PRACTICAL MENTAL INFLUENCE/PART 3
CHAPTER 3
MENTAL INDUCTION
As we stated in the preceding chapter, the phenomena of
Mental Influence bears a striking analogy to that of the electrical or magnetic
energy. Not only is this so in the phase of wave motion and transmission, but
also in the phase of induction, as we shall see presently.
In physical science the term Induction is used to
indicate that quality in a manifestation of energy which tends to reproduce in
a second object the vibrations manifesting in the first object, without direct
contact between the two bodies. A magnet will induce magnetism in another
object removed from its space. An electrified object will tend to produce
similar vibrations in another object by induction, over great spaces. Heat
waves travel along the ether, and tend to produce heat vibrations in objects
far removed, notably in the case of the sun and the earth. Even sound waves
will affect other objects in this way, as in the well-known instance of the
glass or vase "singing" in response to the musical note sounded afar
off. In fact, we see and hear by processes similar to those described.
And in this same manner that Thought-Waves carry the
vibrations of the mind sending them forth to great distances, or lesser ones,
tending to set up similar vibrations in the middle of other persons within
their field force. Thus a person feeling a strong degree of anger will pour
forth waves of that degree of mental vibration, which, coming in contact with
the brains of other persons, tend to set up a similar feelings or emotions and
thus cause the person to "feel cross" or "peevish" or even
to manifest a similar angry state of mind. We all know how easily a fight is
started by a very angry person in a room sending forth violent vibrations. One
has but to remember the instances of mob violence to see how easily the
"contagion of hate and anger" spread among people who allow
themselves to be influenced. And not only is this true of undesirable emotions
and feelings, but also of desirable ones. The influence of a good man who
happens to be strong mentally spreads among those around him, influencing in
them for good.
Orators, actors, preachers
and teachers send forth strong within toll currents, which tend to produce
mental conditions on the part of their hearers corresponding to the feeling
held by the mind of the speaker. When you remember how this speaker swayed your
feelings, or how that actor made you weep with pity, shiver with fear, or laugh
with joy, you will see how Mental induction acts.
But not only is this true when we are in the actual
presence of the person sending out the Thought-Waves, but it is equally true
that we are influenced by persons far removed from us in space, often without
their knowledge or intent, although sometimes (in the case of one who
understands the principal most) with full knowledge and intent.
The ether with which space is filled carries these
Thought-Waves in all directions, and the surface of the earth, particularly in
the densely occupied portions, is filled with these waves. These waves,
carrying the mental vibrations, coming in contact with each other, tend to set
up combinations on one hand, or else neutralize each other on the other hand.
That is to say, if two sets of waves of a similar nature meet there is likely
to be a combination formed between them just as between two chemicals having an
affinity for each other. In this way the "mental atmosphere" of
places, towns, houses, etc., is formed. On the other hand if currents of
opposing vibrations came in contact with each other, there will be manifested a
conflict between the two, in which each will lose in proportion to its
weakness, and the result will be either a neutralization of both or else a
combination having vibrations of an average rate. For instance, if two currents
of mental energy meet, one being a thought of Love and the other Hate, they
will neutralize each other if they are equal, or if one is stronger than the
other, it will persist but robbed of much of its strength. If it were not for
this neutralizing effect we would be largely at the mercy of stray currents of
thought. Nature protects us in this way, and also by rendering us immune to a
considerable extent.
But nevertheless we are
affected by these waves to a considerable extent, unless we have learned to
throw them off by knowledge of the laws and an enforcement of them by practice.
We all know how great waves of feeling spread over the town, city or country,
sweeping people off their balance. Great waves of political enthusiasm, or War
spirits, or prejudice for or against certain people, or groups of people, sweep
over places and cause men to act in a manner that they will afterward regret
when they come to themselves and consider their acts in cold blood. Demagogues
will sway them or magnetic leaders who wish to gain their votes or patronage;
and they will be led into acts of mob violence, or similar atrocities, by
yielding to these waves of "contagious" thought. On the other hand we
all know how great waves of religious feeling sweep over a community upon the
occasion of some great "revival" excitement or fervor.
The effect of these Thought-Waves, so far as the power of
induction is concerned, of course depends very materially upon the strength of
the thought or feeling being manifested in the mind sending them forth. The
majority of persons put but little force into the mental manifestations, but
here and there is to be found a thinker whose Thought-Waves are practically
"a stream of living will" and which of course have a very strong
inductive effect upon the minds of others with whom the waves come in contact.
But it likewise follows that a number of persons thinking along the same lines
will produce a great volume of power by a combination of their thought currents
into great streams of mental force.
Then again there is another feature of the case that we
must not lose sight of, and that is the Attraction between minds, by virtue of
which one draws to himself the Thought-Waves of others whose thoughts are in
accord with his own. The contrary is true, for there is Repulsion between the
minds of persons and the Thought-Waves of others whose thoughts are not in
accord with his own. The contrary is true, for there is Repulsions between the
minds of persons and the Thought-Waves of others antagonistic to their
thoughts. To quote a well-worn and much-used expression to illustrate this
truth, "Like attracts Like," and "Birds of a Feather flock
together." There is ever in operation this marvelous law of Attraction and
Repulsion of Mental Energy- Persons allowing their thoughts to run along
certain lines, and permitting the feelings to be expressed in certain ways,
draw to themselves the Thought-Waves and mental influences of others keyed to
the same mental key-note. And likewise they repel the waves and influences of
an opposing nature. This is an important fact to remember in one's everyday
life. Good attracts Good and repels Evil. Evil attracts Evil and repels Good.
The predominant Mental Attitude serves to attract similar influences and to
repel the opposing ones. Therefore watch carefully the character and nature of
your thoughts - cultivate the desirable ones and repress the undesirable ones.
Verily "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
Some Thought-Waves sent forth with but little strength,
travel slowly and do not proceed very far from their place of emanation, but
creep along like some smoke or fog, lazily and yielding. Other thoughts charged
with a greater intensity of desire or will, dart forth vigorously like an
electric spark, and often travel great distances. The weak Thought-Waves do not
last a very long time, but fade away or become neutralized or dissipated by
stronger, forces. But the strong thoughts persist for a long time, retaining
much of their vitality and energy.
In the same manner the Thought-Waves of a person will
continue to vibrate around him wherever he goes, and those coming in contact
with him will be impressed by the character of his vibrations in this way. Some
men send forth gloomy vibrations in this way. Some men send forth gloomy
vibrations, which you feel when you come in contact with them. Others radiate
good-cheer, courage and happiness, which conditions are induced in those with
whom they come in contact. Many people will manifest these qualities so
strongly that one can notice the effect the moment such persons enter a room.
They carry their atmosphere with them, and the same is induced in the minds of
others around them.
In the same way some people carry with them vibrations of
Will-Power and Masterfulness that beat upon the minds of others, making them
feel the power of such persons and conquering their own will-power and changing
their desires. Others manifest a strong power of Fascination or Attraction, in
a similar manner which tends to draw others to them and to their desires and
wishes. Not only does this principle operate in the phase of general mental
atmospheres, but also in the phase of direct personal influence.
All forms of Mental influence operate along the lines of
Mental induction, as herein described. The principle is the same in all cases
and instances, although the manner of operation varies according to the
particular phase of the phenomena manifested. Remember this as we proceed, and
you will be able to understand the subject much better.
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