Howard, Vernon Linwood - Secrets Of Mental Magic _ How To Use Your Full Power Of Mind (1964, New Life Publication)
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S^Htreu'art 'TasF^Tfou can
perform feats of Mental Magic that will enable you to generate the full power of your subconscious mind and win for yourself all the good things in life.
Secrets
MENTAL
ftllwlw VOUR *8^ X V
By Vernon Howard •
i
•
i
Change and brighten both today and tomorrow Assure your own future Rid yourself of unnecessary responsibilities and burdens
Wipe
out loneliness, anxidepression
ety, fear, •
Attain the security you have always wanted
POWER OF MIND Yes! You will develop astonishing mental gifts which will serve you every day for the rest of your life! Gifts of
— Will-Power tion
.
.
.
.
Self
Habit-Breal
Worry-Cc Learning
.
and many,
I
m
.
(
.
Concen
Secrets of
Mental
Magic
Other Prentice-Hall Books by
VERNON HOWARD ACTION POWER: The New
Miracle
Way
to a Successful
Life
Your Magic Power
to
Persuade and
Command
Success Through the Magic of Personal Power
Time Power
for Personal Success
Peoyle
Secrets of
Mental Magic how full
to
use your
power of mind
Vernon Howard
PRENTICE-HALL. INC.
ENGLEWOOD
CLIFFS. N.J.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in
2012
http://archive.org/details/secretsofmentalmOOhowa
Secrets of
Mental
Magic
Other Prentice-Hall Books by
VERNON HOWARD ACTION POWER: The New
Miracle
Way
to a Successful
Life
Your Magic Power
to
Persuade and
Command
Success Through the Magic of Personal Power
Time Power
for Personal Success
People
Secrets of
Mental Magic how full
to
use your
power of mind
Vernon Howard
PRENTICE-HALL. INC.
ENGLEWOOD
CLIFFS. N.J,
©
1964,
by Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS ROOK MAY RE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM, EY MIMEOGRAPH OR ANY OTHER MEANS, WITHOUT PERMISSION IN WRITING FROM THE PUELISHER. Library of Congress Catalog Card
Number: 64-20292
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
79797-B&P
I
love
to
plunge into that realm of mystery,
giving a comprehension of the power of mind,
and accustom me
to
the
workings
of
mind.
— Honore
de Balzac
"Something Exciting Is
In a few moments of mental magic.
we
About to Happen!"
will explore together the marvelous
But before we
set out, I'd like to give
you
world
a glimpse
of the marvels just ahead. Let's begin with an anecdote from history:
SOMETHING EXCITING That was the
IS
ABOUT TO HAPPEN!
sign hanging on the wall of a gold miner's cabin.
Guided by an accurate map
of the area, he
had
traveled
on horseback
into the ranges to seek a long-lost gold mine.
He
had something
also
"something exciting
him reminded It
that
it
about to happen!" His sign on the wall kept
is
of that as
happened
the enthusiastic expectancy that
else:
he searched the mountains.
He
all right.
found the gold mine. History reveals
gave him a fabulous fortune.
You,
too,
can find the gold in your
own
life.
copy of Secrets of Mental Magic. You need only
Your map let it
is
your
guide you to
your personal fortunes.
Maybe you come
my
ask, "Exactly
way
You
will catch
of living. Based
we
psychology, •
Do
talk over
of benefits can
few forthcoming
Let's take a look at a •
what kind
I
expect to
way?"
your
first
exciting glimpse of an entirely
on findings of
call it
treasures:
new
both ancient wisdom and modern
your Magnificent Glimpse.
you ever wonder how
to solve
problems too personal
with others? Mental magic supplies solutions to such
to
diffi-
culties as loneliness, anxiety, fear, depression.
•
We
will read the fascinating story of a
famous around the world learn
how your own •
Ever
for his special
man who became
kind of magic.
You
will then
magical touch can give you overwhelming success.
feel that
you are carrying burdensome
responsibilities? [vii]
viii
Through
/ "something exciting
these scientific systems,
We
will take
you
will find yourself free— free to
nature intends.
live lightheartedly, as
•
about to happen!"
is
an adventurous journey
the mysterious Mayans.
Here we
will see
how
to the
tested
Sacred Well of
mental principles
supply appeal to the opposite sex, promote financial prosperity— whatever your target.
within us." That
• "Miracles are
author Honore de Balzac.
One
is
the declaration of French
of the miracles
you can expect
is
new
a
sense of lasting security. • Like to predict a dazzling future for yourself?
Through
accurate secrets of mental magic, you can do just that— then
and watch them come
A
sit
the
back
true!
business acquaintance told me, "I'm very
much
interested in
your forthcoming book, Secrets of Mental Magic. In a single sentence,
how would you "The book
describe it?" is
a system for winning."
For winning whatever you want and need.
why we
now confidently explore together ous world of mental magic. You can enthusiastically expect That
is
thing exciting
is
can
the marvelthat "some-
about to happen!"
Something wealthy.
Vernon Howard
Contents
I.
The Exciting Truth About Your Mind ... Your mind can predict your about
thoughts
new
How
yourself
Practical
Try
world
The
enough
turning
rebel
to
Some
The
point
Trojan
The man with
the blue paint
Your mind
is
the
best
way
is
horse
Be mentally receptive
wealthy
way
secret
Your
Ten Great Secrets of Mental Magic ... 2.
believe
mind
Your
experiment
Your magnificent glimpse
II.
a
Relaxing news
magic! this
What
future!
be
to
1
is
4.
1.
Every
fascinating!
man 3.
is
16
mentally
Your own
Your mind can change you [ix]
X / CONTENTS
II.
Ten Great Secrets of Mental Magic {com.) 5.
Thoughts can command circumstances
powers are 8.
III.
You
The
definite guidances
9.
Mental magic
exciting!
10.
liberty
7.
limitless
You have
6.
Your mental
can choose your thoughts
is
mental
secret of
Your Power of Self-Confidence Your mind
A
definition
words
four
How
to
The
achieve
single
The
banish
of
Exciting
hit
Success!
story
confidence
thought!
to
The song
courage
of
Norman's
more
greatest
How
crown
king's
secret
self-doubt
Your
The
free
is
31
L.
].
Kraft
Your
ideas
natural confidence
IV.
Freedom from Tiring Responsibility Why sets
How
you
Attend
power
free
to
Betty
made
The
Make
truth
Your
The
Love and self-growth
to love
The
ing the other sex
The
fortune hunters
most important thing! tal
magician
What
is
love?
ad-
Your genuine welfare
Mental Magic Wins the Opposite Sex ... Freedom
that
pleasure
a
it
The magic kingdom Eleven magic words
of self-interest
45
.
your responsibilities
progress
Your only duty
what you want
venture of Ulysses
V.
What
you should be defiant
are not
.
An
Understand-
Good
secret of attraction
Love and a
Your
clear
mind
starting point
illustration
59
Lasting
news'.
The The men-
contentment
CONTEXTS
VI.
/ Xi
Mental Magic Predicts Your Future ... A
glimpse
Expand your principle
How
How
vision
predictions
The magic
dictions
a
Virginia
succeeded
monarch!
mental
Your personal
come
The prosperity
Your personal
true
The power
of change
Sailing smoothly
ness
Become
of cause and effect
make
to
tomorrow
into
73
The
forward
pre-
of aware-
great
secret
of
success!
How
VII.
to Win Your Desires Quickly
The
entire
The
viewpoints tunity
destroy
to
discovery
The
pioneer
Check
desire
Attitudes
up
viewpoints
sour
Energize
desires
abandon
Action
power!
What You Should Know About Happiness
102
results will
How
have
to
to
come
greatest day of your life
Life
is
A
Backtalk
profound truth
Happiness and self-expansion
The
is
secret of happiness
great
Predict
The The
The
effortless
Your Thoughts Can Make You Popular The
happiness
Why the U-boat sank How Walter succeeded How to build self-esteem
thinking
clear
and
Serve your best interests
True happiness
for living!
of
freedom
Personal
fun!
The
rewards
IX.
Your oppor-
Victorious
on
88 Your
harriers
pleasures of thinking!
Shirley's
}our
Rich
VIII.
How
secret
....
Why
secret
your
social
self-directed story of
Claim
115
your
inner
wealth!
Building personality-power
Your
Helen's nice
Wealthy
.
queen refused the crown
the
personality
Cincinnatus
perform a miracle! of personality
success
.
living
richer self
man
How
to
The diamonds
/ CONTENTS
xii
X.
How
The
Two
The
time of your
The
easy
How
life
Go
What
course
.
142
to
change
The The power
of self-
Be
Have
a
a
problem
The
your
powers
Challenge
Keep
a sense of alternatives
in pursuit of solutions
The Miracle Way to Release Tension Use your
SOMM
to the truth
Your glimpse
Turn
How to live lightly
Choose in favor
sense
How
to
How Your Mind Money-making
The
brown bear to
magic
road
Your wealthy
How
tension
to
fly
The world makes
of yourself
Attracts Prosperity
principles
A
Find the
method
How
Your
the
Your purpose
is
mind $$$$$
.
for
170
.
expansion
Two
secret code
Your business personality Act up!
have fun
The
be free
curious power
able actions
156
.
Your enrichments
Mental detachment
away!
.
of gold!
off the switch
Understanding
inheritance
XIII.
story of Flor-
resist
detective!
.
How
fail
Florence discovered
Never mentally
knowledge
XII.
You cannot
See yourself as free
your world!
pearl
into
on
life
frosted cake
ence
well
possession
stay
to
Mental Magic Solves Your Problems Your
unique
sacred
enjoyable
Your higher view
life
new
Your
action!
The
Your
Treasure!
A
exciting truth
famous philosophers
Maya
of
The
value of self-study
system
XI.
128
to Find Lasting Security
The
story of
great adventure
How Mental
creates success
Use your
valu-
action
power
contexts /
XIV. Inspiring
Answers on Mental Magic
The
conquest
The
question
of
How
results?
Your power
of
Freedom
loneliness
of
command
You have
mind
xiii
.
from
to clear
the
Understanding the
away
A
cojifusion
How
really
to
past
hostile
What
twenty-four servants!
attention
184
.
about
challenge! Per-
live!
sonal freedom
XV. Good Things Will
Come to You The
Living with light of
Freedom
depression
Your new
life will
future success
You can watch
truth at
is
appear
The conquest
work
from
yourself change!
Total
Your
direction
Sincere effort
certain
decisions
distressing
Definite
Your great opportunity will
199
is
always rewarded
The power
of association
power
Good
things
come
XVI. Your Adventures into Section
I:
Your
magic party!
Mental Magic
special secrets
Section
3:
Section
100 guides
to
2:
.
Have
.
214
a mental
mental magic
Your First Secret of Mental Magic! Here
is
your
turn to Chapter entitled
exciting secret: before reading this book, please
page 214.
Go
Your Special Secrets and Have
By doing
You
first
XVI on
this
you perform your
through the a
first
Mental Magic
first
act as a
two
sections
Party!
mental magician.
turn this book into your personal guide to the richer
life!
"
I
The Exciting Truth About
\ our
Mind
mat have heard the story about the tourist visiting
a beautiful tropical
strolled along the
isle
of die South Seas.
As he
white sands he came across a native resting
comfortably in the shade of a palm grass-skirted girl friend-
The
tourist
tree.
Alongside
him was
his
asked the native:
"How come you don't work?" "Why?" replied the natrfc
To
earn some money."
Why-
To save for your future," WhyS:
you can
retire peacefully."
"Peaceful £:ei£y.
That amusing
story contains a curious
truth,
which
is:
comfort and peace of mind can be yours now.
H That
is
just
one of the great
discover together as
we go
secrets of
mental magic
we
will
along.
m
!
2 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Your mind can predict your FUTURE At
this early point
good that we define the phrase
it is
secrets of
mental magic.
By
this
we mean
that every
man
possesses— possesses at this very
moment— enormous mental powers. However, many of these thoughtforces are unknown to him; he is unaware of their existence within his
mind.
So our purpose
we will we can
to discover these secrets of
is
SOMM).
refer to as
By uncovering
mental magic (which
these mental treasures
use them for daily prosperities.
man who
Everything changes magically for the secrets of his
own
discovers the
power. This great transformation
excellently
is
described by Dr. Maurice Nicoll: But
a man can begin to
to think differently differently
...
If
live differently in himself.
feel differently
this
happens the man has another relationship
and
desire differently
himself/ internally. His life in himself then begins to
Such changes ability to predict
result in practical prosperities.
your
But you may wish
He can begin
and
own
to ask,
future,
which we
"Can
really foretell
Of course you can. Not only that, but you can
I
and
love to
change. 1
One
of
will cover in
them
is
the
Chapter VI.
coming events?"
predict either success or failure for
yourself. If
you prefer
success,
you can have
it.
Your future can be
pros-
perous far beyond anything you dream about.
How
come?
Because the way you think determines the way you
way you
forthcoming pages
own
act.
And
the
act decides the kind of future that unfolds before you. In I
will
show you
prosperous future— and
1 Maurice Nicoll, The New Hermitage House, Inc., 1951).
make
Man
exactly it
come
how you can
foretell
your
New
York:
true!
(London: Vincent
Stuart, Ltd.;
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND / Simple?
Of
course
it
is.
But you must make
its
And you
the
3
simplicity a part
of your even-day affairs.
Marvelous?
Certainly.
can
be
man-el-making
magician.
"You need not be surprised cause everything
is
hear such things are possible, be-
to
possible that
is
consistent with natural
laws."
(Paracelsus— Swiss physician)
What to
believe about
yourself \\
hen Evelyn R. came
spoke of her be-
to talk things over, she
wilderment and lack of purpose: "I think," she explained, ''that I
can pursue with whole-hearted
I'd like a project that I
to find
need something
something that
means something
really
to
to believe in.
interest. I
me.
need
I've tried so
many things— social activities, hobbies, philosophies. There have been men in my life, and one or two affairs. But nothing seems to lift the inner ache. Sooner or later I'm forced to admit that I'm trying to lose
myself in things that don't interest
can
I
me
at all. Tell
me, please, what
really believe in?"
'Tor a change."
replied, "try believing in yourself."
I
"In what way?"
not at
"It's
all
complicated. Just believe in the right things about
yourself."
"What
are the right things?"
"That you can change your
life
by changing your thoughts.
Believe that conflict and frustration are unnecessary. that life
Hold
is
for you, not against you. Proceed as
now
the viewpoint that you
uncovered and developed
"Can
I
for
if
Take
there
is
the stand a
way
out.
possess inner powers that can be
any purpose you wish.
really believe all that?"
"Y\ hat's stopping you?'' "I don't
"There
know." is
nothing
unfortunately, makes
at all in
it
your way. You only think
so as far as
so.
But
that,
you are personally concerned."
4 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC "Yes,
understand."
I
"You want something
Do
yourself.
that
which
in
to believe? All right. Believe in
much, and everything
else will easily take care of
itself."
Evelyn nodded.
"I like that philosophy."
even more than a philosophy, Evelyn;
"It's
your present way of living as the only way. presently
know
it
a fact. Don't accept
it's
It isn't at all.
or not, another brighter world
Whether you
exists for
you
in the
here and now."
Evelyn found that brighter world for herself through the very secrets of
Thomas
now
mental magic you are
Carlyle announced, "It
man works
all
is
uncovering. As English author
the thought of
man ... by which
things whatsoever."
HOW TO BE A REBEL Human happiness.
beings are in constant rebellion against failure and un-
That
is
good.
of unclear thinking, rebellion. In brief, a
man
men
utterly waste their
rebels against the
his protests against exterior conditions
wrong
powers of healthy
things.
By
directing
he misses the point entirely.
It is
not his exterior world that needs his attention;
man
falls into a
it
is
himself.
A
self-made trap whenever he thinks that by replacing
his politics or his sex partner or residence or religion that
changed anything. In for
But because
indicates a desire for freedom.
It
most
truth,
he has
he has merely replaced one prison
another— and deep down in his heart he desperately knows
by not facing that truth, he
really
is
it.
cell
But,
desperately driven to rebel again and
again against some exterior condition— with the same empty results.
What,
then, should
we
rebel against?
What
is
the logical and
profitable target?
We have one thing and one thing only to rebel
against:
Our own
negative or unrealistic or unworkable states of mind.
In that
When
is
a
complete freedom, and in no place
man makes
condition effortlessly rights
else.
right his mental processes, every exterior itself!
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND /
A
man's mental forces can be compared
5
independent
to several
armies, separated from each other, but wishing to defeat a
enemy.
If
sort of disagreement, if
common
they remain apart by not knowing of each other, or by some their attack will
be
common
they agree to join forces in the
less
than
maximum. But
purpose, nothing can with-
stand their attack.
we
Likewise, as
unite
our mental powers, as
all
we
present a
strong front, our life-victories are assured.
Some secret thoughts What are some ideas to hold in mind from the very start of this What wealthy thoughts will guarantee your final prosperity?
book?
an adventurous attitude toward everything you are
First, take
about
Turn
to explore.
people
fail to realize
rience. If spirit of
you
that self-improvement can be
realize
adventure
everything into a fun-filled expedition. Lots of
it,
fires
you are certain
to
an enjoyable expe-
speed up your progress.
up your enthusiasm and
releases
A
your inner
powers.
Next, expect
to
make some
delightful discoveries.
A
group of
psychologists, gathered at a banquet, held an interesting contest
themselves.
Each member
of the
group was asked
to
among
submit an answer
"W hat, 7
in your opinion, is the brightest moment in a Out of dozens of answers, here is the one winning first prize: 'The moment he really sees that by changing his mental attitudes he can change his life." That is just one of the dozens of delightto the question:
man's
life?"
ful discoveries
you can expect
This book
is
want
what
is
to get right to the
the point?
To
it
was
about
man who
all
wasteful wanderings.
point of things and ignore
the
falls into a pit
way
out.
ener-
all else.
gain our rightful mental freedom. That
To wander
and then
his left or right foot that slipped is
Our
squander in pointless searchings of any kind.
only point worth our attention. like a
make.
designed to avoid
gies are too precious to
We
to
sits
And
is
the
off into non-essentials
is
there wondering whether
first.
What
he should think
6 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Practical magic!
SOMM,
After an opening class of mine in
me
a
somewhat hesitantly. Sensing her reluctance,
woman
approached
asked, "Something
I
you'd like to discuss?"
She smiled. "I'm almost embarrassed the
Howard ... do you course,"
her.
woman who
from troubled
"But
Mr.
magic?"
really believe in
I told
let's call it
practical magic."
what?"
"Practical magic? Like
"Like a
but you mentioned
several times during your talk. I'm wondering,
word magic "Of
to ask,
gains self-insight that changes her emotions
to peaceful.
Like a
man who
learns that
portant to be happy than rich. Like anyone
who
it is
more im-
changes his
life
by
discovering his hidden mental riches."
She laughed. "Where do So, as
I
sign
up
for the class?"
you read along, be completely
tion to the essentials, to
once ran an ad in a
what you
New
nice-looking, wishes to
really
practical.
Give your
atten-
want. Be like the farmer
woman
meet
same
of
qualifications
who owns knew
a tractor. Please enclose photo of tractor. That farmer at least
what he wanted, and mind. Write often.
down
so should you.
exactly
know
this:
where you are
She
asks
you
to
The
you can
Wrote
for
your goal clear
at the present
it
new program
is
moment.
If life is
anything, she
do only what you are capable of doing you
will simply relax
now, you need do nothing
Cicero, the ancient
Roman
your
to
Review
of this book.
perfect place to start any
particular level of development. If
best
Make
in a single, short, plain sentence.
Most importantly, use the techniques
Next,
is fair.
it
who
York newspaper: Farmer, age 40, reasonably
at
any
and do the
else.
statesman, "I follow nature as
the surest guide."
Nothing can prevent
a
man's swift progress once he heeds the
natural guides he possesses at any given time. followed, always leads to greater ones.
A
little
truth,
when
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND
/ 7
Relaxing news
When
Fridtjof
Nansen, the Norwegian explorer, ventured into
On
the Arctic regions he brought along several carrier-pigeons.
one
occasion a bird was assigned the daring adventure of flying a thousand
miles over frozen wasteland to deliver a personal note to Mrs. Nansen.
There was some doubt dition
as to the bird's success, for after all, the expe-
had now been gone
for thirty
months. That was a long time for
the pigeon to be gone from home. But one morning Mrs.
Nansen
heard a tapping on her window.
He had
completed his daring that all
flight,
It
was the courageous pigeon.
Nansen
bearing a note informing Mrs.
was well with the polar expedition.
Any man dark. The way
or
woman who
back
capable of failure.
is
it's
there are basic principles that destinations.
And
We
that
is
The
certain.
Whether
home
long-gone can get
feels
natural guidances of
life are in-
in music, cooking, gardening, or living,
cam
7
a
man
need only permit them
why you need
including the ideas in this book.
all
the
way
to his desired
to carry us forward.
never strain or struggle at anything,
You need never
try to think or
stand or act above your present level. As a matter of fact, no
perform above his present
You can
before
level.
And you
under-
man
relieve yourself of all responsibility for being anything
but what you are at the present moment. Once you actually see truth,
and
can
are not expected to.
rest in
it,
you
will take the deepest breath of relaxation
this
you
have ever taken.
The wise Hindu philosopher Patanjali points human needs is the function of the universe." It is
out,
"To supply
never our responsibility to create our supply of good.
It is
our
delightful task to accept that already-created good.
Remember, the man who commands the need not struggle
He
for peace or prosperity or
has them.
secrets of
anything
mental magic
else.
MENTAL MAGIC
8 / SECRETS OF
Your new world Most men
lead dreary lives of sullen submission broken only by
occasional angry outbursts.
make them
the outbursts
What
in a state like this.
that has nothing to
submission keeps them frustrated and
feel guilty.
he
No man
can possibly be happy
fails to realize is that
exists a
It is a
wonderful world of freedom.
you do not know
existence;
our true nature. then suffer
our daily
all
If
it,
you can
find
changed, then
of life exists
we do
man from
Knowledge
about.
discovering
what? Of
of
we were made for freedom, we self-imprisonment. If we do not proceed in
not see that
armed with the simple truth
we remain
know
it.
lack of knowledge.
it is
the pains of
lives
way
not as yet
not lack of intelligence that prevents a
It is
new
a
do with either submission or outburst.
new world which you may
There
If
this
The
that
all
can be brightly
in static hopelessness.
In discussing the peaceful and productive
life,
Dr. Albert Ellis
and Dr. Robert A. Harper cheerfully declare: So
it
can be done. With or without prior psychological sophistica-
an individual can read or hear about a new idea, can forcefully about applying it to his own thought and action, and can carve
tion,
set
amazingly constructive changes
The
average
man
is
like
through the Tunnel of Horrors
in his
own
psyche. 2
someone forced
to take a daily ride
an amusement park.
at
He
of overhanging thread brush across his face
ghostly fingers.
he cringes
as if
When it
unwillbits
he mistakes them
for
a terrifying monster lunges from a dark corner
were
real.
Day
his horrifying journey, anxious
What is the real
is
When
ingly carried through a variety of frightening experiences.
tragedy?
after
day he reluctantly
rides
upon
and defensive.
that he does not refuse to be bluffed by unreality. That he does not challenge, question, defy and investi-
gate each
and every one
It is
of those
seeming
terrors.
That he does not
fight for himself. 2 Albert Ellis Cliffs, N.J.:
and Robert A. Harper,
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1961).
A
Guide
to
Rational Living * (Enelewood 5
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND / 9
Were he
do
to
he would soon find himself out of his private
so,
Tunnel
of Horrors
to ride,
he need not do
and
into his rightful sunshine. If he does not choose so.
Try this experiment One
audience take part in a curious experiment.
his
of
lecturing psychologist pauses in his talk long
how
can
easily the
try
it
forefinger before your face, about a foot away. left
and
jump back and
finger will appear to
finger the illusion of motion,
This experiment mental magic, which
also introduces us to
We
is:
not as our conditioned
life as a
must learn
mind
threat to our progress,
we
and
right, left
forth.
What
even though you know
mains motionless? The way your mind "sees"
are,
reminds everyone
You
"sees" things that don't exist in reality.
then blink your eyes alternately,
it,
Your
It
to let
for yourself, as follows:
Hold your at
mind
enough
Look right.
gives your actually re-
it
it.
one of the great
secrets of
to see things as they really
falsely interprets
will react as
if it
them.
were a
If
we
threat.
see
That
wastes our valuable energies.
Learn
to challenge, question,
Learn
that bothers you.
defy and investigate each situation
to fight for yourself
but never against anything.
Don't permit anyone or anything to bluff you. Greet
situations
all
with a wise mind. Examine them carefully and you will see that
cumstances lack power to harm you. During World
mans
made up
built a fake airfield
hoped
to lure the British into
of flimsy
it.
This
is
what
They
bomb— a wooden
Work at seeing every situation distort
places
Your mind
is
Suppose we were able
cir-
the Ger-
buildings.
They
as
it
sent a single airplane over
one.
really is— not as the
you in command of every
mind may
situation.
enough
to gather together in
thinkers of the ages— Confucius,
Spinoza, William James,
I
wasting bombs on a phony target. But
the British saw through the scheme. the field to drop a single
wooden
War
Plato,
one hall
all
the great
Marcus Aurelius, Baruch
Sigmund Freud. Then suppose we asked
.
MENTAL MAGIC
10 / SECRETS OF
them, one by one,
"How
can a
man
lose his
bondage and gain
his
freedom?"
it
Each would give us the very same answer. They might phrase differently, but since the truth is the truth, they would agree:
"Change your thinking." "Examine your
beliefs."
"Switch your attitudes."
"Check your premises." "Alter your viewpoints."
"Challenge your assumptions."
this:
The Bhagavada Gita, "Man is made by his
boy
What exciting conclusion can we draw? Well, it's like the small who visited the ocean for the first time. When asked what he
thought about
the sacred book of the East, sums belief.
he called
it
As he
believes, so
out, "I'm glad to see
is
up
like
he."
something
that's
enough!"
Your mind, when
it
thinks correctly,
is
enough
to fulfill every
desire.
And secrets of
A
one way
to think correctly
was instructing
revolver.
you aim
right,
volver to
which was attached
you
the barrel.
aim
at
understanding your
"Aim
is
a class of officers in indoor
everything," he told them. "If
can't fail to hit the target."
