nut, he lifted the shell from his hand
and holding it high up over a ship’s bucket standing nearby he
emptied the liquid until it filled the bucket, and repeated the
process upon another bucket, and so on until twelve buckets
had been filled from the half cocoanut shell
...
Then a moment later he exhibited a tiny speck in
his hand, which gradually grew until it was again the bucket of
water filled to the brim with the liquid, which he then poured
out on the deck
...
To her horror the mother then beheld the nurse girl
rising a few feet in the air and moving rapidly toward the babe,
reaching down for the infant as she glided over it, and then
rising high into the air with the child clasped in her arms, until
both were lost in the clouds
...
The mother, after clasping her babe close
to her bosom, cried out, “How dare you take my child away?”
when to her surprise the girl answered, “Why, ma’am, the baby
has been asleep all the time and I have not touched him
...
” It was merely an instance of induced
imagination of a remarkable degree of power, produced by the
Mental Imagery of the fakir; and his previous feats were also so
performed
...
The fakir then untied his
red bundle, and, extracting therefrom a cocoanut he exhibited
it to the passengers, passing it around for inspection
...
He then caused it to stop flowing, and it
obeyed; then he restarted it
...
Then
he materialized a cobra from the air and caused it to disappear
at his command, after he had terrified the passengers with it
...
Then taking up a collection, which was quite liberal, he jumped
over the side and swam rapidly to shore
...
These feats are
quite common in some parts of India, but they are known to be
221
Mind‑Power
but mental illusions, for all attempts to catch the exhibition on
photographic plates have failed, the plate showing nothing but
the magician in a state of mental concentration
...
It is induced
imagination in a developed degree, but differs only in degree
from the phenomena more familiar to the Western World
...
This gentleman
told me that when a youth he had witnessed exhibitions of
the kind just related in his native land
...
He began experimenting,
and soon at least was able to classify the phenomena as
pure mental illusion
...
My friend found that if he retreated a few yards
beyond the outer edge of the crowd he could see nothing but
the magician, all the “magical doings” disappearing
...
He tried the experiment in several ways, with the
same result
...
In short, the influence was confined to a certain area and the
mental influence was doubtless increased by the “contagion”
of the different minds in the crowd
...
The
testimony of this gentleman corroborated the opinion that I
had already formed to that effect, which opinion agrees with
that of the best authorities
...
, and which
I shall now mention and explain
...
This motion and twisting is merely an accompaniment to the
droning chant akin to the motions of the Oriental dancers
who twist their bodies in a similar manner in rhythm to the
music
...
In fact, the higher
magicians among the Hindus do nothing of the sort, but
maintain a dignified, calm, standing position, or the firm “yogi”
seat,” in which the body is evenly and firmly poised in a position
of dignified rest, the hands resting on the lap, the back of one
hand in the palm of the other
...
And, as I have said, some of the western works on
the subject have gone into considerable detail regarding this
wonderful “Oriental Magic,” which they assert is accomplished
because of this twisting of the body
...
” I do not think that further comment is necessary
223
Mind‑Power
in this case
...
, are merely part
of the setting of the piece, or possibly bits of “stage business,”
designed to heighten the impression of mystery
...
I have been informed by an authority whose word is entitled
to the greatest respect, and who has spent many years in India
and other oriental countries, that the following method is used
by these oriental magicians in developing within themselves
the power to induce these strong mental images in the minds
of those witnessing their performances: The magician starts
when a youth and practices mental imagery in his own mind
...
The magician at first uses his will
in an endeavor to form a clear and distinct mental image of
some familiar object, a rose, for instance
...
Then he
experiments upon larger objects, and then upon groups of
objects, and so on to more complex pictures
...
And this being
accomplished, the magician is able by his highly‑developed
concentrated will to project the mental image into the mind
of those around him
...
The people of the west will not devote the time and
attention to the cultivation of such faculties, while the oriental
will willingly give up half of his life for the attainment
...
Each to
his taste and temperament—and neither would “trade” places
224
Induced Imagination in India
nor power with the other
...
225
Mind‑Power
226
Chapter XXI
The Ocean of Mind‑Power
Y
ou will see by reference to previous chapters that the term
“Telementation” is used by me in the sense of “mentative
influence at a distance,” the word being derived from the
Greek word Tele, meaning “afar off”; and the word “mentation,”
which I use in the sense of “mental activity
...
You
will also remember that the action of telementation depends
upon the production of induced mental states by mentative
currents
...
I have explained how mental states may be induced by
suggestion, as well as by mentative currents, and shall not
allude to this phase at this place, but shall consider mentative
induction in its phase of manifestation by means of mentative
currents
...
Terms are
227
Mind‑Power
“pegs” upon which you may hang thoughts and ideas, so that
you may find them when you need them
...
In order that you may more fully understand the wonderful
phenomena of telementation, I think we would better take
another look at the fundamental principle or Mind‑Power
itself
...
You will
remember that I have postulated the existence of a universal
Mind‑Power, which is imminent in, and manifested in, all
form of life, energy and mind
...
You will remember also, that I have claimed that the brain was
not a “creator” of Mind‑Power, but rather in the nature of a
“converter” or “transformer” of the universal Mind‑Power into
usable forms and phases
...
Now let us pass on to the consideration of the mentative
currents
...
Where and how? Let us see! We
must see that the mentative currents have their origin, or rather,
their initial impulse, in and from the mind of some individual
...
Why? Because the brain is
the “transformer” or “converter” of the Mind‑Power into usable
shapes and phases
...
The process is very similar
in both cases
...
And both use up
material in the process
...
Science shows us that there is a production or generation of
“heat” in the manifestation of Mind‑Power in the brain
...
And even the temperature of a tiny nerve increases when it is
used
...
What causes the brain to manifest this energy? Mental states!
What is a mental state! You know what “mental” means—and
“state” means “a condition
...
This is not my personal statement alone,
but is the last word of Modern Science, as voiced by her most
advanced advocates
...
What is a vibration?
It is a state of intense, rapid movement of a particle
...
And what is “excitement,” as I use the term? It means
“aroused activity
...
That is the story in full
...
Then let us answer it in the light of modern
Science
...
They are aware that waves of heat and light,
for instance travel over millions and millions of miles from the
sun to the earth, and are then felt here, although originating
there millions of miles away
...
But this is not the teaching
of Science, which, on the contrary, holds that light and heat do
not so travel, but that the original heat and light vibrations set
up “waves in the ether
...
Science holds that these “waves in the ether,” once set into
motion, travel on until they come in contact with matter
capable of taking up their vibrations
...
In other words, the original
light and heat of the sun does not “travel” to the earth to be
then experienced by the latter, but, on the contrary, the original
solar heat and light set up the “waves in the ether,” which travel
along until the earth is reached, when meeting with the proper
material they are reproduced or “transformed” into heat and
light vibrations similar to those of the original impulse, and
we of the earth feel the heat and see the light
...
It is just like the
230
The Ocean of Mind‑Power
sound vibrations setting up electrical vibration in the telephone,
which travel along and then are re‑transformed into sound
vibrations again at the other end of the line
...
”
There is something else just as much generally misunderstood
...
But they are mistaken in both instances
...
Then the motion is passed on and another
wave is formed
...
But the
waves don’t travel
...
The real motion of a wave is “up and
down” only
...
Here is how Science illustrates the motion: It bids
you take a rope and tie one end of it to a post or wall, etc
...
Now slacken the rope
a little and begin to agitate it up and down
...
And yet you know that
the rope itself has not traveled, but has merely moved up and
down
...
All waves are alike in this respect—light‑waves,
heat‑waves, electrical‑waves, magnetic‑waves and mind‑waves
...
But these heat and light waves are “waves in the ether,” which
ether is a material thing
...
I hold that Mind‑Power is higher
even than the finest ethereal substance, and that it pervades
the latter
...
And, therefore, I claim that the mentative
currents and waves are really currents and waves in that Great
Ocean of Mind‑Power
...
In other words, I hold that these “waves”
and” currents” are like the ocean’s waves and currents—not
only of the ocean, but also in it
...
And that great Mentative
Ocean is full of currents, and waves, and eddies, and swirls, and
whirlpools, and gulf‑streams, and other forms of activity
...
If you are
unable to grasp the idea, then do the next best thing, and
think of this mental ocean as a great sea of energy
...
At any rate, the picture must show this Mind‑Power filling
all space, even in between the atoms and even in the atoms
themselves
...
Then think of a tiny center of power being formed in
this great Mind‑Power Ocean—a little whirlpool, so tiny that
the strongest microscopes can scarcely distinguish it
...
These little whirlpools we will call centers of
power
...
Atoms of
matter appear, being composed of combination of these tiny
centers, which thus become larger and greater centers
...
And then these shapes and forms of matter become more and
more complex, and the centers of power more potent
...
And each form, as it mounts
higher, displays more and more Mind‑Power
...
But, remember this always, that all these shapes and forms,
and cells, and plants, and animals and men, have as their inner
essential substance this same Mind‑Power principle, of which
the Ocean itself is composed
...
You may think of them as vibratory whirlpools
of Mind‑Power if you like—and you will not be very far out of
the way if you do
...
These centers of
power are of varying degrees of activity
...
” So according to
their varying degrees of power and vibration, each center is
positive to some others, and negative to others still
...
Now think of these centers as human
minds, and you will be able to fill out your picture in detail
...
And then
see them sending out waves, and currents of mentative energy,
which induce similar vibrations or mental states in other
centers
...
If you will examine your picture more closely, you will see that
these rotary currents are continually drawing to the centers
the things, and persons, and ideas that they are attracting
by reason of their particular rate of vibration, while things of
different vibrations seem to be comparatively unaffected by
the currents
...
And, in addition to these currents,
you see great waves traveling out in certain directions, toward
certain objects to which they have been directed
...
You see the picture of the circulation of
Mind‑Power
...
And when you come to look a little closer at your picture,
you will see that each one of these centers of energy seems to
have two poles of activity, one of which acts in the direction
of impelling, driving, pushing, forcing, urging, directing, etc
...
, the action always being “inward
...
One
seems to act as Will‑Power; the other as Desire‑Force
...
I have described their characteristics several times as we have
proceeded in these lessons
...
“Motive”
means, of course, “that which moves; that which incites to
action
...
” You will remember that “excitement” means “aroused
activity
...
” And the emotive side of the mind always
234
The Ocean of Mind‑Power
has to do with “feelings,” and the “motive” with willing
...
As in all other things,
a combination of the masculine and feminine qualities and
characteristics produces the best results
...
And now the broad outlines of our mental picture have been
drawn, and the general details filled in
...
It is a moving picture in vivid action and spirited
motion
...
And yet
all will occur on and in the picture itself, without going outside
of it for material
...
And now, I will set the machinery into operation
and show you your mental picture of this Mind‑Power Ocean
and its centers of energy in full motion and activity
...
Let us now proceed to
examine this picture in detail—let us observe the activities
and manifestations that present themselves
...
”
Without going into the subject in detail here (for it forms no
part of this present work) I will say that occultists recognize
Seven Planes of Life, all of which have their own laws and
phenomena
...
This First Plane is the plane of matter, and all of
its phenomena is that of matter
...
