MIND POWER THE SECRET OF MENTAL MAGIC/PART 5
Chapter 5.
Mental Magic In Human Life
Passing
on from the lower animal life to the plane of human life, we find on all sides
many manifestations of Mind-Power along the lines of telementation and
mentative induction. Now, as never before, is this mighty force being employed
for worthy or unworthy purposes in everyday human life. On the one hand we hear
and see it being used for the curing of the ills to which the flesh is heir,
many of which ills, by-the-way, having been brought on by improper methods of
thinking; by the adverse suggestions of advertisements describing diseases,
urging patent medicines, etc.; as well as by the ignorance of the masses of
people regarding the effect of negative thoughts and depressing
auto-suggestions. We also see Mind-Power employed through the channel of suggestion,
being exerted to bring about better and more positive mental states among those
who have been manifesting negative mental conditions. We also witness the
exploitation of Mind-Power, under various names by numerous cults, sects, and
organizations, through many schools, teachers, and publications—under many
different names, and backed up by various "authorities.” We also see the
same force being improperly used in hypnotic exhibitions, and in other forms
calculated to weaken the wills and positive mentality of other persons. But it
is all the same power—no matter how used. Like any other natural force, it may
either be used for the service of mankind, or for its hurt.
I
would caution the student of this work from being misled by the many names and
terms used by teachers and writers describing some form of Mind-Power, and
which the said persons claim to be "something new,” or "something
different”— it is always the same old thing—as old as creation, and just as
universal as is electricity or light. When you have become acquainted with the
fundamental principles underlying this great natural force, you will be able to
recognize it, always, beneath its many disguises, garbs, titles and formulas.
The same old Mind-Power, you will find it.
Whether
in the form of personal magnetism, or the subtle fascinating charm of one mind
over another—that form of mental force that influences as if by an irresistible
charm; that bewitches, allures, charms, enchants, attracts; or in what has been
called fascination, in which one person is able to influence another by
exercising a powerful influence upon his or her affections, emotions, passions
or thoughts; or in some of the other similar forms of the exercise of an
unseen, inexplicable influence upon others; or in the phenomena known as "psychologism,”
etc., with which all are more or less familiar; or in the phenomena attendant
upon the revival of the ancient occultism in the last twenty years, under
various names and forms, the fundamental principle of which consists in forms of
mental "treatments” of one kind or another, present or "absent”; or
in the phenomena of what has been called "suggestion,” of which we hear so
much in scientific circles; or in the various forms of mind or faith cures, of
which so much has been heard of late years, and upon which a number of
religions and cults have been built; or in the repulsive forms of mental
influence, known as Black Magic, etc., etc.—we have the same fundamental
principle and manifestation of some phase of the general phenomena of Mind-Power.
The same cause is under all its manifestations—"good” or "bad,”
"black” or "white.” It is all the operation of the one great law, or
principle of Nature.
We
see on all sides men who seem to exert a wonderful and mysterious mental influence
upon others—upon those associated with them, or upon the public mind. Leaders
spring into prominence, apparently owing their power to some mysterious
influence over the minds and wills of others. Some attain power and
position—others attain wealth and social state, by reason of some inner force.
When we meet certain people, we become at once impressed by a something about
them that makes its power and influence felt by us. They seem to radiate a
peculiar force that bends our wills captive, and causes us to fall in with
their desires, to a greater or lesser extent.
We
know that when some people enter a room, they bring with them an indefinable
influence that becomes apparent to all. Certain houses and stores have
atmospheres of their own, which are perceptible to those entering them. Some
places are depressing to all who live or do business in them. Some salesmen
impart a sense of confidence and trust at once, while others cause the reverse.
Some persons attract—others repel.
Some
people seem to have a way of influencing the minds of others with whom they
come in contact, so that these others will rally around the self-constituted
leader, and thus cults, religion, and "isms” are formed. We all know how
far a strong "magnetic” leader may carry his followers. We have seen many
instances of it during the past twenty years. People have followed some of
these leaders like a flock of sheep. And they will always do so, until the
underlying principle is understood and people protect themselves.
