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Our
difficulties are largely due to confused ideas and ignorance of our true
interests. The great task is to discover the laws of nature to which we are
to adjust ourselves. Clear thinking and moral insight are, therefore, of
incalculable value. All processes, even those of thought, rest on solid
foundations.
The
keener the sensibilities, the more acute the judgment, the more delicate the
taste, the more refined the moral feelings, the more subtle the
intelligence, the loftier the aspiration -- the purer and more intense are
the gratifications which existence yields. Hence it is that the study of the
best that has been thought in the world gives supreme pleasure.
The
powers, uses and possibilities of the mind under the new interpretations are
incomparably more wonderful that the most extravagant accomplishment, or
even dreams of material progress.
Thought is energy. Active thought is active energy; concentrated thought is
a concentrated energy. Thought concentrated on a definite purpose becomes
power. This is the power which is being used by those who do not believe in
the virtue of poverty, or the beauty of self-denial. They perceive that this
is the talk of weaklings.
The
ability to receive and manifest this power depends upon the ability to
recognize the Infinite Energy ever dwelling in man, constantly creating and
recreating his body and mind, and ready at any moment to manifest through
him in any needful manner. In exact proportion to the recognition of this
truth will be the manifestation in the outer life of the individual.
Part Two explains the method by which this is accomplished.
PART TWO
1. The
operations of the mind are produced by two parallel modes of activity, the
one conscious, and the other subconscious. Professor Davidson says: "He who
thinks to illuminate the whole range of mental action by the light of his
own consciousness is not unlike the one who should go about to illuminate
the universe with a rushlight."
2. The
subconscious’ logical processes are carried on with a certainty and
regularity which would be impossible if there existed the possibility of
error. Our mind is so designed that it prepares for us the most important
foundations of cognition, whilst we have not the slightest apprehension of
the modus operandi.
3. The
subconscious soul, like a benevolent stranger, works and makes provision for
our benefit, pouring only the mature fruit into our lap; thus ultimate
analysis of thought processes shows that the subconscious is the theatre of
the most important mental phenomena.
4. It
is through the subconscious that Shakespeare must have perceived, without
effort, great truths which are hidden from the conscious mind of the
student; that Phidias fashioned marble and bronze; that Raphael painted
Madonnas and Beethoven composed symphonies.
5.
Ease and perfection depend entirely upon the degree in which we cease to
depend upon the consciousness; playing the piano, skating, operating the
typewriter, the skilled trades, depend for their perfect execution on the
process of the sub-conscious mind. The marvel of playing a brilliant piece
on the piano, while at the same time conducting a vigorous conversation,
shows the greatness of our subconscious powers.
6. We
are all aware how dependent we are upon the subconscious, and the greater,
the nobler, the more brilliant our thoughts are, the more it is obvious to
ourselves that the origin lies beyond our ken. We find ourselves endowed
with tact, instinct, sense of the beautiful in art, music, etc., or whose
origin or dwelling place we are wholly unconscious.
7. The
value of the subconscious is enormous; it inspires us; it warns us; it
furnishes us with names, facts and scenes from the storehouse of memory. It
directs our thoughts, tastes, and accomplishes tasks so intricate that no
conscious mind, even if it had the power, has the capacity for.
8. We
can walk at will; we can raise the arm whenever we choose to do so; we can
give our attention through eye or ear to any subject at pleasure. On the
other hand, we cannot stop our heartbeats nor the circulation of the blood,
nor the growth of stature, nor the formation of nerve and muscle tissue, nor
the building of the bones, nor many other important vital processes.
9. If
we compare these two sets of action, the one decreed by the will of the
moment, and the other proceeding in majestic, rhythmic course, subject to no
vascillation, but constant at every moment, we stand in awe of the latter,
and ask to have the mystery explained. We see at once that these are the
vital processes of our physical life, and we can not avoid the inference
that these all-important functions are designedly withdrawn from the domain
of our outward will with its variations and transitions, and placed under
the direction of a permanent and dependable power within us.
10. Of
these two powers, the outward and changeable has been termed the "Conscious
Mind," or the "Objective Mind" (dealing with outward objects). The interior
power is called the "Subconscious Mind," or the "Subjective Mind," and
besides its work on the mental plane it controls the regular functions which
make physical life possible.
11. It
is necessary to have a clear understanding of their respective functions on
the mental plane, as well as of certain other basic principles. Perceiving
and operating through the five physical senses, the conscious mind deals
with the impressions and objects of the outward life.
12. It
has the faculty of discrimination, carrying with it the responsibility of
choice. It has the power of reasoning - whether inductive, deductive,
analytical or syllogistic - and this power may be developed to a high
degree. It is the seat of the will with all the energies that flow therefrom.
13.
Not only can it impress other minds, but it can direct the subconscious
mind. In this way the conscious mind becomes the responsible ruler and
guardian of the subconscious mind. It is this high function which can
completely reverse conditions in your life.
14. It
is often true that conditions of fear, worry, poverty, disease, inharmony
and evils of all kinds dominate us by reason of false suggestions accepted
by the unguarded subconscious mind. All this the trained conscious mind can
entirely prevent by its vigilant protective action. It may properly be
called "the watchman at the gate" of the great subconscious domain.
15.
One writer has expressed the chief distinction between the two phases of
mind thus: "Conscious mind is reasoning will. Subconscious mind is
instinctive desire, the result of past reasoning will."
