DYNAMIC THOUGHT/PART 16
CHAPTER XVI
THOUGHT IN ACTION
WITHOUT
attempting to go into details, or to enter into explanations, the writer
purposes taking his readers on a flying trip through the region of
"Thought in Action," or "Dynamic Thought in Operation in Human
Life." The details of this fascinating region must be left for another and
more extended visit, in our next book (before mentioned) which will be called
"The Wonders of The Mind." But he thinks that even this flying
trip will prove of interest and instruction.
Let
us start with a hasty look at Man himself. Not to speak of his "Seven
Planes of Mind," which belongs to the next visit, we find him a very
interesting object. Not only has he a physical body, apparent to our senses,
but he has also a finer or "astral body," which he may use
(unconsciously, or consciously, when he learns how) for little excursions away
from the body, during his lifetime. This Astral Body is composed of Substance
just as his denser physical body. The field and range of Substance extends
far beyond the powers of ordinary vision, as even the Materialists must admit
when they talk of "Radiant Matter," "Etherial Substance,"
etc. Then he has currents of Fine Force coursing through his nervous system,
which may be seen by those possessing "Astral Vision," if the teachings
of the Occultists be true.
Then
he, like the Particle, has an "Aura" or egg-shaped projection of Mind
and fine particles of Psychoplasm, which has been thrown off in the process of
Thought, and which clusters around him, producing a "Mental Atmosphere,"
which constantly surrounds him, and makes itself "felt" by those
coming in his presence. Those who read these words may remember, readily, the
"feeling" they have experienced when coming in contact with certain
people—how some radiated an atmosphere of cheerfulness, brightness, etc., while
others radiated the very opposite. Some radiate a feeling of energy, activity,
etc., while others manifest just the reverse. Many likes and dislikes between
people meeting for the first time, arise in this way, each finding in the
mental atmosphere of the other, some inharmonious element. These radiations are
perceived by others coming into their range.
Occultists
tell us that the character of a man's thought vibrations may be determined by
certain colors, which are visible to those having "Astral Sight."
There is nothing so wonderful about this, when it is remembered that the
various "colors" of light, comprising the visible colors of the
spectrum, ranging from red, on through orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and
terminating in violet, arise simply from different rates of vibration of the
Particles of Substance. And as Thought is produced by Mind causing vibrations
in the Psychoplasm, why is not the Astral Colors reasonable? We cannot stop to
consider these colors in detail, but may run over the ones corresponding to
each marked Emotion of Thought, as reported by the Occult teachings.
For
instance the shade of the thought manifesting in physical or organic functions,
is of a colorless white, or "color of clear water"; and the color of
the thought manifesting in Fine Force or Vital Energy, is that of air,—heated
air arising from a furnace or heated ground—when it emerges from the body
although of a faint pink when in the body itself. Black represents Hate, Malice,
etc.; Gray (bright shade) represents Selfishness, while Gray of a dark dull
shade represents Fear. Green represents Jealousy, Deceit, Treachery, and
similar emotions, ranging from the dull shades which characterize the lower and
cruder forms, to the bright shades which characterize the finer, or more
delicate forms of "Tact," "Politeness,"
"Diplomacy," etc. Red (dull shade) represents Sensuality and Animal
Passion, while red (bright and vivid) represents Anger. Crimson, in varying
shades, represents the phases of "Love." Brown represents Avarice or
Greed. Orange represents Pride and Ambition; and Yellow, in varying shades,
represents grades of Intellectual Power. Blue is the color of the Religious
thoughts, ranging, however, through a great variety of stages, from the dull
shade of superstitious religious belief, to the beautiful violet of the highest
religious emotion or thought. What is generally known as
"Spirituality" is characterized by a Light Blue of a peculiarly
luminous shade. Just as there are ultra-red, and ultra-violet rays in the
spectrum, which the eye cannot perceive, so Occultists inform us there are
"colors" in the Aura or Mental Atmosphere of a person of unusual
psychic or occult development, the ultra-violet rays indicating the thought of
one who is pursuing the higher planes of occult thought and unfoldment, while
the ultra-red is evidenced by those possessing occult development, but who are
using the same for base and selfish purposes—"black-magic" in
fact. There are other shades, known to Occultists, indicating several highly
developed states of Mind, but it is needless to mention them here.
But
the influence of these Particles of "Thought-stuff" thrown off from
the Mind Psychoplasm under the vibrations produced by the Mind during the process
of Thought, does not cease with the phenomena surrounding the Aura. They are
radiated to a considerable distance, and produce a number of effects. We will
remember how the Corpuscles or Electrons are thrown off by Substance in a high
state of vibration. Well, the same law manifests in the vibrations attendant
upon the production of Thought. The particles are thrown off in great
quantities each vibrating at the rate imparted to it during the process. No
these particles of "Thought-stuff" do not compose the
"Thought-waves"—the latter belong to a different set of phenomena.
