William Walker Atkinson-Secret of Success

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TheSecretOfSuccess
ByWilliamWalkerAtkinson1907
CONTENTS
TheSecretofSuccess.......................................................................................................... 3 TheIndividual...................................................................................................................... 6 Spiritedness......................................................................................................................... 8 LatentPowers ................................................................................................................... 12 SoulForce ......................................................................................................................... 16 ThePowerofDesire.......................................................................................................... 20 TheLawofAttraction........................................................................................................ 24 PersonalMagnetism ......................................................................................................... 30 AttractivePersonality ....................................................................................................... 33 AnAfterword .................................................................................................................... 39
THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON
TheSecretofSuccess
Itiswithsomehesitationthatwebringourselvestowritethislittlebook,entitledTheSecret ofSuccess.Notthatwearenotinsympathywiththesubjectnotthatwedonotbelievethat thereisaSecretofSuccessbutbecausetherehasbeensomuchwrittenonthesubjectof Successthatistheveriesttwaddlemassesofplatitudinouswordinessthatwehesitateto takethepositionofateacherofSuccess.Itissoeasytofillpagesofpaperwithgoodadviceit issomucheasiertosaythingsthantodothemsomucheasiertoformulateacodeof preceptsthantogetoutintothefieldofactiveendeavorandputintopracticethesame percepts.And,youmayimaginewhywehesitatetoassumearolewhichwouldlayusopento thesuspicionofbeingoneofthedoasItellyou,andnotasIdoteachersoftheArtof Success. Butthereisanothersideofthequestion.Thereis,besidesthemererecitalofaListofGood QualitiesLeadingtoSuccessalistwithwhicheveryschoolboyandreaderofthemagazinesis acquaintedaSomethingElse;andthatSomethingElse,isasuggestionthattheSeekerfor SuccesshasaSomethingWithinhimselfwhichifexpressedintoactivityandactionwillproveof greatvaluetohimaveritableSecretofSuccess,insteadofacodeofrules.And,sowe proposetodevotethislittlebooktounfoldingourideaofwhatthisSomethingWithinis,and whatitwilldoforonewhowillunfolditandthusexpressitintoaction.So,therefore,donot expecttofindthisbookaCompleteCompendiumofRulesConducivetoSuccess,Approvedof andFormulatedbytheSuccessfulMenoftheWorldwhobecameacquaintedwiththeseRules onlyaftertheyhadAttainedSuccess,andconsequentlyhadTimeandInclinationtoPreachto Others.Thisisnotabookofthatsort.ItisQuiteDifferent.Wehopeyouwilllikeititwilldo yougoodinanyevent. AllpeoplearestrivingandseekingSuccess.TheirideaofSuccessmaydiffer,buttheyhaveall agreeduponthedesirabilityofAttainment.Attainmentthatistheword,whichembodiesthe essenceofthatwhichwecallSuccess.ItistheGettingThereideatheideaofAttainment ofReachingtheGoalforwhichwesetout.ThatisthestoryAttainment. ManymenandwomenhaveendeavoredtopointoutthewaytoSuccess,andwhilesomehave renderedvaluableservicetothosewhowerefollowingthemonthePathofAttainment,yet nonehavebeenabletotellthewholestoryofSuccess.Andthisisnottobewonderedabout, forthereasonthatontheroadtoSuccesseachandeveryindividualmustbe,inameasurea lawuntohimself,orherself.NotwotemperamentsareexactlyalikeNaturedelightsin variety;notwosetsofcircumstancesarepreciselythesameinfinitevarietymanifestshere also.Andsoitwouldbefollytoattempttolaydownrulesofuniversalapplication,whichwould surelyleadalltothegreatgoalofSuccess.Onehasbuttolookaroundhimonallsidesandsee
THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON 3
thedifferentneedsofthedifferentindividualscomposingthecrowd,inordertorecognizethe futilityofanyattempttolaydownlinesofuniversalinstructiononthissubject.Eachandevery manwhohassucceededhasdonesoinadifferentwaygenerallyalongsomeoriginallinesof actioninfact,thefacultyorcharacteristicknownasIndividuality,seemstohaveplayedan importantpartinthesuccessofthemajorityofpersonswhohaveattainedit.AndIndividuality rendersthosepossessingittoamarkeddegreetobelikelytodepartfromanysetofrulesor laidoutcoursesofaction.Andso,itmaybestatedasageneralprinciplethateachmustwork outhisownSuccessalongthelinesofhisownIndividuality,ratherthanbyfollowinganyset ruleorlineofconduct. Inviewofwhatwehavejustsaid,itmayseemstrangethatfeelingaswedowehaveventured towritealittlebookentitledTheSecretofSuccess,particularlyaswehavestartedthesaid bookbydeclaringtheimpossibilityoflayingdownanysetrulesonthesubject.Thismayseem likeaparadox,butalittleexaminationwillshowyouthatitisnotso.Itistruethatwebelieve thateachandeverypersonmustworkouthisownSuccess,alongthelinesofhisown Individuality,insteadofalongsomecutanddriedplan.AndrighthereiswheretheSecretof Successcomesin.Alongthelinesofhisownindividuality,wehavejustsaidthenitmust followthatonemustpossessIndividualitybeforehemayworkalongitslines.Andinthe measurethathepossessesIndividuality,sowillhepossessthefirstprerequisitetoSuccess.And thatiswhatwemeanbyTheSecretofSuccessINDIVIDUALITY. EverypersonpossessesdormantandlatentIndividualitybutonlyafewallowittoexpress itself.Themajorityofusarelikehumansheeptrottingalongcomplacentlyaftersomeself assertivebellwether,whosetinklingbellservestoguideourfootsteps.Wehaveabsorbedthe notionsomehowthatthesebellwetherspossessthesumandsubstanceofhumanknowledge andpower,andabilitytothinkandinsteadofunfoldingourowndormantpowers,andlatent possibilities,weallowthemtoremaininobscurity,andwetrotalong,jogittyjoggityjogafter ourpetbellwether.Peopleareverymuchlikesheepinthiswaytheyareobedientand imitativeanimals,andratherthanassumetheresponsibilityofdirectingtheirownfootsteps, theywaituntilsomeonetakesthelead,andthenawaytheystampedeafterhim.Isitany wonderthattheleadersclaimthechoicestpickingsforthemselves,andallowtheflocktoget onlythescrubbygrass?Notabitofittheyhaveearnedthechoicebitsbyreasonoflockof IndividualityandInitiativeonthepartofthosefollowingtheminfact,theywerechosenas leadersbecauseofthisselfassertive,andselfdirectivequality.Iftheyhadstoodbackina modest,mildmanner,theywouldhavebeenpushedasidebytheflockthatwoulddisclaim themasleaders,infavorofotherswhoknewhowtopushtothefront. Now,inthislittlebookweshallnotendeavortoawakenaspiritofbellwetherisminyou,nor tourgeyoutostrivetoleadtheflockthereisnothinginthemereleadingofpeopleother thanvaingloryandpettyselfsatisfaction.Thedesirablethingistopossesssufficient IndividualityandInitiativetobeyourownbellwethertobealawuntoyourself,sofarasother
menareconcerned.Thegreatmenthestrongmencarenothingfortheflock,whichso obedientlytrotsalongafterthem.Theyderivenosatisfactionfromthisthing,whichpleases onlyinferiorminds,andgratifiesonlypettynaturesandambitions.Thebigmenthegreat spiritsofallageshavederivedmoresatisfactionfromthatinwardconvictionofstrengthand abilitywhichtheyfeltunfoldingintoactivitywithinthemselves,thanintheplauditsofthemob, orintheservilityofthoseimitativecreatureswhosoughttofollowintheirfootsteps. And,thisthingcalledIndividualityisarealthing.Inherentineachofus,andwhichmaybe developedandbroughtintoactivityineachoneofusifwegoaboutitright.Individualityisthe expressionofourSelfthatSelfwhichiswhatwemeanwhenwesayI.Eachofusisan IndividualanIdifferingfromeveryotherIintheuniverse,sofaraspersonalexpression isconcerned.AndinthemeasurethatweexpressandunfoldthepowersofthatI,soarewe great,strongandsuccessful.Weallhaveitinusitdependsuponustogetitoutinto Expression.And,thisIndividualExpressionliesattheheartoftheSecretofSuccess.Andthat iswhyweusethetermandthatiswhatweshalltellyouaboutinthislittlebook.Itwillpay foryoutolearnthisSecret.
TheIndividual
InourlastlessonwestatedthatweconsideredtheSecretofSuccesstoconsistprincipallyof theFreeExpressionoftheIndividualtheI.Butbeforeyouwillbeabletoapplythisidea successfully,youmustfirstawakentoarealizationofwhattheIndividualtheIwithinyou reallyis.Thisstatementmayappearridiculousatfirsttomanyofyou,butitwillpayyouto acquaintyourselffullywiththeideabehindit,foruponthetruerealizationofIcomesPower. Ifyouwillstopandtakestockofyourself,youwillfindthatyouareamorecomplexbeingthan youhadatfirstconsideredyourselftobe.InthefirstplacethereistheI,whichistheRealSelf ortheIndividual,andthereistheMe,whichissomethingattachedtoandbelongingtothe IthePersonality.Forproofofthis,lettheItakestockoftheMe,anditwillfindthatthe latterconsistsofthreephasesorprinciples,(ie.1.ThePhysicalBody;2.TheVitalEnergy;3.The Mind).ManypeopleareinthehabitatofregardingtheirbodiesastheIpartofthem,buta littleconsiderationwillshowthemthatthebodyisbutamaterialcovering,ormachinethrough whichandbymeansofwhichtheIisabletomanifestitself.Alittlethoughtwillshowthat onemaybevividlyconsciousoftheIAmpartofhimselfwhiletotallyobliviousofthe presenceofthephysicalbody.Thisbeingso,itfollowsthattheIisindependentofthebody, andthatthelatterfallsintotheMeclassification.ThephysicalbodymayexistaftertheI hasleftitthedeadbodyisnottheI.Thephysicalbodyiscomposedofcountlessparticles whicharechangingplaceseverymomentofourlivesourbodyoftodayisentirelydifferent fromourbodyofayearago. ThencomesthesecondprincipleoftheMetheVitalEnergy,orwhatmanycallLife.Thisis seentobeindependentofthebody,whichitenergizes,butit,too,istransitoryand changeable,andreadilymaybeseentobebutasomethingusedtoanimateandenergizethe bodyaninstrumentoftheI,andthereforeaprincipleoftheMe.What,then,islefttothe Itoexamineanddetermineitsnature?Theanswerthatcomesnaturallytothelipsis,The Mind,bywhichIknowthetruthofwhatyouhavejustsaid.But,stopamoment,youhave said,speakingofthemind,bywhichIknowhaveyounot,insayingthis,acknowledgedthe mindtobeasomethingthroughwhichtheIacts?ThinkamomentisthemindYOU?You areawarethatyourmentalstateschangeyouremotionsvaryyourfeelingsdifferfromtime totimeyourveryideasandthoughtsareinconsistentandaresubjecttooutsideinfluences,or elsearemoldedandgovernedbythatwhichyoucallI,oryourRealSelf.Thentheremustbe somethingbehindMentalStates,Ideas,Feelings,Thoughts,etc.,whichissuperiortothemand whichknowsthemjustasoneknowsathingapartfromitselfbutwhichituses.YousayI feel;Ithink;Ibelieve;Iknow;Iwill;etc.,etc.NowwhichistheRealSelf?TheMental StatesjustmentionedortheIwhichisthesubjectorRealCauseofthementalphenomena? ItisnottheMindthatknows,buttheIwhichusestheMindinordertoknow.Thismayseem
alittleabstrusetoyouifyouhaveneverbeenmadeastudyofthesubject,butthinkitovera littleandtheideawillclearlydefineitselfinyourmind. Wearenottellingyouthesethingsmerelytogiveyouanideaofmetaphysics,philosophy,or psychologytherearemanybooksthatgointothesemattersatlengthandindetailsoitis notforthatreason.TherealreasonisthatwitharealizationoftheIorRealSelf,comesa senseofPowerthatwillmanifestthroughyouandmakeyoustrong.Theawakeningtoa realizationoftheI,initsclearnessandvividness,willcauseyoutofeelasenseofBeingand Powerthatyouhaveneverbeforeknown.BeforeyoucanexpressIndividuality,youmust realizethatyouareanIndividual.AndyoumustbeawareofthisIwithinyoubeforeyoucan realizethatyouareanIndividual. TheMesideofyouiswhatiscalledPersonality,totheouterappearanceofyourself.Your Personalityismadeupofcountlesscharacteristics,traits,habits,thoughts,expressionsand motionsitisabunchofpeculiaritiesandpersonaltraitsthatyouhavebeenthinkingwasthe realIallthistime.Butitisnot.DoyouknowwhattheideaofPersonalityarosefrom?Letus tellyou.Turntothepagesofanygooddictionary,andyouwillseethatthewordoriginated fromtheLatinwordPersona,meaningamaskusedbyactorsinancienttimes,andwhich thewordinturnwasderivedfromtwootherwords,sonare,meaningtosound,andper, meaningthrough,thetwowordscombinedmeaningtosoundthroughtheideabeing thatthevoiceoftheactorsoundedthroughthemaskoftheassumedpersonalityorcharacter. WebstergivesthefollowingasoneofthemeaningsofPerson,eventothisday:Acharacter orpart,asinaplay;anassumedcharacter.Sothen,Personalitymeansthepartyouareplaying intheGreatPlayofLife,ontheStageoftheUniverse.TherealIndividualconcealedbehindthe maskofPersonalityisYOUtheRealSelftheIthatpartofyouwhichyouareconscious whenyousayIAM,whichisyourassertionofexistenceandlatentpower.Individualmeans somethingthatcannotbedividedorsubtractedfromsomethingthatcannotbeinjuredor hurtbyoutsideforcessomethingREAL.AndyouareanIndividualaRealSelfanI SomethingendowedwithLife,Mind,andPower,touse,asyouwill. ApoetnamedOrrwrote: LordofathousandworldsamI, AndIreignsincetimebegan; Andnightandday,incyclicsway, ShallpasswhiletheirdeedsIscan. YettimeshallceaseereIfindrelease, ForIAMthesoulofMan
Spiritedness
Tomanyofyou,thetitleofthislessonSpiritednessmayseemtohavesomeconnection withspirits,disembodiedentities,orelsethesoulorsomehigherpartofit,towhichthe nameSpiritisoftenapplied.But,inthiscase,weusethewordinadifferentsense,andyetina senseapprovedbymanyadvancedteachersandinvestigatorsoftheoccultandspiritual.Oneof themeaningsofthewordspiritasgivenbyWebsterisasfollows:Energy,vivacity,ardor, enthusiasm,courage,etc.,whilethesameauthoritydefinesthewordspiritedas: Animated;fulloflifeandvigor,lively,etc.Thesedefinitionswillgiveyouahintofthesensein whichwearenowusingtheterm,butthereisstillmoretoit. TousthewordSpiritexpressestheideaoftherealessentialnatureoftheUniversalPower,and whichisalsomanifestedinmanasthecenterofhisbeinghisessentialstrengthandpower, fromwhenceproceedsallthatrendershimanIndividual.Spiritednessdoesnotmeanthe qualityofbeingethereal,goodygoody,spiritual,otherworldly,oranythingofthatsort.It meansthestateofbeinganimated,meaning,possessedoflifeandvigorsothatthestate isreallythatofbeingfilledwithPowerandLife.AndthatPowerandLifecomesfromthevery centerofonesbeingtheIAMregionorplaneofmindandconsciousness. Spiritednessismanifestedindifferentdegreesamongdifferentmenandevenamongthe animals.Itisanelementary,fundamental,primitivequalityandexpressionofLife,anddoesnot dependuponculture,refinementoreducationitsdevelopmentseemstodependuponsuch instinctiveorintuitionalrecognitionoftheSomethingWithinthePoweroftheIndividual whichisderivedfromthatUniversalPowerofwhichweareallexpressions.Andevensomeof theanimalsseemtopossessit. ArecentwriterontheTamingofAnimalsexpressesinstinctiverealizationofSpiritedness amongsomeofthehigheranimalsasfollows:Puttwomalebaboonsinthesamecage,and theywillopentheirmouths,showalltheirteeth,andblowateachother.Butoneofthem, eventhoughhemaypossesstheuglierdentition,willblowwithadifference,withaninward shakinessthatmarkshimastheunderdogatonce.Notestofbattleisneededatall.Itisthe samewiththebigcats.Puttwo,orfour,oradozenlionstogether,andtheyalso,probably withoutasinglecontest,willsoondiscoverwhichoneofthempossessesthemettleofthe master.Thereafterhetakesthechoiceofthemeat;ifhechooses,therestshallnotevenbegin toeatuntilhehasfinished;hegoesfirsttothefreshpanofwater.Inshortheiskingofthe cage.Now,then,whenatamergoesintoadenwithabigcatthathastakenanotiontoact funny,hisattitudeisalmostexactlythatofthekingbeastabovementionedwouldbetoward asubjectrashandilladvisedenoughtochallengehiskingship.
