Mental Imaging
In our last chapter we called your attention to the first of the
two principal factors in the manifestation of Mental Influence,
namely, "Mental Concentration. "In the present chapter we shall
consider the second factor tending to render possible the said
manifestation, namely, "Mental Imaging."
What is known as a "Mental Image" in occultism, is the mental
creation, in the imagination of a "picture" of the things, events or
conditions that one desires to be manifested or materialized in
actual effect. A moments thought will show you that unless you know
"just what" you desire, you can take no steps toward attaining it on
any plane of manifestation. And the more clearly your desires are
perceived in your imagination, the clearer is the work of proceeding
toward the realization of that desire. A Mental Image gives you a
framework upon which to work. It is like the drawing of the
architect, or the map of the explorer. Think over this for a few
moments until you get the idea firmly fixed in your mind. And now
the same rule holds well on the plane in which the manifestation of
Mental Influence takes place. The occultist first builds up, in his
imagination, a Mental Image or Picture of the conditions he wishes
to bring about, and then by concentrating his influence strongly,
instead of in a haphazard way as is the case with the majority of
people who do not understand the laws and principles underlying the
manifestations of the forces of mind. The Mental Image gives shape
and direction to the forces, which is being concentrated upon the
desired object or subject. It may be compared to the image on the
glass of the Magic Lantern, through which the focused rays of the
lamp pass, the result being that a corresponding image is reproduced
upon the screen or curtain beyond. The analogy is a very close one
indeed, if we remember that the minds of the majority of people are
more or less blank screens or curtains upon which play the pictures
produced there by outside influences, suggestions, environments,
etc. , for very few people realize their individuality, and are
merely reflections of the thoughts and ideas of other people.
An eminent authority, Sir Francis Galton, who was one of the
leading authorities upon psychology of preceding generations, has
said on this subject: "The free action of a high visualizing faculty
is of much importance in connection with the higher processes of
generalized thought. A visual image is the most perfect form of
mental representation whatever the shape, position and relations of
objects to space are concerned. The best workmen are those who
visualize the whole of what they propose to do before they take a
tool in their hands. Strategists, artists of all denominations,
physicists who contrive new experiments, and in short, all who do
not follow routine, have a need for it. 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. I believe
that a serious study of the best way of developing and utilizing
this faculty, without prejudice to the practice of abstract thought
in symbols, is one of the many pressing desires in the yet unformed
science of education. "
And what Galton has said of the value of the use of this faculty
of the mind in the affairs of the material plane, so it is likewise
true of the manifestations on the mental plane. You know that the
clearer a Mental Picture you possess of anything that you want the
better you know just what you want and the better you know the
latter, the better able you are to take steps to get it. Many people
go through life wanting "something," but not really knowing "just
what" they do want. Is it any wonder that they do not realize or
materialize their desires any better? And the same thing holds well
on the plane of manifestation of Mental Influence. If one wishes to
materialize anything by the use of the influence, is he not
handicapped by a lack of Mental Image of just what he wants to
materialize, and is he not helped very much by the creation of a
mental "pattern" or plan, in the shape of a mental picture, through
and around which he may direct his thought-currents?
The occultists manifesting the greatest degree of Mental
Influence acquire by practice this art of creating Mental Images of
that which they wish to materialize. They train their Imagination in
this way until the very act of creating the Mental Image acts
strongly toward the actual materialization or event, as "actually
existing" in their minds before they attempt to concentrate their
Thought-Waves upon the task of accomplishing it. Then the Mental
Picture, being completed and standing in strong outline, they focus
their mental force through it, just as in the case of the magic
lantern before referred to, and the picture is reproduced on the
screen of mentality of other people.
The imagination may be strengthened in many ways, the principle
being constant and persistent practice. The practice of recalling to
the memory of scenes previously witnessed, and then whether
describing them to others or else drawing a rough picture of them
will help in this matter. Describe to others scenes that you have
witnessed, occurrences, details of appearances, etc., etc., until
you are able to reproduce mentally the aspects and appearances of
the things. Then you may begin to draw mental pictures of things
desired as if they were being drawn on the screen of your mind. See,
mentally, the things as actually occurring create a little
playhouse of your own, in your mind, and there enact the plays that
you wish to witness in actual life. When you have acquired this, you
will be able to project your mental pictures on the screen of
objectivity in actual life with far greater effect.
In thinking of this subject, you would do well to remember the
illustration of the magic lantern, for the figure is a good one, and
will enable you to carry the idea better in your mind. You see, in
giving you this suggestion, we are really telling you to form a
mental picture of the mental magic lantern, using the illustration
given you see how much easier it is for you to think of it in this
way and how much easier it is for you to manifest it in practice.
Build your Mental Images by degrees, commencing with the general
outlines, and then filling in the details. Always commence by trying
simple and easy things, and then working up to the more complex and
difficult feats.
And now, I offer a word of warning at this point to all. Do not
allow your imagination to "run away with you" do not become a
dreamer of dreams and a doer of nothing. You must master your
imagination and make it your servant and not your master. You must
make it do your bidding, instead of allowing it to dictate to you.
You will see in the succeeding chapters the important part that
Mental Imaging plays in the different phases of Mental Influence.
Even when we do not refer directly to it by name, you will see that
the "idea" sought to be conveyed by one mind to another the
feeling, desire or mental state sought to be transferred from one
mind to others must and does depend very materially for strength
upon the clearness and completeness of the Mental Image held in the
mind of the person seeking to do the influencing, the "projector" of
the Mental Image of his mental magic lantern, upon the screen of the
minds of others. Carry this principle well in mind that you may see
its operation in the different forms. |