LESSON XIV. THE ART OF CONCENTRATING BY MEANS OF PRACTICAL EXERCISES

Select some thought, and see how long you can hold your mind onit. It is well to have a clock at first and keep track of thetime. If you decide to think about health, you can get a greatdeal of good from your thinking besides developing concentration.Think of health as being the greatest blessing there is, in theworld. Don't let any other thought drift in. Just the moment onestarts to obtrude, make it get out.

Make it a daily habit of concentrating on this thought for, say,ten minutes. Practice until you can hold it to the exclusion ofeverything else. You will find it of the greatest value tocentralize your thoughts on health. Regardless of your presentcondition, see yourself as you would like to be and be blind toeverything else. You will find it hard at first to forget yourailments, if you have any, but after a short while you can shutout these negative thoughts and see yourself as you want to be.Each time you concentrate you form a more perfect image ofhealth, and, as you come into its realization, you becomehealthy, strong and wholesome.

I want to impress upon your mind that the habit of forming mentalimages is of the greatest value. It has always been used bysuccessful men of all ages, but few realize its full importance.

Do you know that you are continually acting according to theimages you form? If you allow yourself to mould negative imagesyou unconsciously build a negative disposition. You will think ofpoverty, weakness, disease, fear, etc. Just as surely as youthink of these will your objective life express itself in a likeway. Just what we think, we will manifest in the external world.

In deep concentration you become linked with the great creativespirit of the universe, and the creative energy then flowsthrough you, vitalizing your creations into form. In deepconcentration your mind becomes attuned with the infinite andregisters the cosmic intelligence and receives its messages. Youbecome so full of the cosmic energy that you are literallyflooded with divine power. This is a most desired state. It isthen we realize the advantages of being connected with thesupra-consciousness. The supra-consciousness registers the highercosmic vibrations. It is often referred to as the wirelessstation, the message recorded coming from the universal mind.

There are very few that reach this stage of concentration. Veryfew even know that it is possible. They think concentration meanslimitation to one subject, but this deeper concentration thatbrings us into harmony with the Infinite is that which producesand maintains health.

When you have once come in contact with your supra-consciousnessyou become the controller of your human thoughts. That whichcomes to you is higher than human thoughts. It is often spoken ofas Cosmic Consciousness. Once it is experienced it is neverforgotten. Naturally it requires a good deal of training to reachthis state, but once you do, it becomes easier each time to do,and in the course of time you can become possessed of power whichwas unknown to you before. You are able to direct the expressionof almost Infinite Power while in this deeper state ofconcentration.

Exercises In Concentration. The rays of the sun, when focusedupon an object by means of a sun glass, produce a heat many timesgreater than the scattered rays of the same source of light andheat. This is true of attention. Scatter it and you get butordinary results. But center it upon one thing and you securemuch better results. When you focus your attention upon an objectyour every action, voluntary and involuntary, is in the directionof attaining that object. If you will focus your energies upon athing to the exclusion of everything else, you generate the forcethat can bring you what you want.

When you focus your thought, you increase its strength. Theexercises that follow are tedious and monotonous, but useful. Ifyou will persist in them you will find they are very valuable, asthey increase your powers of concentration.

Before proceeding with the exercises I will answer a questionthat just comes to me. This person says after he works all day heis too tired to practice any exercise. But this is not true. Wewill say he comes home all tired out, eats his supper and sitsdown to rest. If his work has been mental, the thought which hasbeen occupying his mind returns to him and this prevents him fromsecuring the rest he needs.

It is an admitted fact that certain thoughts call into operationa certain set of brain cells; the other cells, of course, are notbusy at that time and are rested. Now if you take up somethingthat is just different from what you have been doing during theday, you will use the cells that have not done anything and givethose that have had work to do a rest. So you should regulate theevenings that you have and call forth an entirely different lineof thought so as not to use the cells which you have tired outduring the day. If you will center your attention on a newthought, you relieve the old cells from vibrating with excitementand they get their needed rest. The other cells that have beenidle all day want to work, and you will find you can enjoy yourevenings while securing needed rest.

When once you have learned to master your thoughts, you will beable to change them just as easily as you change your clothes.