Even when we say
that we see the manifestation of some force (on this plane), we
really mean that we see that force as it produces a movement
or change in matter—we do not see the force at all; all that we
see is the matter moved by the force
...
Occultists who have
reached the second degree of unfoldment, are able to sense
the phenomena on this Second Plane—that is, they are able
to witness the phenomena of the forces on their own plane
and independent of the presence of matter
...
The same is true of
magnetism—you may see the needle drawn to the magnet, but
you cannot see the current of magnetic vibrations themselves
...
But, on the Second Plane, those who have attained the
second degree, report that the “vibratory‑waves” of electricity,
magnetism, light, heat, etc
...
They report that
they are able to see the vibrations themselves—for instance,
they can see the waves of electricity or magnetism as they pass
through the ether and before they reach the material objects
which they affect in a way visible to the ordinary eye
...
You
know, of course, that these X‑Rays, and in fact also the higher
rays of ordinary light, are invisible to the human eye, although
capable of being recorded by instruments, photographic plates,
etc
...
But remember, they do not see “Mind” itself—they
see merely the “waves” of energy emanating from Mind
...
I merely mention them so that advanced
students may recognize that I am aware of their existence and
importance, and am not misled by any erroneous belief in there
being only two planes
...
They deal with the “energy” phase of Mind—that is
Mind in its aspect of Mind‑Power
...
So, to return to our Mind‑Power Picture, I will assume that
you are able to sense the Second Plane phenomena, and thus
actually see the passage and existence of the mentative waves
and currents
...
I want to show you the forces, themselves,
as well as their effect upon material forms
...
And, you
will note the presence of color in these clouds, some of them
being a dull grey, and others being tinted like the clouds at
sunset or sunrise
...
Let us consider just what these various colors mean—
for each has its own meaning, the color being dependent upon
the degree of vibration and the degree of vibration depending
upon the feeling which started the waves into motion
...
When
one gets talking about Second Plane phenomena, it is hard to
refrain from telling the story through to the finish
...
Here they are:
Blue is the vibrational color pertaining to spiritual feeling, and
represents the various religious feelings, and emotions, the
shade growing lighter as the religious concept rises toward
true spirituality
...
Yellow
is the vibrational color pertaining to the feelings and emotions
associated with intellectual power, the shade growing clearer
as the intellect mounts to higher conceptions
...
There
is a shade still higher than this, although most rare among
the race
...
The highest
occult teachings inform us that the vibrational shade belonging
to “Spirit” or the “Essence of Being,” is a pure white light, of an
unusual brilliancy
...
Brown is the
vibrational color of avarice and greed
...
Dull, deep red betokens
the animal passions, and sensuality
...
When this color is seen in the shade of Crimson,
it betokens a higher form of love, the shade becoming lighter
and clearer as the degree of the feeling advances in the scale of
character
...
Green is a peculiar vibrational
color, and betokens a number of odd phases of feeling and
emotion
...
A greyish‑green indicates deceit, which shade becomes clearer
and brighter as the quality of the “deceit” rises in the scale
...
, etc
...
; and in a bright
clear shade indicates selfishness; and in a certain pallid shade
indicates fear or terror
...
These vibrational emotional colors, of course, combine, and
blend into each other in countless combinations, but the above
will give you a key to the same
...
But there may be seen a difference
even in these two; that is, the emotive pole, in its currents
of Desire‑Force, shows a scintillating effect, as if there were a
multitude of minute sparks, or stars in the current; and the
motive pole, in its currents of Will‑Power shows an effect
something like a multitude of tiny and minute lightning‑flashes,
playing in the stream or current
...
I allude to what might be called the “vitality vibrations,” which
radiate from the living body, and which are caused by the “vital
force” which permeates the body during life, and makes possible
the running of the physical machinery—some prefer to call it
nerve‑force
...
241
Mind‑Power
But when seen away from the body they show a lack of color,
like clear water, and resemble the heated air arising from a
stove, lamp, or heated ground—that is to say, they look like
a colorless, vibrating body of air
...
Now, as we gaze upon our Mind‑Power Picture, and see
moving thereon the shapes and forms of human beings, we may
see that each being is surrounded with an “aura” or egg‑shaped
“atmosphere” of these Emotional Vibrations—radiations
emanated from his mental states
...
And the aura
of each person is seen to be colored according to the vibrations
belonging to his prevailing mental states
...
, and therefore, the
trained occultist is able to read a person’s character like an
open book, from these emotional colors
...
And of course, these
vibrations composing the aura of a person will affect those
coming in contact with, or near him, or her
...
Even beyond the visible aura, the vibrations
continue in a fainter degree
...
And now we shall see how people affect others
...
The degree of dynamic positivity of the
first man is superior to that of the second, and we see, as we
watch, that the coloring of his aura gradually interpenetrates
that of the weaker man, and the coloring of the latter’s aura
gradually grows to more closely resemble that of the first man
...
, the mental states of the
first man are inducing similar feelings and emotions in the
second man, by means of the currents of mentative energy
that are flowing toward him
...
The second man “takes on the states” of the first man,
as we may see by the change in coloring
...
Simply a case of unconscious mentative
induction, you see
...
” This second man, a little
later on, meets another man, and we may see how this new
man affects the “second man” by the suggestion of his manner
and words
...
, are well acted out, and we soon
see our “second man” having mental states induced in him
by suggestion
...
Our positive man has gone on his way, and soon he spies
another man whom he wishes to influence in certain matters
...
The
positive man’s aura seems to be disturbed, and great tongues of
color seem to leap from it, and lap around the other man, the
whole process resembling the action of tongues of flame or fire
...
This gives us a good illustration
of personal influence in an interview, or a phase of personal
magnetism
...
This process is
hastened by the fact that the Desire‑Force of the weaker man
has become so impressed by the stronger will that it becomes
dazed, or fascinated; the effect being strongly increased by
the Desire‑Force of the stronger man by setting up mentative
induction a corresponding vibration in the desire‑pole of the
weaker man
...
This is a case of a combined, determined
attack
...
Every positive dynamic individual understands
this, instinctively, and his knowledge increases as practice gives
him more confidence in himself
...
We see much of this in our
picture but we notice here and there that some people seem
able to repel these attractions easily, and are not affected by
244
A Glimpse of the Occult World
the currents of desire
...
You see many instances of this in all forms
of mentative influence
...
There are, of course, exceptions to this
rule, owing to ignorance and lack of experience, coupled with
confidence and trust—but the rule is true in general
...
You see the great currents
of mentative energy rolling over the hall, or church
...
You may judge just what grade of religious feeling the preacher
is pouring out, by examining the shade of his “blue emotional
color
...
You will notice
also the waves and currents arising from the congregation,
which establishes the “atmosphere” of the church, and which
will be immediately felt by a stranger entering its doors
...
Next you see the hypnotist and his “subject” in a public
hall
...
You will notice the neutral grey color of the aura of
the subject, who seems to have squeezed every bit of his own
mental states out of him—he is a “professional subject,” and is a
slave of the “professor
...
You
will see how the will of the hypnotist supplants the will of the
subject, and dominates him absolutely
...
This is an extreme case,
of course, but it better illustrates the phenomenon
...
Of course, Mental Suggestion is playing its part in all of
these cases, but we cannot see that because it is not a current
or wave, but is merely the operation of outward symbols in
the direction of inducing mental states in others—we may
see the induced mental states, but can learn the nature of the
suggestion only by watching and listening at what is said and
done
...
But all of these cases have given you merely an illustration of
telementation at “short range”—now let us proceed to examine
the instances of the operation of the same force at “long range,”
in all of its many and wonderful phases
...
, passing before us on the picture
...
In the first place, you
will notice the great clouds of mentative energy permeating
every place, and every corner, each showing its own shade of
vibrational color, indicating the vibrations arising from the
prevalence of certain mental states
...
You will remember that I have explained to you how the
various currents of mentative energy, of all kinds and degrees,
come in contact with each other, and often blend, combine,
or else act in the direction of neutralizing each other’s force
...
Opposing vibrations in currents
tend to antagonize each other, and neutralize each other’s force
...
You
may see them in the picture
...
Just as the light of a
star, or rather, its light‑waves, exist and move on centuries after
the star has ceased to be; just as the heat vibrations continue in
a room, when the producing cause has been removed; just as
odors remain when the cause moves away; so do the mentative
vibrations, and their corresponding thought‑forms, continue
long after the original feeling has passed away—yes, for years
afterwards, in some cases
...
, maintain “atmospheres”
imparted by the vibrations of people long since moved away,
or passed away
...
Houses
are “haunted” by reason of the vibrations arising from intense
desire or feelings, or horror and fear of some one participating
in a crime, either as criminal or victim
...
The
atmosphere of places of low pleasures is equally noticeable
...
Hospitals have a very
depressing influence upon the majority of people
...
On the other hand, the presence of an active, energetic,
successful man, or set of men, in a place, will permeate the
place with positive vibrations that will stimulate all who abide
there
...
I have heard people
say that after moving in that building their business doubled
itself, and their energy increased in the same proportion
...
I think that I have given you a good strong hint
in this direction
...
Follow my explanations
of these things as they appear on the picture, please
...
These thought‑forms although
all generated or “created” in the same manner differ very
materially in their characteristics, and details
...
” By
“appearances,” I mean of course, their appearance to those who
can sense on the Second Plane
...
It is not necessary to “see” a thing in order to “feel”
its influence
...
The most common form is that of a series of
undulating waves, or ripples of a vapory cloud‑like substance,
passing out from the mind of the person experiencing the
mental state originating them, the waves manifesting a ring‑like
form, moving out in every direction from the common centre,
just as do the rings caused by a stone having been dropped into
a pond
...
The
speed diminishes according to the distance traveled, but long
after the actual motion seems to have ceased, there exists an
248
A Glimpse of the Occult World
almost imperceptible motion that causes the outer wave to
drift on, in a lazy, listless manner
...
Such
forms pour out in long streams, then spread out and broaden,
although maintaining the direction originally imparted to
them
...
In this case, the
motion of the thought‑form is in the direction of the person
or thing being directly considered by the mentator
...
Other kinds of thought‑forms pour forth steadily, but lazily,
in the direction of the object thought of
...
Still another form appears like a “streak” of
light flashing from a mirror held in the sun
...
Other
forms travel and seem to enfold the object thought of, and
which being impelled by the strong desire of the mentator act
as if they were trying to “draw” back to him the objects desired
...
The effect of course also is materially influenced by the degree
of positiveness of the person affected, and other attractions
which prevent the yielding to the “pull” of Desire‑Force
...
In the case of a high aspiration, backed by a strong and active
will, this combination will appear tinted with a color and shade
of vibrational color corresponding with the character of the
mental state, while, in the case of a low character of desire the
darker colors will likewise manifest themselves
...
In both of these cases, the action
and direction of the thought‑form depends upon the nature
and character of the desire or will of the mentator at the time
of the conception of the mentative current
...
In this
case the thought‑form maintains a thin connection with the
mind of the mentator, and darting here and there it attracts to
itself the thought‑forms emanating from the minds of others,
which may happen to contain the desired vibrations
...
In this connection, I may call to your attention the well known
fact that persons thinking along the same lines, although in
different parts of the world, are often brought in close rapport
with each other in this way, as many people know by their own
experience
...
