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DUMONT +Author of "Personal Magnetism"; "Practical Memory +Training"; "Mental Therapeutics"; "Successful +Salesmanship"; "Master Mind"; etc., etc. + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + +INTRODUCTION. It is of the utmost value to learn how to +concentrate. To make the greatest success of anything you must be +able to concentrate your entire thought upon the idea you are +working on. The person that is able to concentrate utilizes all +constructive thoughts and shuts out all destructive ones. The +greatest man would accomplish nothing if he lacked concentration. + +LESSON 1. CONCENTRATION FINDS THE WAY. Our two natures; one wants +to advance; the other wants to pull us back. The one we +concentrate on and develop determines what we will become. How +you may change your whole career and accomplish miracles. We can +be completely controlled by our concentrated thought. How can you +make an "opportunity". One man's opportunity is usually another +man's loss. A very beneficial practice. Why we get back what we +give out. A wonderful encouraging tonic. Every man that is +willing to put forth the necessary effort can be a success. The +man that is best prepared to do things. How to make your services +always in demand. How to reach the top. The man selected to +manage is not usually a genius. He does not possess any more +talent than others. What he does possess that others do not. Why +a few succeed and so many fail. + +LESSON 2. THE SELF-MASTERY. SELF-DIRECTION POWER OF +CONCENTRATION. Very few men possess the power to concentrate as +they should. The cause of poor concentration. A very good +practice. Concentration means strength of mind. The person unable +to concentrate never accomplished a great deal. How many weaken +their powers of concentration. How concentration can only be +developed. How to control your every thought, wish and plan. What +concentration is. The person that is able to concentrate gains +the Power to control others. Concentration makes the will and +intellect act in unison. Why some people are not magnetic. When a +powerful personal influence is generated. How to become +influential. The cause of spasmodic, erratic concentration. How +to centralize your attention. A quick way to develop +concentration. The development of physical and mental +concentration. How to learn a valuable lesson. One of the best +ways to influence another. A good exercise. The real benefit of +physical culture usually lost sight of. How to hold the +facilities at work. + +LESSON 3. HOW TO GAIN WHAT YOU WANT THROUGH CONCENTRATION. The +mistake made by those that do not understand the power of mental +attraction. How to get what you want. We are not living in a +"fairy age." Not the age for a "dreamer." The secret of getting +what you concentrate on. How a messenger in a bank became its +president. "Power to him who power exerts." + +LESSON 4. CONCENTRATION, THE SILENT FORCE THAT PRODUCES RESULTS +IN ALL BUSINESS. The power of thought. An experiment showing the +power of thought. By concentrated thought you can make yourself +what you please. How to greatly increase your efficiency. The +face reflects how a person has spent his life. How to awaken +possibilities within, you never dreamed of. How to inspire +confidence in those you deal with. The value of concentrating +your thoughts in the proper channels. How to attract the good +things without a, great effort. By concentration you can +revolutionize your life and gain happiness greater than you can +imagine. + +LESSON 5. HOW CONCENTRATED THOUGHT LINKS ALL HUMANITY TOGETHER. +How you may become successful. The barriers to success can be +controlled. How to realize your fondest ambitions. How to +overcome destructive forces. How to become the master of +circumstances. Through concentration you can mold your +environment. You can get what you want. Sowing the thought seeds +of success. Mind forces that are hardly dreamed of at present. A +method for removing unfavorable conditions. Concentration makes +you happy and gives you plenty to do. + +LESSON 6. THE TRAINING OF THE WILL TO DO. The great secret of any +accomplishment. Everything Is possible today. The inner energy +that controls all conscious acts. How you can become a genius. A +mighty force at your disposal. Rules that will make you a "man" +among men. The spirit that wins. Concentration develops +determination and perseverance. Some special instructions. What +will power is. You have as strong a will as anyone. You determine +your own fate. The importance of learning to use your will. + +LESSON 7. THE CONCENTRATED MENTAL DEMAND. The attitude of the +mind affects the expression of the face. The wonderful power of +the concentrated mental demand. How to desire something and +exclude all distracting thoughts. The silent force of wonderful +power within all of us. How to make plans work out. The mightiest +power in the world is free for you to use. The motive power which +supplies the energies necessary for achievement. + +LESSON 8. CONCENTRATION GIVES MENTAL POISE. The man that can +concentrate is well poised. What you must do to be successful +today. Concentration that is dangerous. How to make those you +come in contact with feel as you do. The man that becomes a power +in the world. You can control your life and actions. Successful +lives are the concentrated lives. Why people do not get what they +"concentrate" on. + +LESSON 9. CONCENTRATION CAN OVERCOME BAD HABITS. Habit is but a +powerful enemy and wonderful ally of concentration. Most people +are controlled through the power of habit. Most people are +imitators and copiers of their past selves. All physical +impressions are the carrying out of the actions of the will and +intellect. How everyone could be made happier and successful. +Some wonderful maxims. Habit the deepest law of human nature. How +to overcome undesirable habits. Some special instructions by Dr. +Oppenheim. + +LESSON 10. BUSINESS RESULTS GAINED THROUGH CONCENTRATION. A +successful business not the result of chance. Failure not caused +by luck. The intense desire that is necessary to make a business +a success. Those that achieve permanent success deserve it. The +man that is able to skilfully manage his business. How to realize +your ambition. The successful business attitude. Your opinion +should be as good as any one else. How many ruin their judgment. +The man that gets the best results. A successful business not +hard to build up; may be built up In a few years now whereas +formerly it took a lifetime. How to do more and better work. How +to attract the ideas thought out by others. Many attract forces +and Influences that they should not. Broaden the visions of those +you come in contact with. + +LESSON 11. CONCENTRATE ON COURAGE. Lack of courage creates +financial, as well as mental and moral difficulties. The man +without courage attracts all that is contemptible, weakening, +demoralizing and destructive. It is just as easy to be courageous +as cowardly. Courage concentrates the mental forces on the task +at hand. Cowardice dissipates both mental and moral forces. How +to banish doubts. No one knows what they can do until they try. +Once you understand the law everything is possible. How to build +up courage to do as you wish. Difficulties soon melt away before +the courageous. + +LESSON 12. CONCENTRATE ON WEALTH. No one was intended to be poor. +Through wealth we can uplift ourselves and humanity. Uncongenial +and unpleasant conditions are not conducive to proper thought. +First step toward acquiring wealth. Most men of all ages have +been comparatively rich. Wealth not altogether the result of +being industrious. No one can become wealthy from his earnings. +Why some have to be taught such painful lessons. How many attract +poverty instead of riches. Why it is necessary to give a fair +exchange for what we receive. How to make your society not only +agreeable to others but sought after. + +LESSON 13. YOU CAN CONCENTRATE, BUT WILL YOU? All have the +ability to concentrate. More ability not used than is used. +Sometimes only a trifle keeps one from becoming a success. The +fault is all your own. How to discover the cause if you are not +making good. Make conditions favorable and do not expect them to +shape themselves. Stumbling blocks but stepping stones. Hard +Passages can be bridged if you just concentrate on them. Why more +people do not succeed. Don't be afraid of a rebuff. The man that +knows no such thing as failure. Be ready for an opportunity when +it comes, No circumstances can keep the determined man from +succeeding. + +LESSON 14. ART OF CONCENTRATING WITH PRACTICAL EXERCISE. A daily +habit will wonderfully increase your concentration. Seeing +yourself as you would like to be. Instruction of the greatest +importance. The great creative spirit of the universe. Why things +manifest as they do. The cosmic intelligence. A most desired +state. How to receive messages from the universal mind. How to +develop power, unknown to you before. Make your mind a powerful +transmitter of thought. The best time to practice concentration +exercises. How to rejuvenate every cell of your brain and body. +An exercise that will give you a self-poised manner. Instead of a +nervous strained appearance. Concentrating on the powers within. +Concentration will save your energy. How to keep from getting +irritable or nervous. The Eastern way of concentrating. Exercise +in controlling desires. + +LESSON 15. CONCENTRATE SO YOU WILL NOT FORGET. Why people forget. +An easy way to remember. How to deepen your impression. Exercise +in Memory Concentration. + +LESSON 16. HOW CONCENTRATION CAN FULFILL YOUR DESIRE. The desire +to do implies the ability to do. Man has within him the power to +gratify his every wish. If you have been unable to satisfy your +longings, it is time you learn how to use your God-given powers. +Priceless knowledge and unlimited possibilities within you that +Is foreign to most people. How to concentrate on what you want +and get it. The miraculous help we apparently receive at times. +How one man started a business on thirteen cents and in six years +built up a business that pays him $6,000 a year. When you put +forth the necessary concentrated effort you will receive great +help from unknown sources. + +LESSON 17. IDEALS DEVELOP BY CONCENTRATION. Your happiness and +success depends upon your ideals. A valuable lesson. Through +concentration we can work out our ideals In physical life. What a +different world this would be if we would build the right kind of +ideals. Every time you change your ideal you think differently. +Life is one continuous unfoldment. You can be happy every step of +its way or miserable as you please. How our grandest thoughts +come to us. + +LESSON 18. MENTAL CONTROL THROUGH CREATION. An inventor's vision. +Why It is easy to project your thoughts to another. How your +mental powers can draw to you forces of a helpful nature. The big +business man must possess mental power of control. How to make a +friend or relative succeed. How to generate enthusiasm and the +spirit of success. Your environment is either helpful or harmful. +Mental starvation. How to instil your thoughts and ideas into +others. Influence that must be shaken off before you can advance. +Our attitude has more to do with success than you realize. + +LESSON 19. A CONCENTRATED WILL DEVELOPMENT. A most effective and +practical method of developing the Will. Practical exercises. +Will training without exercises. Will-power can overcome big +obstacles. The Will to win. Man an unknown quality until his +powers are developed. Ability plentiful, but organizing, +initiative and creative power not so plentiful. The driving force +within. + +LESSON 20. CONCENTRATION REVIEWED. Those unable to concentrate +will generally suffer from poverty and unhappiness, The best +instructor will only help you to the extent you put it into +practice. Gaining the mastery of your work, life powers and +forces. Concentrate the dominant quality that makes men +successful. Everyone can learn to concentrate better. An +experiment to try. Final instructions. + + + +INTRODUCTORY + + +We all know that in order to accomplish a certain thing we must +concentrate. It is of the utmost value to learn how to +concentrate. To make a success of anything you must be able to +concentrate your entire thought upon the idea you are working +out. + +Do not become discouraged, if you are unable to hold your thought +on the subject very long at first. There are very few that can. +It seems a peculiar fact that it is easier to concentrate on +something that is not good for us, than on something that is +beneficial. This tendency is overcome when we learn to +concentrate consciously. + +If you will just practice a few concentration exercises each day +you will find you will soon develop this wonderful power. + +Success is assured when you are able to concentrate for you are +then able to utilize for your good all constructive thoughts and +shut out all the destructive ones. It is of the greatest value to +be able to think only that which will be beneficial. + +Did you ever stop to think what an important part your thoughts, +concentrated thoughts, play in your life? This book shows their +far-reaching and all-abiding effects. + +These lessons you will find very practical. The exercises I have +thoroughly tested. They are arranged so that you will notice an +improvement from the very start, and this will give you +encouragement. They point out ways in which you can help +yourself. + +Man is a wonderful creature, but he must be trained and developed +to be useful. A great work can be accomplished by every man if he +can be awakened to do his very best. But the greatest man would +not accomplish much if he lacked concentration and effort. Dwarfs +can often do the work of giants when they are transformed by the +almost magic power of great mental concentration. But giants will +only do the work of dwarfs when they lack this power. + +We accomplish more by concentration than by fitness; the man that +is apparently best suited for a place does not always fill it +best. It is the man that concentrates on its every possibility +that makes an art of both his work and his life. + +All your real advancement must come from your individual effort. + +This course of lessons will stimulate and inspire you to achieve +success; it will bring you into perfect harmony with the laws of +success. It will give you a firmer hold on your duties and +responsibilities. + +The methods of thought concentration given in this work if put +into practice will open up interior avenues that will connect you +with the everlasting laws of Being and their exhaustless +foundation of unchangeable truth. + +As most people are very different it is impossible to give +instructions that will be of the same value to all. The author +has endeavored in these lessons to awaken that within the soul +which perhaps the book does not express. So study these lessons +as a means of awakening and training that which is within +yourself. Let all your acts and thoughts have the intensity and +power of concentration. + +To really get the full benefit of these lessons you should read a +page, then close the book and thoughtfully recall its ideas. If +you will do this you will soon cultivate a concentrated mental +habit, which will enable you to read with ordinary rapidity and +remember all that you read. + + + +LESSON I. CONCENTRATION FINDS THE WAY + +Everyone has two natures. One wants us to advance and the other +wants to pull us back. The one that we cultivate and concentrate +on decides what we are at the end. Both natures are trying to +gain control. The will alone decides the issue. A man by one +supreme effort of the will may change his whole career and almost +accomplish miracles. You may be that man. You can be if you Will +to be, for Will can find a way or make one. + +I could easily fill a book, of cases where men plodding along in +a matter-of-fact way, were all at once aroused and as if +awakening from a slumber they developed the possibilities within +them and from that time on were different persons. You alone can +decide when the turning point will come. It is a matter of choice +whether we allow our diviner self to control us or whether we +will be controlled by the brute within us. No man has to do +anything he does not want to do. He is therefore the director of +his life if he wills to be. What we are to do, is the result of +our training. We are like putty, and can be completely controlled +by our will power. + +Habit is a matter of acquirement. You hear people say: "He comes +by this or that naturally, a chip off the old block," meaning +that he is only doing what his parents did. This is quite often +the case, but there is no reason for it, for a person can break a +habit just the moment he masters the "I will." A man may have +been a "good-for-nothing" all his life up to this very minute, +but from this time on he begins to amount to something. Even old +men have suddenly changed and accomplished wonders. "I lost my +opportunity," says one. That may be true, but by sheer force of +will, we can find a way to bring us another opportunity. There is +no truth in the saying that opportunity knocks at our door but +once in a lifetime. The fact is, opportunity never seeks us; we +must seek it. What usually turns out to be one man's opportunity, +was another man's loss. In this day one man's brain is matched +against another's. It is often the quickness of brain action that +determines the result. One man thinks "I will do it," but while +he procrastinates the other goes ahead and does the work. They +both have the same opportunity. The one will complain of his lost +chance. But it should teach him a lesson, and it will, if he is +seeking the path that leads to success. + +Many persons read good books, but say they do not get much good +out of them. They do not realize that all any book or any lesson +course can do is to awaken them to their possibilities; to +stimulate them to use their will power. You may teach a person +from now until doom's day, but that person will only know what he +learns himself. "You can lead him to the fountain, but you can't +make him drink." + +One of the most beneficial practices I know of is that of looking +for the good in everyone and everything, for there is good in all +things. We encourage a person by seeing his good qualities and we +also help ourselves by looking for them. We gain their good +wishes, a most valuable asset sometimes. We get back what we give +out. The time comes when most all of us need encouragement; need +buoying up. So form the habit of encouraging others, and you will +find it a wonderful tonic for both those encouraged and yourself, +for you will get back encouraging and uplifting thoughts. + +Life furnishes us the opportunity to improve. But whether we do +it or not depends upon how near we live up to what is expected of +us. The first of each month, a person should sit down and examine +the progress he has made. If he has not come up to "expectations" +he should discover the reason, and by extra exertion measure up +to what is demanded next time. Every time that we fall behind +what we planned to do, we lose just so much for that time is gone +forever. We may find a reason for doing it, but most excuses are +poor substitutes for action. Most things are possible. Ours may +be a hard task, but the harder the task, the greater the reward. +It is the difficult things that really develop us, anything that +requires only a small effort, utilizes very few of our faculties, +and yields a scanty harvest of achievement. So do not shrink from +a hard task, for to accomplish one of these will often bring us +more good than a dozen lesser triumphs. + +I know that every man that is willing to pay the price can be a +success. The price is not in money, but in effort. The first +essential quality for success is the desire to do--to be +something. The next thing is to learn how to do it; the next to +carry it into execution. The man that is the best able to +accomplish anything is the one with a broad mind; the man that +has acquired knowledge, that may, it is true, be foreign to this +particular case, but is, nevertheless, of some value in all +cases. So the man that wants to be successful must be liberal; he +must acquire all the knowledge that he can; he must be well +posted not only in one branch of his business but in every part +of it. Such a man achieves success. + +The secret of success is to try always to improve yourself no +matter where you are or what your position. Learn all you can. +Don't see how little you can do, but how much you can do. Such a +man will always be in demand, for he establishes the reputation +of being a hustler. There is always room for him because +progressive firms never let a hustler leave their employment if +they can help it. + +The man that reaches the top is the gritty, plucky, hard worker +and never the timid, uncertain, slow worker. An untried man is +seldom put in a position of responsibility and power. The man +selected is one that has done something, achieved results in some +line, or taken the lead in his department. He is placed there +because of his reputation of putting vigor and virility into his +efforts, and because he has previously shown that he has pluck +and determination. + +The man that is chosen at the crucial time is not usually a +genius; he does not possess any more talent than others, but he +has learned that results can only be produced by untiring +concentrated effort. That "miracles," in business do not just +"happen." He knows that the only way they will happen is by +sticking to a proposition and seeing it through. That is the only +secret of why some succeed and others fail. The successful man +gets used to seeing things accomplished and always feels sure of +success. The man that is a failure gets used to seeing failure, +expects it and attracts it to him. + +It is my opinion that with the right kind of training every man +could be a success. It is really a shame that so many men and +women, rich in ability and talent, are allowed to go to waste, so +to speak. Some day I hope to see a millionaire philanthropist +start a school for the training of failures. I am sure he could +not put his money to a better use. In a year's time the science +of practical psychology could do wonders for him. He could have +agencies on the lookout for men that had lost their grip on +themselves; that had through indisposition weakened their will; +that through some sorrow or misfortune had become discouraged. At +first all they need is a little help to get them back on their +feet, but usually they get a knock downwards instead. The result +is that their latent powers never develop and both they and the +world are the losers. I trust that in the near future, someone +will heed the opportunity of using some of his millions in +arousing men that have begun to falter. All they need to be shown +is that there is within them an omnipotent source that is ready +to aid them, providing they will make use of it. Their minds only +have to be turned from despair to hope to make them regain their +hold. + +When a man loses his grip today, he must win his redemption by +his own will. He will get little encouragement or advice of an +inspiring nature. He must usually regain the right road alone. He +must stop dissipating his energies and turn his attention to +building a useful career. Today we must conquer our weakening +tendencies alone. Don't expect anyone to help you. Just take one +big brace, make firm resolutions, and resolve to conquer your +weaknesses and vices. Really none can do this for you. They can +encourage you; that is all. + +I can think of nothing, but lack of health, that should interfere +with one becoming successful. There is no other handicap that you +should not be able to overcome. To overcome a handicap, all that +it is necessary to do is to use more determination and grit and +will. + +The man with grit and will, may be poor today and wealthy in a +few years; will power is a better asset than money; Will will +carry you over chasms of failure, if you but give it the chance. + +The men that have risen to the highest positions have usually had +to gain their victories against big odds. Think of the hardships +many of our inventors have gone through before they became a +success. Usually they have been very much misunderstood by +relatives and friends. Very often they did not have the bare +necessities of life, yet, by sheer determination and resolute +courage, they managed to exist somehow until they perfected their +inventions, which afterwards greatly helped in bettering the +condition of others. + +Everyone really wants to do something, but there are few that +will put forward the needed effort to make the necessary +sacrifice to secure it. There is only one way to accomplish +anything and that is to go ahead and do it. A man may accomplish +almost anything today, if he just sets his heart on doing it and +lets nothing interfere with his progress. Obstacles are quickly +overcome by the man that sets out to accomplish his heart's +desire. The "bigger" the man, the smaller the obstacle appears. +The "smaller" the man the greater the obstacle appears. Always +look at the advantage you gain by overcoming obstacles, and it +will give you the needed courage for their conquest. + +Do not expect that you will always have easy sailing. Parts of +your journey are likely to be rough. Don't let the rough places +put you out of commission. Keep on with the journey. Just the way +you weather the storm shows what material you are made of. Never +sit down and complain of the rough places, but think how nice the +pleasant stretches were. View with delight the smooth plains that +are in front of you. + +Do not let a setback stop you. Think of it as a mere incident +that has to be overcome before you can reach your goal. + + + +LESSON II. THE SELF-MASTERY: SELF-DIRECTION POWER OF +CONCENTRATION + +Man from a psychological standpoint of development is not what he +should be. He does not possess the self-mastery, the +self-directing power of concentration that is his by right. + +He has not trained himself in a way to promote his self-mastery. +Every balanced mind possesses the faculties whose chief duties +are to engineer, direct and concentrate the operations of the +mind, both in a mental and physical sense. Man must learn to +control not only his mind but his bodily movements. + +When the controlling faculties (autonomic) are in an untrained +condition, the impulses, passions, emotions, thoughts, actions +and habits of the person suffer from lack of regulation, and the +procedure of mental concentration is not good, not because the +mind is necessarily weak in the autonomic department of the +faculties, but because the mind is not properly trained. + +When the self-regulating faculties are not developed the +impulses, appetites, emotions and passions have full swing to do +as they please and the mind becomes impulsive, restless, +emotional and irregular in its action. This is what makes mental +concentration poor. + +When the self-guiding faculties are weak in development, the +person always lacks the power of mental concentration. Therefore +you cannot learn to concentrate until you develop those very +powers that qualify you to be able to concentrate. So if you +cannot concentrate one of the following is the cause: + +1. "Deficiency of the motor centers." +2. "An impulsive and emotional mind." +3. "An untrained mind." + +The last fault can soon be removed by systematic practice. It is +easiest to correct. + +The impulsive and emotional state of mind can best be corrected +by restraining anger, passion and excitement, hatred, strong +impulses, intense emotions, fretfulness, etc. It is impossible to +concentrate when you are in any of these excited states. + +These can be naturally decreased by avoiding such food and drinks +as have nerve weakening or stimulating influences, or a tendency +to stir up the passions, the impulses and the emotions; it is a +very good practice to watch and associate with those persons that +are steady, calm, controlled and conservative. + +Correcting the deficiency of the motor centers is harder because +as the person's brain is undeveloped he lacks will power. + +To cure this takes some time. Persons so afflicted may benefit by +reading and studying my course, "The Master Mind."