Remember, the real requisite of centering is to be able to shutout outside thoughts--anything foreign to the subject. Now, inorder to control your intention first gain control over the body.This must be brought under direct control of the mind; the mindunder the control of the will. Your will is strong enough to doanything you wish, but you must realize that it is. The mind canbe greatly strengthened by being brought under the directinfluence of the will. When the mind is properly strengthened bythe impulse of the will it becomes a more powerful transmitter ofthought, because it has more force.

The Best Time to Concentrate Is after reading something that isinspiring, as you are then mentally and spiritually exalted inthe desired realm. Then is the time you are ready for deepconcentration. If you are in your room first see that yourwindows are up and the air is good. Lie down flat on your bedwithout a pillow. See that every muscle is relaxed. Now breatheslowly, filling the lungs comfortably full of fresh air; holdthis as long as you can without straining yourself; then exhaleslowly. Exhale in an easy, rhythmic way. Breathe this way forfive minutes, letting the Divine Breath flow through you, whichwill cleanse and rejuvenate every cell of brain and body.

You are then ready to proceed. Now think how quiet and relaxedyou are. You can become enthusiastic over your condition. Justthink of yourself as getting ready to receive knowledge that isfar greater than you have ever received before. Now relax and letthe spirit work in and through you and assist you to accomplishwhat you wish.

Don't let any doubts or fears enter. Just feel that what you wishis going to manifest. Just feel it already has, in reality ithas, for just the minute you wish a thing to be done it manifestsin the thought world. Whenever you concentrate just believe it isa success. Keep up this feeling and allow nothing to interfereand you will soon find you have become the master ofconcentration. You will find that this practice will be ofwonderful value to you, and that rapidly you will be learning toaccomplish anything that you undertake.

It will be necessary to first train the body to obey the commandsof the mind. I want you to gain control of your muscularmovements. The following exercise is especially good in assistingyou to acquire perfect control of the muscles.

Exercise 1

Sit in a comfortable chair and see how still you can keep. Thisis not as easy as it seems. You will have to center yourattention on sitting still. Watch and see that you are not makingany involuntary muscular movements. By a little practice you willfind you are able to sit still without a movement of the musclesfor fifteen minutes. At first I advise sitting in a relaxedposition for five minutes. After you are able to keep perfectlystill, increase the time to ten minutes and then to fifteen. Thisis as long as it is necessary. But never strain yourself to keepstill. You must be relaxed completely. You will find this habitof relaxing is very good.

Exercise 2

Sit in a chair with your head up and your chin out, shouldersback. Raise your right arm until it is on the level with yourshoulder, pointing to your right. Look around, with head only,and fix your gaze on your fingers, and keep the arm perfectlystill for one minute. Do the same exercise with left arm. Whenyou are able to keep the arm perfectly steady, increase the timeuntil you are able to do this five minutes with each arm. Turnthe palm of the hand downward when it is outstretched, as this isthe easiest position. If you will keep your eyes fixed on thetips of the fingers you will be able to tell if you are keepingyour arm perfectly still.

Exercise 3

Fill a small glass full of water, and grasp it by the fingers;put the arm directly in front of you. Now fix the eyes upon theglass and try to keep the arm so steady that no movement will benoticeable. Do this first for one moment and then increase it tofive. Do the exercise with first one arm and then the other.

Exercise 4

Watch yourself during the day and see that your muscles do notbecome tense or strained. See how easy and relaxed you can keepyourself. See how poised you can be at all times. Cultivate aself-poised manner, instead of a nervous, strained appearance.This mental feeling will improve your carriage and demeanor. Stopall useless gestures and movements of the body. These mean thatyou have not proper control over your body. After you haveacquired this control, notice how "ill-at-ease" people are thathave not gained this control. I have just been sizing up asalesman that has just left me. Part of his body kept moving allthe time. I just felt like saying to him, "Do you know how muchbetter appearance you would make if you would just learn to speakwith your voice instead of trying to express what you say withyour whole body?" Just watch those that interview you and see howthey lack poise.

Get rid of any habit you have of twitching or jerking any part ofyour body. You will find you make many involuntary movements. Youcan quickly stop any of these by merely centering your attentionon the thought, "I will not."

If you are in the habit of letting noises upset you, justexercise control; when the door slams, or something falls, etc.,just think of these as exercises in self-control. You will findmany exercises like this in your daily routine.