Youwillnoticeintheabovequotation,thatthewriterstatesclearlythatitisnotalwaysthe baboonwiththefiercesttusksthatisthemaster,neitherdoesthekinglionnecessarilyassert hisdominionbywinningaphysicalfightitissomethingfarmoresubtlethanthephysicalit isthemanifestationofsomesoulqualityoftheanimal.Andsoitiswithmen,itisnotalways thebiggestandstrongestphysicallywhoruletherulerbecomessobyreasonofthe mysterioussoulqualitywhichwecallSpiritedness,andwhichmenoftencallnerve,or mettle,orsand.Whentwoindividualscomeintocontactwitheachotherthereismental struggletheremaynotbeevenawordutteredandyetsoulgrappleswithsoulasthetwo pairsofeyesgazeintoeachother,andasubtlesomethingineachengagesandgrappleswitha subtlesomethingintheother.Itmaybealloverinamoment,buttheconflictissettledforthe time,andeachofthementalcombatantsknowsthatheisvictorordefeated,asthecasemay be.Theremaybenofeelingofantagonismbetweenthepartiesengaging,butnevertheless thereseemstobeaninwardrecognitiononbothsidesthatthereissomethingbetweenthem alwaysleads.Andthisleadershipdoesnotdependuponphysicalstrength,intellectual attainment,orcultureintheordinarysense,butuponthemanifestationandrecognitionofthat subtlequalitythatwehavecalledSpirit. Peopleunconsciouslyasserttheirrecognitionofqualityinthemselvesandothers,bytheiruse oftheterm.Weoftenhearofpeoplelackingspirit;beingspiritless;andofothershaving hadtheirspiritbroken;etc.Thetermisusedinthesenseofmettle.Amettledhorseor manishighspirited,accordingtothedictionaries;andthesameauthoritiesdefine mettlesomeasfullofspirit,soyouseethetermisusedaswehaveemployeditbutthe explanationofthesourceofthespiritednessisnotgiven.Breedersofthoroughbredracing horseswilltellyouthatahorsehavingspiritwillrunagamerraceandwilloftenoutdistance andoutwindahorsehavinghigherphysicalcharacteristics,butlessspiritorclass. Horsemeninsistthatthepossessionofspiritinahorseisrecognizedbytheotherhorses,who areeffectedbyitandbecomediscouragedandallowthemselvestobebeaten,althoughoften theymaybebetterracingmachines,physically.Thisspiritisafundamentalvitalstrength possessedbyalllivingthingsindegreesanditmaybedevelopedandstrengthenedinones self.Inournextlessonweshallreciteafewinstancesofitsmanifestationamongmen. OliverWendellHolmes,inoneofhisbooks,givesthefollowingvividdescriptionoftheconflict ofspiritednessbetweentwomen:TheKohinoorsfaceturnedsowhitewithragethathis blueblackmustacheandbeardlookedfearfulagainstit.Hegrinnedwithwrath,andcaughtata tumbler,asifhewouldhavethrownitscontentsatthespeaker.TheyoungMarylanderfixed hisclear,steadyeyeuponhim,andlaidhishandonhisarm,carelesslyalmost,buttheJewel feltthathecouldnotmoveit.Itwasnouse.Theyouthwashismaster,andinadeadlyIndian huginwhichmenwrestlewiththeireyes,overinfiveseconds,butwhichbreaksoneoftheir twobacks,andisgoodforthreescoreyearsandten,onetrialenoughsettlesthewhole matterjustaswhentwofeatheredsongstersofthebarnyard,gameanddunghill,come together.Afterajumportwoateachother,andafewsharpkicks,thereisanendtoit;anditis
Afteryou,monsieur,withthebeatenpartyinallthesocialrelationsforalltherestofhis days. Fothergillsays:EmilyBrontesketchedoutheridealofabeingpossessedofimmense willpowerinathoroughruffianHeathcliff.Amassive,muscularbrute!Well,itwasagirls conceptionofastrongman;butIthinkIhaveseensomequiet,inoffensivelookingmenin spectacles,whocouldverysoonhaveshowntheruffianwherethesuperioritylay. AcelebratedhistoricalexampleofSpiritedness,underapparentlyoverwhelmingodds,isthatof theinterviewbetweenHugo,BishopofLincolnandRichardCoeurdeLion,inthechurchof RochedAndeli.InhisdesiretoprosecutethewarinNormandy,Richarddemandedadditional suppliesandmoneyfromhisbaronsandbishops,butHugorefusedtofurnishmenormoney. HeclaimedthatalthoughtheSeeofLincolnwaslegallyboundtosupplymenandmoneyfor militaryservicewithinthefourseasofBritain,thewarinNormandydidnotcomeunderthat head,andhedefiedtheking.KingRichard,calledtheLionHearted,wasadangerousmanto defy,andsowhenhesummonedBishopHugotoNormandy,andthelatterwentforthtobeard thelioninhisden,fewdoubtedtheoutcome,andthebishopsdownfallwastakenasamatter ofcourse.WhenthebishoplandedinNormandytwofriendlybaronswhoinformedhimthat thekingwasinaterriblerageagainsthim,andwhoadvisedhimtosendsomehumble, conciliatorymessagetohimbeforeenteringtheroyalpresence.Butthebishoprefusedtodo this,andproceededboldlytomeethismonarch.RichardwassittingatMasswhenthebishop entered.Hugowalkeduptohim,anddisregardinghisfrown,said,Kissme,mylordKing! Richardturnedwrathfullyaway,withholdinghissalute.ButHugo,gazingintohiseyes,and shakingtheroyalshouldervigorously,repeatedhisdemand.Thouhastnotdeservedit, roaredthekinginangerandchagrin.Ihave,retortedHugo,shakingtheroyalshoulderthe harder.Thekinggraduallydroppedhiseyesfromthoseofthebishop,andgavethekingly saluteandkiss,andthebishoppassedoncalmlytotakepartintheservice.Hugoafterward defiedthekinginhiscouncilchamber,andpersistedinhisrefusal,andevenventuredtorebuke hisroyalmasterforinfidelitytothequeen.Thecouncilwasastounded,forknowingRichards courageandfierytempertheyexpectedtoseeHugocrushinamomentbutinsteadhe emergedthevictorinthestruggleofSpiritedness.Thehistoriansays:TheLionwastamedfor themoment.TheKingacknowledgednothing,butrestrainedhispassion,remarkingafterward, IfallbishopswerelikemylordofLincoln,notaprinceamonguscouldlifthisheadamong them. AndthiswasnotthefirsttimethatthisdoughtyBishopofLincolnhadvanquishedaking.Inhis earlierdays,shortlyafterKingHenryPlantagenethadcreatedhimbishop,hebecameinvolved inafiercedisputewiththatmonarch.HenrywasatWoodstockParksurroundedbyhis courtierswhenHugoapproached.Thekingfeignednottoseethebishop,takingnonotice whatsoeverofhim.Afterafewmomentsofstrainedsilence,thebishop,pushingasidea powerfulearlwhowasseatedbythekingsside,tookhisplacebesidetheking.Theking
pretendedtobemendinghisleatherglove.Thebishopcheerfullyandlightlysaid:Your MajestyremindsmeofyourcousinatFalaise.FalaisewastheplaceatwhichHenrysancestor DukeRobertmetArlotta,thedaughterofatannerofleather,whoborehimhisillegitimateson whowasafterwardknownasWilliamtheConqueror.TheBishopsimpudentallusiontothe kingsancestrywastoomuchforthelatter,andhewasbadlyworstedintheencounterand lateraccededtothewishesofthebishop. ButasFothergilltrulysays:ItisagreatmistaketosupposethatthisWillisdisposedtoairitself onalloccasions;farfromit.Itoftenhasatendencytoconcealitself,andisnotrarelyfound underandexteriorofmuchpleasantness.Therearemen,andwomen,too,whopresentan appearanceofsuchpolitenessthattheyseemtohavenowilloftheirown;theyapparently existmerelytodowhatisagreeabletoothers;butjustwaittillthetimecomes,andthenthe latentwillpowerisrevealed,andwefindunderthisvelvetglovetheironhandandno mistakeaboutit.Itisthesecretofthediplomatist.Talleyrandpossessedittoaremarkable degree,andwasacool,bold,successfuldiplomat;Cavouralsopossessedthispowerandusedit wisely.Theblustererandbraggeraredevoidofit.Itisasubtle,tenuousPower,restinglatent beneaththesurfaceandoutofevidencebutwhenneededitflashesforthlikethedynamic electricspark,drivingallbeforeit.Itisanelementalforce,ofirresistiblepower.
