secret of success by william walker atkinson

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TheSecretOfSuccessByWilliamWalkerAtkinson1907

CONTENTSTheSecretofSuccess.......................................................................................................... 3

TheIndividual...................................................................................................................... 6

Spiritedness......................................................................................................................... 8

LatentPowers ................................................................................................................... 12

SoulForce ......................................................................................................................... 16

ThePowerofDesire.......................................................................................................... 20

TheLawofAttraction........................................................................................................ 24

PersonalMagnetism ......................................................................................................... 30

AttractivePersonality ....................................................................................................... 33

AnAfterword .................................................................................................................... 39

THESECRETOFSUCCESSBYWILLIAMWALKERATKINSON 2

TheSecretofSuccess

Itiswithsomehesitationthatwebringourselvestowritethislittlebook,entitledTheSecretofSuccess.NotthatwearenotinsympathywiththesubjectnotthatwedonotbelievethatthereisaSecretofSuccessbutbecausetherehasbeensomuchwrittenonthesubjectofSuccessthatistheveriesttwaddlemassesofplatitudinouswordinessthatwehesitatetotakethepositionofateacherofSuccess.Itissoeasytofillpagesofpaperwithgoodadviceitissomucheasiertosaythingsthantodothemsomucheasiertoformulateacodeofpreceptsthantogetoutintothefieldofactiveendeavorandputintopracticethesamepercepts.And,youmayimaginewhywehesitatetoassumearolewhichwouldlayusopentothesuspicionofbeingoneofthedoasItellyou,andnotasIdoteachersoftheArtofSuccess.

Butthereisanothersideofthequestion.Thereis,besidesthemererecitalofaListofGoodQualitiesLeadingtoSuccessalistwithwhicheveryschoolboyandreaderofthemagazinesisacquaintedaSomethingElse;andthatSomethingElse,isasuggestionthattheSeekerforSuccesshasaSomethingWithinhimselfwhichifexpressedintoactivityandactionwillproveofgreatvaluetohimaveritableSecretofSuccess,insteadofacodeofrules.And,soweproposetodevotethislittlebooktounfoldingourideaofwhatthisSomethingWithinis,andwhatitwilldoforonewhowillunfolditandthusexpressitintoaction.So,therefore,donotexpecttofindthisbookaCompleteCompendiumofRulesConducivetoSuccess,ApprovedofandFormulatedbytheSuccessfulMenoftheWorldwhobecameacquaintedwiththeseRulesonlyaftertheyhadAttainedSuccess,andconsequentlyhadTimeandInclinationtoPreachtoOthers.Thisisnotabookofthatsort.ItisQuiteDifferent.Wehopeyouwilllikeititwilldoyougoodinanyevent.

AllpeoplearestrivingandseekingSuccess.TheirideaofSuccessmaydiffer,buttheyhaveallagreeduponthedesirabilityofAttainment.Attainmentthatistheword,whichembodiestheessenceofthatwhichwecallSuccess.ItistheGettingThereideatheideaofAttainmentofReachingtheGoalforwhichwesetout.ThatisthestoryAttainment.

ManymenandwomenhaveendeavoredtopointoutthewaytoSuccess,andwhilesomehaverenderedvaluableservicetothosewhowerefollowingthemonthePathofAttainment,yetnonehavebeenabletotellthewholestoryofSuccess.Andthisisnottobewonderedabout,forthereasonthatontheroadtoSuccesseachandeveryindividualmustbe,inameasurealawuntohimself,orherself.NotwotemperamentsareexactlyalikeNaturedelightsinvariety;notwosetsofcircumstancesarepreciselythesameinfinitevarietymanifestsherealso.Andsoitwouldbefollytoattempttolaydownrulesofuniversalapplication,whichwouldsurelyleadalltothegreatgoalofSuccess.Onehasbuttolookaroundhimonallsidesandsee


thedifferentneedsofthedifferentindividualscomposingthecrowd,inordertorecognizethefutilityofanyattempttolaydownlinesofuniversalinstructiononthissubject.Eachandeverymanwhohassucceededhasdonesoinadifferentwaygenerallyalongsomeoriginallinesofactioninfact,thefacultyorcharacteristicknownasIndividuality,seemstohaveplayedanimportantpartinthesuccessofthemajorityofpersonswhohaveattainedit.AndIndividualityrendersthosepossessingittoamarkeddegreetobelikelytodepartfromanysetofrulesorlaidoutcoursesofaction.Andso,itmaybestatedasageneralprinciplethateachmustworkouthisownSuccessalongthelinesofhisownIndividuality,ratherthanbyfollowinganysetruleorlineofconduct.

Inviewofwhatwehavejustsaid,itmayseemstrangethatfeelingaswedowehaveventuredtowritealittlebookentitledTheSecretofSuccess,particularlyaswehavestartedthesaidbookbydeclaringtheimpossibilityoflayingdownanysetrulesonthesubject.Thismayseemlikeaparadox,butalittleexaminationwillshowyouthatitisnotso.ItistruethatwebelievethateachandeverypersonmustworkouthisownSuccess,alongthelinesofhisownIndividuality,insteadofalongsomecutanddriedplan.AndrighthereiswheretheSecretofSuccesscomesin.Alongthelinesofhisownindividuality,wehavejustsaidthenitmustfollowthatonemustpossessIndividualitybeforehemayworkalongitslines.AndinthemeasurethathepossessesIndividuality,sowillhepossessthefirstprerequisitetoSuccess.AndthatiswhatwemeanbyTheSecretofSuccessINDIVIDUALITY.

EverypersonpossessesdormantandlatentIndividualitybutonlyafewallowittoexpressitself.Themajorityofusarelikehumansheeptrottingalongcomplacentlyaftersomeselfassertivebellwether,whosetinklingbellservestoguideourfootsteps.Wehaveabsorbedthenotionsomehowthatthesebellwetherspossessthesumandsubstanceofhumanknowledgeandpower,andabilitytothinkandinsteadofunfoldingourowndormantpowers,andlatentpossibilities,weallowthemtoremaininobscurity,andwetrotalong,jogittyjoggityjogafterourpetbellwether.Peopleareverymuchlikesheepinthiswaytheyareobedientandimitativeanimals,andratherthanassumetheresponsibilityofdirectingtheirownfootsteps,theywaituntilsomeonetakesthelead,andthenawaytheystampedeafterhim.Isitanywonderthattheleadersclaimthechoicestpickingsforthemselves,andallowtheflocktogetonlythescrubbygrass?NotabitofittheyhaveearnedthechoicebitsbyreasonoflockofIndividualityandInitiativeonthepartofthosefollowingtheminfact,theywerechosenasleadersbecauseofthisselfassertive,andselfdirectivequality.Iftheyhadstoodbackinamodest,mildmanner,theywouldhavebeenpushedasidebytheflockthatwoulddisclaimthemasleaders,infavorofotherswhoknewhowtopushtothefront.

Now,inthislittlebookweshallnotendeavortoawakenaspiritofbellwetherisminyou,nortourgeyoutostrivetoleadtheflockthereisnothinginthemereleadingofpeopleotherthanvaingloryandpettyselfsatisfaction.ThedesirablethingistopossesssufficientIndividualityandInitiativetobeyourownbellwethertobealawuntoyourself,sofarasother


menareconcerned.Thegreatmenthestrongmencarenothingfortheflock,whichsoobedientlytrotsalongafterthem.Theyderivenosatisfactionfromthisthing,whichpleasesonlyinferiorminds,andgratifiesonlypettynaturesandambitions.Thebigmenthegreatspiritsofallageshavederivedmoresatisfactionfromthatinwardconvictionofstrengthandabilitywhichtheyfeltunfoldingintoactivitywithinthemselves,thanintheplauditsofthemob,orintheservilityofthoseimitativecreatureswhosoughttofollowintheirfootsteps.

And,thisthingcalledIndividualityisarealthing.Inherentineachofus,andwhichmaybedevelopedandbroughtintoactivityineachoneofusifwegoaboutitright.IndividualityistheexpressionofourSelfthatSelfwhichiswhatwemeanwhenwesayI.EachofusisanIndividualanIdifferingfromeveryotherIintheuniverse,sofaraspersonalexpressionisconcerned.AndinthemeasurethatweexpressandunfoldthepowersofthatI,soarewegreat,strongandsuccessful.WeallhaveitinusitdependsuponustogetitoutintoExpression.And,thisIndividualExpressionliesattheheartoftheSecretofSuccess.Andthatiswhyweusethetermandthatiswhatweshalltellyouaboutinthislittlebook.ItwillpayforyoutolearnthisSecret.


TheIndividual

InourlastlessonwestatedthatweconsideredtheSecretofSuccesstoconsistprincipallyoftheFreeExpressionoftheIndividualtheI.Butbeforeyouwillbeabletoapplythisideasuccessfully,youmustfirstawakentoarealizationofwhattheIndividualtheIwithinyoureallyis.Thisstatementmayappearridiculousatfirsttomanyofyou,butitwillpayyoutoacquaintyourselffullywiththeideabehindit,foruponthetruerealizationofIcomesPower.

Ifyouwillstopandtakestockofyourself,youwillfindthatyouareamorecomplexbeingthanyouhadatfirstconsideredyourselftobe.InthefirstplacethereistheI,whichistheRealSelfortheIndividual,andthereistheMe,whichissomethingattachedtoandbelongingtotheIthePersonality.Forproofofthis,lettheItakestockoftheMe,anditwillfindthatthelatterconsistsofthreephasesorprinciples,(ie.1.ThePhysicalBody;2.TheVitalEnergy;3.TheMind).ManypeopleareinthehabitatofregardingtheirbodiesastheIpartofthem,butalittleconsiderationwillshowthemthatthebodyisbutamaterialcovering,ormachinethroughwhichandbymeansofwhichtheIisabletomanifestitself.AlittlethoughtwillshowthatonemaybevividlyconsciousoftheIAmpartofhimselfwhiletotallyobliviousofthepresenceofthephysicalbody.Thisbeingso,itfollowsthattheIisindependentofthebody,andthatthelatterfallsintotheMeclassification.ThephysicalbodymayexistaftertheIhasleftitthedeadbodyisnottheI.Thephysicalbodyiscomposedofcountlessparticleswhicharechangingplaceseverymomentofourlivesourbodyoftodayisentirelydifferentfromourbodyofayearago.

ThencomesthesecondprincipleoftheMetheVitalEnergy,orwhatmanycallLife.Thisisseentobeindependentofthebody,whichitenergizes,butit,too,istransitoryandchangeable,andreadilymaybeseentobebutasomethingusedtoanimateandenergizethebodyaninstrumentoftheI,andthereforeaprincipleoftheMe.What,then,islefttotheItoexamineanddetermineitsnature?Theanswerthatcomesnaturallytothelipsis,TheMind,bywhichIknowthetruthofwhatyouhavejustsaid.But,stopamoment,youhavesaid,speakingofthemind,bywhichIknowhaveyounot,insayingthis,acknowledgedthemindtobeasomethingthroughwhichtheIacts?ThinkamomentisthemindYOU?Youareawarethatyourmentalstateschangeyouremotionsvaryyourfeelingsdifferfromtimetotimeyourveryideasandthoughtsareinconsistentandaresubjecttooutsideinfluences,orelsearemoldedandgovernedbythatwhichyoucallI,oryourRealSelf.ThentheremustbesomethingbehindMentalStates,Ideas,Feelings,Thoughts,etc.,whichissuperiortothemandwhichknowsthemjustasoneknowsathingapartfromitselfbutwhichituses.YousayIfeel;Ithink;Ibelieve;Iknow;Iwill;etc.,etc.NowwhichistheRealSelf?TheMentalStatesjustmentionedortheIwhichisthesubjectorRealCauseofthementalphenomena?ItisnottheMindthatknows,buttheIwhichusestheMindinordertoknow.Thismayseem


alittleabstrusetoyouifyouhaveneverbeenmadeastudyofthesubject,butthinkitoveralittleandtheideawillclearlydefineitselfinyourmind.

Wearenottellingyouthesethingsmerelytogiveyouanideaofmetaphysics,philosophy,orpsychologytherearemanybooksthatgointothesemattersatlengthandindetailsoitisnotforthatreason.TherealreasonisthatwitharealizationoftheIorRealSelf,comesasenseofPowerthatwillmanifestthroughyouandmakeyoustrong.TheawakeningtoarealizationoftheI,initsclearnessandvividness,willcauseyoutofeelasenseofBeingandPowerthatyouhaveneverbeforeknown.BeforeyoucanexpressIndividuality,youmustrealizethatyouareanIndividual.AndyoumustbeawareofthisIwithinyoubeforeyoucanrealizethatyouareanIndividual.