And
all of these things go to form part of the phenomena of Mind-Power. Surely the
subject is worth investigating.
Now,
as never before, the subject of the mystic forces of Mind-Power is attracting
the attention of the majority of thinking people. In ages past, the knowledge
of the subject was possessed by but the few, who jealously guarded it from the
minds of the masses, the latter obtaining but scraps of the hidden knowledge,
and that adulterated with the grossest superstition and attributed to the
particular form of primitive religion prevailing in the particular place, at
that particular time. And even now, notwithstanding the popular interest in the
subject but very few have arrived at a scientific understanding of the matter,
and the majority take their knowledge of the New Psychology in the capsule of
dogma and theory advanced by some particular cult or sect.
Mind-Power
has been known to the race, in one form or another, from time before history
was written. In the earliest records we find many traces of it among all
peoples. And, even today, it is known and practiced, in a more or less ignorant
manner, by all races, from the people of the highest civilization known to us,
down to the ignorant African Bushmen.
Many
have been turned away from a serious consideration of the subject by the fact
that many of its forms have been accompanied by the grossest superstition and
the most absurd repulsive ceremonies. They have failed to see that underlying
all the extravagant ideas and methods of application, there was to be found a
fundamental law of Nature, as real and as constant as any other natural law or
force. And, inasmuch as this law is in constant operation, and all are subject
to its influence and effect, does it not become the duty of intelligent people
to acquaint themselves with this mighty force or law, in order that they may
understand its workings; take advantage of its benefits; and protect themselves
against its misuse? Believing that there is but one answer to this question
this book has been written in order to throw light on a subject commonly left
in the dark, or at least in the twilight of the human understanding.
I am
fully aware of the fact that many ingenious theories have been advanced by
modern writers attempting to account for the phenomena of Mind-Power. But all
students of the subject are aware that these theories, cleverly as they have
been designed, are more or less self-contradictory, and many a reader has
thrown aside the subject in disgust after a vain attempt at reconciling the
opposing views. And to make the matter worse, various cults and sects and
"isms” have sprung into existence, the promulgators and leaders of
which have used the accepted phenomena of Mind-Power as a foundation upon which
to build airy structures of religion, philosophy, and metaphysics.
Many
of these cults have practically claimed a monopoly of the great natural force,
and have assumed the right to be the sole custodians of the secrets thereof,
alleging that they have the "only real article—all others are base
imitators,” notwithstanding that all of them show that they have arrived at
least to a working knowledge of the force, and are obtaining results—each
obtaining about the same percentage of successes, notwithstanding the fact that
each denies the other the fact of possessing the information and right to use
it. Is it not apparent to any intelligent observer that they are all using the
same great natural force, in spite of their conflicting theories—and that their
results are obtained in spite of their theories, rather than because of them?
In a
former work, which has served as a basis for the present one, I grouped the
phenomena of the manifestations of Mind-Power under the general term of
"Mental Magic,” the use of the term being justified by the following facts:
The word "Magic” was derived from the Persian word "mag”’ meaning
"a priest.” The Persian priests were "wonder-workers,” or
"magicians,” the latter word being derived from the word "Magi,” the
name of the hereditary caste of priests of ancient Persia and Medea. This Magian
order, or esoteric cult of the Zoroastrian priesthood, represented the center
of ancient occultism at that period of the world's history, and its influence
was felt in all parts of the world, and continues down to this time. So highly
were its members respected and considered, that the term "Wise Men,” and
"Magi” were synonymous. The "Three Wise Men” mentioned as appearing
at the birth of Christ (Matt. II) were known as the Magi, or "wise men
from the East.”