11
LatentPowers
Themajorityofyouknowbyactualexperienceineverydaylifethatwehavewithinourphysical organismthatwhichwecallsecondwind.Wehaveessayedsomephysicaltask,andaftera bitfoundourselveswinded,thatisshortofbreath,andwearetemptedtostopandrestour pantingbodies.But,wehavealsofoundbyexperiencethatifwewillsticktothetaskathand thefeelingofphysicaldistresswillusuallypassaway,andwewillgainwhatiscalledour secondwind.Nowjustwhatthissecondwindis,isamatterthathaslongperplexed physiologists,andeventodaytheyhavenotbeenabletohandusdownaverygoodguessat theunderlyingcauseofthephenomenon.Itseemstobeafreshstartacquiredbyreasonofthe openingupofreservestoresofvitalenergylatentphysicalpowerstoredawayforsuch emergencies.Allpersonswhohaveengagedinathleticsportsknowverywellthedetailsofthis peculiarphysiologicalphenomenonitsactualityistoofirmlyestablishedtoadmitanydoubt. And,asisoftenthecase,examinationshowsacuriousparallelbetweentheworkingofNature onthementalplaneandonthephysical.Justasthereisaphysicalsecondwind,soistherea mentalreserveforceorlatentenergyuponwhichwecandrawandthusgetafreshstart.The phenomenaattendantuponphysicalsecondwind,asnotedabove,isalmostexactly duplicatedbycertainmentalphenomena.Wemaybejadedwhileperformingsometediousbit ofmentalwork,andwebegintofeelthatweareallin,whenlo!Somenewinandawaywe areoffwithafullmentalsecondwinddoingourworkwithafreshness,vigorandenthusiasm farsurpassingtheoriginaleffort.Wehavetappedintoafreshsourceorsupplyofmental energy. Themajorityofushavelittleornoconceptionofthereservementalenergiesandforces containedwithinourbeing.Wejogalongatourcustomarygait,thinkingthatwearedoingour bestandgettingalloutoflifethatthereisinitthinkweareexpressingourselvestoour utmostcapacity.Butwearelivingonlyinthefirstwindmentalstate,andbehindourworking mentalityarestoresofwonderfulmentalenergyandpowerfacultieslyingdormantpower lyinglatentawaitingthemagiccommandoftheWillinordertoawakenintoactivityand outwardexpression.Wearefargreaterbeingsthanwehaverealizedwearegiantsofpower, ifwedidbutknowit.Manyofusarelikeyoungelephantsthatallowthemselvestobe masteredbyweakmen,andputthroughtheirpaces,littledreamingofthemightystrengthand powerconcealedwithintheirorganisms.Thoseofyouwhohavereadourlittlemanualentitled TheInnerConsciousnesswillrecallwhatwesaidthereinregardingtheregionsaboveand belowtheplaneoftheordinaryouterconsciousness.Andonthosehiddenplanesofthemind, areuntoldpossibilitiestherawmaterialsformightymentaltasksandachievementthe storagebatteriesofwonderfulaccomplishment.Thetroublewithusisthatwedonotrealize theexistenceofthesefaculties.Wethinkthatwearemerelywhatwemanifestinourordinary
dogtrotgait.Anotherproblemisthatwehavenothadtheincentivetotakeactionwehave lackedtheinteresttodogreatthingswehaventwantedtohardenough.Thiswanttohard enoughisthegreatincitingpowerinlife.DesireisthefirewhichrousesupthesteamofWill. WithoutIncentiveandthatmeansDesireweaccomplishnothing.Giventhegreat,earnest, burningardentDesireasananimatingforcethegreatincentivetotakeaction,andweare abletogetupthismentalsecondwindyes,third,fourth,andfifthwindstappingone planeofinwardpowerafteranother,untilweworkmentalmiracles. Wewonderattheachievementsofthegreatmeninallwalksoflife,andweareapttoexcuse ourselvesbythesadremarkthatthesepeopleseemtohaveitinthem,whilewehavenot. Nonsense,weallhaveitinustodothingsahundredtimesgreaterthanwearedoing.The troubleisnotingreaterthanwearedoing.Thetroubleisnotinthelackofpowerandmental material,butintheDesireandInterest,andIncentivetoarouseintoactivitythosewonderful storehousesofdynamicpowerwithinourmentalitywefailtocallintoourdisposal,andwhich islikeallothernaturalpowersandforceseagerandanxioustobemanifestedandexpressed. Yes,thatswhatwesaidanxiousandeager,forallnaturalforces,pennedupandinastatic conditionseemtobeburstingwithdesiretomanifestandexpressintoouterdynamicactivity. Thisseemstobealawoflifeandnature.Natureandallinitseemstobeeagerforactive expression.Haveyounotbeensurprisedatyourselvesattimes,whenundersomeslightly higherpressureandincentiveSomethingWithinyouseemedtobreakitsboundsandfairly carryyouoffofyourfeetinitsrushintoactivework?Haveyounotaccomplishedtasksunder thestressofasuddenurgentneed,thatyouwouldhavedeemedimpossibleincoldblood. Haveyounotcarriedallbeforeyouwhenyouwarmeduptothetask,whereasyourordinary selfwouldhavestoodarounddoingnothingunderordinarycircumstances. EarnestnessandEnthusiasmaretwogreatfactorsinbringingintooperationtheselatentforces, anddormantpowersofthementality.Butoneneednotstandbyandwaituntilyouwork yourselfintoafitoffervorbeforetheenergiesspringintoaction.Youcanbyacarefultraining oftheWillorrather,byacarefullytrainingofyourselfuseyouWillmanagetogetholdof thementalthrottle,sothatyoumaypullitdownandturnonafullheadofsteamwhenever necessary.Andwhenyouhaveoncemasteredthis,youwillfindthatyouarenotanymoretired whenrunningunderfullpressure,thanwhenyouarecrawlingalongthisbeingoneofthe SecretsofSuccess. Tomanyaperson,thetermTheWill,meansmerelyafirm,steadfastnessofmind,akinto DeterminationandFixityofPurpose.ToothersitmeanssomethinglikeDesire.Toothers,it meansthepowerofchoice,etc.Buttooccultists,theWillissomethingfarmorethanthese thingsitmeansaVitalPoweranActingForceoftheMindcapableofdominatingand rulingtheothermentalfacultiesaswellasprojectingitselfbeyondthementalorgansofthe individualandaffectingotherscomingwithinitsfieldofinfluence.Anditisinthissensethatwe usethewordWillinthislesson.
Wehavenodesiretotakethereaderintothedimrealmsofmetaphysics,orevenintothe lighterbutstillarduouspathsofscientificpsychology,butwemustacquainthimwiththefact oftheexistenceofthisthingthatwecallWillPower,anditsrelationtotheI.Ofallthemental facultiesorpowers,thatoftheWillistheclosesttotheIorEgooftheperson.ItistheSword ofPowerclaspedinthehandoftheEgo.Onemaydivorcehimselfinthoughtfromtheother mentalfacultiesandstates,butwhenhethinksoftheIheisboundtothinkofitas possessingthatpowerwhichwecallWill.TheWillisaprimal,originalpoweroftheIwhichis alwayswithituntiltheend.Itistheforcewithwhichherules(orshouldrule)hismentaland physicalkingdomthepowerofwhichhisIndividualitymanifestsitselfupontheoutsideworld. DesireisthegreatmotivepowerincitingtheWilltoactioninlife.Aswehaveshownyouthe actionofWillwithoutthemotivepowerofDesireisunthinkable,andthereforeitfollowsthat thecultureandrightdirectionofDesirecarrieswithitthechannelofexpressionand manifestationoftheWill.YoucultivatecertainDesires,inorderthattheWillmayflowout alongthesechannels.BycultivatingtheDesirealongcertainlines,youaremakingchannels alongwhichtheWillmayflowinitsrushtowardexpressionandmanifestation.Sobesureto mapoutyourDesirechannelsclearlybymakingtheproperMentalImagesofwhatyouwant besureandmaketheDesirechannelsdeepandclearcutbytheforceofrepeatedattention andautosuggestion. HistoryisfilledwithexamplesofmenwhohavedevelopedtheuseoftheWill.Wesay developedtheuseratherthandevelopedWill,formandoesnotdevelophisWillhisWill isalwaystherereadyforuseamandevelopshisabilitytousetheWillperfectshimselfinits use.Wehavefrequentlyusedthefollowingillustration,andhavenotbeenabletoimprove uponit:Manislikeatrolleycar,withtheupraisedtrolleypoleofhismindreachingouttothe livewireofWill.AlongthatwireisflowingthecurrentofWillPower,whichittapsanddraws downintohismind,andbywhichheisabletomove,andactandmanifestpower.Butthe powerisalwaysintheWire,andhisdevelopingconsistsintheabilitytoraisethepoletothe Wire,andthustapintoitsenergy.Ifyouwillcarrythisideainyourmind,youwillbeableto applythistruthmoreeasilyinyoureverydaylife. Agreatpromoterofthesteelpen,andelectroplatingindustries,possessesthisqualitytoa markeddegree.Ithasbeensaidofhimthat:Hehad,tobeginwith,astrong,powerful,almost irresistibleWill;andwhoeverandwhateverheopposed,hesurelyconqueredintheend. Buxtonsaid:ThelongerIlive,themorecertainIamthatthegreatdifferencebetweenmen, betweenthefeebleandthepowerful,thegreatandtheinsignificant,isEnergyInvincible Determinationapurposeoncefixed,andtheVictoryorDeath.Thatqualitywilldoanything thatcanbedoneinthisworldandnotalents,nocircumstances,noopportunities,willmakea twoleggedcreatureamanwithoutit.Inthislastquotationandtheoneprecedingit,theidea ofPersistenceandDeterminationisidentifiedcloselywiththatofWill.Andtheyareclosely identified,theideabeingthattheWillshouldbeheldclose,fast,andsteadilyagainstthetask
tobeaccomplished,justasthesteelchiselisheldfirmlyupagainsttheobjectonthelathe,until itsworkisaccomplished.ItisnotthemereDeterminationorPersistencythatdoesthework thesewouldbeofnoavailunlesstheWillweretheretodothecuttingandshaping.Butthen again,thereisadoubleaspectofWillheretheWillinonephasedoesthework,whilein anotheritforcesthemindtoholditupagainstthetask.So,inasensetheWillisthepower backofDeterminationandpersistency,aswellastheforcedoingtheworkthecuttingedge ofthechisel,aswellasthefirmhandthatholdsittoitswork. Simpsonhassaid:ApassionateDesire,andanunweariedWillcanperformimpossibilities,or whatwouldseemtobesuch,tothecoldandfeeble.Disraelisaid:Ihavebroughtmyselfby longmeditationtotheconvictionthatahumanbeingwithasettledpurposemustaccomplish it,andthatnothingcanresistaWillwhichwillstakeevenexistenceuponitsfulfillment.Foster says:Itiswonderfulhoweventhecasualtiesoflifeseemtobowtoaspiritthatwillnotbowto them,andyieldtosubserveadesignwhichtheymay,intheirfirstapparenttendency,threaten tofrustrate.Whenafirm,decisivespiritisrecognized,itiscurioustoseehowthespaceclears aroundamanandleaveshimroomandfreedom.Mitchellhassaid:Resolveiswhatmakesa manmanifest;notpunyresolve;notcrudedetermination;noterrantpurposebutthatstrong andindefatigableWillwhichtreadsdowndifficultiesanddanger,asaboytreadsdownthe heavingfrostlandsofwinter,whichkindleshiseyeandbrainwithaproudpulsebeattoward theunattainable.Willmakesmengiants. So,raisethatmentaltrolleypole,andtouchthelivewireofWill.
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SoulForce
YouoftenhaveheardthewordEnthusiasmusedhaveuseditoftenyourself.Buthaveyou everthoughtofwhatthewordreallymeansfromwhatsourceitoriginatedwhatisits essentialspirit?Fewhave.ThewordEnthusiasmisderivedfromtheGreektermmeaningto beinspired;tobepossessedbythegods,etc.,thetermhavingbeenoriginallyusedto designatethementalstateofaninspiredpersonwhoseemstobeundertheinfluenceofa higherpower.Thetermoriginallymeant,Inspiredbyasuperhumanordivinepower;ecstasy; etc.Itisnowused,accordingtoWebster,inthesenseof:Enkindledandkindlingfervorof soul;ardentandimaginativezealorinterest;livelymanifestationofjoyorzeal;etc.Theword hasacquiredasecondary,andunfavorablemeaninginthesenseofvisionaryzeal;imaginative fervor;etc.;butitsrealandprimarymeaningisthatardent,livelyzealandinterestinainner forcesofonesnature.Realenthusiasmmeansapowerfulmentalstateexertedinfavorof,or against,someidea. ApersonfilledwithEnthusiasmseemsindeedtobeinspiredbysomepowerorbeinghigher thanhimselfhetapsontoasourceofpowerofwhichheisnotordinarilyconscious.Andthe resultisthathebecomesasagreatmagnetradiatingattractiveforceinalldirectionsand influencingthosewithinhisfieldofinfluence.ForEnthusiasmiscontagiousandwhenreally experiencedbytheindividualrendershimasourceofinductivepower,andacenterofmental influence.Butthepowerwithwhichheisfilleddoesnotcomefromanoutsidesourceit comesfromcertaininnerregionsofhismindorsoulfromhisInnerConsciousness.Thosewho havereadourlittlemanualentitledInnerConsciousnesswillreadilyunderstandfromwhat partofthementalitysuchpowerisderived.Enthusiasmisreallysoulpower,andwhen genuineissorecognizedandfeltbythosecomingwithinitsfieldofinfluence. WithoutacertainamountofEnthusiasmnooneeverhasattainedSuccess,andneverwilldo so.ThereisnopowerinpersonalintercoursethatcanbecomparedtoEnthusiasmoftheright sort.ItcomprisesEarnestness,Concentration,andPower,andthereareaveryfewpeoplethat cannotbeinfluencedinsomedegreebyitsmanifestationbyanother.Fewpeoplerealizethe actualvalueofEnthusiasm.Manyhavesucceededbyreasonofitspossession,andmanyhave failedbyreasonofitslack.Enthusiasmisthesteamthatdrivesourmentalmachinery,and whichindirectlythusaccomplishesthegreatthingsinlife.Youcannotaccomplishtasks properlyyourselfunlessyoumanifestadegreeofinterestinthem,andwhatisEnthusiasmbut InterestplusInspirationInspiredInterest,thatswhatEnthusiasmis.Bythepowerof Enthusiasmthegreatthingsoflifearebroughttoexpressionandaccomplishment. Enthusiasmisnotathing,whichsomepossessandotherslack.Allpersonshaveitpotentially, butonlyafewareabletoexpressit.Themajorityisafraidtoletthemselvesfeelathing,and
thentoletthefeelingexpressitselfinpowerfulactionlikethesteaminanengine.The majorityofpersonsdonotknowhowtogetupthesteamofEnthusiasm.Theyfailtokeepthe firesofInterestandDesirekindledundertheirmentalboiler,andtheconsequenceistheyfail togetupthesteamofEnthusiasm.Enthusiasmmaybedeveloped,bycultivatinginterestand loveofyourtask.Interest,confidence,anddesirearouseEnthusiasm,anditremainsforyouto eitherconcentrateitsothatitseffectwillbedirectedstraittowardtheobject,personorthing thatyouwishtomove,orelseallowittodissipateitselfintheairwithoutresult.Likesteam, Enthusiasmmaybedissipatedorusedbyconcentrateddirectionitproducesresults;andby foolishwasteanddissipationitfailstodoso.Themoreinterestyoutakeinathing,thegreater doesyourconfidenceanddesiregrowandfromthesearisethesteamofEnthusiasm.So rememberalwaysthatInterestisthemotherofEnthusiasm. Theenthusiasticmannaturallytendstowardtheoptimisticframeofmind,andbydoingsohe diffusesanatmosphereofconfident,cheerfulexpectationaroundhimwhichtendstoinspire confidenceinothers,andwhichaidshiminhisendeavors.Hesurroundshimselfwithamental auraofSuccesshevibratesSuccessandthoseintowhosepresencehecomes,unconsciously takeonhisvibrations.Enthusiasmisverycontagious,andonefilledwiththerightquality,kind anddegreeofitunconsciouslycommunicateshisinterest,earnestnessandexpectationsto others.EnthusiasmplaysanimportantpartinthatwhichiscalledPersonalMagnetism.Itisa live,warm,vitalmentalquality,anditquickensthepulseoftheoneusingit,andthosewhoare affectedbyit.Itisdifferentfromthecoldbloodedindifferencethatonemeetswithsooftenin business,andwhichcausesmanyasaletobelost,andmanyagoodthingtobeturneddown. ThemanwholacksEnthusiasmisrobbedofmorethanhalfhisforceofPersonalInfluence.No matterhowgoodhisargumentsmaybenomatterhowmeritorioushispropositionmaybe unlesshepossessthewarmvitalqualityofEnthusiasm,hiseffortsarelargelywasted,andhis resultimpaired.Thinkoverthesalesmanwhohaveapproachedyouandrememberhowsome ofthemproducedthechillingeffectofadampcellaruponyou,whileotherscausedyoutosit upandtakenoticeinspiteofyourselfbyreasonoftheirearnestinterestandenthusiasm. Analyzetheimpressionproduceduponyoubythedifferentpeoplewithwhomyouhavecome incontact,andthenseehowgreataninfluenceEnthusiasmexerts.Andthenrememberthe effectitproducesuponyourself,whenyoufeelit.EnthusiasmisMentalSteamremember that. Afewdaysagotherewaserectedatablet,inoneofthegreatcollegesoftheland,asa memorialtoaformerstudentinitshalls.Thisyoungmansavedthelivesofseventeenpeople duringagreatstormonthelake.Heswamoutafterthem,onebyone,andbroughtthemallin alive.Hefaintedawayfromexhaustion,andwhenherecoveredconsciousness,hisfirstwords were,Boys,didIdomyBest?