TheMesideofyouiswhatiscalledPersonality,totheouterappearanceofyourself.YourPersonalityismadeupofcountlesscharacteristics,traits,habits,thoughts,expressionsandmotionsitisabunchofpeculiaritiesandpersonaltraitsthatyouhavebeenthinkingwastherealIallthistime.Butitisnot.DoyouknowwhattheideaofPersonalityarosefrom?Letustellyou.Turntothepagesofanygooddictionary,andyouwillseethatthewordoriginatedfromtheLatinwordPersona,meaningamaskusedbyactorsinancienttimes,andwhichthewordinturnwasderivedfromtwootherwords,sonare,meaningtosound,andper,meaningthrough,thetwowordscombinedmeaningtosoundthroughtheideabeingthatthevoiceoftheactorsoundedthroughthemaskoftheassumedpersonalityorcharacter.WebstergivesthefollowingasoneofthemeaningsofPerson,eventothisday:Acharacterorpart,asinaplay;anassumedcharacter.Sothen,PersonalitymeansthepartyouareplayingintheGreatPlayofLife,ontheStageoftheUniverse.TherealIndividualconcealedbehindthemaskofPersonalityisYOUtheRealSelftheIthatpartofyouwhichyouareconsciouswhenyousayIAM,whichisyourassertionofexistenceandlatentpower.IndividualmeanssomethingthatcannotbedividedorsubtractedfromsomethingthatcannotbeinjuredorhurtbyoutsideforcessomethingREAL.AndyouareanIndividualaRealSelfanISomethingendowedwithLife,Mind,andPower,touse,asyouwill.

ApoetnamedOrrwrote:

LordofathousandworldsamI,AndIreignsincetimebegan;

Andnightandday,incyclicsway,ShallpasswhiletheirdeedsIscan.

YettimeshallceaseereIfindrelease,ForIAMthesoulofMan


Spiritedness

Tomanyofyou,thetitleofthislessonSpiritednessmayseemtohavesomeconnectionwithspirits,disembodiedentities,orelsethesoulorsomehigherpartofit,towhichthenameSpiritisoftenapplied.But,inthiscase,weusethewordinadifferentsense,andyetinasenseapprovedbymanyadvancedteachersandinvestigatorsoftheoccultandspiritual.OneofthemeaningsofthewordspiritasgivenbyWebsterisasfollows:Energy,vivacity,ardor,enthusiasm,courage,etc.,whilethesameauthoritydefinesthewordspiritedas:Animated;fulloflifeandvigor,lively,etc.Thesedefinitionswillgiveyouahintofthesenseinwhichwearenowusingtheterm,butthereisstillmoretoit.

TousthewordSpiritexpressestheideaoftherealessentialnatureoftheUniversalPower,andwhichisalsomanifestedinmanasthecenterofhisbeinghisessentialstrengthandpower,fromwhenceproceedsallthatrendershimanIndividual.Spiritednessdoesnotmeanthequalityofbeingethereal,goodygoody,spiritual,otherworldly,oranythingofthatsort.Itmeansthestateofbeinganimated,meaning,possessedoflifeandvigorsothatthestateisreallythatofbeingfilledwithPowerandLife.AndthatPowerandLifecomesfromtheverycenterofonesbeingtheIAMregionorplaneofmindandconsciousness.

Spiritednessismanifestedindifferentdegreesamongdifferentmenandevenamongtheanimals.Itisanelementary,fundamental,primitivequalityandexpressionofLife,anddoesnotdependuponculture,refinementoreducationitsdevelopmentseemstodependuponsuchinstinctiveorintuitionalrecognitionoftheSomethingWithinthePoweroftheIndividualwhichisderivedfromthatUniversalPowerofwhichweareallexpressions.Andevensomeoftheanimalsseemtopossessit.

ArecentwriterontheTamingofAnimalsexpressesinstinctiverealizationofSpiritednessamongsomeofthehigheranimalsasfollows:Puttwomalebaboonsinthesamecage,andtheywillopentheirmouths,showalltheirteeth,andblowateachother.Butoneofthem,eventhoughhemaypossesstheuglierdentition,willblowwithadifference,withaninwardshakinessthatmarkshimastheunderdogatonce.Notestofbattleisneededatall.Itisthesamewiththebigcats.Puttwo,orfour,oradozenlionstogether,andtheyalso,probablywithoutasinglecontest,willsoondiscoverwhichoneofthempossessesthemettleofthemaster.Thereafterhetakesthechoiceofthemeat;ifhechooses,therestshallnotevenbegintoeatuntilhehasfinished;hegoesfirsttothefreshpanofwater.Inshortheiskingofthecage.Now,then,whenatamergoesintoadenwithabigcatthathastakenanotiontoactfunny,hisattitudeisalmostexactlythatofthekingbeastabovementionedwouldbetowardasubjectrashandilladvisedenoughtochallengehiskingship.


Youwillnoticeintheabovequotation,thatthewriterstatesclearlythatitisnotalwaysthebaboonwiththefiercesttusksthatisthemaster,neitherdoesthekinglionnecessarilyasserthisdominionbywinningaphysicalfightitissomethingfarmoresubtlethanthephysicalitisthemanifestationofsomesoulqualityoftheanimal.Andsoitiswithmen,itisnotalwaysthebiggestandstrongestphysicallywhoruletherulerbecomessobyreasonofthemysterioussoulqualitywhichwecallSpiritedness,andwhichmenoftencallnerve,ormettle,orsand.Whentwoindividualscomeintocontactwitheachotherthereismentalstruggletheremaynotbeevenawordutteredandyetsoulgrappleswithsoulasthetwopairsofeyesgazeintoeachother,andasubtlesomethingineachengagesandgrappleswithasubtlesomethingintheother.Itmaybealloverinamoment,buttheconflictissettledforthetime,andeachofthementalcombatantsknowsthatheisvictorordefeated,asthecasemaybe.Theremaybenofeelingofantagonismbetweenthepartiesengaging,butneverthelessthereseemstobeaninwardrecognitiononbothsidesthatthereissomethingbetweenthemalwaysleads.Andthisleadershipdoesnotdependuponphysicalstrength,intellectualattainment,orcultureintheordinarysense,butuponthemanifestationandrecognitionofthatsubtlequalitythatwehavecalledSpirit.

Peopleunconsciouslyasserttheirrecognitionofqualityinthemselvesandothers,bytheiruseoftheterm.Weoftenhearofpeoplelackingspirit;beingspiritless;andofothershavinghadtheirspiritbroken;etc.Thetermisusedinthesenseofmettle.Amettledhorseormanishighspirited,accordingtothedictionaries;andthesameauthoritiesdefinemettlesomeasfullofspirit,soyouseethetermisusedaswehaveemployeditbuttheexplanationofthesourceofthespiritednessisnotgiven.Breedersofthoroughbredracinghorseswilltellyouthatahorsehavingspiritwillrunagamerraceandwilloftenoutdistanceandoutwindahorsehavinghigherphysicalcharacteristics,butlessspiritorclass.Horsemeninsistthatthepossessionofspiritinahorseisrecognizedbytheotherhorses,whoareeffectedbyitandbecomediscouragedandallowthemselvestobebeaten,althoughoftentheymaybebetterracingmachines,physically.Thisspiritisafundamentalvitalstrengthpossessedbyalllivingthingsindegreesanditmaybedevelopedandstrengthenedinonesself.Inournextlessonweshallreciteafewinstancesofitsmanifestationamongmen.

OliverWendellHolmes,inoneofhisbooks,givesthefollowingvividdescriptionoftheconflictofspiritednessbetweentwomen:TheKohinoorsfaceturnedsowhitewithragethathisblueblackmustacheandbeardlookedfearfulagainstit.Hegrinnedwithwrath,andcaughtatatumbler,asifhewouldhavethrownitscontentsatthespeaker.TheyoungMarylanderfixedhisclear,steadyeyeuponhim,andlaidhishandonhisarm,carelesslyalmost,buttheJewelfeltthathecouldnotmoveit.Itwasnouse.Theyouthwashismaster,andinadeadlyIndianhuginwhichmenwrestlewiththeireyes,overinfiveseconds,butwhichbreaksoneoftheirtwobacks,andisgoodforthreescoreyearsandten,onetrialenoughsettlesthewholematterjustaswhentwofeatheredsongstersofthebarnyard,gameanddunghill,cometogether.Afterajumportwoateachother,andafewsharpkicks,thereisanendtoit;anditis


Afteryou,monsieur,withthebeatenpartyinallthesocialrelationsforalltherestofhisdays.

Fothergillsays:EmilyBrontesketchedoutheridealofabeingpossessedofimmensewillpowerinathoroughruffianHeathcliff.Amassive,muscularbrute!Well,itwasagirlsconceptionofastrongman;butIthinkIhaveseensomequiet,inoffensivelookingmeninspectacles,whocouldverysoonhaveshowntheruffianwherethesuperioritylay.

AcelebratedhistoricalexampleofSpiritedness,underapparentlyoverwhelmingodds,isthatoftheinterviewbetweenHugo,BishopofLincolnandRichardCoeurdeLion,inthechurchofRochedAndeli.InhisdesiretoprosecutethewarinNormandy,Richarddemandedadditionalsuppliesandmoneyfromhisbaronsandbishops,butHugorefusedtofurnishmenormoney.HeclaimedthatalthoughtheSeeofLincolnwaslegallyboundtosupplymenandmoneyformilitaryservicewithinthefourseasofBritain,thewarinNormandydidnotcomeunderthathead,andhedefiedtheking.KingRichard,calledtheLionHearted,wasadangerousmantodefy,andsowhenhesummonedBishopHugotoNormandy,andthelatterwentforthtobeardthelioninhisden,fewdoubtedtheoutcome,andthebishopsdownfallwastakenasamatterofcourse.WhenthebishoplandedinNormandytwofriendlybaronswhoinformedhimthatthekingwasinaterriblerageagainsthim,andwhoadvisedhimtosendsomehumble,conciliatorymessagetohimbeforeenteringtheroyalpresence.Butthebishoprefusedtodothis,andproceededboldlytomeethismonarch.RichardwassittingatMasswhenthebishopentered.Hugowalkeduptohim,anddisregardinghisfrown,said,Kissme,mylordKing!Richardturnedwrathfullyaway,withholdinghissalute.ButHugo,gazingintohiseyes,andshakingtheroyalshouldervigorously,repeatedhisdemand.Thouhastnotdeservedit,roaredthekinginangerandchagrin.Ihave,retortedHugo,shakingtheroyalshouldertheharder.Thekinggraduallydroppedhiseyesfromthoseofthebishop,andgavethekinglysaluteandkiss,andthebishoppassedoncalmlytotakepartintheservice.Hugoafterwarddefiedthekinginhiscouncilchamber,andpersistedinhisrefusal,andevenventuredtorebukehisroyalmasterforinfidelitytothequeen.Thecouncilwasastounded,forknowingRichardscourageandfierytempertheyexpectedtoseeHugocrushinamomentbutinsteadheemergedthevictorinthestruggleofSpiritedness.Thehistoriansays:TheLionwastamedforthemoment.TheKingacknowledgednothing,butrestrainedhispassion,remarkingafterward,IfallbishopswerelikemylordofLincoln,notaprinceamonguscouldlifthisheadamongthem.

AndthiswasnotthefirsttimethatthisdoughtyBishopofLincolnhadvanquishedaking.Inhisearlierdays,shortlyafterKingHenryPlantagenethadcreatedhimbishop,hebecameinvolvedinafiercedisputewiththatmonarch.HenrywasatWoodstockParksurroundedbyhiscourtierswhenHugoapproached.Thekingfeignednottoseethebishop,takingnonoticewhatsoeverofhim.Afterafewmomentsofstrainedsilence,thebishop,pushingasideapowerfulearlwhowasseatedbythekingsside,tookhisplacebesidetheking.Theking


pretendedtobemendinghisleatherglove.Thebishopcheerfullyandlightlysaid:YourMajestyremindsmeofyourcousinatFalaise.FalaisewastheplaceatwhichHenrysancestorDukeRobertmetArlotta,thedaughterofatannerofleather,whoborehimhisillegitimatesonwhowasafterwardknownasWilliamtheConqueror.TheBishopsimpudentallusiontothekingsancestrywastoomuchforthelatter,andhewasbadlyworstedintheencounterandlateraccededtothewishesofthebishop.

ButasFothergilltrulysays:ItisagreatmistaketosupposethatthisWillisdisposedtoairitselfonalloccasions;farfromit.Itoftenhasatendencytoconcealitself,andisnotrarelyfoundunderandexteriorofmuchpleasantness.Therearemen,andwomen,too,whopresentanappearanceofsuchpolitenessthattheyseemtohavenowilloftheirown;theyapparentlyexistmerelytodowhatisagreeabletoothers;butjustwaittillthetimecomes,andthenthelatentwillpowerisrevealed,andwefindunderthisvelvetglovetheironhandandnomistakeaboutit.Itisthesecretofthediplomatist.Talleyrandpossessedittoaremarkabledegree,andwasacool,bold,successfuldiplomat;Cavouralsopossessedthispoweranduseditwisely.Theblustererandbraggeraredevoidofit.Itisasubtle,tenuousPower,restinglatentbeneaththesurfaceandoutofevidencebutwhenneededitflashesforthlikethedynamicelectricspark,drivingallbeforeit.Itisanelementalforce,ofirresistiblepower.