16.
The subconscious mind draws just and accurate inferences from premises
furnished from outside sources. Where the premise is true, the subconscious
mind reaches a faultless conclusion, but, where the premise or suggestion is
an error, the whole structure falls. The subconscious mind does not engage
in the process of proving. It relies upon the conscious mind, "the watchman
at the gate," to guard it from mistaken impressions.
17.
Receiving any suggestions as true, the subconscious mind at once proceeds to
act thereon in the whole domain of its tremendous field of work. The
conscious mind can suggest either truth or error. If the latter, it is at
the cost of wide-reaching peril to the whole being.
18.
The conscious mind ought to be on duty during every waking hour. When the
"watchman" is "off guard," or when its calm judgment is suspended, under a
variety of circumstances, then the subconscious mind is unguarded and left
open to suggestion from all sources. During the wild excitement of panic, or
during the height of anger, or the impulses of the irresponsible mob, or at
any other time of unrestrained passion, the conditions are most dangerous.
The subconscious mind is then open to the suggestion of fear, hatred,
selfishness, greed, self-depreciation and other negative forces, derived
from surrounding persons or circumstances. The result is usually unwholesome
in the extreme, with effects that may endure to distress it for a long time.
Hence, the great importance of guarding the subconscious mind from false
impressions.
19.
The subconscious mind perceives by intuition. Hence, its processes are
rapid. It does not wait for the slow methods of conscious reasoning. In
fact, it can not employ them.
20.
The subconscious mind never sleeps, never rests, any more than does your
heart, or your blood. It has been found that by plainly stating to the
subconscious mind certain specific things to be accomplished, forces are set
in operation that lead to the result desired. Here, then, is a source of
power which places us in touch with Omnipotence. Here in is a deep principle
which is well worth our most earnest study.
21.
The operation of this law is interesting. Those who put it into operation
find that when they go out to meet the person with whom they anticipate a
difficult interview, something has been there before them and dissolved the
supposed differences; everything is changed; all is harmonious; they find
that when some difficult business problem presents itself they can afford to
make delay and something suggests the proper solution; everything is
properly arranged; in fact, those who have learned to trust the subconscious
find that they have infinite resources at their command.
22.
The subconscious mind is the seat of our principles and our aspirations. It
is the fount of our artistic and altruistic ideals. These instincts can only
be overthrown by an elaborate and gradual process of undermining the innate
principles.
23.
The subconscious mind cannot argue controversially. Hence, if it has
accepted wrong suggestions, the sure method of overcoming them is by the use
of a strong counter suggestion, frequently repeated, which the mind must
accept, thus eventually forming new and healthy habits of thought and life,
for the subconscious mind is the seat of Habit. That which we do over and
over becomes mechanical; it is no longer an act of judgment, but has worn
its deep grooves in the subconscious mind. This is favorable for us if the
habit be wholesome and right. If it be harmful, and wrong, the remedy is to
recognize the omnipotence of the subconscious mind and suggest present
actual freedom. The subconscious being creative and one with our divine
source will at once create the freedom suggested.
24. To
sum up: The normal functions of the subconscious on the physical side have
to do with the regular and vital processes, with the preservation of life
and the restoration of health; with the care of offspring, which includes an
instinctive desire to preserve all life and improve conditions generally.
25. On
the mental side, it is the storehouse of memory; it harbors the wonderful
thought messengers, who work, unhampered by time or space; it is the
fountain of the practical initiative and constructive forces of life: It is
the seat of habit.
26. On
the spiritual side, it is the source of ideals, of aspiration, of the
imagination, and is the channel through which we recognize our Divine
Source, and in proportion as we recognize this divinity do we come into an
understanding of the source of power.
27.
Some one may ask: "How can the subconscious change conditions?" The reply
is, because the subconscious is a part of the Universal Mind and a part must
be the same in kind and quality as the whole; the only difference is one of
degree. The whole, as we know, is creative, in fact, it is the only creator
there is, consequently, we find that mind is creative, and as thought is the
only activity which the mind possesses, thought must necessarily be creative
also.
28.
But we shall find that there is a vast difference between simply thinking,
and directing our thought consciously, systematically and constructively;
when we do this we place our mind in harmony with the Universal Mind, we
come in tune with the Infinite, we set in operation the mightiest force in
existence, the creative power of the Universal Mind. This, as everything
else, is governed by natural law, and this law is the "Law of Attraction,"
which is that Mind is creative, and will automatically correlate with its
object and bring it into manifestation.
29.
Last week I gave you an exercise for the purpose of securing control of the
physical body; if you have accomplished this you are ready to advance. This
time you will begin to control your thought. Always take the same room, the
same chair, and the same position, if possible. In some cases it is not
convenient to take the same room, in this case simply make the best use of
such conditions as may be available. Now be perfectly still as before, but
inhibit all thought; this will give you control over all thoughts of care,
worry and fear, and will enable you to entertain only the kind of thoughts
you desire. Continue this exercise until you gain complete mastery.
30.
You will not be able to do this for more that a few moments at a time, but
the exercise is valuable, because it will be a very practical demonstration
of the great number of thoughts which are constantly trying to gain access
to your mental world.
31.
Next week you will receive instructions for an exercise which may be a
little more interesting, but it is necessary that you master this one first.
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