Very much akin to this last mentioned kind
250
A Glimpse of the Occult World
of thought‑form, is another which occurs in instances of direct
telemental communication between persons
...
There is another variety of thought‑form that spreads out in
gradually widening sweeps, the thought‑form having a rotary
motion
...
But the most peculiar
feature of this thought‑form is a strange movement towards its
own centre, by which it “sucks in” all that it attracts to its vortex
...
They make things “come their way,” in fact
...
But we shall consider a few more in detail as we
proceed with the subject
...
Some thought‑forms indeed are not only
“things,” but become so infused by the intense desire and will of
the mentator that they become almost like “living forces
...
Such cases are of course rare, so far as conscious production
is concerned
...
A strong desire on the
part of a dying person has often caused an actual “appearance”
by a loved one or friend, although the soul had not left the
251
Mind‑Power
body
...
Trained occultists can do this voluntarily, and consciously, but
very few others have reached this stage
...
You
will of course realize that even in the case of mentative
influence in personal interviews there is a passage of mentative
currents and a manifestation of telementation
...
And you will remember that when I speak of Desire Force,
and Will‑Power, I am speaking of the force of the respective
Two Poles of Mind‑Power—both of these forms being but
phases of the same energy or force
...
I trust that you will remember this
...
(1) Direct telementation, that is, that use of
the Force with the direct purpose of influencing a certain person
or persons; (2) Indirect telementation, that is the use of the
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Mind‑Power
Force with only a general purpose of effecting the desired result,
without special direction toward any particular person or persons
...
First in considering the subject of direct telementation, we
see the cases in which personal influence is exerted in personal
interviews, and under circumstances in which the mentator
and the other person or persons are in close contact—that
is, within each other’s sight
...
, etc
...
We have seen these several
manifestations as we have proceeded in these chapters, and we
need not stop to further consider them at length in this place
...
The second sub‑class includes those instances of telementation
at a “long range,” which produces the phenomena of mental
influencing, will projection; and other forms of influencing,
under many names and disguises, including, of course, the
employment of the force for the benefit and advantage of
the person “treated” or influenced, as well as the repulsive
and deplorable uses alluded to as having been practiced by
all peoples in all times, for the purpose of injury to others and
selfish profit and advantage to the users
...
But, as I
have said in the early part of these lessons, this force is like any
other great natural force, and is capable of being used for good
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Self Protection
or for evil, according to the moral state of the user
...
In this form of telementation, the mentator usually
concentrates upon the person or thing that he wishes to affect,
and then consciously, and by the use of his will, he sends to
that person or thing a current or currents of Desire‑Force or
Will‑Power, or both
...
The degree of
concentration depends upon the will, and is manifested in the
form of attention
...
The clearer the image, the greater the degree of
concentrated will employed, and consequently the greater the
degree of the projecting power of the current
...
, etc
...
But, here, I wish to say an
important word, and that is that the generally claimed effect
of these forms of adverse influence is greatly exaggerated,
and all real occultists know that the principal reason of the
unquestioned effect of this power lies in the mental state of
belief, faith, and fear of the persons affected
...
The persons who are affected by “adverse treatments” or
“witchcraft” or similar forms of adverse influence, invariably
“believe” and “fear” that these influences are effective against
them
...
This is
an occult truth, and one that should be made widely known
...
If people would only
assert their individual power as centers of power they would
surround themselves with such a positive protective aura
that the waves of adverse vibrations would beat against them
without ever reaching within their mental structure
...
We hear of “treaters” making
“denials” regarding people, and thus sending them adverse
telementation
...
, etc
...
” You may, imagine the effect
of currents of this feeling reaching a mind rendered negative
by “belief” and “fear” that the other person can so affect them
...
” I tell you, if you will but
assert your Individuality, and assume the fearless attitude, you
will be able to laugh in the faces of these “adverse practitioners”
of Black Magic, for that is just what it is, no matter how much
they may try to disguise it by pious names
...
The principles are the same—the practice is the same—and
the practitioners are the same at heart—black‑hearted Black
Magicians, all of them, and subject to the same inevitable fate
which overtakes all such people, no matter how high their
pretenses
...
Of course, besides,
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Self Protection
they served to terrify their victims by suggestion
...
, etc
...
But I do say that all the charms in the world—all the witchcraft
and Voodoo material agencies—can produce no other effect
than is allowed them by the minds of the persons sought to be
affected
...
The Kahuna or “prayer‑man” of Hawaii prays
people to death, unless they buy him off—but it is the fear and
belief on the part of the people that render his work effective
...
I need not recount the many instances of this kind
of telementation, for adverse purposes, for the pages of history
are full of them, although the historians sneer at the whole
subject, deeming it a myth, and laughing over the credulity of
our forefathers, notwithstanding the fact that “witches” and
“conjurers” went to the scaffold and stake, confessing their guilt
...
The cause may have been “imaginary” but the effects
were certainly very “real
...
It is cited by an old German physician
...
The noises occurred between the hours
of ten and twelve every night
...
He replied that there was no one but an old village blacksmith,
an old enemy whose power he feared, and who lived several
miles from the farmer
...
The blacksmith, now somewhat frightened, replied
...
” The physician ordered him to desist, and
at the same time made the farmer pay over the money due the
blacksmith, and there was no more trouble
...
But one instance is enough to illustrate the matter—they are
all “cut out of the same cloth
...
, (1) the use of the force by
one person; and (2) the belief or fear, or both, on the part of the
second person
...
And, also remember, this that I have told you—the same
Force that is used in such cases for evil purposes, may also be
used, and is used for the most beneficial and worthy purposes
...
People have been encouraged, helped, healed, reformed, and
otherwise aided and benefited by telementation
...
The good
belongs to the phase of White Magic, and its use can result only
in good to the practitioner of it; whereas the Black Magician
must reap the whirlwind of the wind that he has sown
...
In addition to the selfish and evil use above mentioned,
there is another selfish use of direct telementation that is quite
common of these late years
...
The principle involved is the same as in all these
“treatment,” good and bad
...
The
mentator forms the mental image of the other person, and
then floods him with currents of Desire‑Force, or Will‑Power,
or both, at the same time earnestly willing and desiring that he
will do as the mentator wishes him to do
...
This is a form of “Visualization,”
of which I shall speak presently
...
Of course, you will not feel disposed to put into operation
many of the methods herein described, yet, from your very
acquaintance with what has been mentioned in these pages,
you will be enabled to see the operation of the principles in
the everyday life around you
...
And you will find yourself instinctively guarding
against its influence, just as you would guard against a
threatened physical blow
...
On the whole, you will be a much wiser and stronger man
or woman by reason of the information herein given you
...
Remember the assertion of the positive will, and the use of
the positive denial!
The person wishing to influence another at a distance, just
as he would in the case of a personal interview, forms a mental
image of the person whom he wishes to influence, and then
proceeds just as if the person was actually before him
...
Make the imagined picture as strong as
possible, for upon this depends your success
...
Concentrate your will upon him, and tell him just what you
expect to tell him when you meet him
...
Try to imagine him as complying
with your wishes, in every respect, for this imagining will tend
to ‘come true’ when you really meet the person
...
”
Now, all this is very plain to the student of this book, for the
principles employed are familiar to its readers
...
For the other person
would be thus accustomed to the idea, thought or feeling,
and the work of clearing away the mental underbrush would
be done in advance
...
So important do I
regard the subject of self‑protection in connection with direct
telementation, that I have thought it well to add to this chapter
the following general rules which I trust you will read carefully,
and with which you should fully acquaint yourself
...
For this reason
I attach much importance to the study of the latter at this place
...
Here are the rules:—
I
...
Then pause for a moment, and say the words “I Am,” calmly
and forcibly, at the same time forming a mental picture of
yourself as a center of Force and Power in the Great Ocean of
Mind‑Power
...
Then mentally form a picture of your aura, extending about a
yard on all sides of you, in an egg‑shaped form
...
A little practice will enable you to perfect this
picture, which will greatly aid you in creating a strong positive
aura of will, which will prove to be a dynamic armor and shield
...
You
may use the following affirmation also, if you please—it has
helped many: “I assert my individuality as a center of force,
power and being
...
My mind is
mine own, and I refuse admittance to unwelcome suggestions
or influences
...
My will is
my own, and I charge it with power to beat off and repel all
undesirable influences
...
”
The following denial has proved of the greatest value to many:
“I deny, to all or any, the power to influence me against my best
interests—I am my own master
...
You realize, of course, that it is the mental state aroused by the
words, that “does the work,” rather than any special virtue in
the words themselves
...
Guard yourself from acting upon “impulses
...
,
given above, and by creating the proper mental picture
...
You will be able to see this clearly, by reason of your “mental
housecleaning” a moment before
...
This may be
rendered more forceful if you will but create a mental picture
of the discarded idea flying away from you in the shape of a tiny
thought‑wave
...
III
...
See
yourself as a strong positive “I”—a center of power—encased
in an impregnable sheath of auric force
...
You will
be surprised at the confused manner of people who try to
influence you, when they come in contact with this aura, and
find their suggestions and mentative currents being cast back
upon themselves
...
The
mental picture of yourself as a center of power, surrounded
with a positive aura, will, if persisted in, render you extremely
positive, so that your influence is sure to be felt by the world
with which you come in contact
...
You will find if you have
had an impulse to buy a certain thing, or sell a certain thing at
a sacrifice, that in a day or so, perhaps an hour or so, you will
be approached by some person who will advise you personally
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Self Protection
to do that same thing, the person being likely to be benefited
by the scheme or plan
...
Now that your eyes have been opened to this fact, you will be
amused and surprised to see how many corroborative proofs
you will receive
...
A man’s Mentative Force is immensely more powerful
when he uses it to protect his individuality than when he uses
it to attack the individuality of another
...
The only reason, that
the strong individuals are able to affect the weaker ones so
frequently is because the others do not know their inner power,
and make no defense—in fact, the majority of people do not
know of these laws at all; and, if one tells them, they sneer and
smile knowingly, tapping their foreheads to indicate that their
informant is “just a little off
...
But to return to my subject
...
You will find that
the law is on your side when you say, “I won’t be influenced—I
deny the power of another to weaken my individuality,” for you
have then called into operation that law of Nature which is
always in operation, and which she gives to her creatures in the
way of an instinctive protective force
...
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Mind‑Power
In passing on to the other phases of telementation, I would
again remind you that in these instances of direct telementation
the force may be used both consciously, or unconsciously
...
But, even where these laws are not
understood, the currents or the suggestions are sent forth by
the strong desire or will animating the person
...
264
Chapter XXIV
L
Indirect Influence
et us now pass on to a consideration of the second class
of Telementation, which I call “Indirect Telementation,” or
the use of the Force with a general purpose of affecting the
desired result, without special direction toward any particular
person or persons
...
, (a) in which the
general desire or will of the individual to attain certain results
manifests itself in personal interviews, and induces mental
states in those with whom he comes in contact; and (b) in cases
wherein the general desire and will manifest in telementative
currents, or waves, or whirlpools, affecting all persons and
things who are interested in any way in the enterprise, scheme,
plan or undertaking of the individual, and tending to cause
them to “fall into line” and obey the will or comply with the
desires of the general plan of the individual
...