LatentPowers

Themajorityofyouknowbyactualexperienceineverydaylifethatwehavewithinourphysicalorganismthatwhichwecallsecondwind.Wehaveessayedsomephysicaltask,andafterabitfoundourselveswinded,thatisshortofbreath,andwearetemptedtostopandrestourpantingbodies.But,wehavealsofoundbyexperiencethatifwewillsticktothetaskathandthefeelingofphysicaldistresswillusuallypassaway,andwewillgainwhatiscalledoursecondwind.Nowjustwhatthissecondwindis,isamatterthathaslongperplexedphysiologists,andeventodaytheyhavenotbeenabletohandusdownaverygoodguessattheunderlyingcauseofthephenomenon.Itseemstobeafreshstartacquiredbyreasonoftheopeningupofreservestoresofvitalenergylatentphysicalpowerstoredawayforsuchemergencies.Allpersonswhohaveengagedinathleticsportsknowverywellthedetailsofthispeculiarphysiologicalphenomenonitsactualityistoofirmlyestablishedtoadmitanydoubt.

And,asisoftenthecase,examinationshowsacuriousparallelbetweentheworkingofNatureonthementalplaneandonthephysical.Justasthereisaphysicalsecondwind,soisthereamentalreserveforceorlatentenergyuponwhichwecandrawandthusgetafreshstart.Thephenomenaattendantuponphysicalsecondwind,asnotedabove,isalmostexactlyduplicatedbycertainmentalphenomena.Wemaybejadedwhileperformingsometediousbitofmentalwork,andwebegintofeelthatweareallin,whenlo!Somenewinandawayweareoffwithafullmentalsecondwinddoingourworkwithafreshness,vigorandenthusiasmfarsurpassingtheoriginaleffort.Wehavetappedintoafreshsourceorsupplyofmentalenergy.

Themajorityofushavelittleornoconceptionofthereservementalenergiesandforcescontainedwithinourbeing.Wejogalongatourcustomarygait,thinkingthatwearedoingourbestandgettingalloutoflifethatthereisinitthinkweareexpressingourselvestoourutmostcapacity.Butwearelivingonlyinthefirstwindmentalstate,andbehindourworkingmentalityarestoresofwonderfulmentalenergyandpowerfacultieslyingdormantpowerlyinglatentawaitingthemagiccommandoftheWillinordertoawakenintoactivityandoutwardexpression.Wearefargreaterbeingsthanwehaverealizedwearegiantsofpower,ifwedidbutknowit.Manyofusarelikeyoungelephantsthatallowthemselvestobemasteredbyweakmen,andputthroughtheirpaces,littledreamingofthemightystrengthandpowerconcealedwithintheirorganisms.ThoseofyouwhohavereadourlittlemanualentitledTheInnerConsciousnesswillrecallwhatwesaidthereinregardingtheregionsaboveandbelowtheplaneoftheordinaryouterconsciousness.Andonthosehiddenplanesofthemind,areuntoldpossibilitiestherawmaterialsformightymentaltasksandachievementthestoragebatteriesofwonderfulaccomplishment.Thetroublewithusisthatwedonotrealizetheexistenceofthesefaculties.Wethinkthatwearemerelywhatwemanifestinourordinary


dogtrotgait.Anotherproblemisthatwehavenothadtheincentivetotakeactionwehavelackedtheinteresttodogreatthingswehaventwantedtohardenough.Thiswanttohardenoughisthegreatincitingpowerinlife.DesireisthefirewhichrousesupthesteamofWill.WithoutIncentiveandthatmeansDesireweaccomplishnothing.Giventhegreat,earnest,burningardentDesireasananimatingforcethegreatincentivetotakeaction,andweareabletogetupthismentalsecondwindyes,third,fourth,andfifthwindstappingoneplaneofinwardpowerafteranother,untilweworkmentalmiracles.

Wewonderattheachievementsofthegreatmeninallwalksoflife,andweareapttoexcuseourselvesbythesadremarkthatthesepeopleseemtohaveitinthem,whilewehavenot.Nonsense,weallhaveitinustodothingsahundredtimesgreaterthanwearedoing.Thetroubleisnotingreaterthanwearedoing.Thetroubleisnotinthelackofpowerandmentalmaterial,butintheDesireandInterest,andIncentivetoarouseintoactivitythosewonderfulstorehousesofdynamicpowerwithinourmentalitywefailtocallintoourdisposal,andwhichislikeallothernaturalpowersandforceseagerandanxioustobemanifestedandexpressed.Yes,thatswhatwesaidanxiousandeager,forallnaturalforces,pennedupandinastaticconditionseemtobeburstingwithdesiretomanifestandexpressintoouterdynamicactivity.Thisseemstobealawoflifeandnature.Natureandallinitseemstobeeagerforactiveexpression.Haveyounotbeensurprisedatyourselvesattimes,whenundersomeslightlyhigherpressureandincentiveSomethingWithinyouseemedtobreakitsboundsandfairlycarryyouoffofyourfeetinitsrushintoactivework?Haveyounotaccomplishedtasksunderthestressofasuddenurgentneed,thatyouwouldhavedeemedimpossibleincoldblood.Haveyounotcarriedallbeforeyouwhenyouwarmeduptothetask,whereasyourordinaryselfwouldhavestoodarounddoingnothingunderordinarycircumstances.

EarnestnessandEnthusiasmaretwogreatfactorsinbringingintooperationtheselatentforces,anddormantpowersofthementality.Butoneneednotstandbyandwaituntilyouworkyourselfintoafitoffervorbeforetheenergiesspringintoaction.YoucanbyacarefultrainingoftheWillorrather,byacarefullytrainingofyourselfuseyouWillmanagetogetholdofthementalthrottle,sothatyoumaypullitdownandturnonafullheadofsteamwhenevernecessary.Andwhenyouhaveoncemasteredthis,youwillfindthatyouarenotanymoretiredwhenrunningunderfullpressure,thanwhenyouarecrawlingalongthisbeingoneoftheSecretsofSuccess.

Tomanyaperson,thetermTheWill,meansmerelyafirm,steadfastnessofmind,akintoDeterminationandFixityofPurpose.ToothersitmeanssomethinglikeDesire.Toothers,itmeansthepowerofchoice,etc.Buttooccultists,theWillissomethingfarmorethanthesethingsitmeansaVitalPoweranActingForceoftheMindcapableofdominatingandrulingtheothermentalfacultiesaswellasprojectingitselfbeyondthementalorgansoftheindividualandaffectingotherscomingwithinitsfieldofinfluence.AnditisinthissensethatweusethewordWillinthislesson.


Wehavenodesiretotakethereaderintothedimrealmsofmetaphysics,orevenintothelighterbutstillarduouspathsofscientificpsychology,butwemustacquainthimwiththefactoftheexistenceofthisthingthatwecallWillPower,anditsrelationtotheI.Ofallthementalfacultiesorpowers,thatoftheWillistheclosesttotheIorEgooftheperson.ItistheSwordofPowerclaspedinthehandoftheEgo.Onemaydivorcehimselfinthoughtfromtheothermentalfacultiesandstates,butwhenhethinksoftheIheisboundtothinkofitaspossessingthatpowerwhichwecallWill.TheWillisaprimal,originalpoweroftheIwhichisalwayswithituntiltheend.Itistheforcewithwhichherules(orshouldrule)hismentalandphysicalkingdomthepowerofwhichhisIndividualitymanifestsitselfupontheoutsideworld.

DesireisthegreatmotivepowerincitingtheWilltoactioninlife.AswehaveshownyoutheactionofWillwithoutthemotivepowerofDesireisunthinkable,andthereforeitfollowsthatthecultureandrightdirectionofDesirecarrieswithitthechannelofexpressionandmanifestationoftheWill.YoucultivatecertainDesires,inorderthattheWillmayflowoutalongthesechannels.BycultivatingtheDesirealongcertainlines,youaremakingchannelsalongwhichtheWillmayflowinitsrushtowardexpressionandmanifestation.SobesuretomapoutyourDesirechannelsclearlybymakingtheproperMentalImagesofwhatyouwantbesureandmaketheDesirechannelsdeepandclearcutbytheforceofrepeatedattentionandautosuggestion.

HistoryisfilledwithexamplesofmenwhohavedevelopedtheuseoftheWill.WesaydevelopedtheuseratherthandevelopedWill,formandoesnotdevelophisWillhisWillisalwaystherereadyforuseamandevelopshisabilitytousetheWillperfectshimselfinitsuse.Wehavefrequentlyusedthefollowingillustration,andhavenotbeenabletoimproveuponit:Manislikeatrolleycar,withtheupraisedtrolleypoleofhismindreachingouttothelivewireofWill.AlongthatwireisflowingthecurrentofWillPower,whichittapsanddrawsdownintohismind,andbywhichheisabletomove,andactandmanifestpower.ButthepowerisalwaysintheWire,andhisdevelopingconsistsintheabilitytoraisethepoletotheWire,andthustapintoitsenergy.Ifyouwillcarrythisideainyourmind,youwillbeabletoapplythistruthmoreeasilyinyoureverydaylife.

Agreatpromoterofthesteelpen,andelectroplatingindustries,possessesthisqualitytoamarkeddegree.Ithasbeensaidofhimthat:Hehad,tobeginwith,astrong,powerful,almostirresistibleWill;andwhoeverandwhateverheopposed,hesurelyconqueredintheend.Buxtonsaid:ThelongerIlive,themorecertainIamthatthegreatdifferencebetweenmen,betweenthefeebleandthepowerful,thegreatandtheinsignificant,isEnergyInvincibleDeterminationapurposeoncefixed,andtheVictoryorDeath.Thatqualitywilldoanythingthatcanbedoneinthisworldandnotalents,nocircumstances,noopportunities,willmakeatwoleggedcreatureamanwithoutit.Inthislastquotationandtheoneprecedingit,theideaofPersistenceandDeterminationisidentifiedcloselywiththatofWill.Andtheyarecloselyidentified,theideabeingthattheWillshouldbeheldclose,fast,andsteadilyagainstthetask


tobeaccomplished,justasthesteelchiselisheldfirmlyupagainsttheobjectonthelathe,untilitsworkisaccomplished.ItisnotthemereDeterminationorPersistencythatdoestheworkthesewouldbeofnoavailunlesstheWillweretheretodothecuttingandshaping.Butthenagain,thereisadoubleaspectofWillheretheWillinonephasedoesthework,whileinanotheritforcesthemindtoholditupagainstthetask.So,inasensetheWillisthepowerbackofDeterminationandpersistency,aswellastheforcedoingtheworkthecuttingedgeofthechisel,aswellasthefirmhandthatholdsittoitswork.

Simpsonhassaid:ApassionateDesire,andanunweariedWillcanperformimpossibilities,orwhatwouldseemtobesuch,tothecoldandfeeble.Disraelisaid:Ihavebroughtmyselfbylongmeditationtotheconvictionthatahumanbeingwithasettledpurposemustaccomplishit,andthatnothingcanresistaWillwhichwillstakeevenexistenceuponitsfulfillment.Fostersays:Itiswonderfulhoweventhecasualtiesoflifeseemtobowtoaspiritthatwillnotbowtothem,andyieldtosubserveadesignwhichtheymay,intheirfirstapparenttendency,threatentofrustrate.Whenafirm,decisivespiritisrecognized,itiscurioustoseehowthespaceclearsaroundamanandleaveshimroomandfreedom.Mitchellhassaid:Resolveiswhatmakesamanmanifest;notpunyresolve;notcrudedetermination;noterrantpurposebutthatstrongandindefatigableWillwhichtreadsdowndifficultiesanddanger,asaboytreadsdowntheheavingfrostlandsofwinter,whichkindleshiseyeandbrainwithaproudpulsebeattowardtheunattainable.Willmakesmengiants.

So,raisethatmentaltrolleypole,andtouchthelivewireofWill.


SoulForce

YouoftenhaveheardthewordEnthusiasmusedhaveuseditoftenyourself.Buthaveyoueverthoughtofwhatthewordreallymeansfromwhatsourceitoriginatedwhatisitsessentialspirit?Fewhave.ThewordEnthusiasmisderivedfromtheGreektermmeaningtobeinspired;tobepossessedbythegods,etc.,thetermhavingbeenoriginallyusedtodesignatethementalstateofaninspiredpersonwhoseemstobeundertheinfluenceofahigherpower.Thetermoriginallymeant,Inspiredbyasuperhumanordivinepower;ecstasy;etc.Itisnowused,accordingtoWebster,inthesenseof:Enkindledandkindlingfervorofsoul;ardentandimaginativezealorinterest;livelymanifestationofjoyorzeal;etc.Thewordhasacquiredasecondary,andunfavorablemeaninginthesenseofvisionaryzeal;imaginativefervor;etc.;butitsrealandprimarymeaningisthatardent,livelyzealandinterestinainnerforcesofonesnature.Realenthusiasmmeansapowerfulmentalstateexertedinfavorof,oragainst,someidea.

ApersonfilledwithEnthusiasmseemsindeedtobeinspiredbysomepowerorbeinghigherthanhimselfhetapsontoasourceofpowerofwhichheisnotordinarilyconscious.Andtheresultisthathebecomesasagreatmagnetradiatingattractiveforceinalldirectionsandinfluencingthosewithinhisfieldofinfluence.ForEnthusiasmiscontagiousandwhenreallyexperiencedbytheindividualrendershimasourceofinductivepower,andacenterofmentalinfluence.ButthepowerwithwhichheisfilleddoesnotcomefromanoutsidesourceitcomesfromcertaininnerregionsofhismindorsoulfromhisInnerConsciousness.ThosewhohavereadourlittlemanualentitledInnerConsciousnesswillreadilyunderstandfromwhatpartofthementalitysuchpowerisderived.Enthusiasmisreallysoulpower,andwhengenuineissorecognizedandfeltbythosecomingwithinitsfieldofinfluence.

