MIND POWER THE SECRET OF MENTAL MAGIC/PART 29
Chapter 29.
Mind-Building
I
shall now briefly run over the mental faculties most necessary to be developed
by the man who wishes to gain the dynamic qualities. I shall add a few words of
advice regarding the development of each of the said faculties.
I. Continuity.
This faculty has been so named by the phrenologists, and defined as the faculty
that enables a man to "stick-to-it” until it is done—that gives him
patience to complete his task—that gives him stability. Its lack makes a man
restless; changeable; shifting; disconnected; scattered; unstable; and
unreliable. To cultivate this faculty follow the three-fold method, in the
direction of concentrating, dwelling upon, and sticking to a matter once
undertaken; doing thorough work; and fighting to make a change.
II.
Vitality. This faculty is defined by phrenologists as the one that
makes a person tenacious of life; and which causes him to fight off death,
sickness, or weakness. This is a necessary faculty for the dynamic individual
to develop, for by so doing he not only becomes stronger, but also imparts a
certain quality of strength and resistance to his personality that will be felt
by others. As an example contrast the "fight for life” in an animal of the
cat family, and then the lack of it in a sheep or rabbit—then think which of
them is more respected and regarded in the world of animals. By all means
cultivate that resolute fight for life, that is manifested by all strong
creatures. Try the three-fold method along the lines of holding on to life, and
manifesting the "Will to live.”
III.
Combativeness. This phrenological faculty manifests in the
direction of resistance; opposition; courage; boldness; defensiveness;
defiance; spirit; self-protection; determination; "let me alone”;
"get-out-of-my-way”; etc. It goes with all strong characters. It is true
that its perversion renders one a nuisance and a quarrelsome and brawling
person, and such state is to be avoided. But its absence makes of one "a
human door-mat,” and the world proceeds to wipe its feet on him. The dynamic
individual must have this faculty well-developed, and also well-controlled. It
must be the case of the "soft voice and the big stick,” of which we have
heard so much of late. The world loves the brave man, and hates a coward. And
this means mental bravery, and mental cowardice, principally, in these days of
mental struggle. By all means learn to stand up like a man, and, looking the
world firmly and calmly in the face, say in the words of the old verse:
"Come one; come all! this rock shall fly from its firm base, as soon as
I.” Don't be a brawler, but don't be a weakling. Avoid the rabbit and sheep
mental attitude. Develop this faculty by the three-fold method, along the lines
of debate; argument; mental conflict; mental resistance; asserting your
individuality; insisting upon your rights; self-confidence; self-assertion; and
"I Can and I Will.”
IV.
Destructiveness. This name is not well-chosen, in my opinion,
by the phrenologists, but I shall not attempt to change it here. It is used by
them to indicate the faculty that manifests in: Determination to overcome
obstacles; beating down resistance; brushing away barriers; making headway;
pushing to the front; clearing away underbrush; pushing through the crowd;
holding your own; etc. Its perversion renders one a hated man, and one who is
not sufficiently regardful of the rights of others, and whom it becomes the
duty of society to restrain. But, still it is a quality that is needed by the
dynamic individual, lest he allow himself to be walked over with impunity;
outraged; and treated with contempt by the world; or which will cause him to be
pushed aside and imposed upon. Its absence also causes one to be overcome with
impotence when obstacles confront him, or resistance shows itself. Its absence
causes one to be a whining "I can't” person; and also causes one to be too
much subject to precedents, pretended authority, etc., and kills off his
originality. To develop this faculty, use the threefold method along the lines
of breaking new mental ground; striking out into new paths; breaking down
barriers; overcoming restraint; holding your own; pushing to the front, even if
you have to elbow the crowd, etc.
V.
Acquisitiveness. This term is used by phrenologists to
indicate that faculty which manifests in: Getting; acquiring; possessing;
drawing to oneself; obtaining and securing desired things, etc. It may be
perverted into miserliness; penuriousness; meanness; hoggishness, etc., but
nevertheless its proper use and development is necessary. Unless one has a
desire to have and hold, he will not be apt to make any progress in the world.
One must want to get things, before he will act energetically. And so far as
money is concerned, while I freely admit the evils of an extreme greed and
desire in this respect, yet I am just as fully convinced that a man must
possess a certain amount of this "money-wanting” quality in order to make
him an active center of force.