The purpose of the above exercises is to gain control over theinvoluntary muscular movement, making your actions entirelyvoluntary. The following exercises are arranged to bring yourvoluntary muscles under the control of the will, so that yourmental forces may control your muscular movements.

Exercise 5

Move your chair up to a table, placing your hands upon it,clenching the fists, keeping the back of the hand on the table,the thumb doubled over the fingers. Now fix your gaze upon thefist for a while, then gradually extend the thumb, keeping yourwhole attention fixed upon the act, just as if it was a matter ofgreat importance. Then gradually extend your first finger, thenyour second and so on until you open the rest. Then reverse theprocess, closing first the last one opened and then the rest, andfinally you will have the fist again in the original positionwith the thumb closed over the finger. Do this exercise with theleft hand. Keep up this exercise first with one hand and then theother until you have done it five times with each hand. In a fewdays you can increase it to ten times.

The chances are that the above exercises will at first make you"tired," but it is important for you to practice these monotonousexercises so you can train your attention. It also gives youcontrol over your muscular movement. The attention, of course,must be kept closely on each movement of the hand; if it is not,you of course lose the value of the exercise.

Exercise 6

Put the right hand on knee, both fingers and thumb closed, exceptthe first finger, which points out in front of you. Then move thefinger slowly from side to side, keeping the attention fixed uponthe end of the finger. You can make up a variety of exerciseslike these. It is good training to plan out different ones. Themain point you should keep in mind is that the exercise should besimple and that the attention should be firmly fixed upon themoving part of the body. You will find your attention will notwant to be controlled and will try to drift to something moreinteresting. This is just where these exercises are of value, andyou must control your attention and see it is held in the rightplace and does not wander away.

You may think these exercises very simple and of no value, but Ipromise you in a short time you will notice that you have a muchbetter control over your muscular movements, carriage anddemeanor, and you will find that you have greatly improved yourpower of attention, and can center your thoughts on what you do,which of course will be very valuable.

No matter what you may be doing, imagine that it is your chiefobject in life. Imagine you are not interested in anything elsein the world but what you are doing. Do not let your attentionget away from the work you are at. Your attention will no doubtbe rebellious, but control it and do not let it control you. Whenonce you conquer the rebellious attention you have achieved agreater victory than you can realize at the time. Many timesafterwards you will be thankful you have learned to concentrateyour closest attention upon the object at hand.

Let no day go by without practicing concentrating on somefamiliar object that is uninteresting. Never choose aninteresting object, as it requires less attention. The lessinteresting it is the better exercise will it be. After a littlepractice you will find you can center your attention onuninteresting subjects at will.

The person that can concentrate can gain full control over hisbody and mind and be the master of his inclinations; not theirslave. When you can control yourself you can control others. Youcan develop a Will that will make you a giant compared with theman that lacks Will Power. Try out your Will Power in differentways until you have it under such control that just as soon asyou decide to do a thing you go ahead and do it. Never besatisfied with the "I did fairly well" spirit, but put forwardyour best efforts. Be satisfied with nothing else. When you havegained this you are the man you were intended to be.

Exercise 7

Concentration Increases the Sense of Smell. When you take a walk,or drive in the country, or pass a flower garden, concentrate onthe odor of flowers and plants. See how many different kinds youcan detect. Then choose one particular kind and try to sense onlythis. You will find that this strongly intensifies the sense ofsmell. This differentiation requires, however, a peculiarlyattentive attitude. When sense of smell is being developed, youshould not only shut out from the mind every thought but that ofodor, but you should also shut out cognizance of every odor savethat upon which your mind, for the time, is concentrated.

You call find plenty of opportunity for exercises for developingthe sense of smell. When you are out in the air, be on the alertfor the different odors. You will find the air laden with allkinds, but let your concentration upon the one selected be suchthat a scent of its fragrance in after years will vividly recallthe circumstances of this exercise.

The object of these exercises is to develop concentratedattention, and you will find that you can, through theirpractice, control your mind and direct your thoughts just thesame as you can your arm.

Exercise 8

Concentration on the Within. Lie down and thoroughly relax yourmuscles. Concentrate on the beating of your heart. Do not pay anyattention to anything else. Think how this great organ is pumpingthe blood to every part of the body; try to actually picture theblood leaving the great reservoir and going in one stream rightdown to the toes. Picture another going down the arms to the tipsof the fingers. After a little practice you can actually feel theblood passing through your system.