From
the word "Magi” came the term "Magic,” which Webster has defined as
follows: "The hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed by the Magi; relating
to the occult powers of nature; mastery of secret forces in nature; having
extraordinary properties; seemingly requiring more than human power, etc.” So
we may consider the word "magic” to mean: "mastery of the occult
forces of nature,” the term indicating the existence of such forces, and the
possibility of the mastery or control of them. And in ancient times,
"magic” was always believed to be connected in some way with the use of
the mind, particularly in its aspects of will, desire, and imagination. Effects
were believed to result because some magician either "willed it”;
"desired it to be”; or else "imagined it would occur”;—in each case
the result happening as a materialization of the mental conception or wish.
"Wishing” was always believed to be a magical operation, and if we examine
a "wish” we see it is composed of the use of the imagination, coupled with
desire, and backed up with will. And so, I felt that I was justified in using
the term "Mental Magic” in considering the various phenomena resulting
from the manifestation of Mind-Power.
But
by the use of the term "Mental Magic,” I meant more than the mere mental
control of the "occult forces of nature.” I meant that these "occult
forces of nature” are themselves mental in character and nature, and that their
control or mastery means simply the conscious use, control, mastery, and
application of certain mental forces, called "occult,” that are possessed
by the race, and are used by all, either consciously or unconsciously. The
mastery or control of these forces, means that one may learn to
"knowingly” apply that which all have been using blindly and unknowingly.
And as knowledge and intelligent use always means Power, the knowledge of the
principles of these forces and the consequent intelligent application of them
brings power to those acquiring it.
While
it is true that that which is known as "magic” has always been mixed up
with a mass of credulity, superstition, and meaningless forms and ceremonies,
the close student will see that these excrescences and appendages necessarily
arose from the superstitions of the mass of the people, and to the various
forms of primitive religions that the race has fostered during the procession
of the centuries and ages. The magicians were nearly always priests in the old
days, that being the only career open to them, and one that enabled them to
erect the barrier of primitive religious rites between their wisdom and the
ignorance of the race.
The
careful student will be able to trace the possession of something real and true
always manifesting among the various forms and ceremonies of the various
ancient cults. There was always to be found an esoteric or inner cult, within
the mass of the exoteric or ignorant priesthood and followers of the temples.
There was always the light of Truth burning in the holy of holies of the
temples, for those who were sufficiently advanced to worship at its shrine.
And,
among the dim records of the ancient mysteries that have come down to us from
ancient India, Egypt, Persia, Chaldea, Babylon, Greece, and Rome, and the other
old centers of civilization and culture, we may always find the underlying
principle of the existence of some mighty force connected with the human
mind—or more particularly, with the Will—that was at the bottom of the
mysteries, and magic, and miracles. Back of all the ceremonies, rites, and
incantations was the esoteric idea that the Will was the real force employed
under the mask of incantation and rites assumed to impress the imaginations and
minds of the populace. Back of the amulet and charm was the working of the Will
of the person wearing them, which was called into effect by the faith or imagination
(a real power and not a fancy as many believe) of the man ignorant of the real
force.
As
the writer on this subject in the Encyclopedia Britannica has truly said
(although he was ignorant of the truth underlying the silly forms): "There
being an evident relation between an object and the thought of it, it becomes
one of the chief practices of the sorcerer to try to make things happen by
thinking about them.” And the same writer in another place speaks of: "The
element in Magic, not depending upon 'spirits,' depends upon imagined powers
and correspondences in nature, of which the adepts avail themselves in order to
discover hidden knowledge, and to act upon the world around them by means
beyond the ordinary capabilities of men. Thus by mere effort of Will,” etc.,
etc.
And
the student who will look under the surface, and read between the lines, will
be able to see the evidence of "Mental Magic” underlying all the forms of
magic, mystery, and wonder-working miracles of all times and ages, and
people—of all kinds, character or name. Behind all the masks he will see the
features of this use of the Mind-Power of man—always the same, in spite of the
fantastic and grotesque masks and trappings.