Turning
against the target.
you
to
mental magic.
police lieutenant
marksmanship with a
lel to
is
"You
He
then held up a
re-
a small but powerful flashlight, set paral-
off the lights, the instructor flashed the light
see,"
he explained, "that when you aim
rightly,
just can't miss."
That is a good idea to remember. As you go through this book, make it your aim, make it your single intention, to understand SOM \ By doing so, you just can't miss its benefits. 1
The turning point At some time that confirms
or other in a man's life he hears an inner shout
what he dimly suspects— that something
is
all
wrong.
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND /
He
sees that his life
is
ways. This awakening— and that
encouraged. "bad,"
listens to
what
is
you are
it
hateful— in
something
as
it
life.
dismayed— be
disillusioned, discouraged or
a wise and necessary step toward discovery of the richer
glad! It
it
no
unworkable
means
life at all. It
that
you see
for the
A
self-satisfied
feel,
pattern just a
A
and be glad about
it.
You have cracked
never climbs
are lots of people eager to give
of
ther off the right track.
to
me,
when
comes
it
Your
to
The
is
is
the
itself
but
it
There
your
throws you even
advisors
may
mean
they
know what
life.
to get utterly
to live
be nice
your
my
"I quit asking
mixed up
that
really explain nothing.
you advice on how
not only worthless in
it is
well-meaning, but that doesn't
about
if
the old negative
bit.
preliminary step for finding the richer self
weary of explanations offered you which
Much
and
must occur
self
man
a single step above his present level. So be disillusioned,
way you
life
time that the
first
unworkable. Dismay with your present
is
before your higher self can appear.
is
self. Disil-
lusionment means that you have frankly faced your way of
found
many
is— should be heeded and
and does not suppress
it,
can be the turning point of his
it
If
he
If
him— yes, even
distasteful to
11
life.
far-
enough people, and they are talking
As one man humorously explained
friends for advice. I
found out they were
as
as I!"
truth itself
is
the only reliable advice.
The Trojan horse How do we go about finding the thing to side,
know
every
is
that
already
man knows what
an amazing load of realities, as
comes
we
know
maze
man
it!
best for him. But his mind has accepted
false doctrine.
with the
lost in a
is
The first Somewhere, deep down in-
truth that sets us free?
in the
He
mistakes too
Tunnel
many
illusions for
of Horrors. So the truth be-
of misinformation.
You probably remember caused the downfall of Troy.
that classic tale of the
The Greek
wooden horse
that
army, encamped outside the
barred gates of Troy, plotted to take the city by trickery.
They
huge wooden
up
horse, planted thirty soldiers inside, sealed
built a
the secret
12 / SECRETS OF
exit,
and withdrew
MENTAL MAGIC
their army.
their eyes with delight— the
into the city
it
next morning the Trojans rubbed
Greeks had disappeared. But what was
wooden horse they had
this strange
to haul
The
when
a wise
"No! Don't you see— it's a
objection:
behind? They were about
left
man named Laocoon Beware
trick.
of this
shouted his
Greek
gift!"
But the Trojans refused the warning. The wooden horse was dragged inside the gates of Troy. That night the hidden warriors
them
slipped through the trapdoor. Racing to the gates they flung
open
to the waiting
Greek army.
That's an excellent illustration of
we
folly— if
only heed
but he must
it.
Every
man
how
the truth can save us from
has the capacity to hear the truth,
listen:
Declares Dr. David Seabury: There
is
no greater, simpler or surer way
than to stop, look and
listen,
to transform your
your mind. At every crossroads of thought, at every blind turn life
listen quietly, to
If
shut out for a
little
This leads us
to
in
the
carefully at the situation; then listen,
the deeper guidances that rise up
ness to help you.
we can
and
your
in
experience, experiment. Stop your thoughtless involvement
rush of events; look calmly
life
seeking the experimental processes of
you are attentive time the noise of
in
your conscious-
and
to the experimental process, life,
you
will
receive great help. 3
another dynamic secret of mental magic which
call:
Your magnificent glimpse There
is
a cheering principle governing
all
personal progress that
goes like this:
Once
a
man
catches a glimpse of something better, nothing can
prevent him from attaining a superior
way
thing that prevents a
non-awareness of
3
it.
Once you
of life actually exists,
its
man from
realize, or
it is
The
discovering his richer world
only
is
his
existence.
David Seabury, The Art of Living Without Tension
Row, 1958).
even suspect, that
practically yours.
(New
^
York: Harper and
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND / 13
The Magnificent Glimpse
is
you have enjoyed thus
far.
cesses
ployed, It is like
that
way
paves the
it
sighting the
it is
just the
how
Notice
When
may
the suc-
and em-
astonish you.
in the early evening. Seeing
many more
that
all
fully understood
for further conquests that
first star
first,
major power behind
a
it,
will appear before
you know your gaze.
many ways: As you new skill, you tackled it and commander. Once you first suspected that you
has already aided you in
it
glimpsed the possibility of learning a eventually became
might
its
talk skillfully before
the idea of a better until that
home
home became
an audience, you
fluttered across
tried
and succeeded. As
your mind, you acted on
it
a reality.
Let's clarify this great idea a bit
more by examining
it
from the
negative view:
Without
that
first
Magnificent Glimpse of the richer
has neither motive nor energy for searching
never looks for something of which he
pursue something that doesn't
man
gets his
exist as
it
a
out. Obviously, a
unaware;
it's
man man
impossible to
an idea in mind. But
as a
exciting suspicion— ever so faintly— his entire ener-
first
gies unite to bring
The
first
is
life,
it
his
way.
adventure of one of our western pioneers
the
illustrates
point:
A
Pennsylvania
fortune in catde.
man
rode west with the intention of making his
With high hopes he founded
of a mountain. But hard times riding around one
morning
came
in the
his
ranch
at the base
form of drought. While
in search of fresh water
he chanced
to
glance toward the base of the mountain and caught his Magnificent
Glimpse. Something unusual over there claimed his attention; something he hadn't noticed before. tion.
the
He
way through
world— a
He
rode on over for further investiga-
discovered a half -covered opening to a canyon that cut the mountain.
valley of lush grass
On
the other side he found his
all
new
and sparkling streams.
Be mentally receptive Your Magnificent Glimpse time,
maybe while
of something better can occur any-
at the office or
when working around
the yard.
It
MENTAL MAGIC
14 / SECRETS OF
when
often comes suddenly, in unexpected moments,
the
mind
is
re-
laxed and receptive. In a flash you see the answer to a problem or feel inspired to leap toward a
Dr. Rollo It is
viewed
May
new
describes this thrilling experience:
as though for a
his life
moment one stood on a mountain peak, and
from that wide and unlimited perspective.
sense of direction from
map
goal.
his
One
gets his
view from the peak and sketches a mental
which guides him for weeks
...
the fact that
we have had
glimpses gives a basis of meaning and direction for
all
these
of our later
actions. 4
Dozens of ideas in
this
book are devoted
to the full
awakening
You might find inspiration in the success story of a businessman. Maybe you instantaneously solve a problem by hearing how a homemaker solved hers. The adventurous action of this man or that woman could well inspire you toward your own new adventures. In one of my classes a salesman of your mind, to giving
it
that Magnificent Glimpse.
remarked that he had recently increased
his sales
by ten percent.
I
asked him how. "By simply remembering," he replied, "that nothing gives so thing. off
I
much make
self-satisfaction as seeing
how
well you can do some-
my
creative abilities. It pays
every account a challenge to
both financially and in great feelings of
self -worth."
Experiences like that can come to you, receptive to the Magnificent Glimpse.
too.
"Those
So keep your mind
who make room
for
impressions will receive them." (Paracelsus)
To
insure profitable journeys, the ancient Persian kings drank
only the water from the river Choaspes, which they carried in silver
The water was said to contain magical powers for success. Likewise, we will have prosperous journeys when we carry along with us the principles of right thinking. In a few moments we will explore
jars.
ten of them.
4 Rollo May, Man's Search for Himself pany, Inc., 1953).
(New
York:
W. W.
Norton and Com-
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND /
Summary of Vital 1.
The
secrets of
pletely. 2.
Ideas
mental magic can change your
com-
life
Let them!
Accept the delightful truth that you can find a
and 3.
15
far different
far brighter world.
Remember states of
that the only thing
mind.
When we
do
we need
that,
to
change
is
our
everything else changes
effortlessly. 4.
5.
The
best place to start your
right
where you are
No
one needs
out
exists,
6. All
program of self-improvement
at the present
moment.
unhappiness and defeat.
to live in
is
and the earnest seeker can find
The way
it.
problems are opportunities for finding your richer
self.
Study your problems with the intention of understanding them. 7.
Examine your
daily attitudes
replace those that 8.
It is
the truths of
listen to 9.
Be
fail to
life
and viewpoints. Gradually
serve your best interests.
that set us free.
We
need only
to
them.
receptive to the Magnificent Glimpse. It can flash into
your consciousness at any time.
It
comes
to the relaxed
and
waiting mind. 10.
Carry is
SOMM
with you into your everyday
nothing more practical or exciting!
affairs.
There
II
Ten Great
Secrets
Mental Magic
of
a businessman once asked me, "Exactly why should
I
study the secrets of mental magic?"
"Because,"
new life is
or
yours. If
certainly
I told
him, "you can have either a genuinely
you can have the counterfeit of you wish
do
so.
But
to
life.
tired of inner distress,
You can have
tainly break free.
you can imagine. The
new
The
choice
continue with a dreary imitation, you can
you are
if
a
secrets of
a
new
life far
you can
cer-
beyond anything
mental magic will show you the
way. They are ready to give enlightenment to anyone
who
really
wants them." "This real thing that you speak of
"The very eagerness for tic
things that you want:
life
that
relation with the
rity
you once had
woman
and comfort. Not being
[16]
.
.
what
is
it?"
Freedom from worry. The
as a boy.
A tender and roman-
A
lasting sense of secu-
in your
life.
afraid at every corner."
"Is all that really possible?" "It really is."
.
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 17 "That's what
"Then
want
I
all right."
what you can
that's
really have."
The man with the blue paint The
story
man who was overwhelmed
told about the
is
with
buckets of blue paint. All his friends had extra supplies of blue paint that they didn't want.
So they
his doorstep. Before long his
But
of blue paint.
still
carried
them on over and
left
them on
house and garage bulged with buckets
they came.
It
wasn't long before his yard was
a jungle of buckets of blue paint.
"Well," sighed the man, "I've got to do something with blue paint so kindly everything blue.
and brushed
it
He
blue.
by
my
When it
So he
friends."
He
painted his house blue.
door he quickly slapped
became
me
left
all this
started painting
bought a green car
a set of red books were delivered to his
with a coat of blue. Everything he knew
blue.
"I really don't
know what else
know why
to do,
I
do
it,"
he sighed, "but since
don't
1
everything gets blue." So he painted and painted,
without the slightest idea why.
But one day in midair.
as
he was painting something blue,
A fantastic idea
struck his mind.
a cheery red or a bright yellow or
me
I
used
to
maybe
enjoy those happy colors.
"Why
his
brush paused
not paint something
a refreshing green?
What
a revelation!
Seems
There
is
to
an
alternative to blue!"
So from that time on he never painted anything blue. hour was cheery and bright and
The new
life
If
lesson?
does
There
is
And
every
A
bright
colorful.
an alternative
to colorless living.
exist.
you wish
to find
your
own more
colorful days,
we can
start
together with these ten basic secrets of mental magic.
Every man wealthy 1.
It
is
mentally
happened during the days of the
An Apache
early
raiding party captured a U.S.
West.
Army
safe containing
MENTAL MAGIC
18 / SECRETS OF
The thick safe with its combination lock baffled the Indians. They knew the heavy metal box contained something of value, but hadn't the slightest notion of how to put their $7,000 in paper money.
hands on
and
on
it.
tried to
it
melt
its
in
it
and pushed
effort they
with
In desperation they pounded at the safe with tomahawks
it
fire.
off a
abandoned
it
it still
mountain peak. After in a river.
dropped boulders
resisted, they
a
month
of frustrating
The army
finally recovered the safe
The
riches are there for sure.
contents untouched.
Every man's mind
The
When
question
how
is,
is
like that safe.
can
we
break through the walls of misunder-
standing and so reach our mental riches.
There
is
a way.
We need only And
that
is
to
know
the combination.
the whole purpose of this
release the vast wealth
book— to show you how
you already possess within your mind.
Start thinking in terms of
mental freedom. That
phrase to run through your mind.
When
We
Fromm
is
an excellent
your wealthy thoughts are
released, they express themselves as happiness
Dr. Erich
to
and
prosperity.
speaks of this self-expression:
believe that there
is
a
positive answer, that the process of
growing freedom does not constitute a vicious
be free and yet not alone,
critical
and yet not
circle, filled
and
that
man can
with doubts, inde-
pendent and yet an integral part of mankind. This freedom man can attain
by the
realization of his self,
that the realization of the self thinking but also
is
by the realization of man's
active expression of his emotional potentialities
by being himself
are present
in
and
The the
first
1
ston,
spontaneous
realization
and the
.
.
We
believe
total personality,
intellectual potentialities.
by the These
everybody; they become real only to the
extent to which they are expressed. consists in the
.
accomplished not only by an act of
In
other words, positive freedom
activity of the total, integrated personality.
release of
your natural mental wealth
1
is
great secret of mental magic.
Erich Fromm, Escape From Freedom 1941).
(New
York: Holt, Rinehait and Win-
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 19
Your mind
2.
Honore de "I love to
is
fascinating!
Balzac, the French novelist, once declared:
plunge into that realm of mystery, giving a compre-
hension of the power of mind, and accustom
me
to the
workings of
human mind
are endless.
the mind."
The
A
and
mysteries
detective story
fascinations of the
a mild thrill by comparison.
is
once assigned several members of a
I
The
personal observations of other people.
minds
class of
to
make some
students were to use their
as observers of other people in action.
back with
mine
One
of the
women came
this curious report:
"There's a definite difference in the mental workings of of
women. For
instance, I noticed something interesting about a con-
between a
versation
man and
a
woman.
looks almost constantly at the face of the
But when the man
reactions.
face. I don't
know
conversation, but
Get
men and
it
talks to
When
the
woman
talks she
man; she keeps an eye on
his
her he looks infrequently at her
the significance of this peculiarity in male-female
makes a fascinating mystery!"
interested in the workings of your
own mind. Watch how
responds and imagines and creates. Become aware of
its
surprise, de-
Why
light,
puzzlement and wonder
this?
Because an understanding of your mental machinery turns
into your personal servant.
power you turn
it
into a
as
you go through your day.
Your mind
mighty force
is
a power.
By
it
realizing
it
do it
as a
for self-advancement.
As you understand the basic principles of the human mind, you become an expert in handling other people. The story goes about the weary mother whose strength was fading fast during the birthday party for her young son.
Take
the area of interpersonal relations.
She thought prize to the
fast,
first
then came up with a workable plan: She offered a
child to go home!
That woman based her
on
child's mind— and it worked! Get fascinated by your own mind. The great men and women all historical ages were those who were enchanted by mental power.
knowledge of a
of
strategy
And why
not?
It is
the basis of
all
power.
20 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Your fascination with your own mental make-up
Your own way
3.
BEST
inquirer
came
is
to say, "I sincerely
What
If that is also
method
the
is
WAY
of mental magic.
best
the second
mental magic.
secret of
An
is
is
want
to discover the secrets
the best way?"
your question, here
is
the heartening answer:
the one that appears easiest for you.
It is
The
your preferred
procedure that makes the search a self-satisfying one. "Each mind has its
own method." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) There
Many
riches.
Here Earl
are dozens of good techniques for collecting your mental
of
them
are just right for you.
are three different
C, Marie W. and Dale
methods that worked out perfectly B.
Earl was an enthusiastic reader. In his letter to
1.
claimed, "I have just finished
my
first
reading of your book
POWER: The Miracle Way to a Successful New it
I now intend know that each
in dozens of special places.
ideas time
nuggets
I
and time
again.
I
for
to
Life.
I
me
he ex-
ACTION
have marked
go over those special
review will uncover
new
missed before."
Earl's personal
ideas that impressed
technique was to concentrate his reading around
him
as
being especially valuable. Try
it
for your-
self.
Marie admitted
2.
wrong.
I
to periods of depression
whenever things went
asked her, "Did you ever stop to think that while you
may be
disappointed over something that you need not go so far as depres-
By understanding
sion?"
gloomy 3.
mind.
Dale was a boulevard merchant with an adventurous turn of
He
liked to take familiar ideas
business aids.
One
use by placing his
attracted attention
and turn them
into profitable
time at a party he saw a magic trick in which
silver dollar floated in a
own
that simple truth, she gradually dissolved
feelings.
bowl of water.
own bowl and
and customers.
He
i
adapted that idea lor his
dollar in his
shop window.
It
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 21 Dale's sense of adventure served
adventurous
Picture in your
him
mind an
attractive
mountain cabin that commands
You wish
a magnificent view of the vast countryside.
cabin in order to enjoy
know which
of the
its
many
pleasures
it
to reach the
you don't
first
you have never traveled
you: All
trails
lead to the cabin.
easily select the
one nearest and
strikes
you
So, secure in this knowledge,
You
and comforts. At
trails to take, for
any of them before. Suddenly
best for you.
Where can an
profitably.
you?
spirit serve
hike happily upward, knowing that your arrival
is
certain.
Going forward
in your
own
way
best
is
your third helpful secret
of mental magic.
Your mind can change you
4.
When "Is
it
Herbert B. came
possible to boil
think that
if I
things over. his life,
him
to tell
my
of your
own
thoughts.
The
mental processes from negative ulously. fact.
That
That
We
is
is
the plain fact.
simple fact
to affirmative,
track,
we
we
it."
talked
your doubt about the
is is,
know.
to
when you
your
life
switch your
changes mirac-
At the present time you don't
your only problem. But
I
various questions about
him what he wanted
"Your single greatest problem, Herbert,
power
might leap over
I
he was on the right
that
studied Herbert's answers to
I
then was able
main problem?
failure to a single
could clearly identify the barrier,
After assuring
he asked,
to talk over his lack of progress
down my
can solve
see that
it."
looked around trying to find an opening where Herbert
could break through to affirmative mental simple and practical
plan. The object was
acts.
for
We
him
decided upon a
demonstrate to
to
himself that his thoughts could actually change things.
"Here's what to do."
I
outlined the plan.
unable to achieve some beneficial
Then,
task,
"The next time you
assume that
it
feel
can be done.
act out that assumption."
"I see.
Get
into action with
an affirmative assumption.
Herbert's success-story, told to to hear:
me
a
few days
later,
was
I'll
do
it."
a pleasure
22 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC "For a long time
arrangement of the
chairs the entire staff
wanted
efficiently. I
man I
around, so
just
He
would be more comfortable and work more
to suggest
kept
to the boss,
it
to myself.
it
But
last
but I'm not the boldest
Wednesday,
after our talk,
walked on over and showed him how everyone would
was so delighted he ordered the rearrangements made
Maybe it
I
in my mind concerning the By switching certain desks and
had an idea
I'd
office furniture.
that wasn't
at once.
an earth-shaking achievement, Mr. Howard, but
did prove that enterprising thoughts can change things.
go on
benefit.
to greater successes.
You
I
expect to
are right— a man's thoughts can change
his life."
Dr. Joost A.
M. Meerloo
growth of personal outlook ings in psychology
The your
and
is
is
".
adds his agreement:
agreed on by
all
.
.
one of the most important
change and
scientific find-
psychologists."
2
simple truth that your daily thoughts can richly change
life is
your fourth great secret of mental magic,
5.
Thoughts can command
circumstances Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and philosopher, made the statement, "The happiness of your life depends upon your thoughts."
And At
so does everything else. Including your circumstances. this
first,
is
difficult for
some people
to grasp.
We
tend to
think of conditions as just happening, when, in reality, they are
we will honestly face the fact that we create our circumwe are well on our way toward causing the kind of conditions
caused. If stances,
we
want.
Just as a controlled ship is master of the waves and winds, so can you control your surrounding conditions. Even though the world often seems harsh and unfair, you need not be affected or hurt at all. You
can be
You can
free.
2 Reprinted
of the
Mind by
sleep peacefully.
You need
not be irritated by
by permission of The World Publishing Company from The Rape Joost
A M.
Meerloo.
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 23 unpleasant people or thrown off balance by unexpected events.
need not unwillingly do things you
want
really don't
You You are
to do.
not required to live in conflict or in frustration.
Does that sound
which
like a lovely ideal that's
we
impossible to attain? If
is
Any man who
thinks so must
mind
a negatively conditioned
man may
Happily, what a in this case
it
think
encouraging to hear but
so, that is
remember
our
that he
is
first
mistake.
thinking with
that can only think in that manner.
mistakenly think
is so,
may
not he
just isn't so!
That triumphant thinker Ralph Waldo Emerson makes "Victory over things nature.
He
The all
is
problems or
office,
the office of
is
you are capable
that
irritations that
while driving your
you
is
a
it
clear:
new power
in
upon nothing
are your very
own
fifth great secret of
6.
car,
of floating freely over
anywhere
And
part of your day.
anywhere— in the home, at all.
How
at the
this pos-
is
are your contentment; because your happi-
ness depends
ability of
may now form
this free-floating
sible? Because, really,
The
man. Each man
holds the keys of the world in his hands."
truth, then,
you can experience busy
And
so.
outside yourself.
Wherever you
you
go,
peace.
your thoughts to
command
circumstances
is
your
mental magic.
Your mental powers
are limitless
When
an Egyptian shepherd boy was given charge of a
sheep he was
gency only.
told,
Its
"The pool on
water
is
the other side of the hill
limited, so don't use
it
is
flock of
for emer-
unless other sources
dry up."
An
extreme hot
his flock to the pool.
spell
brought on the emergency, so the boy led
Although the sheep drank from the pool
long, the water maintained
the strange situation and
its
original level.
made
all
day
The shepherd investigated The pool was fed
a curious discovery:
by an underground stream. As the water was removed from the top of the pool, the
underground pressure was activated into streaming
24 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
upward. In other words, the pool had a constant and
limitless source
of supply.
A man's mental
powers are
"Then why," comes
like
that— limitless.
the logical question, "do the majority of
men and women lead such limited lives?" The answer can also be found in the story of the pool The majority of men and women never really investigate their potentialities. They wrongly assume that what they now see is all that they will ever :
They think that what they presently do is all that they can ever do. They falsely believe that tomorrow must be as unsuccessful as today.
see.
So they sadly accept tation,
his
he
will not
self -limitation.
be motivated
And
we need
man
long as a
accepts limi-
to discover the great potentialities that
mind actually possesses. That shepherd boy discovered
an emergency. But
as
great natural resources because of
not wait for an emergency before locating
our great reserves of inner abundance. Because they are within now,
we can have them now. And one cies is
from arising
none more remarkable than
in the
who
first
benefit
is
that they prevent emergen-
at all. Incidentally, of all the riches of
place.
The
its
self-aware
ability to
keep a
man
SOMM
there
out of trouble
man, the mental magician, the man
understands his mind, not only knows what to do for his
but he knows what not to do. Such a
benefit,
vicious circle of
What we
one
need
man
is
free
own
from the
difficulty after another. is
self-knowledge.
That
is
the secret of limitless
self-power.
An tain,
anxious passenger on a Mississippi riverboat asked the cap-
"Are you sure you know where
"No," the captain replied, "but
You and counter as we
we can
totally
I
all
I
the rocks are?"
know where
the channel
is."
need never be anxious about any hazards we may en-
sail
along.
Once we know our own channels
of strength
unconcern ourselves with hazards. They no longer have
anything to do with us.
Your awareness secret of
of your limitless thought-power
mental magic.
is
your sixth basic
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 25
YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR
7.
THOUGHTS Let's try
an interesting experiment. Start by reading the follow-
ing three thoughts: 1.
2.
"The supply
what
of
I
want
is
always equal to
my
need."
"Every individual possesses magical powers, ready for
re-
lease into his service." 3.
"Results surpassing
all
expectations can be achieved by me."
Here you have three power-packed thoughts
that can inspire your
thinking and guide your action. Furthermore, they are thoughts you
can run through your mind any time you choose can stop you from thinking them whenever you
"Man may have
losopher John Locke states,
mind." All a
might
up
man
needs to do
select a certain
is
to
like.
full
do
so.
Nothing
As English
power over
his
phi-
own
choose to have that power, just as you
key on a cash
register.
In either case you ring
value!
Experiment throughout your day. Memorize the thought you like best
as
among
the preceding three. Choose to let
you go about your I
want
to give
activities. It will refresh
you an
it
inspire your
you.
interesting mental exercise. It will
you that you actually have the power
mind
to spell
remind
out the successes you
want: Consider yourself surrounded by an unlimited supply of wooden alphabet blocks. Next, think of something that you desire, perhaps
more
maybe
self-confidence,
a feeling of security, or whatever. Picture
yourself reaching out for whatever blocks that desire. Block
ply going ahead
from which
to
by block you construct
and
spelling
it
out, for
it.
you need
for spelling out
It is really
a matter of sim-
you have an unlimited supply
draw.
Your mind
is
like that. It contains every
spelling out whatever
you
really need.
Work
element you need for
with
this idea.
More and
more you will increase your ability to select only those thoughts that do you good, that
spell out
your needs.
26 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Your
ability to
choose constructive thoughts
is
your seventh secret
of mental magic.
YOU HAVE DEFINITE
8.
GUIDANCES Some friends called on me the other night, arriving about an hour They explained, "We took the wrong turn at an intersection. When we got back to that corner we saw a sign we should have late.
noticed in the
first
place."
They fail to take time to notice the guiding signs along the way. They drive on, bewildered, getting nowhere and getting worried. They never stop Lots of people are like that in their daily journeys.
to realize that there are definite
guiding signs that could direct them
to their desired destinations.
Stop, look
and
listen
is
not only a fine highway practice but good
when driving toward any life-goal. You already possess the capacity for
conduct
principles.
Your mind
As the author
is
of Every
discovering these guiding
perfectly capable of finding
Man
what
it
looks for.
a King points out:
There can be no more important study, no higher duty owed to ourselves trol,
self
and those about
which
intangible,
is
there
is
us,
than
this
results in self-development.
and most
of thought-control, of self-con-
Perhaps because thought
of us really have so
little
an impression that direction of mind action
is
in
it-
control over
it,
a
difficult
and
abstruse affair, something that requires hard study, leisure, and book
knowledge son
.