If, at any time, you feel weak in any part of the body, will thatan extra supply of blood shall go there. For instance, if youreyes feel tired, picture the blood coming from the heart, passingup through the head and out to the eyes. You can wonderfullyincrease your strength by this exercise. Men have been able togain such control over the heart that they have actually stoppedit from beating for five minutes. This, however, is not withoutdanger, and is not to be practiced by the novice.

I have found the following a very helpful exercise to take justbefore going to bed and on rising in the morning: Say toyourself, "Every cell in my body thrills with life; every part ofmy body is strong and healthy." I have known a number of peopleto greatly improve their health in this way. You become what youpicture yourself to be. If your mind thinks of sickness inconnection with self you will be sick. If you imagine yourself instrong, vigorous health, the image will be realized. You will behealthy.

Exercise 9

Concentrating on Sleep. What is known as the water method is,although very simple, very effective in inducing sleep.

Put a full glass of clear water on a table in your sleeping room.Sit in a chair beside the table and gaze into the glass of waterand think how calm it is. Then picture yourself , getting intojust as calm a state. In a short time you will find the nervesbecoming quiet and you will be able to go to sleep. Sometimes itis good to picture yourself becoming drowsy to induce sleep, and,again, the most persistent insomnia has been overcome by onethinking of himself as some inanimate object--for instance, ahollow log in the depths of the cool, quiet forest.

Those who are troubled with insomnia will find these sleepexercises that quiet the nerves very effective. Just keep theidea in your mind that there is no difficulty in going to sleep;banish all fear of insomnia. Practice these exercises and youwill sleep.

By this time you should have awakened to the possibilities ofconcentration and have become aware of the important part itplays in your life.

Exercise 10

Concentration Will Save Energy and Appearance. Watch yourself andsee if you are not in the habit of moving your hands, thumpingsomething with your fingers or twirling your mustache. Some havethe habit of keeping their feet going, as, for instance, tappingthem on the floor. Practice standing before a mirror and see ifyou are in the habit of frowning or causing wrinkles to appear inthe forehead. Watch others and see how they needlessly twisttheir faces in talking. Any movement of the face that causes theskin to wrinkle will eventually cause a permanent wrinkle. As theface is like a piece of silk, you can make a fold in it a numberof times and it will straighten out of itself, but, if youcontinue to make a fold in it, it will in time be impossible toremove it.

By Concentration You Can Stop the Worry Habit. If you are in thehabit of worrying over the merest trifles, just concentrate onthis a few minutes and see bow needless it is; if you are also inthe habit of becoming irritable or nervous at the least littlething, check yourself instantly when you feel yourself becomingso; start to breathe deeply; say, "I will not be so weak; I ammaster of myself," and you will quickly overcome your condition.

Exercise 11

By Concentration You Can Control Your Temper. If you are one ofthose that flare up at the slightest "provocation" and never tryto control yourself, just think this over a minute. Does it doyou any good? Do you gain anything by it? Doesn't it put you outof poise for some time? Don't you know that this grows on you andwill eventually make you despised by all that have any dealingswith you? Everyone makes mistakes and, instead of becoming angryat their perpetrators, just say to them, "Be more careful nexttime." This thought will be impressed on them and they will bemore careful. But, if you continually complain about their makinga mistake, the thought of a mistake is impressed on them and theywill be more likely to make mistakes in the future. All lack ofself-control can be conquered if you will but learn toconcentrate.

Many of you that read this may think you are not guilty of eitherof these faults, but if you will carefully watch yourself youwill probably find that you are, and, if so, you will be greatlyhelped by repeating this affirmation each morning:

"I am going to try today not to make a useless gesture or toworry over trifles, or become nervous or irritable. I intend tobe calm, and, no difference what may be the circumstances, I willcontrol myself. Henceforth I resolve to be free from all signsthat show lack of self-control."

At night quickly review your actions during the day and see howfully you realized your aim. At first you will, of course, haveto plead guilty of violation a few times, but keep on, and youwill soon find that you can live up to your ideal. After you haveonce gained self-control, however, don't relinquish it. For sometime it will still be necessary to repeat the affirmation in themorning and square your conduct with it in the evening. Keep upthe good work until, at last, the habit of self-control is sofirmly fixed that you could not break it even though you tried.