WithoutacertainamountofEnthusiasmnooneeverhasattainedSuccess,andneverwilldoso.ThereisnopowerinpersonalintercoursethatcanbecomparedtoEnthusiasmoftherightsort.ItcomprisesEarnestness,Concentration,andPower,andthereareaveryfewpeoplethatcannotbeinfluencedinsomedegreebyitsmanifestationbyanother.FewpeoplerealizetheactualvalueofEnthusiasm.Manyhavesucceededbyreasonofitspossession,andmanyhavefailedbyreasonofitslack.Enthusiasmisthesteamthatdrivesourmentalmachinery,andwhichindirectlythusaccomplishesthegreatthingsinlife.Youcannotaccomplishtasksproperlyyourselfunlessyoumanifestadegreeofinterestinthem,andwhatisEnthusiasmbutInterestplusInspirationInspiredInterest,thatswhatEnthusiasmis.BythepowerofEnthusiasmthegreatthingsoflifearebroughttoexpressionandaccomplishment.

Enthusiasmisnotathing,whichsomepossessandotherslack.Allpersonshaveitpotentially,butonlyafewareabletoexpressit.Themajorityisafraidtoletthemselvesfeelathing,and


thentoletthefeelingexpressitselfinpowerfulactionlikethesteaminanengine.ThemajorityofpersonsdonotknowhowtogetupthesteamofEnthusiasm.TheyfailtokeepthefiresofInterestandDesirekindledundertheirmentalboiler,andtheconsequenceistheyfailtogetupthesteamofEnthusiasm.Enthusiasmmaybedeveloped,bycultivatinginterestandloveofyourtask.Interest,confidence,anddesirearouseEnthusiasm,anditremainsforyoutoeitherconcentrateitsothatitseffectwillbedirectedstraittowardtheobject,personorthingthatyouwishtomove,orelseallowittodissipateitselfintheairwithoutresult.Likesteam,Enthusiasmmaybedissipatedorusedbyconcentrateddirectionitproducesresults;andbyfoolishwasteanddissipationitfailstodoso.Themoreinterestyoutakeinathing,thegreaterdoesyourconfidenceanddesiregrowandfromthesearisethesteamofEnthusiasm.SorememberalwaysthatInterestisthemotherofEnthusiasm.

Theenthusiasticmannaturallytendstowardtheoptimisticframeofmind,andbydoingsohediffusesanatmosphereofconfident,cheerfulexpectationaroundhimwhichtendstoinspireconfidenceinothers,andwhichaidshiminhisendeavors.HesurroundshimselfwithamentalauraofSuccesshevibratesSuccessandthoseintowhosepresencehecomes,unconsciouslytakeonhisvibrations.Enthusiasmisverycontagious,andonefilledwiththerightquality,kindanddegreeofitunconsciouslycommunicateshisinterest,earnestnessandexpectationstoothers.EnthusiasmplaysanimportantpartinthatwhichiscalledPersonalMagnetism.Itisalive,warm,vitalmentalquality,anditquickensthepulseoftheoneusingit,andthosewhoareaffectedbyit.Itisdifferentfromthecoldbloodedindifferencethatonemeetswithsoofteninbusiness,andwhichcausesmanyasaletobelost,andmanyagoodthingtobeturneddown.

ThemanwholacksEnthusiasmisrobbedofmorethanhalfhisforceofPersonalInfluence.NomatterhowgoodhisargumentsmaybenomatterhowmeritorioushispropositionmaybeunlesshepossessthewarmvitalqualityofEnthusiasm,hiseffortsarelargelywasted,andhisresultimpaired.Thinkoverthesalesmanwhohaveapproachedyouandrememberhowsomeofthemproducedthechillingeffectofadampcellaruponyou,whileotherscausedyoutositupandtakenoticeinspiteofyourselfbyreasonoftheirearnestinterestandenthusiasm.Analyzetheimpressionproduceduponyoubythedifferentpeoplewithwhomyouhavecomeincontact,andthenseehowgreataninfluenceEnthusiasmexerts.Andthenremembertheeffectitproducesuponyourself,whenyoufeelit.EnthusiasmisMentalSteamrememberthat.

Afewdaysagotherewaserectedatablet,inoneofthegreatcollegesoftheland,asamemorialtoaformerstudentinitshalls.Thisyoungmansavedthelivesofseventeenpeopleduringagreatstormonthelake.Heswamoutafterthem,onebyone,andbroughtthemallinalive.Hefaintedawayfromexhaustion,andwhenherecoveredconsciousness,hisfirstwordswere,Boys,didIdomyBest?


ThewordsofthisyoungmanexpressthegreatquestionthatshouldurgeeverytrueseekerafterSuccesstosoliveandactthathemaybeabletoansweritintheaffirmative.ItisnotsomuchaquestionofdidIdosomuch,ordidIdoasmuchassomeoneelse?asitismatterofDIDIDOMYBEST?

Themanwhodoeshisbestisneverafailure.Heisalwaysasuccess,andifthebestshouldbebutapoorprettything,stilltheworldwillplacethelaurelwreathofvictoryuponhisbrowwhenheaccomplishesit.Theonewhodoeshisbestisneveraquitter,orashirkerhestaysrightonhisjobuntilhehasbestoweduponittheverybestthatthereisinhimtogiveatthatparticulartime.Suchamancanneverbeafailure.

Themanwhodoeshisbestisneverheardaskingthepessimisticquestion,WhatstheUse?Hedoesntcareawholelotaboutthatpartofithismindisfixedupontheideathatheisonhisjob,andisnotgoingtobesatisfiedwithanythinglessthanhisBest.Andwhenonereallyisabletoanswerthegreatquestionwithanhonest,Yes,IdidmyBest,thenverily,hewillbeabletoanswertheWhatstheUsequestionproperlyitisofusetohavebroughtouttheBestworkinoneself,iffornootherreasonthanbecauseitisaManMakingprocessadeveloperoftheSelf.

ThisinfernalWhatstheUsequestionseemstohavebeeninventedbysomepessimisticimpofdarknesstouseindiscouragingpeoplemakingdesperatestrugglesorleadingforlornhopes.IthasbroughtdownmanyamanintotheMireofDespondencyandFailure.Chaseitoutofyoumindwheneveritappears,andreplaceitwiththequestion,AmIdoingmyBest,knowingthatanaffirmativeanswersettlestheotherquestionalso.AnythingisOfUseifitisintherightspirit,inaworthycause,andbecauseonesownmanhooddemandsit.Yes,evenifonegoesdowntodeathinthedoingofitstillitisaSuccess.Listentothisstory,toldinarecentmagazinearticle:ItisastoryofasailoronthewreckofaGermankerosenesteamer,whichdashedagainsttherocksoftheNewfoundlandcoastintheearlypartof1901.Shehadtakenfire,andhadbeenrunashoreonasubmergedreefaboutaneighthofamilefromthecoast.Thecoastlineitselfwasawall,somefourhundredfeethigh.Whenmorningdawned,thefishermanonshoresawthatherboatswereallgone,andallthecrewandofficershadapparentlybeenlostallexceptthreemen.Twoofthesethreemenwerestandingonthebridgethethirdwasaloft,lashedtotherigging.Later,thewatcherssawatremendouswavestrikethevessel,sweepingawaythebridgeandthetwomenwhohadbeenstandingonit.Severalhourslatertheysawthemanintheriggingunlashhimandbeathisarmsagainsthisbodyvigorously,evidentlytorestorethecirculation,whichhadbeenalmoststoppedbythelashingandtheextremecold.Themanthentookoffhiscoat,wavedittothefishermenontopofthecliffandthenplungedintothesea.Thefirstthoughtwasthathehadgivenupthefightandcommittedsuicidebutheasnotthatkindofaman.Hestruckoutforshore,andreachingitmadethreeseparateattemptstosecureafootholdontherocksatthebottomofthecliff.But,hefailedthreetimeswashesweptawaybythesurf,andfinally,seeingthefutilityofhis


efforts,heswamawayagain,towardtheship.Asthenarratorwellsays:Atthatcrisisinthestruggleninetyninemenoutofahundredwouldhavegivenandallowedthemselvestodrown;butthismanwasnotaquitter.

Afterafiercebattlewiththewavesthemangainedtheship,andafteradesperatestrugglemanagedtoboardher.Heclimbedagainintotheriggingandwavedhishandtothefishermenhighuponthecliff,whowereunabletohelphim.Helashedhimselffast,anduntildarkcouldbeseensignalingthefishermenabove,toshowthemthathewasstillaliveandgame.Whenthefollowingmorningbrokethefishermensawthathisheadhadfallentohisbreasthewasmotionlessfrozenduringthenight.Hewasdeadhisbravesoulhadgoneforthtomeetitsmaker,andwhocandoubtthatwhenthatmanconfrontedhisMakerhiseyeswerelookingfirmlyandbravelytowardthePresence,andnotboweddowninshameorfear.SuchamanwasindeedworthytofacehisMaker,unabashedandunashamed.Asthewriter,GeorgeKennan,hassaidinwordsthatmakeonethrill:Thatmandiedasamaninadversecircumstancesoughttodie,fightingtothelast.Youmaycallitfoolish,andsaythathemightbetterhaveendedhissufferingsbyallowinghimselftodrownwhenhefoundthathecouldnotmakealandingatthebaseofthecliff;butdeepdowninyourheartsyoupaysecrethomagetohiscourage,hisendurance,andhisindomitablewill.Hewasdefeatedatlast,butsolongashehadconsciousnessneitherfirenorcoldnottempestcouldbreakdownhismanhood.

TheCaucasianshaveafavoriteproverbthatsays:Heroismisenduranceforonemomentmore.AndthatonemomentmoretellsthedifferencebetweenthequitterandthemanwhohasdonehisBest.Nooneisdeaduntilhishearthasceasedbeatingandnoonehasfailedsolongasthereisonemorebitoffightinhim.Andthatonemomentmoreoftenisthemomentinwhichthetideturnsthemomentwhentheenemyrelaxeshisholdanddropsbackbeaten.


ThePowerofDesire

WhatisDesire?Letussee!Webstertellsusthatitis:Thenaturallongingtopossessanyseeminggood;eagerwishtoobtainorenjoy,orinitsabnormalordegeneratesense:excessiveormorbidlonging;lust;appetite.Desireisamuchabusedtermthepublicmindhaslargelyidentifieditwithitsabnormalordegeneratephase,justmentioned,ignoringitsoriginalandtruesense.Manyusethewordinthesenseofanunworthylongingorcraving,insteadofinthetruesenseofaspiration,worthycravingandlonging,etc.TocallDesireaspirationrendersitnonethelessDesire.ToapplytoitthetermlaudableaimandambitiondoesnottakeawayfromitischaracterofDesire.ThereisnosenseinendeavoringtoescapethefactthatDesireisthenaturalanduniversalimpulsetowardaction,betheactionorgoodorbad.WithoutDesiretheWilldoesnotspringintoaction,andnothingisaccomplished.EventhehighestattainmentsandaimsoftheracearepossibleonlywhenthesteamofWillisarousedbytheflameandheatofDesire.

Someoftheoccultteachingsarefilledwithinstructionstokilloutdesire,andthestudentiswarnedtobewareofiteveninitsmostinsidiousandsubtleforms,eventotheextentofavoidingeventhedesiretobedesirelessevendesirenottodesire.Nowthisisallnonsense,forifonewishes,orwants,orisinclined,orthinksbestto,orispleasedtoKillOutDesireinanyofthesecasesheisbutmanifestingaDesirenottodesire,inspiteofhisuseofothernames.Whatisthiswishingto;wantingto;feelinglike;inclination;beingpleasedto;andalltherest,butjustplain,clear,unadulteratedDesiremasqueradingundersomeofthesenames.Toproceedtokilloutdesirewithoutdesiringtodosoisliketryingtoliftoneselfbypullingonhisownbootstraps.Folly.Whatisreallymeantisthattheoccultistshouldproceedtokilloutthelowerdesiresthathefindswithinhisnature,andalsotokillouttheattachmentforthings.Regardingthislastwewouldsaythatalltrueoccultistknowthateventhebestthingsarenotgoodenoughtoruleandmasteronenothingisgoodenoughforthesoultoallowitselftobeundulyattachedtoitsothatthethingrulesthesoulinsteadoftheshouldmasteringthething.Thatiswhattheteachingsmeanavoidanceofattachment.Andinthistheoccultteachersareclearlyright.Desireisafrightfulmasterlikefireitsweepsawaythesupportsofthesoul,leavingnothingbutsmolderingashes.But,alsolikeFireDesireisasplendidservantandbyitsharnessedpowerweareabletogeneratethesteamoftheWillandActivity,andtoaccomplishmuchintheworld.WithoutproperDesiretheworldwouldbewithoutactivity.SodonotmakethemistakeofusingDesireanymorethanyouwouldrefusetousefirebutinbothcaseskeepthemasteryinyourownhands,andavoidallowingthecontroltopassfromyoutoDesire.