[*] + + +[*] To be published by Advanced Thought Publishing Co., Chicago, +Ill. + + +Many have the idea that when they get into a negative state they +are concentrating, but this is not so. They may be meditating, +though not concentrating. Those that are in a negative state a +good deal of the time cannot, as a rule, concentrate very well; +they develop instead abstraction of the mind, or absence of mind. +Their power of concentration becomes weaker and they find it +difficult to concentrate on anything. They very often injure the +brain, if they keep up this state. To be able to concentrate you +must possess strength of mind. The person that is feeble-minded +cannot concentrate his mind, because of lack of will. The mind +that cannot center itself on a special subject, or thought, is +weak; also the mind that cannot draw itself from a subject or +thought is weak. But the person that can center his mind on any +problem, no matter what it is, and remove any unharmonious +impressions has strength of mind. Concentration, first, last and +all the time, means strength of mind. + +Through concentration a person is able to collect and hold his +mental and physical energies at work. A concentrated mind pays +attention to thoughts, words, acts and plans. The person who +allows his mind to roam at will will never accomplish a great +deal in the world. He wastes his energies. If you work, think, +talk and act aimlessly, and allow your brain to wander from your +subject to foreign fields, you will not be able to concentrate. +You concentrate at the moment when you say, "I want to, I can, I +will." + +Some Mistakes Some People Make. If you waste your time reading +sensational stories or worthless newspaper items, you excite the +impulsive and the emotional faculties, and this means you are +weakening your power of concentration. You will not be a free +engineer, able to pilot yourself to success. + +Concentration of the mind can only be developed by watching +yourself closely. All kinds of development commence with close +attention. You should regulate your every thought and feeling. +When you commence to watch yourself and your own acts and also +the acts of other people, you use the faculties of autonomy, and, +as you continue to do so, you improve your faculties, until in +time you can engineer your every thought, wish and plan. To be +able to focalize the mind on the object at hand in a conscious +manner leads to concentration. Only the trained mind can +focalize. To hold a thought before it until all the faculties +shall have had time to consider that thought is concentration. + +The person that cannot direct his thoughts, wishes, plans, +resolutions and studies cannot possibly succeed to the fullest +extent. The person that is impulsive one moment and calm the next +has not the proper control over himself. He is not a master of +his mind, nor of his thoughts, feelings and wishes. Such a person +cannot be a success. When he becomes irritated, he irritates +others and spoils all chances of any concerned doing their best. +But the person that can direct his energies and hold them at work +in a concentrated manner controls his every work and act, and +thereby gains power to control others. He can make his every move +serve a useful end and every thought a noble purpose. + +In this day the man that gets excited and irritable should be +looked upon as an undesirable person. The person of good breeding +now speaks with slowness and deliberation. He is cultivating more +and more of a reposeful attitude. He is consciously attentive and +holds his mind to one thing at a time. He shuts out everything +else. When you are talking to anyone give him your sole and +undivided attention. Do not let your attention wander or be +diverted. Give no heed to anything else, but make your will and +intellect act in unison. + +Start out in the morning and see how self-poised you can remain +all day. At times take an inventory of your actions during the +day and see if you have kept your determination. If not, see that +you do tomorrow. The more self-poised you are the better will +your concentration be. Never be in too much of a hurry; and, +remember, the more you improve your concentration, the greater +are your possibilities. Concentration means success, because you +are better able to govern yourself and centralize your mind; you +become more in earnest in what you do and this almost invariably +improves your chances for success. + +When you are talking to a person have your own plans in mind. +Concentrate your strength upon the purpose you are talking about. +Watch his every move, but keep your own plans before you. Unless +you do, you will waste your energy and not accomplish as much as +you should. + +I want you to watch the next person you see that has the +reputation of being a strong character, a man of force. Watch and +see what a perfect control he has over his body. Then I want you +to watch just an ordinary person. Notice how he moves his eyes, +arms, fingers; notice the useless expenditure of energy. These +movements all break down the vital cells and lessen the person's +power in vital and nerve directions. It is just as important for +you to conserve your nervous forces as it is the vital forces. As +an example we see an engine going along the track very smoothly. +Some one opens all the valves and the train stops. It is the same +with you. If you want to use your full amount of steam, you must +close your valves and direct your power of generating mental +steam toward one end. Center your mind on one purpose, one plan, +one transaction. + +There is nothing that uses up nerve force so quickly as +excitement. This is why an irritable person is never magnetic; he +is never admired or loved; he does not develop those finer +qualities that a real gentleman possesses. Anger, sarcasm and +excitement weaken a person in this direction. The person that +allows himself to get excited will become nervous in time, +because he uses up his nerve forces and his vital energies. The +person that cannot control himself and keep from becoming excited +cannot concentrate. + +When the mind can properly concentrate, all the energy of every +microscopic cell is directed into one channel and then there is a +powerful personal influence generated. Everyone possesses many +millions of little trembling cells, and each one of these has a +center where life and energy are stored up and generated. If this +energy is not wasted but conserved and controlled, this person is +influential, but when it is the opposite, he is not influential +or successful. + +Just as it is impossible for a steam engine to run with all its +valves open, so is it impossible for you to waste your energy and +run at your top speed. Each neuron in the gray layers of the +brain is a psychic center of thought and action, each one is +pulsating an intelligent force of some kind, and when this force, +your thoughts and motions, are kept in cheek by a conservative, +systematic and concentrated mind, the result will be magnetism, +vitality and health. The muscles, bones, ligaments, feet, hands +and nerves, etc., are agents for carrying out the mandates of the +mind. The sole purpose of the volitional faculties is to move the +physical mechanism as the energy travels along the wires of +nerves and muscles. Just for that reason, if you throw a +voluntary control over these messages, impulses, thoughts, +emotions, physical movements and over these physical instruments +you develop your faculties of self-mastery and to the extent you +succeed here in proportion will you develop the power of +concentration. + +Any exercise or work that excites the mind, stimulates the +senses, calls the emotions and appetites into action, confuses, +terrifies or emotionalizes, weakens the power of concentration. +This is why all kind of excitement is bad. This is the reason why +persons who drink strong drinks, who allow themselves to get into +fits of temper, who fight, who eat stimulating food, who sing and +dance and thus develop their emotions, who are sudden, vehement +and emotional, lack the power to concentrate. But those whose +actions are slower and directed by their intelligence develop +concentration. Sometimes dogmatic, wilful, excitable persons can +concentrate, but it is spasmodic, erratic concentration instead +of controlled and uniform concentration. Their energy works by +spells; sometimes they have plenty, other times very little; it +is easily excited; easily wasted. The best way to understand it +is to compare it with the discharge of a gun. If the gun goes off +when you want it to, it accomplishes the purpose, but if it goes +off before you are ready for it, you will not only waste +ammunition, but it is also likely to do some damage. That is just +what most persons do. They allow their energy to explode, thus +not only wasting it but endangering others. They waste their +power, their magnetism and so injure their chance of success. +Such persons are never well liked and never will be until they +gain control over themselves. + +It will be necessary for them to practice many different kinds of +concentration exercises, and to keep them up for some time. They +must completely overcome their sudden, erratic thoughts, and +regulate their emotions and movements. They must from morning to +night train the mind to be steady, and direct and keep the +energies at work. + +The lower area of the brain is the store house of the energy. +Most all persons have all the dynamic energy they need if they +would concentrate it. They have the machine, but they must also +have the engineer, or they will not go very far. The engineer is +the self-regulating, directing power. The person that does not +develop his engineering qualities will not accomplish much in +life. The good engineer controls his every act. All work assists +in development. By what you do you either advance or degenerate. +This is a good idea to keep always in mind. When you are +uncertain whether you should do something or not, just think +whether by doing it you will grow or deteriorate, and act +accordingly. + +I am a firm believer in "work when you work, and play when you +play." When you give yourself up to pleasure you can develop +concentration by thinking of nothing else but pleasure; when your +mind dwells on love, think of nothing but this and you will find +you can develop a more intense love than you ever had before. +When you concentrate your mind on the "you" or real self, and its +wonderful possibilities, you develop concentration and a higher +opinion of yourself. By doing this systematically, you develop +much power, because you cannot be systematic without +concentrating on what you are doing. When you walk out into the +country and inhale the fresh air, studying vegetation, trees, +etc., you are concentrating. When you see that you are at your +place of business at a certain time each morning you are +developing steadiness of habit and becoming systematic. If you +form the habit of being on time one morning, a little late the +next, and still later the following one, you are not developing +concentration, but whenever you fix your mind on a certain +thought and hold your mind on it at successive intervals, you +develop concentration. + +If you hold your mind on some chosen object, you centralize your +attention, just like the lens of the camera centralizes on a +certain landscape. Therefore always hold your mind on what you +are doing, no matter what it is. Keep a careful watch over +yourself, for unless you do your improvement will be very slow. + +Practice inhaling long, deep breaths, not simply for the +improvement of health, although that is no small matter, but also +for the purpose of developing more power, more love, more life. +All work assists in development. + +You may think it foolish to try to develop concentration by +taking muscular exercises, but you must not forget that the mind +is associated with muscle and nerve. When you steady your nerves +and muscles, you steady your mind, but let your nerves get out of +order and your mind will become erratic and you will not possess +the power of direction, which, in other words, is concentration. +Therefore you understand how important exercises that steady the +nerves and muscles are in developing concentration. + +Everyone is continually receiving impulses that must be directed +and controlled if one is to lead a successful life. That is the +reason why a person must control the movements of his eyes, feet, +fingers, etc.; this is another reason why it is important to +control his breathing. The slow, deep, prolonged exhalations are +of wonderful value. They steady the circulation, the heart +action, muscles and nerves of the mind. If the heart flutters, +the circulation is not regular, and when the lung action is +uneven, the mind becomes unsteady and not fit for concentration. +This is why controlled breathing is very important as a +foundation for physical health. + +You must not only concentrate your mind, but also the action of +the eyes, ears and fingers. Each of these contain miniature minds +that are controlled by the master engineer. You will develop much +quicker if you thoroughly realize this. + +If you have ever associated with big men, or read their +biographies, you will find that they usually let the others do +the talking. It is much easier to talk than it is to listen. +There is no better exercise for concentration than to pay close +attention when some one is talking. Besides learning from what +they have to say, you may develop both mental and physical +concentration. + +When you shake hands with some one just think of your hand as +containing hundreds of individual minds, each having an +intelligence of its own. When you put this feeling into your hand +shake it shows personality. When you shake hands in a listless +way, it denotes timidity, lack of force and power of personality. +When the hand grip is very weak and stiff, the person has little +love in his nature, no passion and no magnetism. When the hand +shake is just the opposite, you will find that the nature is +also. The loveless person is non-magnetic and he shows that he is +by his non-magnetic hand shake. When two developed souls shake +hands, their clasps are never light. There is a thrill that goes +through both when the two currents meet. Love arouses the +opposite currents of the positive and negative natures. When +there is no love, life loses its charm. The hand quickly shows +when love is being aroused. This is why you should study the art +of hand shaking and develop your social affections. A person that +loves his kind reflects love, but a person that hates reflects +hate. The person with a bad nature, a hateful disposition, evil +thoughts and feeling is erratic, freakish and fitful. When you +allow yourself to become irritable, watch how you breathe and you +will learn a valuable lesson. Watch how you breathe when you are +happy. Watch your breathing when you harbor hate. Watch how you +breathe when you feel in love with the whole world and noble +emotions thrill you. When filled with good thoughts, you breathe +a plentiful supply of oxygen into your lungs and love fills your +soul. Love develops a person, physically, mentally and socially. +Breathe deeply when you are happy and you will gain life and +strength; you will steady your mind and you will develop your +power of concentration and become magnetic and powerful. + +If you want to get more out of life you must think more of love. +Unless you have real affection for something, you have no +sentiment, no sweetness, no magnetism. So arouse your love +affections by your will and enter into a fuller life. + +The hand of love always magnetizes, but it must be steady and +controlled. Love can be concentrated in your hand shake, and this +is one of the best ways to influence another. + +The next time you feel yourself becoming irritable, use your will +and be patient. This is a very good exercise in self-control. It +will help you to keep patient if you will breathe slowly and +deeply. If you find you are commencing to speak fast, just +control yourself and speak slowly and clearly. Keep from either +raising or lowering your voice and concentrate on the fact that +you are determined to keep your poise, and you will improve your +power of concentration. + +When you meet people of some consequence, assume a reposeful +attitude before them. Do this at all times. Watch both them and +yourself. Static exercises develop the motor faculties and +increase the power of concentration. If you feel yourself getting +irritable, nervous or weak, stand squarely on your feet with your +chest up and inhale deeply and you will see that your +irritability will disappear and a silent calm will pass over you. + +If you are in the habit of associating with nervous, irritable +people, quit it until you grow strong in the power of +concentration, because irritable, angry, fretful, dogmatic and +disagreeable people will weaken what powers of resistance you +have. + +Any exercises that give you better control of the ears, fingers, +eyes, feet, help you to steady your mind; when your eye is +steady, your mind is steady. One of the best ways to study a +person is to watch his physical movements, for, when we study his +actions, we are studying his mind. Because actions are the +expressions of the mind. As the mind is, so is the action. If it +is uneasy, restless, erratic, unsteady, its actions are the same. +When it is composed, the mind is composed. Concentration means +control of the mind and body. You cannot secure control over one +without the other. + +Many people who seem to lack ambition have sluggish minds. They +are steady, patient and seemingly have good control, but this +does not say they are able to concentrate. These people are +indolent, inactive, slow and listless, because they lack energy; +they do not lose control because they have little force to +control. They have no temper and it therefore cannot disturb +them. Their actions are steady because they possess little +energy. The natural person is internally strong, energetic and +forceful, but his energy, force and strength, thoughts and +physical movements are well under his control. + +If a person does not have energy, both mental and physical, he +must develop it. If he has energy which he cannot direct and hold +to a point he must learn to do so. A man may be very capable, +but, unless he Wills to control his abilities, they will not do +him any good. + +We hear so much talk about the benefit of physical culture, but +the real benefit of this is really lost sight of. There is +nothing that holds the faculties at work in a sustained and +continuous manner as static exercises do. For, as stated before, +when you learn to control the body, you are gaining control over +the mind. + + + +LESSON III. HOW TO GAIN WHAT YOU WANT THROUGH CONCENTRATION + +The ignorant person may say, "How can you get anything by merely +wanting it? I say that through concentration you can get anything +you want. Every desire can be gratified. But whether it is, will +depend upon you concentrating to have that desire fulfilled. +Merely wishing for something will not bring it. Wishing you had +something shows a weakness and not a belief that you will really +get it. So never merely wish, as we are not living in a "fairy +age." You use up just as much brain force in "vain imaginings" as +you do when you think of something worth while. + +Be careful of your desires, make a mental picture of what you +want and set your will to this until it materializes. Never allow +yourself to drift without helm or rudder. Know what you want to +do, and strive with all your might to do it, and you will +succeed. + +Feel that you can accomplish anything you undertake. Many +undertake to do things, but feel when they start they are going +to fail and usually they do. I will give an illustration. A man +goes to a store for an article. The clerk says, "I am sorry, we +have not it." But the man that is determined to get that thing +inquires if he doesn't know where he can get it. Again receiving +an unsatisfactory answer the determined buyer consults the +manager and finally he finds where the article can be bought. + +That is the whole secret of concentrating on getting what you +want. And, remember, your soul is a center of all-power, and you +can accomplish what you will to. "I'll find a way or make one!" +is the spirit that wins. I know a man that is now head of a large +bank. He started there as a messenger boy. His father had a +button made for him with a "P" on it and put it on his coat. He +said, "Son, that 'P' is a reminder that some day you are to be +the president of your bank. I want you to keep this thought in +your mind. Every day do something that will put you nearer your +goal." Each night after supper he would say, "Son, what did you +do today?" In this way the thought was always kept in mind. He +concentrated on becoming president of that bank, and he did. His +father told him never to tell anyone what that "P" stood for. A +good deal of fun was made of it by his associates. And they tried +to find out what it stood for, but they never did until he was +made president and then he told the secret. + +Don't waste your mental powers in wishes. Don't dissipate your +energies by trying to satisfy every whim. Concentrate on doing +something really worth while. The man that sticks to something is +not the man that fails. + +"Power to him who power exerts."--Emerson. + + +Success to-day depends largely on concentrating on the Interior +law of force, for when you do this you awaken those thought +powers or forces, which, when used in business, insures permanent +results. + +Until you are able to do this you have not reached your limit in +the use of your forces. This great universe is interwoven with +myriads of forces. You make your own place, and whether it is +important depends upon you. Through the Indestructible and +Unconquerable Law you can in time accomplish all right things and +therefore do not be afraid to undertake whatever you really +desire to accomplish and are willing to pay for in effort. +Anything that is right is possible. That which is necessary will +inevitably take place. If something is right it is your duty to +do it, though the whole world thinks it to be wrong. "God and one +are always a majority," or in plain words, that omnipotent +interior law which is God, and the organism that represents you +is able to conquer the whole world if your cause is absolutely +just. Don't say I wish I was a great man. You can do anything +that is proper and you want to do. Just say: You can. You will. +You must. Just realize this and the rest is easy. You have the +latent faculties and forces to subdue anything that tries to +interfere with your plans. + +"Let-the-troubles-and-responsibilities-of-life-come-thick-and-fas +t. I-am-ready-for-them. My-soul-is-unconquerable. +I-represent-the-Infinite-law-of-force,-or-of-all-power. +This-God-within-is-my-all-sufficient-strength-and-ever-present-he +lp-in-time-of-trouble. +The-more-difficulties-the-greater-its-triumphs-through-me. +The-harder-my-trials,-the-faster-I-go-in-the-development-of-my-in +herent-strength. Let-all-else-fail-me. +This-interior-reliance-is-all-sufficient. The-right-must-prevail. +I-demand-wisdom-and-power-to-know-and-follow-the-right. +My-higher-self-is-all-wise. I-now-draw-nearer-to-it." + + + +LESSON IV. CONCENTRATION, THE SILENT FORCE THAT PRODUCES RESULTS +IN ALL BUSINESS + +I want you first to realize how powerful thought is. A thought of +fear has turned a person's hair gray in a night. A prisoner +condemned to die was told that if he would consent to an +experiment and lived through it he would be freed. He consented. +They wanted to see how much blood a person could lose and still +live. They arranged that blood would apparently drop from a cut +made in his leg. The cut made was very slight, from which +practically no blood escaped. The room was darkened, and the +prisoner thought the dropping he heard was really coming from his +leg. The next morning he was dead through mental fear. + +The two above illustrations will give you a little idea of the +power of thought. To thoroughly realize the power of thought is +worth a great deal to you. + +Through concentrated thought power you can make yourself whatever +you please. By thought you can greatly increase your efficiency +and strength. You are surrounded by all kinds of thoughts, some +good, others bad, and you are sure to absorb some of the latter +if you do not build up a positive mental attitude. + +If you will study the needless moods of anxiety, worry, +despondency, discouragement and others that are the result of +uncontrolled thoughts, you will realize how important the control +of your thoughts are. Your thoughts make you what you are. + +When I walk along the street and study the different people's +faces I can tell how they spent their lives. It all shows in +their faces, just like a mirror reflects their physical +countenances. In looking in those faces I cannot help thinking +how most of the people you see have wasted their lives. + +The understanding of the power of thought will awaken +possibilities within you that you never dreamed of. Never forget +that your thoughts are making your environment, your friends, and +as your thoughts change these will also. Is this not a practical +lesson to learn? Good thoughts are constructive. Evil thoughts +are destructive. The desire to do right carries with it a great +power. I want you to thoroughly realize the importance of your +thoughts, and how to make them valuable, to understand that your +thoughts come to you over invisible wires and influence you. + +If your thoughts are of a high nature, you become connected with +people of the same mental caliber and you are able to help +yourself. If your thoughts are tricky, you will bring tricky +people to deal with you, who will try to cheat you. + +If your thoughts are right kind, you will inspire confidence in +those with whom you are dealing. + +As you gain the good will of others your confidence and strength +will increase. You will soon learn the wonderful value of your +thoughts and how serene you can become even when circumstances +are the most trying. + +Such thoughts of Right and Good Will bring you into harmony with +people that amount to something in the world and that are able to +give you help if you should need it, as nearly everyone does at +times. + +You can now see why it is so important to concentrate your +thoughts in the proper channels. It is very necessary that people +should have confidence in you. When two people meet they have not +the time to look each other up. They accept each other according +to instinct which can usually be relied on. + +You meet a person and his attitude creates a suspicion in you. +The chances are you cannot tell why, but something tells you, +"Have no dealings with him, for if you do, you will be sorry." +Thoughts produce actions. Therefore be careful of your thoughts. +Your life will be molded by the thoughts you have. A spiritual +power is always available to your thought, and when you are +worthy you can attract all the good things without a great effort +on your part. + +The sun's rays shine down on our gardens, but we can plant trees +that will interfere with the sun light. There are invisible +forces ready to help you if you do not think and act to intercept +these. These forces work silently. "You reap what you sow." + +You have concentrated within powers that if developed will bring +you happiness greater than you can even imagine. Most people go +rushing through life, literally driving away the very things they +seek. By concentration you can revolutionize your life, +accomplish infinitely more and without a great effort. + +Look within yourself and you will find the greatest machine ever +made. + +How to Speak Wisely. In order to speak wisely you must secure at +least a partial concentration of the faculties and forces upon +the subject at hand. Speech interferes with the focusing powers +of the mind, as it withdraws the attention to the external and +therefore is hardly to be compared with that deep silence of the +subconscious mind, where deep thoughts, and the silent forces of +high potency are evolved. It is necessary to be silent before you +can speak