.
.
to accomplish. Nothing
has within himself
remake his body and his life. 3
needful, to his
all
is
that
further from the truth. Every peris
needful,
and has all the time and practically
intellectual nature, his character,
You have already absorbed some of these self-enriching guidand many more will present themselves as you read on through. They will, when you permit them to work freely within you, change ances,
everything. For one thing, you will be free from tiring responsibility, as
we 3
will see in
Chapter IV.
Orison Swett Marden, Every
Company).
Man
a
King
(New
York:
Thomas
Y. Crowell
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 27
The
observance of definite and all-powerfid guidances
your
is
eighth secret of mental magic.
9.
The secret of mental
LIBERTY At one time the of
town
it
of
was perched three thousand
a gigantic rock
Thormery, in France. For years the
breaking loose from
its
feet above
villagers lived in
flimsy base to thunder
down upon
dread their
homes. The Frenchmen finally got tired of living under its threat. They made up their minds to remove the cause of their anxiety. They took charges of dynamite, climbed up to the massive stone, and blew it to bits. They lived in complete peace from that day on.
So can
it
who
be with anyone
wishes to be free of any kind of
mental negativity. All our fears and anxieties have a misunderstanding. tricks
Once we have
our minds play on us
we
common base—
the courage to revolt against the
can be sure that any confusions are
way out. When we make up our minds to act, things start to happen. may have to blow up a few things— such as our false beliefs— but on
is
their
just the blast that
W.
Virginia
removes the
commented,
threat!
"If I
could only be hopeful about un-
covering the secrets of mental magic.
I
want
to clear
need some encouragement. Can you supply some something
to
keep
"Think back, happiest of
member
all, I
me
my
sort of
mind, but
I
an inspiration,
going ahead?"
Virginia, to those days
when you were
mean, before the heaviness
that sense of
We that
set into
the very
your mind. Re-
freedom you had?"
She smiled and sighed, "Those were the days." "Like to
know something?"
"What?" "You can have them
again.
You can do more than
that.
You can
exceed those joys far beyond anything you can imagine." Virginia nodded. "That that I can regain those
keep
me
is
encouraging. All right.
sunny hours.
eagerly searching."
It's
I'll
remember
the kind of hope that will
28 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
From like
was
that day forward Virginia
someone who has found a great
what
actually
a
changed woman. She was
And
secret.
that, of course,
was
had happened.
Your freedom from mental negativity
your ninth great secret
is
of mental magic.
Mental magic
10.
One
exciting!
is
evening a Frenchman named Jean-Eugene Robert was
stroll-
ing along the banks of the river Loire, in Orleans. Questions about his future popped into his mind.
How
make
could he
something
What
career should he plan for himself?
Where
the most of his talents?
to get excited
could he find
about?
His thoughts were interrupted by sight of a crowd which had gathered around a wandering magician stand. Jean-Eugene table
walked on over
who had
set
up
watch.
On
the magician's
to idly
were several shiny cups and three small
balls.
a sidewalk
Like a wizard from
a fairy tale the
magician made the balls appear and vanish from one
cup
Almost
to another.
and disappeared
were
as if they
alive, the balls flashed
there.
As the performance ended, the magician
As he explored
the pages,
sensed that he had at
He
for
was
all it
home to read it. his mind tingled with
found something
exhilaration.
to get excited about.
He
This
him! right.
plunged into the
was
last
offered a book for sale
amazing magic. Jean-Eugene
that promised to reveal the secrets of this
eagerly bought one and rushed
magic was
up here
It
was the
great turning point of his
magic with
secrets of stage
total
life.
He
enthusiasm. That
took. As Robert-Houdin, he became one of the great stage
magicians of
all
out Europe.
He
time.
Thousands
flocked to his performances through-
performed before kings and queens, and amassed a
fortune. All because he found something to get excited about. You, too,
have something
You can have backwash of anxiety
to get excited about:
a
way
The
secrets of
of life that stays exciting.
or depression.
Most
people,
over something, feel vaguely disturbed about
It
mental magic! will
have no
when they get excited They feel that their
it.
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 29 by a swing
elation will be followed
And
it
Why?
usually happens.
to the other extreme, to depression.
Because their elation
based on some
is
passing sensation, such as a raise in pay or in receiving a compliment.
Such
exterior excitements always
long as a at the
is
if
produce an opposite reaction. As
looks to such outer events for his excitement he will be
mercy of
But that
man
his
own
negative reaction.
you want an inner
state of
excitement that
never followed by depression, then
So get excited over the exciting adventure loftier levels of
secrets of
you could ever
it is
is
permanent,
yours for the taking.
mental magic!
It is
the most
take. It faithfully carries
you
to
luxurious living.
Your excited adventure with the
ideas of this hook
is
your tenth
great secret of mental magic.
Your Ten Great Secrets 1.
You
presently possess
prosperous days. 2.
The mind
4.
to
Make
it
way
these secrets in the
that seems
your personal adventure.
Your mind can perform miracles its
this treasure.
it.
You can proceed with
with
unlock
a fascinating instrument! Get interested in
is
best for you.
Review
the mental wealth you need for
SOMM
Use
learning more about 3.
all
in
of change.
By cooperating
powers you experience profitable transformation,
both within and without. 5.
6.
You can
increasingly
along with
SOMM,
under your
control.
command
circumstances.
outer conditions
7.
8.
You can
select the
interests.
Do
The
No
to
is
all
much
that there
is.
loftier levels.
kind of thoughts that advance your best
so!
secrets of
on them and 9.
come more and more
Don't assume that your present level
Your mental powers can carry you
As you go
mental magic are sure guides. You can rely
rest in
them.
negative condition can imprison the
man who
deter-
30 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
mines
to
fast goal,
10.
break free.
you
The most secrets of
If
you make inner
liberty
your stead-
will find total freedom.
exciting adventure in life
is
mental magic. So get excited!
your search for the
Your Power of
Self-Confidence
one summer evening
a
invited to a party held in a spacious garden.
area
we found
number
of us
were
As we entered the
Our
ourselves in complete darkness.
host guided
us to chairs at the head of the garden, alongside other guests.
For it
few minutes we
a
was
sat there in the darkness,
Then, suddenly, something
A
single light
garden.
wondering what
about.
all
It
went
interesting happened.
on, revealing a small section of a lovely
was followed by another. One by one the
on, each adding a bit
more
to the
garden and
light revealed a long table, spread
its
lights flashed
occupants.
One
with refreshments. Another
caused the appearance of several guests.
One
fascinating feature of those lights supplies a perfect
mental picture for starting on,
it
not only brightened
As each
this chapter:
its
immediate
area,
light flashed
but shed light on
surrounding sections. In other words, each light helped the other to
make
that garden an interesting scene. [3
:
32 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
This
how
is
The understanding many more. Every light
insight into ourselves can grow.
of one particular truth helps us to understand aids the others.
For instance,
you grow more confident
as
handling
in
when
people in your business world, you increase your self-assurance dealing with the opposite sex.
Let
be your
this truth
power
first
for constructing greater self-
trust.
Your mind
free
is
Gaining self-confidence
take any one of the dozens of
ward. In
The In of fear
chapter
this first
and
moving
and unblocked
(We
timidity.
and
steps
many
will take
dynamic truth we must
natural
its
we
on an
like stepping
is
is
you up-
it
this
your mind
those self-protective feelings
we have when is
mind
free,
is
amazingly free
crossing a busy street.)
but negative experiences of the
past have so covered this original state that it
carry
let
are speaking of psychological fears, not
To
repeat, the natural
you can
of these uplifting steps.
realize
state,
escalator:
should. In other words, self-doubt
is
it
cannot express
itself as
an acquired condition.
And
anything acquired can be dropped! In
my
classes
their very eyes, class
we have an members
a "building" process at
all;
experiment that proves
this.
see that confidence-building
we
Before
not really
is
merely use that word as a convenient
description.
So,
if
you don't "build" self-confidence, what do you do?
You uncover
it
by removing the negative conditioning.
Suppose you have before you a plate covered with get at that plate
you must do
is
Not in covering napkin— and
you don't have remove the
ready for your service.
It
to "build"
was always
it.
That classroom experiment goes and give
a short talk.
like
They can choose any
are entirely familiar.
shake their heads.
is
the plate,
there. this:
members whether they have enough confidence which they
there
To What
a napkin.
the slightest.
Many
I
ask various class
to stand
up
topic they like,
of the
members
right
now
one with smile and
YOUR POWER OF SELF-CONFIDENCE
/ 33
The king's crown then ask everyone
I
to
make
the following experiment the very
how easily you speak up whenever you are chatting You have no trouble at all in finding things to say. There
next day: "Notice
with friends. isn't
the slightest strain or nervousness. Your words flow out freely
and abundandy."
members come back with some interesting reports. One man's comment was typical: "I see the point of the experiment. It Class
proves that spontaneous confidence
blocked by various inhibitions. cause
I
feared
there
all
the time;
is
really here, I
Now
that I see
can correct things in the right way,
that
is,
by removing those mental blocks."
If
you
that
you are now
like, try that
helpful experiment for yourself. Let
know
a confident person, but just don't
years ago there was a violent rainstorm in Spain.
in Spanish earth for
1200
prove apply-
know It
it.
uncov-
That valuable
ered the crown of King Swinthila, ruler of the Visigoths.
crown had been hidden
it
By
it!
ing the secrets of mental magic of this chapter you can soon
Some
merely
it's
couldn't give that talk in class be-
I
wouldn't make a good impression.
I
that confidence
is
years.
Let that anecdote remind you that your crown of self-confidence is
ready for your discovery.
Next,
let's
see
rich find. In the
what good things come
to the
man who makes
words of Dr. Erich Fromm:
The search
for reality
and the uncovering
produces insight and knowledge,
it
of illusions not only
changes man
in
eyes are opened, he awakens, he sees the world as spondingly, he learns affective
powers
in
have been opened
how
order to is
a
it
the process. His it
is
and, corre-
and develop his own intellectual and cope with reality. Only the one whose eyes
to use
realist.
1
The reality of your life is that you totally new kind of self-assurance. This believe
are capable of living with a is
true of you,
whether you
or not. Disbelief in a fact doesn't destroy a fact, but
©
this
it
does
1 Copyright 1962 by Pocket Books, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Pocket Books, Inc', from Beyond the Chains of Illusion by Erich Fromm; the Credo Series,
Trident Press.
34 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
prevent a
practical operation. To find this
its
program that
sum
So, to
you, so
is
will rid our
minds
reality,
we must begin
up, just as your hands and arms are a natural part of
your personal strength. Most people unknowingly cover
up, to one degree or another, but
Like that king's crown,
HOW
can never he yermaneyitly
it
always there.
it is
any time you choose. Choose
to
You can
start
it
lost.
uncovering
it
do so now!
TO BANISH SELF-DOUBT
Exactly what
we can
new
of non-realistic notions.
self-doubt? Well, obviously
is
touch or taste or hear.
It is clearly a
it's
not something
mental attitude.
It is a
way
of thinking.
"How,"
the question then comes up, "do you banish this hurtful
kind of thinking? stir
up good Let's
How
we
can
mental motions that
release, instead,
feelings?"
answer with the adventure of Leonard
E.,
an attorney.
He
called to say: "I certainly agree that
it
believing in his it
comes
as I
my
to
own
takes self-affirmation to
how
success. I've seen for myself
worth. But
private
man wins
a
somehow
I
win business
financial prosperity
can't
by
win the game when
I'm not nearly as confident on the inside
life.
appear to be in public.
I
know
ward myself, but the big question
I
must have
is,
how can
positive attitudes toI
achieve that happy
state?"
by seeing that any
"First,
direct effort to
become
self-confident
won't work." "Yes,
how
well
I
know.
"Because you are trying
Why
does
to force
it
fail?"
your mind
Any
which
it
cannot presently accept as
strong
is
merely a reaction from the opposite
4
So what do
I
true.
to accept
something
deliberate attempt to be state of no-strength."
do?"
A DEFINITION OF COURAGE "Do something you that
you are
of courage.
scared. Don't
haven't dared to do before. Face the fact
run away from your fear through pretense
Be scared— and study
it.
Don't attempt
to
evade the fact
cora
of fear. Don't try to ::
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e£:rW
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36 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
and receptive mind, one It
that has
abandoned
only way. In
we go
easy
struggle.
way
in detail,
the
is
when
into the tremendous secret of non-resistance.
Let's see
your creative
One day to the Detroit sat
and
all strain
man who has learned at last that the Chapter II we will be covering this idea
appears to the
down
how
a relaxed
mind
supplies an easy confidence in
abilities.
man named
1918 a
in
suburbs to
at Egan's
Richard Whiting traveled out
married friend, Ray Egan. Whiting
visit a
He
piano to casually play around with the keys.
didn't try to force anything;
he just rambled around
what
to see
tunes would arise from the piano.
Egan,
who was walking
past,
suddenly stopped.
ing to repeat a certain passage, and vary
Working
together, the
two men soon had
gave the finished song the
changed
later
as
German
an English
to
title
title
a bit.
it
a
asked Whitso.
charming melody. They
Auf Wiedersehen.
of
meaning
He
Whiting did
just
It
was
about the same thing
Auf Wiedersehen. Because of their relaxed receptivity, one of the most enduring
of all popular songs
came
sold millions of copies times.
to
Richard Whiting and Ray Egan.
and has been
You probably have hummed
a hit
or
It
has
around the world several
sung the lovely Till
We
Meet
Again. So,
if
an affirmative attitude toward ourselves and toward our
inner creative powers cannot be forced, then find out
by going
how
does
it
arrive? Let's
into:
Your four secret words Modern psychology
has shed additional light on a secret of
mental magic that was known by the ancients. every
man and woman
self-image
means
that
The
secret
is
that
has a self-image. Defined in simple terms,
you see yourself
as
being a certain kind of
person. If you see yourself as being confident, then you also act confidently, for all exterior actions are identical in nature to the thoughts
that cause them.
On
the other hand,
then your actions must obey the
if
you see yourself
command
as frightened.
of that negative
sell
image.
YOUR POWER OF SELF-CONFIDENCE
commented Norman
"So,"
image of mine from timid
"You can do
I
Where's the
pushed paper and pencil
I
to alter that self-
is
do
it?"
starting line?"
across the desk to him. "Please write
you."
I tell
As he took the
pencil
instructed, "Please write in bold letters
I
the following four magic words
Norman he asked,
Can
it."
"I'd like to get going.
what
A., "the trick
to confident.
/ 37
"It's
need not obey"
1
:
spoke aloud as he wrote, "I need not obey." Looking up
meaning
what?"
is
"Those are your four magic words. Whenever you treating
from a situation that
self for a it's
moment. Notice
telling
calls for
courage, stop and catch your-
that your self-image
you that you are
feel like re-
whispering
is
scared. Don't accept
it.
Remind
to you;
yourself
—calmly and firmly— that you need not obey that suggestion of timidity." "I like the plan."
Norman's story "You
see,
Norman, you
Without
negativity.
yourself so long
and
yourself have
realizing
so often that
it's
magic words are your counter-attack the process. I
You
really don't.
become
often.
You
fidence,
You
to
Your four
You
when you
just think so.
state of
Use
state
That thinking
the four magic words
calm confidence. Use them
needn't struggle to convince yourself of this existing con-
any more than
it's
a strain to see that today
don't have to try to believe a truth;
that your self-confidence
know how you come About ten days
is
More than
true.
is
Wednesday.
you need only accept
Experiment with
all
this.
it.
Let
See
me
out." later
he
"I'm single, you know.
them.
a fixed habit.
of
it
to crack that habit. It reverses
has deceived and cheated you long enough.
your natural and rightful
self-image
this
are telling yourself the exact truth
need not obey. You
to claim
built
of course. You've suggested
it,
they know.
let
me know.
Like
this:
I
like girls all right,
I
think about
but I'm scared of
girls a lot,
but what good
38 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
is
that? I'd like to find a nice
know
girl,
knows
And
it.
but
never works out.
it
When
something, Mr. Howard?
Do
you
you're scared of a girl she
much any more. She's man who makes
then she doesn't like you as
appointed that you're not a strong and confident
her
Well, anyway, the other night something happened that
feel secure.
changed a
dis-
lot of things.
Like to hear?"
"Like to hear."
Success! "Well, there's
me.
nice. Sort of bashful, like
Most
day. I
of the time
have
I
to
she'll
we
hint
to take the initiative,
drop in her
me
with
Know why
submit told
the other day.
company
me,
"It
sounds
ing she wanted
So
to ask
see that
it
But
I
to ask
was
timidity.
up
Anyway,
to
me
I
had
her to have lunch
afraid,
mostly afraid
Then I reYou know something? It
simply occurred to
me
that
I
need not
We had lunch together.
I
have the
feel-
long ago.
You know, Mr. Howard,
know
cracked that timid self-image a
I've
has only the authority over
me
that
I
that's
unknowingly
need not obey."
give
it.
you
find yourself reacting
I
wanted
it's
hope that
asked her. Just like that. She smiled and
like fun."
me
just a small victory, but I bit. I
I
know
I
standing there embarrassed.
strain at all. It
to that feeling.
I
cafeteria.
me
I
don't have the nerve.
need not obey that
I
No
I just
kid? Because
I
kid because
I
should go out together.
but
no and leave
she'd say
membered. worked.
office
in the
the hall. She's very
go in there once or twice a
kid with her.
I just
don't have the courage to seriously ask.
some time
to
down
this girl in the office
This
SOMM
is
highly practical for you,
too.
Use
it
wherever
more shyly than you want. As you hear
the negative whispering, quietly remind yourself, "I need not obey." Start like this: In the spaces below,
you want your
to act
goals.
you can in your 1.
three situations
where
with more daring. This will keep you reminded of
Now,
easily, casually,
list
apply the ideas you have just covered. Use them
without rush or daily affairs.
strain.
Just apply
them wherever
YOUR POWER OF SELF-CONFIDENCE / 39 2. 3.
A
surprisingly delightful thing will
command
cover that you have
HOW
happen
of yourself after
are
is
thoughts,
TO ACHIEVE MORE
The
the result of it is
made up
what we have thought; of our thoughts."
in
life.
"All that
founded on our
it is
(Buddha)
quality of your ideas determines the quality of the actions
you take toward your
desires.
The
average person heads for his goal
with a blend of both affirmative and negative tive his thinking, the greater his
which negative
The
will dis-
all!
Your thoughts determine the place you occupy
we
You
to you.
ideas.
The more
affirma-
degree of success. But the extent to
factors control his
mind, the
lesser his
achievement.
process can be likened to baking a tasty chocolate cake. If
the baker uses the ingredients as listed by the tested recipe, he cannot fail to
them
come up with out, or
if
a tasty chocolate cake.
he adds untasty ones,
But
if
he leaves some of
his cake will
be
less
than
it
could have been. All the ingredients for living confidently are known.
We we
book
can load our table of
We
like.
we Try
call those recipes
this
life
with
as
many
delicious recipes as
need only discover and follow the tested
recipes. In this
the secrets of mental magic.
good recipe for discovering your confident
Select a goal
which you
present capacities. Tackle
it
feel to
be just
slightly
enthusiastically, as best
self:
beyond your
you can. You
will
achieve some degrees of success. That success expands both your abilities
slightly
and your confidence in yourself beyond
to
succeed with the next
goal.
In other words, dare to put yourself to the observable characteristic of successful people.
test.
They
This
is
an
easily
are forever act-
ing beyond themselves. Their mental attitude might be expressed,
"To achieve more than I think I can, I do more than I think I can." Such people find a constant stream of good things coming their way: It came to J. L. Kraft, founder of Kraft Foods, like this:
40 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
The confidence of United States
Officials of the
find a cheese with certain qualities.
freshness
and
that the Kraft invitation
j. l.
kraft
Army and Navy were eager The cheese had to preserve
flavor over long voyages to foreign shores.
company was putting up some
was extended
to
Mr. Kraft
cheese to headquarters for appraisal.
of
its
tins.
They heard
cheese in
tins.
An
bring a five-pound tin of
to
Upon
arriving
he was
the Department of Agriculture was also working on a
preserving cheese in
to its
told that
method
for
Kraft boldly suggested that his cheese and
the rival one be tested alongside each other. So both tins were placed
on an
office radiator for
When of victory.
two weeks.
Kraft returned two weeks later he saw splattered evidence
The
cheese had blown
rival
its
top over the heat. But the
Kraft tin was in perfect shape.
"You win!" an
official
going to clean up the
The
declared, then sadly added, "But who's
office?"
daring confidence of
J.
L. Kraft in both himself and his
product led to government orders for millions of pounds of cheese.
You can your personal
challenge yourself in both your business affairs and in life
with good
results.
Writes Professor James C. Cole-
man: Our human nature seems to be such that we actually function more smoothly and more happily when we are active, questing, challenging, stimulated. When we go out of our way to expand our interests and our knowledge, we gain a sense of satisfaction; when we narrow our interests and cease to grow, we feel dissatisfied. We are bored with a vegetative existence that
offers
no challenge. 2
Success often arrives at an unexpected hour to the person challenges
life,
realize that
who
persistently maintains his self- value.
from 1776
to
1781 George Washington never
major military victory over the the British out of Boston.
Few
From
British. In
that date
on
March it
was
who
people
won
a
of 1776 he drove
a matter of strategy,
2 Reprinted from Personality Dynamics and Effective Behavior by James A. Coleman, copyright 1960 by Scott, Foresman and Company, Chicago.
©
YOUR POWER OF SELF-CONFIDENCE of watching, of being an inspiration to his
/ 41
men. In an unexpected
Yorktown, in October of 1781, General Cornwallis sur-
place, at
rendered his army to the Americans. General Washington
won
out
because, in spite of apparent failure, he maintained his value as a
commander.
The single greatest thought! During the to the
early days of
mainmast of
sight a whale.
whaling ships a golden coin was fastened
Would you
was the reward
a vessel. It
What confidence know
like to
it
gave
to a
for the
first
man
to
man's sharp eyesight!
the greatest single thought for inspiring
your confidence? It is
the thought that your actions will be richly rewarded.
With
that excitement over forthcoming benefits, nothing can
stop you.
Without
that thought, your actions will be half-hearted
and
your results will be few.
We like
Nature made us reward-minded people.
happy endings. And we can have what we But here secrets of
their
failed
and they never
them.
Any
that
By working with
the
know for sure that those rich results way toward you. The Principles of Life have never
mental magic you can
winging
are
and
like.
the exciting point to grasp:
is
rich results
will fail
anyone
who
lives in
success that you have achieved thus far
you have wisely
allied yourself
is
harmony with clear evidence
with these natural principles.
And
you can prove your increased wisdom by relying on them more and more. All this
is
not something mystical or impractical.
workable in everyday to
affairs. I
have seen
help their children; I've watched
crease for businessmen. Like
one
who
it
it
guide parents
work miracles
It
is
richly
who wanted
of financial in-
sunshine, life-principles brighten every-
steps outdoors.
"Nature cannot miss." (John Dryden)
"Come
forth into the light of things; let nature be your teacher."
(William Wordsworth)
42 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Exciting ideas You can always order of things. class
harmony by working with the
find inner
A very
natural
wise high school teacher illustrated this to her
with the following experiment, which you will find fascinating
to try for yourself:
Take
a length of string about a yard long.
teaspoon. Tie the teaspoon by in your ears
handle.
its
and swing the spoon so
that
At
its
center, tie a
Hold the ends
of the string
it
strikes a solid object, per-
haps the back of a chair. You will hear surprising deep, rich and
bell-
like chimes.
Any
of us can find the harmonies
we need— including
self-confi-
dence—by discovering our natural powers.
One man came
to ask several questions
SOMM.
His special goal was
strength.
As we
to build a greater reserve of inner
finished our discussion
review everything we've talked about? I
can keep in mind
as I
about his studies of
go through
my
he asked, "Will you please
I'd like a brief
summary
that
day."
"Everything can be summarized in two exciting ideas."
"What
is
the
"There
is
a
"And
first?"
way
out."
the second?"
"You can
find
it."
Your natural confidence Someone once asked me, "When we speak what do we mean? but what
is
I
actually
That was
hope
this doesn't
meant by the term
sound
of self-assurance,
like a stupid question,
self-confidence?"
really a very intelligent question. It revealed honest
inquiry on the part of that person.
The answer is
this:
the natural principles
Genuine
self-confidence
we have been
is
talking about.
your reliance upon
You can
call
them
whatever you like— Divine Doctrines, Natural Laws, Universal Principles,
Cosmic Forces— but we
are talking about the
same
thing.
You
YOUR POWER OF SELF-CONFIDENCE don't
and you
can't create these principles, but
/ 43
you can certainly de-
pend upon them. But before your reliance must come your awareness. You must see that they exist
As we saw
and
your
exist for
service.
in early pages of this chapter, personal strength
natural possession of your mind. Like
all
natural strengths,
is
a
awaits
it
your discovery. Wrote Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Alexis Carrel: "Nat-
from man-made ones. They are discovered,
ural laws differ profoundly
not invented. Like the spring at the bottom of the well, they exist 3
before they are discovered."
Why
are
you confident when you
slide into
your automobile?
You know
Because you quietly depend upon mechanical principles. that your alliance with
them
will serve
you with the transportation
you want. Such confidence cannot be shattered by anything. Even
someone were
you that the car won't function, you
to scornfully tell
know better. You know very well that mony with that automobile you will be
as long as
you work in har-
carried forward.
Likewise can you confidently permit the principles of carry
you toward your
The
story goes about the
attract a
me two
"Better give
young lady who went shopping
We
doesn't
mind
handsome
need only
we
if
told her that a certain
bottles," the
him by next week-end." That at least reminds us our actions.
millionaire within
young miss eagerly
fail.
in
want
of the simple confidence that can govern
let
And
your personal
of
two weeks.
replied, "I
them prove themselves
to us.
Nature test.
neither can you. Luther Burbank, for life.
You
free of timidity.
Our
one, proved himself with his bold experiments with plant it
to
at the
new brand
challenge her. She invites us to put her to the
She knows she cannot can prove
life
goals.
perfume counter. The saleslady perfume would
if
life.
Power-Points for Self-Confidence 1.