17
Thewordsofthisyoungmanexpressthegreatquestionthatshouldurgeeverytrueseeker afterSuccesstosoliveandactthathemaybeabletoansweritintheaffirmative.Itisnotso muchaquestionofdidIdosomuch,ordidIdoasmuchassomeoneelse?asitismatter ofDIDIDOMYBEST? Themanwhodoeshisbestisneverafailure.Heisalwaysasuccess,andifthebestshouldbe butapoorprettything,stilltheworldwillplacethelaurelwreathofvictoryuponhisbrow whenheaccomplishesit.Theonewhodoeshisbestisneveraquitter,orashirkerhe staysrightonhisjobuntilhehasbestoweduponittheverybestthatthereisinhimtogiveat thatparticulartime.Suchamancanneverbeafailure. Themanwhodoeshisbestisneverheardaskingthepessimisticquestion,WhatstheUse? Hedoesntcareawholelotaboutthatpartofithismindisfixedupontheideathatheison hisjob,andisnotgoingtobesatisfiedwithanythinglessthanhisBest.Andwhenonereallyis abletoanswerthegreatquestionwithanhonest,Yes,IdidmyBest,thenverily,hewillbe abletoanswertheWhatstheUsequestionproperlyitisofusetohavebroughtoutthe Bestworkinoneself,iffornootherreasonthanbecauseitisaManMakingprocessa developeroftheSelf. ThisinfernalWhatstheUsequestionseemstohavebeeninventedbysomepessimisticimp ofdarknesstouseindiscouragingpeoplemakingdesperatestrugglesorleadingforlornhopes. IthasbroughtdownmanyamanintotheMireofDespondencyandFailure.Chaseitoutofyou mindwheneveritappears,andreplaceitwiththequestion,AmIdoingmyBest,knowing thatanaffirmativeanswersettlestheotherquestionalso.AnythingisOfUseifitisinthe rightspirit,inaworthycause,andbecauseonesownmanhooddemandsit.Yes,evenifone goesdowntodeathinthedoingofitstillitisaSuccess.Listentothisstory,toldinarecent magazinearticle:ItisastoryofasailoronthewreckofaGermankerosenesteamer,which dashedagainsttherocksoftheNewfoundlandcoastintheearlypartof1901.Shehadtaken fire,andhadbeenrunashoreonasubmergedreefaboutaneighthofamilefromthecoast. Thecoastlineitselfwasawall,somefourhundredfeethigh.Whenmorningdawned,the fishermanonshoresawthatherboatswereallgone,andallthecrewandofficershad apparentlybeenlostallexceptthreemen.Twoofthesethreemenwerestandingonthe bridgethethirdwasaloft,lashedtotherigging.Later,thewatcherssawatremendouswave strikethevessel,sweepingawaythebridgeandthetwomenwhohadbeenstandingonit. Severalhourslatertheysawthemanintheriggingunlashhimandbeathisarmsagainsthis bodyvigorously,evidentlytorestorethecirculation,whichhadbeenalmoststoppedbythe lashingandtheextremecold.Themanthentookoffhiscoat,wavedittothefishermenontop ofthecliffandthenplungedintothesea.Thefirstthoughtwasthathehadgivenupthefight andcommittedsuicidebutheasnotthatkindofaman.Hestruckoutforshore,andreaching itmadethreeseparateattemptstosecureafootholdontherocksatthebottomofthecliff. But,hefailedthreetimeswashesweptawaybythesurf,andfinally,seeingthefutilityofhis
efforts,heswamawayagain,towardtheship.Asthenarratorwellsays:Atthatcrisisinthe struggleninetyninemenoutofahundredwouldhavegivenandallowedthemselvestodrown; butthismanwasnotaquitter. Afterafiercebattlewiththewavesthemangainedtheship,andafteradesperatestruggle managedtoboardher.Heclimbedagainintotheriggingandwavedhishandtothefishermen highuponthecliff,whowereunabletohelphim.Helashedhimselffast,anduntildarkcould beseensignalingthefishermenabove,toshowthemthathewasstillaliveandgame.When thefollowingmorningbrokethefishermensawthathisheadhadfallentohisbreasthewas motionlessfrozenduringthenight.Hewasdeadhisbravesoulhadgoneforthtomeetits maker,andwhocandoubtthatwhenthatmanconfrontedhisMakerhiseyeswerelooking firmlyandbravelytowardthePresence,andnotboweddowninshameorfear.Suchamanwas indeedworthytofacehisMaker,unabashedandunashamed.Asthewriter,GeorgeKennan, hassaidinwordsthatmakeonethrill:Thatmandiedasamaninadversecircumstancesought todie,fightingtothelast.Youmaycallitfoolish,andsaythathemightbetterhaveendedhis sufferingsbyallowinghimselftodrownwhenhefoundthathecouldnotmakealandingatthe baseofthecliff;butdeepdowninyourheartsyoupaysecrethomagetohiscourage,his endurance,andhisindomitablewill.Hewasdefeatedatlast,butsolongashehad consciousnessneitherfirenorcoldnottempestcouldbreakdownhismanhood. TheCaucasianshaveafavoriteproverbthatsays:Heroismisenduranceforonemoment more.Andthatonemomentmoretellsthedifferencebetweenthequitterandthemanwho hasdonehisBest.Nooneisdeaduntilhishearthasceasedbeatingandnoonehasfailed solongasthereisonemorebitoffightinhim.Andthatonemomentmoreoftenisthe momentinwhichthetideturnsthemomentwhentheenemyrelaxeshisholdanddropsback beaten.
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ThePowerofDesire
WhatisDesire?Letussee!Webstertellsusthatitis:Thenaturallongingtopossessany seeminggood;eagerwishtoobtainorenjoy,orinitsabnormalordegeneratesense: excessiveormorbidlonging;lust;appetite.Desireisamuchabusedtermthepublicmind haslargelyidentifieditwithitsabnormalordegeneratephase,justmentioned,ignoringits originalandtruesense.Manyusethewordinthesenseofanunworthylongingorcraving, insteadofinthetruesenseofaspiration,worthycravingandlonging,etc.TocallDesire aspirationrendersitnonethelessDesire.Toapplytoitthetermlaudableaimand ambitiondoesnottakeawayfromitischaracterofDesire.Thereisnosenseinendeavoringto escapethefactthatDesireisthenaturalanduniversalimpulsetowardaction,betheactionor goodorbad.WithoutDesiretheWilldoesnotspringintoaction,andnothingisaccomplished. EventhehighestattainmentsandaimsoftheracearepossibleonlywhenthesteamofWillis arousedbytheflameandheatofDesire. Someoftheoccultteachingsarefilledwithinstructionstokilloutdesire,andthestudentis warnedtobewareofiteveninitsmostinsidiousandsubtleforms,eventotheextentof avoidingeventhedesiretobedesirelessevendesirenottodesire.Nowthisisallnonsense, forifonewishes,orwants,orisinclined,orthinksbestto,orispleasedtoKillOut DesireinanyofthesecasesheisbutmanifestingaDesirenottodesire,inspiteofhisuseof othernames.Whatisthiswishingto;wantingto;feelinglike;inclination;beingpleasedto; andalltherest,butjustplain,clear,unadulteratedDesiremasqueradingundersomeofthese names.Toproceedtokilloutdesirewithoutdesiringtodosoisliketryingtoliftoneselfby pullingonhisownbootstraps.Folly.Whatisreallymeantisthattheoccultistshouldproceedto killoutthelowerdesiresthathefindswithinhisnature,andalsotokillouttheattachment forthings.Regardingthislastwewouldsaythatalltrueoccultistknowthateventhebest thingsarenotgoodenoughtoruleandmasteronenothingisgoodenoughforthesoulto allowitselftobeundulyattachedtoitsothatthethingrulesthesoulinsteadoftheshould masteringthething.Thatiswhattheteachingsmeanavoidanceofattachment.Andinthis theoccultteachersareclearlyright.Desireisafrightfulmasterlikefireitsweepsawaythe supportsofthesoul,leavingnothingbutsmolderingashes.But,alsolikeFireDesireisa splendidservantandbyitsharnessedpowerweareabletogeneratethesteamoftheWilland Activity,andtoaccomplishmuchintheworld.WithoutproperDesiretheworldwouldbe withoutactivity.SodonotmakethemistakeofusingDesireanymorethanyouwouldrefuseto usefirebutinbothcaseskeepthemasteryinyourownhands,andavoidallowingthecontrol topassfromyoutoDesire. Desireisthemotivatingforcethatrunstheworld;aslittleaswecaretoadmititinmanycases. LookaroundyouandseetheeffectsofDesireineveryhumanact,goodorbad.Asawriterhas
said:Everydeedthatwedo,goodorbad,ispromptedbyDesire.Wearecharitablebecause weDesiretorelieveourinnerdistressatthesightofsuffering;orfromtheDesireofsympathy; orfromtheDesiretoberespectedinthisworld,ortosecureacomfortableplaceinthenext. OnemaniskindbecauseheDesirestobekindbecauseitgiveshimsatisfactiontobekind; whileanothermaniscruelfrompreciselythesamekindofmotive.Onemandoeshisduty becauseheDesirestodoitheobtainsahighersatisfactionfromdutywelldonethanhe wouldfromtheneglectingofitinaccordancewithsomeweakerdesires.Thereligiousmanis religiousbecausehisreligiousdesiresarestrongerthanhisirreligiousonesbecausehefindsa highersatisfactioninreligionthaninthepursuitsoftheworldlyminded.Themoralmanis moralbecausehismoraldesiresarestrongerthanhisimmoralonesheobtainsagreater satisfactioninbeingmoralthaninbeingthecontrary.EverythingwedoispromptedbyDesire insomeshapeorformhighorlow.MancannotbeDesirelessandactinanyway.Desireisthe motivatingpowerbehindallactionsitisanaturallawoflife.Everythingfromtheatomtothe monad;fromthemonadtotheinsect;fromtheinsecttoman;frommantoNature,actsand doesthingsbyreasonofthepowerandforceofDesire,theAnimatingMotive. Alltheaboveatthefirstglancewouldseemtomakeofmanameremachine,subjecttothe powerofanystraydesirethatmighthappentocomeintohismind.Butthisisfarfrombeing so.ManactsnotuponEVERYdesire,butupontheSTRONGESTDesire,ortheAverageofhis StrongestDesires.ThisAverageofDesiresisthatwhichconstituteshisNatureorCharacter.And hereiswheretheMasteryoftheIcomesin!Manneednotbeaslaveorcreatureofhis DesiresifhewillasserthisMastery.Hemaycontrol,regulate,governandguidehisDesiresin anydirectionsthathepleases.Nay,more,hemayevenCREATEDESIRESbyanactionofhisWill, asweshallseepresently.Byaknowledgeofpsychologicallawshemayneutralizeunfavorable Desires,andgrowanddevelopyes,practicallyCreateNewDesiresintheirplaceallbythe powerofhisWill,aidedbythelightofhisReasonandJudgment.ManistheMasterofhisMind. Yes,butsomeclosereasoningcriticmayobject;yes,thatistrueenough,buteveninthat caseisnotDesiretherulingmotivemustnotoneDesirecreatethesenewDesiresbeforehe candosoisnotDesirealwaysprecedenttoaction?Veryclosereasoningthis,goodfriends, butalladvancedoccultistsknowthatthereisapointinwhichthePrincipleofDesireshades andmergesintocompanionPrinciple,Will,andthataclosereasonerandmentalanalystmay imagineamentalstateinwhichonemaybealmostsaidtomanifestaWILLtoWill,ratherthan tomerelyDesiretoWill.Thisstatemustbeexperiencedbeforeitcanbeunderstoodwords cannotexpressit. WehavestatedthatitwasinthepowerofmantoCreateDesirenotonlytobeitsmaster whencreated,butalsotoactuallyCreateitbybringingitintobeing.Andthestatementis absolutelytrue,andisverifiedandprovenbythemostrecentexperimentsanddiscoveriesof modernpsychology.InsteadofmanbeingacreatureofDesireandthisindeedheisinmany caseshemaybecomeMasterofDesireandevenaCreatorofit.ByknowledgeandWillhe
mayreversetheordinaryorderofthingsand,displacingtheintruderfromthethrone,hemay seathimselfthereinhisrightfulplace,andthenbidthelateoccupantdohiswillandobeyhis bidding.Butthebestwayforthenewoccupantofthethronetobringaboutareorganized courtistodismisstheoldobjectionablecreaturesofhismindandcreatenewonesintheir places.Andhereishowitmaybedone:Inthefirstplace,onemustthinkcarefullyoverthe tasksthathewishestoaccomplish,then,usinghisjudgmentcarefully,judiciallyandimpartially impersonallysofarasispossiblehemusttakementalstockofhimselfandseeinwhat pointsheisdeficient,sofarasthesuccessfulaccomplishmentofthetaskisconcerned.Thenlet himanalyzethetaskbeforehim,indetail,separatingthematterintoasmanycleardefined divisionsaspossible,sothathemaybeabletoseetheThingasItIs,indetailaswellasinits entirety.Thenlethimtakeasimilarinventoryofthethings,whichseemnecessaryofthe accomplishmentofthetasknotthedetailsthatwillariseonlyastheworkprogresses,dayby daybutthegeneralthings,whichmustbedoneinorderthatthetaskisbroughttoa successfulconclusion.Thenhavingtakenstockofthetask,thenatureoftheundertaking,and onesownqualificationsandshortcomingsthenBegintoCreateDesire,accordingtothe followingplan:ThefirststepintheCreationofDesireisthatoftheformingofaclear,vital MentalImageofthequalities,thingsanddetailsoftheundertaking,aswellasofthe CompletedWhole.ByaMentalImagewemeanaclearcut,distinctmentalpictureinthe Imaginationofthethingsjustnames.Now,donotturnawaywithanimpatientmotionatthe mentionofthewordImagination.Thatisanotherwordthatyouhaveonlyamistakenideaof. Imaginationmeansfarmorethanthemereidle,fancifuluseofthatpartofthemindthatis believedbypeopletobeallthereistoit.Itisntall,byalongwayinfact,thefancifulpart maybesaidtobemerelyashadowoftherealImaginativeeffort.Imaginationisarealthingit isafacultyofthemindbywhichitcreatesamatrix,mold,orpatternofthings,whichthe trainedWillandDesireafterward,materializesintoobjectivereality.Therehasbeennothing createdbythehandsandmindofmanwhichdidnothaveitsfirstoriginintheImaginationof someone.ImaginationisthefirststepinCreationwhetherofworldsortrifles.Themental patternmustalwaysprecedethematerialform.AndsoitisintheCreationofDesire.Before youcanCreateaDesireyoumusthaveaclearMentalImageofwhatyouneedtoDesire. YouwillfindthatthistaskofcreatingaMentalImageisalittleharderthanyouhadexpectedat thestart.Youwillfindithardtoformevenafaintmentalpictureofthatwhichyouneed.But benotdiscouraged,andpersevere,forinthis,aseverythingelse.Practicemakesperfect.Each timeyoutrytoformtheMentalImageitwillappearalittleclearerandmoredistinct,andthe detailswillcomeintoalittlemoreprominence.Donottireyourselfatfirst,butlayasidethe taskuntillaterintheday,ortomorrow.Butpracticeandpersevereandyouneed,justasclearly asamemorypictureofsomethingyouhavealreadyseen.Weshallhavemoretosayonthis subjectofMentalImageryandImaginationinsubsequentlessons. Then,afterhavingacquiredtheclearMentalImageofthethingsyouwishtoDesire,andthus attain,cultivatethefocusingoftheAttentionuponthesethings.Thewordattentionisderived