wisely. The person that is really alert and well poised +and able to speak wisely under trying circumstances, is the +person that has practiced in the silence. Most people do not know +what the silence is and think it is easy to go into the silence, +but this is not so. In the real silence we become attached to +that interior law and the forces become silent, because they are +in a state of high potency, or beyond the vibratory sounds to +which our external ears are attuned. He who desires to become +above the ordinary should open up for himself the interior +channels which lead to the absolute law of the omnipotent. You +can only do this by persistently and intelligently practicing +thought concentration. Hold the thought: + +In-silence-I-will-allow-my-higher-self-to-have-complete-control. +I-will-be-true-to-my-higher-self. +I-will-live-true-to-my-conception-of-what-is-right. +I-realize-that-it-is-to-my-self-interest-to-live-up-to-my-best. +I-demand-wisdom-so that-I-may-act-wisely-for-myself-and-others. + +In the next chapter I will tell you of the mysterious law, which +links all humanity together, by the powers of co-operative +thought, and chooses for us companionship and friends. + + + +LESSON V. HOW CONCENTRATED THOUGHT LINKS ALL HUMANITY TOGETHER + +It is within your power to gratify your every wish. Success is +the result of the way you think. I will show you how to think to +be successful. + +The power to rule and attract success is within yourself. The +barriers that shut these off from you are subject to your +control. You have unlimited power to think and this is the link +that connects you with your omniscient source. + +Success is the result of certain moods of mind or ways of +thinking. These moods can be controlled by you and produced at +will. + +You have been evolved to what you are from a lowly atom because +you possessed the power to think. This power will never leave +you, but will keep urging you on until you reach perfection. As +you evolve, you create new desires and these can be gratified. +The power to rule lies within you. The barriers that keep you +from ruling are also within you. These are the barriers of +ignorance. + +Concentrated thought will accomplish seemingly impossible results +and make you realize your fondest ambitions. At the same time +that you break down barriers of limitation new ambitions will be +awakened. You begin to experience conscious thought +constructions. + +If you will just realize that through deep concentration you +become linked with thoughts of omnipotence, you will kill out +entirely your belief in your limitations and at the same time +will drive away all fear and other negative and destructive +thought forces which constantly work against you. In the place of +these you will build up a strong assurance that your every +venture will be successful. When you learn thus how to +concentrate and reinforce your thought, you control your mental +creations; they in turn help to mould your physical environment, +and you become the master of circumstances and the ruler of your +kingdom. + +It is just as easy to surround your life with what you want as it +is with what you don't want. It is a question to be decided by +your will. There are no walls to prevent you from getting what +you want, providing you want what is right. If you choose +something that is not right, you are in opposition to the +omnipotent plans of the universe and deserve to fail. But, if you +will base your desires on justice and good will, you avail +yourself of the helpful powers of universal currents, and instead +of having a handicap to work against, can depend upon ultimate +success, though the outward appearances may not at first be +bright. + +Never stop to think of temporary appearances, but maintain an +unfaltering belief in your ultimate success. Make your plans +carefully, and see that they are not contrary to the tides of +universal justice. The main thing for you to remember is to keep +at bay the destructive and opposing forces of fear and anger and +their satellites. + +There is no power so great as the belief which comes from the +knowledge that your thought is in harmony with the divine laws of +thought and the sincere conviction that your cause is right. You +may be able seemingly to accomplish results for a time even if +your cause is unjust, but the results will be temporary, and, in +time, you will have to tear down your thought edifice and build +on the true foundation of Right. + +Plans that are not built on truth produce discordant vibrations +and are therefore self-destructive. Never try to build until you +can build right. It is a waste of time to do anything else. You +may temporarily put aside your desire to do right, but its true +vibrations will interfere with your unjust plans until you are +forced back into righteous paths of power. + +All just causes succeed in time, though temporarily they may +fail. So if you should face the time when everything seems +against you, quiet your fears, drive away all destructive +thoughts and uphold the dignity of your moral and spiritual life. + +"Where There Is A Will There Is A Way." The reason this is so is +that the Will can make a way if given the chance to secure the +assistance of aiding forces. The more it is developed the higher +the way to which it will lead. + +When everything looks gloomy and discouraging, then is the time +to show what you are made of by rejoicing that you can control +your moods by making them as calm, serene and bright as if +prosperity were yours. + +"Be faithful in sowing the thought seeds of success, in perfect +trust that the sun will not cease to shine and bring a generous +harvest in one season." + +It is not always necessary to think of the success of a venture +when you are actually engaged in it. For when the body is +inactive the mind is most free to catch new ideas that will +further the opportunity you are seeking. When you are actually +engaged in doing something, you are thinking in the channels you +have previously constructed and the work does not have to be done +over again. + +When you are in a negative mood the intuitions are more active, +for you are not then controlling your thoughts by the will. +Everything we do. should have the approval of the intuition. + +When you are in a negative mood you attract thoughts of similar +nature through the law of affinity. That is why it is so +important to form thoughts of a success nature to attract similar +ones. If you have never made a study of this subject, you may +think this is all foolishness, but it is a fact that there are +thought currents that unerringly bring thoughts of a similar +nature. Many persons who think of failure actually attract +failure by their worries, their anxieties, their overactivity. +These thoughts are bound to bring failure. When you once learn +the laws of thought and think of nothing but Good, Truth, +Success, you will make more progress with less effort than you +ever made before. + +There are forces that can aid the mind that are hardly dreamed of +by the average person. When you learn to believe more in the +value of thought and its laws you will be led aright and your +business gains will multiply. + +The following method may assist you in gaining better thought +control. If you are unable to control your fears, just say to +your faulty determination, "Do not falter or be afraid, for I am +not really alone. I am surrounded by invisible forces that will +assist me to remove the unfavorable appearances." Soon you will +have more courage. The only difference between the fearless man +and the fearful one is in his will, his hope. So if you lack +success, believe in it, hope for it, claim it. You can use the +same method to brace up your thoughts of desire, aspiration, +imagination, expectation, ambition, understanding, trust and +assurance. + +If you get anxious, angry, discouraged, undecided or worried, it +is because you are not receiving the co-operation of the higher +powers of your mind. By your Will you can so organize the powers +of the mind that your moods change only as you want them to +instead of as circumstances affect you. + +I was recently asked if I advised concentrating on what you eat, +or what you see while walking. My reply was that no matter what +you may be doing, when in practice think of nothing else but that +act at the time. The idea is to be able to control your +unimportant acts, otherwise you set up a habit that it will be +hard to overcome, because your faculties have not been in the +habit of concentrating. Your faculties cannot be disorganized one +minute and organized the next. If you allow the mind to wander +while you are doing small things, it will be likely to get into +mischief and make it hard to concentrate on the important act +when it comes. + +The man that is able to concentrate is the happy, busy man. Time +does not drag with him. He always has plenty to do. He does not +have time to think over past mistakes, which would make him +unhappy. + +If despite our discouragement and failures, we claim our great +heritage, "life and truth and force, like an electric current," +will permeate our lives until we enter into our "birthright in +eternity." + +The will does not act with clearness, decision and promptness +unless it is trained to do so. There are comparatively few that +really know what they are doing every minute of the day. This is +because they do not observe with sufficient orderliness and +accuracy to know what they are doing. It is not difficult to know +what you are doing all the time, if you will just practice +concentration and with a reposeful deliberation, and train +yourself to think clearly, promptly, and decisively. If you allow +yourself to worry or hurry in what you are doing, this will not +be clearly photographed upon the sensitized plate of the +subjective mind, and you therefore will not be really conscious +of your actions. So practice accuracy and concentration of +thought, and also absolute truthfulness and you will soon be able +to concentrate. + + + +LESSON VI. THE TRAINING OF THE WILL TO DO + +The Will To Do is the greatest power in the world that is +concerned with human accomplishment and no one can in advance +determine its limits. + +The things that we do now would have been a few ages ago +impossibilities. Today the safe maxim is: "All things are +possible." + +The Will To Do is a force that is strictly practical, yet it is +difficult to explain just what it is. It can be compared to +electricity because we know it only through its cause and +effects. It is a power we can direct and to just the extent we +direct it do we determine our future. Every time you accomplish +any definite act, consciously or unconsciously, you use the +principle of the Will. You can Will to do anything whether it is +right or wrong, and therefore the way you use your will makes a +big difference in your life. + +Every person possesses some "Will To Do." It is the inner energy +which controls all conscious acts. What you will to do directs +your life forces. All habits, good or bad, are the result of what +you will to do. You improve or lower your condition in life by +what you will to do. Your will has a connection with all avenues +of knowledge, all activities, all accomplishment. + +You probably know of cases where people have shown wonderful +strength under some excitement, similar to the following: The +house of a farmer's wife caught on fire. No one was around to +help her move anything. She was a frail woman, and ordinarily was +considered weak. On this occasion she removed things from the +house that it later took three men to handle. It was the "Will To +Do" that she used to accomplish her task. + +Genius Is But A Will To Do Little Things With Infinite Pains. +Little Things Well Done Open The Door Of Opportunity For Bigger +Things. + +The Will accomplishes its greater results through activities that +grow out of great concentration in acquiring the power of +voluntary attention to such an extent that we can direct it where +we will and hold it steadily to its task until our aim is +accomplished. When you learn so to use it, your Will Power +becomes a mighty force. Almost everything can be accomplished +through its proper use. It is greater than physical force because +it can be used to control not only physical but mental and moral +forces. + +There are very few that possess perfectly developed and balanced +Will Power, but those who do easily crush out their weak +qualities. Study yourself carefully. Find out your greatest +weakness and then use your will power to overcome it. In this way +eradicate your faults, one by one, until you have built up a +strong character and personality. + +Rules for Improvement. A desire arises. Now think whether this +would be good for you. If it is not, use your Will Power to kill +out the desire, but, on the other hand, if it is a righteous +desire, summon all your Will Power to your aid, crush all +obstacles that confront you and secure possession of the coveted +Good. + +Slowness in Making Decisions. This is a weakness of Will Power. +You know you should do something, but you delay doing it through +lack of decision. It is easier not to do a certain thing than to +do it, but conscience says to do it. The vast majority of persons +are failures because of the lack of deciding to do a thing when +it should be done. Those that are successful have been quick to +grasp opportunities by making a quick decision. This power of +will can be used to bring culture, wealth and health. + +Some Special Pointers. For the next week try to make quicker +decisions in your little daily affairs. Set the hour you wish to +get up and arise exactly at the fixed time. Anything that you +should accomplish, do on or ahead of time. You want, of course, +to give due deliberation to weighty matters, but by making quick +decisions on little things you will acquire the ability to make +quick decisions in bigger things. Never procrastinate. Decide +quickly one way or the other even at the risk of deciding wrong. +Practice this for a week or two and notice your improvement. + +The Lack of Initiative. This, too, keeps many men from +succeeding. They have fallen into the way of imitating others in +all that they do. Very often we hear the expression, "He seems +clever enough, but he lacks initiative." Life for them is one +continuous grind. Day after day they go through the same +monotonous round of duties, while those that are "getting along" +are using their initiative to get greater fullness of life. There +is nothing so responsible for poverty as this lack of initiative, +this power to think and do for ourselves. + +You Are as Good as Anyone. You have will power, and if you use +it, you will get your share of the luxuries of life. So use it to +claim your own. Don't depend on anyone else to help you. We have +to fight our own battles. All the world loves a fighter, while +the coward is despised by all. + +Every person's problems are different, so I can only say "analyze +your opportunities and conditions and study your natural +abilities." Form plans for improvement and then put them into +operation. Now, as I said before, don't just say, "I am going to +do so and so," but carry your plan into execution. Don't make an +indefinite plan, but a definite one, and then don't give up until +your object has been accomplished. Put these suggestions into +practice with true earnestness, and you will soon note +astonishing results, and your whole life will be completely +changed. An excellent motto for one of pure motives is: Through +my will power I dare do what I want to. You will find this +affirmation has a very strengthening effect. + +The Spirit of Perseverance. The spirit of "sticktoitiveness" is +the one that wins. Many go just so far and then give up, whereas, +if they had persevered a little longer, they would have won out. +Many have much initiative, but instead of concentrating it into +one channel, they diffuse it through several, thereby dissipating +it to such an extent that its effect is lost. + +Develop more determination, which is only the Will To Do, and +when you start out to do something stick to it until you get +results. Of course, before starting anything you must look ahead +and see what the "finish leads to." You must select a road that +will lead to "somewhere," rather than "nowhere." The journey must +be productive of some kind of substantial results. The trouble +with so many young men is that they launch enterprises without +any end in sight. It is not so much the start as the finish of a +journey that counts. Each little move should bring you nearer the +goal which you planned to reach before the enterprise began. + +Lack of Perseverance is nothing but the lack of the Will To Do. +It takes the same energy to say, "I will continue," as to say, "I +give up." Just the moment you say the latter you shut off your +dynamo, and your determination is gone. Every time you allow your +determination to be broken you weaken it. Don't forget this. Just +the instant you notice your determination beginning to weaken, +concentrate on it and by sheer Will Power make it continue on the +"job." + +Never try to make a decision when you are not in a calm state of +mind. If in a "quick temper," you are likely to say things you +afterwards regret. In anger, you follow impulse rather than +reason. No one can expect to achieve success if he makes +decisions when not in full control of his mental forces. + +Therefore make it a fixed rule to make decisions only when at +your best. If you have a "quick temper," you can quickly gain +control over it by simple rule of counting backwards. To count +backwards requires concentration, and you thus quickly regain a +calm state. In this way you can break the "temper habit." + +It will do you a lot of good to think over what you said and +thought the last time you were angry. Persevere until you see +yourself as others see you. It would do no harm to write the +scene out in story form and then sit in judgment of the character +that played your part. + +Special Instructions to Develop the Will To Do. This is a form of +mental energy, but requires the proper mental attitude to make it +manifest. We hear of people having wonderful will power, which +really is wrong. It should be said that they use their will power +while with many it is a latent force. I want you to realize that +no one has a monopoly on will power. There is plenty for all. +What we speak of as will power is but the gathering together of +mental energy, the concentration power at one point. So never +think of that person as having a stronger will than yours. Each +person will be supplied with just that amount of will power that +he demands. You don't have to develop will power if you +constantly make use of all you have, and remember the way in +which you use it determines your fate, for your life is moulded +to great extent by the use you make of your will. Unless you make +proper use of it you have neither independence nor firmness. You +are unable to control yourself and become a mere machine for +others to use. It is more important to learn to use your will +than to develop your intellect. The man that has not learned how +to use his will rarely decides things for himself, but allows his +resolutions to be changed by others. He fluctuates from one +opinion to another, and of course does not accomplish anything +out of the ordinary, while his brother with the trained will +takes his place among the world's leaders. + + + +LESSON VII. THE CONCENTRATED MENTAL DEMAND + +The Mental Demand is the potent force in achievement. The +attitude of the mind affects the expression of the face, +determines action, changes our physical condition and regulates +our lives. + +I will not here attempt to explain the silent force that achieves +results. You want to develop your mental powers so you can effect +the thing sought, and that is what I want to teach you. There is +wonderful power and possibility in the concentrated Mental +Demand. This, like all other forces, is controlled by laws. It +can, like all other forces, be wonderfully increased by +consecutive, systematized effort. + +The mental demand must be directed by every power of the mind and +every possible element should be used to make the demand +materialize. You can so intently desire a thing that you can +exclude all distracting thoughts. When you practice this +singleness of concentration until you attain the end sought, you +have developed a Will capable of accomplishing whatever you wish. + +As long as you can only do the ordinary things you will be +counted in the mass of mediocrity. But just as quick as you +surpass others by even comparatively small measure, you are +classed as one of life's successes. So, if you wish to emerge +into prominence, you must accomplish something more than the +ordinary man or woman. It is easy to do this if you will but +concentrate on what you desire, and put forth your best effort. +It is not the runner with the longest legs or the strongest +muscles that wins the race, but the one that can put forth the +greatest desire force. You can best understand this by thinking +of an engine. The engine starts up slowly, the engineer gradually +extending the throttle to the top notch. It is then keyed up to +its maximum speed. The same is true of two runners. They start +off together and gradually they increase their desire to go +faster. The one that has the greatest intensity of desire will +win. He may outdistance the other by only a fraction of an inch, +yet he gets the laurels. + +The men that are looked upon as the world's successes have not +always been men of great physical power, nor at the start did +they seem very well adapted to the conditions which encompassed +them. In the beginning they were not considered men of superior +genius, but they won their success by their resolution to achieve +results in their undertakings by permitting no set-back to +dishearten them; no difficulties to daunt them. Nothing could +turn them or influence them against their determination. They +never lost sight of their goal. In all of us there is this silent +force of wonderful power. If developed, it can overcome +conditions that would seem insurmountable. It is constantly +urging us on to greater achievement. The more we become +acquainted with it the better strategists we become, the more +courage we develop and the greater the desire within us for +self-expression in activity along many lines. + +No one will ever be a failure if he becomes conscious of this +silent force within that controls his destiny. But without the +consciousness of this inner force, you will not have a clear +vision, and external conditions will not yield to the power of +your mind. It is the mental resolve that makes achievement +possible. Once this has been formed it should never be allowed to +cease to press its claim until its object is attained. To make +plans work out it will, at times, be necessary to use every power +of your mind. Patience, perseverance and all the indomitable +forces within one will have to be mustered and used with the +greatest effectiveness. + +Perseverance is the first element of success. In order to +persevere you must be ceaseless in your application. It requires +you to concentrate your thoughts upon your undertaking and bring +every energy to bear upon keeping them focused upon it until you +have accomplished your aim. To quit short of this is to weaken +all future efforts. + +The Mental Demand seems an unreal power because it is intangible; +but it is the mightiest power in the world. It is a power that is +free for you to use. No one can use it for you. The Mental Demand +is not a visionary one. It is a potent force, which you can use +freely without cost. When you are in doubt it will counsel you. +It will guide you when you are uncertain. When you are in fear it +will give you courage. It is the motive power which supplies the +energies necessary to the achievement of the purpose. You have a +large store house of possibilities. The Mental Demand makes +possibilities realities. It supplies everything necessary for the +accomplishment, it selects the tools and instructs how to use +them. It makes you understand the situation. Every time you make +a Mental Demand you strengthen the brain centers by drawing to +you external forces. + +Few realize the power of a Mental Demand. It is possible to make +your demand so strong that you can impart what you have to say to +another without speaking to him. Have you ever, after planning to +discuss a certain matter with a friend, had the experience of +having him broach the subject before you had a chance to speak of +it? Have you ever, in a letter, made a suggestion to a friend +that he carried out before your letter reached him? Have you ever +wanted to speak to a person who, just then walked in or +telephoned. I have had many such responses to thought and you and +your friends have doubtless experienced them, too. + +These two things are neither coincidences nor accidents, but are +the results of mental demand launched by strong concentration. + +The person that never wants anything gets little. To demand +resolutely is the first step toward getting what you want. + +The power of the Mental Demand seems absolute, the supply +illimitable. The mental demand projects itself and causes to +materialize the conditions and opportunities needed to accomplish +the purpose. Do not think I over estimate the value of the Mental +Demand. It brings the fuller life if used for only righteous +purposes. Once the Mental Demand is made, however, never let it +falter. If you do the current that connects you with your desire +is broken. Take all the necessary time to build a firm +foundation, so that there need not be even an element of doubt to +creep in. Just the moment you entertain "doubt" you lose some of +the demand force, and force once lost is hard to regain. So +whenever you make a mental demand hold steadfastly to it until +your need is supplied. + +I want to repeat again that Power of Mental Demand is not a +visionary one. It is concentrated power only, and can be used by +you. It is not supernatural power, but requires a development of +the brain centers. The outcome is sure when it is given with a +strong resolute determination. + +No person will advance to any great extent, until he recognizes +this force within him. If you have not become aware of it, you +have not made very much of a success of your life. It is this +"something" that distinguishes that "man" from other men. It is +this subtle power that develops strong personality. + +If you want a great deal you must demand a great deal. Once you +make your demand, anticipate its fulfillment. It depends upon us. +We are rewarded according to our efforts. The Power of Mental +Demand can bring us what we want. We become what we determine to +be. We control our own destiny. + + +Get the right mental attitude, then in accordance with your +ability you can gain success. + +And every man of AVERAGE ability, the ordinary man that you see +about you, can be really successful, independent, free of worry, +HIS OWN MASTER, if he can manage to do just two things. + +First, remain forever dissatisfied with what he IS doing and with +what he HAS accomplished. + +Second, develop in his mind a belief that the word impossible was +not intended or him. Build up in his mind the confidence that +enables the mind to use its power. + +Many, especially the older men, will ask: + +"How can I build up that self-confidence in my brain? How can I, +after months and years of discouragement, of dull plodding, +suddenly conceive and carry out a plan for doing something that +will make life worth while and change the monotonous routine? + +"How can a man get out of a rut after he has been in it for years +and has settled down to the slow jog-trot that leads to the +grave?" + +The answer is the thing can be done, and millions have done it. + +One of the names most honored among the great men of France is +that of Littre, who wrote and compiled the great French +dictionary--a monument of learning. He is the man whose place +among the forty immortals of France was taken by the great +Pasteur, when the latter was elected to the Academy. + +Littre BEGAN the work that makes him famous when he was more than +sixty years old. + + + +LESSON VIII. CONCENTRATION GIVES MENTAL POISE + +You will find that the man that