In
its
goal 3
natural state the
is
human mind
is
to recover this original state of
Alexis Carrel, Refections on Life
(New
mind.
York: Hawthorn Books, Inc., 1952).
44 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
2.
You
are perfectly capable of living with an entirely
new
kind of self-assurance. 3.
Your natural strengths can regain them with
4.
Review the
are never permanently
lost.
You
SOMM.
story in this chapter about Leonard. It contains
vital truths. 5.
You need never obey
fearful suggestions
from your mind.
Quietly refuse them. 6. All
the ingredients for living a fully confident
known. Make them your personal 7.
10.
will soon see that
you actually can!
Success often comes at unexpected times and from unseen
man who maintains his self-value. Remember your forthcoming rewards. Let them inspire you. Learn about and trust the natural laws of life. They never fail the man who harmonizes with them. sources to the
9.
are
Constantly challenge yourself to do more than you think
you can. You 8.
life
aids.
Freedom from Tiring Responsibility
after a lecture entitled Eleven Magic Words,
a couple wrote
me
a nice note
which
read:
Dear Mr. Howard:
Thank you Words.
so
much
for
those inspiring Eleven
We cannot begin to tell you how much
entire family.
They
they
mean
Magic to the
are like a golden light tliat cleared the fog
from our minds. You have no idea of how they relieved us from the burden of false responsibility. Everything has lightened in
way we never thought possible. If you have we would like to purchase several hundred
a
friends
and business
same sense
With
associates.
of lightness that
is
We
now
know
it
copies of that talk to pass
will give
around
to
them the
ours.
deepest gratitude and appreciation.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Later in this chapter
magic words.
I
am
I
want
to
supply you with those eleven
confident that they will be as golden to you, [45]
46 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
too.
But
some
take
let's
first,
first
steps toward your
freedom from
tiring responsibility.
Why you When
should be defiant
Donald K. came
get to the point. Sensing this
Why
on your mind? thing is
is
to get
I
You don't have to problem, whatever it is. The important
out into the open where
it
no such thing
an impossible
as
to
asked, "Is there something in particular
not come right out with
having the
feel apologetic for
he seemed reluctant
to talk things over
we
it?
can work on
it.
There
situation. Let's get rid of the diffi-
culty. All right?"
He
smiled.
for a long time.
another.
"It's It's
I feel like
wonder whether stating
it
good
to
hear you say that. I've kept
this business of
a
all
man
feel that
one wearisome responsibility
that weight really belongs there.
something
is
know what
causes
Is
it.
after
I
may
I
not be
mean?"
you don't know what
it
You is
or
that right?"
"That's just about
"Would you "Who?"
I
taking unfair advantage of you.
stagger under that constant load, but
who
botded up
who's forced to carry a load on his back.
very clearly, but do you
"You
it
it."
know who's
like to
causing
it?"
"You." "Really?" "Really."
"How am
I
burdening myself?"
"Nine-tenths of the weights you carry don't belong to you at
But you don't see it— yet. Through accompanied by pangs of
all.
a mistaken sense of duty, usually
you constantly do things you
false guilt,
des-
The truth is, you don't have to They are mental in origin, but you
perately wish you didn't have to do.
You know it— yet. There
only think you do.
do them. don't
up your
thinking.
I'll
are secrets of mental
show you how
will find yourself delightfully free
"Give
me
a single
good
to use
from
secret."
magic that
will clear
them. Then, Donald, you
all
those mystifying loads."
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIRILITY / 47 "Cheerfully defy to you.
It's
all
duties that
you honestly
feel don't
belong
your life— remember?"
Donald
felt
ing and purpose.
much
He
better after that.
His days took on new mean-
learned to separate genuine duties from false
which
ones, a liberating action
your next step toward personal
is
freedom.
What your
responsibilities
ARE NOT
A man
in Arizona once
directions for finding a chest of gold coins.
because
man
it
also included
some
map which gave The map was puzzling
found a faded treasure
and misleading
false
directions.
But the
took time to separate the true from the false— and found his gold. If
we want
to discover
our personal treasures,
we can
separating our genuine responsibilities from those that only
belong to us. It is
never your duty
1.
Give what you
2. Sacrifice 3.
Do more
to:
really don't
want
to give.
your integrity to anyone. than you have time to do.
4.
Drain your strength for
5.
Listen to unwise counsel.
6.
Act above your present capacity.
7.
Retain an unfair relationship.
8.
Be anyone hut
9.
Conform
to
exactly
others.
who you
are.
unreasonable demands.
10.
Be one-hundred percent
11.
Follow the crowd.
12.
Put up with unpleasant
perfect.
situations.
13.
Try
14.
Bear the hurden of another's misbehavior.
15.
Do
16.
Endure your own negative thoughts.
to please
unpleasant people.
something you cannot
17. Feel guilty
really do.
toward your inner
desires.
18. Submit to overhearing conditions.
start
by
seem
to
48 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
19.
Apologize for being yourself.
20.
Meekly
let life
you
pass
HOW BETTY MADE One
PROGRESS
of the most hoaxing of
in Point 8.
Whatever other
by.
all false responsibilities is
secrets of
indicated
mental magic you apply
to
your
be sure to remember that you need never be anyone but exactly
life,
who you
This
are.
a truth that sets
is
you
H. happily
free, as Betty
discovered.
made herself comfortable, "to mean the truth, not just some pleas-
"I'd like/' she explained as she
discover the truth about things.
I
ant-sounding philosophy that doesn't really work.
from astrology
Zen. So, please, could
to
we
I've tried
think
everything
through?
it
Where
do we find the truth?" "Inside your
had
it
Betty, fight
own mind. The
you know the truth
it,
but
is within. You Deep down inside your mind, about yourself. You may resist it, you may
you can never
at birth,
still
you know
truth about yourself
lose
it.
it."
"What do you mean?" "You really know what is
best for yourself, but nonsensical ideas
about your duties toward others have suppressed
you know very well— that there
you
really feel
You know— and between the way
it.
a big difference
is
about things and the
way you pretend
to feel."
She smiled with good humor. "Are you saying I'm I
am.
I
know
artificiality.
it.
That's what
Pretense
is
part of
"Yes, but you've already Betty, inner conflict
yourself
This
is
I
want
my
problem,
made
artificial?
Yes,
to crash through. I'm tired of isn't it?"
progress by realizing
it.
You
see,
caused by the clash between the truth about
and the falsehoods which your mind has innocently absorbed.
conflict
is
at the root of all
human
unhappiness."
The truth that sets you free Betty asked,
mean,
is
and the
"Would
it
be accurate
unhappiness actually the artificial self?"
to state
conflict
it
in another way,
between the genuine
I
self
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIBILITY / 49 pain— anxiety,
"Exactly. All varieties of mental
sion—spring from the difference between your real
despair, depres-
and the
self
self
you think you should be." "What's the way out?"
"Have you should
the courage to be whatever you are, be.
afraid of
What you way and
in the natural
someone
think you should be will take care of
in
its
own good
in your family or
time. For instance,
why you
feel that
away
"You truth
is it,
way. Once you grasp what that fear
it
really
is all
about,
it
the truth that sets us free."
is
much
better already."
are entitled to
it. It's
really the best friend
even
try to destroy
never leaves the mind;
Don't worry, Betty,
if
it
it,
keep
based on honest thinking.
You
you have. You can suppress but
you don't little
it,
always faithful to you.
it's
cant, for
the right track. Just have a "I'll
with,
understand
course."
"I feel
fight
try to
of itself."
"Then "Of
Then
itself
you are
if
maybe someone you work
simply admit to yourself that you are afraid.
falls
and never mind what
it's
the
see,
deny
The
it,
truth
a natural built-in part of you.
fully grasp all this as yet.
patience.
It will
You
are
on
come."
after it."
"Then you
can't fail to be free."
Your only duty You
are never responsible for
any situation where you have
neither the power nor authority to change things. Parents are responsible for their children
because parents do have control in their
homes. (I hear a mother of tornado-like
tots
coming back with, "That's
what you think!") But when the children grow up and nest, parental responsibility goes
ous
fact, yet I find
many
with
it.
own
fly
This may seem
the family
like
an obvi-
parents needlessly burdening themselves long
past natural requirements. Assistance, yes; responsibility, no.
No and any
adult
human
being can take responsibility for another adult,
feelings contrary to that fact are both unrealistic
punishing.
and
self-
:
50 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Whenever you run
into an unchangeable situation
another person, your only task ity
toward
And you
it.
abandon
He
a heavy coat on a hot day.
A man has a conditioned nonsense and hypocrisy
two
You can drop
is
feelings of responsibil-
it
like a
done with
is
Where you can do man who throws off
it.
conscience which
is
made up
of
all
has absorbed from a confused society.
also has a natural conscience
difference in the
all
should do so cheerfully.
owe nothing. You should be
nothing, you
he
to
is
involving
which
is
pure and
free.
To
the
And
see the
the difference between frustration and joy.
half your burdens at this very instant by disbeliev-
ing those fuzzy-minded people
who
they
insist that
know what your
duties are.
A
number
of people have told
received from a paragraph in
The
Way
Miracle
my
it's
New
to a Successful
Take the impossible task of you think
your duty to do
me
of considerable help they
previous book,
Life. It reads
trying to love
so.
The
ACTION POWER:
truth
someone merely because
is,
you are not required
to
love an unlovable person. Your only duty toward an unlovable person is
to face the realities
about
sake but for your own. You
his personality,
and even
that not for his
owe nothing— absolutely nothing— to
the
person whose psychological make-up prevents him from returning your kindness.
No amount
of preaching
change the basic law of
life
by confused moralists can ever
that every adult must earn the right to be
loved. 1
Make
it
a pleasure
Do you know what those that
we
our genuine responsibilities are?
as mature-thinking adults
want
to accept.
They They
are arc
never those imposed upon us by demanding people.
Remember, a worthwhile responsibility in life is never tiring or You want to do it! It's a pleasure. If it's not that, it's not yours
painful. to do.
It is
our responsibility to love, to take delight in our inner powers,
to enjoy the
of friends, to
work
at ridding
Vernon Howard, ACTION POWER: The Miracle (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1963).
1
Life
company
our minds of nega-
Way
to a
Successful
New
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIBILITY / tivities,
to recognize the pleasure in everything pleasurable.
when he
Louis Stevenson was aware of this secret
no duty we so much underrate
No doubt you make
we have had
accurate declaration
Of
course.
But a deeper examination
"To make
is,
I
don't
I
know
"The
usually reply,
greatest gift
others without natural.
—you
first
Not only
self.
to feel useful, to
much
yourself."
be of beneto those
to give."
you could ever give
Any
of
revelation.
something worthwhile
that I have
own happy and mature
your
is
scientifically
happy
others happy, be
to people. I'd like to contribute
around me. But
The
the cart before the horse.
People often remark to me, "I want fit
wrote, "There
duty of being happy."
as the
by modern psychology has come up with a curious
seems that
Robert
have heard many times the advice, "To be happy,
others happy." True.
that idea It
51
you
benefit
to
anyone
try to pass
on
is
to
being personally happy will be strained and un-
that,
but sooner or
later
you
will feel that they are unappreciated.
will resent your efforts
When
you are a spon-
taneously kind individual, your goodness will be a natural offspring of that cheery state.
from your
Genuine goodness cannot be something must be an overflow of
total personality; it
apart
it."
Attend to what you want As both Donald K. and Betty H.
discovered,
it is
the truth about
ourselves that frees us from ourselves.
One
great truth
Nothing can be sonal integrity.
is
this:
right that forces
You have
thing that openly or slyly cuts nity.
Your inner
you
the right— no, the
integrity
away
comes
at the
first,
work
against your per-
duty— to
rebel against any-
to
ground of your human
for without
it
dig-
you cannot be
a
happy and productive person. But we must take care otherwise, our rebellion
is
to see
likely to
really need. Resistance against
selves
is
not healthy rebellion;
the truth before
more rewarding!
we
what our
best-interests really are;
be just the opposite of what
we
any truth we may discover about ourit is
self-harming.
are capable of fighting for
We it.
must recognize
And no
battle
is
MENTAL MAGIC
52 / SECRETS OF
How can you rightfully rebel and replace Like
burdensome sense
of duty,
this:
Turn your that
against a
with joyous action?
it
attention to
same thought
what you
A
way:
in another
really
want from
life.
Let's state
joyous sense of responsibility
toward yourself will free you from mistaken ideas about your duties in
life.
Dr. David Seabury sums up with brilliant clarity: There ests
is
delight
in
doing what one's hopes designate, one's
inter-
impel and lure one to do. Passionate desire helps one to concen-
trate
on what
important to one's personal being, and deliciously to
is
ignore the millions of duties that others would pour upon one's head. 1
'
Learn belong *o
defy cheerfully
to
Like the
to you.
little
all
duties that you honestly feel do not
man you
will
now
read about.
The magic kingdom Once upon
time there was a magic kingdom called Elfonia.
a
Every citizen was an the kingdom.
"Welcome
"My
elf.
One day
a
stranger!
name," he said
street,
someone
called out,
Inquiring Elf."
"is
But where
"Pardon?'' asked Inquiring Elf.
"Maybe you
elf arrived at the gates of
What's your name?"
"Y\ elcome. Inquiring Elf.
is
"Where
your sack of plums?" is
my
what?"
haven't noticed," a citizen explained, "that everyone
in Elfonia carries a sack of live in
new
As he walked down the main
plums over
his shoulder. If
you wish
to
our kingdom you must also carry a heavy sack of plums over
your shoulder." "Well,
if
diat
guess I'd better
is
the custom," Inquiring Elf pleasantly agreed, "I
fall in line."
So Inquiring Elf went sack of plums.
And
to the
Plum Market and
he carried
k
it
around.
the theater, to the book store, even to
bed— he
for the next several days
Wherever he went— to
took on a
carried his heavy sack of
plums over
his shoulder.
2 David Seaburv. The Art of Living Without Tension (New and Row, 1958).
Y
>rk:
Harper
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIBILITY / 53
On
wonder about something.
the sixth day he began to
cam-
heavy sack of plums
a
The neighbor
So. being
"Why
Inquiring Elf. he casually inquired of his neighbor,
must
I
day long?"
all
looked startled
as
he replied,
"I've
never heard that
question before. I'd better ask the mayor."
So the neighbor asked the mayor, '"Why must sack of plums
all
day long?"
The mayor shook have
earn- a heavy
I
head and
his
said.
"I
know.
really don't
I
will
Prime Minister."
to ask the
So the mayor asked the Prime Minister, heavy sack of plums
The Prime
all
"Why
must
I
cam-
a
day long?"
Minister stared into space for awhile, then answered,
"That's a real baffler
We
all right.
had
better see
what the King has
to say."
So the Prime Minister stood before the King I
cam-
ing
a
heavy sack of plums
all
to ask,
"Why
must
day long?"
The King looked shocked as he replied, "That is question. Maybe wed better ask that newcomer
a
most perplex-
to
town
called
Inquiring Elf."
So even-one went a
heavy sack of plums "I've
finally
Inquiring Elf
to all
been thinking about
found the answer.
It's
off
"Freedom
"Now
"Why
must we cam'
that," replied Inquiring Elf.
because
don't have to carry a heavy sack of
"Then
to ask,
day long?"
we
plums
don't
all
know
that
"and
we
I
really
day long."
with the burden!" cried the King. at last!"
echoed the people.
we're getting smart." agreed Inquiring Elf.
Your power of self-interest While
inviting
me
to
speak before her club for the second time
the president requested, "Will
discussed before.
found
I
this a fascniating idea,
Few
you please include an idea
refer to the topic of self-interest.
that
A number
and would appreciate more
things will free you from tiring responsibility
you
of us
details."
more quickly
54 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
than to understand your healthy
powers and
The
So
self-interest.
look into
let's
its
possibilities.
first vital
point to grasp
thing as selfishness. Selfishness
is
is
that self-interest
not the same
is
the result of a man's inability to serve
own best welfare! What, really, is a selfish man? He is simply one who fails to realize that he has vast inner forces ready to supply him his
with whatever he needs for a wealthy this truth
he desperately
fears losing
he could
what
little
clings to
life.
Because he doesn't grasp
whatever he can grab. Because he
he has, he never gains the much greater good
possess.
Your eager
self-interest acts as a searchlight for locating
personal powers. Far from being selfish,
it is
your rich
the very thing that de-
stroys selfishness!
The
person with a healthy sense of what
what we would
call a
mature and
is
right for himself
self-directed personality.
He
dissolved his frantic inner scramblings,
he has poise and
and those who meet him sense
are attracted to his side.
It is
it
and
own
self-assurance,
many
often a false sense of guilt that prevents
cheerfully plunging after their
people from
good.
human
Guilty or not, this emotion swirls around the
system to
cause more damage and distress than one might imagine. This
tremendous subject which with intense ber
interest.
social scientists like
For our purposes here,
is
a
Dr. Freud have studied it is
enough
to
remem-
this:
People feel guilty whenever they standards of conduct. guilt arises act.
is
has
when we
But we should
To
act differently
realize that the
be entirely incorrect,
fail to live
up
to their self-made
say the same thing in another way, false
unrealistic,
from the way we think we should
way we
think
we
should act
and therefore an enemy
may
to healthy
living.
Eleven magic words Take the idea that you should be "good." Now what, in heaven's is meant by that? All we really have is a word, a noble sounding word to be sure, but merely a word that has only the meaning that
name,
:
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIBILITY you give is
it.
Quite obviously
it is
good
to drive
your car
mittee
when you
But
to
"good patience"
to serve. Is
it
No, because you
and
want
not serve
individual?
it
one questions
No, because you
to?
to a false feeling that
are sacrificing
it is
your "duty"
to endlessly give in to a
domineering
away your own
individuality
are giving
name
integrity in the false
and
"good cooperation" to serve on a com-
is it
really don't
your genuine desire
safely,
No
plainly good to brush your teeth in the morning.
that kind of goodness.
/ 55
maybe "good
of "good humility" or
patience."
Abandon
notions that you
all
any way whatsoever.
We
make
Sacrifice
only
sacrifice
is
must
sacrifice yourself to others in life,
never an afhrmation.
we have
nothing worth keep-
a denial of
when we
feel
ing for ourselves.
At
the start of this chapter
way
their lives in a
this miracle for
responsibility in life
first
who
read of the couple
lightened
they never dreamed possible. Here are the eleven
magic words that performed
Your
we
is
them
toward your
own mental
ad-
vancement.
The Law
of Life says
principle of living
Not
just because
you
first
things
first.
will free yourself
Vernon Howard
If
from
you
will
make
this
your
all tiring responsibilities.
says so, but because
it is so.
you
decrees that you should cheerfully serve yourself so that
Nature
will have
something of genuine value for others.
The It is
satisfaction of
creates a satisfied
he
is
is
personality.
a primary
Once
free to go about his daily business
asm and without to give,
your natural needs
happy and generous
a
hampering sense
and because he
law of nature.
a man's inner self
with cheery enthusi-
of guilt. Because
he has something
realizes that his riches are inexhaustible,
he
enriches everyone he meets.
The adventure of ulysses One
of the adventures of Ulysses, the legendary hero of
Greek
mythology, makes a good point for us here. Ulysses and his crew
landed on the shore of a strange and lovely island. While some of the
men were
refilling
water
jars, a
report
came
to Ulysses.
He
was
told
MENTAL MAGIC
56 / SECRETS OF
that the island
who had power
was ruled by Circe, a beautiful and wicked to
men
change
But the
into animals.
sorceress
bad news
really
was that she had already worked her swift wickedness on some
own men who had
carelessly
wandered away from
of his
shore.
Ulysses was angrily marching toward the palace of the wicked princess
when he was
stopped by the god Mercury. "Take
you from
sprig of a plant," said Mercury. "It will protect
this
magic
Circe's evil
enchantment."
As Ulysses stood within the other gullible victim. She gave
palace, Circe
him food and
was sure she had an-
drink, then touched
with her magic wand, calling, "Go! Seek the woods and
fields
him with
your animal companions!"
But the magic twig blocked
knew
it.
She was defeated and
Falling on her knees before Ulysses she agreed to restore his
friends to
human
form.
loyal friend of the
And
Because he
From
that day
on Circe was a
himself possesses a magic twig like that.
own mind he cannot be degraded or who he is— a man free of tyrannical notions
in charge of his
is
harmed. Simply by being
duty— he
she did.
Greek hero.
The man who has found
of
Circe's power.
gives far
more
What this world women who are free from gooders.
to the
world than
the professional do-
all
needs more than anything else
is
men and
mental sorcery.
Your genuine welfare Dr. Rollo those start
who are
May
observes:
"William James once remarked that
concerned with making the world more healthy had best
with themselves.
We could go farther and
the center of strength within ourselves
contribution
Healthy
we can make self-interest
genuine welfare ahead of
to
our fellow men."
can be defined false welfare.
another way, the capacity to do what
we wrongly assume
is
point out that finding
in the long
is
beneficial.
Take
3 Rollo May, Man's Search for Himself pany, Inc., 1953).
run the best
3
as the capacity to place
Or
to state the
your
same thing
in
actually beneficial, not
what
for instance that familiar
emo-
is
(New
York:
W. W.
Norton and Com-
.
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIBILITY / 57 tion of anger. Is
Anger
to
it
our benefit to become angry? Obviously not.
destroys peace of mind.
It
weakens good judgment.
It
promotes
we
impulsive behavior that turns out to be self-harming and that regret.
tool?
Then why would anyone employ
and
this useless
later
self -damaging
because our present level of understanding supplies no other
It's
method, because
we
can't think of
able to see that clear
we
an alternative, because
and calm reasoning can
temporary ego-satisfaction, but never lasting
free us.
are un-
Anger supplies
self-satisfaction.
We are free at last when we start pleasing ourselves, not our conand
ditioned
false notions
about ourselves.
All negative tools, such as anger, envy, worry
autumn
leaves once a
man
really sees
them
away
fall
as negative tools.
like
Once he
catches his Magnificent Glimpse of the new, he has no further use
Then his life changes magically in his favor. Whenever you are thinking about a certain action, put
for the old.
question to yourself, "In the long run,
is
it
this
simple
self-defeating or self-
serving?"
The
habit of
making
you
this self-inquiry enables
ference between a constructive and a harmful action. clearly see
happy
where your
best-interests lie,
you
to tell the dif-
And
effortlessly
once you
choose that
course.
The
English philosopher John Stuart Mill supplies this simple
guide: "Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness;
wrong
as
they tend to promote the reverse of happiness."
Summary: Your freedom from your
ability to serve
your
interest to serve
your healthy
tiring responsibility
always equals
self-interest. So, it is to
your
self-
self-interest!
Your Declarations of Freedom 1
Become aware your
2.
that
you are carrying needless notions about
responsibilities.
Learn
to cheerfully
Freedom soon defy
have no place in your day.
all
follows.
duties that
you honestly
feel
58 / SECRETS OF
3.
Review the 20 you
4.
MENTAL MAGIC
How many
listed points in this chapter.
can
from your mind and practiced
rid
Deep down
inside your
you. Ignore the
demands
mind you know what of confused people
and
is
best for
listen
only
to this inner voice. 5.
Know you
6.
this:
to live
When we
It is
your
we
life.
have found ourselves, there are no longer any
burdensome
7.
the truth about your inner self that frees
own
duties.
There
are only those pleasurable actions
enjoy taking.
By being
a personally
happy person you automatically con-
tribute benefits to others.
That
is
what
this
world needs—
genuinely happy people. 8.
Remember
the adventure of Inquiring Elf. Notice
he challenged
society's right to
how
burden him with miserable
custom. 9.
10.
Use your power
of mature self-interest.
Write down and memorize your eleven magic words: Your first
responsibility in life is
vancement.
toward your
own mental
ad-
I Mental Magic Wins the Opposite Sex
during A class
Nancy
F. asked a question that
in the secrets of mental magic,
was on the minds of
several
people.
"How do the secrets apply to my relations with the opposite my affairs with the man in my life go smoother? Will
sex? Will
there be
more
What
love, I
me
"Let are
some
ies? Please give
She target
is
tilted
to
mean, the genuine kind of love?"
answer
Nancy, by asking you
that,
of the things you've learned so far in our stud-
us a few
main
features of mental magic."
her head thoughtfully. "Well,
change our mental
fixed attitudes
a question.
and
beliefs,
then
selves. alter
We
And
that
ferently to everything.
means
We
that
will be
Our
first
them. That causes us to see
everything in an entirely different way, a
thought possible.
let's see.
must challenge our
we
way
that
will act
and
we
never
react dif-
more mature, have deeper
insight into ourselves."
"All right. Suppose that you actually achieve this change of mind.
Suppose that your mental
level
is
elevated, that your [59]
60 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC viewpoints are sharper and wiser.
What
will
happen
everything
to
outside you, things like your social affairs and your daily work?"
"They
get better."
"You mean
on the outside becomes both
that everything
different
and improved?"
"Why, comes
yes.
An
uplifted
mind
in contact, just as sunshine brightens everything
"Please explain that a
bit,
which
elevates everything with
it
shines on."
it
Nancy."
"Hmmm.
Well, it's like this. The way we think is what makes way they are. Think better and things get better." "Do you know this as a personal experience, or are you repeating
things the
we have
ideas
covered in class?"
"In a small way,
on more
I
know
it
personally.
asked whether the secrets of mental magic can help our
you mean.
mind
turning
original question?"
with the opposite sex." Nancy suddenly smiled. "Oh,
tions
at
light."
"Now, Nancy, what was your "I
But I'm working
answered
I just
uplifts everything.
How
get nicer and nicer.
my own
An
question, didn't I?
That means
that
my
life
see
I
rela-
what
uplifted
man
with that
will
nice!"
Freedom to love That was to let her
a roundabout
answer
it
way
for herself.
to
answer Nancy's question, that
That
What we
one of the goals of
is
proof through personal insight. That
is
what
really
are covering together in every chapter,
talking over,
is
the
way
to
achieved, your world changes.
it,
how
are really
W hen 7
that
is
nothing changes.
This includes the world of the opposite vital area of daily living, let's discover
book:
changes things.
what we
become a new person.
Without
this
is,
this
sex.
Because
new
life
this
is
a
connects with
male-female relations.
The
person
who
changes himself through
SOMM will
find
fascinating differences in his relations with the opposite sex.
think and behave in a
way
that at
first is
He
some will
strange, but gradually conies
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX to
A man
be his newly natural manner.
for sharing, rather than as
whom
one with
The
woman
A woman
as
sees a
an individual
man
as
some-
she can communicate, not merely converse.
which both the man and the woman
pleasantries, for
little
sees a
merely using.
