THE POWER OF CONCENTRATION /PART 20
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 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 THIS BOOK.
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