concentrates is well poised, +whereas the man that allows his mind to wander is easily upset. +When in this state wisdom does not pass from the subconscious +storehouse into the consciousness. There must be mental quiet +before the two consciousnesses can work in harmony. When you are +able to concentrate you have peace of mind. + +If you are in the habit of losing your poise, form the habit of +reading literature that has a quieting power. Just the second you +feel your poise slipping, say, "Peace," and then hold this +thought in mind and you will never lose your self-control. + +There cannot be perfect concentration until there is peace of +mind. So keep thinking peace, acting peace, until you are at +peace with all the world. For when once you have reached this +state there will be no trouble to concentrate on anything you +wish. + +When you have peace of mind you are not timid or anxious, or +fearful, or rigid and you will not allow any disturbing thought +to influence you. You cast aside all fears, and think of yourself +as a spark of the Divine Being, as a manifestation of the "One +Universal Principle" that fills all space and time. Think of +yourself thus as a child of the infinite, possessing infinite +possibilities. + +Write on a piece of paper, "I have the power to do and to be +whatever I wish to do and be." Keep this mentally before you, and +you will find the thought will be of great help to you. + +The Mistake of Concentrating on Your Business While Away. In +order to be successful today, you must concentrate, but don't +become a slave to concentration, and carry your business cares +home. Just as sure as you do you will be burning the life forces +at both ends and the fire will go out much sooner than was +intended. + +Many men become so absorbed in their business that when they go +to church they do not hear the preacher because their minds are +on their business. If they go to the theater they do not enjoy it +because their business is on their minds. When they go to bed +they think about business instead of sleep and wonder why they +don't sleep. This is the wrong kind of concentration and is +dangerous. It is involuntary. When you are unable to get anything +out of your mind it becomes unwholesome as any thought held +continuously causes weariness of the flesh. It is a big mistake +to let a thought rule you, instead of ruling it. He who does not +rule himself is not a success. If you cannot control your +concentration, your health will suffer. + +So never become so absorbed with anything that you cannot lay it +aside and take up another. This is self-control. + +Concentration Is Paying Attention to a Chosen Thought. Everything +that passes before the eye makes an impression on the +subconscious mind, but unless you pay attention to some certain +thing you will not remember what you saw. For instance if you +walked down a busy street without seeing anything that attracted +your particular attention, you could not recall anything you saw. +So you see only what attracts your attention. If you work you +only see and remember what you think about. When you concentrate +on something it absorbs your whole thought. + +Self-Study Valuable. Everyone has some habits that can be +overcome by concentration. We will say for instance, you are in +the habit of complaining, or finding fault with yourself or +others; or, imagining that you do not possess the ability of +others; or feeling that you are not as good as someone else; or +that you cannot rely on yourself; or harboring any similar +thoughts or thoughts of weakness. These should be cast aside and +instead thoughts of strength should be put in their place. Just +remember every time you think of yourself as being weak, in some +way you are making yourself so by thinking you are. Our mental +conditions make us what we are. Just watch yourself and see how +much time you waste in worrying, fretting and complaining. The +more of it you do the worse off you are. + +Just the minute you are aware of thinking a negative thought +immediately change to a positive one. If you start to think of +failure, change to thinking of success. You have the germ of +success within you. Care for it the same as the setting hen +broods over the eggs and you can make it a reality. + +You can make those that you come in contact with feel as you do, +because you radiate vibrations of the way you feel and your +vibrations are felt by others. When you concentrate on a certain +thing you turn all the rays of your vibrations on this. Thought +is the directing power of all Life's vibrations. If a person +should enter a room with a lot of people and feel as if he were a +person of no consequence no one would know he was there unless +they saw him, and even if they did, they would not remember +seeing him, because they were not attracted towards him. But let +him enter the room feeling that he was magnetic and concentrating +on this thought, others would feel his vibration. So remember the +way you feel you can make others feel. This is the law. Make +yourself a concentrated dynamo from which your thoughts vibrate +to others. Then you are a power in the world. Cultivate the art +of feeling, for as I said before you can only make others feel +what you feel. + +If you will study all of the great characters of history you will +find that they were enthusiastic. First they were enthusiastic +themselves, and then they could arouse others' enthusiasm. It is +latent in everyone. It is a wonderful force when once aroused. +All public men to be a success have to possess it. Cultivate it +by concentration. Set aside some hour of the day, wherein to hold +rapt converse with the soul. Meditate with sincere desire and +contrite heart and you will be able to accomplish that which you +have meditated on. This is the keynote of success. + + +"Think, speak and act just as you wish to be, And you will be +that which you wish to be." + + +You are just what you think you are and not what you may appear +to be. You may fool others but not yourself. You may control your +life and actions just as you can control your hands. If you want +to raise your hand you must first think of raising it. If you +want to control your life you must first control your thinking. +Easy to do, is it not? Yes it is, if you will but concentrate on +what you think about. + + For he only can + That says he will. + + +How can we secure concentration? To this question, the first and +last answer must be: By interest and strong motive. The stronger +the motive the greater the concentration.--Eustace Miller, M. D. + +The Successful Lives Are the Concentrated Lives. The utterly +helpless multitude that sooner or later have to be cared for by +charity, are those that were never able to concentrate, and who +have become the victims of negative ideas. + +Train yourself so you will be able to centralize your thought and +develop your brain power, and increase your mental energy, or you +can be a slacker, a drifter, a quitter or a sleeper. It all +depends on how you concentrate, or centralize your thoughts. Your +thinking then becomes a fixed power and you do not waste time +thinking about something that would not be good for you. You pick +out the thoughts that will be the means of bringing you what you +desire, and they become a material reality. Whatever we create in +the thought world will some day materialize. That is the law. +Don't forget this. + +In the old days men drifted without concentration but this is a +day of efficiency and therefore all of our efforts must be +concentrated, if we are to win any success worth the name. + +Why People Often Do Not Get What They Concentrate On. Because +they sit down in hopeless despair and expect it to come to them. +But if they will just reach out for it with their biggest effort +they will find it is within their reach. No one limits us but +ourselves. We are what we are today as the result of internal +conditions. We can control the external conditions. They are +subject to our will. + +Through our concentration we can attract what we want, because we +became enrapport with the Universal forces, from which we can get +what we want. + +You have watched races no doubt. They all line up together. Each +has his mind set on getting to the goal before the others. This +is one kind of concentration. A man starts to think on a certain +subject. He has all kinds of thoughts come to him, but by +concentration he shuts out all these but the one he has chosen. +Concentration is just a case of willing to do a certain thing and +doing it. + + +If you want to accomplish anything first put yourself in a +concentrating, reposeful, receptive, acquiring frame of mind. In +tackling unfamiliar work make haste slowly and deliberately and +then you will secure that interior activity, which is never +possible when you are in a hurry or under a strain. When you +"think hard" or try to hurry results too quickly, you generally +shut off the interior flow of thoughts and ideas. You have often +no doubt tried hard to think of something but could not, but just +as soon as you stopped trying to think of it, it came to you. + + + +LESSON IX. CONCENTRATION CAN OVERCOME BAD HABITS + +Habits make or break us to a far greater extent than we like to +admit. Habit is both a powerful enemy and wonderful ally of +concentration. You must learn to overcome habits which are +injurious to concentration, and to cultivate those which increase +it. + +The large majority of people are controlled by their habits and +are buffeted around by them like waves of the ocean tossing a +piece of wood. They do things in a certain way because of the +power of habit. They seldom ever think of concentrating on why +they do them this or that way, or study to see if they could do +them in a better way. Now my object in this chapter is to get you +to concentrate on your habits so you can find out which are good +and which are bad for you. You will find that by making a few +needed changes you can make even those that are not good for you, +of service; the good habits you can make much better. + +The first thing I want you to realize is that all habits are +governed consciously or unconsciously by the will. Most of us are +forming new habits all the time. Very often, if you repeat +something several times in the same way, you will have formed the +habit of doing it that way. But the oftener you repeat it the +stronger that habit grows and the more deeply it becomes embedded +in your nature. After a habit has been in force for a long time, +it becomes almost a part of you, and is therefore hard to +overcome. But you can still break any habit by strong +concentration on its opposite. + +"All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of +habits--practical, emotional, and intellectual--systematically +organized, for our weal or woe, and bearing us irresistibly +toward our destiny whatever the latter may be." + +We are creatures of habits, "imitators and copiers of our past +selves." We are liable to be "bent" or "curved" as we can bend a +piece of paper, and each fold leaves a crease, which makes it +easier to make the fold there the next time. "The intellect and +will are spiritual functions; still they are immersed in matter, +and to every movement of theirs, corresponds a movement in the +brain, that is, in their material correlative." This is why +habits of thought and habits of willing can be formed. All +physical impressions are the carrying out of the actions of the +will and intellect. Our nervous systems are what they are today, +because of the way they have been exercised. + +As we grow older most of us become more and more like automatic +machines. The habits we have formed increase in strength. We work +in our old characteristic way. Your associates learn to expect +you to do things in a certain way. So you see that your habits +make a great difference in your life, and as it is just about as +easy to form good habits as it is bad, you should form only the +former. No one but yourself is responsible for your habits. You +are free to form the habits that you should and if everyone could +realize the importance of forming the right kind of habits what a +different world this would be. How much happier everyone would +be. Then all instead of the few might win success. + +Habits are formed more quickly when we are young, but if we have +already passed the youthful plastic period the time to start to +control our habits is right now, as we will never be any younger. + +You will find the following maxims worth remembering. + +First Maxim: + +"We must make our nervous system our ally instead of our enemy." + + +Second Maxim: + +"In the acquisition of a new habit as in the leaving off of an +old one, we must take care to launch ourselves with as strong and +decided an initiative as possible." + +The man that is in the habit of doing the right thing from +boyhood, has only good motives, so it is very important for you +that you concentrate assiduously on the habits that reinforce +good motives. Surround yourself with every aid you can. Don't +play with fire by forming bad habits. Make a new beginning today. +Study why you have been doing certain things. If they are not for +your good, shun them henceforth. Don't give in to a single +temptation for every time you do, you strengthen the chain of bad +habits. Every time you keep a resolution you break the chain that +enslaves you. + + +Third Maxim: + +"Never allow an exception to occur till the new habit is securely +rooted in your life." Here is the idea, you never want to give +in, until the new habit is fixed else you undo all that has been +accomplished by previous efforts. There are two opposing +inclinations. One wants to be firm, and the other wants to give +in. By your will you can become firm, through repetition. Fortify +your will to be able to cope with any and all opposition. + + +Fourth Maxim: + +"Seize the very first possible opportunity to act on every +resolution you make, and on every emotional prompting you may +experience in the direction of the habits you aspire to gain." + +To make a resolve and not to keep it is of little value. So by +all means keep every resolution you make, for you not only profit +by the resolution, but it furnishes you with an exercise that +causes the brain cells and physiological correlatives to form the +habit of adjusting themselves to carry out resolutions. "A +tendency to act, becomes effectively engrained in us in +proportion to the uninterrupted frequency with which the actions +actually occur, and the brain `grows' to their use. When a +resolve or a fine glow of feeling is allowed to evaporate without +bearing fruit, it is worse than a chance lost." + +If you keep your resolutions you form a most valuable habit. If +you break them you form a most dangerous one. So concentrate on +keeping them, whether important or unimportant, and remember it +is just as important for this purpose to keep the unimportant, +for by so doing you are forming the habit. + + +Fifth Maxim: + +"Keep the faculty of effort alive in you by a little gratuitous +exercise every day." + +The more we exercise the will, the better we can control our +habits. "Every few days do something for no other reason than its +difficulty, so that when the hour of dire need draws nigh, it may +find you not unnerved or untrained to stand the test. Asceticism +of this sort is like the insurance which a man pays on his house +and goods. The tax does him no good at the time, and possibly may +never bring him a return, but if the fire does come, his having +paid it will be his salvation from ruin. So with the man who has +daily insured himself to habits of concentrated attention, +energetic volation, and self-denial in unnecessary things. "He +will stand like a tower when everything rocks around him and his +softer fellow-mortals are winnowed like chaff in the blast." + +The young should be made to concentrate on their habits and be +made to realize that if they don't they become walking bundles of +injurious habits. Youth is the plastic state, and should be +utilized in laying the foundation for a glorious future. + +The great value of habit for good and evil cannot be +overestimated. "Habit is the deepest law of human nature." No man +is stronger than his habits, because his habits either build up +his strength or decrease it. + +Why We Are Creatures of Habits. Habits have often been called a +labor-saving invention, because when they are formed they require +less of both mental and material strength. The more deeply the +habit becomes ingrained the more automatic it becomes. Therefore +habit is an economizing tendency of our nature, for if it were +not for habit we should have to be more watchful. We walk across +a crowded street; the habit of stopping and looking prevents us +from being hurt. The right kind of habits keeps us from making +mistakes and mishaps. It is a well known fact that a chauffeur is +not able to master his machine safely until he has trained his +body in a habitual way. When an emergency comes he instantly +knows what to do. Where safety depends on quickness the operator +must work automatically. Habits mean less risk, less fatigue, and +greater accuracy. + +"You do not want to become a slave to habits of a trivial nature. +For instance, Wagner required a certain costume before he could +compose corresponding parts of his operas. Schiller could never +write with ease unless there were rotten apples in the drawer of +his desk from which he could now and then obtain an odor which +seemed to him sweet. Gladstone had different desks for his +different activities, so that when he worked on Homer he never +sat among habitual accompaniments of his legislative labors." + +In order to overcome undesirable habits, two things are +necessary. You must have trained your will to do what you want it +to do, and the stronger the will the easier it will be to break a +habit. Then you must make a resolution to do just the opposite of +what the habit is. Therefore one habit must replace another. If +you have a strong will, you can tenaciously and persistently +concentrate on removing the bad habit and in a very short time +the good habit will gain the upper hand. I will bring this +chapter to a close by giving Doctor Oppenheim's instructions for +overcoming a habit: + +"If you want to abolish a habit, and its accumulated +circumstances as well, you must grapple with the matter as +earnestly as you would with a physical enemy. You must go into +the encounter with all tenacity of determination, with all +fierceness of resolve--yea, even with a passion for success that +may be called vindictive. No human enemy can be as insidious, so +persevering, as unrelenting as an unfavorable habit. It never +sleeps, it needs no rest. + +"It is like a parasite that grows with the growth of the +supporting body, and, like a parasite, it can best be killed by +violent separation and crushing. + + +When life is stormy and all seems against us, that is when we +often acquire wrong habits, and it is then, that we have to make +a gigantic effort to think and speak as we should; and even +though we may feel the very reverse at that moment the tiniest +effort will be backed up by a tremendous Power and will lift us +to a realization never felt before. It is not in the easy, +contented moments of our life that we make our greatest progress, +for then it requires, no special effort to keep in tune. But it +is when we are in the midst of trials and misfortunes, when we +think we are sinking, being overwhelmed, then it is important for +us to realize that we are linked to a great Power and if we live +as we should, there is nothing that can occur in life, which +could permanently injure us, nothing can happen that should +disturb us. So always remember you have within you unlimited +power, ready to manifest itself in the form which fills our need +at the moment. If, when we have something difficult to solve, we +would be silent like the child, we can get the inspiration when +it comes; we will know how to act, we will find there is no need +to hurry or disturb ourselves, that it is always wiser to wait +for guidance from within, than to act on impulse from Without. + + + +LESSON X. BUSINESS RESULTS THROUGH CONCENTRATION + +A successful business is not usually the result of chance. +Neither is a failure the result of luck. Most failures could be +determined in advance if the founders had been studied. It is not +always possible to start a money-making business at the start. +Usually a number of changes have to be made. Plans do not work +out as their creators thought they would. They may have to be +changed a little, broadened it may be, here and there, and as you +broaden your business you broaden your power to achieve. You gain +an intense and sustained desire to make your business a success. + +When you start a business you may have but a vague notion of the +way you will conduct it. You must fill in the details as you go +along. You must concentrate on these details. As you straighten +out one after another, others will require attention. In this way +you cover the field of "the first endeavor" and new opportunities +open up for you. + +When you realize one desire, another comes. But if you do not +fulfill the first desire, you will not the second. The person +that does not carry his desires into action is only a dreamer. +Desire is a great creative force, if it is pure, intense and +sustained. It is our desires that keep stirring us up to action +and they will strengthen and broaden you if you make them +materialize. + +Every man who achieves success deserves it. When he first started +out he did not understand how to solve the problems that +afterwards presented themselves, but he did each thing as it came +up in the very best way that he could, and this developed his +power of doing bigger things. We become masters of business by +learning to do well whatever we attempt. The man that has a +thorough knowledge of his business can of course direct it much +more easily and skillfully than the man who lacks that knowledge. +The skilled business director can sit in his private office and +still know accurately what is actually being done. He knows what +should be done in any given time and if it is not accomplished he +knows that his employees are not turning out the work that they +should. It is then easy to apply the remedy. + +Business success depends on well-concentrated efforts. You must +use every mental force you can master. The more these are used +the more they increase. Therefore the more you accomplish today +the more force you will have at your disposal with which to solve +your problems tomorrow. + +If you are working for someone else today and wish to start in a +business for yourself, think over carefully what you would like +to do. Then when you have resolved what you want to do, you will +be drawn towards it. There is a law that opens the way to the +fulfillment of your desires. Of course back of your desire you +must put forward the necessary effort to carry out your purpose; +you must use your power to put your desires into force. Once they +are created and you keep up your determination to have them +fulfilled you both consciously and unconsciously work toward +their materialization. Set your heart on your purpose, +concentrate your thought upon it, direct your efforts with all +your intelligence and in due time you will realize your ambition. + +Feel yourself a success, believe you are a success and thus put +yourself in the attitude that demands recognition and the thought +current draws to you what you need to make you a success. Don't +be afraid of big undertakings. Go at them with grit, and pursue +methods that you think will accomplish your purpose. You may not +at first meet with entire success, but aim so high that if you +fall a little short you will still have accomplished much. + +What others have done you can do. You may even do what others +have been unable to do. Always keep a strong desire to succeed in +your mind. Be in love with your aim and work, and make them, as +far as possible, square with the rule of the greatest good to the +greatest number and your life cannot be a failure. + +The successful business attitude must be cultivated to make the +most out of your life, the attitude of expecting great things +from both yourself and others. It alone will often cause men to +make good; to measure up to the best that is in them. + +It is not the spasmodic spurts that count on a long journey, but +the steady efforts. Spurts fatigue and make it hard for you to +continue. + +Rely on your own opinion. It should be as good as anyone's else. +When once you reach a conclusion abide by it. Let there be no +doubt, or wavering in your judgment. If you are uncertain about +every decision you make, you will be subject to harassing doubts +and fears which will render your judgment of little value. The +man that decides according to what he thinks right and who learns +from every mistake acquires a well balanced mind that gets the +best results. He gains the confidence of others. He is known as +the man that knows what he wants, and not as one that is as +changeable as the weather. The man of today wants to do business +with the man that he can depend upon. Uncertainties in the +business world are meeting with more disfavor. Reliable firms +want to do business with men of known qualities, with men of +firmness, judgment and reliability. + +So if you wish to start in business for yourself your greatest +asset, with the single exception of a sound physique, is that of +a good reputation. + +A successful business is not hard to build if we can concentrate +all our mental forces upon it. It is the man that is unsettled +because he does not know what he wants that goes to the wall. We +hear persons say that business is trying on the nerves, but it is +the unsettling elements of fret and worry and suspense that are +nerve-exhausting and not the business. Executing one's plans may +cause fatigue, enjoyment comes with rest. If there has not been +any unnatural strain, the recuperative powers replace what energy +has been lost. + +By attending to each day's work properly you develop the capacity +to do a greater work tomorrow. It is this gradual development +that makes possible the carrying out of big plans. The man that +figures out doing something each hour of the day gets somewhere. +At the end of each day you should be a step nearer your aim. Keep +the idea in mind, that you mean to go forward, that each day must +mark an advance and forward you will go. You do not even have to +know the exact direction so long as you are determined to find +the way. But you must not turn back once you have started. + +Even brilliant men's conceptions of the possibilities of their +mental forces are so limited and below their real worth that they +are far more likely to belittle their possibilities than they are +to exaggerate them. You don't want to think that an aim is +impossible because it has never been realized in the past. Every +day someone is doing something that was never done before. We are +pushing ahead faster. Formerly it took decades to build up a big +business, but today it is only but a matter of years, sometimes +of months. + +Plan each day's activities carefully and you can reach any height +you aim at. If each thing you do is done with concise and +concentrated thought you will be able to turn out an excellent +quality and a large quantity of work. Plan to do so much work +during the day and you will be astonished to see how much more +you will do, than on other days, when you had not decided on any +certain amount. I have demonstrated that the average business +working force could do the same amount of work in six hours that +they now do in eight, without using up any more energy. Never +start to accomplish anything in an indecisive, indefinite, +uncertain way. Tackle everything with a positiveness and an +earnestness that will concentrate your mind and attract the very +best associated thoughts. You will in a short time find that you +will have extra time for planning bigger things. + +The natural leader always draws to himself, by the law of mental +attraction, ideas in his chosen subject that have ever been +conceived by others. This is of the greatest importance and help. +If you are properly trained you benefit much by others' thoughts, +and, providing you generate from within yourself something of +value, they will benefit from yours. "We are heirs of all the +ages," but we must know how to use our inheritance. + +The confident, pushing, hopeful, determined man influences all +with whom he associates, and inspires the same qualities in them. +You feel that his is a safe example to follow and he rouses the +same force within you that is pushing him onward and upward. + +One seldom makes a success of anything that he goes at in a +listless, spiritless way. To build up a business you must see it +expanding in your mind before it actually takes tangible shape. +Every great task that has ever been accomplished has first been +merely a vision in the mind of its creator. Detail after detail +has had to be worked out in his mind from his first faint idea of +the enterprise. Finally a clear idea was formed and then the +accomplishment, which was only the material result of the mental +concept, followed. + +The up-to-date business man is not content to build only for the +present, but is planning ahead. If he does not he will fall +behind his competitor, who is. What we are actually doing today +was carefully thought out and planned by others in the past. All +progressive businesses are conducted this way. That is why the +young business man of today is likely to accomplish more in a few +years than his father did in all his life. There is no reason why +your work or business should fag you out. When it does there is +something wrong. You are attracting forces and influence that you +should not, because you are not in harmony with what you are +doing. There is nothing so tiring as to try to do the work for +which we are unfitted, both by temperament and training. + +Each one should be engaged in a business that he loves; he should +be furthering movements with which he is in sympathy. He will +then only do his best work and take intense pleasure in his +business. In this way, while constantly growing and developing +his powers, he is at the same time rendering through his work, +genuine and devoted service to humanity. + +Business success is not the result of chance, but of scientific +ideas and plans carried out by an aggressive and progressive +management. Use your mental forces so that they will grow and +develop. Remember that everything you do is the result of mental +action, therefore you can completely control your every action. +Nothing is impossible for you. Don't be afraid to tackle a +difficult proposition. Your success will depend upon the use you +make of your mind. This is capable of wonderful development. See +that you make full use of it, and not only develop yourself but +your associates. Try to broaden the visions of those with whom +you come in contact and you will broaden your own outlook of +life. + + +Are You Afraid of Responsibilities? In order for the individual +soul to develop, you must have responsibilities. You must +manifest the omnipotence of the law of supply. The whole world is +your legitimate sphere of activity. How much of a conqueror are +you? What have you done? Are you afraid of responsibility, or are +you ever dodging, flinching, or side stepping it. If you are, you +are not a Real Man. Your higher self never winces, so be a man +and allow the powers of the higher self to manifest and you will +find you have plenty of strength and you will feel better when +you are tackling difficult propositions. + + + +LESSON XI. CONCENTRATE ON COURAGE + +Courage is the backbone of man. The man with courage has +persistence. He states what he believes and puts it into +execution. The courageous man has confidence. He draws to himself +all the moral qualities and mental forces which go to make up a +strong man. Whereas, the man without courage draws to himself all +the qualities of a weak man, vacillation, doubt, hesitancy, and +unsteadiness of purpose. You can therefore see the value of +concentration on courage. It is a most vital element of success. + +The lack of courage creates financial, as well as mental and +moral difficulties. When a new problem comes, instead of looking +upon it as something to be achieved, the man or woman without +courage looks for reasons why it cannot be done and failure is +naturally the almost inevitable result. This is a subject well +worthy of your study. Look upon everything within your power as a +possibility instead of as merely a probability and you will +accomplish a great deal more, because by considering a thing as +impossible, you immediately draw to yourself all the elements +that contribute to failure. Lack of courage destroys your +confidence in yourself. It destroys that forceful, resolute +attitude so important to success. + +The man without courage unconsciously draws to himself all that +is contemptible, weakening, demoralizing and destructive. He then +blames his luck when he does not secure the things he weakly +desires. We must first have the courage to strongly desire +something. A desire to be fulfilled must be backed by the +strength of all our mental forces. Such a desire has enough +commanding force to change all unfavorable conditions. The man +with courage commands, whether he is on the battlefield or in +business life. + +What is courage? It is the Will To Do. It takes no more energy to +be courageous than to be cowardly. It is a matter of the right +training in the right way. Courage concentrates the mental forces +on the task at hand. It then directs them thoughtfully, steadily, +deliberately, while attracting all the forces of success, toward +the desired end. Cowardice on the other hand, dissipates both our +mental and moral forces, thereby inviting failure. + +As we are creatures of habits, we should avoid persons that lack +courage. They are easy to discover because of their habits of +fear in attacking new problems. The man with courage is never +afraid. + +Start out today with the idea that there is no reason why you +should not be courageous. If any fear-thoughts come to you cast +them off as you would the deadly viper. Form the habit of never +thinking of anything unfavorable to yourself or anyone else. In +dealing with difficulties, new or old, hold ever the thought, "I +am courageous." Whenever a doubt crosses the threshold of your +mind, banish it. Remember, you as master of your mind control its +every thought, and here is a good one to often affirm, "I have +courage because I desire it; because I need it; because I use it +and because I refuse to become such a weakling as cowardice +produces." + +There is no justification for the loss of courage. The evils by +which you will almost certainly be overwhelmed without it are far +greater than those which courage will help you to meet and +overcome. Right, then, must be the moralist who says that the +only thing to fear is fear. + +Never let another's opinion affect you; he cannot tell what you +are able to do; he does not know what you can do with your +forces. The truth is you do not know yourself until you put +yourself to the test. Therefore, how can someone else know? Never +let anyone else put a valuation on you. + +Almost all wonderful achievements have been accomplished after it +had been "thoroughly" demonstrated that they were +impossibilities. Once we understand the law, all things are +possible. If they were impossibilities we could not conceive +them. + +Just the moment you allow someone to influence you against what +you think is right, you lose that confidence in yourself that +inspires courage and carries with it all the forces which courage +creates. Just the moment you begin to swerve in your plan you +begin to carry out another's thought and not your own. You become +the directed and not the director. You forsake the courage and +resolution of your own mind, and you therefore lack the very +forces that you need to sustain and carry out your work. Instead +of being self-reliant you become timid and this invites failure. +When you permit yourself to be influenced from your plan by +another, you are unable to judge as you should, because you have +allowed another's influence to deprive you of your courage and +determination without absorbing any of his in return so you are +in much the same predicament, as you would be in if you turned +over all your worldly possessions to another without getting +"value received." + +Concentrate on just the opposite of fear, want, poverty, +sickness, etc. Never doubt your own ability. You have plenty, if +you will just use it. A great many men are failures because they +doubt their own capacity. Instead of building up strong mental +forces which would be of the greatest use to them their fear +thoughts tear them down. Fear paralyzes energy. It keeps us from +attracting the forces that go to make up success. Fear is the +worst enemy we have. + +There are few people that really know that they can accomplish +much. They desire the full extent of their powers, but alas, it +is only occasionally that you find a man that is aware of the +great possibilities within him. When you believe with all your +mind and heart and soul that you can do something, you thereby +develop the courage to steadily and confidently live up to that +belief. You have now gone a long way towards accomplishing it. +The chances are that there will be obstacles, big and little, in +your way, but resolute courage will overcome them and nothing +else will. Strong courage eliminates the injurious and opposing +forces by summoning their masters, the yet stronger forces that +will serve you. + +Courage is yours for the asking. All you have to do is to believe +in it, claim it and use it. To succeed in business believe that +it will be successful, assert that it is successful, and work +like a beaver to make it so. Difficulties soon melt away before +the courageous. One man of courage can fire with his spirit a +whole army of men, whether it be military or industrial, because +courage, like cowardice, is contagious. + +The man of courage overcomes the trials and temptations of life; +he commands success; he renders sound judgment; he develops +personal influence and a forceful character and often becomes the +mentor of the community which he serves. + + +How to Overcome Depression and Melancholia. Both of the former +are harmful and make you unhappy. These are states that can be +quickly overcome through concentrating more closely on the higher +self, for when you do you cut off the connection with the harmful +force currents. You can also drive away moods by simply choosing +and fully concentrating on an agreeable subject. Through will +power and thought control we can accomplish anything we want to +do. There is wonderful inherent power within us all, and there is +never any sufficient cause for fear, except ignorance. + +Every evil is but the product of ignorance, and everyone that +possesses the power to think has the power to overcome ignorance +and evil. The pain that we suffer from doing evil are but the +lessons of experience, and the object of the pain is to make us +realize our ignorance. When we become depressed It is evidence +that our thought faculties are combining improperly and thereby +attracting the wrong force-currents. + +All that it is necessary to do is to exercise the will and +concentrate upon happy subjects. I will only think of subjects +worthy of my higher self and its powers. + + + +LESSON XII. CONCENTRATE ON WEALTH + +It was never intended that man should be poor. When wealth is +obtained under the proper conditions it broadens the life. +Everything has its value. Everything has a good use and a bad +use. The forces of mind like wealth can be directed either for +good or evil. A little rest will re-create forces. Too much rest +degenerates into laziness, and brainless, dreamy longings. + +If you acquire wealth unjustly from others, you are misusing your +forces; but if your wealth comes through the right sources you +will be blessed. Through wealth we can do things to uplift +ourselves and humanity. + +Wealth is many persons' goal. It therefore stimulates their +endeavor. They long for it in order to dress and live in such a +way as to attract friends. Without friends they would not be so +particular of their surroundings. The fact is the more attractive +we make ourselves and our surroundings the more inspiring are +their influences. It is not conducive to proper thought to be +surrounded by conditions that are uncongenial and unpleasant. + +So the first step toward acquiring wealth is to surround yourself +with helpful influences; to claim for yourself an environment of +culture, place yourself in it and be molded by its influences. + +Most great men of all ages have been comparatively rich. They +have made or inherited money. Without money they could not have +accomplished what they did. The man engaged in physical drudgery +is not likely to have the same high ideals as the man that can +command comparative leisure. + +Wealth is usually the fruit of achievement. It is not, however, +altogether the result of being industrious. Thousands of persons +work hard who never grow wealthy. Others with much less effort +acquire wealth. Seeing possibilities is another step toward +acquiring wealth. A man may be as industrious as he can possibly +be, but if he does not use his mental forces he will be a +laborer, to be directed by the man that uses to good advantage +his mental forces. + +No one can become wealthy in an ordinary lifetime, by mere +savings from earnings. Many scrimp and economize all their lives; +but by so doing waste all their vitality and energy. For example, +I know a man that used to walk to work. It took him an hour to go +and an hour to return. He could have taken a car and gone in +twenty minutes. He saved ten cents a day but wasted an hour and a +half. It was not a very profitable investment unless the time +spent in physical exercise yielded him large returns in the way +of health. + +The same amount of time spent in concentrated effort to overcome +his unfavorable business environment might have firmly planted +his feet in the path of prosperity. + +One of the big mistakes made by many persons of the present +generation is that they associate with those who fail to call out +or develop the best that is in them. When the social side of life +is developed too exclusively, as it often is, and recreation or +entertainment becomes the leading motive of a person's life, he +acquires habits of extravagance instead of economy; habits of +wasting his resources, physical, mental, moral and spiritual, +instead of conserving them. He is, in consequence, lacking in +proper motivation, his God-given powers and forces are +undeveloped and he inevitably brings poor judgment to bear upon +all the higher relationships of life, while, as to his financial +fortunes, he is ever the leaner; often a parasite, and always, if +opportunity affords, as heavy a consumer as he is a poor +producer. + +It seems a part of the tragedy of life that these persons have to +be taught such painful lessons before they can understand the +forces and laws that regulate life. Few profit by the mistakes of +others. They must experience them for themselves and then apply +the knowledge so gained in reconstructing their lives. + +Any man that has ever amounted to anything has never done a great +deal of detail work for long periods at any given time. He needs +his time to reflect. He does not do his duties today in the same +way as yesterday, but as the result of deliberate and +concentrated effort, constantly tries to improve his methods. + +The other day I attended a lecture on Prosperity. I knew the +lecturer had been practically broke for ten years. I wanted to +hear what he had to say. He spoke very well. He no doubt +benefited some of his hearers, but he had not profited by his own +teachings. I introduced myself and asked him if he believed in +his maxims. He said he did. I asked him if they had made him +prosperous. He said not exactly. I asked him why. He answered +that he thought he was fated not to experience prosperity. + +In half an hour I showed that man why poverty had always been his +companion. He had dressed poorly. He held his lectures in poor +surroundings. By his actions and beliefs he attracted poverty. He +did not realize that his thoughts and his surroundings exercised +an unfavorable influence. I said: "Thoughts are moving forces; +great powers. Thoughts of wealth attract wealth. Therefore, if +you desire wealth you must attract the forces that will help you +to secure it. Your thoughts attract a similar kind of thoughts. +If you hold thoughts of poverty you attract poverty. If you make +up your mind you are going to be wealthy, you will instil this +thought into all your mental forces, and you will at the same +time use every external condition to help you." + +Many persons are of the opinion that if you have money it is easy +to make more money. But this is not necessarily true. Ninety per +cent of the men that start in business fail. Money will not +enable one to accumulate much more, unless he is trained to seek +and use good opportunities for its investment. If he inherits +money the chances are that he will lose it. While, if he has made +it, he not only knows its value, but has developed the power to +use it as well as to make more if he loses it. + +Business success today depends on foresight, good judgment, grit, +firm resolution and settled purpose. But never forget that +thought is as real a force as electricity. Let your thoughts be +such, that you will send out as good as you receive; if you do +not, you are not enriching others, and therefore deserve not to +be enriched. + +The man that tries to get all he can from others for nothing +becomes so selfish and mean that he does not even enjoy his +acquisitions. We see examples of this every day. What we take +from others, will in turn, be taken from us. All obligations have +to be met fairly and squarely. We cannot reach perfection until +we discharge every obligation of our lives. We all realize this, +so why not willingly give a fair exchange for all that we +receive? + +Again I repeat that the first as well as the last step in +acquiring wealth is to surround yourself with good +influences--good thought, good health, good home and business +environment and successful business associates. Cultivate, by +every legitimate means, the acquaintance of men of big caliber. +Bring your thought vibrations in regard to business into harmony +with theirs. This will make your society not only agreeable, but +sought after, and, when you have formed intimate friendships with +clean, reputable men of wealth, entrust to them, for investment, +your surplus earnings, however small, until you have developed +the initiative and business acumen to successfully manage your +own investments. By this time you will, through such +associations, have found your place in life which, if you have +rightly concentrated upon and used your opportunities, will not +be among men of small parts. With a competence secured, you will +take pleasure in using a part of it in making the road you +traveled in reaching your position easier for those who follow +you. + + +There is somewhere in every brain the energy that will get you +out of that rut and put you far up on the mountain of success if +you can only use the energy. + +You know that gasoline in the engine of an automobile doesn't +move the car until the spark comes to explode the gasoline. + +So it is with the mind of man. We are not speaking now of men of +great genius, but of average, able citizens. + +Each one of them has in his brain the capacity to climb over the +word impossible and get into the successful country beyond. + +And hope, self-confidence and the determination to do something +supply the spark that makes the energy work. + + + +LESSON XIII. YOU CAN CONCENTRATE, BUT WILL YOU? + +All have the ability to concentrate, but will you? You can, but +whether you will or not depends on you. It is one thing to be +able to do something, and another thing to do it. There is far +more ability not used than is used. Why do not more men of +ability make something of themselves? There are comparatively few +successful men but many ambitious ones. Why do not more get +along? Cases may differ, but the fault is usually their own. They +have had chances, perhaps better ones than some others that have +made good. + +What would you like to do, that you are not doing? If you think +you should be "getting on" better, why don't you? Study yourself +carefully. Learn your shortcomings. Sometimes only a mere trifle +keeps one from branching out and becoming a success. Discover why +you have not been making good--the cause of your failure. Have +you been expecting someone to lead you, or to make a way for you? +If you have, concentrate on a new line of thought. + +There are two things absolutely necessary for success--energy and +the will to succeed. Nothing can take the place of either of +these. Most of us will not have an easy path to follow so don't +expect to find one. The hard knocks develop our courage and moral +stamina. The persons that live in an indolent and slipshod way +never have any. They have never faced conditions and therefore +don't know how. The world is no better for their living. + +We must make favorable conditions and not expect them to shape +themselves. It is not the man that says, "It can't be done," but +the man that goes ahead in spite of adverse advice, and shows +that "it can be done" that "gets there" today. "The Lord helps +those that help themselves," is a true saying. We climb the road +to success by overcoming obstacles. Stumbling blocks are but +stepping stones for the man that says, "I can and I Will." When +we see cripples, the deaf and dumb, the blind and those with +other handicaps amounting to something in the world, the +able-bodied man should feel ashamed of himself if he does not +make good. + +There is nothing that can resist the force of perseverance. The +way ahead of all of us is not clear sailing, but all hard +passages can be bridged, if you just think they can and +concentrate on how to do it. But if you think the obstacles are +unsurmountable, you will not of course try, and even if you do, +it will be in only a half-hearted way--a way that accomplishes +nothing. + +Many men will not begin an undertaking unless they feel sure they +will succeed in it. What a mistake! This would be right, if we +were sure of what we could and could not do. But who knows? There +may be an obstruction there now that might not be there next +week. There may not be an obstruction there now that will be +there next week. The trouble with most persons is that just as +soon as they see their way blocked they lose courage. They forget +that usually there is a way around the difficulty. It's up to you +to find it. If you tackle something with little effort, when the +conditions call for a big effort, you will of course not win. +Tackle everything with a feeling that you will utilize all the +power within you to make it a success. This is the kind of +concentrated effort that succeeds. + +Most people are beaten before they start. They think they are +going to encounter obstacles, and they look for them instead of +for means to overcome them. The result is that they increase +their obstacles instead of diminishing them. Have you ever +undertaken something that you thought would be hard, but +afterwards found it to be easy? That is the way a great many +times. The things that look difficult in advance turn out to be +easy of conquest when once encountered. So start out on your +journey with the idea that the road is going to be clear for you, +and that if it is not you will clear the way. All men that have +amounted to anything have cleared their way and they did not have +the assistance that you will have today. + +The one great keynote of success is to do whatever you have +decided on. Don't be turned from your path, but resolve that you +are going to accomplish what you set out to do. Don't be +frightened at a few rebuffs, for they cannot stop the man that is +determined--the man that knows in his heart that success is only +bought by tremendous resolution, by concentrated and +whole-hearted effort. + +"He who has a firm will," says Goethe, "molds the world to +himself." + +"People do not lack strength," says Victor Hugo; "they lack +Will." + +It is not so much skill that wins victories as it is activity and +great determination There is no such thing as failure for the man +that does his best. No matter what you may be working at, at the +present time, don't let this make you lose courage. The tides are +continually changing, and tomorrow or some other day they will +turn to your advantage if you are a willing and are an ambitious +worker. There is nothing that develops you and increases your +courage like work. If it were not for work how monotonous life +would at last become! + +So I say to the man that wants to advance, "Don't look upon your +present position as your permanent one. Keep your eyes open, and +add those qualities to your makeup that will assist you when your +opportunity comes. Be ever alert and on the watch for +opportunities. Remember, we attract what we set our minds on. If +we look for opportunities, we find them. + +If you are the man you should be, some one is looking for you to +fill a responsible position. So when he finds you, don't let your +attention wander. Give it all to him. Show that you can +concentrate your powers, that you have the makeup of a real man. +Show no signs of fear, uncertainty or doubt. The man that is sure +of himself is bound to get to the front. No circumstances can +prevent him. + + + +LESSON XIV. THE ART OF CONCENTRATING BY MEANS OF PRACTICAL +EXERCISES + +Select some thought, and see how long you can hold your mind on +it. It is well to have a clock at first and keep track of the +time. If you decide to think about health, you can get a great +deal of good from your thinking besides developing concentration. +Think of health as being the greatest blessing there is, in the +world. Don't let any other thought drift in. Just the moment one +starts to obtrude, make it get out. + +Make it a daily habit of concentrating on this thought for, say, +ten minutes. Practice until you can hold it to the exclusion of +everything else. You will find it of the greatest value to +centralize your thoughts on health. Regardless of your present +condition, see yourself as you would like to be and be blind to +everything else. You will find it hard at first to forget your +ailments, if you have any, but after a short while you can shut +out these negative thoughts and see yourself as you want to be. +Each time you concentrate you form a more perfect image of +health, and, as you come into its realization, you become +healthy, strong and wholesome. + +I want to impress upon your mind that the habit of forming mental +images is of the greatest value. It has always been used by +successful men of all ages, but few realize its full importance. + +Do you know that you are continually acting according to the +images you form? If you allow yourself to mould negative images +you unconsciously build a negative disposition. You will think of +poverty, weakness, disease, fear, etc. Just as surely as you +think of these will your objective life express itself in a like +way. Just what we think, we will manifest in the external world. + +In deep concentration you become linked with the great creative +spirit of the universe, and the creative energy then flows +through you, vitalizing your creations into form. In deep +concentration your mind becomes attuned with the infinite and +registers the cosmic intelligence and receives its messages. You +become so full of the cosmic energy that you are literally +flooded with divine power. This is a most desired state. It is +then we realize the advantages of being connected with the +supra-consciousness. The supra-consciousness registers the higher +cosmic vibrations. It is often referred to as the wireless +station, the message recorded coming from the universal mind. + +There are very few that reach this stage of concentration. Very +few even know that it is possible. They think concentration means +limitation to one subject, but this deeper concentration that +brings us into harmony with the Infinite is that which produces +and maintains health. + +When you have once come in contact with your supra-consciousness +you become the controller of your human thoughts. That which +comes to you