I
could fill pages with recitals of the many disguises under which Mind-Power
masquerades, but I must hurry on the telling "how,” and I can do no more
than to hastily call your attention to the many evidences of the use of this
power in all parts of the world, and in all times. The ancient mysteries of
Egypt, Greece, etc., were systems of forms and ceremonies, wherein were hidden
the use of Mind-Power. The sick were brought to the temples and healed. The
minds of the populace were filled with the thoughts of victory impressed upon
them by the Will and subtle suggestions of the priests. What we know in these
days as "Mental Suggestions,” including that which we now call
"affirmations” or "auto-suggestions,” were understood and skillfully
used by the priests, or magicians, in order to control the people.
And
it must not be for a moment supposed that these forces were used for evil
purposes. On the contrary, the priests were the real governing classes—the
powers behind the throne— and they felt the responsibility of power, and
endeavored by their knowledge of the occult forces of the mind to lead the
people in the right path. Of course, selfish men there have always been, and we
hear of cases away back in the early days of history where this power was
prostituted for evil and selfish purposes, just as power is always capable of
wrong application.
In
all ages we learn of the healing of the sick by mental power, for Mental
Healing presents an unbroken line from the earliest days down to the present,
concealed often under fancy trappings, but the same in principle always. And
what we call "Mental Suggestion” has always been in force in the hands of
the leaders of the race to influence, for good or evil, those under them. The
great leaders of men have always been adept in the use of Mind-Power, although
many of them have never suspected the sources of their power.
To
many it may seem almost sacrilegious to state that the highest uses of
Mind-Power, such as leading the race up to higher ideas, aims and
accomplishments—to success, happiness and health—are merely higher forms of the
same force that is used by the ignorant and repulsive savage in his rites and
dark practice. But it is true Mind-Power is like any other great natural
force—it is above good or evil. It is neither good nor evil, but may be used
for either. This is true of electricity, steam, explosives and every other
natural force. And we might as well look this fact squarely in the face, and
govern ourselves accordingly.
The
same force that is used by the modern "healer,” when he or she
"treats” a patient for health, success, or some other desirable quality,
is the same used by the black Voodoo; the Congo sorcerer; the Salem witch; the
Hawaiian "Kahuna,” who prays people into sickness and death; the
medicine-man of the American Indian, with his charms and incantations; the
wizards and enchanters of the Middle Ages; the practitioner of "adverse
treatments,” or "malicious mental magnetism,” of the modern cults. The
same force pervades all, just as the same life-force flows through the saint
and sinner; the angel and demon; the dove and the serpent; the lamb and the
tiger—Nature's one force through all.
And
just as Mind-Power is brought into operation through the prayers of the
faithful of all religions, before their shrines, images and holy objects, so
may the force be brought into operation through the fetiches,
conjurations, enchantments, charms, spells and devil-worships of the ignorant
and depraved minds. The secret is this: The power does not come from the
supposed source, but from within the mind of the man employing it. And, still
more startling to the uninitiated is this statement, which is equally true: The
power of the mind of the person affected is the real cause of the effect,
rather than the power of the mind of the supposed causer, the latter merely
calling into operation the power of the mind of the person affected.
Passing
from the past to the present age, we see in greater use than ever this
wonderful Mind-Power. No longer the property of the few the information has
filtered out among the masses, through various sources, and we see the force in
use on all sides. Often, the persons using it have not the true knowledge of
its real nature, and such persons often involve themselves in a terrible
whirlpool of effects by reason of a selfish and base employment of this power.
Many are playing with this force like children playing with dynamite.
It
is one of the purposes of this book to call the attention of such people to the
nature of the force they are employing, and the possible, nay, probable,
results of a misuse of it. Not that they are punished for such misuse, but
rather by reason of it. Black magicians are invariably caught in the meshes of
their own nets—are entangled in the psychic machinery of their own
manufacture—and are blown up by their own psychic high explosives.
In
concluding this little consideration of the subject, I would call the attention
of the student to the fact that now, for the first time in the history of the
world, Mind-Power is being employed for furthering commercial aims and ends.