/ 61
yearn, express themselves with delightful frequency. Both have an
inner freedom that releases and exchanges tenderness, affection, simple
The
kindness and understanding.
Real Self possesses
these quali-
all
they need only freedom of expression.
ties;
Poet Richard Lovelace sees
it:
have freedom in
If 1
And
in
my
soul
my love, am free,
Angels alone, that soar above,
Enjoy such
When we
become new,
liberty.
so does our love.
Love and self-growth Take
Many ship.
the idea of responsibility, covered in the previous chapter.
husbands and wives, many
Though
this
of inner tension
What
can
Well,
we
may
and
lovers, feel
burdened by a
not be outwardly admitted,
a
it is
irritability-.
SOMM
do about
this?
can see that our primary responsibility in
We
our
own
this
higher level of understanding
personal growth.
sense of having an
relation-
major cause
can put is
first
things
first.
reached, there
unwanted burden. In
its
place
is
life is
toward
Then, when
no longer any
we have
positive
feelings toward the relationship. Instead of irritating responsibility,
we have
a lighthearted outlook that
for both the
Our
man and
first
the
responsibility-
guarantees a lovely love
This
is
life
is
Our
toward personal growth. That alone
with the opposite
clearly explained
is
sex.
by Dr. Fritz Kunkel:
duties towards ourselves
coincide. Indeed there
makes the relationship pleasant
woman.
and towards our
social
environment
only one duty, namely: to grow mature. To
62 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC ourselves,
find
both
growth,
hood
.
.
Couples
Z'
our center, our highest value of
and
creativity
individual
.
of
.
.
means
unlimited
expanding
brother-
1
who have
disagreements have a perfect opportunity for
mutual growth. By taking
their responsibility
toward growth, they can
use a problem— actually use it— for gaining self-insight.
The
longleaf
pine, growing in the South, has an interesting characteristic. It uses to
fire
promote
its
away surrounding
make
strange
we need
how
The
health and development. its
easily the
flames burn
growth. Likewise, any couple can
their very conflicts a source of
It is
loved,
own
obstacles to
mutual enrichment.
human mind
misses the point.
We
not be rich or famous or influential.
one thing. Ovid, the ancient poet, makes
it
be
need be only
"To be
clear:
To
loved, be
lovable."
Understanding the other sex This
is
a good place to pause for an interesting inquiry: Exactly
why are we studying the secrets of mental magic? What purpose do we have in making this search? Why are we taking time to explore these ideas? What is the point of it all? The point? It is of
To An
utmost significance and simplicity:
enable you to live and love freely. uplifted
mind
is
the only power capable of delivering happi-
and harmony. Unless we think
ness
our actions will be meaningless.
one unwanted condition sex will be anxious
But
in
an entirely new manner,
We will be
to another.
Our
like
all
puppets tugged from
relations
with the opposite
and confused.
as the secrets of
mental magic do their good work, everything
You no longer think toward the opposite sex with anxiety or You have no sense of burden. Instead, there is a certain clarity of mind that makes everything just what it should be. Clear thinking toward the other sex is essential. That is win we changes.
confusion.
1 Fritz
Kunkel, M.D., In Search of Maturity
Sons, 1943).
(New
York: Charles Scribner's
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX will cover this feature in following pages.
/ 63
But a few preliminary ideas
at this point will help.
Someone once
we
old,
wrote, "Although the world
have three major problems
still
thousands of years
is
to solve: blondes, brunettes
and redheads." Yet, certainly
man makes it his purpose to understand women, he can do so. If a woman makes it her intention to grasp the workif
a
ings of the male mind, she has
standing of
SOMM
no
real
problem. Their overall under-
will overflow beneficially into their inquiry of
each other.
One
men
of the
"Why
ing and asking,
made
in our class
do women seem
the
women
smile by frown-
so awfully mysterious to us
men?"
Women stand them.
themselves encourage the fiction that you can't under-
It
gives
them a sense
of power.
But a woman goes
all
out
man who has sense enough to see through her. It relieves her of much painful pretense. A woman really doesn't want to be mysteri-
for a
so
ous.
She wants
to
be loved.
The secret of attraction The subconscious attitudes that a man holds toward a woman are not much different from his other attitudes. The way he thinks toward a specific woman will be similar to his manner of thinking toward
life
casts the
in general.
His mind
same quality of
light
is
like a revolving searchlight that
on everything
least a fair grasp of the realities of life
favorable form toward the of self-acceptance in fact, of
and
those
he
in his
its
path. If he has at
will express
life. If
them
in
some
he has a good degree
will reveal itself in his acceptance of the
woman,
any woman.
The same ful
it
woman
in
hostile
is
true of his negative viewpoints.
toward
life
damaging viewpoints toward the opposite
disguised in one
way
A mind
that
is
fear-
in general will have no choice but to extend sex.
They may be
or another, but sooner or later they will do their
damage, either openly or by some subtle means. All this brings us to a vital point:
It is
useless to try to build a
64 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC surface personality in the hope that
We
it
will
win mature love from an-
we are mature-minded, we will attract members of the opposite sex who are likewise minded. Here are three rules: Mature minds get along fine. One mature mind other person.
what we
attract
are. If
and one immature mind get along not
at all.
Two
immature minds can
use each other, but can never really like each other.
you are interested
If
in a finer love
you must not miss the
life,
significance of this mental law:
We attract and hold a person of the other sex who dwells same general attract
a
level that
someone on
much
we
on the
ourselves occupy. Like attracts like.
a higher level— which
means
To
that he or she will be
nicer person— we need do only one thing: raise our
own
level.
Good news! So again we come back is:
A
change
in the self
to
an exciting principle of
maintaining the mature love of a
Each it
is
man
this
of attracting,
book, which
winning and
woman.
or a
of us has the capacity for finding this greater maturity, for
Our
already exists within us.
pages,
way
the sure
is
to
we
will see in forthcoming
remove unnatural blockages. These blocks
and unworkable
unrealistic
part, as
are
made up
of
attitudes:
Writes Professor Henry Clay Lindgren: It
is
we
true that
all
have a capacity
we
normally develops and grows as maturity. But
may be
what we do not often
and be loved which
realize
is
that our capacity to love
blocked or limited by anxiety, by emotional immaturity, or by
and patterns
attitudes, feelings,
of behavior which are the residues of
childhood experiences. The more
more
to love
pass through various stages of
difficult
Our goal,
it is
then,
we
are affected by such factors, the
for us to love. 2
is
not to "create" a capacity for love, but to destroy
those barriers that prevent
its
release
and enjoyment.
2 Henry Clay Lindgren, How to Live with Yourself and Like It (Greenwich, Conn.: Premier Books, Fawcett Publications, Inc.). Reprinted by permission of author, copyright
©
1953.
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX All this
is
really very
mental magic— such
And
freedom.
good news.
It
as those in following
means
/ 65
that every secret of
chapters— contribute
one of these inner freedoms
is
to inner
that of love.
The fortune hunters
A story
told about
is
ing tales about
some men and women who had heard
lost treasure chests.
They were
excit-
told that fabulous for-
tunes were hidden away on some distant islands. So they joined forces
out their riches.
to seek
They agreed
to share
whatever fortune they
found.
They boarded set sail
ship,
and with an experienced captain
at the
helm,
with high hopes.
On
the fifth day out the captain called out, "Treasure island
ahead!" But they were too busy talking about their treasure-hunting plans to look up.
On
the tenth day the captain shouted, "Treasure island on the
horizon!" But they were so busily occupied with studying
maps
treasure
On
some old
that they didn't bother to answer.
the fifteenth day the captain shouted, "Treasure island to the
starboard!"
But they were so intent on deciding on
just
how
to divide
the treasure that they paid no attention. Fortunately, that story has a
women
finally
became aware
of
that their supposed earnestness
happy ending. Those men and
what they were missing. They was only a
series of distractions that
robbed them of the very thing they wanted. So they stopped ing themselves.
They began
to listen.
So many male-female ventures
woman
And so
realized
distract-
they found their fortunes.
are like that.
The man and
the
needlessly distract themselves from their very fortunes of
mutual happiness that they expect from
One 1.
study at a university came
Worry about
their venture.
up with
five
major
distractions:
yesterday and tomorrow, instead of
making
the relationship a pleasurable one right now. 2.
Shallow thinking. Talking about love and harmony instead of
becoming the kind of mature person who can express
these harmonious characteristics.
66 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
3.
Indifference to the need of the other party for attention and affection.
4. Believing
human 5.
that additional material possessions will
intimacy.
They
bring
won't.
Protecting the ego, rather than expanding the
mind
to
its
it
so
greater capacities for love.
Love and a clear mind One
of the strangest things about the
seldom stops
to really
think— to think
our thoughts are clearly new, old
and familiar
we
imagine that
ideas.
We
when
two
"Aren't
human
ceiling
We
clearly.
in truth
we
walking on the
flies
beings
In no place do
that
often imagine that
are merely repeating
when we
We
are only ex-
may well be mistaken. It's One remarked to the other,
ceiling.
They spend
silly?
and then walk on the
is
mistake familiarity for accuracy.
are seeing things realistically,
pressing our personal viewpoints— which like the
human mind
a fortune
on
this beautiful
floor."
we need more mental
clarity
than in our
lives
with
the other sex.
is
Take the common practice of comparing the sexes. Comparison bound to induce feelings of inferiority or superiority. Both are based
on insecure thinking. Both should be abandoned. The mature-minded lover thinks neither of inferiority nor superiority, nor even equality.
Only
a soldier in battle
weaker than he
is.
have no meaning
The
wonders whether the enemy
is
stronger or
terms of inferiority, superiority and equality
to the free
and mature man. In
their place
he thinks
about things that are really meaningful, such as enjoying the
rela-
tionship!
English author John Ruskin writes, excuse foolish, if
"We
are foolish
in speaking of the superiority of one sex
and without
to the other, as
they could be compared in similar things! Each has what the other
has not; each completes the other; they are nothing alike; and the happiness
and perfection of both depend on each asking and receiving
from the other what the other only can
Asked someone, "What keeps mind?"
give."
a person in a confused state of
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX "His lack of awareness that he
"What
prevents
confused."
is
him from becoming aware?"
"His lack of a good look
at himself."
"What is the way out?" "A good look." "Will that make him a more "It
/ 67
loving person?"
the only thing that will."
is
"Why
that?"
is
"Because, as the false goes, the truth comes." "It's
the truth that sets you free?"
among
"Free,
other things, to genuinely love."
The most important thing! The
story
is
told about the noted
artist
why he
"Because
never visited the United States. Replied the Frenchman,
know
only
I
"What are The artist
they?"
Come
see
my
How much? Ham
and
paintings."
enough," the reporter told him, "to get you by in the
is
United States
That
a half-dozen sentences in English."
answered, "Hello. Good-by.
eggs. I love you.
"That
artist who was interThe American asked the
French
viewed in Paris by an American reporter.
for at least a year."
story introduces us to a basic principle for all
happy human
relations: Simplicity.
How
unnecessarily complicated
would occur
in everyone's life
if
we
are.
What
magical changes
everyone would work at simplifica-
tion! If
men and women would
purpose, everything else would
reduce their relations to one single fall
into place with ease.
What single purpose? To simply enjoy each other.
When
your sole occupation
of the other, there tions, like
is
no room
is
to find pleasure in the
left for
anything
else.
company
Harmful emo-
envy and touchiness, are crowded out by your enjoyment.
:
68 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
As one woman laughed during a class, "You know, how much fun he could be!"
never realized
I
Your starting point This
the perfect starting point for building every other element
is
needed
for
cannot
fail to
harmonious
relations.
A
simple resolve to enjoy each other
quietly produce further enrichments, such as coopera-
and patience.
tion
This secret of mental magic was sparked by the response page in
my
previous book
New Life.
a Successful
It
ACTION POWER: The
to a
Way
Miracle
to
reads:
Happily, the single most important thing you should do with a
woman
the very
is
same
thing she wants:
Enjoy her! If
you
will
will fall into
simply do that much, your entire relationship with her
place delightfully. You won't have to struggle trying to
understand her. You can that you
When you And
that in
perform.
rest
from trying to get her to do something
want but doubt that she wants. simply enjoy a
itself is just
A woman
woman, she knows
that you like her.
about the most persuasive act you could ever
soon wearies of a
man who
won't relax,
let
go,
and
enjoy her company. She doesn't want to be changed, analyzed, advised, judged, contradicted, sermonized, educated, pressured, or any-
thing else.
She wants you to enjoy her as she what makes her enjoy you. 3
is.
And
that,
never forget,
is
The mental magician Let's explore a bit
of mental
Do
more the ways
magic contribute
you wonder what they would be
advanced mental magician on
On 3
in
specifically to
this loftier level
Vernon Howard,
which the general
secrets
male-female relations. like if a person
were an
a higher level of understanding?
he would
ACTION POWER: The
Miracle
Life (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1963).
Way
to a
Successful
New
.
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX 1.
Be competent
2.
Never
3.
Really understand
4.
i\ot be sensitive or touchy.
5.
Be confident toward him
6.
Fully enjoy every mutual venture.
7. 8.
Not be at the mercy of domination. Have an attractive sex-personality.
9.
Know how
him
or her.
or her.
to act naturally.
Hayidle the other person smoothly.
Never
12.
Be
get his feelings hurt.
at ease
with the opposite sex.
had reached these it all
course.
ideas in one of our classes
sounds too good
be attained by us?
"Of ideas.
fear loss of lore.
10.
We really
in matters of sex.
1 1
spoke up, ''But
/ 69
I
to
can't imagine
be
true.
them
At the present time they
You can no more
picture
Can
when someone
these ideal states
as actualities."
are merely introductory
them than you can picture some new
person that you haven't as yet met personally. But that doesn't
They are real; just as you may meet and know tomorrow.
that they don't exist. that
mean
an unknown person
real as
An illustration "I assure
you that
it
is
entirely possible for
personally— 2lS living experiences.
ment
at this, or
you may
not,
you
to
know them
You may nod your head
but that
is
in agree-
unimportant for now. Our
new attitudes that will make you a new person. Then you will know these delightful states as actual experiences. You will change so much you will no longer recognize your former self." Asked one of the married women, "WiD you please give us some purpose
is
to build
sort of illustration
about
this self-change.
How
does
it
come about?
Where do we start? Take the matter of hurt feelings. I don't understand how I can be free of them. I'm sensitive to criticism. It's been
my
nature for years. Just a disapproving glance from
plunges getting
me
my
into gloom.
With
feelings hurt?"
all this
touchiness,
my husband
how can
I
keep from
70 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
"The answer
is
9
person you
call I.
in the
on a
reacting to everything lesser
T
is
This new
way you
Your present
dissolved, a
T
identify yourself, that
It is
Once
this
lesser level of understanding.
new one
takes
its
place.
This
T cannot be hurt or offended or insulted you don't understand
one. Don't worry
if
become
you
clearer to
"Don't worry.
I
as
we go
in this
is,
has no choice but to get hurt.
your Real
is
Self.
any way by any-
in
present. It will
all this at
along. All right?"
intend sticking with this until
really get
I
It's
it.
fascinating."
"You asked for an illustration. Let's use this one: mind a set of bowling pins sitting upright at the end
Picture in your of the alley.
As
long as those pins are sitting there, they are ready to get knocked down.
They what
are in a position to be if
tumbled by anyone who comes along. But
they were entirely removed from the alley?
be knocked
down by anyone
ing pins get knocked
or anything.
Then
How can
they couldn't
non-existent bowl-
down?
Lasting contentment "Now,
in our
mental
life,
The ways
our beliefs are the pins.
that
other people act toward us are the bowling balls.
"To go on with
the illustration, you have certain beliefs that
should not exist in your mind. they do
exist,
They
may
appreciation doesn't appear, you get hurt and to the big question
false notion that
case,
long as
believe that other people
should appreciate you more than they do. Then,
you faced the
as
they are certain to get knocked down, and you will get
your feelings hurt. For instance, you
we come
But
are unrealistic.
:
What would happen
you should receive
reality that
it
all
just doesn't
when
maybe if
this desired
resentful.
you removed the
that appreciation?
come
you would never ever be hurt again.
as
you want
How
Now
What
it?
if
In that
can a non-existent
belief get hurt? It can't."
"Then, the abandonment of lasting peace of "It is the
all
our false beliefs
is
see, all
mental suffering
results
the
way
to
mind."
only way.
You
clash between the truth about things
from
a
and our mistaken viewpoints
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX toward them. Take away the the truth comes, pain goes.
"Then,
as
you have
false
viewpoint and the truth comes. As
no longer has
It
/ 71
said, there
a
really
is
home."
no need
to suffer
from
anything?"
harm
"Absolutely nothing can
man who
the
has found himself."
may help our home life." Then you will know for sure."
"I think this
"Try
it.
What
love?
is
Asked someone, "What but the word "It
This
is
not the thing.
is
love?
The word
Can
love be analyzed
best to start negatively, that
is
clears the
mind
of false concepts
"Could we please go into "Love
is
is
tossed about so freely,
to find out
is,
from the very
and defined?"
what
love
is
not.
start."
this idea?"
not possessiveness.
It is
not dependency or attachment
or even admiration. It cannot be any of these things."
"Why
not?"
"Because there
may be
unloving motives behind them. Let's take
an example. Suppose that you are depending upon your spouse or sweetheart to give you a sense of importance, to admire and appreciate you. This dependency makes you afraid. fail to
give
you
as
this fear creates a
Obviously,
all
much
are afraid that they will
demand, a sense of
criticism, inner or outer hostility.
these have nothing to do with love."
"Where does that leave us?" "With the only accurate definition definition
You
admiration as you think you deserve. In turn,
of love that there
is.
But
"Can you
give us
some idea
of
what you mean?"
"For one thing, love will be entirely different from what you think don't
this
must be personally experienced."
it is.
Love
is
a state of
complete detachment. Love
is
now
when you
want anything from the other person, when you have no hidden
motives of self-gain,
when you have no demands whatsoever upon is a state of total understanding. It may seem
him. This kind of love
strange to define love as understanding, but that
is
what
it
really is."
72 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
''How can
whether another person actually possesses a
tell
I
genuinely loving nature?"
"By consistency
of pleasant behavior.
Someone who merely
pre-
tends to be kindly will sooner or later forget his rehearsed lines. slips.
You
catch
him
an offguard
in
anything but kindness.
A
facial expression that indicates
small remark
other hand, the genuinely loving person
and
no
His Real
lines to forget.
Self,
"If
I
is
On
him away.
give
its
the
consistent in both his public to act out,
he has
which he found by facing the
simply and spontaneously lives out
"Can
may
he has no pretenses
private behavior. Because
He
truth,
richness."
reach this happy state?"
you want
more than you want anything
it
else."
Ten Dynamic Secrets 1.
Remember
that all the secrets of mental magic aid your life
with the opposite 2.
Continue
to uplift
an increasingly 3.
sex.
They change
everything for the better.
your mental viewpoints. This gives you
attractive personality.
Resolve to deepen your self-insight.
produces smoother
It
relations with the other sex. 4.
Bear in mind your purpose in studying to live
5.
and
Review the
to
for affection,
What
the most important thing a
is
learn
tenderness
be released.
section dealing with love
and
has everything to do with a better love 7.
You
love!
Everyone has a natural capacity
and romance. They need only 6.
SOMM.
a clear
mind.
It
life.
man and
a
woman
can
do? Enjoy each other! 8.
Review the twelve
won by tal
9.
man
or
woman who becomes
an advanced men-
magician.
We
find our genuinely loving natures
beliefs 10.
the
benefits given in this chapter. All can be
about ourselves.
Remember
W
7
by abandoning
false
ork on this point.
the definition of love supplied at the end of this
chapter. Study
and apply
its
principles.
Mental Magic Predicts
Your Future
can make
it
How
you don't have to come the way you like.
take
comes.
life as it
You
come?
Because mental magic can predict your future!
And you
You can use makes your successful future come
don't need a gypsy tent or a crystal ball, either. scientific
magic that
really
true.
The
tale
gypsy fortune
is
told of the
teller.
wealthy bachelor
His problem,
shapely blue-eyed blonde with
The
who
consulted a
seems, was to find just the
it
whom
he could share
gypsy made a few passes over her magic crystal
advised in a mysterious voice, find a stream. Follow
"Walk
downstream
into the
until
to
ball,
then
until
you
an oak
tree.
woods
you come
his future.
Resting beneath that oak tree you will find the loveliest blonde
on earth."
An
hour
later the
tent to complain,
was no blonde
weary
man pushed
back into the gypsy
"What's wrong with your prediction? There
at all."
[73]
74 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Asked the fortune
"Did you find the woods?"
teller,
"Yes."
"Did you find the stream?" "Yes."
"Did you find the oak
tree?"
"Yes."
"Well," shrugged the gypsy with a cheery grin, "three out of four guesses
is
pretty good for me!"
But the bachelor's quest had a happy ending his
own
turn
up
prophecy.
He
just the girl
after
all.
He made
predicted that sooner or later his search would
he wanted. So he searched, they met, and they
shared good fortune together.
A GLIMPSE
INTO
TOMORROW
Greece has dozens of ancient temples where inquirers used consult a prophet— called an oracle— about their future.
temples an archaeologist
At one
to
of these
named Constantin Carapanos unearthed
some strange-looking bronze
tablets.
On
them were written questions
The questions modern man might ask.
brought by inquirers, plus the answers from the oracle.
much like those a know whether or not to invest in a certain piece of property. The oracle told him to go ahead; the purchase would be profitable. Another inquirer, an anxious man named Lysanias,
were surprisingly
One
inquirer
practical;
wanted
to
hopefully asked whether the child to be born to his wife was his own.
Man has
always been fascinated by the future. Like a traveler on
an upward-curving mountain the next bend.
trail,
He somehow
just a foot or two,
he wants
realizes that
to
know what
is
around
by glimpsing ahead, even
he can do something today
to turn the future to
his favor.
And
he actually can.
He
can do
it
with self-observation. Just as
science can predict the weather by observing the nature of winds and clouds, so can
we
foresee our individual futures by observing our
own
natures. It is
not at
all difficult for
you
to predict
your personal future for
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE
/ 75
You can foretell the way you will feel, You can forecast whether or not you will
the next several days or weeks.
whether elated or depressed.
make ple,
progress in your financial affairs.
Your
relations
with other peo-
whether pleasant or otherwise, can be seen with accuracy.
How? Your magic pened
to
you
crystal ball
is
Whatever has haphappen— unless you take the
self-observation.
in the past will continue to
one necessary action that changes things the way you want them.
(which we
moment).
will get to in a
Become a mental monarch! The happy truth is, if you any way you like.
don't like your
own
forecast,
you can
alter it in
How
come?
Because your future
always and only an outcome of what you
is
are.
To change
your future, change yourself.
Deep down is
the truth of the matter.
way they
We
we
did yesterday.
be a perfectly accurate prophet of your future
to
you can be one. You can
foretell a superior
simple reason that you have the power to shape
We Any tal
start
attempt to alter our future without
asking a caterpillar to it is
You
or by
A
changing our menIt's
like
a butterfly.
are your future.
Human
what we
nicely
first
a butterfly. It can't fly like a butterfly
fly like
We
like to avoid facing this fact
beings
fail to
do.
human
events, nothing ever just
is
identical with our mental
positive mentality produces positive outcomes. Alfred
sums up, 'Think
by pre-
make things happen, either by what we do You and I are the causes of our consequences.
For better or for worse, our future up.
for the
it.
disappointment and confusion.
tending that things just happen. In
happens.
tomorrow
by changing ourselves.
character can only result in
until
that here
sense that things turned out the
all
are today because of the shaping
you want
If
success,
man knows
in his heart of hearts, every
well!
Do
make-
Tennyson
well will follow thought."
76 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Once your mind
takes
on a royal nature, no person and no
cir-
cumstance can bar you from your personal kingdom.
The makes an
adventure of Cyrus the Great, the ancient Persian monarch, interesting illustration of the point.
Cyrus was born
but the wicked King Astyages was determined
a prince,
prevent the boy from
to
inheriting the royal throne. Cyrus found himself banished to desolate wastelands, to
be brought up in the care of lowly shepherds. His
future seemed hopeless. Yet through a series of courageous exploits he
won
his
way
throne rightfully his own.
to the
man whose
Likewise, nothing can deny future royalty to the
mentality
that of a
is
monarch.
Expand your vision The
paragraphs immediately following are of extreme value to
you and your richer future. Please give them maximum
The human mind capacity for seeing.
is
It is
attention.
incapable of seeing anything above possible for
present state, but at any given time
extend
to
can see only what
its
present
beyond
vision
it it
its
it
its
can pres-
ently see.
What
is
the practical
meaning
for seeing future possibilities,
curately our future successes.
more ness,
clearly see that
we
with that wisdom,
we
of this?
raise
As we
As we
our capacity
our powers for predicting ac-
uplift our
mental viewpoint,
are in control of our future.
we
raise
With
we
that aware-
are able to take control.
Picture yourself climbing to the third floor of a fifteen story building.
As you stand
at a
cars passing
from right
tinue to the
left,
window you see before you a highway, with You can predict how far a car will con-
to left.
but wherever your vision of the highway ends, your
accurate prediction must also end. But
extended your view by climbing upward that greater height
what would happen to the very top floor?
you could see much farther
to the left.
if
you
From
And now,
because you can see more, you can predict more! All this
is
not a vague philosophy, or just a pleasant idea.
It is
a
downright practical picture of something that you can do anv time you
choose— with enormous personal enrichment.
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE
Want
to
guarantee your richer future?
Then
/ 77
raise
your mental
your awareness.
level, uplift
As did Virginia L. She
didn't bother very
ment. She was
at least
much
to
hide her bitterness and resent-
honest about them. She said, "I sometimes
woman
think I'm the unluckiest
in town. If
you only knew some of
the bad breaks I've had."
luck?
"Do you know anyone who
asked,
I I
mean, are you acquainted with someone
constantly gets
I
all
know how
don't
Virginia,"
do.
I
she does
HOW VIRGINIA "Why,
who seems
lucky,
who
office
with
the good things you miss?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact
me.
has the opposite kind of
it,
She works
in the
same
but she does."