For
when one wants money, he really wants the things that money buys. Money stands
for nearly all that is necessary for a man's well-being and sustenance. Money
in itself is nothing— and a man is a fool who loves or seeks it for itself. But
it is also a "symbol” of almost everything else, and without it he can get
practically nothing else. So, just as I think it justifiable and proper for a
plant to desire and seek, and draw to itself the sustenance of the soil, air,
water, and sunlight, so do I think it proper, desirable and praiseworthy for a
man to desire, and insist upon drawing to himself the proper sustenance of
life— and money means just that, to the sane man, and nothing more.
The
people who decry this "desire for money,” are principally those who either
(1) have failed to accumulate money themselves, by reason of lacking the
necessary qualities (the really unfortunate ones do not join in the
condemnation of the desire); or (2) those who have inherited money of which
they did not know the labor, excitement, or satisfaction of making for
themselves, and who, therefore, grow righteously disgusted at the money which
they did not have to use their heads or hands to acquire. These people are like
those who take no exercise, and get indigestion at the sight of a good dinner;
while those who have worked well come to the dinner with a good appetite, and
cannot understand the "sick-feeling” of the others. It is a law of Nature
that makes both of these classes of people "sick” at the sight of that for
which they have not worked; or (3) that class of "parasites” who live by
hard work of others, doing nothing themselves, and deeming themselves far above
those "muckers,” or "money-grubbers,” who work, and toil and labor to
support these "parasites.”
People
are all after money—every blessed mother's son and daughter of them—in one way
or another. What is the use of denying it. Some day we may have better economic
conditions—I pray to God that we may—but until that time all of us must chase
the nimble dollar to the best of our ability. For unless a man does this thing,
then shall he not eat; nor be clothed; nor have shelter; nor books; nor music;
nor anything else that makes life worth living for one who thinks and feels.
Therefore I feel justified in saying to you: Develop a normal degree of
acquisitiveness, if you wish to amount to anything in the world's work. Develop
it by the threefold method, along the lines of realization of what it means,
and what it will do for you, in this stage of the world's economic evolution.
But—Don't Be a Hog! To be sure, "while you're getting, get all you can,”
but give the other fellow a chance. "Live and Let Live!”
VI.
Secretiveness. This is the name given by the phrenologists
to that faculty that manifests as: policy; tact; concealment; self-repression;
self-restraint; etc. Its perversion leads to deceit; double-dealing; duplicity;
lying; false-living, etc. But a certain amount of it is necessary, lest one
fall into the error of wearing-his-heart-on-his-sleeve; transparent-simplicity;
loose-mouthedness; "blabbing”; lacking ordinary prudence; indiscretion,
etc. Develop this faculty by the threefold method along the lines of tact;
diplomacy; reticence; cautiousness; politeness; etc., the main object being to
acquire the faculty of keeping your own secrets; keeping your affairs to
yourself; avoiding that "leakiness” that has ruined so many men—and women.
Regarding this—"and women,” I would say that my business experience has
taught me that in spite of the alleged "secret-telling” of women, it is true
that the women stenographers in an office are far less liable to disclose their
employers' secrets than are the men employes. And then again, while a woman may
have a tendency to "pass on a secret,” still she knows how to keep certain
secrets that concern herself, or the man she loves—or the child she loves—in a
manner, and in ways that cause a man's hair to rise in bewilderment.
VII.
Cautiousness. This faculty manifests in carefulness;
prudence; watchfulness; foresight; judgment, etc. Perverted it leads to
timidity, irresolution, etc. But a certain amount of it is necessary. One
should learn to use judgment and reason— to "be sure he is right, before
going ahead.” If deficient in this quality, develop it by the threefold method
along the lines of care, prudence, watchfulness, thought, use of judgment,
etc., and by "looking before you leap.” If you have too much of it,
restrain by similar methods, along the lines of boldness, daring; "don't
worry”; take-a-risk-on-it, etc., and a general spirit of not crossing a bridge
until you come to it.
VIII.
Approbativeness. This faculty manifests in a desire for
approval; praise; flattery; fame; show and ceremony connected with one's
personality, etc. It is seen frequently in a perverted sense. Very few of us
need to develop this quality—we have enough, or more than enough of it already.
If you wish to restrain this faculty, you may use the threefold method along
the lines of indifference to public approval or opinion;
"what-does-it-matter-anyway”? "they say; what do they say? let them
say”; "do not worry about it—your friends will not care, and your enemies
will persist anyway, so what's the use”? "what care I for the opinions of
the crowd, anyway?—they are 95 per cent fools at the best”; etc., etc., etc.