is higher than human thoughts. It is often spoken of +as Cosmic Consciousness. Once it is experienced it is never +forgotten. Naturally it requires a good deal of training to reach +this state, but once you do, it becomes easier each time to do, +and in the course of time you can become possessed of power which +was unknown to you before. You are able to direct the expression +of almost Infinite Power while in this deeper state of +concentration. + +Exercises In Concentration. The rays of the sun, when focused +upon an object by means of a sun glass, produce a heat many times +greater than the scattered rays of the same source of light and +heat. This is true of attention. Scatter it and you get but +ordinary results. But center it upon one thing and you secure +much better results. When you focus your attention upon an object +your every action, voluntary and involuntary, is in the direction +of attaining that object. If you will focus your energies upon a +thing to the exclusion of everything else, you generate the force +that can bring you what you want. + +When you focus your thought, you increase its strength. The +exercises that follow are tedious and monotonous, but useful. If +you will persist in them you will find they are very valuable, as +they increase your powers of concentration. + +Before proceeding with the exercises I will answer a question +that just comes to me. This person says after he works all day he +is too tired to practice any exercise. But this is not true. We +will say he comes home all tired out, eats his supper and sits +down to rest. If his work has been mental, the thought which has +been occupying his mind returns to him and this prevents him from +securing the rest he needs. + +It is an admitted fact that certain thoughts call into operation +a certain set of brain cells; the other cells, of course, are not +busy at that time and are rested. Now if you take up something +that is just different from what you have been doing during the +day, you will use the cells that have not done anything and give +those that have had work to do a rest. So you should regulate the +evenings that you have and call forth an entirely different line +of thought so as not to use the cells which you have tired out +during the day. If you will center your attention on a new +thought, you relieve the old cells from vibrating with excitement +and they get their needed rest. The other cells that have been +idle all day want to work, and you will find you can enjoy your +evenings while securing needed rest. + +When once you have learned to master your thoughts, you will be +able to change them just as easily as you change your clothes. + +Remember, the real requisite of centering is to be able to shut +out outside thoughts--anything foreign to the subject. Now, in +order to control your intention first gain control over the body. +This must be brought under direct control of the mind; the mind +under the control of the will. Your will is strong enough to do +anything you wish, but you must realize that it is. The mind can +be greatly strengthened by being brought under the direct +influence of the will. When the mind is properly strengthened by +the impulse of the will it becomes a more powerful transmitter of +thought, because it has more force. + +The Best Time to Concentrate Is after reading something that is +inspiring, as you are then mentally and spiritually exalted in +the desired realm. Then is the time you are ready for deep +concentration. If you are in your room first see that your +windows are up and the air is good. Lie down flat on your bed +without a pillow. See that every muscle is relaxed. Now breathe +slowly, filling the lungs comfortably full of fresh air; hold +this as long as you can without straining yourself; then exhale +slowly. Exhale in an easy, rhythmic way. Breathe this way for +five minutes, letting the Divine Breath flow through you, which +will cleanse and rejuvenate every cell of brain and body. + +You are then ready to proceed. Now think how quiet and relaxed +you are. You can become enthusiastic over your condition. Just +think of yourself as getting ready to receive knowledge that is +far greater than you have ever received before. Now relax and let +the spirit work in and through you and assist you to accomplish +what you wish. + +Don't let any doubts or fears enter. Just feel that what you wish +is going to manifest. Just feel it already has, in reality it +has, for just the minute you wish a thing to be done it manifests +in the thought world. Whenever you concentrate just believe it is +a success. Keep up this feeling and allow nothing to interfere +and you will soon find you have become the master of +concentration. You will find that this practice will be of +wonderful value to you, and that rapidly you will be learning to +accomplish anything that you undertake. + +It will be necessary to first train the body to obey the commands +of the mind. I want you to gain control of your muscular +movements. The following exercise is especially good in assisting +you to acquire perfect control of the muscles. + + +Exercise 1 + +Sit in a comfortable chair and see how still you can keep. This +is not as easy as it seems. You will have to center your +attention on sitting still. Watch and see that you are not making +any involuntary muscular movements. By a little practice you will +find you are able to sit still without a movement of the muscles +for fifteen minutes. At first I advise sitting in a relaxed +position for five minutes. After you are able to keep perfectly +still, increase the time to ten minutes and then to fifteen. This +is as long as it is necessary. But never strain yourself to keep +still. You must be relaxed completely. You will find this habit +of relaxing is very good. + + +Exercise 2 + +Sit in a chair with your head up and your chin out, shoulders +back. Raise your right arm until it is on the level with your +shoulder, pointing to your right. Look around, with head only, +and fix your gaze on your fingers, and keep the arm perfectly +still for one minute. Do the same exercise with left arm. When +you are able to keep the arm perfectly steady, increase the time +until you are able to do this five minutes with each arm. Turn +the palm of the hand downward when it is outstretched, as this is +the easiest position. If you will keep your eyes fixed on the +tips of the fingers you will be able to tell if you are keeping +your arm perfectly still. + + +Exercise 3 + +Fill a small glass full of water, and grasp it by the fingers; +put the arm directly in front of you. Now fix the eyes upon the +glass and try to keep the arm so steady that no movement will be +noticeable. Do this first for one moment and then increase it to +five. Do the exercise with first one arm and then the other. + + +Exercise 4 + +Watch yourself during the day and see that your muscles do not +become tense or strained. See how easy and relaxed you can keep +yourself. See how poised you can be at all times. Cultivate a +self-poised manner, instead of a nervous, strained appearance. +This mental feeling will improve your carriage and demeanor. Stop +all useless gestures and movements of the body. These mean that +you have not proper control over your body. After you have +acquired this control, notice how "ill-at-ease" people are that +have not gained this control. I have just been sizing up a +salesman that has just left me. Part of his body kept moving all +the time. I just felt like saying to him, "Do you know how much +better appearance you would make if you would just learn to speak +with your voice instead of trying to express what you say with +your whole body?" Just watch those that interview you and see how +they lack poise. + +Get rid of any habit you have of twitching or jerking any part of +your body. You will find you make many involuntary movements. You +can quickly stop any of these by merely centering your attention +on the thought, "I will not." + +If you are in the habit of letting noises upset you, just +exercise control; when the door slams, or something falls, etc., +just think of these as exercises in self-control. You will find +many exercises like this in your daily routine. + +The purpose of the above exercises is to gain control over the +involuntary muscular movement, making your actions entirely +voluntary. The following exercises are arranged to bring your +voluntary muscles under the control of the will, so that your +mental forces may control your muscular movements. + + +Exercise 5 + +Move your chair up to a table, placing your hands upon it, +clenching the fists, keeping the back of the hand on the table, +the thumb doubled over the fingers. Now fix your gaze upon the +fist for a while, then gradually extend the thumb, keeping your +whole attention fixed upon the act, just as if it was a matter of +great importance. Then gradually extend your first finger, then +your second and so on until you open the rest. Then reverse the +process, closing first the last one opened and then the rest, and +finally you will have the fist again in the original position +with the thumb closed over the finger. Do this exercise with the +left hand. Keep up this exercise first with one hand and then the +other until you have done it five times with each hand. In a few +days you can increase it to ten times. + +The chances are that the above exercises will at first make you +"tired," but it is important for you to practice these monotonous +exercises so you can train your attention. It also gives you +control over your muscular movement. The attention, of course, +must be kept closely on each movement of the hand; if it is not, +you of course lose the value of the exercise. + + +Exercise 6 + +Put the right hand on knee, both fingers and thumb closed, except +the first finger, which points out in front of you. Then move the +finger slowly from side to side, keeping the attention fixed upon +the end of the finger. You can make up a variety of exercises +like these. It is good training to plan out different ones. The +main point you should keep in mind is that the exercise should be +simple and that the attention should be firmly fixed upon the +moving part of the body. You will find your attention will not +want to be controlled and will try to drift to something more +interesting. This is just where these exercises are of value, and +you must control your attention and see it is held in the right +place and does not wander away. + +You may think these exercises very simple and of no value, but I +promise you in a short time you will notice that you have a much +better control over your muscular movements, carriage and +demeanor, and you will find that you have greatly improved your +power of attention, and can center your thoughts on what you do, +which of course will be very valuable. + +No matter what you may be doing, imagine that it is your chief +object in life. Imagine you are not interested in anything else +in the world but what you are doing. Do not let your attention +get away from the work you are at. Your attention will no doubt +be rebellious, but control it and do not let it control you. When +once you conquer the rebellious attention you have achieved a +greater victory than you can realize at the time. Many times +afterwards you will be thankful you have learned to concentrate +your closest attention upon the object at hand. + +Let no day go by without practicing concentrating on some +familiar object that is uninteresting. Never choose an +interesting object, as it requires less attention. The less +interesting it is the better exercise will it be. After a little +practice you will find you can center your attention on +uninteresting subjects at will. + +The person that can concentrate can gain full control over his +body and mind and be the master of his inclinations; not their +slave. When you can control yourself you can control others. You +can develop a Will that will make you a giant compared with the +man that lacks Will Power. Try out your Will Power in different +ways until you have it under such control that just as soon as +you decide to do a thing you go ahead and do it. Never be +satisfied with the "I did fairly well" spirit, but put forward +your best efforts. Be satisfied with nothing else. When you have +gained this you are the man you were intended to be. + + +Exercise 7 + +Concentration Increases the Sense of Smell. When you take a walk, +or drive in the country, or pass a flower garden, concentrate on +the odor of flowers and plants. See how many different kinds you +can detect. Then choose one particular kind and try to sense only +this. You will find that this strongly intensifies the sense of +smell. This differentiation requires, however, a peculiarly +attentive attitude. When sense of smell is being developed, you +should not only shut out from the mind every thought but that of +odor, but you should also shut out cognizance of every odor save +that upon which your mind, for the time, is concentrated. + +You call find plenty of opportunity for exercises for developing +the sense of smell. When you are out in the air, be on the alert +for the different odors. You will find the air laden with all +kinds, but let your concentration upon the one selected be such +that a scent of its fragrance in after years will vividly recall +the circumstances of this exercise. + +The object of these exercises is to develop concentrated +attention, and you will find that you can, through their +practice, control your mind and direct your thoughts just the +same as you can your arm. + + +Exercise 8 + +Concentration on the Within. Lie down and thoroughly relax your +muscles. Concentrate on the beating of your heart. Do not pay any +attention to anything else. Think how this great organ is pumping +the blood to every part of the body; try to actually picture the +blood leaving the great reservoir and going in one stream right +down to the toes. Picture another going down the arms to the tips +of the fingers. After a little practice you can actually feel the +blood passing through your system. + +If, at any time, you feel weak in any part of the body, will that +an extra supply of blood shall go there. For instance, if your +eyes feel tired, picture the blood coming from the heart, passing +up through the head and out to the eyes. You can wonderfully +increase your strength by this exercise. Men have been able to +gain such control over the heart that they have actually stopped +it from beating for five minutes. This, however, is not without +danger, and is not to be practiced by the novice. + +I have found the following a very helpful exercise to take just +before going to bed and on rising in the morning: Say to +yourself, "Every cell in my body thrills with life; every part of +my body is strong and healthy." I have known a number of people +to greatly improve their health in this way. You become what you +picture yourself to be. If your mind thinks of sickness in +connection with self you will be sick. If you imagine yourself in +strong, vigorous health, the image will be realized. You will be +healthy. + + +Exercise 9 + +Concentrating on Sleep. What is known as the water method is, +although very simple, very effective in inducing sleep. + +Put a full glass of clear water on a table in your sleeping room. +Sit in a chair beside the table and gaze into the glass of water +and think how calm it is. Then picture yourself , getting into +just as calm a state. In a short time you will find the nerves +becoming quiet and you will be able to go to sleep. Sometimes it +is good to picture yourself becoming drowsy to induce sleep, and, +again, the most persistent insomnia has been overcome by one +thinking of himself as some inanimate object--for instance, a +hollow log in the depths of the cool, quiet forest. + +Those who are troubled with insomnia will find these sleep +exercises that quiet the nerves very effective. Just keep the +idea in your mind that there is no difficulty in going to sleep; +banish all fear of insomnia. Practice these exercises and you +will sleep. + +By this time you should have awakened to the possibilities of +concentration and have become aware of the important part it +plays in your life. + + +Exercise 10 + +Concentration Will Save Energy and Appearance. Watch yourself and +see if you are not in the habit of moving your hands, thumping +something with your fingers or twirling your mustache. Some have +the habit of keeping their feet going, as, for instance, tapping +them on the floor. Practice standing before a mirror and see if +you are in the habit of frowning or causing wrinkles to appear in +the forehead. Watch others and see how they needlessly twist +their faces in talking. Any movement of the face that causes the +skin to wrinkle will eventually cause a permanent wrinkle. As the +face is like a piece of silk, you can make a fold in it a number +of times and it will straighten out of itself, but, if you +continue to make a fold in it, it will in time be impossible to +remove it. + +By Concentration You Can Stop the Worry Habit. If you are in the +habit of worrying over the merest trifles, just concentrate on +this a few minutes and see bow needless it is; if you are also in +the habit of becoming irritable or nervous at the least little +thing, check yourself instantly when you feel yourself becoming +so; start to breathe deeply; say, "I will not be so weak; I am +master of myself," and you will quickly overcome your condition. + + +Exercise 11 + +By Concentration You Can Control Your Temper. If you are one of +those that flare up at the slightest "provocation" and never try +to control yourself, just think this over a minute. Does it do +you any good? Do you gain anything by it? Doesn't it put you out +of poise for some time? Don't you know that this grows on you and +will eventually make you despised by all that have any dealings +with you? Everyone makes mistakes and, instead of becoming angry +at their perpetrators, just say to them, "Be more careful next +time." This thought will be impressed on them and they will be +more careful. But, if you continually complain about their making +a mistake, the thought of a mistake is impressed on them and they +will be more likely to make mistakes in the future. All lack of +self-control can be conquered if you will but learn to +concentrate. + +Many of you that read this may think you are not guilty of either +of these faults, but if you will carefully watch yourself you +will probably find that you are, and, if so, you will be greatly +helped by repeating this affirmation each morning: + +"I am going to try today not to make a useless gesture or to +worry over trifles, or become nervous or irritable. I intend to +be calm, and, no difference what may be the circumstances, I will +control myself. Henceforth I resolve to be free from all signs +that show lack of self-control." + +At night quickly review your actions during the day and see how +fully you realized your aim. At first you will, of course, have +to plead guilty of violation a few times, but keep on, and you +will soon find that you can live up to your ideal. After you have +once gained self-control, however, don't relinquish it. For some +time it will still be necessary to repeat the affirmation in the +morning and square your conduct with it in the evening. Keep up +the good work until, at last, the habit of self-control is so +firmly fixed that you could not break it even though you tried. + +I have had many persons tell me that this affirmation and daily +review made a wonderful difference in their lives. You, too, will +notice the difference if you live up to these instructions. + + +Exercise 12. + +Practice Talking Before a Glass. Make two marks on your mirror on +a level with your eyes, and think of them as two human eyes +looking into yours. Your eyes will probably blink a little at +first. Do not move your head, but stand erect. Concentrate all +your thoughts on keeping your head perfectly still. Do not let +another thought come into your mind. Then, still keeping the +head, eyes and body still, think that you look like a reliable +man or woman should; like a person that anyone would have +confidence in. Do not let your appearance be such as to justify +the remark, "I don't like his appearance. I don't believe he can +be trusted." + +While standing before the mirror practice deep breathing. See +that there is plenty of fresh air in the room, and that you are +literally feasting on it. You will find that, as it permeates +every cell, your timidity will disappear. It has been replaced by +a sense of peace and power. + +The one that stands up like a man and has control over the +muscles of his face and eyes always commands attention. In his +conversation, he can better impress those with whom he comes in +contact. He acquires a feeling of calmness and strength that +causes opposition to melt away before it. + +Three minutes a day is long enough for the practice of this +exercise. + +Look at the clock before you commence the exercise, and if you +find you can prolong the exercise for more than five minutes do +so. The next day sit in a chair and, without looking at the +picture, concentrate on it and see if you cannot think of +additional details concerning it. The chances are you will be +able to think of many more. It might be well for you to write +down all you thought of the first day, and then add to the list +each new discovery. You will find that this is a very excellent +exercise in concentration. + + +Exercise 13 + +The Control of Sensations. Think how you would feel if you were +cool; then how you would feel if you were cold; again, how you +would feel if it were freezing. In this state you would be +shivering all over. Now think of just the opposite conditions; +construct such a vivid image of heat that you are able to +experience the sensation of heat even in the coldest atmosphere. +It is possible to train your imagination until you do this, and +it can then be turned to practical account in making undesirable +conditions bearable. + +You can think of many very good exercises like this. For +instance, if you feel yourself getting hungry or thirsty and for +any reason you do not wish to eat, do not think of how hungry or +thirsty you are, but just visualize yourself as finishing a +hearty meal. Again, when you experience pain, do not increase it +by thinking about it, but do something to divert your attention, +and the pain will seem to decrease. If you will start practicing +along this line systematically you will soon gain a wonderful +control over the things that affect your physical comfort. + + +Exercise 14 + +The Eastern Way of Concentrating. Sit in a chair with a high back +in upright position. Press one finger against the right nostril. +Now take a long, deep breath, drawing the breath in gently as you +count ten; then expel the breath through the right nostril as you +count ten. Repeat this exercise with the opposite nostril. This +exercise should be done at least twenty times at each sitting. + + +Exercise 15 + +Controlling Desires. Desire, which is one of the hardest forces +to control, will furnish you with excellent exercises in +concentration. It seems natural to want to tell others what you +know; but, by learning to control these desires, you can +wonderfully strengthen your powers of concentration. Remember, +you have all you can do to attend to your own business. Do not +waste your time in thinking of others or in gossiping about them. + +If, from your own observation, you learn something about another +person that is detrimental, keep it to yourself. Your opinion may +afterwards turn out to be wrong anyway, but whether right or +wrong, you have strengthened your will by controlling your desire +to communicate your views. + +If you hear good news resist the desire to tell it to the first +person you meet and you will be benefited thereby. It will +require the concentration of all your powers of resistance to +prohibit the desire to tell. After you feel that you have +complete control over your desires you can then tell your news. +But you must be able to suppress the desire to communicate the +news until you are fully ready to tell it. Persons that do not +possess this power of control over desires are apt to tell things +that they should not, thereby often involving both themselves and +others in needless trouble. + +If you are in the habit of getting excited when you hear +unpleasant news, just control yourself and receive it without any +exclamation of surprise. Say to yourself, "Nothing is going to +cause me to lose my self-control. You will find from experience +that this self-control will be worth much to you in business. You +will be looked upon as a cool-headed business man, and this in +time becomes a valuable business asset. Of course, circumstances +alter cases. At times it is necessary to become enthused. But be +ever on the lookout for opportunities for the practice of +self-control. "He that ruleth his spirit is greater than he that +ruleth a city." + + +Exercise 16 + +When You Read. No one can think without first concentrating his +thoughts on the subject in hand. Every man and woman should train +himself to think clearly. An excellent exercise is to read some +short story and then write just an abridged statement. Read an +article in a newspaper, and see in how few words you can express +it. Reading an article to get only the essentials requires the +closest concentration. If you are unable to write out what you +read, you will know you are weak in concentration. Instead of +writing it out you can express it orally if you wish. Go to your +room and deliver it as if you were talking to some one. You will +find exercises like this of the greatest value in developing +concentration and learning to think. + +After you have practiced a number of these simple exercises read +a book for twenty minutes and then write down what you have read. +The chances are that at first you will not remember very many +details, but with a little practice you will be able to write a +very good account of what you have read. The closer the +concentration the more accurate the account will be. + +It is a good idea when time is limited to read only a short +sentence and then try to write it down word for word. When you +are able to do this, read two or more sentences and treat +similarly. The practice will produce very good results if you +keep it up until the habit is fixed. + +If you will just utilize your spare time in practicing exercises +like those suggested you can gain wonderful powers of +concentration. You will find that in order to remember every word +in a sentence you must keep out every thought but that which you +wish to remember, and this power of inhibition alone will more +than compensate for the trouble of the exercise. Of course, +success in all of the above depends largely upon cultivating, +through the closest concentration, the power to image or picture +what you read; upon the power, as one writer expresses it, of +letting the mountains of which we hear loom before us and the +rivers of which we read roll at our feet. + + +Exercise 17 + +Concentration Overcomes Bad Habits. If you have a habit that you +want to get rid of, shut your eyes and imagine that your real +self is standing before you. Now try the power of affirmation; +say to yourself, "You are not a weakling; you can stop this habit +if you want to. This habit is bad and you want to break it." Just +imagine that you are some one else giving this advice. This is +very valuable practice. You, in time, see yourself as others see +you. The habit loses its power over you and you are free. + +If you will just form the mental image of controlling yourself as +another person might, you will take a delight in breaking bad +habits. I have known a number of men to break themselves of +drinking in this way. + + +Exercise 18 + +Watch Concentration. Sit in a chair and place a clock with a +second hand on the table. Follow the second hand with your eyes +as it goes around. Keep this up for five minutes, thinking of +nothing else but the second hand, This is a very good exercise +when you only have a few minutes to spare, if you are able to +keep every other thought in the stream of consciousness +subordinate to it. As there is little that is particularly +interesting about the second hand, it is hard to do this, but in +the extra effort of will