SUCCEEDED
asked, "do you suppose there
I
is
such a con-
between her fortunes and yours? Something must
sistent difference
be causing them." "Sure. She's lucky and I'm not."
"But what makes her so lucky?"
"Who
knows? She
just is."
"Does her personality have an enthusiasm that makes her
attrac-
tive to others?"
"Yes,
I
suppose."
"Do you have "No. I'm too "Does she that
come up
that enthusiasm?"
tired to get excited over anything."
tactfully take the initiative in
working out problems
at the office?"
"Usually."
"Do you do "No,
likewise?"
I'd just as
soon
let
someone
"Don't you suppose that she just
else
handle
it."
might be the cause of her own
good fortunes?"
"Maybe. Could be." "Is there
any reason why you can't do the same
"I'd like to. I really
would."
for yourself?"
MENTAL MAGIC
78 / SECRETS OF
To
Virginia's credit, she started
an active program
for
changing
her future. Later, during a class in mental magic she reported, "For the
time
first
I really
person himself.
tempted
ways had
efficient
I
new
do
(She was is
other day
saw
I
the
was
I
promotion.
office
and
that her pleasant
A
so can I."
it,
few weeks
department of public
herself.) It
The
It's
rightfully earned her that promotion. Well," Vir-
she did, too.
its
selected.
good example:
looked her over.
ginia smiled, "if she can
And
a
creates a superior tomorrow.
woman who had won an
to feel envious of a
Instead of yielding,
ing in
you
give
I'll
what
see
later the
company had an openwas immediately
relations. Virginia
right for the promotion because she
now
was
right with
her good fortune to travel around town, meeting
people and enjoying herself.
The principle of cause and EFFECT The
story goes about the scientist
who produced
creature by crossing a tiger with a parrot. scientist replied, "I don't
know what
When
it is,
but
a strange sort of
asked about
when
it
it,
talks
the
you'd
better listen!"
That
bit of
humor carries a good lesson in living: Whenever the it may appear strange at first, but what great mes-
truth speaks to us,
we
sages
hear by bending an
ear!
That is why we next want Effect.
your day, either for your best here step
is
that
make
to
is
Effect
to is
we
it
become aware
often
fail to
exactly,
It is really
of
interests or against
existence.
its
power
Here
for
it is:
see is
it
The
them.
And
Our purpose the
principle of
while riding one.
Cause and
every minute of
It is
first
wise
Cause and
so close to us
in operation.
the principle of Cause and Effect?
very simple.
careful attention.
sonal
life
a force that serves our welfare.
like looking for a horse
What,
it
to attend to the principle of
This powerful principle operates in your
Once
It
can be observed by anyone
understood,
changing the
life.
it
becomes
a
who
gives
tremendous per-
:
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE / 79
Whenever you do anything sult of
it.
An
at all,
thing always leads to another. There
out an in
another thing occurs as a
re-
action always produces a reaction. In other words, one is
no such thing
as a
cause with-
hurled against a wall— it must bounce away
effect. It's like a ball
one direction or another.
You have seen you plant
a seed,
this principle at
it
work
reacts as a flower.
in
hundreds of ways:
As you speak
to
speaks back. If you constantly suggest to yourself that you are
emotions will soon make you feel that way.
your favorite candy, your
taste
When
When
someone, he ill,
you take a
your
bite of
responds with pleasure.
Your personal prosperity It is
important that
we
quences that
we
experience.
see ourselves as the cause of the conse-
Some
are behind the life-conditions they
facing responsibility for their
own
people hesitate to admit that they
now
experience, for
it
would mean
problems. Such people are missing
out on one of the greatest opportunities ever to knock, which
By admitting come happily
responsibility for
is:
we can
whatever happens,
be-
responsible for increasing success!
Or state the same thing in another way a man realizes that he is the cause of
As
his effects,
he can cause
the kind of actions that reflect personal prosperity. It is
and "I
always a sign of forthcoming abundance
less explains, "It
caused
it
Now, saw
in
able. sal
to
this
happened
to
when
a
man
less
me," and more and more observes,
happen."
word
Chapter IV,
"responsibility" needs
it isn't
some
a tiring process at
This kind of responsibility means
to
clarification.
all. It is
As we
purely pleasur-
harmonize with the univer-
laws of success, to go along with the secrets of mental magic.
like the delightful responsibility
you have
for attending
It's
an exciting
party!
You can
achieve anything you want by putting good causes into
action.
Want
to
You can
be happier? cause
it
to
happen.
80 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Like to increase your income?
You can employ money-making causes. Hope to brighten your personality? You can cause its appearance. I used to work alongside a man who used
own way. He'd
breeze into the office in the morning, grin, shake a
make
finger toward the ceiling, exclaim, "Let's It
this principle in his
things happen!"
was curious how many good things did happen.
So why
can't
you
now
start right
to
make good
things
happen
to you?
You
actually can.
HOW TO MAKE
PREDICTIONS
COME TRUE Since a good cause always produces a good consequence, you can
make your it
self-prophecies
come
The
man
the easy way.
Not
only that, but you can do
woman
consistently employs those
true.
or
powers which shape his future for him. Such a
positive
his friends
make
wise
come
things
What
is
his
needed
for us. Professor
way.
is
The
be
in
He
self-prophet can smile.
an intense
interest in
H. A. Overstreet makes
The great individual, then, will
man
astounds
and acquaintances who wonder how he always manages
will
it
to
knows.
what the future can hold
clear:
be future-minded.
His chief interest
forecasting possibilities. The vitality of his mind will be di-
rected toward shaping his world into
Make some of mental magic,
forecasts for yourself!
more adequate forms. 1
When based
on the
you can cheerfully expect good things
solid secrets
to
come your
way. Here are three examples: 1.
Todays
Prediction:
possesses vast
"By accepting the truth that
and unused powers
1 H. A. Overstreet, About Ourselves pany, Inc., 1927).
(New
my mind
." .
.
York:
W. W.
Norton and Com-
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE
/ 81
Tomorrow's Fulfillment: "Those powers are released into
my
personal service."
The power
A
example
classic
mous
human mind
that of
is
on
can reach amazing proportions.
Johann Dase, of Germany, who was
in his day as a mental magician.
When
fa-
a handful of coins were
number of coins instantly. glance he could add up the total number of books on a shelf. Never doubt the power of your mind to do far more than it does.
spilled
At
of the
a
2.
a table
he could
call
out the exact
Today's Prediction: "By taking an adventurous attitude toward
my
money-making
enterprises
Tomorrow's Fulfillment:
"I
." .
.
cannot
fail to
cause additional pros-
perity for myself/' I
was once introduced
who was
wealthy businessman named Olson
to a
tagged with the curious nickname of "Overlap."
name was explained
to
me
like this
:
The
nick-
"Whenever Olson meets another
businessman he immediately looks for areas where their financial terests overlap.
When
finding them, he suggests to the other
they work together to develop mutual benefits.
It's
man
surprising
in-
that
how
often that simple technique strikes gold for Overlap Olson."
What 3.
adventurous attitude will strike gold for you?
Today's Prediction: "By working with natural principles governing successful
human
Tomorrow's Fulfillment: attractive It
of
and
relations
"My
." .
.
personality will be increasingly
influential."
was the dynamic personality
of Robert
Clive— the famous Clive
India— that made possible his dazzling victory
sey.
Many
their
battlefields
men, but
have been
won by
at the Battle of Plas-
military leaders
historians agree that there never
was
who
inspired
a victory quite like
the one scored by this Englishman near the village of Plassey, in India. It
would
certainly take inspired leadership to
win
that battle, for Clive
defeated an opposing army of 60,000 soldiers with only 3,000 his
own! Predict a
more winning
personality for yourself.
men
of
82 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Your personal predictions Use the following Prediction,
list
richer future. After
know can come 1.
spaces for your
any kind of
Today s
own
forecasts. After
Today's
mental magic that works for your
secret of
Tomorrow's Fulfillment,
list
the dream that you
true!
Prediction:
Tomorrow's Fulfillment:
2.
Today's Prediction:
Tomorrow's Fulfillment:
Today's Prediction:
3.
Tomorrow's Fulfillment:
The magic of change Your quest by looking It's
for a brighter
man
resists so
for the better, yet if
made
we
call
a
man
in the right direction
change.
curious that one of the greatest of
one that a
Also,
tomorrow turns
into that magical action
all
human
needs
also
is
stubbornly. Everyone wants to alter his
what a
resistance arises
does venture forth,
a genuine change at
all,
condition for another. As one
how
when change
is
life
proposed!
often he finds that he hasn't
but merely an exchange of one poor
man
described himself, "I'm like a frantic
prisoner looking for escape, but merely switching from one cell to
another."
When
thinking about changing our future,
the right intentions. If
porary
we
we must
start
with
wish to alter our lives merely to gain a tem-
thrill or for ego-satisfaction,
we
will eventually find
it
a less
:
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE than satisfying move. Or,
if
the intention
to avoid facing a challeng-
is
The
ing task, the change will only add to our self-doubt. frequently changes his is
employment may announce
to better himself, yet the real reason
on each
may be
who
that his intention
job.
the real reason for any shift in the directions tives are often just the opposite of
skilled in self -trickery.
is
to believe.
We
with the apple as long as I'm If
person
to escape fear of failure
We
Correct motives start with self-honesty.
mind
/ 83
We
often believe
mean
chum, "Okay,
told his
The actual moThe human only what we want
take.
what we fancy they
often say one thing and
who
we
must frankly face
are!
another, like the boy
we'll divide
it
equal, just
more equal than you."
we can
we are we see that the motive is wrong, move. But if we can identify the motive as
get at our subconscious motives for changing,
well on our way
to healthy change. If
we can refrain from the good, we can proceed with
cheerful confidence.
one that serves your genuine
A
"good" motive
is
best-interests.
The power of awareness "How," you might
How can The
I
gain greater
ask, "can I
be sure that
wisdom
shaping
awareness that
we
for
are not
aware
my
is
I
am
thinking clearly?
future?"
the beginning of greater
wisdom.
As an everyday example, you have probably had the curious experience of reading the same paragraph several times while your mind was wandering far away. All of a sudden you caught yourself, you became
alertly
aware that you were not aware.
pened, you were able to able to concentrate
When
that hap-
take control of your future reading. You were
on the paragraph,
to
make
it
count for something.
So can we become more and more aware of our present
By doing In
so,
we empower
our future
activities.
my classes I sometimes conduct sessions
consist of questions
in self-awareness.
and answers which help the
serving element in their everyday actions.
Examples
actions.
They
class to see the self-
84 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
"Which solve
it
the self-serving action— to fight angrily a problem or to
is
through calm reasoning?"
"To solve it." "Which is the
1
beneficial
win over
situation or to
course— to withdraw from a challenging
it?"
o win.
"Which
the courageous choice— to worry over
is
think of you or to live your
"To
live
your
own
Sailing Some
New
you think best?"
life as
life."
smoothly forward
years ago the
off the coast of
what others
Navy
vessel
Brooklyn was cruising smoothly
Bedford, Massachusetts.
dered, stopped and slowly sank.
The
The
ship suddenly shud-
Brooklyn was the victim of an
unchartered rock. Although thousands of ships had passed near the
submerged menace over the strike
years, the
Navy
ship was the
first
to
it.
The Navy knew that something had to be done about the hidden danger. What they did was both simple and workable— they went to work with It is
two
a wire drag, a heavy cable suspended between
boats.
lowered into the sea and fixed at a certain depth. As the boats
move ahead a rock
is
the wire drag catches any rocks or ledges in
and
located
identified,
it
no longer has power
its
to
path.
damage
Once pass-
ing vessels.
That
is
an excellent
parallel to a
future life-cruises pleasant ones.
we can
locate
and
By using
The
self-aware
man
confident in reaching his port.
Dr. Erich
same thing
Fromm,
in his
to
make our
the "drag wire of awareness,"
identify those subconscious notions that threaten
our voyage. By a bit of investigation us no more.
method we can use
we can make
sure that they bother
can chart any course he
He
is
a
likes,
and be
Columbus to his own future. Sigmund Freud, says the
in discussing Dr.
own way:
But Freud did not end on a note of fatalism confirming man's utter
helplessness against the powers which determine him. that
man can become aware
He postulated
of the very forces which act behind his
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE back— and
that in
freedom and
becoming aware of them he enlarges the realm of
able to transform himself from a helpless puppet moved
is
by unconscious forces his
/ 85
to
a self-aware and free man who determines
destiny. 2
own
The great secret of success!
We change our future by first changing our thoughts. As in
Chapter
this
I,
upon by the
a truth agreed
is
we saw
great mental scientists
of history.
The
mind cannot be stopped in its eager work of "Our actions are accomplished in our
force of a richer
creating a richer tomorrow.
thought before they are reproduced outside of faculties radiating
ful
from
and improvable by
Leon D. and "That might be
why
use."
are gifted with
extensive, power-
(Honore de Balzac)
just the clue I'm looking for. I've often asked myself
my own
in
my
saleswork keeps repeating
want
scarcity I
can do something about "Right.
We
were discussing these ideas when he commented,
news
the bad
causing
I
us.
common center— faculties
a
Think
it.
to face
Then, I'm
sure, I
of a giant printing press, the kind
used by a newspaper. Suppose that the editor set up the type to
That
the headline read Failure. in every
newspaper
Failure.
Why?
type. It has 2l
On
Monday, Tuesday and Every day would produce the same
see Failure.
Because the printing press must reproduce that basic
no choice but
better headline, or
to follow orders.
hoped
for one, nothing
paper must follow the metal pattern set for
Leon nodded. Success.
"I see.
Ours
Now, suppose
"Correct.
That magically
is
a
Even
if
the editor
wanted
would happen. The newsit."
mental pattern."
the editor changed the basic type to read
reverses the news. Every
would produce Success. Nothing duce anything
make
what would be reproduced
exactly
is
rolling off the press.
Wednesday you would
am
Right?"
moment
for a
frankly.
it
If I
itself.
in the
day of the week
world could cause
it
to pro-
else."
©
2 Copyright 1962 by Pocket Books, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Pocket Books, Inc., from Beyond the Chains of Illusion by Erich Fromm; The Credo Series,
Trident Press.
86 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
"What you mental type
are saying,"
everything
right,
is
Think
"Exactly.
Leon commented,
"is
of your subconscious
mind
as
news you
will get.
If
the
your personal print-
ing press. Whatever kind of mental type you set up, that of
when
that
rolls out successfully."
is
the kind
you want successful headlines, compose
thoughts of success." "That's a great illustration.
"Put
it
I
won't forget
into action. That's the
whole
it."
idea."
Leon's saleswork spurted upward immediately.
He
found that by
thinking of himself as successful with every customer those thoughts
reproduced themselves in the form of more for
Leon from You,
too,
And
see
sales. It
was good news
that day forward.
can predict your it
come
own
bright future.
true.
Thoughts That Enrich Your Future 1.
Get excited over your
future! It can turn out the
way you
want. 2.
The
secrets of
mental magic enable you
to look into tomor-
row. This foresight gives you power to shape forthcoming events to your liking. 3.
Self-change
Work 4.
A
is
your great guarantee of a change in fortune.
at uplifting yourself.
royal future awaits the
man
or
woman who becomes
a
mental monarch. 5.
Learn
to see
stretches your 6.
Why
your world from a higher level of
powers of prediction.
should you depend upon the principle of Cause and
Effect? Because 7.
it
can be depended upon!
You can make good secrets of
8.
vision. It
things
happen
to you.
Employ
the
mental magic.
Forecast a richer future for yourself, based on the plans
found
in this chapter.
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE 9.
Develop
self -awareness.
from arising 10.
Keep
in
For one thing,
prevents problems
in the future.
mind Leon's triumphant
own mental
it
/ 87
type reading Success.
experience. Set
up your
How
to
Win Your
Desires Quickly
we
don't desire something because
it
is
valuable.
We value something because we desire
it.
why we must explore the world of our must understand why the mind searches for certain This
is
the understanding of our wants that wins
them
desires.
We
things. It
is
for us quickly.
Also, equally important, this understanding frees us of certain
kinds of desires that cause mental anguish.
between what we need. As one
really
fill
I
helps us to judge
need and what we merely assume we
man commented, "What a
need half the things
It
wanted."
With
relief to find that I didn't
wise judgment
we can
ful-
one desire after another and find them not temporary toys but
permanent
pleasures.
What you really want is also what is know— deep down inside you know— what be blurred by unclear thinking or by
some other form [88]
best for you. is
And you It may
best for you.
false feelings of guilt or
by
of mental tyranny, but healthy desires are always
HOW
TO WIN YOUR DESIRES QUICKLY / 89
there, always trying to break through.
It's
from
all
contact with
girls,
like the
As the boy viewed the wondrous
time.
"What
was the
son," to the
sights he'd like to like
one of those
have most.
life-size
boy of
mechanical
reply, 'are life-size
his son
the
for the first
his father. 'Those,
dolls."
which one
On
way back
the
of the wonderful
boy eagerly
"I think," the
mechanical
On
ladies.
town together
sights a trio of pretty girls
are thoser" asked the
mountains the father asked
who
carefully barred
even from pictures of young
boy's eighteenth birthday they journeyed to
giggled past.
mountaineer
The boy was
lived with his son far back in the ranges.
replied, "I'd
dolls."
The entire secret It is
always possible for you
Declares Ralph ture. In
In other words,
But in order is
is
anything you really need. nothing capricious in na-
nature the implanting of a desire indicates that the
tion of that desire
That
to attain
Waldo Emerson, 'There
to
is
gratifica-
in the constitution of the creature that feels
life offers
you
a checking account with endless funds.
withdraw them you must know that they are problem
really the only
it."
for
there.
most people, and one which we
discuss in other chapters.
What,
then,
the
is
great secret for
first
winning your
desires
quickly? Let's introduce ter Scott.
it
This young
with the story of an English youth named Wal-
man had
the days of knighthood.
Nothing fascinated him more than
dashing knights in armor villains
and wooing
fair
who
astronomy or archaeology.
tales of
to read of
galloped from casde to casde, battling
maids.
single subject of knighthood. or
wholehearted eagerness for
a
He
happily devoted himself to the
He never touched a book about politics He crammed his mind only with adven-
tures of daring knights.
His mind became so rich with the subject that he to write his
man
later
own adventure
became
Sir
tales.
Walter
So he
Scott, the
His secret of success can be yours,
you wish
to
win your
desires swiftly.
did.
That
is
felt
how
the urge
the
young
famous author of Ivanhoe. too.
You can apply
it
wherever
90 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC Single-minded purpose.
That
To on
the entire secret.
is
the degree that a
his goal, to that
man
able to concentrate his mental powers
is
same degree
will
he succeed. Now, every
man
has
the potential power for winning overwhelming success in his chosen
may
but he
area,
not be using
in
it
an
all-out attack.
His powers are
divided, spread out too thin, incapable of the concentrated pressure that finally cracks obstacles.
HOW
TO DESTROY BARRIERS
Single-mindedness means to concentrate yourself powerfully and enjoyably on the desire you want to win.
To itself
success
dynamic
attain this
from
own
its
must not
they are, he
is
demand
also
Once
they should.
state,
the
mind must
progressively detach
contradictions. For instance, a person wishing social
free of
that other people behave as he thinks
person simply permits people to act the
this
way
is
consequently a more
man must not waste
his energies in point-
mental contradiction and
attractive person himself.
Also, the single-minded less pursuits,
straining to
such as anxiety over what others think of him, or in
make
a good impression.
how much mind-power
Many
people have no idea of
they drain away by such useless
activities.
Later pages of this chapter offer plans for plugging up the leaks in personal power.
Single-mindedness
hamper your nation
is
progress.
is
a beneficial destroyer of
When
it
barriers
attacks, obstacles crumble. Procrasti-
much
time.
It's
ing for a river to run dry before daring to cross. But the
what he wants has no such
difficulty.
He
man waitman who knows
like a
simply goes ahead
in some way. He may cross over by swimming or wading or sailing, but it makes no difference to him as long as he goes.
Confusion
is
another negative mental state that
falls
flying or
before the
single-minded man. Casanova, the great lover, was asked which
many
that
a typical mental attitude that flees before the wholehearted
individual. Procrastination wastes so
exactly
all
lady friends he liked best.
He
replied,
"The one
1
am
ol his
with
at
HOW TO WIN YOUR
DESIRES QUICKLY / 91
the moment." Likewise, your concentrated effort leaves no
room
for
confusion.
Your viewpoints In order to win your desires quickly, you must
them. Here
is
a desire arises within you,
by a response, that be more or
is,
will respond,
it is
immediately followed
by an attitude toward that
more
less positive in nature, or
"No,
I
don't think
This attitude
You
or less negative.
my way."
come
likely to
it's
desire.
can achieve that desire," or
will either react within, "Yes, I think I
you
understand
a major principle to grasp:
Whenever will
first
Obviously, your mental viewpoint toward a desire has an enor-
mous
influence on whether you
like releasing
for
its
or not.
fulfill it
A
positive reaction
an arrow from a bow, enabling the arrow
Your
target.
positive release sets into
motion
is
to
speed straight
all
your natural
powers, such as imagination, persistence, hope. But a negative response creates only a strain.
It's
drawn bow, but never for
much
like
an archer tensely facing
releasing
it.
of a man's daily tension.
justment state
it
The The
with
authors of Psychology of Ad-
like this:
Frustration, therefore,
does not eliminate important wants but only
accentuates them. This gives
rise to
"tension." Tension from lack of
a very annoying experience called
want
fulfillment
is
suffering of mankind. This statement implies that
pressive
his target
frustration of desire accounts
and
want-fulfilling individual.
gnawing pressure of an
unfulfilled vital
biologically has certain needs
vented he suffers from
this
and
perhaps the keenest
each of us
No one who want can
that
when
is
an ex-
experiences the
easily
deny that man
their satisfaction
is
pre-
1 basic violation of nature.
The pleasures of thinking! So what we must do and needs.
To do
this, first
is
to invite attitudes that fulfill
think about a present desire of yours.
observe the basic attitudes you hold toward
it.
Now,
Determine whether they
iFrom Mikesell and Hanson's The Psychology of Adjustment, Van Nostrand Company, Inc., Princeton, N.J.
1952, D.
our wants
copyright
©
92 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
work
for the desire or against
negative.
The
Separate the positive ones from the
it.
very distinguishing between the two
is
bright light.
Finally, encourage the attitudes that favor your desire, dismiss
the useless ones. Let's take
an interesting example: Suppose that you want
to
And by the way, have you ever considered new world you would inhabit if you actually and constantly
enjoy your daily thoughts.
what
a
enjoyed your mind? So,
It
would be the very world
which you
seek!
what favorable thoughts can you have toward your own mind?
Well, for one thing you can see ure.
for
When
it
you understand the
fly
for pleas-
mental magic— thinking
secrets of
fun! If you don't fight your thoughts,
narrow channels, they can
wonderful instrument
as a
when you
them
don't force
is
into
you away into marvelous worlds. You
can challenge your mind to tackle and solve a problem. You can paint
you intend
a mental picture of the brighter conditions
can search around for
There
to create.
You
self-enriching opportunities.
are endless pleasures
and
profits to the
person
Roman
who
has
made friends with his own mind. The summed it up with, "If you have a contented mind, you have enough ancient
author Plautus
to enjoy life with." It
has been rightly observed that
we
get from
life in
proportion
we give. That rule applies specifically to our desires. We catch them we first put something into our pursuit. The man who fails to get what he wants is like the rancher who wanted to catch a rabbit, but as
as
thought
it
pointless to place a real carrot in the trap. Instead,
a paper picture of a carrot
catch?
A
and placed
it
inside the trap.
he clipped
What
did he
paper rabbit.
Place positive attitudes into your various traps and you will certainly catch positive results.
Your opportunity People in mental confusion often say, structive thoughts all right, but
but
I
don't
know how
to find
I
"I
just don't
them."
would
like to think con-
have any. Not only
that.
HOW TO WIN YOUR To
such an inquiry
know how
to find
usually reply, "For now, you don't need to
I
them. All you need do
present ideas are not working.
you can recognize the
to realize fully that
is
You must
will
one delusion after another. Be content
self to
make
will then
Then,
This
is
something
all is
well."
problems and failures and
is
They
is
The
lose
your
illu-
and mistakes
difficulties
force us to face the truth.
right
not a matter of
You must
why
are so valuable to us.
admit fully that your
to
appearance. Clear thinking
its
finding something, but of losing something. sions.
go on attaching your-
genuine courage.
is
your
recognize the false before
you
true. Otherwise,
present ideas are self-defeating. This
way
DESIRES QUICKLY / 93
They
tell
us that
wrong, while at the same time announcing that some-
thing can also he right. Every difficulty— such as a thwarted desire— is
an opportunity
to give
up some
unrealistic notion that prevents the
appearance of our desire.
Objected one woman, "But what will
my
Won't
illusions?
I
have
left
What
can
I
feeHost^ Insecure?
once I
I
give
up
do with an
empty mind?"
"Once
what can he do with
a farmer clears his field of weeds,
it?"
Shirley's discovery Shirley
vented
its
J.
was blocked
Her weedy thinking premake other people like and
in her desire.
growth. She said, "I want to
appreciate me."
"That's entirely beside the point,"
I
told her.
"What do you mean? Everyone wants "I If
mean, Shirley, that you are looking
you think that others don't
reason
why you
think that way.
yourself very well. So,
course they don't like
me? Can't
say
I
like
you
And
too well.
mind
is
you want, that
are with others
How
there's a
you don't you
react,
like
'Of
could they like someone like
secret thoughts?"
a
from the wrong angle.
as well as
blame them.' Really, now,
She smiled. "You're
be liked." it
the reason
whenever you
me
to at
reader."
Shirley, aren't these your
94 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
make them like you. Work at changing your Once your personal self-esteem goes up, so You won't have any doubts about your accept-
"Forget trying to
thoughts toward yourself. will
your popularity.
ance by others. Your confidence will be based on a simple acceptance of yourself."
"Are you saying that others will
"Exactly. it.
me
like
to the
same degree
that
myself?"
I like
You
Take
will see that
you get along with world
is
a look at
it
right
now. Be ruthlessly honest about
you get along with others
yourself.
Your acceptance
to the
same degree
that
or rejection in the social
caused by your acceptance or rejection of yourself.