fromtheLatinwordAttendere,meaningtostretchforth,theoriginalideabeingthatin Attentionthemindwasstretchedforth,orextendedtowardtheobjectofattention,and thisisthecorrectideaforthatisthewaythemindoperatesinthematter.Keeptheideas beforeyourattentionasmuchaspossible,sothatthemindmaytakeafirmgraspuponthem, andmakethemapartofitselfbydoingthisyoufirmlyimpresstheideasuponthewaxtablet ofthemind. Thushavingfixedtheideaclearlyinyourmind,bymeansoftheImaginationandAttention, untilaswehavesaid,itbecomesafixturethere,begintocultivateanardentDESIRE,LONGING, CRAVINGDEMANDforthematerializationofthethings.Demandthatyougrowthequalities necessaryforthetaskdemandthatyourmentalpicturesmaterializeDemandthatthe detailsbemanifestedaswellastheWhole,makingallowanceforthesomethingbetterwhich willsurelyarisetotaketheplaceoftheoriginaldetails,asyouproceedtheInner Consciousnesswillattendtothesethingsforyou. ThenDesirefirmly,confident,andearnestly.Benothalfheartedinyourdemandsanddesires claimanddemandtheWHOLETHING,andfeelconfidentthatitwillworkoutintomaterial objectivityandreality.Thinkofit,dreamofit,andalwaysLONGforityoumustlearntowant ittheworstwaylearntowantithardenough.Youcanattainandobtainmanythingsby wantingthemhardenoughthetroubleiswithmostofusthatwedonotwantthingshard enoughwemistakevaguecravingsandwishedforearnest,longing,demandingDesireand Want.GettoDesireandDemandtheThingjustasyoudemandandDesireyourdailymeals. Thatiswantingittheworstway.Thisismerelyahintsurelyyoucansupplytherest,ifyou areinearnest,andwanttohardenough.
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TheLawofAttraction
ThereisinNatureagreatLawtheLawofAttractionbytheoperationsofwhichallthings fromatomstomenareattractedtowardeachotherinthedegreeofthecommonaffinityof commonuse.Thereverseofthislawwhichismerelyanothermanifestationofitspoweris whatiscalledRepulsion,whichisbuttheotherpoleofAttraction,andbytheoperationsof whichthingstendtorepeleachotherinthedegreethattheyareunlike,opposing,andofno usetoeachother.TheLawofAttractionisUniversal,onalltheplanesoflife,fromthephysical tothespiritual.Itsoperationsareuniformandconstant,andwemaytakethephenomenaof oneplaneandtherebystudythephenomenaofanotherplane,forthesameruleappliesin eachcasethesameLawisinoperationinthesameway. Beginningwiththetinycorpuscles,electrons,orions,ofwhichtheatomsareformed,wefind manifestedtheLawofAttractioncertainelectronsattracteachother,andrepelothersstill, therebycausingtospringintoexistinggroups,combinationsandcoloniesofelectronswhich beinginagreementandharmonymanifestandconstitutewhatarecalledatoms,whichuntil recentlyweresupposedtobetheprimalformofmatter.Passingontheatomsthemselves,we findmanydegreesofaffinityandattractionexistingbetweenthemwhichcausethemto combineandformintomoleculesofwhichallmassesofmatterconsists.Forinstance,every dropofwateriscomposedofcountlessmoleculesofwater.Andeachmoleculeiscomposedof twoatomsofHydrogenandoneatomofOxygenthecombinationalwaysbeingthesamein everymoleculeofwater.Now,whytheseatomscombineinjustthiswaythesameinvariable groupingandproportion?Notbychance,surely,forthereisnosuchthinginNaturethereisa naturallawbackofeveryphenomenon.AndinthiscaseitistheLawofAttractionmanifesting inthecaseoftheseatoms.AnditissoinallchemicalcombinationsitiscalledChemical Affinity.Sometimesanattachedatomwillcomeincontactwith,orinproximityto,another atom,andthenbanggoestheexplosionofthemoleculeastheatomfliesawayfromits partnersandintothearmsoftheotheratomforwhichithasagreateraffinity.Thereare marriagesanddivorcesintheworldofatoms,youwillnotice.Andinthecasesofthe molecules,itisfoundthatcertainmoleculesareattractedtoothersofthesamekind,under whatiscalledCohesion,andthusmassesofmatterarecomposed.Apieceofgold,silver,tin, glass,orotherformofmatteriscomposedofcountlessmoleculesheldtogethertightlyby CohesionandthisCohesionismerelyanotherformoftheLawofAttractionthesamethat drawsallthingstogether.And,underlyingtheLawofAttractionistobefoundouroldPrinciple ofDesireandWill.YoumayshrugyourshouldersatthismentionofdesireandWillin connectionwithelectrons,atoms,moleculesallformsofmatter,butjustwaitabitandsee whattheleadingscientificauthoritieshavetosayonthesubject.
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Prof.Hakel,oneoftheworldsgreatestscientistsamaterialistwhowouldsneeratthe teachingsofMentalScienceeventhisman,naturallyprejudicedagainstmentalisttheories, findshimselfcompelledtosay:Theideaofchemicalaffinityconsistsinthefactthatthe variouschemicalelementsperceivethequalitativedifferencesinotherelementsexperience pleasureofrevulsionatcontactwiththem,andexecutespecificmovementsonthisground. Healsopositivelyanddistinctlystatesthatintheatomstheremustbesomething correspondingtoDesireforcontactandassociationwithotheratoms,andWilltoenablethe atomtorespondtotheDesireLawisconstantthroughoutNature,fromatomtoman physical,mentalandspiritual. ButwhathasallthistodowiththeSecretofSuccessyoumayask?Simply,thattheLawof AttractionisanimportantpartintheSecretofSuccess,inasmuchasittendstobringtousthe things,personsandcircumstancesinaccordancewithourearnestDesire,Demand,andWill, justasitbringstogethertheatomsandotherparticlesofmatter.Makeyourselfanatomof LivingDesireandyouwillattracttoyourselftheperson,thingsandcircumstancesfittinginwith theaccomplishmentofyourDesire.Youwillalsogetintorapportwiththosewhoareworking alongthesamelinesofthought,andwillbeattractedthemandtheytoyou,andyouwillbe broughtintorelationswithpersons,thingsandenvironmentslikelytoworkouttheproblemof yourDesiresyouwillgetnexttotherightpersonsandthingsallbytheoperationofthis greatnaturalLawofAttraction.NoNecromancyorMagicaboutitatallnothingsupernatural ormysteriousjusttheoperationsofagreatNaturalLaw. YoucandolittlebyyourselfinLife,beyoueversostrongandable.Lifeisacomplexthing,and individualsareinterdependentuponeachotherforthedoingsofthings.OneIndividual, segregatedfromalltheotherIndividuals,couldaccomplishlittleornothingalongthelinesof outeractivity.Hemustformcombinations,arrangements,harmoniesandagreementswith others,andinaccordancewithenvironmentsandthings,thatis,hemustcreateandusethe properenvironmentsandthings,anddrawtohimselfotherswithwhomhemustform combinations,inordertodothings.Andthesepersons,thingsandenvironmentscometohim andhetothembyreasonofthisgreatLawofAttraction.Andthewayhesetsintooperation thisgreatLawofAttractionisbytheoperationofhisDesire,andalongthelinesofMental Imagery.Doyouseetheconnectionnow?Sobecarefultoform,cultivateandmanifestthe rightDesiresholdtothemfirmly,stronglyandconstantly,andyouwillsetintooperationthis greatLaw,whichformsanimportantpartoftheSecretofSuccess. DesireForceisthemotivepowerleadingtheactivitiesofLife.Itisthebasicvitalpower,which animatesthemindsoflivingthingsandurgesthemforthtoaction.WithoutstrongDesireno oneaccomplishesanythingworthyofthenameandthegreaterthedesirethegreaterwillbe theamountofenergygeneratedandmanifested,everythingelsebeingequal.Thatistosay, thatgivenadozenmenofequalintellect,physicalhealthandmentalactivityequalin everythingelseexceptDesire,inshort,theonesinwhomthegreatestDesireresidesandis
manifestedwilloutstriptheothersinattainmentandofthesewinnerstheoneinwhoDesire burnslikeanunquenchableflamewillbetheonewhowillMastertheothersbytheforceofhis primitiveelementarypower. NotonlydoesDesiregivetothemanthatinwardmotivewhichleadstotheenfoldmentofthe powerwithinhimself,butitdoesmorethanthis;itcausestoradiatefromhimthefinerand moresubtlementalandvitalforcesofhisnature,which,flowingforthinalldirectionslikethe magneticwavesfromthemagnet,ortheelectricwavesfromthedynamo,influencingallwho comewithinthefieldofforce.DesireForceisareal,active,effectiveforceofNature,and servestoattract,drawandbringtoacenterthatwhichisinlinewiththenatureoftheDesire. ThemuchtalkedofLawofAttraction,ofwhichsomuchisheardinMentalScienceandtheNew Thought,dependslargelyupontheforceandpowerofDesire.DesireForceisatthecenterof theLawofAttraction.ThereisatendencyinNaturetoattractanddrawtothecenterofa Desirethethings,whichareneededtofulfillthatDesire.Onesownwillcometohimby reasonofhisnaturalforce,whichliesbehindandunderneaththeentirephenomenaofMental Influence.Thisbeingso,doesitnotbecomeatonceapparentwhyonewhowishesto accomplishanythingshouldbesuretocreateastrongDesireforit,andatthesametimebe suretoacquiretheartofVisualizationsoastoformaclearMentalPictureofthethingDesired aclearmoldinwhichthematerializedrealitymaymanifest? Haveyouevercomeincontactwithanyofthegreatmenofmodernbusinesslife?Ifyouhave seenthesepeopleinaction,youwillhavebecomeconsciousofasubtle,mysterioussomething aboutthemasomethingthatyoucouldactuallyfeelasomethingthatseemedtodrawyou tofitintotheirschemes,planes,anddesiresalmostbyanirresistibleforce.Thesepeopleare allpeopleofthestrongestkindofDesiretheirDesireForcemanifestsstronglyandaffects thosewithwhomtheycomeincontact.Notonlythis,buttheirDesireForceflowsfromthemin greatwaves,whichoccultistsinformussoonmanifestsacircular,orwhirlpoollikemotion, swingaroundandaroundthecenteroftheDesirethesemenbecomeactualcyclonesof Desireintowhichnearlyeverythingthatcomeswithinitssweepisaffectedandsweptintothe vortex.Havewenotevidencesofthisinthecasesofallthegreatleadersofmencanwenot seetheoperationofthatmightylawofattractionwhichbringstothemtheirown?Weareapt tocallthisWillPower,andsoitisinaway,backandundertheWillinsuchcasesistobefound theardent,burningDesirethatisthemotiveforceoftheattractivepower. ThisDesireForceisaprimitive,elementalthing.Itisfoundintheanimalkingdom,andamong thelowerracesofmen,perhapsmoreclearlythanamongthehighertypesofmen,butonly becauseinsuchinstancesitisseenstrippedofthecovering,sheaths,disguisesandmasksthat surroundthemorecivilizedformsandplanesoflife.Butrememberthiswell,thesameprinciple ismanifestedunderandbeneaththepolishedveneerofcivilizedlifetheDesireForceofthe culturedleaderofmenisaselementalasthatanimatingthefierceandshaggycavemanorthe wildBerserkerwho,nakedandhalfmad,rusheduponoverwhelminghordesofhisenemy,
