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
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