Desireisthemotivatingforcethatrunstheworld;aslittleaswecaretoadmititinmanycases.LookaroundyouandseetheeffectsofDesireineveryhumanact,goodorbad.Asawriterhas


said:Everydeedthatwedo,goodorbad,ispromptedbyDesire.WearecharitablebecauseweDesiretorelieveourinnerdistressatthesightofsuffering;orfromtheDesireofsympathy;orfromtheDesiretoberespectedinthisworld,ortosecureacomfortableplaceinthenext.OnemaniskindbecauseheDesirestobekindbecauseitgiveshimsatisfactiontobekind;whileanothermaniscruelfrompreciselythesamekindofmotive.OnemandoeshisdutybecauseheDesirestodoitheobtainsahighersatisfactionfromdutywelldonethanhewouldfromtheneglectingofitinaccordancewithsomeweakerdesires.Thereligiousmanisreligiousbecausehisreligiousdesiresarestrongerthanhisirreligiousonesbecausehefindsahighersatisfactioninreligionthaninthepursuitsoftheworldlyminded.Themoralmanismoralbecausehismoraldesiresarestrongerthanhisimmoralonesheobtainsagreatersatisfactioninbeingmoralthaninbeingthecontrary.EverythingwedoispromptedbyDesireinsomeshapeorformhighorlow.MancannotbeDesirelessandactinanyway.Desireisthemotivatingpowerbehindallactionsitisanaturallawoflife.Everythingfromtheatomtothemonad;fromthemonadtotheinsect;fromtheinsecttoman;frommantoNature,actsanddoesthingsbyreasonofthepowerandforceofDesire,theAnimatingMotive.

Alltheaboveatthefirstglancewouldseemtomakeofmanameremachine,subjecttothepowerofanystraydesirethatmighthappentocomeintohismind.Butthisisfarfrombeingso.ManactsnotuponEVERYdesire,butupontheSTRONGESTDesire,ortheAverageofhisStrongestDesires.ThisAverageofDesiresisthatwhichconstituteshisNatureorCharacter.AndhereiswheretheMasteryoftheIcomesin!ManneednotbeaslaveorcreatureofhisDesiresifhewillasserthisMastery.Hemaycontrol,regulate,governandguidehisDesiresinanydirectionsthathepleases.Nay,more,hemayevenCREATEDESIRESbyanactionofhisWill,asweshallseepresently.ByaknowledgeofpsychologicallawshemayneutralizeunfavorableDesires,andgrowanddevelopyes,practicallyCreateNewDesiresintheirplaceallbythepowerofhisWill,aidedbythelightofhisReasonandJudgment.ManistheMasterofhisMind.

Yes,butsomeclosereasoningcriticmayobject;yes,thatistrueenough,buteveninthatcaseisnotDesiretherulingmotivemustnotoneDesirecreatethesenewDesiresbeforehecandosoisnotDesirealwaysprecedenttoaction?Veryclosereasoningthis,goodfriends,butalladvancedoccultistsknowthatthereisapointinwhichthePrincipleofDesireshadesandmergesintocompanionPrinciple,Will,andthataclosereasonerandmentalanalystmayimagineamentalstateinwhichonemaybealmostsaidtomanifestaWILLtoWill,ratherthantomerelyDesiretoWill.Thisstatemustbeexperiencedbeforeitcanbeunderstoodwordscannotexpressit.

WehavestatedthatitwasinthepowerofmantoCreateDesirenotonlytobeitsmasterwhencreated,butalsotoactuallyCreateitbybringingitintobeing.Andthestatementisabsolutelytrue,andisverifiedandprovenbythemostrecentexperimentsanddiscoveriesofmodernpsychology.InsteadofmanbeingacreatureofDesireandthisindeedheisinmanycaseshemaybecomeMasterofDesireandevenaCreatorofit.ByknowledgeandWillhe


mayreversetheordinaryorderofthingsand,displacingtheintruderfromthethrone,hemayseathimselfthereinhisrightfulplace,andthenbidthelateoccupantdohiswillandobeyhisbidding.Butthebestwayforthenewoccupantofthethronetobringaboutareorganizedcourtistodismisstheoldobjectionablecreaturesofhismindandcreatenewonesintheirplaces.Andhereishowitmaybedone:Inthefirstplace,onemustthinkcarefullyoverthetasksthathewishestoaccomplish,then,usinghisjudgmentcarefully,judiciallyandimpartiallyimpersonallysofarasispossiblehemusttakementalstockofhimselfandseeinwhatpointsheisdeficient,sofarasthesuccessfulaccomplishmentofthetaskisconcerned.Thenlethimanalyzethetaskbeforehim,indetail,separatingthematterintoasmanycleardefineddivisionsaspossible,sothathemaybeabletoseetheThingasItIs,indetailaswellasinitsentirety.Thenlethimtakeasimilarinventoryofthethings,whichseemnecessaryoftheaccomplishmentofthetasknotthedetailsthatwillariseonlyastheworkprogresses,daybydaybutthegeneralthings,whichmustbedoneinorderthatthetaskisbroughttoasuccessfulconclusion.Thenhavingtakenstockofthetask,thenatureoftheundertaking,andonesownqualificationsandshortcomingsthenBegintoCreateDesire,accordingtothefollowingplan:ThefirststepintheCreationofDesireisthatoftheformingofaclear,vitalMentalImageofthequalities,thingsanddetailsoftheundertaking,aswellasoftheCompletedWhole.ByaMentalImagewemeanaclearcut,distinctmentalpictureintheImaginationofthethingsjustnames.Now,donotturnawaywithanimpatientmotionatthementionofthewordImagination.Thatisanotherwordthatyouhaveonlyamistakenideaof.Imaginationmeansfarmorethanthemereidle,fancifuluseofthatpartofthemindthatisbelievedbypeopletobeallthereistoit.Itisntall,byalongwayinfact,thefancifulpartmaybesaidtobemerelyashadowoftherealImaginativeeffort.Imaginationisarealthingitisafacultyofthemindbywhichitcreatesamatrix,mold,orpatternofthings,whichthetrainedWillandDesireafterward,materializesintoobjectivereality.TherehasbeennothingcreatedbythehandsandmindofmanwhichdidnothaveitsfirstoriginintheImaginationofsomeone.ImaginationisthefirststepinCreationwhetherofworldsortrifles.Thementalpatternmustalwaysprecedethematerialform.AndsoitisintheCreationofDesire.BeforeyoucanCreateaDesireyoumusthaveaclearMentalImageofwhatyouneedtoDesire.

YouwillfindthatthistaskofcreatingaMentalImageisalittleharderthanyouhadexpectedatthestart.Youwillfindithardtoformevenafaintmentalpictureofthatwhichyouneed.Butbenotdiscouraged,andpersevere,forinthis,aseverythingelse.Practicemakesperfect.EachtimeyoutrytoformtheMentalImageitwillappearalittleclearerandmoredistinct,andthedetailswillcomeintoalittlemoreprominence.Donottireyourselfatfirst,butlayasidethetaskuntillaterintheday,ortomorrow.Butpracticeandpersevereandyouneed,justasclearlyasamemorypictureofsomethingyouhavealreadyseen.WeshallhavemoretosayonthissubjectofMentalImageryandImaginationinsubsequentlessons.

Then,afterhavingacquiredtheclearMentalImageofthethingsyouwishtoDesire,andthusattain,cultivatethefocusingoftheAttentionuponthesethings.Thewordattentionisderived


fromtheLatinwordAttendere,meaningtostretchforth,theoriginalideabeingthatinAttentionthemindwasstretchedforth,orextendedtowardtheobjectofattention,andthisisthecorrectideaforthatisthewaythemindoperatesinthematter.Keeptheideasbeforeyourattentionasmuchaspossible,sothatthemindmaytakeafirmgraspuponthem,andmakethemapartofitselfbydoingthisyoufirmlyimpresstheideasuponthewaxtabletofthemind.

Thushavingfixedtheideaclearlyinyourmind,bymeansoftheImaginationandAttention,untilaswehavesaid,itbecomesafixturethere,begintocultivateanardentDESIRE,LONGING,CRAVINGDEMANDforthematerializationofthethings.DemandthatyougrowthequalitiesnecessaryforthetaskdemandthatyourmentalpicturesmaterializeDemandthatthedetailsbemanifestedaswellastheWhole,makingallowanceforthesomethingbetterwhichwillsurelyarisetotaketheplaceoftheoriginaldetails,asyouproceedtheInnerConsciousnesswillattendtothesethingsforyou.

ThenDesirefirmly,confident,andearnestly.BenothalfheartedinyourdemandsanddesiresclaimanddemandtheWHOLETHING,andfeelconfidentthatitwillworkoutintomaterialobjectivityandreality.Thinkofit,dreamofit,andalwaysLONGforityoumustlearntowantittheworstwaylearntowantithardenough.Youcanattainandobtainmanythingsbywantingthemhardenoughthetroubleiswithmostofusthatwedonotwantthingshardenoughwemistakevaguecravingsandwishedforearnest,longing,demandingDesireandWant.GettoDesireandDemandtheThingjustasyoudemandandDesireyourdailymeals.Thatiswantingittheworstway.Thisismerelyahintsurelyyoucansupplytherest,ifyouareinearnest,andwanttohardenough.


TheLawofAttraction

ThereisinNatureagreatLawtheLawofAttractionbytheoperationsofwhichallthingsfromatomstomenareattractedtowardeachotherinthedegreeofthecommonaffinityofcommonuse.ThereverseofthislawwhichismerelyanothermanifestationofitspoweriswhatiscalledRepulsion,whichisbuttheotherpoleofAttraction,andbytheoperationsofwhichthingstendtorepeleachotherinthedegreethattheyareunlike,opposing,andofnousetoeachother.TheLawofAttractionisUniversal,onalltheplanesoflife,fromthephysicaltothespiritual.Itsoperationsareuniformandconstant,andwemaytakethephenomenaofoneplaneandtherebystudythephenomenaofanotherplane,forthesameruleappliesineachcasethesameLawisinoperationinthesameway.

Beginningwiththetinycorpuscles,electrons,orions,ofwhichtheatomsareformed,wefindmanifestedtheLawofAttractioncertainelectronsattracteachother,andrepelothersstill,therebycausingtospringintoexistinggroups,combinationsandcoloniesofelectronswhichbeinginagreementandharmonymanifestandconstitutewhatarecalledatoms,whichuntilrecentlyweresupposedtobetheprimalformofmatter.Passingontheatomsthemselves,wefindmanydegreesofaffinityandattractionexistingbetweenthemwhichcausethemtocombineandformintomoleculesofwhichallmassesofmatterconsists.Forinstance,everydropofwateriscomposedofcountlessmoleculesofwater.AndeachmoleculeiscomposedoftwoatomsofHydrogenandoneatomofOxygenthecombinationalwaysbeingthesameineverymoleculeofwater.Now,whytheseatomscombineinjustthiswaythesameinvariablegroupingandproportion?Notbychance,surely,forthereisnosuchthinginNaturethereisanaturallawbackofeveryphenomenon.AndinthiscaseitistheLawofAttractionmanifestinginthecaseoftheseatoms.AnditissoinallchemicalcombinationsitiscalledChemicalAffinity.Sometimesanattachedatomwillcomeincontactwith,orinproximityto,anotheratom,andthenbanggoestheexplosionofthemoleculeastheatomfliesawayfromitspartnersandintothearmsoftheotheratomforwhichithasagreateraffinity.Therearemarriagesanddivorcesintheworldofatoms,youwillnotice.Andinthecasesofthemolecules,itisfoundthatcertainmoleculesareattractedtoothersofthesamekind,underwhatiscalledCohesion,andthusmassesofmatterarecomposed.Apieceofgold,silver,tin,glass,orotherformofmatteriscomposedofcountlessmoleculesheldtogethertightlybyCohesionandthisCohesionismerelyanotherformoftheLawofAttractionthesamethatdrawsallthingstogether.And,underlyingtheLawofAttractionistobefoundouroldPrincipleofDesireandWill.YoumayshrugyourshouldersatthismentionofdesireandWillinconnectionwithelectrons,atoms,moleculesallformsofmatter,butjustwaitabitandseewhattheleadingscientificauthoritieshavetosayonthesubject.


Prof.Hakel,oneoftheworldsgreatestscientistsamaterialistwhowouldsneerattheteachingsofMentalScienceeventhisman,naturallyprejudicedagainstmentalisttheories,findshimselfcompelledtosay:Theideaofchemicalaffinityconsistsinthefactthatthevariouschemicalelementsperceivethequalitativedifferencesinotherelementsexperiencepleasureofrevulsionatcontactwiththem,andexecutespecificmovementsonthisground.HealsopositivelyanddistinctlystatesthatintheatomstheremustbesomethingcorrespondingtoDesireforcontactandassociationwithotheratoms,andWilltoenabletheatomtorespondtotheDesireLawisconstantthroughoutNature,fromatomtomanphysical,mentalandspiritual.