These
particles of vibrating "Thought-stuff" fly off from the brain of the
thinker, in all directions, and affect other persons who may come in contact
with them. There is an important rule here, however, and that is that they seem
to be attracted by those minds which are vibrating in similar thought-rates
with themselves, and are but feebly attracted—and in some cases, actually
repelled—by minds vibrating on opposite lines of Thought. "Like attracts
Like," in the Thought World, and "Birds of a feather flock
together," here as elsewhere.
Some
of these particles of "Thought-stuff" are still in existence, and
vibrating, which proceeded from the minds of persons long since dead, the same being
emitted or thrown off during the lifetime of the persons, however. Just as a
distant star, which was destroyed hundreds of years ago, may have emitted rays
which are only now reaching our vision, years after the destruction of the star
which emitted them—and just as an odor will remain in a room after the object
causing it has departed the particles still remaining and vibrating—and just as
a stove removed from a room may leave heat vibrations behind it—so do these
particles persist, vibrate, and influence other minds, long after the person
who caused them may have passed out of the body. In this way, rooms, houses,
neighborhoods, and localities may vibrate with the thoughts of people who lived
there long ago, but who have since passed away, or removed. These vibrations
affect people living in these places, to a greater or lesser extent, depending
upon circumstances, but they may always be counteracted or changed (if
they are of undesirable nature) by setting upon positive vibrations on a
different plane of mind, or character of thought.
The
mind of a thinker is constantly emitting or throwing off these particles of
"Thought-stuff"; the distance and rate of speed, to and by which they
travel, being determined by the "force" used in their production,
there being a great difference between the thought of a vigorous thinker, and
that emanating from a weak, listless mind. These projections of Thought-stuff
have a tendency to mingle with others of a corresponding rate of vibration
(depending upon the character of the thought.) Some remain around the places
where they were emitted, while others float off like clouds, and obey the Law
of Attraction which draws them to persons thinking along similar lines.
The
characteristics of cities arise in this way, the general average of Thought of
their inhabitants causing a corresponding Thought-atmosphere to hang over and
around it, which atmosphere is distinctly felt by visitors, and often
determines the mental character of the persons residing there, in spite of
their previous characteristics—that is, unless they understand the Laws of
Thought. Some neighborhoods, also, have their own peculiar
Mental Atmosphere, as all may have noticed if they have visited certain
"tough" neighborhoods, on the one hand, and neighborhoods of an
opposite kind, on the other. Certain kinds of Thoughts and Actions seem to be
contagious in certain places—and they are to those who do not
understand the Law. Certain shops seem to have their own atmosphere—some
reflecting confidence and honest dealing, and others radiating an atmosphere
that causes patrons to hold tightly to their pocketbooks, and, in some extreme
cases, to be certain that their buttons are tightly sewed on their garments.
Yes, places like people, have their distinctive Mental Atmospheres, and both
arise from the same cause.
And
each person draws to himself these particles of vibrating
"Thought-stuff" corresponding with the general mental attitude
maintained by him. If one harbors feelings of Malice, he will find thoughts of
malice, revenge, hate, etc., pouring in upon him. He has made himself a centre
of Attraction, and has set the Law into operation. His only safe course is to
resolutely change his thought vibrations.
A
most remarkable form of these particles of Thought-stuff is evidenced in the
case of what are known among occultists as "Thought-forms," which are
aggregations of Particles of Thought-stuff energized by intense and positive
thought, and which are sent out with such intensity and positiveness, that they
are almost "vitalized," and manifest almost the same degree of mental
influence that would be manifested by the sender if he were present where they
are. This highly interesting phase of the subject would take many chapters to
describe in detail, and we must content ourselves with a mere passing view. To
those who are interested in the subject, the writer would say that he purposes
considering them at considerable length, in the forthcoming book "The
Wonders of The Mind," which has been alluded to elsewhere.
Besides
the operation of these particles of Thought-stuff emitted during the production
of Thought, there are many other phases of Thought Influence, or Thought in
Action. The principal phase of this phenomena arises from the working of the
Law of Attraction between the respective minds of different people. Just as are
the Particles of Substance united and connected by "lines" of
connection, so are the minds of Men connected. And the strong "pull"
of Desire manifests along these lines, just as it does in the case of the
Atoms. There has been much written of recent years regarding this
"Drawing Power of the Mind," and although some of what has been
written is the veriest rubbish and nonsense, yet under it all there remains a
strong, form, substantial substratum of Fact and Truth. Men do attract
Success and Failure to them—people do attract things to
them—as strange as it may seem to the person who has not acquainted himself
with the laws underlying the phenomenon.