Strong, positive men start
into motion waves and currents that sweep over the country,
gathering force with each added impetus, and using the
principle of “mental contagion” to increase its influence
...
They do not have it all their own way, of
course, for there are many influences at work which tend to
neutralize their efforts
...
Still the
force is still used to great effect by many politicians, and other
persons who reach out toward large numbers of people
...
” In fact nearly
everybody who does business with people scattered over
a large territory, employs this force more or less, generally
unconsciously
...
” I am not holding up this
manifestation of telementation as reprehensible—I am merely
stating its general laws and forms of manifestation
...
The rule is the same in
both cases, for the principle involved is the same
...
One may wish to gain certain information and
knowledge about certain subjects
...
He will find that after a while he will run across people
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Indirect Influence
who will be glad to give him the information he wants; or he
will pick up a book that will either tell him what he wants, or
else will refer to some other book or subject that will point out
the path to him
...
In this way no one is
harmed, and mutual benefits are obtained
...
The above manifestation results from the operation of what
has been called the “Law of Attraction,” by the workings of
which each person is continually drawing to himself the people,
things, objects and even “circumstances” in harmony and
accord with his prevailing mental states
...
If
you are not satisfied with what is coming to you, start to work
and change your mental attitudes and mental states, and you
will see a change gradually setting in, and things that you want
will begin to “come your way
...
I have given you the general principles in this
chapter, and you may apply them accordingly
...
A man who is full of evil schemes, and selfish aims, is more
apt to be caught up by similar vibrations than one who lives
above that plane of thought
...
And the same is true on every plane
...
Therefore, if you
wish to receive the vibrations of the thoughts and feelings
of others, you must place yourself in a mental attitude
267
Mind‑Power
corresponding with those vibrations you wish to receive
...
The positive always overcomes the
negative—and optimistic mental states are always positive to
pessimistic mental states
...
Therefore cultivate it, first,
last and all the time
...
I allude to what occultists know
as “Visualization
...
It is the skeleton around which the
materialization of thought‑forms occurs
...
To “visualize” means to “see mentally”—that is, to form
a mental image of a thing—to “see it in one’s mind,” etc
...
The best workmen, writers, inventors,
composers, etc
...
Sir
Francis Galton, one of the best authorities upon the subject,
has said: “The free action of a vivid visualizing faculty is of
much importance in connection with the higher processes of
generalized thought
...
…The best workmen
are those who visualize the whole of what they propose to do,
before they take a tool in their hand
...
…A faculty that is of importance in all technical and artistic
occupations; that gives accuracy to our perceptions, and justice
to our generalizations; is starved by lazy disuse, instead of being
cultivated judiciously in such a way as will, on the whole, bring
the best return
...
”
And all that Sir Francis Galton has said above is equally
true of the cultivation of the art of visualization in connection
with telementation
...
They are not
able to form clear mental images of that which they wish to
“create” or “materialize
...
The secret of visualization lies in the occult and psychological
principle that “as is the mental matrix, so is the mental form; and
as is the mental form; so is the physical materialization
...
If you wish to
get the best effects from Mind‑Power you must create a mental
image around which the material or physical materialization
is formed—and the way to form the proper mental image is
by visualization, which thus builds up the matrix or mould in
which the Mind‑Power pours
...
Before you can draw to you the material needed for building
up the things or conditions you desire you must form a clear
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Mind‑Power
mental image of just what you want to materialize—and before
you can make this mental image, you must realize mentally just
exactly what you do desire
...
That is, you build up a mental matrix or mould,
little by little, until you have it before you clearly—until it
stands out clearly formed as a mental image, just as you would
see it if it were actually materialized
...
If you cannot see the whole thing at first, as a mental image—
that is, if you are not able to build up a complete matrix by
visualization, then do the next best thing—which is the very
best thing for the majority of people—and build a matrix of the
first step toward the whole thing, that is, the first thing that is
needed
...
Then, you may add little by little
to your matrix, and build up your mental image a little larger
and in greater detail
...
You must
mentally see the thing as actually existing, right now, and not as
“going to exist” later on
...
You must pour into that mental image a constant supply
of strong, positive Desire‑Force, and Will‑Power, all of which
will spread out in the proper directions and affect the material
needed to materialize your mental image
...
Things
will come your way; people will appear who are necessary to
your plans; information will come to you from strange sources,
and in unexpected times and places; opportunities will open
270
Indirect Influence
themselves up to you
...
You
must be alert and watchful, and expectant
...
The
door will be opened to you, but you must step in yourself; the
tools and materials will be provided you, but you must use
them; the information will be laid before you, but you must
make it your own
...
You must learn to “do things” yourself
...
Remember always this rule—this Triple‑Key
of Attainment, as I have often called it: (1) You must desire a
thing most intensely; (2) then you must earnestly expect it: (3)
then you must use your will in the direction of action tending
to bring it about
...
This chapter must be read and studied in connection with
the chapters preceding it, for they blend into each other, and
the information “laps
...
Do not make this mistake, I pray you
...
The truth is
capable of being expressed without these fancy trappings or
drapery
...
I
have boiled down, and condensed a great deal of information
into this lesson—be sure that you do not allow any of the
points to escape you
...
You must read and
re‑read many times, with careful study and thought
...
You
must read carefully, and then think a little
...
I have tried to make the road
a little easier for you—but you must do the traveling yourself
...
You must digest these
things yourself—predigested ideas will do you no good
...
Everything occurs by reason of this principle
...
Not so, the book was placed here, and moved there, by
people, and these people have minds capable of being moved
by vibratory waves, and so when once the thing was set into
operation, all things worked together toward the given end
...
There is no chance in these matters—there are laws in operation
everywhere, and always—and over all there is the Great Law
...
And that you are strong in the
degree that you are positive
...
And you are an Individual
in the degree that you realize that you are a “center of living
will
...
Do not be deluded by the petty things
of personality, that pass away and perish over‑night—but rest
serene and firm in the consciousness that you are an individual
living will center; and fear not to assert the individual “I
...
Assert the “I” and banish fear
...
”
If I were writing this lesson from the standpoint of twenty
years ago, I would think it advisable to fill page after page
with a recital of the many claims of mental healing, but no
such necessity exists at the present time
...
The history of mental healing extends away back into the
past, and the earliest pages of history treat it as if it were a
long established and well accepted method
...
The ancient Magi used
their mental powers in the direction of healing the sick, and
restoring natural, healthy conditions
...
But under and back of all these
ceremonies and rites, the principle effecting the cure was the
same principle that is being used today by all forms of mental
healing, under whatever names it may be disguised and masked
...
And this principle is the application and employment of
Mind‑Power
...
Mind‑Power really builds up the body from a single cell,
and is inherent in every part and particle of the body
...
The body is all mind, at the last
analysis
...
And, this being so, mental healing is not a case of “mind
over matter,” as is often taught, but is a manifestation of positive
mind over negative mind
...
Every cell has its share of mind, and science shows us that
each cell can and does live its life as a separate entity, always,
however, subordinate to the whole system of cells, and the
mind controlling it
...
In order to fully grasp the significance of this
statement, you must remember that every organ, part, bone,
nerve, vessel, tissue and everything else in your body, is built
up of cells which have formed certain combinations
...
, etc
...
And the mind in every cell, and in every organ
may be reached by Mind‑Power applied by the mind of oneself
or another person
...
I have discarded fanciful theory, after fanciful
theory, as unnecessary to account for the facts observed by the
leading investigators of mental healing, and have at last “boiled
down” the matter to this point and idea of Mind in the cells and
cell‑groups; which mind is negative to the positive central mind
of the individual, especially when the latter is concentrated and
intelligently applied
...
It is all the same grand old principle, but “with fringe on”—the
style of fringe depending on the particular theories and dogmas
of the sects
...
And,
275
Mind‑Power
accordingly, the writings have been colored by the hue of such
belief and dogma
...
” The truth is that
they all make cures—the percentage being about the same in
each instance, taking the personal qualifications of the healers
into consideration
...
, etc
...
Their differing and often contradictory theories do not
seem to cut any figure in the real work, and one who closely
studies the subject is soon forced to the conclusion that there
must be some underlying principle of cure which they are all
using
...
The various theories, statements, forms, observances, dogmas
and what‑not, have no other effect than giving a strong suggestion
to people who are impressed by the same
...
(Sacred shrines,
images and relics cause cures in this way
...
Others prefer the scientific explanation of the
school of Suggestion, which avoids metaphysical or religious
theories, and yet get the results
...
Others like the Subjective Mind,
and Objective Mind idea—and they get results, too
...
I have frequently advised people to go to healers of certain
cults and schools and churches, simply because I knew that
the ideas of these particular schools, cults and churches would
fit the particular temperament of the person in question, and
thus the best results would accrue
...
Whichever form will best do this, that is the form I believe the
best for the patient
...
And I can see why others are
impressed by technical, complicated metaphysical talk, which
causes them to wonder and be impressed, and thus arouses
an interest and an “expectant attention” which goes a long
way toward making the cure
...
Every man to his taste—in mental healing as in
everything else
...
But, you may ask, why is it that faith, belief, confidence, etc
...
While it is true that the mind in the cells
is the medium or cause of the cure, still it is a fact that these
cells are negative to the influence of the central mind of the
person
...
, then the negative cells
and organs must be affected
...
And, if to these improved mental states, there is added a still
more positive state—a state of conscious control and power,
then will the curative effect be greatly magnified and increased
...
Fear
is the most negative of the mental states, and simply paralyzes
the whole system
...
This is a scientifically demonstrable fact
...
And hope, confidence, and
belief, will lift that pall
...
S
...
But in all
cases the principle of cure is the same—mind
...
Every man or woman
who reads these lessons has heard this tale over and over again,
many times
...
The books are full
of it
...
And therefore, I shall omit this part of
the story, and proceed to business in the direction of telling you
“just how” to apply the Mind‑Power in healing, both present
and “absent
...
It is
all a matter of “Mentative Induction,” first, last and always
...
Please fix this statement in your mind, so
that I will not have to repeat it
...
We will suppose that the mental state of the person
has been changed by induction (either from currents or by
suggestion) to a strong positive state—and that is what one
must aim to produce in the patient
...
The mental image of a
normal, perfect, healthy, well body, being held in the central
mind of the patient, it follows that the physical material of the
body, and cells will begin to materialize in accordance with the
pattern set before the mind of the cells, by the central mind
of the person
...
Of course, the effect is
wonderfully heightened if the patient will direct his desire and
will strongly to the recuperative or reparative action, in which
effort he may be materially aided by the healer
...
In this form of healing, the healer works by
279
Mind‑Power
arousing the mind of the patient, so that he really cures himself
...
This form of
mental healing, which I call “general treatment” includes both
the form of “present healing,” that is when the healer is in the
personal presence of the patient, or else along the lines of what
is called “absent treatments” or “distant treatments,” when the
healer and the patient are not in each other’s presence
...
”
By “local treatment” I mean mental healing effected by the mind
of the healer being directly and specially applied to the mind in
the cells and organs themselves
...
The mind
of the healer is brought to bear in a positive, direct, special
manner upon these cells and organs, and the suggestions, and
mentative currents are directed immediately to these organs
and cells, without the intermediate employment of the central
mind of the patient, as in the case of “general treatment
...