ButwhathasallthistodowiththeSecretofSuccessyoumayask?Simply,thattheLawofAttractionisanimportantpartintheSecretofSuccess,inasmuchasittendstobringtousthethings,personsandcircumstancesinaccordancewithourearnestDesire,Demand,andWill,justasitbringstogethertheatomsandotherparticlesofmatter.MakeyourselfanatomofLivingDesireandyouwillattracttoyourselftheperson,thingsandcircumstancesfittinginwiththeaccomplishmentofyourDesire.Youwillalsogetintorapportwiththosewhoareworkingalongthesamelinesofthought,andwillbeattractedthemandtheytoyou,andyouwillbebroughtintorelationswithpersons,thingsandenvironmentslikelytoworkouttheproblemofyourDesiresyouwillgetnexttotherightpersonsandthingsallbytheoperationofthisgreatnaturalLawofAttraction.NoNecromancyorMagicaboutitatallnothingsupernaturalormysteriousjusttheoperationsofagreatNaturalLaw.

YoucandolittlebyyourselfinLife,beyoueversostrongandable.Lifeisacomplexthing,andindividualsareinterdependentuponeachotherforthedoingsofthings.OneIndividual,segregatedfromalltheotherIndividuals,couldaccomplishlittleornothingalongthelinesofouteractivity.Hemustformcombinations,arrangements,harmoniesandagreementswithothers,andinaccordancewithenvironmentsandthings,thatis,hemustcreateandusetheproperenvironmentsandthings,anddrawtohimselfotherswithwhomhemustformcombinations,inordertodothings.Andthesepersons,thingsandenvironmentscometohimandhetothembyreasonofthisgreatLawofAttraction.AndthewayhesetsintooperationthisgreatLawofAttractionisbytheoperationofhisDesire,andalongthelinesofMentalImagery.Doyouseetheconnectionnow?Sobecarefultoform,cultivateandmanifesttherightDesiresholdtothemfirmly,stronglyandconstantly,andyouwillsetintooperationthisgreatLaw,whichformsanimportantpartoftheSecretofSuccess.

DesireForceisthemotivepowerleadingtheactivitiesofLife.Itisthebasicvitalpower,whichanimatesthemindsoflivingthingsandurgesthemforthtoaction.WithoutstrongDesirenooneaccomplishesanythingworthyofthenameandthegreaterthedesirethegreaterwillbetheamountofenergygeneratedandmanifested,everythingelsebeingequal.Thatistosay,thatgivenadozenmenofequalintellect,physicalhealthandmentalactivityequalineverythingelseexceptDesire,inshort,theonesinwhomthegreatestDesireresidesandis


manifestedwilloutstriptheothersinattainmentandofthesewinnerstheoneinwhoDesireburnslikeanunquenchableflamewillbetheonewhowillMastertheothersbytheforceofhisprimitiveelementarypower.

NotonlydoesDesiregivetothemanthatinwardmotivewhichleadstotheenfoldmentofthepowerwithinhimself,butitdoesmorethanthis;itcausestoradiatefromhimthefinerandmoresubtlementalandvitalforcesofhisnature,which,flowingforthinalldirectionslikethemagneticwavesfromthemagnet,ortheelectricwavesfromthedynamo,influencingallwhocomewithinthefieldofforce.DesireForceisareal,active,effectiveforceofNature,andservestoattract,drawandbringtoacenterthatwhichisinlinewiththenatureoftheDesire.ThemuchtalkedofLawofAttraction,ofwhichsomuchisheardinMentalScienceandtheNewThought,dependslargelyupontheforceandpowerofDesire.DesireForceisatthecenteroftheLawofAttraction.ThereisatendencyinNaturetoattractanddrawtothecenterofaDesirethethings,whichareneededtofulfillthatDesire.Onesownwillcometohimbyreasonofhisnaturalforce,whichliesbehindandunderneaththeentirephenomenaofMentalInfluence.Thisbeingso,doesitnotbecomeatonceapparentwhyonewhowishestoaccomplishanythingshouldbesuretocreateastrongDesireforit,andatthesametimebesuretoacquiretheartofVisualizationsoastoformaclearMentalPictureofthethingDesiredaclearmoldinwhichthematerializedrealitymaymanifest?

Haveyouevercomeincontactwithanyofthegreatmenofmodernbusinesslife?Ifyouhaveseenthesepeopleinaction,youwillhavebecomeconsciousofasubtle,mysterioussomethingaboutthemasomethingthatyoucouldactuallyfeelasomethingthatseemedtodrawyoutofitintotheirschemes,planes,anddesiresalmostbyanirresistibleforce.ThesepeopleareallpeopleofthestrongestkindofDesiretheirDesireForcemanifestsstronglyandaffectsthosewithwhomtheycomeincontact.Notonlythis,buttheirDesireForceflowsfromthemingreatwaves,whichoccultistsinformussoonmanifestsacircular,orwhirlpoollikemotion,swingaroundandaroundthecenteroftheDesirethesemenbecomeactualcyclonesofDesireintowhichnearlyeverythingthatcomeswithinitssweepisaffectedandsweptintothevortex.Havewenotevidencesofthisinthecasesofallthegreatleadersofmencanwenotseetheoperationofthatmightylawofattractionwhichbringstothemtheirown?WeareapttocallthisWillPower,andsoitisinaway,backandundertheWillinsuchcasesistobefoundtheardent,burningDesirethatisthemotiveforceoftheattractivepower.

ThisDesireForceisaprimitive,elementalthing.Itisfoundintheanimalkingdom,andamongthelowerracesofmen,perhapsmoreclearlythanamongthehighertypesofmen,butonlybecauseinsuchinstancesitisseenstrippedofthecovering,sheaths,disguisesandmasksthatsurroundthemorecivilizedformsandplanesoflife.Butrememberthiswell,thesameprincipleismanifestedunderandbeneaththepolishedveneerofcivilizedlifetheDesireForceoftheculturedleaderofmenisaselementalasthatanimatingthefierceandshaggycavemanorthewildBerserkerwho,nakedandhalfmad,rusheduponoverwhelminghordesofhisenemy,


brushingthemasidelikefliesthatis,ifyouwillbutlookbeneaththepolishedsurface.IntheoldwilddaysDesiremanifesteditsforceonthephysicalplanenowitmanifestsontheMentalPlanethatistheonlydifference,theForceisthesameinbothcases.

Whilewewrite,therehasjustbeenproducedonstageanewplaythatillustratesthisprinciple.Theheroine,thedaughterofanoldNewYorkfamilyofhighsocialstandingandwealth,hasadreamofherlifeinaformerincarnation,inwhichsheseesherselftornfromthearmsofhercavedwellerfatherbythemightyarmsofafiercesavagechief,whosedesireismanifestedthroughthephysical.Sheawakensfromherdream,andtoherhorrorsoondiscoversthefaceofherdreamcaptoronamanwhocomesintoherfatherslifeinNewYork.ThismancomesfromtheWest,forceful,resourcefulanddesirous,beatingdownallbeforehiminthegameoffinance.Asofold,heplaceshisfootnotontheneckofhisenemiesbutonthementalplane,thistime,insteadofthephysical.ThesameoldDesireforpowerisstrongwithinhimthesameoldmasterfulnessmanifestsitself.Thismansays:Ihaveneverquit;Ihaveneverbeenafraid.ThesameoldDesirethenflamedupinthesavagenowmanifestsintheMasterofWallStreet,andbetweentheforceofitsAttractionandthecoupledandalliedforceofhisWill,herepeatstheperformancesofhispreviousincarnationbutontheplaneofmentalforcesandachievementthistimemind,notmuscle,beingtheinstrumentthroughwhichtheDesiremanifests.

WegivetheaboveexamplemerelyasanillustrationofthefactthatDesireisthemotivatingforcethatmovestheWillintoaction,andwhichcausethevariedactivityoflife,menandthings.DesireForceisarealpowerinlife,andinfluencesnotonlytracts,influencesandcompelsotherpersonsandthingstoswingintowardthecenteroftheDesiresendingforththecurrents.IntheSecretofSuccess,Desireplaysaprominentpart.WithoutaDesireforSuccess,thereisnoSuccess,none.TheLawofAttractionissetintomotionbyDesire.ThemajorityoftheprinciplesadvancedinthisbookhavebeeninthenatureofPositiveinjunctionsthatis,youhavebeenurgedtodocertainthingsratherthantonotdotheoppositeorcontrary.Butherewecometoaplaceinwhichtheadvicemustbegivenalongthenegativelineswemusturgeyounottodoacertainthing.WealludetothatgreatpoisonofthemindandWillknownasFear.Wedonotalludetophysicalfearimportantthoughphysicalcouragemaybe,andasregrettableasphysicalcowardicemaybeconsidered,stillitisnotapartofthepurposeofthisbooktopreachagainstthelatterandadviseacultivationoftheformerqualityyouwillfindmuchofthatelsewhere.Ourpurposehereistocombatthatsubtle,insidiousenemyoftrueSelfExpressionwhichappearsintheshapeandguiseofmentalfear,forebodingswhichmaybeconsideredasNegativeThoughtjustastheotherprinciplesmentionedinthisworkmaybeconsideredasPositiveThought.

FearthoughtsisthatconditionofthemindinwhicheverythingisseenthroughblueglassesinwhicheverythingseemstobringasenseofthefutilityofendeavortheICantprincipleofmentality,ascontrastedwiththeICanandIWillmentalattitude.Itisthenoxiousweedin


thementalgarden,whichtendstokillthevaluableplantstobefoundtherein.ItistheflyintheointmentthespiderinthecupoftheWineofLife.SofarasweknowthefirstpersontousethewordFearThoughtwhichhasnowpassedintocommonusewasHoraceFletcher,thewellknownwriter,whocoinedittosupplanttheuseofthewordWorryinacertainsense.HehadpointedoutthatAngerandWorrywerethetwogreathindrancestoawellbalanced,advancedandprogressivementality,butmanymisunderstoodhimandurgedthattoabolishWorrymeanttoceasetakinganyconsiderationofthemorrowalackofcommonprudenceandforethought.AndsoFletchercoinedthewordFearThoughttoexpressaphaseofhisideaofForethoughtwithoutWorry,andheentitledhissecondbookonthesubject,Happiness,asfoundinForethoughtminusFearThought,averyhappyexpressionofaveryhappyidea.FletcheralsowasthefirsttoadvancetheideathatFearwasnotathinginitself,butmerelyanexpressionofFearThoughtamanifestationofthestateofmindknownasFearThought.Heandotherswhohavewrittenonthesubject,havetaughtthatFearmightbeabolishedbythepracticeofabolishingFearThoughtfromthemindbydrivingitoutofthementalchamberandthebestteachershavetaughtthatthebestwaytodriveoutFear(oranyotherundesirablementalstate)wasbycultivatingthethoughtoftheoppositequalityofmindbycompellingthemindtodwelluponthementalpictureofthedesirablequality,andbytheappropriateautosuggestions.Theillustrationhasoftenbeenstatedthatthewaytodrivedarknessfromaroomisnottoshovelitout,buttothrowopentheshuttersandletthesunlightstreamin,andthatisthebestwaytoneutralizeFearThought.

Thementalprocesshasaptlybeenspokenofasvibrations,afigurethathasafullwarrantinmodernscience.Then,byraisingthevibrationtothePositivepitch,thenegativevibrationsmaybecounteracted.Bycultivatingthequalitiesrecommendedintheotherlessonsofthisbook.FearThoughtmaybeneutralized.ThepoisonofFearThoughtisinsidiousandsubtle,butitslowlycreepsthroughtheveinsuntilitparalyzesallusefuleffortsandaction,untiltheheartandbrainareaffectedandfinditdifficulttothrowitoff.FearThoughtisatthebottomofthemajorityoffailuresandgoingdowninlife.Aslongasamankeepshisnerveandconfidenceinhimself,heisabletorisetohisfeetaftereachstumble,andfacetheenemyresolutelybutlethimfeeltheeffectsofFearThoughttosuchanextentthathecannotthrowitoffandhewillfailtoriseandwillperishmiserable.ThereisnothingtofearexceptFear,haswellbeensaid.

WehavespokenelsewhereabouttheLawofAttraction,whichoperatesinthedirectionofattractingtous,thatwhichweDesire.Butthereisareversesidetothisitisapoorrulethatwillnotworkbothways.FearwillsetintomotiontheLawofAttractionjustaswellasDesire.JustasDesiredrawstoonethethingshepicturesinhismindastheDesiredThing,sowillFeardrawtohimthethingpicturedinhismindastheThingFeared.ThethingthatIfearedhathbefallenme.Andthereasonisverysimple,andtheapparentcontradictionvanisheswhenweexaminethematter.WhatisthepatternuponwhichtheLawofAttractionbuildsundertheforceofDesire?TheMentalImage,ofcourse.AndsoitisinthecaseofFearthepersoncarriesabouttheMentalImageorhauntingpictureoftheFearedThing,andtheLawof


AttractionbringsittohimjustasitbringstheDesiredThing.DidyoueverstoptothingthatFearwasthenegativepoleofDesire?Thesamelawsworkinbothcases.

SoavoidFearThoughtasyouwouldthepoisonousdraughtthatyouknowwouldcauseyourbloodtobecomeblackandthick,andyourbreathinglaboredanddifficult.Itisavilething,andyoushouldnotrestcontentuntilyouhaveexpelleditfromyourmentalsystem.YoucangetridofitbyDesireandWill,coupledwiththeholdingoftheMentalImageofFearlessness.Driveitupbycultivatingitsopposite.Changeyourpolarity.Raiseyourmentalvibrations.Someonehassaid,ThereisnoDevilbutFearthensendthatDevilbacktotheplacewhereheproperlybelongs,forifyouentertainhimhospitablyhewillmakeyourheavenahellinorderthathemayfeelathome.UsethementalBigStickonhim.