If
you
don't like yourself you will feel that others don't like you either. This
makes you
act guardedly,
unnaturally, ready to get hurt by a
stiffly,
remark or a look." "Yes, that's
how
it
goes.
So
it's
my
thoughts about myself that
need uplifting?" Yes.
Use
the secrets of mental magic for building your self-es-
teem. Then, you'll be delighted at the
way
all
your
social relations fall
nicely into place."
"All right.
I'll
work with
it."
Shirley wisely did just that.
from
And
she changed her social relations
No one
when he
or
between self-popularity and other-popularity
is
fair to delightful.
She couldn't
fail.
ever
fails
she works with the truth.
(The
relation
such an important idea that
we
will
examine
its
details in
Chapter IX).
Victorious viewpoints Shirley achieved her desire by seeking and discovering a basic truth about herself.
And
for every desire
you may have, there
is alv.
way through. One of your best means of discovery is to ask yourself, "Would there actually be a barrier if my mind wasn't creating one"" You will find that there are no barriers except self-made ones. And they can be torn down by correcting our attitudes toward ourselves. a
Dr. David Seabury speaks about victorious viewpoints:
HOW Is
top
.
it
.
TO WIN YOUR DESIRES QUICKLY / 95
true that there are acts which can direct one's
As we progress
?
.
our research
in
and near great used these means,
that the great
or unconsciously— choose which
how
word you
will.
may have
victory can be accomplished
doubted that
will
it
show
way
to the
that there are;
instinctively, intuitively
Their conclusions as to
none of them
differed, but
could be done.
it
Of one fact we can be sure: those who won positions of power, who gained recognition, who performed great services for mankind, who sought and found love, who, in whatever their sphere, became fortunate, maintained through thick
and
concerning the desires they sought to
fulfill.
thin
an affirmative attitude
2
The pioneer we
So,
see that
And
big difference. I
strongly urge
tures.
true.
I
know
you
pioneer
our attitude toward our desire that makes the is
a special
Tu
to adopt:
rn
kind of affirmative attitude that >:>
;
nothing that will do more
of
Sooner or
A
it is
there
later,
to
jv.n-fdUd .adven-
:;::•:
make your
desires
come
even-thing comes to the adventurous man.
named James
Bridger
made
a
famous
discover}-
venturing into the unknown. His success supplies a helpful
by ad-
illustra-
tion:
among
Bridger was the Bear River.
It
a party* of
was wild and unmapped country, and nothing was
more mysterious than the very had
Western trappers encamped along
river flowing past their
a different idea as to the course of the
camp. Everyone
Bear River. Excited opinions
flew back and forth across the campfire. In order to setde things.
James Bridger stood up and spoke out, "I'm leaving. give you
some
The adventurous its
way through
into sight.
valleys
be back
to
and mountains. Suddenly,
David Seaburv.
a vast
it
twisted
view burst
attitude led to the discovery,
Great Salt Lake.
Your adventurous
2
trapper followed the Bear River as
That was how an adventurous
in 1S24. of Utah's
Row,
I'll
right answers.
T
Publishers, 1958).
attitudes can
make
discoveries for vou, too.
'New
York: Harper and
96 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Check up on your desires needful to think clearly toward a desire
It is
under a mental microscope. Try
this, set it
you can about
Am
Ask
it.
all-out effort
What further information Do I enjoy my pursuit of
How
can
make
1
have.
To do
understand everything
yourself questions like the following:
making an
1
to
we may
toward
it?
can help me? it?
faster progress?
Am 1 using obstacles for benefits? Notice that
last question,
"Am
I
using obstacles for benefits: " 1
contains an explosive secret of mental magic.
The
idea
It
to use every-
is
thing that happens to you as a stimulus for self-advancement.
A
teacher wanted to impress her class with the
of the world.
ingly
on our
object that
found
She wanted side.
immense wealth
to see that the natural earth
She asked everyone
was absolutely
useless.
is
to try to think of
As hard
overwhelm-
some natural
as they tried,
nothing was
be without value of some kind. Dry crusts of bread provided
to
A single
food for passing birds.
and
it
color.
And
rose petal could be studied for beauty
so on.
Likewise, every
human
we permit it. member of my
condition can be turned into an advan-
tage once
A
lecture audience spoke up,
painfully tense. I'd like to loosen myself, to relax. tion.
How
can
I
turn
it
"My That
muscles are is
my
condi-
into advantage?"
"The reason you remain physically tense is because you don't stop to become aware that you are tense. Interrupt yourself during your day to notice how tightly you are holding your muscles. Once you see let
this,
once you are aware that you are tense, you can simply
go and loosen yourself.
really solves
it.
It is
your awareness of the condition that
Practice this self-observation throughout your day.
After a while your combination of self-awareness and self-loosening will
become
a relaxed habit."
HOW TO WIN YOUR Look There
is
DESIRES QUICKLY / 97
for the benefits in every condition.
They
are always there.
always a supply to every desire.
Energize your desire a startling fact about
It is
many
people that they have
all
the
power they need but are completely unaware of how much of it they waste. What great things they could accomplish if they would only plug up the leaks of their precious energy!
You have
the
all
power you need
Declares the author of Every you dream
All that
be within your reach if
if
you can focus your
pose.
whether
Man
of, all that
winning
you need.
all that
a King:
you yearn for and long
you have the power to
it
health,
is
faculties with sufficient intentness
you wish, hold
it
money, or
to be, will
affirm sufficiently strong,
on a single pur-
concentration upon the thing you wish that brings
is
It
for
to you,
it
position. Constantly affirm that
which
power positive and
persistently in the thought, concentrate all the
and when the mind is sufficiently come to you as certainly as a stone will the earth, when left free in the air, through the attracting of gravitation. You make yourself a magnet to draw the con-
of your mind
upon
it,
creative the desired thing will
come
to
influence dition
you wish. 3
What must we do find energy.
we need
not
not the creation of energy that needs our attention.
We
You
already have so
Your thoughts
The
are
physical body
such a
to create
much
enormous is
an aid
state? Certainly
present power:
forces.
to attainment.
Your emotions carry you
freely forward.
The
a creative power.
faculty of speech
Your
five senses
is
enrich you every day.
Attitudes to abandon No,
it is
must channel 3
it
into constructive release.
Orison Swett Marden, Every
Company).
Man
a King
But
(New
in order to York:
do
Thomas
this
we
Y. Crowell
:
98 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
must be aware
that
we
are wasting those precious powers.
man knowingly
cause us to stop at once, for no Battling unrealistic fears
will
wastes himself.
wasted action.
typical of
is
That
The
time
and energy spent fighting phantoms could well be employed winning
moment. Wasted energy
the desire of the
walking down the
street
"Why," asked
is
illustrated
while wildly swatting at the
air.
you making those
a passing friend, "are
man
by the
useless
motions?"
Replied the
man
as
he swatted
"But there aren't any
"It works, doesn't it?"
Learn
out, "It keeps tigers away."
within a thousand miles."
tigers
beamed the swinging
to identify those
one.
mental motions that waste your thought-
power. As you see them for what they
are,
you
abandon
will speedily
them. Here are ten typical attitudes that should be cast overboard:
Worry
over being misunderstood.
Clinging to false assumptions.
Being unnecessarily
serious.
Indulging in self-accusation. Regretting the past.
Mentally arguing with the
Not maintaining
self.
a receptive mind.
Being emotional instead of reasonable.
Not making
it
an
Getting angry at
interesting adventure.
life.
Let's give that last point the close look
An unhappy wants
to
person rebels against his unwanted condition.
natural and healthy.
way
I,
It
is
he
is
He
all
by
his great mistake:
he rebels against the wrong things.
lost in
and wearily
the desert
his
rebellion
itself this
man
is
as
both
that there
is
right.
where he makes
he should be attacking
man
Now,
indicates a feeling in the
to live— and
But here ter
deserves
be rid of the things that make up his unhappiness, such
failure, anxiety, weariness.
another
it
own
He
As we saw
battles against
false beliefs
about
life.
life,
He
who wrongly assumes that he must What he should battle is
battle the elements.
in
is
Chap-
when like a
stay there his belief
HOW TO WIN YOUR
he must stay there. Once he actually sees that he need not remain,
that
way out
the
DESIRES QUICKLY / 99
as simple as
is
walking away.
Action power! One man who had found that life
opener
was a
when
I
battle
saw that
Now,
assumptions.
I
way out
his
told
me,
"I
between myself and the world.
was
really
not only
know
it
used
between the truth and exactly
what
I
to
What
think
an eye-
my
false
want, but have
them."
Some
of the letters crossing
my
desk refer to an idea found in
ACTION POWER: The Miracle Way New Life. You might apply it to your programs: previous book
When you get mad What you should rebel
at
life
to a
my
Successful
you are misdirecting precious energy.
phony and unworkable and someone planted in your mind when you were too young to know better. You now think that these attitudes are the only ones that exist, because when you know only one thing you know only one thing. But there exists a world of happiness and excitement of which you may not be aware. But you can find it. against
agonizing attitudes toward
How? By once
A
was used
to carry logs
The
downward
channels weakened the it
went
all
self.
Your
all
part
the is
off.
The
of farmers
steady flow.
river
As
it
after another. Less
corrective action
no longer wasted
coursed
than 50
was taken. its
energy.
the way.
Let that remain already have
energy served to deliver
river to serve their various pur-
river's
came through. Then,
channels were blocked logs
river's
one channel
lost its logs to
percent of the timber
its
were
downstream from the
Then, trouble developed. Groups
and engineers dug channels into the
All
that
The fallen trees were trimmed, rolled into the down to the sawmill. For several months every-
thing worked out perfectly. All that
The
life
left to float
the logs to the destination.
poses.
the
you by fuzzy-minded people.
river in Brazil
and
is
that
the steady reduction of those false ideas about
drilled into
jungles to the city. river,
life
as a
mental picture. Let
power you need
it
remind you that you
for delivering your desires to your-
to recover all that
every idea or notion that drains you.
power.
You do
it
by blocking
off
MENTAL MAGIC
100 / SECRETS OF
Rich results will come
My hope them
until
in presenting all these ideas
you receive
practical results.
confidence in that— when you enjoyably
Or maybe you
is.
thrill to
They
Maybe you
insight that increases your income.
you
that
will
persist. It
ing some tiresome action because for the less it
is
first
will
work with
come— have
might be
full
a flash of
find yourself abandon-
how
time you see
the feeling that a
new
life is
point-
actually
possible.
But they also
come. You can work alone part of the time, and
will
with others.
Many
people
me
tell
that they have been helped by
forming groups for the sole purpose of exploring the secrets of mental magic. Others find
it
who
ported from groups
make these studies a part of their Some of the best results are re-
profitable to
church or club or business
activities.
gather in the evening at homes of various
members. Chapter
XVI
supplies details for having a
Plans That
1.
There find
2. 3.
are
Win Your
Mental Magic Party.
Desires
abundant supplies of everything you need. You
them through
SOMM.
Maintain a single-minded purpose toward your
Examine your
attitudes
goal.
desires.
Encourage
a cheerful
atmosphere
toward your
affirmative viewpoints. 4.
Enjoy your mind. This establishes that invites your desires.
5.
Ask
yourself whether the barrier to
what you want
exists
only in your mind. This could prove to be a great revelation. 6. 7.
Go
after
Use everything ficulty
8.
your desires with a as a
means
spirit of
adventure.
of self-advancement.
Every
dif-
can stimulate you to more successful action.
Remember
that your
power
is
always equal
to
your need.
HOW 9.
Become aware energies.
10.
TO WIN YOUR DESIRES QUICKLY / 101
Work
of thoughts
Abandon
and emotions
that waste your
attitudes that drain your strength.
energetically with the plans in this chapter until
win your
desires.
Help
Mental Magic Party.
others to
win
theirs
you
by holding a
What You Should Know About Happiness
probably, at some time or other, you have played the party game that goes like Players
sit
The
in a circle.
tence, then quickly whispers is
player thinks of a short sen-
to the next player.
The
sentence
quickly whispered around the circle from player to player.
Then, the stands
it.
final player
There
is
speaks aloud the sentence as he under-
always a strange and funny difference between
the original sentence and the sentence,
bold
confused
"The
is
lives.
Happily, lost. It
man
is
The
it
form.
One game
into battle!" It
started with
came
out,
'The
cattle!"
how some
people end up with
original truth-that-makes-for-happiness gets
way.
need not remain that way. The truth can never
can be distorted or rejected or ignored, but the brightest
life is
that the truth
is
ready for the
man
as
soon as the
ready for the truth. As William Makepeace Thackeray
points out, [102]
final
went
a good illustration of
distorted along the
hope of
its
soldiers
bent some
girls
That
be
it
first
this:
"Our
great thoughts, our great affections, the truths of
"
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT our
life,
never leave
Surely they cannot separate from our con-
us.
sciousness, shall follow
HAPPINESS / 103
whithersoever that shall go, and are of their
it
nature divine and immortal.
As we regain our
emotional freedom
full
of direct living, that delightful state
we knew
we
also reclaim the art
in childhood.
Children
are beautifully spontaneous because a confused society has not yet
forced
them
be
to
suppressed, on guard.
artificial,
thing because he feels like feels
he should
feel like
HOW
it.
He
a distorted message. it
his
moment more is
about that party game.
not responsible for having received
couldn't help
what was passed on
him.
He
as
about himself and his capacities. Most of them were planted in
mind when he lacked discernment, when he was now;
reason, "Let's see as I've
to
much judgment and understanding as was possible. no man is responsible for having picked up false doc-
with
Likewise, trines
child does some-
TO HAVE FUN!
that last player in the circle
received
A
adult does something because he
it.
Let's think together for a
Now,
An
been
told, that
me
let
think things through.
I'm at the mercy of fate? Or, do
too
young
to
Is it really true,
I
possess certain
me in command of my own life? Yes, I make it my business to find and use my natural
inner strengths that place
think
I do.
So
I'll
powers."
No, you and
when we were
too
I
are not responsible for having accepted the false
young
to
know
the difference between the true
and
the false.
But every
man
ideas that trick
him
is
responsible for ridding himself of those hoaxing
into unhappiness.
And do you want
to
know something? Freedom -finding can be
a fun-filled game!
Personal freedom and happiness Margaret C. started the counseling session with the simple declaration, "I
want
to
be happy."
104 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
"Do you know what happiness
is?" I asked.
"No."
"Then how "I don't
"When you really
mean
will
you recognize
know. Everything
is
is
it
want
say that you
when you
see it?"
so confused." to
be happy, Margaret, what you
you want freedom from unhappiness. Freedom
that
is
happiness." "Yes,
I
can see
How
that.
"By dropping the chains
do
I
liberate myself?"
When
of unrealistic thinking.
you see
things as they really are, not as you think they should be, you are free
—and
completely happy."
Margaret found her freedom by using the ideas you
will
now
read
about.
Back
in the year
1535 a Spanish ship was sailing
off the coast of
South America when they sighted a strange group of
The
islands.
exploring crew discovered some amazing creatures living there, includ-
ing giant tortoises.
When
the
news spread about these curious lands
—called the Galapagos Islands— other expeditions tried to find them,
but
failed.
around
The
superstitious sailors concluded that the islands
to different spots in the sea.
The
ocean currents carried approaching ships this truth
This
was discovered, the is
islands
moved
simple fact was, the tricky
off in
wrong
directions.
were located with
Once
ease.
an excellent example of how the human mind draws
and harmful conclusions through misunderstanding. In advanced science those sailors, but
this
we wouldn't make a geographical mistake we still come up with harmful conclusions
false
day of as did
our
in
daily mental explorations.
The greatest day of your life What,
to tell the truth,
our happiness?
about and what
It is
we wrongly
sions that contradict reality,
and any attempt
is
the thing that wears us out and destroys
the constant clash between
to find
think
we
it is.
suffer.
As long There
is
what as
life is real])
we hang onto
all
illu-
no other explanation,
one will only resxdt in additional pain and
frustration.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
HAPPINESS / 105
The
is
wise and courageous
man
who
the one
is
for the sake of his
willing
may be—
to face the facts of life— as temporarily challenging as they
permanent freedom and peace.
Where, then,
is
happiness?
In the mind. In your mind. Proof?
Think
of something outside your mind, perhaps a person or a
possession that used to give exterior thing
you pleasure, but no longer does. That
the same, but
is still
it
no longer makes you happy.
come? Because your thoughts have changed toward
How
because your
it,
viewpoints are different.
More evidence? Think you in the like it?
of another person or a possession that past,
but that
now
gives
you
had no
satisfaction.
attraction for
How
come you
Again, because your mind holds altered attitudes toward
it.
This does not mean, of course, that exterior objects have nothing to
do with our
states of happiness. It does
points determine
mean
whether they are pleasurable
that our mental view-
or not.
Since you can change your mind, you can change your states of
happiness— in ways far greater than you
may now
One man who came for counsel was told, your life will be when you really see your mind own troubles."
"Why
is
that?"
suspect!
"The
greatest
day of
as the cause of
your
he asked.
"Because for the
first
the ability to create your
time you will also really see your
own
mind with
happiness."
Serve your best interests Have you interests?
ever
What
The answer
is
is
wondered why people often harm
extremely helpful
:
Take,
as
an example, the
He
best
as
he grasps
man who
uses this self-damaging
method only because he knows no other course But
own
the explanation for such contradictory behavior?
constantly meets difficulties with anger.
of alternatives.
their
to take;
he
is
unaware
a self-helping tool— such as seeing his
MENTAL MAGIC
106 / SECRETS OF
problem with a mature technique.
mind— his
As we grasp the
anger
we
superior,
away
falls
an out-of-date
as
lose the inferior.
As we
really
we serve them. The ideas we have covered up to this point should make us excited! The mind can create happiness. It is independent of outside insee our best interests,
fluences. It will free us
from painful dependency upon
fickle
circum-
stances.
Here
how
is
Dr. David Seabury expresses
it:
modern psychology has in recent years and happiness that should excite us far more than the invention of any of our modern machines. It has made the discovery of how a person uses his mind correctly, and thus Research
made a
how
in
the field of
contribution to our health
to live with ease.
has proved a fact of greater importance to
It
modern contrivances put together. Yet was so simple that humans have ignored it for centuries. Especially was this basic wisdom hidden because it depended upon an attitude, and not until recent decades have the attitudes by which people live seemed important. What is this grand yet simple discovery that can do so much for
each individual than like
all
of our
the discovery of the wheel the needed truth
us? It consists in knowing how true mental power is made available to anyone who knows how to use it In other words, modern psychology now offers you a way by which you can use your intelligence many, many times more successfully. By so doing you will not only conquer most of the troubles in your life, but achieve the desires that for years you have found im.
.
.
possible of realization. 1
Life
Now
is
for living!
that we've covered
to a truth that at first
all this
may seem
ground about thinking, we come
contradictory.
But
it
actually
makes
wonderful sense: Life
is
for living, not for thinking.
But before we can
Have you
live freely,
our thinking must be liberated.
ever noticed that the happiest people are those
who
go about their business casually, spontaneously, almost thoughtlessly
1 David Seabury, The Art of Living Without Tension and Row, Publishers, 1958).
(New
York:
Harper
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT —and They
yet accomplished
than those
happy because they have learned
are
magic— that tain
much more
of effordess mentality. Their
worry over criticism from others or
They appear
HAPPINESS / 107
who
strain at things?
major secret of mental
a
minds have no space
to
indifferent to occurrences that others interpret as a bother
or a threat. In short, they are like a lighthouse in a
ing away almost as
if
storm— calmly
also.
You can
learn to live your days
happily, rather than painfully think
them through. As French
Honore de Balzac
as a
secrets of nature,
"As soon
states,
where there
Balzac calls "sight"
mind
of the
is
calls "insight" or
True happiness One
thing
are not the ful
no
are
he can see that the marvelous
What tist
way
same thing
as
the same thing that a
we must you are
As we have
itself.
about
going on.
It is
only
scien-
really
when we
seen, the peace-
happy, do you stop to think
are
it
without being aware of
unhappy
that
we
stop to think
it.
What
magnificent conclusion do
we
reach?
Happiness appears when the mind ceases
The
story goes about the cowboy
his horse to carry
him down
steps, stopped, took a
"Got
modern
experience, almost without think-
No. You en joy ably experience
it?
is
that thoughts about happiness
is
about
is
needed
effortless
is
it
what
is
the outcome of the simple."
ing about
at all.
novelist
desires to penetrate the
"understanding."
happiness
When
man
real secrets, all that is
we must understand
something that
is
shin-
the storm didn't exist.
Their secret can be yours,
sight;
to enter-
doubt their personal value.
a
it!
few more, halted once more. Asked an onlooker,
stubborn horse?"
"No," explained the
command he That tantly
the road.
to fight for
who was having trouble getting The animal took a few hesitant
is
"He's so afraid he won't hear
my
next
stops all the time to listen."
They hesimake galloping
the unfortunate condition of lots of people.
stumble forward,
progress.
rider.
They
when
they could just as well
are so afraid of criticism or of
making mistakes
that
they halt constantly to see whether their actions are approved by
108 / SECRETS OP
MENTAL MAGIC
others. In other words, their
hampers forward
minds
war which
are in a constant tug of
progress.
Notice that unhappy times are accompanied by considerable mental
That can even be
confusion.
stated a bit stronger: Notice that un-
happiness always involves confused thoughts.
Here we have another valuable clue ment: Our personal peace increases
for finding
we
as
genuine content-
learn to think clearly.
The rewards of clear thinking Unless our minds operate with
What do we mean
will elude us.
clarity
by
the facts of a matter, to be aware of
and
simplicity, tranquillity
means
clear thinking? It
to see
and not be swayed by
its realities,
faulty attitudes or unrealistic desires.
The problem
We
or less clearly.
most of us are
is,
haven't the slightest idea
we
takenly see things as
than as they
are, rather
mind by
this stunt of the
we
the
we are of how
satisfied that
name
are.
thinking more
we
mis-
Psychology
calls
means
that
often
of "projection." This
project our personal beliefs toward a situation, then assume that
what we think
is
true
The
be the case.
actually true— though the exact opposite
is
hostile
mind, for instance,
is
might
convinced that other
people are as hostile as he is— which keeps him in both inner and outer conflict.
The
clear-minded man, on the other hand, draws no such
He
conclusions.
meets everyone
reveal himself as he actually
is,
as
an individual; he
some
hostile,
each person
lets
some peaceful. That
of clear thinking in inter-personal relations gives
him an
sort
easy com-
mand.
To
be aware that
rather than as
we
need.
it
we
actually
And what
trouble.
false
This
is
is, is
we
are,
a great step toward the clear-mindedness
rich rewards there are!
Why the Any
often mistakenly see the world as
u-boat sank
information that
we hold
in
mind
is
certain to cause
such an important idea to remember that
you about an incident from history that
will help implant
I
want it.
to tell
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT During World mines
off the
War
the
I
HAPPINESS / 109
German submarine UC-44 was
laying
English coast, hoping to blow up unwary British vessels.
But the U-boat hadn't counted on the cleverness of Admiral William
Naval
Hall, director of British
Intelligence. Hall decided to deliver
some false— and destructive— information submarine. ships,
The
to the
commander
of the
own Germans. The
admiral broadcast a message, supposedly to his
but which he
knew would be
intercepted by the
message stated that the mines planted by the submarine had been cleared away; therefore, any ship could waters.
now
Although the information was
pass safely through the
(the mines were
false
there), the U-boat swallowed the message whole.
upon
UC-44
false information, the
As
still
a result of acting
own mines and
struck one of her
sank.
What
can
we do
prevent ourselves from acting upon false
to
attitudes that sink our happiness?
Lots. For
we can
one thing,
use some:
Backtalk Whisper:
'Tour supply of happiness
beyond Backt-alk:
"That low
limited.
is
a totally false assumption that
at all.
My happiness
Backtalk:
"Because contentment
Even though I
accept
"Human
don't swal-
is
mans
natural condition.
need more understanding on
I it
I
increases automatically as
Whisper:
idea,
can't go
it."
is
my mind finds liberty." "Why not remain miserable?"
Whisper:
You
this
as absolutely true."
nature doesn't really change.
Why
try to
improve yourself?" Backtalk:
"Pure nonsense.
Human
nature changes
time, for better or for worse.
I
all
the
intend to change for
the better."
alone and helpless in a hostile world."
Whisper:
"You
Backtalk:
"Wrong. All the
are
all
Life are on
my
and use them."
great
side. I
and natural Principles of need only
to fully discover
110 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
"Making unhappy mistakes
Whisper:
a
is
permanent pattern
of behavior in your life."
My
"Totally incorrect.
Backtalk:
of insight into myself.
my mistakes
grows,
mistakes are caused by lack
As
will fall
my
self-understanding
away more and more."
A PROFOUND TRUTH It's
been said that the best way
him
to introduce
happiness
gloom
to other girls. Likewise, the best
way
to
is
not
keep your
quietly to refuse negative ideas that try to introduce them-
is
selves to your
that
keep her youth
for a girl to
is
mind. Don't
let
the gloomy lives of other people suggest
necessary to your
life. It isn't at all.
Not when you apply
the secrets of mental magic.
Nature has equipped certain
sea-birds with anti-salt glands that
enable them to purify water from the ocean. Likewise, your
equipped with anti-gloom devices that enable you
mind
is
to obtain only the
good and enjoyable from the world.
Walter B. was
came
we
a prosperous business executive
to the point in his office transactions.
talked:
"I'll
"You
down
get right
How
change things.
can
I
He came
to business. I'm
who
habitually
to the point as
unhappy.
I
want
to
acquire happiness?"
can't."
"I can't?"
he asked
in surprise.
"No, and neither can anyone
else."
"I don't understand."
"You ness.
This
can't, isn't
Walter, acquire happiness. But you can lose unhappt-
merely a play on words. This
you've been looking
contentment with
is
for.
The
is
the profound truth
only thing that will give you genuine
the loss of discontent. If you will work as earnestly
this idea as
you do with
a business project,
you
will
make
that
inner change that you want."
"I'm trying to understand your point, but
you please supply
"You
see,
a
few
my
mind's hazy. Will
details?"
your unhappiness
is
caused by unrealistic and
self-
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HAPPINESS damaging
They as if
really haven't that
So— you
so.
it is
it's
Your
false ideas
stance, but
Then you "Let I
ess,
make you
But back
see things incorrectly. It
bad behavior or
some
in
is
this
that the prob-
exterior circum-
mind
of
its
distortions.
will be peaceful in all situations."
me
Walter, "whether I'm following you.
see," said
my
should work at dismissing
You have
it
false ideas
about
life.