Learn to live your own life, and stand upon your own feet. Other people would
like to even "breathe” for you if you would let them—but say "scat”
to them, and shake them off when they bother you. You've got to live your own
life, and why bother with the people who are always telling you "you
mustn't do it this way—do it as I say,” when their own lives are glaring
examples of the folly of "their way.’’ Pick out a right object—follow a
right course—and let the crowd mind its own business, if it Will—and if it
won't, forget it. You will find it ready enough to shower favors upon you when
you finally succeed. And do not be deceived by its praise or flattery—the same
people who are singing your praises to-day, will damn you to-morrow if occasion
offers. They are throwing roses at you now—to-morrow they may throw rocks with
equal grace and delight. Don't be a slave to the crowd or its opinions—make
yourself master of it, if you would rule it. It is managed through its selfish
fears and interest, rather than through its love. It has a mean trick of
turning on the thing it loves, "and tearing it to pieces, just as a
female-spider devours her mate. But when it fears—well, then, it lets you
alone. Not high spiritual teaching, perhaps—but a bit of worldly wisdom. Shake
off the crowd from your heels—you mind your own business, and tell it to do the
same. And look it in the eye while you are telling it, too. It will understand
you, if you don't truckle to it. But never cringe to it—else it will rend you
to pieces.
IX.
Self-Esteem. This is the faculty of self-respect;
self-reliance; self-love, etc. Perverted it means tyranny; superciliousness;
imperiousness; hauteur, and other forms of egotism carried to extremes. This
quality is necessary to be developed, normally. One must learn to respect
himself; value himself; rely upon himself; love himself; hold his head high;
look the world in the face; believe in himself; and take his own place in the
world, without false modesty, or shrinking. Develop it by the
three-fold-method, along the lines of realizing just what you are—a centre of
energy, power, and strength in the Universal Ocean of Mind-Power. Think of
yourself in the word of Black Hawk, the Indian chieftain, who said to Jackson:
"I am a Man!” Be a "man among men,” and insist upon the fact. Learn
to say "I Am.” Feel that back of and under you is the great Ocean of
Universal Mind-Power, and realize that you are of and in this wonderful thing.
Believe
in yourself; love yourself; look out for yourself. I tell you friends, I
believe in you, everyone of you, for I know what you are and what you have in
you—and I want you to believe in yourselves. I want you to say "I” without
being afraid. Don't be afraid to "Assert the I.” Don't be afraid to say
"I.” Say "I; I; I; I; I; I; I,” until you begin to realize what a
wonderful thing that "I” of you is, after all. Recognize the "Ego” as
a centre of power, and stop all this foolishness about being a "worm of
the dust.” Don't be "meek and humble” like Uriah Heep. On the contrary,
stand up, with head thrown back, looking the world straight in the eyes,
without fear, and say firmly and positively: "I believe in Myself.” You
have heard it said that "God helps those who help themselves”—and He does,
unquestionably. But this is also true—God believes in those who believe in
themselves. And so does the world, because God has made it so! So start in now,
and say, early and often, "I believe in Myself!”
X.
Firmness. This term does not have to be defined—you all know what
it means. It is the faculty of stability; fixity; decision; perseverance;
tenacity; manifestation of the determined Will. Too much of it may make you
mulish, and stubborn—but very few of you have too much of it, along the right
lines. You need to develop it by the threefold-method along the lines of
"putting your hand to the plow, and looking not backward”; sticking to
your original plans, despite the talk of others; resisting tendencies to
"sidetrack” you. This is the faculty that keeps the Will to the task, like
the chisel to the metal, until the work is done. Be firm as a rock against
which beat the storms, but which yields not an inch, nor is it hurt a particle.
Have a mind of your own, and hold to what you believe is right. See your
object, and march straight to it, firm in your determination and purpose. By
all means develop the faculty of firmness.
XI. Hope.
This is the faculty of expectation, and anticipation. It gives us one of the
three features of success—"Earnest Expectation.” You must believe in your
success and must "earnestly expect” it. Cultivate hope and "earnest
expectation” by all means. Be not a mere dreamer or visionary, through
excessive hope—but cultivate desire; then develop earnest expectation; then Will
to act. Each of these features is necessary to the great three. Develop it by
the threefold-method, along the lines of "looking on the bright side,”
visualization; "looking aloft”; not worrying; and belief in the efficacy
of earnest demand accompanied by earnest work. Visualization is the greatest
incentive to hope and earnest expectation. When you can see the thing done
"in your mind's eye,” you have started to build in earnest—the rest is a
mere matter of detail and work.
XII.
Mirthfulness. This is the faculty of humor. By all means
cultivate the sense of humor. It will save you from more follies and ridiculous
positions than anything else. And cultivate the cheerful spirit for it will
make life easier for you, and will lubricate the machinery of work and
endeavor. It will also make friends for you, and will tend to remove the
obstacles which the world throws in the way of people who are sour,
disagreeable and "grouchy.” Smile and the world smiles with you; frown and
you get a frown. Develop this faculty, by all means, by the threefold-method,
along the lines of humor, joy, cheerfulness.