I have had many persons tell me that this affirmation and dailyreview made a wonderful difference in their lives. You, too, willnotice the difference if you live up to these instructions.

Exercise 12.

Practice Talking Before a Glass. Make two marks on your mirror ona level with your eyes, and think of them as two human eyeslooking into yours. Your eyes will probably blink a little atfirst. Do not move your head, but stand erect. Concentrate allyour thoughts on keeping your head perfectly still. Do not letanother thought come into your mind. Then, still keeping thehead, eyes and body still, think that you look like a reliableman or woman should; like a person that anyone would haveconfidence in. Do not let your appearance be such as to justifythe remark, "I don't like his appearance. I don't believe he canbe trusted."

While standing before the mirror practice deep breathing. Seethat there is plenty of fresh air in the room, and that you areliterally feasting on it. You will find that, as it permeatesevery cell, your timidity will disappear. It has been replaced bya sense of peace and power.

The one that stands up like a man and has control over themuscles of his face and eyes always commands attention. In hisconversation, he can better impress those with whom he comes incontact. He acquires a feeling of calmness and strength thatcauses opposition to melt away before it.

Three minutes a day is long enough for the practice of thisexercise.

Look at the clock before you commence the exercise, and if youfind you can prolong the exercise for more than five minutes doso. The next day sit in a chair and, without looking at thepicture, concentrate on it and see if you cannot think ofadditional details concerning it. The chances are you will beable to think of many more. It might be well for you to writedown all you thought of the first day, and then add to the listeach new discovery. You will find that this is a very excellentexercise in concentration.

Exercise 13

The Control of Sensations. Think how you would feel if you werecool; then how you would feel if you were cold; again, how youwould feel if it were freezing. In this state you would beshivering all over. Now think of just the opposite conditions;construct such a vivid image of heat that you are able toexperience the sensation of heat even in the coldest atmosphere.It is possible to train your imagination until you do this, andit can then be turned to practical account in making undesirableconditions bearable.

You can think of many very good exercises like this. Forinstance, if you feel yourself getting hungry or thirsty and forany reason you do not wish to eat, do not think of how hungry orthirsty you are, but just visualize yourself as finishing ahearty meal. Again, when you experience pain, do not increase itby thinking about it, but do something to divert your attention,and the pain will seem to decrease. If you will start practicingalong this line systematically you will soon gain a wonderfulcontrol over the things that affect your physical comfort.

Exercise 14

The Eastern Way of Concentrating. Sit in a chair with a high backin upright position. Press one finger against the right nostril.Now take a long, deep breath, drawing the breath in gently as youcount ten; then expel the breath through the right nostril as youcount ten. Repeat this exercise with the opposite nostril. Thisexercise should be done at least twenty times at each sitting.

Exercise 15

Controlling Desires. Desire, which is one of the hardest forcesto control, will furnish you with excellent exercises inconcentration. It seems natural to want to tell others what youknow; but, by learning to control these desires, you canwonderfully strengthen your powers of concentration. Remember,you have all you can do to attend to your own business. Do notwaste your time in thinking of others or in gossiping about them.

If, from your own observation, you learn something about anotherperson that is detrimental, keep it to yourself. Your opinion mayafterwards turn out to be wrong anyway, but whether right orwrong, you have strengthened your will by controlling your desireto communicate your views.

If you hear good news resist the desire to tell it to the firstperson you meet and you will be benefited thereby. It willrequire the concentration of all your powers of resistance toprohibit the desire to tell. After you feel that you havecomplete control over your desires you can then tell your news.But you must be able to suppress the desire to communicate thenews until you are fully ready to tell it. Persons that do notpossess this power of control over desires are apt to tell thingsthat they should not, thereby often involving both themselves andothers in needless trouble.

If you are in the habit of getting excited when you hearunpleasant news, just control yourself and receive it without anyexclamation of surprise. Say to yourself, "Nothing is going tocause me to lose my self-control. You will find from experiencethat this self-control will be worth much to you in business. Youwill be looked upon as a cool-headed business man, and this intime becomes a valuable business asset. Of course, circumstancesalter cases. At times it is necessary to become enthused. But beever on the lookout for opportunities for the practice ofself-control. "He that ruleth his spirit is greater than he thatruleth a city."

