Self-Protection
The reader of the preceding chapters will see the power of Mental
Influence in its various phases of manifestation, and will recognize
the possibility of the force being used to influence himself. The
question that will naturally arise in the mind of every student and
investigator of this important subject, and which comes to all at
sometime, is: "How may I protect myself from the use of this power
against myself – how may I render myself immune from these
influences which may be directed against me?"
It is true that we, and other writers on the subject, have shown
you that one is far less liable to influence if he will maintain a
mental atmosphere of high vibration – that is keeping oneself
surrounded by a thought atmosphere filled with vibrations of the
highest kind of thoughts and free from thoughts and desire of a
base, selfish character, which tends to attract similar thoughts. In
this way one creates a state of mental hygienic cleanliness which
renders him immune from the "contagious thoughts of the selfish
plane of desire," etc. This should be remembered and taken advantage
of by everyone, for just as physical cleanliness gives no congenial
lodgment for the germs of disease, so mental cleanliness refuses to
admit the mental microbes.
But there is a method far more efficacious than even the
above-mentioned plan.
And this method is really that employed by the adepts in
Occultism, and the method and practice taught the initiates of the
occult brotherhoods and lodges all over the world. Let us consider
it here.
In the first place, without entering into a statement of the
details of the high occult teachings, we wish to inform you that the
Basic Principle of all such teaching and instruction is the fact
that within each of us, in the very center of the being of each
individual – in the very heart of hearts of the Immortal Ego – is
what occultists know as the Flame of the Spirit. This is what you
recognize in consciousness as the "I AM" consciousness – that
consciousness of being which is far above the consciousness of
personality, or the things of personality. It is that consciousness
which informs each individual, unmistakably, that he IS actually an
Individual Being. This consciousness comes to the individual by
reason of his contact with the great One Life of the Universe – it
is the point of contact between the PART and the ALL.
And in this part of a man’s consciousness, coupled with the sense
of BEING an "I," there resides a spark from the Divine Flame of Life
and Power, which is what has been called the WILL of man. Now, do
not mistake us and confuse this with the so– called Will of
personality, which is merely a Desire, or else a certain firmness,
which often is little more than Stubbornness. This inner Will is
Real Power, and when once recognized may be drawn upon as a source
of unending and unfailing Strength. The occult adepts have developed
the consciousness of this Power Within, and use it freely. This is
the result of years of practice, and correct living and thinking.
But, still, each and every person may draw upon this source of
strength within them to aid them in life and to repel the
thought–vibrations of the lower plane.
This consciousness may be developed by a realization of its
existence, and by a practice of bringing the idea in everyday
consciousness, by thought, meditation and practice. The very fact of
having called your attention to its existence has awakened within
the mind of You who are reading these lines a new strength and sense
of power. Think a moment and see whether you do not feel a dawning
sense of Strength within you that you have not realized so fully
before this moment! A continued recognition in your everyday
consciousness of this Something Within will develop your ability to
manifest it. Particularly in an hour of need will it spring to your
assistance, giving you a sense of a part of yourself crying out to
you in words of encouragement: "I Am Here! Be Not Afraid!"
It is very difficult to give you this method in written or
printed works, but if you will enter fully into a recognition of
this Inward Power you will find yourself developing a new power of
resisting outside influences that will astonish you.
When you come in contact with people who are seeking to influence
you in any of the ways mentioned in the preceding chapters of this
book, or in others ways, you will find yourself able to defy their
mental attacks by simply remembering the strength imminent in your
"I," aided by the statement (made silently to yourself): "I am an
Immortal Spirit, using the Will within my Ego." With this Mental
Attitude you may make the slightest mental effort in the direction
of throwing out from your mind vibrations, which will scatter the
adverse influences in all directions, and which, if persisted in,
will cause the other person to become confused and anxious to let
you alone.
With this consciousness held in mind, your mental command to
another, "Let me alone – I cast off your influence by the power of
my Spirit," will act so strongly that you will be able to actually
see the effect at once. If the other person is stubborn and
determined to influence you by words of suggestion, coaxing,
threatening, or similar methods, look him or her straight in the
eyes, saying mentally "I defy you - my inner power casts off your
influence." Try this the next time that anyone attempts to influence
you either verbally or by Thought–Waves and see how strong and
positive you will feel, and how the efforts of the other person will
fail. This sounds simple, but the little secret is worth thousands
of dollars to every individual who will put it into practice.
Above all, put out of your mind all Fear of others persons. The
feeling of fear prevents you from manifesting the power within you
to its full extent. Cast out fear as unworthy and hurtful.
Not only in the case of personal influence in the actual presence
of the other person may be defeated in this way, but the same method
will act equally as well in the matter of repelling the mental
influence of others directed against you in the form of "absent
treatments," etc. If you feel yourself inclining toward doing
something which in your heart you feel that is not to your best
interests, judged from a true standpoint, you may know that,
consciously or unconsciously, someone is seeking to influence you in
this way.
Then smile to yourself and make the statements mentioned above,
or some similar one, and holding the power of the Spirit within your
"I" firmly in you mind, send out a mental command just as you would
in the case of the actual presence of the person himself or herself.
You may also deny the influencing power out of existence by
asserting mentally: "I DENY your power to influence me – you have no
such power over me – I am resting on my knowledge of Spirit and its
Will within me – I deny your power out of existence." This form of
denial may be used either in the case of absent influence or
personal influence. The rule is the same in all cases.
In repelling these absent influences you will at once experience
a feeling of relief and strength, and will be able to smile at the
defeated efforts of the other person. If you feel sufficiently broad
and full of love for mankind you may then "treat" the other person
for his error, sending him thoughts of Love and Knowledge with the
idea of dispelling his ignorance and selfishness, and bringing him
to a realization of the higher truths of life.
You will doubtless have many interesting experiences arising from
thus repelling these attacks. In some cases you will find that the
next time you meet the person in question he will appear confused
and puzzled and ill at ease. In other cases the person will begin to
manifest a new respect and regard for you, and disposed to aid you
instead of trying to influence you to his way and desire. In other
cases the person will still have the desire, and will endeavor to
"argue" you into doing that which he has tried to influence you into
doing by Mental Influence, but his efforts will "fall flat," and
without effect, particularly if you give him "another dose" of the
assertion of the Power of the Spirit within you.
In the same way you should call upon your Higher Self for aid and
strength when you feel yourself being affected by any of the great
Mental Waves of feeling or emotion sweeping over the public mind,
and which have a tendency to "stampede" people into adopting certain
ideas, or of following certain leaders. In such case the assertion
of the "I" within you will dissipate the influence around you, and
you will find yourself standing in a center of Peace surrounded on
all sides by the ocean of mental tumult and agitation which is
sweeping over or circling around the place. In the same way you will
be able to neutralize the unpleasant mental atmospheres of places,
localities, houses, etc. , and render yourself positive to and
immune from the same. In short, we have given you here a recipe that
may be used in any and every instance of the employment of Mental
Influence. It may sound simple to you, but a little use of it will
make you deem it the most important bit of practical knowledge you
may possess. |