You may wonder why I
speak of directing “suggestions” to the cells—you may well ask,
“can the cells hear?” The cells cannot hear, but the utterance of
the words of the suggestion, by you, will enable you to direct
your mind more directly and forcefully upon the cells and
organs
...
You will be surprised when you
try this and see how they respond
...
We shall begin with “general treatment,”
both present and absent, and will then take up the second
phase of “local treatment
...
But I must ask you to pay close
attention to what I have to say about these treatments, for I am
condensing a whole course of lessons in mental healing into
two chapters, and you will miss something unless you watch
closely
...
This is quite important because this mental state causes the
patient to become receptive to the impressions that you wish
to make upon his or her mind
...
Have him
relax every muscle, and withdraw the tension from every nerve,
so that he will be relaxed, and “limber” all over, from head to
feet
...
If he is fully relaxed,
his hand will drop just as if it were not attached to his body
...
The patient must
feel perfectly at ease, and comfortable, in order that the best
results be gained
...
He
should throw earnestness and feeling into his tones, and speak
as if his one object in life were to cure the patient, and of which
cure he entertained not the slightest doubt
...
He should be very careful to
act out the part of the confident, successful healer, because sick
people are very suggestible, and take on impressions very easily,
and so, if the healer manifests an apparent lack of confidence in
his outward demeanor, the patient will be most likely to accept
the suggestion, and the work of healing will thus be rendered
doubly difficult
...
It will be well to begin the treatment by a preliminary
suggestive treatment, in a conversational tone
...
You should endeavor to obtain the patient’s
co‑operation by means of his holding a mental image of the
desired condition
...
If the patient will do this he will be able to do much toward
aiding you
...
You should, in many ways and
forms, keep before him constantly a picture of the conditions
you wish to bring about, for by so doing you will change his
mental image of disease into a mental image of health, and the
best result is sure to follow
...
You will find that you will be able to impart a wonderful
degree of forceful, earnest intensity to your voice, if you will but
practice “visualization” in your treatments
...
And when you are able to do this, you will be
able to hold the attention of the patient as his mind follows
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Mental Therapeutics
your words in your description of the successive steps of the
cure that you intend bringing about
...
Always keep before you the mental image of
the conditions that you wish to bring about—see them before
you as actually existing right now—and your mind, and actions
and voice will conform to that mental image, for by so doing
the patient will receive the best possible suggestion, and your
mentative currents will be stronger and more dynamic
...
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Mind‑Power
284
Chapter XXVI
Mental Healing Methods
A
nd now to the actual work of mental healing by
mentative currents
...
In the degree that the proper mental image is held, will
be the degree of success in the treatment
...
You
must be able to see the patient as healed, and the organs, parts,
and cells as functioning normally and properly
...
You will find that as the ability to
visualize is acquired, there will come to you a feeling of strength
and power, and a sense of certainty about your work
...
In fact, this part of the work
seems almost “automatic
...
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Mind‑Power
Occasionally you may throw a little Will‑Power into the work,
in order to stimulate the healing process, but ordinarily the
unconscious use of the Desire Force will accomplish the result
...
The clear‑cut mental image produced by the
practice of visualization performs the work for you, as I have
said, almost “automatically
...
Some excellent healers have found that they gained additional
force if they would add to their mental picture or image, the
picture of the mentative currents actually leaving their minds
and travelling toward the patient, and then enveloping and
surrounding the latter
...
” I feel that this lady is
right, and that by adding this feature to the mental image very
good results may be obtained
...
I do not advise too long
treatments, for I believe that the best results are obtained in
a treatment extending over say not more than fifteen minutes
...
The above process of giving a mental treatment may seem
very simple to those who have not practiced it
...
” And more than that you will find
it wonderfully efficacious—it will “do the work
...
You will then find yourself so filled with
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Mental Healing Methods
such a sense of power, strength and healing force, that you will
seem like another person
...
I might write page after page, giving
you directions about the treatment, but, after I was through,
it could all be boiled down into the plain, simple directions
already given you
...
This same basis you will find to underlie all
of the treatments of the various sects and cults, after you have
trimmed off the “fancy additions,” high‑sounding words, and
metaphysical terms
...
And now for the “absent treatments” along the lines of
general treatment
...
The principal additional process is that of the healer
endeavoring to form a mental image of the patient, as if he
were right before him in person
...
But if you
have not seen him personally, you can form a mental image of
“a man,” or “a woman,” without filling in the details of personal
appearance, and the result will be similar
...
Sit down in
your chair, after drawing up another chair right before you, but
about two or three yards distant
...
Many practitioners of successful mental
healing actually feel that the patient is sitting before them in
this form of treatment
...
Throw
yourself earnestly into the idea of a personal treatment, and
endeavor to forget that miles are between you
...
I have been told frequently by persons who have
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Mind‑Power
taken this form of healing from some of the world’s best mental
healers, that they could almost see the healer before them—
they could certainly feel his presence very distinctly
...
Follow the precise instructions given for use in personal
treatments, and you cannot go astray
...
And, then, after the suggestive talks, you should
then give the same silent mentative treatment as indicated in
my instructions regarding personal treatments
...
Even bid him “good‑bye” as you would
in a personal treatment
...
But this is not necessary—it is not necessary
for the patient to even know the hour of treatment
...
The healer who wishes to give absent treatments should study
carefully the portions of this work relating to telementative
induction, the currents, thought‑forms, etc
...
There is but one great law underlying
all of these forms of manifestation, and if you understand
the fundamental principle you will be able to reproduce any
or all of the manifestations of it
...
Strive always to acquire a clear knowledge of the
underlying principles, and you need not worry about the
details of operation or manifestation
...
There is no difference between self‑healing, and the healing of
others
...
All that
is necessary for you to do is to imagine yourself as a patient
coming to yourself for treatment
...
All you have to do is to let the central mind
part of you (or the “I”) proceed to treat the body of “John
Smith
...
Tell him what he should do, and what he should
know, and what you expect to do for him
...
Talk up to him,
and tell him just what you mean to do for him, and what he has
got to do himself
...
Even give him the parting words,
just as you would a patient
...
You will be surprised to
note how efficacious this plan is
...
There is a good, strong psychological
and occult reason for this plan of self‑treatment, which is not
necessary to go into here—the principal thing is that it “will
do the work
...
The ordinary method of self‑treatment is
to say, “I am well” and so on, giving the suggestions in the first
person
...
And now for the “local treatment” methods of mental
healing
...
But do not deceive yourselves,
good friends, the “simplicity” represents years of hard work
along experimental lines, and is really the “boiling down” of
many methods far more complicated and technical
...
I wish that I could have obtained
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Mind‑Power
this information as easily as you are doing—but I couldn’t,
for I had to work it out for myself, in connection with other
experimenters and investigators
...
That is the whole story in a
nut‑shell
...
The above principle of the “local treatment” is really also
employed in the general treatment, because the central mind
of the patient is stirred into induced activity and positivity by
the suggestion, or mentative currents of the healer, or both
...
, unconsciously, and
the cure results
...
So you see the process
is really the same at the last, that is, it is the application of the
positive central mind upon the negative mind of the cells,
organs and parts
...
All that is necessary is for you to “treat” the
organ, or part, just as you did the patient, in several forms of
general treatment, as stated a little while ago
...
In
short, the nearer you can come to considering, and treating the
cells or organs as if they actually were “personalities” or “entities,”
the better will be your success in this form of treatment
...
There is mind in the organ and cell, and you are reaching out
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Mental Healing Methods
to it
...
, of the body, is to address yourself
directly to it, just as you would to a person
...
You must remonstrate with, argue with, coax, order or drive
the “person” residing in the organ, just as you would different
individuals
...
You may either talk aloud to the mind in the organ, or else
(and this is the better way in treating others) you may do your
talking mentally
...
And it
will obey
...
She tells me that she followed my plan, as
above stated, with the exception that to her the organs, nerves,
and parts, always seem like disobedient children, who must be
managed one way or another
...
For these “cell‑minds,” or “organ‑minds” closely
resemble the minds of undeveloped children, and are often
unreasonably stubborn, although if they are reached the right
way, by a firm though kindly tone, in most cases they will obey
orders, and mend their ways
...
This seems to have the effect of
awakening the attention of the organ‑mind, so that it becomes
more receptive
...
In such cases, it is well
to send the mental command: “Here! Listen to me!” The hands
of the healer may also be passed over the body as the mental
commands are given, and they serve to give an additional and
strengthened suggestion when properly used
...
“Here, stomach!” or “Now, you liver,” etc
...
Then go on and tell the organ‑mind just what you would tell it
if it were an actual personality—a childish mind, for instance
...
Follow the laws of suggestion in giving these treatments to
the organ‑minds—that is, remember the suggestive phases
of repetition, authoritative demand or command, etc
...
Dr
...
For
instance, he believed that the heart was very “intelligent,” and
quite amenable to mild, gentle, coaxing suggestions and advice
or orders; while on the other hand, the liver was a most mulish,
stubborn, obstinate organ‑mind, which had to be driven along
by the sharpest and most positive suggestions
...
Edwards’ theory in this respect
...
I have found the liver to be brutish, stubborn, and
obstinate, and needing the most forceful, insistent methods—
something like driving a stubborn donkey along the road
...
The stomach
I have found quite intelligent, particularly if it has not been
brutalized by “stuffing,” and it will readily respond to the
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Mental Healing Methods
treatment
...
The nerves respond readily to this form of treatment, along
gentle coaxing lines
...
In this
way the blood can be swept all over the body, creating a
pleasant glow; or it may be drawn away from an aching head,
or a feverish brow
...
The organs
peculiar to women will respond quite readily to this form of
treatment
...
” Suggestions of “firm, now—be firm
and strong” have relieved many cases of womb weaknesses
...
There are no fixed forms of treatment along these lines
...
The proper words will
suggest themselves to you
...
You will soon acquire the
art, by a little practice
...
Just as a horse or dog will recognize men who are
accustomed to managing animals of their kind, so will these
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Mind‑Power
organ‑minds instinctively recognize their master in one who
has studied this art of mental‑healing, along these lines
...
There is mind in every cell, nerve, organ and
part of the body, and in the body as a whole; and this mind will
listen to your central mind and obey it, because your central
mind is positive to it—the organ is negative to you
...
, as clearly as may be, for
by so doing you get them in better rapport with you, and can
handle them to better advantage
...
But without words it
is very hard for you—to think, or clearly express the feeling—
and so by all means use the words just as if the organ‑minds
understood their actual meaning, for by so doing, you can
drive in the meaning of the word—and induce the mental state
conditions necessary to work the cure
...
That is, after giving the general absent treatment,
proceed to place yourself en rapport with the organ‑mind in
the patient, and then talk to it just as you would if the patient
were actually present
...
I have heard of some wonderful cures having been
effected by the use of this form of local treatment in absent
healing, in connection with the general treatment
...
One can, of course, “talk up” to his own cells
and organs just as he can to those of another and with equal
effect if he goes about it right
...
The methods and practice of local treatment in
self‑healing are precisely similar to those used in treating others
...
If the body looks tired or droopy
or lacks freshness and beauty, she just “talks up” to it and tells
it how much she thinks of it and how much she appreciates all
that it is doing for her, etc
...