PersonalMagnetism

WehearmuchaboutPersonalMagnetismthesedays.Itisapeculiarqualityofthementalbeingoftheindividualthatservestobringotherpersonsintoamoodorstateofmindsympatheticwiththatofthemagneticperson.Somemenhavethisqualitydevelopedtoawonderfulextent,andareabletobringaboutaharmoniousagreementonthepartofotherpersonsinashorttime,whileothersarealmostentirelydeficientinthisrespectandtheirverypresencetendstoarouseantagonisminthemindsofothers.ThemajorityofpeopleaccepttheideaofPersonalMagnetismwithoutquestion,butfewwillagreeuponanytheoryattemptingtoaccountforit.Thosewhohavestudiedthemattercarefullyknowthatthewholethingdependsuponthementalstatesoftheindividual,anduponhisabilitytocauseotherstocatchhismentalvibrations.ThiscatchingiscausedbywhatisknownasMentalInduction.Induction,youknow,isthatpropertyorquality,orprocessbywhichonebodyhavingelectricalormagneticpolarityproducesitinanotherwithoutdirectcontact.AndMentalInductionisamanifestationofsimilarphenomenaonthementalplane.Peoplesmentalstatesarecatchingorcontagious,andifoneinfusesenoughlifeandenthusiasmintohismentalstatestheywillaffectthemindsofpersonswithwhomtheycomeincontact.Wehaveexplainedthismatterindetailinthelittlebookofthisseriesentitled,MentalInfluence.

ItseemstousthattheprimefactorinsuccessfulMentalInduction,ormanifestationsofPersonalMagnetism,isEnthusiasm.InanotherlessoninthisbookwehavetoldyouaboutEnthusiasm,andwhenyouthinkofPersonalMagnetism,itwillbewellforyoutoreadwhatwehavesaidaboutEnthusiasmalso.EnthusiasmgivesEarnestnesstotheperson,andthereisnomentalstatesoeffectiveasEarnestness.Earnestnessmakesitselffeltstrongly,andwilloftenmakeapersongiveyouattentioninspiteofhimself.WalterD.Moody,awellknownwriteronthesubjectofSalesmanship,says,truthfully,Itwillbefoundthatallmenpossessedofpersonalmagnetismareverymuchinearnest.Theirintenseearnestnessismagnetic.Andnearlyeverystudentofthesubjecthasnotedthisfact.Buttheearnestnessmustbemorethatafirm,confident,honestbeliefinthethingbeingpresentedtotehattentionoftheotherperson.Itmustbealive,contagiousearnestness,whichcanbestbedescribedasEnthusiasmEnthusiasticEarnestness,thatstheterm.

ThisEnthusiasticEarnestnesshasmuchemotioninititappealstotheEmotionalsideofhumannature,ratherthattotheThinkingReasoningside.Andyetanargumentbaseduponreasonandconducteduponlogicalprinciples,maybepresentedwithEnthusiasticEarnestnesswithmuchgreatereffectthaniftheappealtothereasonisconductedinacold,unemotionalway.Theaveragepersonissoconstitutedmentallythathethawsoutunderamanifestationoflive,enthusiasticfeeling,underthetermofPersonalMagnetism.Thefeelingsideof


mentalityisasimportantasthethinkingsideanditisfarmorecommonanduniversal,forthemajorityofpeoplereallythinkverylittle,whileeveryonefeels.

Awriterintheearlyseventiesofthelastcenturysaid:Allofusemitasphere,aura,orhalo,impregnatedwiththeveryessenceofourselves;sensitiveknowsit;sodoourdogsandotherpets;sodoesahungrylionortiger;aye,evenflies,snakesandtheinsects,asweknowtoourcost.Someofusaremagneticothersnot.Someofusarewarm,attractive,loveinspiringandfriendshipmaking,whileothersarecold,intellectual,thoughtful,reasoning,butnotmagnetic.Letalearnedmanofthelattertypeaddressanaudienceanditwillsoontireofhisintellectualdiscourse,andwillmanifestsymptomsofdrowsiness.Hetalksatthem,butnotintothemhemakesthemthink,notfeel,whichismosttiresometothemajorityofpersons,andfewspeakerssucceedwhoattempttomerelymakepeoplethinktheywanttobemadetofeel.Peoplewillpayliberallytobemadetofeelorlaugh,whiletheywillbegrudgeadimeforinstructionortalkthatwillmakethemthink.Pittedagainstalearnedmanofthetypementionedabove,lettherebeahalfeducated,butveryloving,ripeandmellowman,withbutninetenthsofthelogicanderuditionofthefirstman,yetsuchamancarriesalonghiscrowdwithperfectease,andeverybodyiswideawake,treasuringupeverygoodthingthatfallsfromhislips.Thereasonsarepalpableandplain.Itisheartagainsthead;soulagainstlogic;andisboundtowineverytime.

Ifyouwillnoticethemanandwomanwhoareconsideredthemostmagnetic,youwillfindthatalmostinvariablytheyarepeoplewhohavewhatiscalledsoulaboutthemthatis,theymanifestandinducefeeling,oremotion.Theymanifesttraitsofcharacterandnaturesimilartothatmanifestedbyactorsandactresses.Theythrowoutapartofthemselves,whichseemstoaffectthosecomingincontactwiththem.Noticeanonmagneticactor,andyouwillseethatalthoughhemaybeletterperfectinhispart,andmayhaveacquiredthepropermannerisms,gesturesandothertechnicalpartsofhisart,stillhelacksacertainsomething,andthatsomethingmaybeseentobetheabilitytocommunicatefeeling.Now,thosewhoareinthesecretknowfullwellthatmanyofthesuccessfulactors,whoseemtoburnwithpassion,feelingandemotiononthestage,reallyfeelbutlittleofthesequalitieswhileactingtheyarelikephonographs,givingoffsoundsthathavebeenregisteredinthem.Butifyouwillinvestigatestillfurther,youwillseethatinstudyingtheirpartsandpracticingthesameprivately,thesepeopleinducedastimulatedemotion,suchasthepartcalledfor,andhelditfirmlyintheirminds,accompanyingitwiththeappropriategestures,etc.,untilitbecamefirmlysetthereimpresseduponthetabletsofthementalityastherecordofaphonographislikewiseimpresseduponthewax.Then,whenafterwardtheyplayedthepart,theoutwardsemblanceofthefeelings,withthemotions,gestures,emphasis,etc.,reproduceditselfandimpressedtheaudience.Itissaidthatifanactorallowshimselftobeactuallycarriedawaywithhispartsothathefeelsthesamekeenly,theresultwillnotbeadvantageous,forheisovercomewiththefeelinganditseffectisuponhimselfratherthanuponhisaudience.Thebestresultissaidtobe


obtainedwhenonehasfirstexperiencedandfelttheemotion,andthenafterwardreproducesitinthemannerabovestated,withoutallowingittocontrolhim.

WementiontheabovefactsfortheuseofthosewhodonotnaturallypossessthefacultyorqualityofPersonalmagnetismtotherequireddegree.SuchpeoplewillfindittotheiradvantagetoendeavortoworkupthedesiredfeelingofEnthusiasticEarnestness,inprivate,fixingthementalimpressionbyfrequentprivaterehearsalsandpractice,untilitbecomesregisteredintheirhabitmind,tobereproduceduponoccasionswhenneeded.Beagoodactorthatistheadviceinsuchcases;andrememberthis,thatfrequentpracticeandprivaterehearsalmakesthegoodactor.Itisafarbetterthingtobeabletoinducefeelingandenthusiasminthisway,ratherthanbelackingofit,ontheonehand;ortobeanemotionalinebriateontheotherhand.OnemayberationallyEnthusiasticallyEarnest,withoutbeingfilledfullofslushygushormaudlinemotionalism.Wethinkthatthecarefulstudentwillseejustwhatismeanthere,andwillnotmisunderstandus.Andremember,thatthroughthisrepeatedactingthedesiredqualitywilloftenbecomerealandnatural.


AttractivePersonality

WehaveexplainedinourlessononIndividualitythatwhatisknown,asthePersonalitywasnottherealIoftheIndividual,butthatinsteaditformedtheMepartofoneselftheoutwardappearanceoftheIndividual.Aswehavetoldyou,thewordPersonalityreallymeansthemaskaspectoftheIndividual,theoutwardappearanceofthepartinthegreatdramaoflifethatheisplaying.Andjustastheactormaychangehismaskandcostume,somaytheIndividualchange,alterandreplacehisPersonalitybyotherfeaturesfounddesirable.

Butnevertheless,whilethePersonalityisnottherealI,itplaysanimportantpartinthedramaoflife,particularlyastheaudiencepaysmoreattentiontothePersonality,asarule,thanitdoestotherealIndividualbehindthemask.AndsoitisproperthateveryIndividualshouldcultivateandacquireaPersonalitythatwillproveattractivetohisaudience,andrenderhimacceptabletothem.No,wearenotpreachingdeceptionweregardIndividualityastheRealSelf,andbelievethatoneshouldbuildhimselfuptohishighestandbestaccordingtothelawsofIndividualUnfoldmentbut,nevertheless,solongasonemustwearaPersonalityabouthimashegoesthroughlife,webelievethatitisnotonlytohisadvantage,butisalsohisdutytomakethatPersonalityaspleasingandattractiveasheisableto.Youknowthatnomatterhowgood,intelligentandhighmindedamanmaybe,ifhewearsthemaskofanunattractiveandunpleasantPersonalityheisplacedatadisadvantage,anddrivesawaypeoplewhomhemightbenefitandwhowouldbegladtolovehimiftheycouldseebehindhisunattractivemask.

Norarewespeakingofonespersonalphysicalappearancewhenwespeakofunattractiveandattractivemasks.Whileonesphysicalappearancegoesagoodwayinsomecases,thereisacharmofPersonalitythatfartranscendsthatfleetingappearance.Therearemanypersonshavingbeautifulfacesandformswhosepersonalityisfarfromcharming,andwhorepelratherthanattract.Andthereareotherswhosefacesarehomelyandwhoseformsarefarfromshapely,whohave,nevertheless,thatwinningwayaboutthemthatattractsotherstothem.Therearepeoplewhomwearealwaysgladtosee,andwhosecharmofmannermakesusforgetthattheyarenotbeautiful,infact,eventheirhomelyfacesseemtobecometransfiguredwhenweareintheirpresence.ThatiswhatwemeantbyPersonality,inthesamewayinwhichwearenowusingit.ItbearsaverycloserelationshiptoPersonalMagnetism,ofwhichwespokeofinourprecedinglesson.

OneofthefirstthingsthatshouldbecultivatedbythosewishingtodeveloptheCharmofPersonalityisamentalatmosphereofCheerfulness.ThereisnothingsoinvigoratingaspresenceofacheerfulpersonnothingsodispiritingasoneofthoseHumanWetBlanketsthatcastachillovereveryoneandeverythingwithwhomtheycomeincontact.ThinkofyouracquaintancesandyouwillfindthatyouwillnaturallyplacethemintwoclassestheCheerful


onesandtheGloomyones.SunnyJimisalwayspreferredtoGloomyGustheoneyouwillwelcome,andtheotheryouwillflyfrom.TheJapaneseunderstandthislawofPersonality,andoneofthefirstthingsthattheyteachtheirchildrenistopreserveacheerful,sunnyexterior,nomatteriftheirheartsarebreaking.Withthemitisconsideredoneofthemostflagrantoffensesagainstgoodformtocarrytheirsorrows,griefandpainintothepresenceofothers.Theyreservethatsideoftheirlifefortheprivacyoftheirownchambertotheoutsideworldtheypresentalwaysahappy,sunnysmile.Andinthistheyarewise,foranumberofreasons(1)thattheymayinduceamorebuoyantandpositivestateofmindinthemselves;(2)thattheymayattractcheerfulpersonsandthingstothembytheLawofAttraction;and(3)thattheymaypresentanattractivePersonalitytoothers,andtherebybewelcomeandcongenialassociatesandparticipantsintheworkoflife.ThereislittlewelcomeorhelpfortheGloomyGustribeineverydaybusinesslifetheyareavoidedasapestilenceeveryonehastroublesenoughofhisownwithoutthoseofotherpeopleaddedthereto.

Remembertheoldlines:

Laughandtheworldlaughswithyou;Weepandyouweepalone.

Forthissadoldearthisinneedofmirth,Andhastroublesenoughofitsown

SocultivatetheSmilethatWontComeOff.ItisavaluableassetofPersonality.Notthesilly,idioticgrin,buttheSmilethatmeanssomethingtheRealThing.Andsuchasmilecomesfromwithin,andismorethatskindeep.IfyouwantaVerbalPatternuponwhichtomodelthementalstatethatwillproducethisoutwardappearanceofPersonality,hereitis:BRIGHT,CHEERFUL,ANDHAPPY.FRAMEITANDHANGitinaprominentplaceinyourMentalArtGallery.CommitittomemoryandVisualizeit,sothatyoumaybeabletoseeitbeforeyoulikeanilluminatedelectricsignBRIGHT,CHEERFULANDHAPPYthenendeavortomaterializetheideaintorealitywithinyourmind.Thinkitoutactitoutanditwillbecomerealtoyou.ThenwillyouhaveSomethingWorthwhileintheshapeofPersonality?Thismayseemsimpleandchildishtoyoubutifyouwillworkitoutintoactuality,itwillbeworththousandsofdollarstoyou,nomatterwhatwalkoflifeyoumaybein.