Exercise 16

When You Read. No one can think without first concentrating histhoughts on the subject in hand. Every man and woman should trainhimself to think clearly. An excellent exercise is to read someshort story and then write just an abridged statement. Read anarticle in a newspaper, and see in how few words you can expressit. Reading an article to get only the essentials requires theclosest concentration. If you are unable to write out what youread, you will know you are weak in concentration. Instead ofwriting it out you can express it orally if you wish. Go to yourroom and deliver it as if you were talking to some one. You willfind exercises like this of the greatest value in developingconcentration and learning to think.

After you have practiced a number of these simple exercises reada book for twenty minutes and then write down what you have read.The chances are that at first you will not remember very manydetails, but with a little practice you will be able to write avery good account of what you have read. The closer theconcentration the more accurate the account will be.

It is a good idea when time is limited to read only a shortsentence and then try to write it down word for word. When youare able to do this, read two or more sentences and treatsimilarly. The practice will produce very good results if youkeep it up until the habit is fixed.

If you will just utilize your spare time in practicing exerciseslike those suggested you can gain wonderful powers ofconcentration. You will find that in order to remember every wordin a sentence you must keep out every thought but that which youwish to remember, and this power of inhibition alone will morethan compensate for the trouble of the exercise. Of course,success in all of the above depends largely upon cultivating,through the closest concentration, the power to image or picturewhat you read; upon the power, as one writer expresses it, ofletting the mountains of which we hear loom before us and therivers of which we read roll at our feet.

Exercise 17

Concentration Overcomes Bad Habits. If you have a habit that youwant to get rid of, shut your eyes and imagine that your realself is standing before you. Now try the power of affirmation;say to yourself, "You are not a weakling; you can stop this habitif you want to. This habit is bad and you want to break it." Justimagine that you are some one else giving this advice. This isvery valuable practice. You, in time, see yourself as others seeyou. The habit loses its power over you and you are free.

If you will just form the mental image of controlling yourself asanother person might, you will take a delight in breaking badhabits. I have known a number of men to break themselves ofdrinking in this way.

Exercise 18

Watch Concentration. Sit in a chair and place a clock with asecond hand on the table. Follow the second hand with your eyesas it goes around. Keep this up for five minutes, thinking ofnothing else but the second hand, This is a very good exercisewhen you only have a few minutes to spare, if you are able tokeep every other thought in the stream of consciousnesssubordinate to it. As there is little that is particularlyinteresting about the second hand, it is hard to do this, but inthe extra effort of will power required to make it successfullies its value. Always try to keep as still as possible duringthese exercises.

In this way you can gain control over nerves and this quietingeffect is very good for them.

Exercise 19

Faith Concentration. A belief in the power to concentrate is ofcourse very important. I purposely did not put this exercise inthe beginning where it naturally belongs because I wanted you toknow that you could learn to concentrate. If you have practicedthe above exercises you have now developed this concentrationpower to a considerable extent and therefore you have faith inthe power of concentration, but you can still become a muchstronger believer in it.

We will say that you have some desire or wish you want fulfilled,or that you need some special advice. You first clearly picturewhat is wanted and then you concentrate on getting it. Haveabsolute faith that your desires will be realized. Believe thatit will according to your belief be fulfilled. Never, at thistime, attempt to analyze the belief. You don't care anythingabout the whys and wherefores. You want to gain the thing youdesire, and if you concentrate on it in the right way you willget it.

A Caution. Never think you will not succeed, but picture what iswanted as already yours, and yours it surely will be.

Self-Distrust. Do you ever feel distrust in yourself? If You do,just ask yourself, which self do I mistrust? Then say: my higherself cannot be affected. Then think of the wonderful powers ofthe higher self. There is a way to overcome all difficulties, andit is a delight for the human soul to do so. Instead of wastingprecious thought-force by dreading or fearing a disagreeableinterview or event, instead devote the time and concentratedthought in how to make the best of the interview or event and youwill find that it will not be as unpleasant as you thought itwould be. Most of our troubles are but imaginary, and it is themental habit of so dreading them that really acts as a magnet inattracting those that really do come. Your evil circumstances arecreated or attracted by your own negative, fears and wrongthoughts, and are a means of teaching you to triumph over allevils, by discovering that which is inherent within yourself.

You will find it helpful in overcoming self-distrust, to stop andthink, why you are, concentrating your forces, and by so doingyou become more closely attached to the higher self, which neverdistrusts.