brushingthemasidelikefliesthatis,ifyouwillbutlookbeneaththepolishedsurface.Inthe oldwilddaysDesiremanifesteditsforceonthephysicalplanenowitmanifestsontheMental Planethatistheonlydifference,theForceisthesameinbothcases. Whilewewrite,therehasjustbeenproducedonstageanewplaythatillustratesthisprinciple. Theheroine,thedaughterofanoldNewYorkfamilyofhighsocialstandingandwealth,hasa dreamofherlifeinaformerincarnation,inwhichsheseesherselftornfromthearmsofher cavedwellerfatherbythemightyarmsofafiercesavagechief,whosedesireismanifested throughthephysical.Sheawakensfromherdream,andtoherhorrorsoondiscoverstheface ofherdreamcaptoronamanwhocomesintoherfatherslifeinNewYork.Thismancomes fromtheWest,forceful,resourcefulanddesirous,beatingdownallbeforehiminthegameof finance.Asofold,heplaceshisfootnotontheneckofhisenemiesbutonthementalplane, thistime,insteadofthephysical.ThesameoldDesireforpowerisstrongwithinhimthe sameoldmasterfulnessmanifestsitself.Thismansays:Ihaveneverquit;Ihaveneverbeen afraid.ThesameoldDesirethenflamedupinthesavagenowmanifestsintheMasterofWall Street,andbetweentheforceofitsAttractionandthecoupledandalliedforceofhisWill,he repeatstheperformancesofhispreviousincarnationbutontheplaneofmentalforcesand achievementthistimemind,notmuscle,beingtheinstrumentthroughwhichtheDesire manifests. WegivetheaboveexamplemerelyasanillustrationofthefactthatDesireisthemotivating forcethatmovestheWillintoaction,andwhichcausethevariedactivityoflife,menand things.DesireForceisarealpowerinlife,andinfluencesnotonlytracts,influencesand compelsotherpersonsandthingstoswingintowardthecenteroftheDesiresendingforththe currents.IntheSecretofSuccess,Desireplaysaprominentpart.WithoutaDesireforSuccess, thereisnoSuccess,none.TheLawofAttractionissetintomotionbyDesire.Themajorityof theprinciplesadvancedinthisbookhavebeeninthenatureofPositiveinjunctionsthatis, youhavebeenurgedtodocertainthingsratherthantonotdotheoppositeorcontrary.But herewecometoaplaceinwhichtheadvicemustbegivenalongthenegativelineswemust urgeyounottodoacertainthing.WealludetothatgreatpoisonofthemindandWillknown asFear.Wedonotalludetophysicalfearimportantthoughphysicalcouragemaybe,andas regrettableasphysicalcowardicemaybeconsidered,stillitisnotapartofthepurposeofthis booktopreachagainstthelatterandadviseacultivationoftheformerqualityyouwillfind muchofthatelsewhere.Ourpurposehereistocombatthatsubtle,insidiousenemyoftrue SelfExpressionwhichappearsintheshapeandguiseofmentalfear,forebodingswhichmaybe consideredasNegativeThoughtjustastheotherprinciplesmentionedinthisworkmaybe consideredasPositiveThought. Fearthoughtsisthatconditionofthemindinwhicheverythingisseenthroughblueglassesin whicheverythingseemstobringasenseofthefutilityofendeavortheICantprincipleof mentality,ascontrastedwiththeICanandIWillmentalattitude.Itisthenoxiousweedin
thementalgarden,whichtendstokillthevaluableplantstobefoundtherein.Itistheflyinthe ointmentthespiderinthecupoftheWineofLife.Sofarasweknowthefirstpersontouse thewordFearThoughtwhichhasnowpassedintocommonusewasHoraceFletcher,the wellknownwriter,whocoinedittosupplanttheuseofthewordWorryinacertainsense.He hadpointedoutthatAngerandWorrywerethetwogreathindrancestoawellbalanced, advancedandprogressivementality,butmanymisunderstoodhimandurgedthattoabolish Worrymeanttoceasetakinganyconsiderationofthemorrowalackofcommonprudence andforethought.AndsoFletchercoinedthewordFearThoughttoexpressaphaseofhis ideaofForethoughtwithoutWorry,andheentitledhissecondbookonthesubject, Happiness,asfoundinForethoughtminusFearThought,averyhappyexpressionofavery happyidea.FletcheralsowasthefirsttoadvancetheideathatFearwasnotathinginitself, butmerelyanexpressionofFearThoughtamanifestationofthestateofmindknownas FearThought.Heandotherswhohavewrittenonthesubject,havetaughtthatFearmightbe abolishedbythepracticeofabolishingFearThoughtfromthemindbydrivingitoutofthe mentalchamberandthebestteachershavetaughtthatthebestwaytodriveoutFear(orany otherundesirablementalstate)wasbycultivatingthethoughtoftheoppositequalityofmind bycompellingthemindtodwelluponthementalpictureofthedesirablequality,andbythe appropriateautosuggestions.Theillustrationhasoftenbeenstatedthatthewaytodrive darknessfromaroomisnottoshovelitout,buttothrowopentheshuttersandletthesunlight streamin,andthatisthebestwaytoneutralizeFearThought. Thementalprocesshasaptlybeenspokenofasvibrations,afigurethathasafullwarrantin modernscience.Then,byraisingthevibrationtothePositivepitch,thenegativevibrationsmay becounteracted.Bycultivatingthequalitiesrecommendedintheotherlessonsofthisbook. FearThoughtmaybeneutralized.ThepoisonofFearThoughtisinsidiousandsubtle,butit slowlycreepsthroughtheveinsuntilitparalyzesallusefuleffortsandaction,untiltheheart andbrainareaffectedandfinditdifficulttothrowitoff.FearThoughtisatthebottomofthe majorityoffailuresandgoingdowninlife.Aslongasamankeepshisnerveandconfidencein himself,heisabletorisetohisfeetaftereachstumble,andfacetheenemyresolutelybutlet himfeeltheeffectsofFearThoughttosuchanextentthathecannotthrowitoffandhewill failtoriseandwillperishmiserable.ThereisnothingtofearexceptFear,haswellbeensaid. WehavespokenelsewhereabouttheLawofAttraction,whichoperatesinthedirectionof attractingtous,thatwhichweDesire.Butthereisareversesidetothisitisapoorrulethat willnotworkbothways.FearwillsetintomotiontheLawofAttractionjustaswellasDesire. JustasDesiredrawstoonethethingshepicturesinhismindastheDesiredThing,sowillFear drawtohimthethingpicturedinhismindastheThingFeared.ThethingthatIfearedhath befallenme.Andthereasonisverysimple,andtheapparentcontradictionvanisheswhenwe examinethematter.WhatisthepatternuponwhichtheLawofAttractionbuildsunderthe forceofDesire?TheMentalImage,ofcourse.AndsoitisinthecaseofFeartheperson carriesabouttheMentalImageorhauntingpictureoftheFearedThing,andtheLawof
AttractionbringsittohimjustasitbringstheDesiredThing.Didyoueverstoptothingthat FearwasthenegativepoleofDesire?Thesamelawsworkinbothcases. SoavoidFearThoughtasyouwouldthepoisonousdraughtthatyouknowwouldcauseyour bloodtobecomeblackandthick,andyourbreathinglaboredanddifficult.Itisavilething,and youshouldnotrestcontentuntilyouhaveexpelleditfromyourmentalsystem.Youcangetrid ofitbyDesireandWill,coupledwiththeholdingoftheMentalImageofFearlessness.Driveit upbycultivatingitsopposite.Changeyourpolarity.Raiseyourmentalvibrations.Someonehas said,ThereisnoDevilbutFearthensendthatDevilbacktotheplacewhereheproperly belongs,forifyouentertainhimhospitablyhewillmakeyourheavenahellinorderthathe mayfeelathome.UsethementalBigStickonhim.
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PersonalMagnetism
WehearmuchaboutPersonalMagnetismthesedays.Itisapeculiarqualityofthementalbeing oftheindividualthatservestobringotherpersonsintoamoodorstateofmindsympathetic withthatofthemagneticperson.Somemenhavethisqualitydevelopedtoawonderfulextent, andareabletobringaboutaharmoniousagreementonthepartofotherpersonsinashort time,whileothersarealmostentirelydeficientinthisrespectandtheirverypresencetendsto arouseantagonisminthemindsofothers.ThemajorityofpeopleaccepttheideaofPersonal Magnetismwithoutquestion,butfewwillagreeuponanytheoryattemptingtoaccountforit. Thosewhohavestudiedthemattercarefullyknowthatthewholethingdependsuponthe mentalstatesoftheindividual,anduponhisabilitytocauseotherstocatchhismental vibrations.ThiscatchingiscausedbywhatisknownasMentalInduction.Induction,you know,isthatpropertyorquality,orprocessbywhichonebodyhavingelectricalormagnetic polarityproducesitinanotherwithoutdirectcontact.AndMentalInductionisamanifestation ofsimilarphenomenaonthementalplane.Peoplesmentalstatesarecatchingor contagious,andifoneinfusesenoughlifeandenthusiasmintohismentalstatestheywill affectthemindsofpersonswithwhomtheycomeincontact.Wehaveexplainedthismatterin detailinthelittlebookofthisseriesentitled,MentalInfluence. ItseemstousthattheprimefactorinsuccessfulMentalInduction,ormanifestationsof PersonalMagnetism,isEnthusiasm.Inanotherlessoninthisbookwehavetoldyouabout Enthusiasm,andwhenyouthinkofPersonalMagnetism,itwillbewellforyoutoreadwhatwe havesaidaboutEnthusiasmalso.EnthusiasmgivesEarnestnesstotheperson,andthereisno mentalstatesoeffectiveasEarnestness.Earnestnessmakesitselffeltstrongly,andwilloften makeapersongiveyouattentioninspiteofhimself.WalterD.Moody,awellknownwriteron thesubjectofSalesmanship,says,truthfully,Itwillbefoundthatallmenpossessedof personalmagnetismareverymuchinearnest.Theirintenseearnestnessismagnetic.And nearlyeverystudentofthesubjecthasnotedthisfact.Buttheearnestnessmustbemorethat afirm,confident,honestbeliefinthethingbeingpresentedtotehattentionoftheother person.Itmustbealive,contagiousearnestness,whichcanbestbedescribedasEnthusiasm EnthusiasticEarnestness,thatstheterm. ThisEnthusiasticEarnestnesshasmuchemotioninititappealstotheEmotionalsideof humannature,ratherthattotheThinkingReasoningside.Andyetanargumentbasedupon reasonandconducteduponlogicalprinciples,maybepresentedwithEnthusiasticEarnestness withmuchgreatereffectthaniftheappealtothereasonisconductedinacold,unemotional way.Theaveragepersonissoconstitutedmentallythathethawsoutunderamanifestationof live,enthusiasticfeeling,underthetermofPersonalMagnetism.Thefeelingsideof
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mentalityisasimportantasthethinkingsideanditisfarmorecommonanduniversal,for themajorityofpeoplereallythinkverylittle,whileeveryonefeels. Awriterintheearlyseventiesofthelastcenturysaid:Allofusemitasphere,aura,orhalo, impregnatedwiththeveryessenceofourselves;sensitiveknowsit;sodoourdogsandother pets;sodoesahungrylionortiger;aye,evenflies,snakesandtheinsects,asweknowtoour cost.Someofusaremagneticothersnot.Someofusarewarm,attractive,loveinspiringand friendshipmaking,whileothersarecold,intellectual,thoughtful,reasoning,butnotmagnetic. Letalearnedmanofthelattertypeaddressanaudienceanditwillsoontireofhisintellectual discourse,andwillmanifestsymptomsofdrowsiness.Hetalksatthem,butnotintothemhe makesthemthink,notfeel,whichismosttiresometothemajorityofpersons,andfew speakerssucceedwhoattempttomerelymakepeoplethinktheywanttobemadetofeel. Peoplewillpayliberallytobemadetofeelorlaugh,whiletheywillbegrudgeadimefor instructionortalkthatwillmakethemthink.Pittedagainstalearnedmanofthetype mentionedabove,lettherebeahalfeducated,butveryloving,ripeandmellowman,withbut ninetenthsofthelogicanderuditionofthefirstman,yetsuchamancarriesalonghiscrowd withperfectease,andeverybodyiswideawake,treasuringupeverygoodthingthatfallsfrom hislips.Thereasonsarepalpableandplain.Itisheartagainsthead;soulagainstlogic;andis boundtowineverytime. Ifyouwillnoticethemanandwomanwhoareconsideredthemostmagnetic,youwillfind thatalmostinvariablytheyarepeoplewhohavewhatiscalledsoulaboutthemthatis,they manifestandinducefeeling,oremotion.Theymanifesttraitsofcharacterandnaturesimilar tothatmanifestedbyactorsandactresses.Theythrowoutapartofthemselves,whichseems toaffectthosecomingincontactwiththem.Noticeanonmagneticactor,andyouwillseethat althoughhemaybeletterperfectinhispart,andmayhaveacquiredthepropermannerisms, gesturesandothertechnicalpartsofhisart,stillhelacksacertainsomething,andthat somethingmaybeseentobetheabilitytocommunicatefeeling.Now,thosewhoareinthe secretknowfullwellthatmanyofthesuccessfulactors,whoseemtoburnwithpassion,feeling andemotiononthestage,reallyfeelbutlittleofthesequalitieswhileactingtheyarelike phonographs,givingoffsoundsthathavebeenregisteredinthem.Butifyouwillinvestigate stillfurther,youwillseethatinstudyingtheirpartsandpracticingthesameprivately,these peopleinducedastimulatedemotion,suchasthepartcalledfor,andhelditfirmlyintheir minds,accompanyingitwiththeappropriategestures,etc.,untilitbecamefirmlysetthere impresseduponthetabletsofthementalityastherecordofaphonographislikewise impresseduponthewax.Then,whenafterwardtheyplayedthepart,theoutwardsemblance ofthefeelings,withthemotions,gestures,emphasis,etc.,reproduceditselfandimpressedthe audience.Itissaidthatifanactorallowshimselftobeactuallycarriedawaywithhispartso thathefeelsthesamekeenly,theresultwillnotbeadvantageous,forheisovercomewiththe feelinganditseffectisuponhimselfratherthanuponhisaudience.Thebestresultissaidtobe
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obtainedwhenonehasfirstexperiencedandfelttheemotion,andthenafterwardreproduces itinthemannerabovestated,withoutallowingittocontrolhim. Wementiontheabovefactsfortheuseofthosewhodonotnaturallypossessthefacultyor qualityofPersonalmagnetismtotherequireddegree.Suchpeoplewillfindittotheir advantagetoendeavortoworkupthedesiredfeelingofEnthusiasticEarnestness,inprivate, fixingthementalimpressionbyfrequentprivaterehearsalsandpractice,untilitbecomes registeredintheirhabitmind,tobereproduceduponoccasionswhenneeded.Beagood actorthatistheadviceinsuchcases;andrememberthis,thatfrequentpracticeandprivate rehearsalmakesthegoodactor.Itisafarbetterthingtobeabletoinducefeelingand enthusiasminthisway,ratherthanbelackingofit,ontheonehand;ortobeanemotional inebriateontheotherhand.OnemayberationallyEnthusiasticallyEarnest,withoutbeing filledfullofslushygushormaudlinemotionalism.Wethinkthatthecarefulstudentwillsee justwhatismeanthere,andwillnotmisunderstandus.Andremember,thatthroughthis repeatedactingthedesiredqualitywilloftenbecomerealandnatural.