There
is no "miracle" about all of this—it is simply that the Law of
Attraction is in full operation, and that people of similar thoughts are drawn
together by reason thereof. The workings of this Law are somewhat intricate,
but all of us are constantly using them, consciously or unconsciously. We draw
to ourselves that which we Desire very much, or that which we Fear very much,
for a Fear is a Belief, and acts in the direction of actualizing itself, sometimes.
But, again, as Kipling would say: "But, that's another story." This
phase of the subject is a mighty subject in itself, and "the half has not
been told" even by the many who have written of it. The writer intends to
try to remedy the deficiency in his next book, however.
Then,
again, the "Excitement" of Thought, in the minds of people may be
transmitted or communicated to the minds of others, and a similar
vibration set up, under certain conditions, and subject to certain restraining
influences—just as in the case of the Particles of Substances in a body or Mass
of Substance. And, in many ways that will suggest themselves to the reader who
has mastered the contents of the earlier chapters of this book, the phenomena
of Dynamic Thought in the case of the Atoms, and Particles, may be, and are
duplicated in the case of Individual Minds of Men.
The
reader will see, readily, that this theory of Dynamic Thought, and the facts
noted in the consideration thereof, give an intelligent explanation for the
respective phenomena of Hypnotism, Mesmerism, Suggestion, Thought-transference,
Telepathy, etc., as well as of Mental Healing, Magnetic Healing, etc., all of
which are manifestations of "Dynamic Thought." Not only do we see, as
Prentice Mulford said, that "Thoughts are Things," but we may see
"just why" they are Things. And we may see and understand the
laws of their production and operation. This theory of Dynamic Thought will
throw light into many dark corners, and make plain many "hard
sayings" that have perplexed you in the past. The writer believes that it
gives us the key to many of the great Riddles of Life.
This
theory has come to stay. It is no ephemeral thing, doomed to "die
a-borning." It will be taken up by others and polished, and added to, and
shaped, and "decorated"—but the fundamental principles will stand the
stress of Time and Men. Of this the writer feels assured. It may be laughed at
at first, not only by the "man on the street," but also by the
scientists. But it will outlive this, and in time will come to its own—perhaps
long after the writer and the book have been forgotten.
This
must be so—for the idea of "Dynamic Thought" underlies the entire
Universe, and is the cause of all phenomena. Not only is all that we see as
Life and Mind, and Substance illustrations of the Law, but even that which lies
back of these things must evidence the same Law. Is it too daring a conception
to hazard the thought that perhaps the Universe itself is the result of
the Dynamic Thought of The Infinite?
Oh,
Dynamic Thought, we see in thee the instrument by which all Form and Shape are
created, changed and destroyed—we see in thee the source of all Energy, Force
and Motion—we see thee Always—present and Everywhere—present, and always in
Action. Verily, thou art Life in Action. Thou art the embodiment of Action and
Motion, of which Zittel hath said: "Wherever our eyes dwell on the
Universe; whithersoever we are carried in the flight of thought,
everywhere we find Motion." Suns, planets, worlds, bodies, atoms, and
particles, move, and act at thy bidding. Amidst all the change of
Substance—among the play of Forces—and among and amidst all that results
therefrom—there art thou, unchanged, and constant. As though fresh from the
hand of The Infinite, thou hast maintained thy vigor and strength, and power,
throughout the aeons of Time. And, likewise, Space has no terrors for thee, for
thou hath mastered it. Thou art a symbol of the Power of The Infinite—thou art
Its message to doubting Man!
Let
us close this book with the thought of the Greatness of this Thing that we call
Dynamic Thought—which, great as it is, is but as the shadow of the Absolute
Power of The Infinite One, which is the Causeless Cause, and the Causer of
Causes. And in thus parting company, reader, let us murmur the words of the
German poet, who has sung:
"Dost thou ask for rest? See then how foolish is thy desire;
the stern yoke of motion holds in harness the whole Universe.
"Nowhere in this age canst thou ever find rest, and no power
can deliver thee from the doom of Activity.
"Rest is not to be found either in heaven or on earth, and
from death and dying break forth new growth,—new birth.
"All the life of Nature is an ocean of Activity; following on
her footsteps, without ceasing, thou must march forward with the whole.
"Even the dark portal of death gives thee no rest, and out of
thy coffin will spring blossoms of a new life."
FINIS. END OF THIS BOOK
WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON 'S BOOKS
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