power required to make it successful +lies its value. Always try to keep as still as possible during +these exercises. + +In this way you can gain control over nerves and this quieting +effect is very good for them. + + +Exercise 19 + +Faith Concentration. A belief in the power to concentrate is of +course very important. I purposely did not put this exercise in +the beginning where it naturally belongs because I wanted you to +know that you could learn to concentrate. If you have practiced +the above exercises you have now developed this concentration +power to a considerable extent and therefore you have faith in +the power of concentration, but you can still become a much +stronger believer in it. + +We will say that you have some desire or wish you want fulfilled, +or that you need some special advice. You first clearly picture +what is wanted and then you concentrate on getting it. Have +absolute faith that your desires will be realized. Believe that +it will according to your belief be fulfilled. Never, at this +time, attempt to analyze the belief. You don't care anything +about the whys and wherefores. You want to gain the thing you +desire, and if you concentrate on it in the right way you will +get it. + +A Caution. Never think you will not succeed, but picture what is +wanted as already yours, and yours it surely will be. + + +Self-Distrust. Do you ever feel distrust in yourself? If You do, +just ask yourself, which self do I mistrust? Then say: my higher +self cannot be affected. Then think of the wonderful powers of +the higher self. There is a way to overcome all difficulties, and +it is a delight for the human soul to do so. Instead of wasting +precious thought-force by dreading or fearing a disagreeable +interview or event, instead devote the time and concentrated +thought in how to make the best of the interview or event and you +will find that it will not be as unpleasant as you thought it +would be. Most of our troubles are but imaginary, and it is the +mental habit of so dreading them that really acts as a magnet in +attracting those that really do come. Your evil circumstances are +created or attracted by your own negative, fears and wrong +thoughts, and are a means of teaching you to triumph over all +evils, by discovering that which is inherent within yourself. + +You will find it helpful in overcoming self-distrust, to stop and +think, why you are, concentrating your forces, and by so doing +you become more closely attached to the higher self, which never +distrusts. + + + +LESSON XV. CONCENTRATE SO YOU WILL NOT FORGET + +A man forgets because he does not concentrate his mind on his +purpose, especially at the moment he conceives it. We remember +only that which makes a deep impression, hence we must first +deepen our impressions by associating in our minds certain ideas +that are related to them. + +We will say a wife gives her husband a letter to mail. He does +not think about it, but automatically puts it in his pocket and +forgets all about it. When the letter was given to him had he +said to himself, "I will mail this letter. The box is at the next +corner and when I pass it I must drop this letter," it would have +enabled him to recall the letter the instant he reached the mail +box. + +The same rule holds good in regard to more important things. For +example, if you are instructed to drop in and see Mr. Smith while +out to luncheon today, you will not forget it, if, at the moment +the instruction is given, you say to yourself something similar +to the following: + +"When I get to the corner of Blank street, on my way to luncheon, +I shall turn to the right and call on Mr. Smith." In this way the +impression is made, the connection established and the sight of +the associated object recalls the errand. + +The important thing to do is to deepen the impression at the very +moment it enters your mind. This is made possible, not only by +concentrating the mind upon the idea itself, but by surrounding +it with all possible association of ideas, so that each one will +reinforce the others. + +The mind is governed by laws of association, such as the law that +ideas which enter the mind at the same time emerge at the same +time, one assisting in recalling the others. + +The reason why people cannot remember what they want to is that +they have not concentrated their minds sufficiently on their +purpose at the moment when it was formed. + +You can train yourself to remember in this way by the +concentration of the attention on your purpose, in accordance +with the laws of association. + +When once you form this habit, the attention is easily centered +and the memory easily trained. Then your memory, instead of +failing you at crucial moments, becomes a valuable asset in your +every-day work. + +Exercise in Memory Concentration. Select some picture; put it on +a table and then look at it for two minutes. Concentrate your +attention on this picture, observe every detail; then shut your +eyes and see how much you can recall about it. Think of what the +picture represents; whether it is a good subject; whether it +looks natural. Think of objects in foreground, middle ground, +background; of details of color and form. Now open your eyes and +hold yourself rigidly to the correction of each and every +mistake. Close eyes again and notice how much more accurate your +picture is. Practice until your mental image corresponds in every +particular to the original. + + +Nature is a Wonderful Instructor. But there are very few who +realize that when we get in touch with nature we discover +ourselves. That by listening to her voice, with that curious, +inner sense of ours, we learn the oneness of life and wake up to +our own latent powers. + +Few realize that the simple act of listening and concentrating is +our best interior power, for it brings us into close contact with +the highest, just as our other senses bring us into touch with +the coarser side of human nature. The closer we live to nature +the more developed is this sense. "So called" civilization has +over developed our other senses at the expense of this one. + +Children unconsciously realize the value of concentration--for +instance: When a Child has a difficult problem to solve, and gets +to some knotty point which he finds himself mentally unable to +do--though he tries his hardest--he will pause and keep quite +still, leaning on his elbow, apparently listening; then you will +see, if you are watching, sudden illumination come and he goes on +happily and accomplishes his task. A child instinctively but +unconsciously knows when he needs help, he must be quiet and +concentrate. + +All great people concentrate and owe their success to it. The +doctor thinks over the symptoms of his patient, waits, listens +for the inspiration, though quite unconscious, perhaps, of doing +so. The one who diagnoses in this way seldom makes mistakes. An +author thinks his plot, holds it in his mind, and then waits, and +illumination comes. If you want to be able to solve difficult +problems you must learn to do the same. + + + +LESSON XVI. HOW CONCENTRATION CAN FULFILL YOUR DESIRE + +"It is a spiritual law that the desire to do necessarily implies +the ability to do." + +You have all read of "Aladdin's Lamp," which accomplished such +wonderful things. This, of course, is only a fairy story, but it +illustrates the fact that man has within him the power, if he is +able to use it, to gratify his every wish. + +If you are unable to satisfy your deepest longings it is time you +learned how to use your God-given powers. You will soon be +conscious that you have latent powers within capable when once +developed of revealing to you priceless knowledge and unlimited +possibilities of success. + +Man should have plenty of everything and not merely substance to +live on as so many have. All natural desires can be realized. It +would be wrong for the Infinite to create wants that could not be +supplied. Man's very soul is in his power to think, and it, +therefore, is the essence of all created things. Every instinct +of man leads to thought, and in every thought there is great +possibility because true thought development, when allied to +those mysterious powers which perhaps transcend it, has been the +cause of all the world's true progress. + +In the silence we become conscious of "that something" which +transcends thought and which uses thought as a medium for +expression. Many have glimpses of "that something," but few ever +reach the state where the mind is steady enough to fathom these +depths. Silent, concentrated thought is more potent than spoken +words, for speech distracts from the focusing power of the mind +by drawing more and more attention to the without. + +Man must learn more and more to depend on himself; to seek more +for the Infinite within. It is from this source alone that he +ever gains the power to solve his practical difficulties. No one +should give up when there is always the resources of Infinity. +The cause of failure is that men search in the wrong direction +for success, because they are not conscious of their real powers +that when used are capable of guiding them. + +The Infinite within is foreign to those persons who go through +life without developing their spiritual powers. But the Infinite +helps only he who helps himself. There is no such thing as a +Special "Providence." Man will not receive help from the Infinite +except to the extent that he believes and hopes and prays for +help from this great source. + +Concentrate on What You Want and Get It. The weakling is +controlled by conditions. The strong man controls conditions. You +can be either the conqueror or the conquered. By the law of +concentration you can achieve your heart's desire. This law is so +powerful that that which at first seems impossible becomes +attainable. + +By this law what you at first see as a dream becomes a reality. + +Remember that the first step in concentration is to form a Mental +Image of what you wish to accomplish. This image becomes a +thought-seed that attracts thoughts of a similar nature. Around +this thought, when it is once planted in the imagination or +creative region of the mind, you group or build associated +thoughts which continue to grow as long as your desire is keen +enough to compel close concentration. + +Form the habit of thinking of something you wish to accomplish +for five minutes each day. Shut every other thought out of +consciousness. Be confident that you will succeed; make up your +mind that all obstacles that are in your way will be overcome and +you can rise above any environment. + +You do this by utilizing the natural laws of the thought world +which are all powerful. + +A great aid in the development of concentration is to write out +your thoughts on that which lies nearest your heart and to +continue, little by little, to add to it until you have as nearly +as possible exhausted the subject. + +You will find that each day as you focus your forces on this +thought at the center of the stream of consciousness, new plans, +ideas and methods will flash into your mind. There is a law of +attraction that will help you accomplish your purpose. An +advertiser, for instance, gets to thinking along a certain line. +He has formed his own ideas, but he wants to know what others +think. He starts out to seek ideas and he soon finds plenty of +books, plans, designs, etc., on the subject, although when he +started he was not aware of their existence. + +The same thing is true in all lines. We can attract those things +that will help us. Very often we seem to receive help in a +miraculous way. It may be slow in coming, but once the silent +unseen forces are put into operation, they will bring results so +long as we do our part. They are ever present and ready to aid +those who care to use them. By forming a strong mental image of +your desire, you plant the thought-seed which begins working in +your interest and, in time, that desire, if in harmony with your +higher nature, will materialize. + +It may seem that it would be unnecessary to caution you to +concentrate only upon achievement that will be good for you and +work no harm to another, but there are many who forget others and +their rights, in their anxiety to achieve success. All good +things are possible for you to have, but only as you bring your +forces into harmony with that law that requires that we mete out +justice to fellow travelers as we journey along life's road. So +first think over the thing wanted and if it would be good for you +to have; say, "I want to do this; I am going to work to secure +it. The way will be open for me." + +If you fully grasp mentally the thought of success and hold it in +mind each day, you gradually make a pattern or mold which in time +will materialize. But by all means keep free from doubt and fear, +the destructive forces. Never allow these to become associated +with your thoughts. + +At last you will create the desired conditions and receive help +in many unlooked-for ways that will lift you out of the undesired +environment. Life will then seem very different to you, for you +will have found happiness through awakening within yourself the +power to become the master of circumstances instead of their +slave. + +To the beginner in this line of thought some of the things stated +in this book may sound strange, even absurd, but, instead of +condemning them, give them a trial. You will find they will work +out. + +The inventor has to work out his idea mentally before he produces +it materially. The architect first sees the mental picture of the +house he is to plan and from this works out the one we see. Every +object, every enterprise, must first be mentally created. + +I know a man that started in business with thirteen cents and not +a dollar's worth of credit. In ten years he has built up a large +and profitable business. He attributes his success to two +things--belief that he would succeed and hard work. There were +times when it did not look like he could weather the storm. He +was being pressed by his creditors who considered him bankrupt. +They would have taken fifty cents on the dollar for his notes and +considered themselves lucky. But by keeping up a bold front he +got an extension of time when needed. When absolutely necessary +for him to raise a certain sum at a certain time he always did +it. When he had heavy bills to meet he would make up his mind +that certain people that owed him would pay by a certain date and +they always did. Sometimes he would not receive their check until +the last mail of the day of the extension, and I have known him +to send out a check with the prospect of receiving a check from +one of his customers the following day. He would have no reason +other than his belief in the power of affecting the mind of +another by concentration of thought for expecting that check, but +rarely has he been disappointed. + +Just put forth the necessary concentrated effort and you will be +wonderfully helped from sources unknown to you. + +Remember the mystical words of Jesus, the Master: "Whatsoever +thing ye desire when ye pray, pray as if ye had already received +and ye shall have." + + + +LESSON XVII. IDEALS DEVELOPED BY CONCENTRATION + + Through our paltry stir and strife, Glows the wished Ideal, And +longing molds in clay, what life Carves in the marble +real.--Lowell. + + +We often hear people spoken of as idealists. The fact is we are +all idealists to a certain extent, and upon the ideals we picture +depends our ultimate success. You must have the mental image if +you are to produce the material thing. Everything is first +created in the mind. When you control your thoughts you become a +creator. You receive divine ideas and shape them to your +individual needs. All things of this world are to you just what +you think they are. Your happiness and success depend upon your +ideals. + +You are responsible for every condition you go through, either +consciously or unconsciously. The next step you take determines +the succeeding step. Remember this; it is a valuable lesson. By +concentrating on each step as you go along, you can save a lot of +waste steps and will be able to choose a straight path instead of +a roundabout road. + +Concentrate Upon Your Ideals and They Will Become Material +Actualities. Through concentration we work out our ideals in +physical life. Your future depends upon the ideals you are +forming now. Your past ideals are determining your present. +Therefore, if you want a bright future, you must begin to prepare +for it today. + +If persons could only realize that they can only injure +themselves, that when they are apparently injuring others they +are really injuring themselves, what a different world this would +be! + +We say a man is as changeable as the weather. What is meant is +his ideals change. Every time you change your ideal you think +differently. You become like a rudderless boat on an ocean. +Therefore realize the importance of holding to your ideal until +it becomes a reality. + +You get up in the morning determined that nothing will make you +lose your temper. This is your ideal of a person of real strength +and poise. Something takes place that upsets you completely and +you lose your temper. For the time being you forget your ideal. +If you had just thought a second of what a well-poised person +implies you would not have become angry. You lose your poise when +you forget your ideal. Each time we allow our ideals to be +shattered we also weaken our will-power. Holding to your ideals +develops will-power. Don't forget this. + +Why do so many men fail? Because they don't hold to their ideal +until it becomes a mental habit. When they concentrate on it to +the exclusion of all other things it becomes a reality. + +"I am that which I think myself to be." + +Ideals are reflected to us from the unseen spirit. The laws of +matter and spirit are not the same. One can be broken, but not +the other. To the extent that ideals are kept is your future +assured. + +It was never intended that man should suffer. He has brought it +upon himself by disobeying the laws of nature. He knows them so +cannot plead ignorance. Why does he break them? Because he does +not pay attention to those ideals flashed to him from the +Infinite Spirit. + +Life is but one continuous unfoldment, and you can be happy every +step of the way or miserable, as you please; it all depends upon +how we entertain those silent whisperings that come from we know +not where. We cannot hear them with mortal ear, but from the +silence they come as if they were dreams, not to you or me alone, +but to everyone. In this way the grandest thoughts come to us, to +use or abuse. So search not in treasured volumes for noble +thoughts, but within, and bright and glowing vision will come to +be realized now and hereafter. + + +You must give some hours to concentrated, consistent, persistent +thought. You must study yourself and your weaknesses. + +No man gets over a fence by wishing himself on the other side. He +must climb. + +No man gets out of the rut of dull, tiresome, monotonous life by +merely wishing himself out of the rut. He must climb. + +If you are standing still, or going backward, there is something +wrong. You are the man to find out what is wrong. + +Don't think that you are neglected, or not understood, or not +appreciated. + +Such thoughts are the thoughts of failure. + +Think hard about the fact that men who have got what you envy got +it by working for it. + +Don't pity yourself, criticise yourself. + +You know that the only thing in the world that you have got to +count upon is yourself. + + + +LESSON XVIII. MENTAL CONTROL THROUGH CREATION + +I attended a banquet of inventors recently. Each inventor gave a +short talk on something he thought would be accomplished in the +future. Many very much needed things were spoken of. One inventor +spoke of the possibilities of wireless telephone. Distance, he +said, would shortly be annihilated. He thought we would soon be +able to talk to the man in the submarine forty fathoms below the +surface and a thousand miles away. When he got through he asked +if there were any that doubted what he said. No one spoke up. +This was not a case of tactful politeness, as inventors like to +argue, but a case where no one present really doubted that the +inventor's vision would, in the future, materialize. + +These shrewd men, some real geniuses, all thought we would in +time be able to talk to those a thousand miles away without +media. Now, if we can make an instrument so wonderful that we can +send wireless messages a thousand miles, is there any reason why +we should not through mental control transmit messages from one +person to another? The wireless message should not be as easy to +send as the projected thought. + +The day will come when all business will employ highly developed +persons to send out influences. These influences will be so +dominating that employees will be partly controlled by them and so +you will profit more and more by your mental powers and depend on +them to draw to you all forces of a helpful nature. You will be +constantly sending out suggestions to your employees and friends. +They will receive these unconsciously, but in case yours is the +stronger personality they will carry them out the same as if you +had spoken them. + +This is being done even today. A finely organized company secures +the combined effort of all its men. They may be each doing a +different kind of work, but all work to bring about the very best +results. The whole atmosphere is impregnated with a high standard +of workmanship. Everyone feels he must do his best. He could not +be in such surroundings and be satisfied to do anything but his +best work. + +A business will succeed only to the extent that the efforts of +all are co-ordinated towards one result. At least one person is +needed to direct all toward the desired end. The person at the +head does not have to exactly outline to the others what steps to +take, but he must possess the mental power of control over +others. + +An up-to-date business letter is not written in a casual, +commonplace way today. The writer tries to convey something he +thinks the receiver will be interested to know. In this way he +awakens a responsive spirit. Sometimes just the addition of a +word or two will change a letter of the matter-of-fact style to +one that compels a response. It is not always what is actually in +a letter, but the spirit which it breathes that brings results. +That intangible something that defies analysis is the projected +thought of the master that brings back the harvest that it +claims. + +But we should not always claim success for ourselves only. If you +are anxious that some friend or relative should succeed, think of +this person as becoming successful. Picture him in the position +you would like to see him in. If he has a weakness, desire and +command that it be strengthened; think of his shortcomings which +belong to his negative nature as being replaced by positive +qualities. Take a certain part of the day to send him thoughts of +an up-building nature. You can in this way arouse his mental +powers into activity, and once aroused, they will assert +themselves and claim their own. + +We can accomplish a great deal more than many of us are ready to +believe by sending to another our direct, positive and +controlling suggestions of leadership, but whether a man is a +success or not is greatly determined by the way he acts on the +suggestions he receives. + +We either advance or decline. We never stand still. Every time we +accomplish something it gives us ability to do greater things. +The bigger the attempt undertaken, the greater the things +accomplished in the future. As a business grows, the head of the +business also has to grow. He must advance and be ever the +guiding influence. By his power to control, he inspires +confidence in those associated with him. Often employees are +superior to their employers in some qualities, and, if they had +studied, instead of neglected their development, they could have +been employers of more commanding influence than those whom they +serve. + +Through your mental power you can generate in another enthusiasm +and the spirit of success, which somehow furnishes an impetus to +do something worth while. + +In concentrated mental control, there is a latent power more +potent than physical force. The person becomes aware that the +attitude of the mind has a power of controlling, directing and +governing other forces. He has been placed in an attitude capable +of acquiring that which he desires. + +All of us no matter how strong we are, are affected by the mental +forces of our environment. There is no one that can remain +neutral to influences. The mind cannot be freed from the forces +of a place. If the environment of your place of business is not +helpful, it will be harmful. That is why a change of position +will often do a person a great deal of good. + +No person was ever intended to live alone. If you are shut up +with only your own thoughts you suffer from mental starvation. +The mind becomes narrow; the mental powers weaken. Living alone +often causes some of the milder forms of insanity. If children do +not play with those their own age, but associate with only older +people, they will take on the actions of the older people. The +same is true of older persons if they associate with people +younger than they are. They take on the spirit of youth. If you +wish to retain your youth you need the influences of youth. Like +attracts like all over the world. + +The thought element plays a great part in our lives. Every +business must not only command physical effort but it must also +command thought effort. There must be co-ordination of thought. +All employers should aim to secure employees that think along +similar lines. They will work in fuller sympathy with each other. +They will better understand each other. This enables them to help +each other, which would be utterly impossible if they were not in +sympathy with each other. It is this that goes to make up a +perfect organization, which directs and influences them toward +the one end. Instead of each person being a separate unit, each +one is like a spoke in a big wheel. Each member carries his own +load, and he would not think of shirking. Anyone working in such +an atmosphere could not help turning out his best work. + +All great leaders must be able to inspire this co-operative +spirit. They first secure assistance through their mental +control. They then make their assistants realize the value of +mental control. Soon there is a close bond between them; they are +working toward a single purpose. They profit by their combined +effort. The result is that they accomplish much. + +If your business is conducted in the right spirit, you can +instill your thoughts and your ideas into your employees. Your +methods and ideas become theirs. They don't know it, but your +mental forces are shaping their work. They are just as certain to +produce results as any physical force in nature. + +The up-to-date business man of the future is going to take pains +to get his employees to think and reason better. He will not want +them to become depressed or discouraged. There is time that +instead of being wasted he will endeavor to have them use in +concentrated effort that will be profitable to both employer and +employed. There must be more of the spirit of justice enter into +the business of the future. + +There is a firm I know that will not hire an employee until he has +filled out an application blank. No doubt those that fill it out +think it is foolishness, but it is not. A capable manager can +look over this application blank and pretty nearly tell if this +person will fit into his management. The main thing he wants to +know is the applicant's capacity for efficient co-operative +effort. He wants persons that have faith in themselves. He wants +them to realize that when they talk of misfortunes and become +blue they are likely to communicate the same depressing influence +to others. The up-to-date manager wants to guard against hiring +employees who will obstruct his success. + +You must realize that every moment spent in thinking of your +difficulties of the past, every moment spent in bad company is +attracting to you all that is bad; is attracting influences that +must be shaken off before you can advance. + +Many firms prefer to hire