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AttractivePersonality
WehaveexplainedinourlessononIndividualitythatwhatisknown,asthePersonalitywas nottherealIoftheIndividual,butthatinsteaditformedtheMepartofoneselfthe outwardappearanceoftheIndividual.Aswehavetoldyou,thewordPersonalityreallymeans themaskaspectoftheIndividual,theoutwardappearanceofthepartinthegreatdramaof lifethatheisplaying.Andjustastheactormaychangehismaskandcostume,somaythe Individualchange,alterandreplacehisPersonalitybyotherfeaturesfounddesirable. Butnevertheless,whilethePersonalityisnottherealI,itplaysanimportantpartinthe dramaoflife,particularlyastheaudiencepaysmoreattentiontothePersonality,asarule, thanitdoestotherealIndividualbehindthemask.AndsoitisproperthateveryIndividual shouldcultivateandacquireaPersonalitythatwillproveattractivetohisaudience,andrender himacceptabletothem.No,wearenotpreachingdeceptionweregardIndividualityasthe RealSelf,andbelievethatoneshouldbuildhimselfuptohishighestandbestaccordingtothe lawsofIndividualUnfoldmentbut,nevertheless,solongasonemustwearaPersonality abouthimashegoesthroughlife,webelievethatitisnotonlytohisadvantage,butisalsohis dutytomakethatPersonalityaspleasingandattractiveasheisableto.Youknowthatno matterhowgood,intelligentandhighmindedamanmaybe,ifhewearsthemaskofan unattractiveandunpleasantPersonalityheisplacedatadisadvantage,anddrivesawaypeople whomhemightbenefitandwhowouldbegladtolovehimiftheycouldseebehindhis unattractivemask. Norarewespeakingofonespersonalphysicalappearancewhenwespeakofunattractiveand attractivemasks.Whileonesphysicalappearancegoesagoodwayinsomecases,thereisa charmofPersonalitythatfartranscendsthatfleetingappearance.Therearemanypersons havingbeautifulfacesandformswhosepersonalityisfarfromcharming,andwhorepelrather thanattract.Andthereareotherswhosefacesarehomelyandwhoseformsarefarfrom shapely,whohave,nevertheless,thatwinningwayaboutthemthatattractsotherstothem. Therearepeoplewhomwearealwaysgladtosee,andwhosecharmofmannermakesus forgetthattheyarenotbeautiful,infact,eventheirhomelyfacesseemtobecometransfigured whenweareintheirpresence.ThatiswhatwemeantbyPersonality,inthesamewayinwhich wearenowusingit.ItbearsaverycloserelationshiptoPersonalMagnetism,ofwhichwe spokeofinourprecedinglesson. OneofthefirstthingsthatshouldbecultivatedbythosewishingtodeveloptheCharmof PersonalityisamentalatmosphereofCheerfulness.Thereisnothingsoinvigoratingas presenceofacheerfulpersonnothingsodispiritingasoneofthoseHumanWetBlanketsthat castachillovereveryoneandeverythingwithwhomtheycomeincontact.Thinkofyour acquaintancesandyouwillfindthatyouwillnaturallyplacethemintwoclassestheCheerful
onesandtheGloomyones.SunnyJimisalwayspreferredtoGloomyGustheoneyouwill welcome,andtheotheryouwillflyfrom.TheJapaneseunderstandthislawofPersonality,and oneofthefirstthingsthattheyteachtheirchildrenistopreserveacheerful,sunnyexterior,no matteriftheirheartsarebreaking.Withthemitisconsideredoneofthemostflagrantoffenses againstgoodformtocarrytheirsorrows,griefandpainintothepresenceofothers.They reservethatsideoftheirlifefortheprivacyoftheirownchambertotheoutsideworldthey presentalwaysahappy,sunnysmile.Andinthistheyarewise,foranumberofreasons(1)that theymayinduceamorebuoyantandpositivestateofmindinthemselves;(2)thattheymay attractcheerfulpersonsandthingstothembytheLawofAttraction;and(3)thattheymay presentanattractivePersonalitytoothers,andtherebybewelcomeandcongenialassociates andparticipantsintheworkoflife.ThereislittlewelcomeorhelpfortheGloomyGustribein everydaybusinesslifetheyareavoidedasapestilenceeveryonehastroublesenoughofhis ownwithoutthoseofotherpeopleaddedthereto. Remembertheoldlines: Laughandtheworldlaughswithyou; Weepandyouweepalone. Forthissadoldearthisinneedofmirth, Andhastroublesenoughofitsown SocultivatetheSmilethatWontComeOff.ItisavaluableassetofPersonality.Notthesilly, idioticgrin,buttheSmilethatmeanssomethingtheRealThing.Andsuchasmilecomesfrom within,andismorethatskindeep.IfyouwantaVerbalPatternuponwhichtomodelthe mentalstatethatwillproducethisoutwardappearanceofPersonality,hereitis:BRIGHT, CHEERFUL,ANDHAPPY.FRAMEITANDHANGitinaprominentplaceinyourMentalArt Gallery.CommitittomemoryandVisualizeit,sothatyoumaybeabletoseeitbeforeyoulike anilluminatedelectricsignBRIGHT,CHEERFULANDHAPPYthenendeavortomaterialize theideaintorealitywithinyourmind.Thinkitoutactitoutanditwillbecomerealtoyou. ThenwillyouhaveSomethingWorthwhileintheshapeofPersonality?Thismayseemsimple andchildishtoyoubutifyouwillworkitoutintoactuality,itwillbeworththousandsof dollarstoyou,nomatterwhatwalkoflifeyoumaybein. AnothervaluablebitofPersonalityisthatofSelfRespect.IfyouhaverealSelfRespectitwill manifestitselfinyouroutwarddemeanorandappearance.Ifyoudonthaveit,youhadbetter startinandcultivatetheappearanceofSelfRespect,andthenRememberthatyouareaMAN, oraWOMAN,asthecasemaybe,andnotapoor,crawlingWormontheDustofaHumanDoor Mat.Facetheworldfirmlyandfearlessly,keepingyoureyeswelltothefront.HOLDUPYOUR HEAD!Thereisnothinglikeastiffbackboneandaraisedheadformeetingtheworld.Theman withbentheadseemstoapologizeforlivingandbeingontheearthandtheworldisaptto takesuchattheirownvaluation.Anerectheadenablesonetowalkpastthedragonsatthe doorofSuccess.Awritergivesthefollowinggoodadviceonthissubject:Holdyourearlobes
directlyoveryourshoulders,sothataplumblinehungfromtheearsdescribesthelineofyour body.Besurealsonottocarrytheheadeithertotherightorleft,butvertical.Manymenmake themistake,especiallywhilewaitingforacustomertofinishsomeimportantpieceofbusiness, ofleaningtheheadtotherightorleft.Thisindicatesweakness.Astudyofmendisclosesthe factthatthestrongmennevertiltthehead.Theirheadssitperfectlystraightonstrongnecks. Theirshoulders,heldeasily,yetfirmly,inposition,areinspiringintheirstrengthindicating poise.Everylineofthebody,inotherwords,denotesthethoughtofthebearer.Thevalueof thisadviceliesnotonlyinthefactthatitgivestoyoutheappearanceofSelfRespect(no triflingmatter,bytheway),butalsothatittendstocultivateacorrespondingmentalstate withinyou.ForjustasThoughttakesforminAction,sodoActionsdevelopmentalstatesit isarulethatworksbothways.SothinkSelfRespectandactSelfRespect.LettheIAMwithin youmanifestitself.DontcrawldontcringedontgrovelbutdobeaRealHumanBeing. AnotherbitofPersonalityworthcultivatingistheArtofTakinganInterestinOthers.Many peoplegothroughtheworldsowrappedupintheirownaffairsthattheyconveythe impressionofbeingapartandalooffromotherswithwhomtheycomeincontact.This mentalstatemanifestsinamostunpleasantformofPersonality.Suchpeoplearenotonly regardedascoldandlackingheartandsoul,buttheyalsogiveotherstheimpressionof selfishnessandhardness,andthepublicisapttoletsuchapersonalonetoleavehimtohis ownselfishmoodsandmentalstates.Suchaoneneverbecomespopularneverbecomesa goodmixeramongmen.TakinganInterestinOthersisanartthatwellrepaysthestudentof Successtocultivateit.Ofcourseonemustalwayskeepthemainchancebeforehimandnot allowhisownintereststosufferbyreasonofhisinterestinothersthatgoeswithoutsaying, forunreasonablealtruismisjustasonesidedasundueselfishness.Butthereisamiddlecourse. Youwillfindsomethingofinterestineverypersonwithwhomyoucomeincontact,andifyou willbutturnyourattentiontothatinterestitwillmanifestitselfinsuchawaythattheperson willbeconsciousofit,willappreciateit,andwillbegladtorespondbytakinganinterestinyou. Thisisnotdeceit,ortimeserving,orflatteryitistheLawofCompensationworkingonthe mentalplaneyougetwhatyougive.Ifyouwillstopandthinkamomentyouwillfindthatthe peoplewhosePersonalityseemsthemostattractivetoyouarethepeoplewhoseemtoTake anInterestinyourownpersonality. ThisTakinganInterestinOthersmanifestsitselfinmanyways,oneofwhichisinmakingyoua GoodListener.Now,wedonotmeanthatyoushouldallowyourselftobemadeadumping groundforallthetalkofallthepeoplewithwhomyoucomeincontactifyoudothisyouwill havetimefornothingelse.Youmustuseordinaryjudgmentandtactinregulatingthetimeyou givetoothers,dependinguponthepersonandtheparticularcircumstancesofthecase.What wedomeanisthatwhileyourelisteningyoushouldListenWell.Thereisnosubtler complimentthatonepersoncanpaytoanotherthanListeningWelltohimorher.ToListen WellistoListenwithInterest.Andthatissomethingthatcannotbeverywelltaughtinabook. Perhapsthebestwaytoexpresstheideaistosay,ListenasyouWouldbeListenedunto.The
GoldenRulemaybeappliedtomanythingsandideas,withbenefitandgoodresults.Theman wholistenswelliswellthoughtofbythosetowhomhelistens.Inthisconnectionweare alwaysremindedoftheoldstoryofCarlyle,who,aseveryoneknows,wasreputedtobea crusty,crabbyoldchap,pronetosarcasticremarksandbrusquetreatmentofthosewithwhom heengagedinconversation.ThetalegoesthatonedayamancalleduponCarlyleandthe manunderstoodtheArtofListeningWell.HesoturnedtheconversationsastogetCarlyle startedonasubjectdeartohisheartandthenhekeptquietandListenedWell.Carlyletalked astraightstreakforseveralhours,andgrewquiteenthusiasticoverhistopic.Whenatlast thevisitorarosetodepart,hewasforcedtoactuallytearhimselfawayfromCarlyle,who, followinghimtothedoor,manifestedunusualenthusiasmandgoodspirits,andbiddinghim goodbye,saidwarmly:Comeagain,moncomeagainandoftenyehaveawonderfully brightmind,andIveenjoyedyourconversationverymuchindeedyeareamostdelightful conversationalist. Becarefulnottoborepeoplewithyourpersonalexperiencesbetterforgetyourpersonalself intalkingtoothers,exceptwhenitisrighttothepointtobringyourselfin.Peopledonotwant tohearwhatawonderfulfellowyouaretheywanttotellyouwhatwonderfulpeoplethey are,whichisverymuchmorepleasanttothem.Dontretailyourwoes,norreciteyourmany pointsofexcellence.Donttellwhatawonderfulbabyyouhavetheotherpeoplehavebabies oftheirowntothinkabout.Youmustendeavortotalkaboutthingsofinteresttotheother person,ifhewantstodothetalkinghimself.ForgetyourselfandTakeandInterestintheOther Person. Someofthebestretailmerchantsimpressupontheirsalespeopletheadvantageofcultivating thementalattitudeandpersonalitythatyouwillgivethecustomertheimpressionthatyouare onhissideofthecounterthatis,thatyouaretakingapersonalinterestinhisbeingwell served,suited,welltreatedandsatisfied.Thesalesmanwhoisabletocreatethatimpressionis welladvancedontheroadtosuccessinhisparticularline.Thisisadifficultthingtodescribe, butalittleobservationandthoughtandpracticealongthelineslaiddowninthepreceding lessonswilldomuchforyouinthisdirection.Arecentwritertruthfullysaysonthissubject: Suppose,forinstance,youareintradeoraprofession,andwishtoincreaseyourbusiness.It willnotdo,whenyousellgoodsorservices,tomakethemateramerelyperfunctory transaction,takingthecustomersmoney,givinghimgoodvalueandlettinghimgoaway feelingthatyouhavenointerestinthematterbeyondgivinghimafairdealandprofiting thereby.Unlesshefeelsthatyouhaveapersonalinterestinhimandhisneeds,andthatyou arehonestlydesiroustoincreasehiswelfare,youhavemadeafailureandarelosingground. Whenyoucanmakeeverycustomerfeelthatyouarereallytryingtoadvancehisinterestsas wellasyouown,yourbusinesswillgrow.Itisnotnecessarytogivepremiums,orheavier weights,orbettervaluesthanothersgivetoaccomplishthis;itisdonebyputtinglifeand interestintoeverytransaction,howeversmall.Thiswriterhasstatedtheideaclearly,forcibly andtruthfully,andyouwilldowelltoheedhisadviceandtoputitintoactualpractice.
