THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PERSONAL MAGNETISM/PART 6
CHAPTER 6.
GENERATING NERVE-FORCE
By reference to the first paragraph of
Chapter IV, you will see that I have separated the physical phase of mental
magnetism into two coordinated manifestations, the first of which i.e., the
generation within the nervous system of a plenteous supply of nerve-force, I
shall now describe.
The word “generation,” in this connection, only
imperfectly conveys the idea of the actual process of acquiring nerve-force
within the nervous system, for the process is one of “absorption” and
“distribution,” rather than one of “generation.” But as the latter term conveys
a simpler picture of the process, I have thought well to use it in this
connection, particularly as many of the old occult writers have used it, in
this sense, before my time.
This process of nerve-force generation may be said to
consist of two distinct, yet coordinated phases, viz.: (1) the absorption of an
extra amount of nerve-force from the atmosphere, by special forms of breathing;
and (2) the distribution of the same to the great centers of the nervous system
which act as reservoirs of nerve-force. I shall now proceed to consider these
two respective phases, in their proper order.
The first phase of nerve-force generation consists of the
absorption of an extra supply of nerve-force from the atmosphere, by means of
special forms of breathing. All persons constantly absorb nerve-force from the
atmosphere in the ordinary process of breathing, the amount differing with the
individual, or rather, with his habits of breathing. You will have noticed that
the vigorous, strong individual, nearly always breathes fully - that is, deeply
and regularly - while the weak person will breathe only partially and
irregularly. There is a very close connection between full, regular breathing
and general physical health and strength, but I shall not touch upon this phase
of the subject here, for it forms no part of this special instruction. I merely
drop a hint, which the wise will take advantage of.
Without wishing to lead
you into the subtleties of Oriental psychology, with its complicated forms of
breathing for psychic and spiritual development, etc., I must call your
attention, at this point, to the philosophy underlying some of the Oriental
breathing practices, for the same is based on the soundest scientific
principals. The Oriental philosophy teaches that each mental and physical state
of the individual is represented by a special rhythm of breath, the rhythm and
condition always being found together. The mental or physical condition will
invariably manifest the particular rhythm of breath, which belongs to it; and,
likewise (and this is one of the occult secrets) the deliberate assumption of a
particular rhythm of breath will speedily result in the manifestation of the
appropriate physical or mental condition.
You have but to consider the subject for a moment, to see
that when you are frightened or angry, you breathe with a different rhythm than
when you are calm and peaceful. Each emotion, up and down the scale, has its
own appropriate rhythm of breath, which invariably manifests at the same time.
Moreover different physical conditions likewise manifest in coordinated
breath-rhythms. Keep a close watch on yourself, and those around you, and you
will soon see that the above statements of facts are strictly correct. You will
wonder why you never noticed the phenomena before.
A little less known even, is the correlated fact that the
deliberate assumption or “acting out” of the particular breath-rhythm related
to a particular emotion, will result in a speedy experiencing of the emotion
itself. This also may be tested out on yourself.
You will find that a few
moments’ anger-breath or fear-breath (if well acted out, or assumed faithfully)
will result in you soon experiencing a feeling of anger or fear, as the case
may be. Likewise, you will find that the deliberate assumption, on your part,
of the breath-rhythm of peace, calm, self-control, will be sufficient to induce
that particular state of feeling in you. There is a big hint in this last
sentence by the way, for that is exactly what the Oriental sages do to induce
and maintain the mental state of philosophic calm for which they are noted. In
this connection, let us remind you that when you are endeavouring to control
your temper, and to maintain your pose, under extreme provocation, you will
find that you instinctively strive to control your breath-rhythm, which shows a
marked tendency to fly off into a state of rapid panting and gasping. And, so long as you can
maintain your steady controlled rhythm of breath, you will maintain your poise
and self-control.
Well, to make a long story short - to get right down to
the gist of the subject of the absorption of nerve-force through controlled
breath-rhythm - let me say to you (1) that there is a breath-rhythm which
nature uses to restore nerve force to the depleted system, after a great demand
upon it in the direction of either a strong mental or emotional strain, or
after a severe physical strain; and (2) that a deliberate assumption or “acting
out” of this particular breath-rhythm will result in your being able to quickly
absorb a greatly increased supply of nerve-force for the purpose of use in
personal magnetism - to render you full of physical magnetism, in fact. Do you
catch this point? If not, reread the above paragraph, several times, until you
fully grasp the importance of the statements therein contained - for they
comprise exactly one-half of the philosophy of nerve-force generation - and
much more besides if you are able to grasp it.
