TPart Two
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.
Cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating in
the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material
things. Mind is the master weaver, both of the interior garment of
character and the outer garment of circumstance
James Allen |