AnotherimportantpointinPersonalityisSelfControl,particularlyinthematterofKeepingyour Temper.Angerisamarkofweakness,notofstrength.Themanwholoseshistemper immediatelyplaceshimselfatadisadvantage.Remembertheoldsaying:Thosewhomthe godswoulddestroy,theyfirstmakeangry.Undertheinfluenceofangeramandoesallsorts offoolishthingsthatheafterwardsregrets.Hethrowsjudgment,experienceandcautiontothe winds,andactslikeacrazyman.Infact,angerisasortofmadnessaphaseofinsanityifyou doubtthislookcarefullyatthefaceofthefirstangrymanyoumeetandseehowirrationalhe looksandacts.Itisawellknownfactthatifonekeepscoolwhilehisopponentisangry,hehas decidedlythebestofthematterforheisasanemandealingwithanirrationalone.Itisthe betterpolicytoallowtheotherfellowtostewinhisownfatofanger,keepingcoolyourselfat thesametime.Itisacomparativelyeasymattertocooldownanangrymanwithoutbecoming angrywithyouandasittakestwotomakeaquarrel,thematterissoonover.Youwillfind thatacontroloftheoutwardexpressionwillgiveyoucontrolofyouinnermentalstate.Youwill findthatifyouareabletocontrolyourvoice,keepingitcalm,steadyandlowpitched,youwill notflyintoapassion,andmorethanthis,youwillfindbysodoingthatthevoiceoftheother fellowwillgraduallycomedownfromitsloud,boisteroustones,andintheendbothofyouwill bepitchingyourvoicesinthesamekeyandyouhavesetthatkeynote.Thisisworth rememberingthiscontrolofthevoiceitisasecretwellworthknowingandpracticing. Whileweareonthesubjectofvoice,wewouldliketocallyourattentiontoafurthercontrolof voice,orratheracultivationofvoice.Amanhavingawellcontrolled,even,pleasantvoicehas anadvantageoverothershavingequalabilitiesinotherdirections,butlackingthatonequality. Thevalueofavibrant,resonant,softandflexiblevoiceisgreat.Ifyouhavesuchavoice,you areblessed.Ifyoulackit,whystarttoworkandcultivateit.Oh,yes,youcan!Didyoueverhear ofNathanSheppard,thewellknownpublicspeaker?Thenlistentothesewordsofhis,tellingof hisnaturaldisadvantagesofvoice,andhowheovercamethemandbecameagreatspeaker.He says:WhenImadeupmymindtodevotemymindandbodytopublicspeaking,Iwastoldby myteachersandgovernorsthatIwouldcertainlyfail;thatmyarticulationwasafailure,andit was;thatmyorgansofspeechwereinadequate,andtheywere;andthatifIwouldscrewup mylittlemouthitcouldbeputintomymothersthimble,anditcould.Stingingwordsthese certainlywere,andcruelones.Ishallneverforgetthem;possibly,however,theystungmeinto apersistencythatIwouldhaveneverknownbutforthesewords.Atallevents,thatisthe philosophyoftheselfmadeworldofmankind.Imaynothaveaccomplishedmuch;Idonot claimtohaveaccomplishedmuch.ItissomethingIhavemadealivingoutof,myartfortwenty years,andthatIdoclaimtohavedoneinspiteofeveryobstacleandeverydiscouragement,by turningmywilluponmyvoiceandvocalorgans,bycultivatingmyelocutionaryinstinctsandmy earforthecadencesofrhetoric,byknowingwhatIandmyvoiceandmyfeelingswereabout, bymakingthemostofmyself.Afterthesewords,anythingthatwemightaddregardingthe possibilityofacquiringagoodvoicebywill,practiceanddesirewouldbesuperfluous.Pickout thekindofvoicethatyouthinkbestadaptedtoyourwork,andthencultivateitbypractice,
determinationanddesire.IfMr.Sheppardcouldbecomeafamouspublicspeakerwithsuch obstaclesasthese,thenforyoutosaybutIcantistostampyouasaweakling. Ithasbeensuggestedtousthatwehaveafewwordstosayregardingthecarriageorphysical bearingoftheperson,asanimportantpartofPersonalityparticularlyinthephaseofWalking. Butwedonotthinkthatisnecessarytoaddtowhatwehavesaidinthislessonregardingthe subject,inconnectionwithwhatwehavealsosaidregardingthementalstateofSelfRespect. ThemainthingistocultivatetheMentalStateofSelfRespect,andtherestwillfollowasa naturalconsequence.ThoughttakesforminAction,andthemanwhohasSelfRespect imbeddedinhismindwillsurelysocarryanddemeanhimthathewillgiveevidenceofhis mentalstateinhiseveryphysicalaction,gesture,carriageandmotion.Hemusthaveitwithin, aswellaswithout.Onemustpayattentiontotheexterioraspectofcourse,particularlyinthe matterofdress.OneshouldcultivateCleanlinessandNeatness,ofbothbodyandclothing.To bewelldresseddoesnotmeantomeshowilycladinfact,thepersonwhoisbestdressedis inconspicuouslydressed.Cultivateaquiet,refinedtaste,expressedinqualityratherthanin showiness.AndaboveallbeClean. Inconclusion,letusimpressuponyouagainandagainthatthatwhichwecallPersonalityisbut theoutermaskoftheIndividualWithin.ThemaskmaybechangedbyaneffortoftheWill, aidedbyanintelligentdiscrimination.FirstfindoutwhatkindofPersonalityyoushouldhave, andthensettoworktocultivateittogrowit,infact.FormtheMentalImageofwhatyouwant tobethenthinkofitdesireitardentlywillthatyoushallhaveitthenActItOut,overand overagain;rehearsalafterrehearsal,untilyouwillactuallymaterializeyouridealintoobjective reality.Makeagoodmentalpatternormold,andthenpourinyourmentalmaterialsteadily, andslowly!FromthemoldwillcomeforththeCharacterandPersonalitythatyoudesireand need.ThenpolishupthisnewbornPersonalityuntilitbecomesradiantwiththebrightnessof Culture. Youcanbewhatyouwanttobeifyouonlywanttohardenough.Desireisthemotherofthe Actuality.RememberoncemoretheoldruleEARNESTDESIRECONFIDENTEXPECTATION FIRMRESOLVEthesearethethreethingsthatleadtoACCOMPLISHMENT.Andnowthatwe havegivenyouthislittleSecretofSuccessUSEIT.ItisUptoYoutoMakeGood.Wehave pressedthebuttonyoumustdotherest!
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AnAfterword
Onreadingtheforegoingpagesaftertheyhavebeensetupintype,weareimpressedwiththe ideathatinspiteofourdetermination,asexpressedinthefirstfewpages,nottoattempttolay downacodeorrulesoracourseofconductwhichshouldbeconsideredasaninfallibleGuide toSuccessinspiteofourvoweddeterminationnottoposeasateacherorpreacherwe haveneverthelessmanagedtodoconsiderableinthedirectionoflayingdownthelawsofar asisconcernednamingofthingstobedone,oravoided. However,wefeelthattheadvicegivenisgood,andthatthevariousexamplesquotedare calculatedtoarousewithinthemindofthereadertheSpiritthatleadstoSuccess.And,with thisthought,wesendforththesepagestothosewhomayattractthemtothemselves,orwho maybeattractedtothemundertheLawofAttraction.Butwefeelthatweshallnothave completedourtaskunlesswe,oncemore,remindthereaderthatSuccessisnottobegained byablindandslavishfollowingofanyonesrulesoradvice,ourownanymorethananyother persons.ThereisnoRoyalRoadtoSuccessnoPatentProcessbywhichtheunsuccessfulare tobemagicallytransformedintoCaptainsofIndustryorMagnatesofWallStreet.Thereis nothingmoreamusing,orpitiful,accordingtohowoneviewsit,thanthebulkofSuccessTalk giventothepublicbyselfappointedteachersandpreachers.Thereisnoonewhocaninafew pagespointouttoseekersafterSuccessaninfalliblemethodwherebyeachandeveryonemay attaintheSuccessandAttainmentthattheirheartscrave.Itisacold,hardtruththateachand everymanmustworkouthisownsalvationinthematterofSuccess.Rulesandadvicemay greatlyassistandtheyundoubtedlydothisbuttheindividualmustaccomplishthereal work.HemustcarveouthisownDestiny,andthereisnopoweraboveorbelowthatwilldothe workforhimifherefusestoperformithimself. TheoldsayingthatGodhelpshimwhohelpshimselfistrueinmoresensesthanone.Itistrue inthesensethattheHigherAidseemstorefusetocometotheassistanceofonewhoisnot willingtostrikeoutforhimanddohisbest.ButitistrueinanothersensethisAiddoescome toonewhowillthrowheartandsoulintothetasksetbeforehim,andwhowilldoeachdays workthebestheknowhow,withhopeinhissoul,andaconfidentexpectationofbetterthings rightahead,aroundtheturnoftheroad.Thewisemanistheonewhotakescourageouslythe steprightaheadofhim,plantinghisfootfirmlyandconfidentlyuponit,althoughheisunable toseefurtherahead.Tosuchaonestepafterstepisilluminatedasheproceeds,andhe reacheshisgoal,whereastheshrinkingones,whohavefearedtotaketheobviousstepbecause theycouldnotseebeyondit,arestillwaitingforsomethingtoturnup.Thiswaitingbusinessis apoorpolicyasGarfieldsaid:Dontwaitforsomethingtoturnupgooutandturn somethingup.Takethestepbeforeyouboldlyandhopefully,andthenextstepwillthen appear.Thethingtodoisthatwhichliesrightbeforeyoutobedonedoitthebestyouknow
how,feelingassuredthatinitsdoingyouwillbemakingprogresstowardthebetterthingsfor whichyourhearthasbeenlonging.Newideascomewhileyouareinactioninthedoingof thingscomestheinspirationforthedoingofgreaterthings.Youcanalwaysgetabetter runningstartwheninaction,whichwillgiveyouanadvantageoverthebeststandingstart imaginable.Getintoactionandmotion. Inthislittleworkwehaveendeavoredtocallyourattentiontosomethingoffargreater importancethanamerecodeofrulesandgeneraladvice.Wehavepointedouttoyouthe gloriousfactthatwithineachofyouthereisaSomethingWithin,whichifoncearousedwould giveyouagreatlyincreasedpowerandcapacity.Andsowehavetriedtotellyouthisstoryof theSomethingWithin,fromdifferentviewpoints,sothatyoumightcatchtheideainseveral ways.WefirmlybelievethatSuccessdependsmostmateriallyuponarecognitionand manifestationofthisSomethingWithinwethinkthatastudyofthecharacterandworkofall successfulmenwillshowyouthatdifferastheydoinpersonalcharacteristics,theyallmanifest thatconsciousnessofthatSomethingWithinthemthatgivesthemanassuranceofInward PowerandStrength,fromwhichproceedsCourageandSelfConfidence.Youwillfindthatthe majorityofsuccessfulmenfeelthatthereisaSomethinghelpingthembackofandbehind theirefforts.SomehavecalledthisThingbythenameofLuckorDestiny,orsomesuch term.ButitisallaformofthesamerecognitionofanInwardPowerthattheyarehelpedin someway,althoughtheyarenotquitesureofthenatureofthehelperinfact,themajorityof themdonotstoptospeculateuponitsnature,theyaretoobusyandarecontentwiththe knowledgethatItisthere.ThisSomethingWithinistheIndividualtheIineachofthem thesourceofthepowerwhichmenmanifestwhentheyexpressit.Andthislittlebookis writteninthehopesthattomanyitmaybethefirststeptowardtherecognition,unfoldment andmanifestationofthisInwardPower. WeearnestlyurgeuponyoutocultivatethisIAMconsciousnessthatyoumayrealizethe PowerWithinyou.Andthentherewillcomenaturallytoyouthecorrelatedconsciousness whichexpressesitselfinthestatement,ICANandIWILL,oneofthegrandestaffirmationsof Powerthatmancanmake.ThisICanandIWillconsciousnessisthatexpressionofthe SomethingWithin,whichwetrustthatyouwillrealizeandmanifest.Wefeelthatbehindallthe advicethatwecangiveyou,thisonethingisthePRIMEFACTORintheSecretofSuccess.
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William Walker Atkinson-Secret of Success

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William Walker Atkinson-Secret of Success

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