The result is that the
next morning after the treatment she will find that all of her
suggestions have been accepted and acted upon by the body,
and that the latter looks fresh, active and beautiful, manifesting
all the appearance of youth and perfect health
...
I have known men to “coax up” their bodies,
when under the strain of unusual work, with the best of results
...
Perhaps
this hint may start some investigator to exploring the field to
the limit—I have not found time to carry my investigations
along this line quite as far as I would have liked
...
Here is a chance for some fine work for
the students of this book
...
Remember, please, that within its pages I have condensed
information sufficient to have filled a good sized volume
or two
...
I have not cared to dress up
my “treatments” and methods in fancy garb for the purpose of
bewildering the eye and creating an impression upon the foolish
and childish minds of those who run after these things
...
As I have said before,
these “simple” methods and forms of treatment represent the
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Mind‑Power
work and experience of myself and others extending over a
number of years
...
They embody the
simplest, plainest, and yet the most effective methods known
to the world of mental healing today
...
I say these things not in the spirit of boasting or
“booming my own wares,” but merely that you may understand
just what is behind and under these “simple” forms, methods
and treatments
...
You may adhere to your favorite beliefs, and
still make as many cures as the best of those who believe and
claim that the healing is done because of some fantastic theory,
dogma or belief! There is no more sense in building up a religion
around mental healing than there is in building one up around
Homeopathy, Allopathy, or Osteopathy, or Hydropathy, or any
other “pathy
...
It is the gift of the Infinite to its
finite reflections
...
Take it and use it toward “the healing of
the nations,” beginning with yourself
...
” By “Mind Building”
I, of course, mean “Brain Building,” for as I have told you in a
previous chapter, the brain is the “machinery” of the personal
manifestation of mind, or the “converter” or “transformer” of
the Mind‑Power
...
The differing manifestations of mind in the various persons
with whom we come in contact is at once recognized as
depending upon the character, quality, degree and grade of their
brain‑material The brain is composed of a peculiar substance
called “plasm,” or elementary living‑matter
...
The brain is composed of an
enormous number of tiny cells which are the actual elements
in the production and manifestation of thought, or mentation
...
There is always a great number of reserve brain‑cells remaining
unused in every brain, the estimate being made that even in
the case of the wisest man, or most active thinker, there are
always several millions of unused brain cells held as a reserve
...
And
brain‑building is the development and growth of brain‑cells
in any special region of the brain; for, as you probably know,
the brain contains many regions, each region being the seat
of some particular function, quality, faculty or mental activity
...
The investigators along the lines of Phrenology have long
since recognized the fact that brain‑centers or regions could be
developed by proper exercises, etc
...
These
cases show us that not only is an individual able to develop and
cultivate certain qualities of mind on the one hand, or restrain
them on the other, but that also the very outward shape and
size of the skull manifests a corresponding change, for the bony
structure accommodates itself very gradually to the pressure
of the increasing number of cells in some particular center or
region of the brain
...
And the processes are almost identical in the case of muscle
and brain‑center—use, exercise and practice along the lines
pointed out by those who have investigated and experimented
along the particular line
...
Elmer Gates, of Washington, D
...
, one of the most
remarkable men of this age, has given to the world an account of
some remarkable experiments along the line of brain‑growing,
the experiments having been tried upon various animals
...
He would specially train
a certain number of the animals according to his methods,
and at the same time would keep a like number of the same
animals of the same age, etc
...
At the end
of a certain time he would kill some of the animals belonging
to each class, and upon examining the brains of each he made
the discovery that the number of brain‑cells (in the regions
of their brains in which the sense or faculty was manifested)
showed a startling difference, depending upon the degree of
use and exercise of the particular faculty
...
Prof
...
He specially trained
the faculties of some of his dogs so that they were able to
distinguish between seven shades of red and a like number
of green shades
...
Gates’ experiments, but he
has firmly established the scientific fact that brains may be
“grown” at will, if the person will apply himself to the subject
with sufficient zeal and ardor
...
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Mind‑Power
The great school of “New Thought” people of the various
sects, cults and associations have been doing some excellent
work along these lines during the past ten years or more
...
But the mere use of “affirmations,” “auto‑suggestions” or
even strong, positive suggestions given by another, forms
only one‑third of the work necessary in order to produce
the best results
...
, etc
...
It is true that these affirmations
and auto‑suggestions undoubtedly do stimulate and develop
mental faculties and brain‑centers and play an important part
in character building
...
There must be seeing and doing as well as saying
...
” It is a case of action and reaction in
both instances
...
” You know this to be true,
of course
...
And the same thing is true of the
feelings and actions of pleasure
...
And, on
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Mental Architecture
the other hand, if you will “throw yourself into the part,” and
will smile and manifest all the outward signs of pleasure, you
will find yourself beginning to feel “bright, cheerful and happy”
in a short time
...
They would take the suggestion and being
amused at the sign they would begin to smile—then the smile’s
physical actions would react upon their minds and they would
begin to “feel good” and so on
...
Go into a business house manifesting the outward signs
of good nature, confidence, self‑reliance, etc
...
Go into the same place manifesting the
outward appearance of failure, lack of confidence, fear, etc
...
I have known people to acquire a masterful, confident,
reliant character by a systematic and persistent “acting out” of
the part—their “second‑nature,” so acquired, growing stronger
than their original nature
...
” I know men who, when feeling “blue”
or “discouraged” will always force a smile to their faces and in a
short time they will regain their accustomed or desired cheerful
state
...
This man was in a
position in which there would frequently arise the necessity
for the manifestation of the most determined sternness and
an almost angry display of will
...
But one day he was roused to
a state of intense determined sternness by a most annoying
exhibition of careless action in the office, which although soon
settled, left him with the physical reflex of the mental state
just experienced
...
Meeting the man to whom this attitude must
be manifested, our man found that, much to his surprise, he
displayed a wonderful degree of the desired trait and gave the
other man a talking to that made his hair stand on end, and
brought the desired result instantly
...
He came to the conclusion
that when he was manifesting the physical conditions of the
mental state, it required but a trifling effort to induce the state
itself—in fact the state came almost “automatically
...
And he made use of it ever after
...
, etc
...
” The plan worked like a charm
...
Our good‑natured, “easy” man
so developed these opposite qualities by this practice that in
a few years he was known as a man to be dreaded by those
who had occasion to receive treatment at his hands, and his
whole nature seemed to have changed, and even his best
friends would then hesitate to call him “easy” or “good natured
...
And from this story you
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Mental Architecture
may build up a whole process of character building if you have
sufficient imagination and ingenuity—for the principle is the
same in all cases
...
But it takes more than “holding the
thought” to do it—one must learn to act out the part desired,
until it becomes second‑nature
...
When I think
of what many of you are; and then of what you might be, if
you would realize the inner truth and importance of what I
have just told you—well, then, I feel like printing the tale in big,
black‑faced type and capital letters—so that I could make you
read it
...
But
I think I will give you’ a quotation or two to help fasten the idea
in your minds
...
Halleck says: “By restraining the expression
of an emotion we can frequently throttle it; by inducing an
expression we can often cause its allied emotion
...
By expression Prof
...
Prof
...
James has this to say along the same line: “Refuse
to express a passion and it dies
...
Whistling to keep up
courage is no mere figure of speech
...
There is no more
valuable precept in moral education than this, as all of us who
have experienced know: If we wish to conquer undesirable
emotional tendencies in ourselves we must assiduously, and
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Mind‑Power
in the first instance cold‑bloodedly, go through the outward
movements of those contrary dispositions which we wish to
cultivate
...
ventral aspect of the frame, and speak
in a major key, pass the genial compliment and your heart must
indeed be frigid if it does not gradually thaw
...
Act your
part, earnestly, ardently, constantly, eagerly, steadily
...
” If you wish to get rid of darkness in a room,
you don’t have to shovel it out—just open the windows and
“let a little sunshine in
...
James has told you the same thing
in the quotation given a few moments ago
...
Kill out the negative by cultivating the positive
...
Auto‑suggestion covers all the various forms of affirmations,
denials, statements, etc
...
” “Self‑impression” would be a better name
than any of these terms, for it described the process exactly
...
There is a dual aspect of mind which
enables one to play two parts at the same time, viz
...
One
may charge his mind with the task of waking him up at a certain
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Mental Architecture
time in the morning—and he wakes up
...
This
form of self‑mastery may be carried to great lengths, and one
may bid his mind collect data regarding certain subjects, from
amidst its heterogeneous collection of mental odds and ends
of knowledge; and then bid it combine the information into a
systematic form—and the mind will so act and the combined
information will be at hand when needed
...
The field of self‑impression has just had its outer edges
explored—there is a great region of mentation here awaiting
some of you
...
” And the queer thing is that if you will impress your mind
sufficiently, strongly, and with sufficient repetition, you will
find it taking the impression and acting upon it
...
You remember the case of
the man who told a certain lie so often that he got to actually
believe it himself—repeated auto‑suggestion works along the
same psychological lines
...
Constant affirmation and statement, made to
one’s self, will manifest in actual conditions
...
Of course, if one combines the mental image, or visualization
process with the auto‑suggestion, he will obtain a doubly
efficacious result
...
These three forms combined, employed
and persisted in, will work miracles in anyone
...
And
thus will he gradually develop into that which he desires
...
And this rule and example will hold good along
the whole line of personal qualities or characteristics
...
Get the
principle and you have the secret of the whole thing
...
The ordinary auto‑suggestion, or affirmation
works along these lines, viz
...
, etc
...
It is the old tried and
oft‑taught plan of affirmation or auto‑suggestion that has
worked wonders for so many people
...
” As a “bracer” it is unexcelled
...
You will see in the previous chapter, entitled “Healing
Methods,” (in that part devoted to self‑healing) I tell you to
imagine yourself as “John Smith,” or whatever your name may
be—that is, as a separate person, and then to “treat” him as
such—just as you would a patient
...
While the “I am,” etc
...
Just try
both plans yourself and see if I am not right—but practice my
plan a little until you acquire the “knack” before finally deciding
the matter
...
Suppose you wish to cultivate fearlessness in place of the
fear‑thought that has bothered you so much
...
The old
way, you remember, was to claim to yourself, “I am fearless,”
etc
...
Sit
down and give a regular treatment
...
The individual (that’s you) says to the personality
of “John Smith”: “Here, John Smith, you must brace up and
do better
...
Remember now,
you are positive, positive, positive—fearless, fearless, fearless!” etc
...
, etc
...
And there are two persons, according
to the occult teachings—the individual and the personality
...
This wholesale “I am this and that”
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Mind‑Power
business has tired many a good soul who thereby let go just
when in sight of attainment
...
But don’t forget to
impress upon the “John Smith” part of you that he must hold
the mental image or visualization; and that he must start right
in to act out the part! Don’t let him get away from this—insist
upon it—cross‑examine him about it before each treatment
and hammer it into him hard
...
“He sure needs ’em all” to carry him through
...
Don’t rest with my say‑so, but prove it for yourself
...
You
will cultivate a sense of individuality which will recognize the
personality as a plastic something that can be moulded and
shaped at your will by this “treatment
...
” When you have reached this stage you will
have called to your hand the forces of the great Mind‑Power
and will indeed have a right to call yourself “positive” and an
“active center of power” in the great Ocean of Mind‑Power
...