You naturally ask, at this point: “What is this
particular breath-rhythm which nature uses to aid us in recuperating, and which
nature uses to aid using recuperating, and which may be assumed with such
wonderful result?” Very well, let me answer you by asking you another question,
namely: “How do you breathe when you begin to recuperate just after a sever
emotional, mental or physical strain, when the characteristic first panting
breath quiets down?” If you will consider carefully, you will answer that you
generally begin by one or two long drawn out sighing breaths, followed by a
period of calm, deliberate, slow, deep breaths. You may not have noticed it,
but these last calm, deep breaths are marked by a slow but regular rhythm - as
regular, indeed, as the slow swing of the pendulum of a large clock, or the
accompanying “tick” thereof. You will find that this slow, regular rhythmic
breath continues for some little time, until you feel refreshed and
reinvigorated, when the breath will drop into the normal “everyday” rhythm, and
the task is over.
Well, this is exactly the breath-rhythm, which, if properly assumed and well
“acted-out,” will result in drawing to you a greatly increased supply of
nerve-force from the universal storehouse of the same, i.e., the atmosphere
around you.
I ask you, student, to pause at this point, and reread
the preceding paragraph. Consider it carefully, roll it over in our mind, until
you fully grasp its tremendous significance, and fully make it your own
thought. For in those few lines is condensed a statement of wonderful truth,
which, if taken advantage of, will transform you into a very giant of physical
magnetism. Do not proceed with this reading, until you have fully grasped the
importance of the information just given you.
But do not imagine that you can jump at once into this
great power. You must first gradually acquire the exact rhythm for yourself -
for I can do no more than to indicate it to you. I cannot say, “Breathe in just
so many seconds; hold the breath just so many; and then breathe out just so
many,” and so on, as many teachers have done - some who should have known
better, for that matter. For each person has his or her own particular
breath-rhythm of this kind, the difference arising from mental or physical
formation and characteristics.
The following is the rule - the only rule - in this
matter: “Ascertain, first, the precise breath-rhythm which nature has given you
for use in moments of recuperation after extreme mental, emotional or physical
strain; and then, second, practice the same voluntarily by assuming, or acting
out the mental and physical conditions producing it, until the rhythm becomes
fixed in your memory, so that you can easily reproduce it, instinctively, when
you wish.” Read this rule over until you thoroughly understand it.
You will find it somewhat difficult to assume or act out
the conditions producing the rhythm, at first, unless you happen to be a
natural or well-trained actor. But keep trying, until you master it. Practice
will make perfect, in this as in everything else, remember. Mentally place
yourself in the same vibrations as when you were under some great strain of
mind, emotion or body, in the past; and you will find that the same will be
followed by an acting-out of the period of recuperation, with its accompaniment
of appropriate breath-rhythm. Each student will manage this in his, or her, own
way, and will get the result, if persistent, persevering effort were made.
You will find that the
first indication of the recuperating breath-rhythm will usually be a long drawn
out sigh, followed by a moment of rest, which, in turn, is followed by an
easy, though deep, slow, deliberate succession of in-breathing and
out-breathing, in perfect rhythm, which will be accompanied by a feeling of
increased strength and vitality of mind and body – a delighting experience is
the feeling of “relief” and fresh vigor, vitality and vim which results from
this breath-rhythm.
In practicing this recuperative breath-rhythm for the
purpose of resting, gaining strength, or increasing your store of nerve-force,
do not fall into the too-common error of artificial rhythmic breathing. Do not make the mistake of trying to
count the seconds of the breath; or to make the breaths extend neither over a
particular time, nor to exactly match each other; or to retain the breath any
special time; nor to count time between breaths; or anything of that kind.
Forget all about the artificial standards, and give yourself up entirely to a
peaceful, calm feeling of relief and recuperation, which nature will bestow
upon you if you will create the right conditions for the manifesting of her
power. Do not be artificial - trust nature to “run the thing” aright and leave
everything in her hands.
Do not bother at this point, to wonder just how many
times a day you must practice this exercise in order to gain physical magnetism
and absorb nerve-force. That point will be covered in a latter chapter, in
connection with the accompanying process of nerve-force distribution - the sole
thing before you now is to learn how to produce this breath-rhythm, and to
practice until you can produce it at will, easily and naturally, without effort
or strain - instinctively, in fact. Until you accomplish this, there is no use
of your bothering yourself about the succeeding stages.
And, now a word about practicing this step. Do not overdo
the thing - make hast slowly. It is a matter of growth and development with
you, and you should not try to rush things too rapidly. Let nature proceed to
make the process instinctive, and do not fall into the mistake of pulling up
the roots of our plant in order to see whether it has grown overnight. It will grow. Never fear. You
will know when you are on the right track, and will be aware of your progress,
by reason of your increasing sense of vigor, vitality and vim.
Remember, finally, that the secret of the
whole thing is that you have discovered how nature recuperates the system in
times of extreme necessity; and have then
learned how to draw upon this sources of energy at will, thereby increasing the
supply far above the ordinary. It is just as if you had discovered a bottle
containing the elixir of energy which kind Mother Nature uses to recuperate you
in times of need; and then you had learned that you could partake of the
elixir, daily, or whenever you felt like it; and were consequently enabled to increase
your energy and vitality far above the average. The comparison or figure of
speech is not exaggerated - for in this secret you have indeed discovered the
elixir of vitality, vigor and vim; that is, if you use it aright.
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