AnothervaluablebitofPersonalityisthatofSelfRespect.IfyouhaverealSelfRespectitwillmanifestitselfinyouroutwarddemeanorandappearance.Ifyoudonthaveit,youhadbetterstartinandcultivatetheappearanceofSelfRespect,andthenRememberthatyouareaMAN,oraWOMAN,asthecasemaybe,andnotapoor,crawlingWormontheDustofaHumanDoorMat.Facetheworldfirmlyandfearlessly,keepingyoureyeswelltothefront.HOLDUPYOURHEAD!Thereisnothinglikeastiffbackboneandaraisedheadformeetingtheworld.Themanwithbentheadseemstoapologizeforlivingandbeingontheearthandtheworldisapttotakesuchattheirownvaluation.AnerectheadenablesonetowalkpastthedragonsatthedoorofSuccess.Awritergivesthefollowinggoodadviceonthissubject:Holdyourearlobes


directlyoveryourshoulders,sothataplumblinehungfromtheearsdescribesthelineofyourbody.Besurealsonottocarrytheheadeithertotherightorleft,butvertical.Manymenmakethemistake,especiallywhilewaitingforacustomertofinishsomeimportantpieceofbusiness,ofleaningtheheadtotherightorleft.Thisindicatesweakness.Astudyofmendisclosesthefactthatthestrongmennevertiltthehead.Theirheadssitperfectlystraightonstrongnecks.Theirshoulders,heldeasily,yetfirmly,inposition,areinspiringintheirstrengthindicatingpoise.Everylineofthebody,inotherwords,denotesthethoughtofthebearer.ThevalueofthisadviceliesnotonlyinthefactthatitgivestoyoutheappearanceofSelfRespect(notriflingmatter,bytheway),butalsothatittendstocultivateacorrespondingmentalstatewithinyou.ForjustasThoughttakesforminAction,sodoActionsdevelopmentalstatesitisarulethatworksbothways.SothinkSelfRespectandactSelfRespect.LettheIAMwithinyoumanifestitself.DontcrawldontcringedontgrovelbutdobeaRealHumanBeing.AnotherbitofPersonalityworthcultivatingistheArtofTakinganInterestinOthers.Manypeoplegothroughtheworldsowrappedupintheirownaffairsthattheyconveytheimpressionofbeingapartandalooffromotherswithwhomtheycomeincontact.ThismentalstatemanifestsinamostunpleasantformofPersonality.Suchpeoplearenotonlyregardedascoldandlackingheartandsoul,buttheyalsogiveotherstheimpressionofselfishnessandhardness,andthepublicisapttoletsuchapersonalonetoleavehimtohisownselfishmoodsandmentalstates.Suchaoneneverbecomespopularneverbecomesagoodmixeramongmen.TakinganInterestinOthersisanartthatwellrepaysthestudentofSuccesstocultivateit.Ofcourseonemustalwayskeepthemainchancebeforehimandnotallowhisownintereststosufferbyreasonofhisinterestinothersthatgoeswithoutsaying,forunreasonablealtruismisjustasonesidedasundueselfishness.Butthereisamiddlecourse.Youwillfindsomethingofinterestineverypersonwithwhomyoucomeincontact,andifyouwillbutturnyourattentiontothatinterestitwillmanifestitselfinsuchawaythatthepersonwillbeconsciousofit,willappreciateit,andwillbegladtorespondbytakinganinterestinyou.Thisisnotdeceit,ortimeserving,orflatteryitistheLawofCompensationworkingonthementalplaneyougetwhatyougive.IfyouwillstopandthinkamomentyouwillfindthatthepeoplewhosePersonalityseemsthemostattractivetoyouarethepeoplewhoseemtoTakeanInterestinyourownpersonality.

ThisTakinganInterestinOthersmanifestsitselfinmanyways,oneofwhichisinmakingyouaGoodListener.Now,wedonotmeanthatyoushouldallowyourselftobemadeadumpinggroundforallthetalkofallthepeoplewithwhomyoucomeincontactifyoudothisyouwillhavetimefornothingelse.Youmustuseordinaryjudgmentandtactinregulatingthetimeyougivetoothers,dependinguponthepersonandtheparticularcircumstancesofthecase.WhatwedomeanisthatwhileyourelisteningyoushouldListenWell.ThereisnosubtlercomplimentthatonepersoncanpaytoanotherthanListeningWelltohimorher.ToListenWellistoListenwithInterest.Andthatissomethingthatcannotbeverywelltaughtinabook.Perhapsthebestwaytoexpresstheideaistosay,ListenasyouWouldbeListenedunto.The


GoldenRulemaybeappliedtomanythingsandideas,withbenefitandgoodresults.Themanwholistenswelliswellthoughtofbythosetowhomhelistens.InthisconnectionwearealwaysremindedoftheoldstoryofCarlyle,who,aseveryoneknows,wasreputedtobeacrusty,crabbyoldchap,pronetosarcasticremarksandbrusquetreatmentofthosewithwhomheengagedinconversation.ThetalegoesthatonedayamancalleduponCarlyleandthemanunderstoodtheArtofListeningWell.HesoturnedtheconversationsastogetCarlylestartedonasubjectdeartohisheartandthenhekeptquietandListenedWell.Carlyletalkedastraightstreakforseveralhours,andgrewquiteenthusiasticoverhistopic.Whenatlastthevisitorarosetodepart,hewasforcedtoactuallytearhimselfawayfromCarlyle,who,followinghimtothedoor,manifestedunusualenthusiasmandgoodspirits,andbiddinghimgoodbye,saidwarmly:Comeagain,moncomeagainandoftenyehaveawonderfullybrightmind,andIveenjoyedyourconversationverymuchindeedyeareamostdelightfulconversationalist.

Becarefulnottoborepeoplewithyourpersonalexperiencesbetterforgetyourpersonalselfintalkingtoothers,exceptwhenitisrighttothepointtobringyourselfin.Peopledonotwanttohearwhatawonderfulfellowyouaretheywanttotellyouwhatwonderfulpeopletheyare,whichisverymuchmorepleasanttothem.Dontretailyourwoes,norreciteyourmanypointsofexcellence.Donttellwhatawonderfulbabyyouhavetheotherpeoplehavebabiesoftheirowntothinkabout.Youmustendeavortotalkaboutthingsofinteresttotheotherperson,ifhewantstodothetalkinghimself.ForgetyourselfandTakeandInterestintheOtherPerson.

Someofthebestretailmerchantsimpressupontheirsalespeopletheadvantageofcultivatingthementalattitudeandpersonalitythatyouwillgivethecustomertheimpressionthatyouareonhissideofthecounterthatis,thatyouaretakingapersonalinterestinhisbeingwellserved,suited,welltreatedandsatisfied.Thesalesmanwhoisabletocreatethatimpressioniswelladvancedontheroadtosuccessinhisparticularline.Thisisadifficultthingtodescribe,butalittleobservationandthoughtandpracticealongthelineslaiddownintheprecedinglessonswilldomuchforyouinthisdirection.Arecentwritertruthfullysaysonthissubject:Suppose,forinstance,youareintradeoraprofession,andwishtoincreaseyourbusiness.Itwillnotdo,whenyousellgoodsorservices,tomakethemateramerelyperfunctorytransaction,takingthecustomersmoney,givinghimgoodvalueandlettinghimgoawayfeelingthatyouhavenointerestinthematterbeyondgivinghimafairdealandprofitingthereby.Unlesshefeelsthatyouhaveapersonalinterestinhimandhisneeds,andthatyouarehonestlydesiroustoincreasehiswelfare,youhavemadeafailureandarelosingground.Whenyoucanmakeeverycustomerfeelthatyouarereallytryingtoadvancehisinterestsaswellasyouown,yourbusinesswillgrow.Itisnotnecessarytogivepremiums,orheavierweights,orbettervaluesthanothersgivetoaccomplishthis;itisdonebyputtinglifeandinterestintoeverytransaction,howeversmall.Thiswriterhasstatedtheideaclearly,forciblyandtruthfully,andyouwilldowelltoheedhisadviceandtoputitintoactualpractice.


AnotherimportantpointinPersonalityisSelfControl,particularlyinthematterofKeepingyourTemper.Angerisamarkofweakness,notofstrength.Themanwholoseshistemperimmediatelyplaceshimselfatadisadvantage.Remembertheoldsaying:Thosewhomthegodswoulddestroy,theyfirstmakeangry.Undertheinfluenceofangeramandoesallsortsoffoolishthingsthatheafterwardsregrets.Hethrowsjudgment,experienceandcautiontothewinds,andactslikeacrazyman.Infact,angerisasortofmadnessaphaseofinsanityifyoudoubtthislookcarefullyatthefaceofthefirstangrymanyoumeetandseehowirrationalhelooksandacts.Itisawellknownfactthatifonekeepscoolwhilehisopponentisangry,hehasdecidedlythebestofthematterforheisasanemandealingwithanirrationalone.Itisthebetterpolicytoallowtheotherfellowtostewinhisownfatofanger,keepingcoolyourselfatthesametime.Itisacomparativelyeasymattertocooldownanangrymanwithoutbecomingangrywithyouandasittakestwotomakeaquarrel,thematterissoonover.Youwillfindthatacontroloftheoutwardexpressionwillgiveyoucontrolofyouinnermentalstate.Youwillfindthatifyouareabletocontrolyourvoice,keepingitcalm,steadyandlowpitched,youwillnotflyintoapassion,andmorethanthis,youwillfindbysodoingthatthevoiceoftheotherfellowwillgraduallycomedownfromitsloud,boisteroustones,andintheendbothofyouwillbepitchingyourvoicesinthesamekeyandyouhavesetthatkeynote.Thisisworthrememberingthiscontrolofthevoiceitisasecretwellworthknowingandpracticing.

Whileweareonthesubjectofvoice,wewouldliketocallyourattentiontoafurthercontrolofvoice,orratheracultivationofvoice.Amanhavingawellcontrolled,even,pleasantvoicehasanadvantageoverothershavingequalabilitiesinotherdirections,butlackingthatonequality.Thevalueofavibrant,resonant,softandflexiblevoiceisgreat.Ifyouhavesuchavoice,youareblessed.Ifyoulackit,whystarttoworkandcultivateit.Oh,yes,youcan!DidyoueverhearofNathanSheppard,thewellknownpublicspeaker?Thenlistentothesewordsofhis,tellingofhisnaturaldisadvantagesofvoice,andhowheovercamethemandbecameagreatspeaker.Hesays:WhenImadeupmymindtodevotemymindandbodytopublicspeaking,IwastoldbymyteachersandgovernorsthatIwouldcertainlyfail;thatmyarticulationwasafailure,anditwas;thatmyorgansofspeechwereinadequate,andtheywere;andthatifIwouldscrewupmylittlemouthitcouldbeputintomymothersthimble,anditcould.Stingingwordsthesecertainlywere,andcruelones.Ishallneverforgetthem;possibly,however,theystungmeintoapersistencythatIwouldhaveneverknownbutforthesewords.Atallevents,thatisthephilosophyoftheselfmadeworldofmankind.Imaynothaveaccomplishedmuch;Idonotclaimtohaveaccomplishedmuch.ItissomethingIhavemadealivingoutof,myartfortwentyyears,andthatIdoclaimtohavedoneinspiteofeveryobstacleandeverydiscouragement,byturningmywilluponmyvoiceandvocalorgans,bycultivatingmyelocutionaryinstinctsandmyearforthecadencesofrhetoric,byknowingwhatIandmyvoiceandmyfeelingswereabout,bymakingthemostofmyself.Afterthesewords,anythingthatwemightaddregardingthepossibilityofacquiringagoodvoicebywill,practiceanddesirewouldbesuperfluous.Pickoutthekindofvoicethatyouthinkbestadaptedtoyourwork,andthencultivateitbypractice,


determinationanddesire.IfMr.Sheppardcouldbecomeafamouspublicspeakerwithsuchobstaclesasthese,thenforyoutosaybutIcantistostampyouasaweakling.

Ithasbeensuggestedtousthatwehaveafewwordstosayregardingthecarriageorphysicalbearingoftheperson,asanimportantpartofPersonalityparticularlyinthephaseofWalking.Butwedonotthinkthatisnecessarytoaddtowhatwehavesaidinthislessonregardingthesubject,inconnectionwithwhatwehavealsosaidregardingthementalstateofSelfRespect.ThemainthingistocultivatetheMentalStateofSelfRespect,andtherestwillfollowasanaturalconsequence.ThoughttakesforminAction,andthemanwhohasSelfRespectimbeddedinhismindwillsurelysocarryanddemeanhimthathewillgiveevidenceofhismentalstateinhiseveryphysicalaction,gesture,carriageandmotion.Hemusthaveitwithin,aswellaswithout.Onemustpayattentiontotheexterioraspectofcourse,particularlyinthematterofdress.OneshouldcultivateCleanlinessa

secret of success by william walker atkinson

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