Mental treatments for wealth and success are commonly known and advertised;
instructions in the use of suggestion for commercial purposes are furnished
both personally, and in correspondence courses; the laws and principles are
explained, partially, at least, in books written for the instruction of those
selling or advertising goods, and otherwise soliciting the patronage of the
public.
It
is true that the few strong men in business life have always made use of this
force, consciously or unconsciously, but never before has it been taught
generally as a part of a business education. It has been reserved for America
to recognize the force, and to boldly apply it in this way, i. e., to the
making of dollars. And other countries are fast falling in line. And in view of
this fact, is it not time that those who know of the real nature, principles,
and laws of this force should give to the world their knowledge, that the race
may know with what they are dealing—and may he enabled to extract the good from
it by proper use, and, seeing the evil possibilities of improper use, may avoid
such prostitution of one of nature's greatest forces?
Many
students of the occult have sought to keep from the general public a knowledge
of the fundamental principles of the great law of nature underlying the
phenomena of Mind-Power. They have claimed that it was "dangerous” for
people generally to know that such a force existed and could be used. They have
held that such knowledge should be carefully guarded by the few, and that its
very existence should be denied to the many.
This
may have been good reasoning in the earlier days of the world, when the masses
were grossly ignorant, and when the only knowledge was locked up in the minds
of the caste of priests and other leaders of the race. But the argument no
longer applies, for the general intelligence of the race has refused to allow
any locked doors in the Temple of Knowledge, and has insisted that all doors be
thrown open to them. The result has been that a considerable body of occult
knowledge has been opened to the gaze of the public, and they are clamoring for
more. Much of the knowledge possessed by the public regarding Mind-Power is but
quasi-knowledge—half-truths— and the time has come when the whole truth should
be taught.
The
time has arrived when the public should be made acquainted with the great force
underlying the phenomena of Mind-Power. People should be instructed regarding
this force; its laws and operation; its intelligent and proper use, with
directions designed to protect people against its improper use against them on
the part of others—this latter a most important matter in these days of occult
and psychic investigation on the part of the public, and the attempted base and
selfish uses to which some are putting the occult mental forces of Nature.
It
is too late to deny or ignore the existence of the mighty mental force in
Nature that underlies the various forms of phenomena that go to form the
outward phase of Mind-Power, good and bad. Too much has been witnessed by the
public concerning these matters for them to be hushed by the old cry,
"There's nothing in it but imagination.” On the one hand they have
witnessed the various "treatments” of the healers, tending toward the cure
of disease, the attainment of success, etc. And on the other, they have heard
whispers of "adverse treatments,” etc., and have heard of, or read, the
various courses of instruction in hypnotism, mesmerism, etc., etc., and have
seen evidences of the good and bad effects of what has been called
"suggestion,” in all of its forms. And they are beginning to realize that
all of these things, differing as they may seem, have a common root in some one
natural force. And they are demanding, like the man from Missouri, to "be
shown.” And they have a right to demand this.
The
race has always recognized the existence of a mighty force of Nature which man
has employed, consciously or unconsciously, in the direction of influencing his
fellow men; other forms of life, and even the so-called lifeless things around
him. In the earlier days this use of the force was called "magic” (black
and white); mystical art; divine power; miracle; fascination; charming;
enchantment; wonder-working; necromancy, etc., and in its more base and evil
uses, black art; witchcraft; sorcery; voodooism, etc. For it must be remembered
that this great force of nature is capable of base as well as of noble use.
Like
any other great natural force—like electricity; the power of explosives; steam;
the X-rays; radium, etc.—this great force is capable of the highest and most
beneficial uses by man when properly applied and is also capable of being
applied to the most harmful purposes. Different as are the results arising from
the varying applications, the force is the same in each case. The forces of
Nature are not possessed of a sense of good and evil— their function and
purpose is to act in obedience to the laws of their nature without regard to
the question of good and evil to those by whom, or against whom, they are
employed. This may seem like a terrible thing, but a moment's thought will satisfy
you that it is true of all natural forces, and the question of good and evil,
and its reward or punishment, belongs to another plane of life.