And,
so, now I have called your attention to the faculties most prominent in the
dynamic individual. I have not spoken of his religious or moral faculties,
because these lessons are dealing with another part of his make-up. But do not
imagine that the qualities named here have no connection with the religious or
moral life. There is nothing that I have recommended here that will not apply
as well to the minister as the business man—to the priest as well as the
salesman. The same mental qualities that make a bad man "great” and
"strong” will make a good man "great” and”strong.” Morals are one
thing, and degrees of strength another. Good men may be strong or weak; bad men
may also be strong or weak. And in the degree of "strength” will be the
degree of influence, for good or evil, that a man will manifest. With this in
mind, I think that it would be a great thing for the world, if some one were to
distribute this book among the "good” men of the world. The evil men have
a knowledge of the subject, already.
In
closing this chapter, let me remind you that these mental states, cultivated
and developed as I have shown you, will manifest themselves in your outward
manner and demeanor, as mental suggestions to those with whom you come in
contact. The symbol will spring from the inner reality. And they will also
manifest in the shape of currents of Desire-Force and Will-Power, which will
sweep far and wide, as well as near and close, influencing and affecting those
within their field of induction. From these mental states will flow a strong
stream of power which will tend to "draw” to you that which you demand and
desire; and which will also tend to "force and compel” the things that you
so Will. You are a great centre of power, which radiates from you continually.
Realize this, and endeavor to charge that force with the best qualities and
properties, that while you are asserting your own individual rights, you will
still be doing something toward the great work of strengthening the race, to
the end that it may produce more real individuals ready and capable of playing
their part in the great drama of life on the stage of the universe.
This
talk is along new lines and is radical in the treatment given the subject. It
is as "meat for strong men, and not milk for babes.” There is no
"bromide” or "pink-tea effects” in it. It is vital, radical, and
positive. Its message is "Strength.” All truth that is worth while renders
its possessor stronger—if any teachings cannot stand this test, discard them.
Nature's Law is toward producing strong individuals—fall in with it, and Nature
will come to your aid, for then you will be one of its chosen ones. Fall in
with the law of evolution—do not run contrary to it. In the one case, you are nourished,
supported, strengthened and encouraged—in the other, you are relentlessly
crowded out by the operations of the law.
If
you get one-half the benefit from the study of this book that I obtained from
the writing of it, you will be well repaid for your task. It is as a "live
wire,” charged with the elemental force, energy and truth about certain occult
natural laws. It contains a message for you, which I trust you will heed—for
you need it. If you are an individual, this teaching is just what you want. And
the same is true if you are not one, but want to be one. But, if you are a
weakling, and prefer to remain so, instead of rising and claiming your
birthright of strength—your heritage of power; then by all means remain as you
are, and go on your own way. Leave these teachings for the others of your
brethren, who will not sell their birthright of power for the mess of pottage
of negative content, and sheep-like passivity, but who are boldly claiming
their own, and demanding their rightful portion—these strong brothers of yours,
the individuals who are the coming inheritors of the earth.
I
have tried to infuse my words with the strong, vital energy, which I feel
surging through me as I write out this message of strength to you. I trust that
these words will act as a current of verbal "electrons,” each carrying its
full charge of dynamic power. And I trust that each word will act to so fill
you with the Mind-Power that gave them birth, and will thus awaken in you a
similar mental state, desire and Will, to be strong, forceful, and
dynamic—determined to assert your individuality in being and doing that which
the universal creative desire and Will is hoping that you will be and do. I
send to you this message charged with the very dynamic vibrations of my brain,
as it transforms and converts the Mind-Power into thoughts and words. I send it
to you—yes, you, who are now reading the words—with all the energy, force and
power at my command, to the end that it may pierce your armor of indifference,
fear, and doubt, and "I Can't.” And that reaching into your heart of
desire, it may fill you with the very spirit of individuality, conscious egohood,
perception of reality, and realization of the "I.” So that from hence on
your battle cry will be changed, and you will plunge into the thick of the
fight, filled with the Berserker rage, like the Icelandic hero of old, and
shouting your positive cry of freedom, "I Can; I Will; I Dare; I Do!” you
will mow your way clear through the ranks of the horde of ignorance, and negativity,
and reach the heights beyond. This is my message to you—the individual!
END
OF THIS BOOK
WILLIAM WALKER
ATKINSON ‘S BOOK PAGE
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