employees that never worked before so +that they have nothing to unlearn. They are then not trained, but +have no bad business habits to overcome. They are more easily +guided and grasp the new methods more effectively because they +are not contrary to what they have already learned. They are at +once started on the right road, and as they co-operate readily +they receive the mental support of the management in learning the +methods that have been perfected. This inspires confidence in +themselves and they soon become efficient and, finally, skilled +workers. + +Most big business firms today employ efficiency experts. Each day +or week they are in a different department. They earn their money +because they familiarize persons with very little business +experience with plans that has taken the "expert" years of +training and much money to perfect. + +The attitude we take has a great deal more to do with our success +than most of us realize. We must be able to generate those forces +that are helpful. There is a wonderful power in the thought +rightly controlled and projected and we must through +concentration develop this power to the fullest possible extent. + +We are surrounded by many forces of which we know but little at +present. Our knowledge of these is to be wonderfully increased. +Each year we learn more about these psychic forces which are full +of possibilities of which we are not even dimly conscious. We +must believe in mental control, learn more about it, and use it, +if we want to command these higher powers and forces which will +unquestionably direct the lives of countless future generations. + + + +LESSON XIX. A CONCENTRATED WILL DEVELOPMENT + +New Method. You will find in this chapter a most effective and +most practical method of developing the will. You can develop a +strong one if you want to. You can make your Will a dynamo to +draw to you untold power. Exercises are given which will, if +practiced, strengthen your will, just as you would strengthen +your muscles by athletic exercises. + +In starting to do anything, we must first commence with +elementary principles. Simple exercises will be given. It is +impossible to estimate the ultimate good to be derived from the +mental cultivation that comes through these attempts at +concentration. Even the simple exercises are not to be thought +useless. "In no respect," writes Doctor Oppenheim, "can a man +show a finer quality of will-power than in his own private, +intimate life." We are all subjected to certain temptations. The +Will decides whether we will be just, or unjust; pure of thought; +charitable in opinion; forbearing in overlooking other's +shortcomings; whether we live up to our highest standard. Since +these are all controlled by the Will, we should find time for +plenty of exercises for training of the will in our daily life. + +You, of course, realize that your will should be trained. You +must also realize that to do this requires effort that you alone +can command. No one can call it forth for you. + +To be successful in these exercises you must practice them in a +spirit of seriousness and earnestness. I can show you how to +train your will, but your success depends upon your mastery and +application of these methods. + +New Methods of Will-Training. Select a quiet room where you will +not be interrupted; have a watch to determine the time, and a +note-book in which to enter observations. Start each exercise +with date and time of day. + + +Exercise 1 + +Time decided on. Select some time of the day when most +convenient. Sit in a chair and look at the door-knob for ten +minutes. Then write down what you experienced. At first it will +seem strange and unnatural. You will find it hard to hold one +position for ten minutes. But keep as still as you can. The time +will seem long for it will probably be the first time you ever +sat and did nothing for ten minutes. You will find your thoughts +wandering from the door-knob, and you will wonder what there can +be in this exercise. Repeat this exercise for six days. + + 10 P. M. 2nd Day. + +Notes. You should be able to sit quieter, and the time should +pass more quickly. You will probably feel a little stronger +because of gaining a better control of your will. It will brace +you up, as you have kept your resolution. 10 P. M. 3rd Day. + +Notes. It may be a little harder for you to concentrate on the +door-knob as perhaps you had a very busy day and your mind kept +trying to revert to what you had been doing during the day. Keep +on trying and you will finally succeed in banishing all foreign +thoughts. Then you should feel a desire to gain still more +control. There is a feeling of power that comes over you when you +are able to carry out your will. This exercise will make you feel +bigger and it awakens a sense of nobility and manliness. You will +say, "I find that I can actually do what I want to and can drive +foreign thoughts out. The exercise, I can now see, is valuable." + +10 P. M. 4th Day. + +Notes. "I found that I could look at the door-knob and +concentrate my attention on it at once. Have overcome the +tendency to move my legs. No other thoughts try to enter as I +have established the fact that I can do what I want to do and do +not have to be directed. I feel that I am gaining in mental +strength, I can now see the wonderful value of being the master +of my own will-force. I know now if I make a resolution I will +keep it. I have more self-confidence and can feel my self-control +increasing. + +10 P. M. 5th Day. + +Notes. "Each day I seem to increase the intensity of my +concentration. I feel that I can center my attention on anything +I wish. + +10 P. M. 6th Day. + +Notes. "I can instantly center my whole attention on the +door-knob. Feel that I have thoroughly mastered this exercise and +that I am ready for another." + +You have practiced this exercise enough, but before you start +another I want you to write a summary of just how successful you +were in controlling the flitting impulses of the mind and will. +You will find this an excellent practice. There is nothing more +beneficial to the mind than to pay close attention to its own +wonderful, subtle activities. + + +Exercise 2 + +Secure a package of playing cards. Select some time to do the +exercise. Each day at the appointed time, take the pack in one +hand and then start laying them down on top of each other just as +slowly as you can, with an even motion. Try to get them as even +as possible. Each card laid down should completely cover the +under one. Do this exercise for six days. + +1st Day. + +Notes. Task will seem tedious and tiresome. Requires the closest +concentration to make each card completely cover the preceding +one. You will probably want to lay them down faster. It requires +patience to lay them down so slowly, but benefit is lost if not +so placed. You will find that at first your motions will be jerky +and impetuous. It will require a little practice before you gain +an easy control over your hands and arms. You probably have never +tried to do anything in such a calm way. It will require the +closest attention of your will. But you will find that you are +acquiring a calmness you never had before. You are gradually +acquiring new powers. You recognize how impulsive and impetuous +you have been, and how, by using your will, you can control your +temperament. + +2nd Day. + +Notes. You start laying the cards down slowly. You will find that +by practice you can lay them down much faster. But you want to +lay them down slowly and therefore you have to watch yourself. +The slow, steady movement is wearisome. You have to conquer the +desire of wanting to hurry up. Soon you will find that you can go +slowly or fast at will. + +3rd Day. + +Notes. You still find it hard to go slowly. Your will urges you +to go faster. This is especially true if you are impulsive, as +the impulsive character finds it very difficult to do anything +slowly and deliberately. It goes against the "grain." This +exercise still is tiresome. But when you do it, it braces you up +mentally. You are accomplishing something you do not like to do. +It teaches you how to concentrate on disagreeable tasks. Writing +these notes down you will find very helpful. + +4th Day. + +Notes. I find that I am beginning to place the cards in a +mathematical way. I find one card is not completely covering +another. I am getting a little careless and must be more careful. +I command my will to concentrate more. It does not seem so hard +to bring it under control. + +5th Day. + +Notes. I find that I am overcoming my jerky movements, that I can +lay the cards down slowly and steadily. I feel that I am rapidly +gaining more poise. I am getting better control over my will each +day, and my will completely controls my movements. I begin to +look on my will as a great governing power. I would not think of +parting with the knowledge of will I have gained. I find it is a +good exercise and know it will help me to accomplish my tasks. + +6th Day. + +Notes. I begin to feel the wonderful possibilities of the will. +It gives me strength to think of the power of will. I am able to +do so much more and better work now, that I realize that I can +control my will action. Whatever my task, my will is concentrated +on it. I am to keep my will centered there until the task is +finished. The more closely and definitely I determine what I +shall do, the more easily the will carries it out. Determination +imparts compelling force to the will. It exerts itself more. The +will and the end act and react on each other. + +7th Day. + +Notes. Now try to do everything you do today faster. Don't hurry +or become nervous. Just try to do everything faster, but in a +steady manner. + +You will find that the exercises you have practiced in +retardation have steadied your nerves, and thereby made it +possible to increase your speed. The will is under your command. +Make it carry out resolutions rapidly. This is how you build up +your self-control and your self-command. It is then that the +human machine acts as its author dictates. + +You certainly should now be able to judge of the great benefit +that comes from writing out your introspections each day. Of +course you will not have the exact experiences given in these +examples, but some of these will fit your case. Be careful to +study your experiences carefully and make as true a report as you +can. Describe your feelings just as they seem to you. Allow your +fancies to color your report and it will be worthless. You have +pictured conditions as you see them. In a few months, if you +again try the same exercises, you will find your report very much +better. By these introspections, we learn to know ourselves +better and with this knowledge can wonderfully increase our +efficiency. As you become used to writing out your report, it +will be more accurate. You thus learn how to govern your +impulses, activities and weaknesses. + +Each person should try to plan exercises that will best fit his +needs. If not convenient for you to practice exercises every day, +take them twice or three times a week. But carry out any plan you +decide to try. If you cannot devote ten minutes a day to the +experiments start with five minutes and gradually increase the +time. The exercises given are only intended for examples. + +Will Training Without Exercise. There are many people that do not +want to take the time to practice exercises, so the following +instructions for training the will are given to them. + +By willing and realizing, the will grows. Therefore the more you +will, the more it grows, and builds up power. No matter whether +your task is big or small, make it a rule to accomplish it in +order to fortify your will. Form the habit of focusing your will +in all its strength upon the subject to be achieved. You form in +this way the habit of getting a thing done, of carrying out some +plan. You acquire the feeling of being able to accomplish that +which lies before you, no matter what it is. This gives you +confidence and a sense of power that you get in no other way. You +know when you make a resolution that you will keep it. You do not +tackle new tasks in a half-hearted way, but with a bold, brave +spirit. We know that the will is able to carry us over big +obstacles. Knowing this despair never claims us for a victim. We +have wills and are going to use them with more and more +intensity, thus giving us the power to make our resolutions +stronger, our actions freer and our lives finer and better. + +The education of the will should not be left to chance. It is +only definite tasks that will render it energetic, ready, +persevering and consistent. The only way it can be done is by +self-study and self-discipline. The cost is effort, time and +patience, but the returns are valuable. There are no magical +processes leading to will development, but the development of +your will works wonders for you because it gives you +self-mastery, personal power and energy of character. + +Concentration of the Will to Win. The adaptability of persons to +their business environment is more a matter of determination than +anything else. In this age we hear a good deal of talk about a +man's aptitudes. Some of his aptitudes, some of his powers, may +be developed to a wonderful extent, but he is really an unknown +quality until all his latent powers are developed to their +highest possible extent. He may be a failure in one line and a +big success in another. There are many successful men, that did +not succeed well at what they first undertook, but they profited +by their efforts in different directions, and this fitted them +for higher things, whereas had they refused to adjust themselves +to their environment, the tide of progress would have swept them +into oblivion. + +My one aim in all my works is to try and arouse in the individual +the effort and determination to develop his full capacities, his +highest possibilities. One thing I want you to realize at the +start, that it is not so much ability, as it is the will to do +that counts. Ability is very plentiful, but organizing initiative +and creative power are not plentiful. It is easy to get employees, +but to get someone to train them is harder. Their abilities must +be directed to the work they can do. They must be shown how, +while at this work, to conserve their energy and they must be +taught to work in harmony with others, for most business concerns +are dominated by a single personality. + +Concentrating on Driving Force Within. We are all conscious, at +times, that we have somewhere within us an active driving force +that is ever trying to push us onward to better deeds. It is that +"force" that makes us feel determined at times to do something +worth while. It is not thought, emotion or feeling. This driving +force is something distinct from thought or emotion. It is a +quality of the soul and therefore it has a consciousness all its +own. It is the "I will do" of the will. It is the force that +makes the will concentrate. Many have felt this force working +within them, driving them on to accomplish their tasks. All great +men and women become conscious that this supreme and powerful +force is their ally in carrying out great resolutions. + +This driving force is within all, but until you reach a certain +stage you do not become aware of it. It is most useful to the +worthy. It springs up naturally without any thought of training. +It comes unprovoked and leaves unnoticed. Just what this force is +we do not know, but we do know that it is what intensifies the +will in demanding just and harmonious action. + + +The ordinary human being, merely as merchandise, if he could be +sold as a slave, would be worth ten thousand dollars. If somebody +gave you a five thousand dollar automobile you would take very +good care of it. You wouldn't put sand in the carburetor, or mix +water with the gasoline, or drive it furiously over rough roads, +or leave it out to freeze at night. + +Are you quite sure that you take care of your own body, your own +health, your only real property, as well as you would take care +of a five thousand dollar automobile if it were given to you? + +The man who mixes whiskey with his blood is more foolish than a +man would be if he mixed water with gasoline in his car. + +You can get another car; you cannot get another body. + +The man who misses sleep lives irregularly--bolts his food so +that his blood supply is imperfect. That is a foolish man +treating himself as he would not treat any other valuable piece +of property. + +Do you try to talk with men and women who know more than you do, +and do you LISTEN rather than try to tell them what you know? + +There are a hundred thousand men of fifty, and men of sixty, +running along in the old rut, any one of whom could get out of it +and be counted among the successful men if only the spark could +be found to explode the energy within them now going to waste. + +Each man must study and solve his own problem. + + + +LESSON XX. CONCENTRATION REVIEWED + +In bringing this book to a close, I again want to impress you +with the inestimable value of concentration, because those that +lack this great power or, rather that fail to develop it, will +generally suffer from poverty and unhappiness and their life's +work will most often be a failure, while those that develop and +use it will make the most of life's opportunities, + +I have tried to make these lessons practical and I am sure that +many will find them so. Of course the mere reading of them will +not do you a great deal of good, but, if the exercises are +practiced and worked out and applied to your own individual case, +you should be able to acquire the habit of concentration in such +measure as to greatly improve your work and increase your +happiness. + +But remember the best instruction can only help you to the extent +to which you put it into practice. I have found it an excellent +idea to read a book through first, and then re-read it, and when +you come to an idea that appeals to you, stop and think about it, +then if applicable to you, repeat it over and over, that you will +be impressed by it. In this way you can form the habit of picking +out all the good things you read and these will have a wonderful +influence on your character. + +In this closing chapter, I want to impress you to concentrate on +what you do, instead of performing most of your work +unconsciously or automatically, until you have formed habits that +give you the mastery of your work and your life powers and +forces. + +Very often the hardest part of work is thinking about it. When +you get right into it, it does not seem so disagreeable. This is +the experience of many when they first commence to learn how to +concentrate. So never think it a difficult task, but undertake it +with the "I Will Spirit" and you will find that its acquirement +will be as easy as its application will be useful. + +Read the life of any great man, and you will generally find that +the dominant quality that made him successful was the ability to +concentrate. Study those that have been failures and you will +often find that lack of concentration was the cause. + +"One thing at a time, and that done will + +Is a good rule as I can tell." + +All men are not born with equal powers, but it is the way they +are used that counts. "Opportunity knocks at every man's door." +Those that are successful hear the knock and grasp the chance. +The failures believe that luck and circumstances are against +them. They always blame someone else instead of themselves for +their lack of success. We get what is coming to us, nothing more +or less. Anything within the universe is within your grasp. Just +use your latent powers and it is yours. You are aided by both +visible and invisible forces when you concentrate on either "to +do" or "to be." + +Everyone is capable of some concentration, for without it you +would be unable to say or do anything. People differ in the power +to concentrate because some are unable to Will to hold the +thought in mind for the required time. The amount of +determination used determines who has the strongest will. No +one's is stronger than yours. Think of this whenever you go +against a strong opponent. + +Never say "I can't concentrate today." You can do it just the +minute you say "I will." You can keep your thoughts from +straying, just the same as you can control your arms. When once +you realize this fact, you can train the will to concentrate on +anything you wish. If it wanders, it is your fault. You are not +utilizing your will. But, don't blame it on your will and say it +is weak. The will is just the same whether you act as if it were +weak or as if it were strong. When you act as if your will is +strong you say, "I can." When you act as if it were weak you say, +"I can't." It requires the same amount of effort, in each case. + +Some men get in the habit of thinking "I can't" and they fail. +Others think "I can" and succeed. So remember, it is for you to +decide whether you will join the army of "I can't" or "I can." + +The big mistake with so many is that they don't realize that when +they say "I can't," they really say, "I won't try." You can not +tell what you can do until you try. "Can't" means you will not +try. Never say you cannot concentrate, for, when you do, you are +really saying that you refuse to try. + +Whenever you feel like saying, "I can't," say instead, "I possess +all will and I can use as much as I wish." You only use as much +as you have trained yourself to use. + +An Experiment to Try. Before going to bed tonight, repeat, "I am +going to choose my own thoughts, and to hold them as long as I +choose. I am going to shut out all thoughts that weaken or +interfere; that make me timid. My Will is as strong as anyone's +else. While going to work the next morning, repeat this over. +Keep this up for a month and you will find you will have a better +opinion of yourself. These are the factors that make you a +success. Hold fast to them always. + +Concentration is nothing but willing to do a certain thing. All +foreign thoughts can be kept out by willing that they stay out. +You cannot realize your possibilities until you commence to +direct your mind. You then do consciously what you have before +done unconsciously. In this way you note mistakes, overcome bad +habits and perfect your conduct. + +You have at times been in a position that required courage and +you were surprised at the amount you showed. Now, when once you +arouse yourself, you have this courage all the time and it is not +necessary to have a special occasion reveal it to you. My object +in so strongly impressing this on your mind is to make you aware +that the same courage, the same determination that you show at +certain exceptionable times you have at your command at all +times. It is a part of your vast resources. Use it often and +well, in working out the highest destiny of which you are +capable. + +Final Concentration Instruction. You now realize that, in order +to make your life worthy, useful and happy, you must concentrate. +A number of exercises and all the needed instruction has been +given. It now remains for you to form the highest ideal that you +can in the present and live up to that ideal, and try to raise +it. Don't waste your time in foolish reading. Select something +that is inspiring, that you may become enrapport with those that +think thoughts that are worth while. Their enthusiasm will +inspire and enlighten you. Read slowly and concentrate on what +you are reading. Let your spirit and the spirit of the author +commune, and you will then sense what is between the lines--those +great things which words cannot express. + +Pay constant attention to one and one thing only for a given time +and you will soon be able to concentrate. Hang on to that thought +ceaselessly until you have attained your object. When you work, +let your mind dwell steadily on your task. Think before you speak +and direct your conversation to the subject under discussion. Do +not ramble. Talk slowly, steadily and connectedly. Never form the +hurry habit, but be deliberate in all you do. Assume static +attitudes without moving a finger or an eyelid, or any part of +your body. Read books that treat of but one continuous subject. +Read long articles and recall the thread of the argument. +Associate yourself with people who are steady, patient and +tireless in their thought, action and work. See how long you can +sit still and think on one subject without interruption. + +Concentrating on the Higher Self. Father Time keeps going on and +on. Every day he rolls around means one less day for you on this +planet. Most of us only try to master the external conditions of +this world. We think our success and happiness depends on us +doing so. These are of course important and I don't want you to +think they are not, but I want you to realize that when death +comes, only those inherent and acquired qualities and conditions +within the mentality--your character, conduct and soul +growth--will go with you. If these are what they should be, you +need not be afraid of not being successful and happy, for with +these qualities you can mold external materials and conditions. + +Study yourself. Find Your Strong Points And Make Them Stronger As +Well As Your Weak Ones And Strengthen Them. Study yourself +carefully and you will see yourself as you really are. + +The secret of accomplishment is concentration, or the art of +turning all your power upon just one point at a time. + +If you have studied yourself carefully you should have a good +line on yourself, and should be able to make the proper interior +re-adjustments. Remember first, last, and always, Right thinking +and right Living necessarily results in happiness, and it is +therefore within your power to obtain happiness. Anyone that is +not happy does not claim their birthright. + +Keep in mind that some day you are going to leave this world and +think of what you will take with you. This will assist you to +concentrate on the higher forces. Now start from this minute, to +act according to the advice of the higher self in everything you +do. If you do, its ever harmonious forces will necessarily insure +to you a successful fulfilment of all your life purposes. +Whenever you feel tempted to disobey your higher promptings, hold +the thought + +"My-higher-self-insures-to-me-the-happiness-of-doing-that-which +-best-answers-my-true-relations-to-all-others." + +You possess latent talents, that when developed and utilized are +of assistance to you and others. But if you do not properly use +them, you shirk your duty, and you will be the loser and suffer +from the consequences. Others will also be worse off if you do +not fulfil your obligations. + +When you have aroused into activity your thought powers you will +realize the wonderful value of these principles in helping you to +carry out your plans. The right in the end must prevail. You can +assist in the working out of the great plan of the universe and +thereby gain the reward, or you can work against the great plan +and suffer the consequences. The all consuming fires are +gradually purifying all discordant elements. If you choose to +work contrary to the law you will burn in its crucible, so I want +you to learn to concentrate intelligently on becoming in harmony +with your higher self. Hold the thought: +"I-will-live-for-my-best. I-seek-wisdom, self-knowledge, +happiness-and-power-to-help-others. I-act-from-the-higher-self, +therefore-only-the-best-can-come-to-me. The more we become +conscious of the presence of the higher self the more we should +try to become a true representative of the human soul in all its +wholeness and holiness, instead of wasting our time dwelling on +some trifling external quality or defect. We should try to secure +a true conception of what we really are so as not to over value +the external furnishings. You will then not surrender your +dignity or self respect, when others ignorantly make a display of +material things to show off. Only the person that realizes that +he is a permanent Being knows what the true self is. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg Etext of The Power of Concentration, by Dumont + diff --git a/1570.zip b/1570.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d93c103 --- /dev/null +++ b/1570.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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