” Is it not “worth while?” Then start in to “make
yourself over as you will!”
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Chapter XXVIII
N
Making Over Oneself
ow comes the question “In what respect shall I make
myself over?” And this is a question that I cannot
answer for you, because each one of you would have
to be answered differently, and I would have to understand the
requirements of each particular case before I could so answer
...
Each one knows just about what
qualities need to be strengthened and built up, and just
which ones need to be restrained
...
If you are considering the question
of character architecture in your own case, I would advise a
strict self‑examination with a pencil and paper, in which you
must set down the degree of development of each particular
quality, without fear or favor toward yourself
...
You will have
given yourself a mental diagnosis
...
, as an aid in this work of self‑examination
as a basis of mental architecture
...
”
Below I give you a list of the “faculties” usually given in works
on phrenology, which will aid you very materially in preparing
your report on yourself
...
Ideality
...
Mirthfulness
...
Sense of Size
...
Sense of Order
...
Memory
...
Language
...
Judging Human Nature
...
Parental Love
...
Stick‑to‑it‑iveness
...
Determination
...
Secretiveness
...
Self Esteem
...
Hope
...
Sympathy
...
Sublimity
...
Observation
...
Sense of Weight
...
Sense of Number
...
Sense of Time
...
Originality
...
Agreeableness
...
Auto‑suggestion, visualization
and acting‑out‑the‑part—that triple method of character
architecture will enable anyone to “make himself over” in any
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Making Over Oneself
one or more of the above qualities
...
The immediate cause of the growth of
the brain‑cells is the desire of the individual manifesting itself
along physical lines; coupled with that law of Nature which
causes increased physical or mental growth in accordance
with necessity or need
...
Then the acting‑out‑the‑part, with its
physical manifestations, creates a direct demand upon the
brain for means of manifestation, and the brain responds by
growing additional cells to meet the demand
...
The
horse has evolved from a three‑toed animal into a one‑toed
one, in response to the demands of its environments, and
the necessities of its life
...
But remember this,
that animals constantly change as their environments alter,
for Nature always is ready to supply that which is demanded
by the necessities of the organism
...
If a part of the body is brought into
unaccustomed use, it becomes tired at first and then Nature
sends to its relief increased nutrition and development so that
in time it can meet the new requirements with ease
...
Make a demand upon Nature
for increased power along certain lines and she responds
...
I trust that you now understand not only
the “how” of this subject, but also the “why” of it
...
That would require a good sized book by itself
...
I
shall, however, give you special directions for the development
of the particular qualities most necessary to the dynamic
individual mentioned in the chapters on personal influence
...
This is particularly true in the case of children, whose characters
are extremely plastic, and who yield readily to constructive
shaping and guidance
...
I trust that you have paid sufficient attention to
what has been taught to be able to understand and apply this
form of suggestive treatment to others
...
The same principles apply
...
In treating others for a change of
character, proceed exactly as you would in treating them for
a physical ailment—the principle is the same, for the trouble
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Making Over Oneself
arises from a similar underlying cause
...
And now to the building up of the dynamic individual
...
The methods given in the
present chapter, and the one immediately following it apply to
this work, of course
...
Our dynamic individual is possessed of a strong desire
...
No mere “wishing”
or “sighing” for a thing—when he wants a thing he wants it
...
The flame of desire burns feebly and gives
little light or heat
...
Even among the animals that we speak of as “strong” and
“masterful,” you will find that this desire quality is strong, so
much so that it impresses itself in their every movement and
action
...
This class of weak‑desired animals
impress us as “weak” and “spiritless
...
No
one ever did anything or got anything unless, he was filled with
a strong, hungry desire for that thing
...
Just think of what you
would do to satisfy a craving hunger! Well, these men feel the
same way about other things for which they are hungry
...
People have fallen into the habit of speaking and thinking of
“desire” as an unworthy, low, animal, selfish quality—but they are
seeing only a half truth while thinking that they are seeing the
whole thing
...
Let me give you a few words used
in speaking of some form of desire
...
, etc
...
Without desire one
would cease absolutely from action
...
Even
those people who make a virtue of renunciation of desire, and
who claim to have “conquered desire absolutely,” are acting in
response to a more subtle form of desire
...
Desire is at the bottom of the renunciation,
just as it is at the bottom of the very desires they wish to
renounce
...
Not only in the doing of
things is desire manifest, but also in the refraining from doing
the same things
...
Desire in both cases! “Lack of desire” to do a certain
thing simply means a desire to pursue an opposite course
of conduct and action
...
Nothing has ever been done, created,
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Making Over Oneself
or manifested without desire
...
And so, all the universe has been built
up through the operation of the law of desire, and the law of
will—both of which are phases of the one law
...
And the greater
the manifestation of vitality, the greater the force of desire
...
And the dynamic individual learns to distinguish
between the wise and the unwise desires—between the “good”
and the “bad” ones—and governs himself accordingly
...
And how does our dynamic individual develop his desire
when desire in itself is not a separate mental faculty, but,
instead, manifests through and in each faculty? He proceeds
to hold up to it the mental image of the things to be desired, and
the Desire‑Force within him flows forth, and manifests more
and more energy according to the stimulus
...
It
is a well‑known law of psychology that desire flows out and
manifests itself in response to an object
...
The clearer the mental image of the object of desire, the
greater will be the degree of desire manifested, all other things
being equal
...
Then the child
thinks of “toys”—and it begins to want still harder
...
One may feel
hungry in a degree, but when he sees some particular object of
taste, the hunger becomes far more intense
...
You know how one may awaken desire in
another this way, by means of suggestion, and by presenting
the mental image of the object, in conversation, etc
...
You will remember what I told you in the chapters on
suggestion, about the steps in “salesmanship,” the important
point being to “arouse desire” in the customer—and what I said
about the same thing in the case of the advertiser
...
And if this be so,
can you not see that by auto‑suggestion you may arouse the
same degree of desire in yourselves that others arouse in you
and you in others?
The threefold method—auto‑suggestion, visualization
and acting‑out‑the‑part, will develop desire in you
...
Tell the “John Smith” part of you how much he desires
this or that—how much he aspires to this or that—how strong
is his ambition for this and that, etc
...
See yourself in possession of it, or as having attained it
...
Then act‑out the idea of gaining
headway and moving on to the possession or attainment
...
” If you are after success, then act‑out the part of
316
Making Over Oneself
the successful man
...
In conclusion, I will again remind you that the objects of this
development of desire are, (1) that your will may be called into
play, and (2) that your Desire‑Force may be set into activity and
thus begin in its “drawing,” “attracting” work
...
Now, do not
dismiss this part of the subject lightly
...
Desire and will are the two phases of Mind‑Power, and
you must develop both of them in order to get the best results
...
Feed its
lamp with the ideas of the objects of desire by auto‑suggestion,
visualization and acting‑out
...
It will attract you to the people and things needed
for its satisfaction, and will attract to you the people, things,
circumstances, environments, etc
...
Desire is the soul of the law of attraction
...
It is will‑power
...
He is filled with the force of action
...
He keeps
his will on an object just as a machinist keeps his chisel on the
hard metal, letting it bite in deeper and deeper until the desired
impression and end is obtained
...
When you
develop and cultivate desire you are doing much to cultivate
Will‑Power
...
But there is
another feature about the use of will which I must call to your
attention
...
It is all very well to have a strong will, but it will
avail you nothing unless you learn how to apply it
...
And the first thing to be acquired is the capacity for
attention
...
” That
is it—you must acquire tenacity of attention
...
You must learn to do things thoroughly and
completely
...
You must cultivate stability, decision,
perseverance, tenacity and stick‑to‑it‑iveness
...
Each quality is capable of cultivation and development in the
same way
...
”
First stir up your desire to accomplish the task—then will that
you shall do it—then do it
...
I shall now give you some advice
regarding will‑development, to which I ask you to pay close
attention
...
This question of habit
is a most important one, for we are all more or less slaves to habit
...
In order to develop the dominant
will you must cultivate some new habits
...
The following rules for the development of
new habits will prove of great benefit to you, if you will study
them carefully and then put them into practice
...
Get control of your physical channels of expression
and master the physical expression connected with the
mental state you are trying to develop
...
, the first thing for you to do is
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Making Over Oneself
to get a perfect control of the muscles by which the physical
manifestations or expressions of those feelings are shown
...
Look out for the stooping attitude of lack
of confidence
...
Get control of the muscles of the legs by which
you will be enabled to walk firmly as the positive man should
...
Get yourself well in hand physically in order to
manifest these outward forms of will, and you will clear a path
for the Mind‑Power to manifest itself—and will make the work
of the will much easier
...
Keep your attention on these
outward forms of expression until you acquire the habit and
make it “second‑nature
...
Learn to concentrate
...
In using the will endeavor to make it
“one‑pointed” as the orientals say
...
Cast from your mind all ideas and
thoughts not in harmony with the one idea upon which you
are concentrating your will
...
, calculated to distract you
from the main idea
...
While acquiring will in this way you
will find that it often takes even more will to turn away from
these outside objects than to follow your main object
...
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Mind‑Power
Rule 3
...
Give your
will much exercise
...
Habit is a form of “impression,” and the oftener you
sink the die of the will into the wax of the mind, the deeper is
the impression
...
Rule 4
...
Here one has to fight
with all his might—but the first battle well won, the after‑fights
moderate and finally become mere skirmishes
...
Let one stop smoking or drinking,
for instance, and he will find that three‑quarters of the entire
struggle is condensed in the fight of the first week if not the first
day
...
And, beware of
a single slip at the start, for such slips weaken one more than
he can regain in a whole day of success
...
A well‑known writer on the subject has compared
these slips to a ball of cord which one is endeavoring to wind—
each drop of the ball unwinds more than many windings can
replace
...
Endeavor to fix the habit as a strong mental impression
by any and every means that suggest themselves to you
...
You are building “second‑nature,” remember
...
“Look before you leap,” and “Be sure you’re right,
then go ahead
...
Give it the benefit of your judgment and do not be
carried away by the judgment of others
...
But, after once having
decided a thing is “right” for you to do, then you must learn to
“go ahead” to the finish
...
” Learn to control your Will‑Power and
do not let it leap into action until you are sure it is right to do
so
...
Guard yourself
against yourself
...
Children, savages and undeveloped individuals manifest
little or no mastery over their desires but allow themselves
to be affected by every little wave from within or without
and then let their will fly into action in response thereto
...
) emotional states and feelings
...
Pull the trigger of your Will‑Power yourself after
you have taken deliberate aim and at some object worth while
...
A useful
rule along these lines is given by Prof
...
” In
other words, restrain the physical action and the feeling dies
...
Rule 7
...
The feminine desire asks,
and the masculine will seeks to gratify the request of his mate
in any direction indicated by her
...
The apple was shown
Eve, then she told Adam it was good and asked him to take a
bite, and then Adam ate and the mischief was done
...
” But the principle is the same in both
good and evil cases
...
Act out the habit as often as possible, and as well
as possible
...
I needn’t tell you
students the reason for this again—it should be an old story
with you by this time
...
Practice doing disagreeable things
...
