XIX. Control of the Involuntary System
In the preceding chapter of this book we have explained to you that the
human body is made of millions of tiny cells, each
endowed with sufficient matter to enable it to do its work-with sufficient
Prana to give it the energy it requires-with
sufficient "mind-stuff" to give it the degree of
intelligence with which to direct its work.
Each cell belongs to a cell group or family, and the intelligence of the cell
is in close rapport with the
intelligence of every other cell in the group or family, the combined intelligence of the cell-group resulting in a group-mind. These groups in turn are each a part of some other larger group
of groups, and so on until the whole forms a great republic of cell-mind under the direction and
control of the Instinctive Mind. The control of these great groups is one of the duties of the Instinctive
Mind, and it usually does its work
well, unless interfered with by the
Intellect, which sometimes sends it fearthoughts, and in this and other ways
demoralizes the Instinctive Mind. Its
work is also sometimes retarded by the Intellect insisting that it take up foreign and strange habits of regulating the physical body through the
cell intelligence. For instance, in
the case of constipation, the
Intellect being busy with other work, will not allow the body to respond to the calls of the
Instinctive Mind, acting in response
to a demand from the cells of the Colon-nor
does it pay attention to (the demands for >water-and the consequence is that
the Instinctive Mind is unable to execute the proper orders, and both it and certain of the cell-groups become
demoralized and scarcely know what to do-bad habits springing up and replacing the natural habit. Sometimes
something akin to a rebellion springs up in some of the cell-groups,
resulting no doubt from some interruption in the natural course of their
government, the introduction of strange customs causing a confusion. At times
it seems that some of the smaller groups (and even some of the larger on
certain occasions) go on "a strike,"
rebelling against unaccustomed and improper work forced upon them-working overtime-and similar causes, such as a
lack of proper nourishment. These little cells often act just as would
men under the same circumstances-the analogy is often startling to the observer and investigator. These rebellions, or
strikes, seem to spread if matters are not arranged, and even when
matters are patched up the cells seem to return to their work in a sullen
manner, and instead of doing the best they know how they will do as little as
possible, and just when they feel like it. A restoration of normal conditions, resulting from increased
nutrition, proper attention, etc., will gradually bring about a return
to normal conditions, but matters may be expedited by giving the cell-groups
direct orders from the Will. It is astonishing how soon order and discipline
may be restored in this manner. The higher Yogis have a wonderful control over
the involuntary system and can act directly upon nearly every cell in their
body. And even some of the so-called Yogis of the
cities of India-those little more than mountebanks, who exhibit their
performances for so many coppers from each wandering
traveler-are able to give inter* esting exhibitions of this control, some of the
exhibitions, however, being disgusting to persons of fine sensibilities and
painful to the real Yogis, who mourn to see a noble science prostituted in this
way.
The trained will is able to act directly
upon these cells and groups by a simple process of direct concentration, but
this plan requires much training on the
part of the student. There are other plans whereby the will is called into operation by the student
repeating certain words in order to focus his Will. The autosuggestions
and affirmations of the Western world act in this way. The words focus the
attention and Will upon the center of the trouble and gradually order is
restored among the striking cells, a supply of Prana also being projected to
the seat of the trouble, thus giving the cells additional energy. At the same
time the circulation to the affected region
is increased, thereby giving the
cells more nourishment and building material.
One of the simplest plans of
reaching the seat of trouble and giving a vigorous order to the cells is the
one taught by the Hatha Yogis to their students, to be used by them until they are able to use the concentrated
Will without any aids. The plan is simply to "talk up" to the
rebellious organ or part, giving it orders just as one would a group of school
boys or a squad of recruits in the army. Give the order positively and firmly,
telling the organ just what you wish it to
perform, repeating the command sharply several times. A tapping or mild
slapping of the part, or the part of the body over the affected part, will act
to attract the attention of the cell-group just as does the tapping of a man on
the shoulder cause him to stop, turn around
and listen to what you have to say. Now, please do not suppose that we
are trying to tell you that the cells have ears and understand the words of the
particular language you may be using. What really
happens is that the sharply spoken words help you to form the mental image expressed by the words, and this meaning goes right to the spot, over the
channels of the sympathetic nervous system operated by the Instinctive Mind, and is readily understood by
the cell-groups and even by the individual cells. As we have already
said, an additional supply of Prana and the
increased supply of blood also go to the affected region, being directed there
by the concentrated attention of
the person sending the command. The commands of a healer may be given in the same way, the Instinctive
Mind of the patient taking up the command
and forwarding it to the scene of the cell rebellion. This may seem almost
childish to many of our students, but there are good scientific reasons
behind it, and the Yogis consider it the
simplest plan whereby mental commands may reach the cells. So do not discard
it as worthless until you have tried it awhile. It has stood the test of centuries, and nothing better has been
found to do the work.