But,
it may be asked, why do I wish to inform the public about a force, unknown to
many, which is capable of evil as well as of good use and results. The answer
is simple. Ignorance is no protection against anything, for the knowledge is
always possessed of the few who may use it on the ignorant many without
suspicion; the greater publicity is given to a thing, and the better it is
understood, the better may its good effects be obtained and the less the danger
of its improper use— forewarned is forearmed. If a thing is good, the greater
publicity given it the greater the good—if it is evil, the brighter the searchlight
turned upon it, the less danger is there attendant upon it.
The
danger of all evils lies in the darkness of concealment, not in the daylight of
publicity. "Turn on the Light” has always been the watchword of progress
and civilization. And more particularly is this so at this first decade of the
Twentieth Century, when the interest in occultism and kindred subjects has made
a number of people acquainted with Mind-Power, and has acquainted them with its
uses, under various names and theories. And in many cases it is being practiced
upon people who are unfamiliar with the subject, and therefore it is time that
some one should "turn on the light,” that it may be seen by all men and
known for what it is—capable of the highest and the lowest uses, but a great
force of Nature.
And
with this exposition of it goes the remedy and protection against improper use,
as well as the knowledge of its wonderful proper uses. If it be a bane—here is
the antidote. But it is not necessarily a bane, any more than steam, electricity,
and explosives are a bane to mankind. What would be thought of people who would
suppress knowledge of all natural laws, because of the possibility of improper
use? Ignorance is no protection. Truth and fact must be followed to the end,
and it will be discovered that, in Nature, every force that may be possible of
hurtful use, may be guarded against by natural means.
So
much for the unpleasant side. But there is a very pleasant side to this subject
of Mind-Power. This force has come to man just when he most needs it. He has
used the so-called mechanical forces to clear away the obstacles that Nature
put into his way in order to develop him into a Man, and now he turns to higher
forms of energy and work—he is crying for new worlds to conquer. And these new
worlds will be conquered by the mind, rather than by the muscle. Great things
are before the race, and one of the greatest forces in Nature in the work of
the building up of the Super-Man will be this force called Mind-Power. By it
man will be enabled to fight off the forces of ignorance and materialism, and
to draw to himself knowledge from the Universal Mind that will enable him to
accomplish the heretofore Impossible.
In
this book I shall treat Mind-Power as I would any other great force or energy
of Nature, i. e., in a scientific manner, stating the principles plainly and
without concealment, and also giving in full what I and other experimenters
along the lines of this subject have learned of the methods beneficial, and the
reverse, concerning the applications of these principles. In the case of the
beneficial application, full directions will be given that the student may
avail himself of the force to the fullest extent. In the cases where the
subject of the harmful use of the force is alluded to, the student will be
instructed how the same may he prevented, obviated, and neutralized, so that
full protection is assured. This is what I should do in lessons upon
electricity, steam, or explosives—and that is the course I purpose following in
this work.
It
is possible that this course may bring upon me the adverse criticism of those
who believe "that the public is not ready for such knowledge,” and that
"such things should be reserved for the few.” To such people, and all
others, I would say that I have no sympathy with such an attitude, and I
believe that the race is ready for all the Truth, and that that which is proper
for the few is proper for the many. I believe that the greater the degree of
knowledge the greater the degree of power and advancement. I believe that
ignorance is not happiness; and that to keep a man ignorant of a natural fact,
in order that he may escape its effect, is like allowing him to smoke when
seated on a keg of powder rather than to acquaint him with a knowledge of
explosives— or, to use another figure, to advise him to bury his head in the
sand like an ostrich, rather than to look upon the approach of a possible
danger. I do not believe in such sophistry! I do not believe in Ignorance! I do
not believe in Darkness! Therefore, I purpose to "turn on the light!”
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