What would be the condition of your muscles
if you never had to use them? And what will be the condition
of your will if you never have to exercise it by doing something
unpleasant or disagreeable? Anyone, even the weakest, can do
a thing along the lines of non‑resistance—pleasant, agreeable
things, without opposition or resistance
...
And when one has learned to
master himself, that is his own moods and feelings—then he
is able to master the outside world
...
Prof
...
Even if the task be nothing more than rising
and giving up a seat in a street‑car when you want to retain
it very much indeed
...
James compares this exercise to the
paying the premiums on insurance on one’s property—one is
laying up reserve resources for a day of need
...
As Prof
...
” The men who have
attained great success have, in nearly every case, so trained
their wills that they can undertake a difficult or disagreeable
task with a minimum of effort
...
When one learns to say “Yes! or No!” to himself, he can say “yes!”
or “no!” to others with the greatest force
...
Cultivate fixity of purpose
...
But no matter
how he may have to swerve from his straight line of approach,
by unforeseen obstacles, nor how many times he may stumble,
he still always remembers what he is after—and he keeps after
it
...
The successful
men are those who know what they want and never forget it
...
It’s the
fellow with the “staying qualities” that pulls through in the end
no matter how much of a start the others may have had on him
in the beginning
...
”
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Mind‑Power
324
Chapter XXIX
I
Mind‑Building
shall now briefly run over the mental faculties most
necessary to be developed by the man who wishes to gain the
dynamic qualities
...
I
...
This faculty has been so named by the
phrenologists, and defined as the faculty that enables a man
to “stick‑to‑it” until it is done—that gives him patience to
complete his task—that gives him stability
...
To cultivate this faculty follow the three‑fold
method, in the direction of concentrating, dwelling upon, and
sticking to a matter once undertaken; doing thorough work;
and fighting to make a change
...
Vitality
...
This is a necessary
faculty for the dynamic individual to develop, for by so doing
he not only becomes stronger, but also imparts a certain
quality of strength and resistance to his personality that will
be felt by others
...
By all means cultivate that
resolute fight for life, that is manifested by all strong creatures
...
”
III
...
This phrenological faculty manifests
in the direction of resistance; opposition; courage; boldness;
defensiveness; defiance; spirit; self‑protection; determination;
“let me alone”; “get‑out‑of‑my‑way”; etc
...
It is true that its perversion renders one a nuisance
and a quarrelsome and brawling person, and such state is to
be avoided
...
The dynamic
individual must have this faculty well‑developed, and also
well‑controlled
...
The world
loves the brave man, and hates a coward
...
By all means learn to stand up like a
man, and, looking the world firmly and calmly in the face, say in
the words of the old verse: “Come one; come all! this rock shall
fly from its firm base, as soon as I
...
Avoid the rabbit and sheep mental attitude
...
”
IV
...
This name is not well‑chosen, in my
opinion, by the phrenologists, but I shall not attempt to change
it here
...
Its perversion renders one a hated man, and one
who is not sufficiently regardful of the rights of others, and
326
Mind‑Building
whom it becomes the duty of society to restrain
...
Its absence also causes
one to be overcome with impotence when obstacles confront
him, or resistance shows itself
...
, and kills off his
originality
...
V
...
This term is used by phrenologists to
indicate that faculty which manifests in: Getting; acquiring;
possessing; drawing to oneself; obtaining and securing desired
things, etc
...
, but nevertheless its proper use
and development is necessary
...
One must want to get things, before he will act energetically
...
For when one wants money, he really wants the things that
money buys
...
Money in itself is nothing—
and a man is a fool who loves or seeks it for itself
...
So, just as I think it justifiable and
proper for a plant to desire and seek, and draw to itself the
sustenance of the soil, air, water, and sunlight, so do I think it
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Mind‑Power
proper, desirable and praiseworthy for a man to desire, and
insist upon drawing to himself the proper sustenance of life—
and money means just that, to the sane man, and nothing more
...
These people are like those who take
no exercise, and get indigestion at the sight of a good dinner;
while those who have worked well come to the dinner with a
good appetite, and cannot understand the “sick‑feeling” of the
others
...
”
People are all after money—every blessed mother’s son
and daughter of them—in one way or another
...
Some day we may have better economic
conditions—I pray to God that we may—but until that time
all of us must chase the nimble dollar to the best of our ability
...
Therefore I feel justified in saying to you: Develop a normal
degree of acquisitiveness, if you wish to amount to anything in
the world’s work
...
But—
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Mind‑Building
Don’t Be a Hog! To be sure, “while you’re getting, get all you can,”
but give the other fellow a chance
...
Secretiveness
...
Its perversion leads to
deceit; double‑dealing; duplicity; lying; false‑living, etc
...
Develop this faculty by the threefold method
along the lines of tact; diplomacy; reticence; cautiousness;
politeness; etc
...
Regarding this—“and women,” I would say that
my business experience has taught me that in spite of the
alleged “secret‑telling” of women, it is true that the women
stenographers in an office are far less liable to disclose their
employers’ secrets than are the men employes
...
VII
...
This faculty manifests in carefulness;
prudence; watchfulness; foresight; judgment, etc
...
But a certain amount of it
is necessary
...
” If deficient in this
quality, develop it by the threefold method along the lines of
care, prudence, watchfulness, thought, use of judgment, etc
...
” If you have too much of it,
restrain by similar methods, along the lines of boldness, daring;
“don’t worry”; take‑a‑risk‑on‑it, etc
...
329
Mind‑Power
VIII
...
This faculty manifests in a desire for
approval; praise; flattery; fame; show and ceremony connected
with one’s personality, etc
...
Very few of us need to develop this quality—we have
enough, or more than enough of it already
...
, etc
...
Learn to live your own life,
and stand upon your own feet
...
You’ve got to live
your own life, and why bother with the people who are always
telling you “you mustn’t do it this way—do it as I say,” when
their own lives are glaring examples of the folly of “their way
...
You will find it ready enough to shower favors upon you when
you finally succeed
...
They are throwing
roses at you now—to‑morrow they may throw rocks with
equal grace and delight
...
It
is managed through its selfish fears and interest, rather than
through its love
...
But when it fears—well, then, it lets you alone
...
Shake off the crowd from your heels—you mind your own
business, and tell it to do the same
...
It will understand you, if you don’t truckle
to it
...
IX
...
This is the faculty of self‑respect; self‑reliance;
self‑love, etc
...
This quality is necessary to be developed, normally
...
Develop it by the
three‑fold‑method, along the lines of realizing just what you
are—a centre of energy, power, and strength in the Universal
Ocean of Mind‑Power
...
Learn to say
“I Am
...
Believe in yourself; love yourself; look out for yourself
...
I want you to say “I” without being afraid
...
” Don’t be afraid to say “I
...
Recognize the “Ego” as a centre of power,
and stop all this foolishness about being a “worm of the dust
...
On the contrary,
stand up, with head thrown back, looking the world straight in
the eyes, without fear, and say firmly and positively: “I believe
in Myself
...
But this is also
true—God believes in those who believe in themselves
...
Firmness
...
It is the faculty of stability; fixity; decision;
perseverance; tenacity; manifestation of the determined will
...
You
need to develop it by the threefold‑method along the lines of
“putting your hand to the plow, and looking not backward”;
sticking to your original plans, despite the talk of others;
resisting tendencies to “sidetrack” you
...
Be firm as a rock against which beat the storms,
but which yields not an inch, nor is it hurt a particle
...
See
your object, and march straight to it, firm in your determination
and purpose
...
XI
...
This is the faculty of expectation, and anticipation
...
” You must believe in your success and must
“earnestly expect” it
...
Be not a mere dreamer or visionary, through
excessive hope—but cultivate desire; then develop earnest
expectation; then will to act
...
Develop it by the threefold‑method, along
the lines of “looking on the bright side,” visualization; “looking
aloft”; not worrying; and belief in the efficacy of earnest
demand accompanied by earnest work
...
When you
can see the thing done “in your mind’s eye,” you have started to
build in earnest—the rest is a mere matter of detail and work
...
Mirthfulness
...
By all means
cultivate the sense of humor
...
And cultivate
the cheerful spirit for it will make life easier for you, and will
lubricate the machinery of work and endeavor
...
” Smile and the world smiles with you; frown
and you get a frown
...
And, so, now I have called your attention to the faculties most
prominent in the dynamic individual
...
But do not imagine that the
qualities named here have no connection with the religious or
moral life
...
The same mental qualities
that make a bad man “great” and “strong” will make a good
man “great” and” strong
...
Good men may be strong or weak; bad men
may also be strong or weak
...
With this in mind, I think that it would be a great thing
for the world, if some one were to distribute this book among
the “good” men of the world
...
In closing this chapter, let me remind you that these mental
states, cultivated and developed as I have shown you, will
manifest themselves in your outward manner and demeanor,
as mental suggestions to those with whom you come in
contact
...
And
they will also manifest in the shape of currents of Desire‑Force
and Will‑Power, which will sweep far and wide, as well as near
and close, influencing and affecting those within their field of
induction
...
You are a great centre of power, which
radiates from you continually
...
This talk is along new lines and is radical in the treatment
given the subject
...
” There is no “bromide” or “pink‑tea effects” in it
...
Its message is “Strength
...
Nature’s Law is toward
producing strong individuals—fall in with it, and Nature will
come to your aid, for then you will be one of its chosen ones
...
In
the one case, you are nourished, supported, strengthened and
encouraged—in the other, you are relentlessly crowded out by
the operations of the law
...
It is as a “live wire,” charged with the elemental force,
energy and truth about certain occult natural laws
...
If you are an individual, this teaching is just what you want
...
But, if you are a weakling, and prefer to remain so, instead of
rising and claiming your birthright of strength—your heritage
of power; then by all means remain as you are, and go on your
own way
...
I have tried to infuse my words with the strong, vital energy,
which I feel surging through me as I write out this message of
334
Mind‑Building
strength to you
...
And I trust that each word will act to so fill you with the
Mind‑Power that gave them birth, and will thus awaken in you
a similar mental state, desire and will, to be strong, forceful, and
dynamic—determined to assert your individuality in being and
doing that which the universal creative desire and will is hoping
that you will be and do
...
I send it to
you—yes, you, who are now reading the words—with all the
energy, force and power at my command, to the end that it may
pierce your armor of indifference, fear, and doubt, and “I Can’t
...
” So that from hence on your
battle cry will be changed, and you will plunge into the thick of
the fight, filled with the Berserker rage, like the Icelandic hero
of old, and shouting your positive cry of freedom, “I Can; I Will;
I Dare; I Do!” you will mow your way clear through the ranks of
the horde of ignorance, and negativity, and reach the heights
beyond
...
335
Mind‑Power
336
Bibliography
Atkinson, William Walker
...
Chicago, IL: William
Walker Atkinson, 1907
...
Mental Fascination: Reveals the fantastic powers
of the mind
...
Chicago, IL: The Fiduciary Press, 1907
...
Mind‑Power or The Law of Dynamic Mentation
...
Atkinson, William Walker
...
Chicago, IL: The Progress Company, 1910
...
Mind‑Power: The Secret of Mental Magic
...
Atkinson, William Walker
...
Chicago,
IL: Advanced Thought Publishing, 1912
Title: the secret of mental magic
Description: It has everything to do with them in my own opinion
Description: It has everything to do with them in my own opinion