If you wish to try
this plan upon some portion of your body, or
the body of some one else which is not functioning
properly, gently slap the part with the flat palm of the hand, saying to it sharply (for instance): "Here,
Liver you must dp your work better--you are too sluggish to suit me-I expect
you to do better from now on-get to work-get to work, I say, and stop
this foolishness." These exact
words are not necessary;
use any words which may come to you, so long as they convey a sharp
positive command that the organ shall do its work. The heart's action may be
improved in the same way, but one must proceed in a far more gentle manner, as the cell-group of the heart is possessed of a much higher degree of
intelligence than that of the liver, for instance, and must be approached in a more respectful manner. Gently
remind the heart that you expect it
to do its work in a better manner, but speak to it politely and do not
attempt to "bulldoze" it as you would the liver. The heart cell-group is the most intelligent of the
groups controlling any of the organs-the liver group is the most stupid and less intelligent, being of a
decidedly mulish disposition, whereas
the heart is like a thoroughbred horse, intelligent and alert. If your
liver is rebellious you must go for it
vigorously, remembering its mulish
propensities. The stomach is fairly intelligent, although not as much so
as the heart. The Colon is quite obedient, although patient and long suffering.
One may give the Colon commands to evacuate
its contents at a certain time every morning (naming the hour), and if you will
trust it sufficiently to go to the stool at that particular
hour-keep your engagement, in fact-you will find that the Colon will in a short
time do as you wish it to. But remember that the poor Colon has been greatly
abused and it may take a little time to
regain its confidence. Irregular menstruation
may be regulated, and normal habits acquired, in a few months by marking the proper date on the calendar and then each day giving oneself a gentle
treatment along the lines above
mentioned, telling the cell-groups controlling the function that it is
now to many days before the expected
time and that you wish them to get ready and do their
work, so that when the time arrives everything will be
normal. As you near the time, call the group's
attention that the time is growing shorter and that
it must attend to its business. Do not give the commands in a trifling
manner but as if you really meant them-and
you must mean them-and they will be
obeyed. We have seen many cases of
irregular menstruation relieved in this way in from one to three months. This
may sound ridiculous to you, but all
we can say is to try it for yourself.
We have not space to point out the method to be employed for each complaint, but you will readily see just what organ or group controls the
seat of the trouble from what we
have said in other chapters, and
then give it its orders. If you do not know what organ is causing the trouble, you at least know the region of the disturbance and may direct your commands
to that part of the body. It is not necessary for
you to know the name of the organ-just direct your commands to the spot and say to it: "Here You, etc."
This book is not intended as a treatise upon the cure of disease, its object being to point out the road to health by preventing disease, but these little
hints at restoring normal functioning
to organs which have been
misbehaving may help you somewhat.
You will be surprised at the measure of control which you may gain over your body by following the above method and variations of the same. You will be able to relieve your headaches by directing the blood to flow downward; you will be able to warm your cold feet by
ordering the blood to flow to them in increased quantities, the Prana, of course, going along also; you may equalize the circulation, thus
stimulating the entire body; you may relieve tired portions of the body. In fact, there is no end of the things you may do along this line if you
have but the patience to try. If you do not
know just what commands to give you may say to the part, "Here you, get better-I want this pain to leave-I want
you to do better," or something similar. But all this requires practice
and patience, of course. There is no
royal road to its accomplishment.
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