You
say
Then, when
the automatic outcome?"
is
Think
exactly right.
ways— buying new
futile
trying to think
of happiness as a ridding proc-
work
at
pears
all
clothes or joining clubs or even by
happy thoughts. They
ridding your
by
itself.
When
mind
Then,
of
its
clothes
Walter came back
plunged right
to the point:
a business associate.
and clubs have for
hand. So
I
I
do
day I
I
was tempted
all,
that
is,
on the right
to
my
realized that
wanted most of
blow up
at
anger would
to solve the prob-
choose to calmly talk the matter over with him.
Now,
you mean. By ridding myself of that to
a bit hazy, but I'm
"It's still
Even-thing cleared up nicely.
was able
their rightful place."
second conference he again
a
Then, suddenly,
prevent the very thing
when you
negative viewpoints, happiness ap-
track at last. For instance, the other
at
the simple reason that
fail for
mind can only produce negative answers. But
a negative
I
know
did you
not as something to acquire. People try to acquire happiness in so
many
lem
How
actually isn't— it's in your attitude toward them. Learn
it
I'm free of them, happiness
you react
SUCCEEDED
those false viewpoints. Rid your
to dismiss
that
a mind-reader.
makes you unhappy. You conclude
in another person's
is
so,
part of your negative mental make-up.
all
incorrect seeing that
hurt your feelings.
from others?"
HOW WALTER ''Because
to
get unhappy.''
that I'm sensitive to remarks
to the point.
power
power, but because you think
Walter grinned. "You must be
lem
you may have
ideas that dwell in your mind. Foi instance,
the false notion that other people have the
111
/
for the
his first
time,
false notion that
the practical thing. I'm
Walter had caught
first
much
I
really see
what
anger was useful,
happier, believe me."
Magnificent Glimpse of the better
life.
MENTAL MAGIC
112 / SECRETS OF
Summary: Happiness appears automatically
we
as
rid
our minds
of unhappiness-causing ideas.
Happiness and self-expansion one
If there is
expansion.
To do
makes us
self-esteem
is
we
To
life,
it
self-
is
did on the pre-
gain self-insight
certain to uplift both our
liking for ourselves.
it
simply growth, but
and
us pleased with ourselves.
touchy or more cheerful
less
and our
We can call
element for the happy
something better on Friday than
Monday makes
vious that
essential
self-expansion or release of our inner resources or it all
adds up to the same thing: living more fully
zestfully every day.
Nothing— absolutely nothing— has
the power to
make you happier
than the daily discovery that you are actually better than you thought
you were! And
if
you think you
are.
added fact,
to the
and a
you
book
fact
really
(And just to
want
this
know, you are always better than
to
not something that Vernon
is
make you
which you can
Howard
because
feel good. It's here
it's
a
when-
delightfully discover for yourself
ever you choose).
man
Every sion.
To
to that
has a natural urge for mental and emotional expan-
the extent that you express your inner talents,
same extent does your happiness glow more
the degree that your rich inner self
same degree
Here
will
how
is
Life
you
feel dissatisfied
Dr. Erich
energy directed toward destruction
less
is
2 Erich
1941).
is
.
.
.
It
.
.
.
to
its if
own; this
changes
it:
it
tends to grow, to be ex-
tendency
thwarted the
is
into energies directed
The more the drive toward
life
the drive toward destruction; the more
life.
little,
And
with yourself.
explains
seems that
life
by
suppressed and blocked, to that
is
life
the strength of destructiveness. Destructiveness
unlived
ston,
Fromm
has an inner dynamism of
pressed, to be lived.
stronger
is
little
brightly.
is
toward
thwarted, is
the
realized, the
the outcome of
2
Fromm, Escape From Freedom (New York:
Holt, Rinehart and
Win-
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
HOW One
evening
TO BUILD SELF-ESTEEM at a
in their early teens.
stantly
my
on
banquet
steaming sweet potato. All the that particular sweet potato
much self
was seated near
What
several
young
ladies
salad course they giggled con-
as only teen-age girls
named Linda was
with cheery pride.
I
Throughout the
and amusingly, left
HAPPINESS / 113
can giggle.
Then
the
girl
served with a delicious-looking hodygirlish glee at the table
on Linda's
concentrated on
Linda herself beamed
plate.
pleased her so much, and
what
attracted so
attention? Information scurried around the table that Linda her-
had grown that
vegetables at
when most
up our the market, she had done something unique. Through potato! In these days
of us pick
her personal thought and effort she had brought that sweet potato into existence. It
was
special because
personally proven Linda to herself!
it
was her
Her
Linda had
creation!
self-satisfaction
was
entirely
sprang from her own initiative and self-reliance. we depend upon other people or for outer events to give us a sense of self-esteem, we will be worried. We will worry that they will fail us. But if we depend upon the center of strength found within, justified: It If
disappointment becomes impossible. Happiness springing from a simple trust in the self can endure because
it is
genuine.
The secret of happiness Count Leo
who
Tolstoy, the noted novelist
wrote
War and
Peace, once told a story about a wealthy nobleman and his downstairs
neighbor, a
coming from the purse full of if
The nobleman was annoyed by the cheery happy worker below. The wealthy man held
tailor.
money
to the tailor
with the
offer,
'This money
is
songs
out
a
yours
you stop your happy songs."
The
tailor
money and stopped
took the
he missed the sound of
his
own happy
must express
my
happiness."
saying, "I
Any that
any
of us can
make
genuine happiness artificial devices.
the
singing.
He
voice.
same discovery
is
like a
after a while
returned the money,
We can
see
the courage to give
up
as that tailor.
comes when we have
Happiness
But
glowing lantern covered with
114 / SECRETS OF
a heavy cloth.
It is
there
MENTAL MAGIC
all right,
glowing brightly.
When we
remove
the covering of misunderstanding, the light leaps out to brighten every-
thing in the
life.
Happiness
is.
You have nothing
And
do any time you earnestly choose
do
to
needs only your
to create. It
uncovering-through-understanding.
that
something you can
is
so.
Vital Truths About Your Happiness 1.
Happiness
is
never permanently
lost
by anyone.
It
can be
wonderfully reclaimed through the secrets of mental magic. 2.
No
one can be blamed for having absorbed unhappiness-
causing ideas. But everyone can have the fun of rediscovering his naturally free 3.
self.
As we really understand what life
is all
about, a great change
As the mind thinks newly,
takes place.
exterior circum-
stances change miraculously. 4.
Happiness
exists, first of all, in
the mind.
When
our mental
processes are clear, peace follows. 5.
Get excited over your
talents for building a better life.
You
already possess the basic tools— your thoughts. 6. Life is for easy living,
insight that 7.
makes
To remember a
it
not for strained thinking. Seek the
easy.
type of thinking
we
the story of the U-boat. Clear the 8.
Think
should avoid, remember
mind
of false information.
of happiness as a ridding process.
negative thoughts, happiness rushes in to 9. Self-expression
your natural 10.
makes you
fill
the vacuum.
Find ways
to
develop
creativities.
Depend upon your self-esteem
feel good.
As you dismiss
and
inner center of strength.
self-satisfaction.
It
gives
you
K Your Thoughts Can
Make You Popular
scientists tell us that the sea contains millions of dollars
worth of gold. They have accurately estimated
that sea water contains about five cents'
worth of gold
to every
ton.
Someday some genius may work out an economical plan winning will
all
that glittering gold
Something that you have personality.
of sea water has
wealth.
When
he does, he
is
is
favorites. Just as every gallon
gold, so does every
and always has been
not be aware of
Once you there
its
man
possess his inner
there,
even though the
it.
catch a Magnificent Glimpse of your richer
nothing else you need to do. Your awareness of the richness
watch, so
I
my
self,
its exist-
itself.
A man wrote a newspaper editor: found
immense wealth:
also contains
Nature plays no
It is there,
man may
I
sea.
be a pretty wealthy genius.
Your
ence
from the
for
"Last
week
I lost
my wrist-
placed an ad in your lost-and-found column.
watch under the
sofa.
Your paper
Today
gets results."
[115]
116 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
we
That's an example of the confused kind of thinking which
must avoid
in our social relations.
gets results.
So
let's
go on
We
want
to discover
what
really
to:
The great secret The
great secret for
topmost truth about that
and
wanning success then give
field,
in it
any
Find the
field is this:
your wholehearted interest
action.
When You
it
comes
to personal popularity, the
topmost truth
is
this:
you become wore
attain greater popularity with others as
popular with yourself.
This is
is
an absolute and unbreakable law governing friendships.
the very foundation for being
no
secret but this
wanted and appreciated.
one you would have
all
you need
It
you had
If
for insuring
your
popularity.
why
Let's see
The same
as those
aware of
this
is so.
subconscious attitudes that
this,
we yet
we
hold toward ourselves are the
project toward others. it is so.
If
we
We
may
not be consciously
genuinely like ourselves
we
will natu-
when outwardly. The
rally express that self-liking as other-liking— and others like us
we
like
them! All inner attitudes express themselves
process might be likened to the waves of a lake.
ward and backward, back and expresses
the its
mind
purity in both
its
that
is
roll
out-
forth. If the lake's waters are pure,
its
peace with
at
The waves
inward and outward itself
it
Likewise,
rolls.
expresses that peacefulness in
all
outward adventures.
The
author of Every
We
radiate
Man
what we
feel
our deep-seated convictions.
become, we radiate tion, in
our manner,
a King explains
and
the mind
is
think most
1
moods and
about and
strive to
to others in our every letter, in every conversain
our
life.
Spirit
is
contagious, and
will
whom we come
harmony and peace, if it is strong and peace, and harmony wherever we go.
in
radiate health,
Orison Swett Marden, Every
Company).
like this:
believe, our fleeting
What we
perceived or even taken on by those with If
it
be quickly in
contact.
healthy,
we
1
Man
a
King
(New
York:
Thomas
Y. Crowell
:
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MARE YOU POPULAR
Why
11"
/
the queen refused the
CROWN my work
In
you would haYe made
full
men and women whom
have studied thousands of
I
being successful. By "successful"
classify as
mean
I
they
use of their natural potentialities. All their other
achieYements— such
as in business or in
—were spontaneous outcomes
being
a
competent homemaker
of their successful personalities. For in-
am thinking of a bouleYard merchant who is just about the pleasantest man you could eYer meet. He is outgoing, light-hearted,
stance, I
and makes you
welcome from the moment you
feel
The man's commercial
success grows swiftly,
Why?
successful
Because he
is first
step into his shop.
month
yn. All his
a-
month.
after
good financial
fortunes follow effortlessly.
So here
Our
dynamic
the
is
secret
The
personality
and
it
traits,
are attracted to
such
is'
What
Let's
fashion:
upon
it.
as pleasantness
the natural parts of the
man
who
person
will naturally project that self -liking
people sense
this
discoYered
popularity with others depends, really, on our
esteem, on feelings of self-worth.
pany
we haYe
Such
examine
who
He
others with faYor.
King Charles
I. is
a
as
it
What
tends to be
operates in it
critical, easily
Queen
a great secret
saves.
it
disfavors himself finds
self-expressions are hardly popular.
its
negatiVe
difficult to
look
offended. T:
Henrietta Maria, wife of
good example of such self-defeating beha\ior. She
once refused the crowns of both England and Scotland. didn't like the
c
Other
displays likeable
2
v:ho likes himself.
mental principle
this
person
gees.
self-
and calmness, because they are
time and effort and disappointment
The
enjoys his
whereYer he
own own
way they
Why?
She
ran the coronation ceremony!
You need not do anything to be popular, lou need only he someone. Someone who is popular with himself. Then, when you are with others, you will always know exactly what to do and how to do it.
Predict your social success Chapter VI showed you how
and then make
it
come
true.
to predict
your
own
Well, nowhere can you
future success
foretell a brighter
MENTAL MAGIC
118 / SECRETS OF
future for yourself than in the world of
human
By applying
relations.
SOMM you can be absolutely sure of living in an entirely new world. The
phrase "new world"
be so delightfully
literally true. It will
is
wonder whether
ferent that you will
really true. Yes,
it is
is
it
dif-
true,
because as psychologist William James declared, "The greatest revolution in our generation
human
the discovery that
is
beings, by changing
the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives."
What is woman living
this
new world
human
of
is
delightfully different.
The
tion I never before thought possible.
before others
is
gone.
know why
others. I
might describe
in this brighter creation
"Everything
am
I
There
My
they behave as they do.
cause they are frightened— like
used to be.
self-esteem
I
mercy of an unkind word or glance. People
But— and here it
would
is
be. I
a strange discovery— it
am
at ease
can add
to
world
different, yes,
is
If so.
or take
it
you have not
And
I
am
No it
like
it.
I
I
on an act
understand
them has
know
one can hurt is
My
because
no longer
as yet
is
I
life
am
in
I
thought
makes perfect sense
at last.
My
different."
experienced this bright world, you can do
we
are
not a single line of prophecy in the previous
paragraph that cannot be personally true of you.
power yourself with the
me
at the
me. They respect me.
not as important as
not talking about anything fanciful— in this book
always practical. There
be-
it is
with myself, and neither praise nor blame
away.
it
is
like this:
it
criticism of
they are unkind,
rooted in myself;
is
or
a peaceful relaxa-
strain of putting
If
My
is
myself, and content with
been replaced by understanding.
any way.
The man
relations like?
secrets of
The
secret
is
to
em-
mental magic.
Claim your inner wealth! It's
really not difficult to discover the secrets of personal
We all
know what we
like in other people.
their attractive qualities are the
We
know
And we
charm.
realize that
same ones that make us appealing.
that the attractive person
is
cheerful, self-confident,
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MAKE YOU POPULAR pleasant to be around, and so on. traits is
not the problem at
What we must these are
all.
mere
do
is
first
step
to
since even-thing that
Venom
Our purpose
Change our
we
we
heme,
turn
at the office,
and do begins
are
to
is
them
What
go.
else.
thought-
as a
expression of the way v:e
l.ir.
:.-.'.'.;.
and we change the kind
basic thinking
into per-
wherever we
they are mental attitudes.
to see that
tlie
winning
venture beyond mere identification. After
descriptions.
is
identification of these
all.
sonal qualities that serve us in the
The
The
119
/
:<::'-:
of personality
express.
Think cheerfully
in private
and we
act cheerfully in public.
Be
content with ourselves and that contentment will show on our faces.
Know
that there
is
no reason
to
be afraid of anything and others will
sense that we know it. Where can we start altering those mental patterns that will remake our personalities? With self-knowledge. Someone once asked me. 'What has self-knowledge to do with
personal popularity?"
"Everything."
"How?" you don't understand that you have an abundance
"If
wealth,
how can you
even though If a
it's
man
makes no
as yet
claim
You must understand
it?
claim
it.
People
who
self,
It
But because no one realized
its
until over 150 years later did
name
is
there.
value,
he obviously
was discovered back
1601, and explored frequently by adventurers from
the
of inner
ignore their nobler natures
_ht be likened to the continent of Australia. in
it
unused."
has not had a glimpse of his richer
effort to
that
no one bothered
many
to claim
lands. it.
Not
Captain James Cook take possession
in
of England.
Self-knowledge gives you a Magnificent Glimpse of your richer self.
From
that time on,
you possess your brighter personality.
MENTAL MAGIC
120 / SECRETS OF
The self-directed personality In spy
X,
who
is
about to parachute behind enemy
commanding rips
it
you sometimes see a scene going
thrillers
The CO.
officer.
pulls a
this.
When
he's
Agent Z. The two
lines, stands before his
$100
He hands a half to Agent X
in half.
bill
from his wallet and
with the instructions, "Take
you meet the agent with the matching half of
you
work
will
Agent
like this:
you'll
know
Your combined
together.
bring about a successful mission."
skills will
Every person man's personality
something
is
without value
is
apart from his wealthy as being "alienated"
like that one-hundred-dollar bill. If a
self.
from
only because he
still
torn
Psychology usually describes such a
man
it
is
his real personality.
But
he
as
is
gets together
with himself, as his various values combine, he becomes a whole per-
His personal wealth
sonality, rich in attractiveness.
nized by those
Such
He
whom
a person
is
He clearly knows what it. He doesn't submit his
has no hesitation going after
sees that
instantly recog-
he wants.
self -directed.
others for their approval.
He knows what
he cannot submit
his self-esteem.
is
he meets.
He knows
his thinking to
course
is
anyone
desires to
best for him.
else
and
still
that to surrender his right to think
is
He
retain to sur-
render both his individuality and his happiness.
A
single
woman was
lived with her married sister said. "I
have no privacy.
ter thinks
"She the
I
me
telling
about her troubles
and the family.
can hardly
call
my
at
"I don't like life
my
it
home. She at all,"
she
my
sis-
own. But
I'm better off living there." also thinks
your rent
way you help around
is
handy, doesn't she?
And
she likes
the house?"
Building personality-power "Well, of course, as long as I'm living there help."
She then repeated
had given her
I said,
I
feel
it's
my
duty
to
the reasons her sister and her husband
for staying in their
"All right,"
do you think?"
all
home.
"you've told
me what
they think.
Now, what
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MAKE YOU POPULAR
/ 121
A quizzical expression flitted across her face. She seemed curiously starded that there might be a difference between their ideas and hers.
Her
expression seemed to say, 'Tor the
She
are the vital ones."
first
time
said aloud, "I think I
I
see that
ought
my desires my own
to get
apartment."
She
and
did,
and with
self
others.
Dr. Sidney The
began a new era of popularity— with both her-
that
M.
She was directing her own
Jourard
person
real-self directed
the healthy personality
is
person affirms the value and worth of as the best guide for
self is
a true expression of
values his
and
and
his
own
He
his real self.
.
.
.
The
trusts his real
conduct. Consequently, his behavior
his real self.
He knows
strives to satisfy the
his real
needs
in
needs,
his
own
accordance with
values. 2
own
Use
ideals,
life.
states:
this secret of
mental magic for building your personality
power: 1.
day with the intention of watching the results of
Start your
your various thoughts and actions. 2.
genuine
Notice the kinds of thoughts and actions that resulted in satisfaction; also note those that
proved unsatisfactory.
This will deepen your insight into yourself. You will see that really it is.
is
your
own
it
thoughts and actions that make your day whatever
But most exciting
of
all,
you
will catch a Magnificent
own power to make every day a triumphant And that will give you more self-esteem. And that will make you more attractive!
of your
Glimpse
one.
The story of Cincinnati^ When our minds express maturity and power we der whether people will want us and seek us out. strong individual
is
"strong individual"
inner self 2
we
Sidney
pany, 1958).
always in far
we mean
less
need never won-
The
genuinely
supply than demand.
the person
who
And by
has found that wealthy
are discussing.
M.
Jourard, Personal Adjustment
(New
York:
The Macmillan Com-
MENTAL MAGIC
122 / SECRETS OF
The
ancient legend
tells
about Cincinnatus,
who was
such a
strong personality:
A the
breathless messenger raced into
Roman army was "If
our army
the people.
trapped by
Rome
with terrifying news:
enemy, the Aequians.
its
Rome is helpless before the invaders," wailed we save ourselves? Who will lead us out of our
is lost,
"How
can
peril?"
"Cincinnatus senator.
"We
now
"But he sides,
the only one
is
must go
to
who can
help us," cried a
Roman
him; ask his aid."
lives in
peace on his farm," came the objection. "Be-
he has no authority in Rome."
"Then we will give him all the his wisdom we are lost."
authority he needs," was the reply.
"Without
The
who
Senate sent a delegation to Cincinnatus,
agreed to take
command. As he entered Rome he saw
despair and confusion. But his
calm strength soon
He
army
then led a quickly formed
to the rescue of the trapped forces.
On men
rallied the people.
the battlefield, Cincinnatus ordered the attack, then led his
to swift victory over the
On
returning to
cinnatus their king. as ruler of
Rome
He
Rome were
my country's
deliverer,
SOMM out, followed,
Aequians.
the jubilant people wanted to
make Cin-
gently declined, saying that his sixteen days
quite enough.
but
I
He
explained, "I'm pleased to be
have no need
to
be
its
develops such a personality— one that
dictator." is
needed, sought
and admired.
Your richer self Fd given a talk on human relations a man from the audience questioned, "You mentioned personal maturity several times. Why all After
the emphasis? What's the practical value in being mature? I
just live
my own
life
the
way
I
want and
standing and self-growth? What's to stop
happy
life as I
Why
can't
skip things like self-under-
me
from living
my own
see it?"
"There's nothing to stop you. But don't overlook one vital
Without maturity there
is
no happiness. The two
fact.
are inseparable.
Of
!
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MAKE YOU POPULAR / 123 course there
may be lots
you mistakenly iden-
of events in your life that
happiness— like running around and doing exciting things. But
tify as
beneath
the haunting despair
all
it
make
that? Please don't
is
still
there.
Have you
noticed
the mistake of thinking of maturity as
some
nothing like that at
sort of lofty religious or moralistic teaching. It's
an intensely practical way of life. Maturity is mental money; more you have the more genuine joy you can own. That's what I
all. It's
the
mean by
maturity. It
happy with
When
its
means you have found your
seeking to understand ourselves, what
thing to remember?
The
purpose
find.
The
real self
and are
riches."
It's
the purpose for
not to scold the
is
self or to
healthy motives are to bring
deep-down drives and
is
the important
which we seek self-knowledge.
up
be upset by anything you
to conscious
awareness your
desires, to correct self-harming attitudes, to dis-
cover and employ hidden
talents,
and
to
become
free of conflict
and
despair.
who makes this his intense intention will surely find as we have seen, this personal treasure chest is attractive to others. Just one of its many gems is the appealing trait of loyalty, of which Dr. Meerloo writes: "In general, we can say that the person who is honest with himself and shows a minimum of selfdeceit, the man who exhibits a stable structure of character, the person Any
person
And,
his richer self.
with genuine maturity, loyal to others."
is
most true
to himself,
and, as a result, most
3
We need not labor to be liked. We need only uncover the Richer Self— the Self that
I
want
vital truth
The mander
3
attractive to
both ourselves and others.
HOW
TO PERFORM A MIRACLE
to tell
you a
about
human
story about President Lincoln. It spotlights a
personality.
President once appointed General Joseph Hooker as com-
of the
Army
and win military
of the
is
of the Potomac. Lincoln told
victories that
would bring the
Reprinted by permission of The World Publishing Mind by Joost A. M. Meerloo.
Hooker
Civil
to
War
go ahead
to a rapid
Company from The Rape
124 / SECRETS OF
who was
General Hooker,
close.
MENTAL MAGIC
made some
not a very modest man,
extravagant claims. For one thing, he boasted that he would soon cap-
Richmond, the Confederate
ture
while Lincoln was
capital. Later,
reviewing the Army, Hooker turned to him with the confident declara-
when
tion, "Sir,
The that your
path,
it
take
I
Richmond
first
objective
will be easy
is
To
review
to take
that obstacle
winning our objectives the
in the
can remove them. President Lincoln wanted Hooker intelligence
and energy had
to
be directed, that
we must
of Lee's army. Likewise,
two make
five,
we must
the
way
is
mind
rid the
we
now
how
see
toward the
think that two and idea
if
we
Once
it
crumbles,
wrong
of that
where
to the destruction
is,
idea
the obstacle
is
this.
itself.
Your
life will
matically that you will think a miracle has occurred. Let's
to see just
are to
it.
Experiment with
clear.
arrival.
direct our intelligence
destruction of false ideas that bar our path. If
come to the truth about Remember, a false
Our way. And we
always awaiting our
is
remove those mental blocks that stand
to
out of your
is
Richmond.''
a basic truth for
success
it:
Once
Lee's army.
enough
Here again we meet
is
.
President interrupted by saying, "General, please remember
easy way. part
." .
this
change so dra-
And
it
has.
connects with personality-power.
Helen's nice
man
In counselling with Helen W., the mental obstacle was plain
enough.
We
had
to discover
what she
really
wanted, as opposed
to
what she thought she wanted. Helen kept
telling
their eyes," she said, I
me how
"and
I
attractive she
know
through a mental
man
barrier, so I
to
men.
"I catch
it."
have found that an abrupt question
prefer— a nice
was
is
way
to get
"Which do you
really
often the best
asked Helen:
in your life or your stage performance?"
"I'm not sure what you mean." "I
have no doubt but that you are
using this attractiveness to play a
power
to interest
any
man
I like,
role.
so
I
attractive to
You
men. But you
think, 'Well,
can afford
to
I
guess
I
are
have
be distant and cool.
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MAKE YOU POPULAR I like to
keep them guessing/ But underneath
very
much
Your
little
that
afraid, aren't
/ 125
Helen, you are
it all,
man
you? You are afraid that no
wants you.
dramatic performances are designed to convince yourself
you are
attractive.
But every day when the play
over you are in
is
despair."
"Yes," she said softly. "That's a good description.
How
did you
know?" "That's unimportant for now.
an honest woman. So
tell
What we want
continue in your despair or do you want a nice
She smiled. "Good.
"I'll
to
me, which do you want?
man
do
Do
is
make you
you want
to
in your life?"
take the nice man."
Now we can get somewhere."
And we did. Rather, Helen did. She became aware of a trick of human mind going like this Whenever we fear we cannot attain a certain goal, we set up various defenses, for instance, a pretense that we don't really want it. But that pretense is the very barrier to fulfillthe
:
ment
of that desire.
Helen found her genuine
personality. It
was
just
what one man
—living in the same apartment house— found appealing. Helen had
found the nice
Use
man
she wanted
all
along.
these secrets of mental magic to find
what you want
in the
world of people.
The diamonds of personality
We have so many misconceptions as to what makes a person popular.
Sometimes we think another person
is
popular with us,
when
in
we are merely attracted by exterior glitter. We soon grow weary man or woman who has only a surface personality. But we never of the person who is inwardly wealthy; in fact, he becomes more
reality
of the tire
attractive to us
The most
day by day. popular personality
Everyone senses the strength of the thing that
is
unnatural
sense, but because all
it
is
wrong.
trait
of
all is to
man who It is
be a
real person.
dares to be himself.
wrong not
in
wrongs the unnatural individual.
the wealth found in his genuine personality.
It's
Any-
any moralistic It
robs
like
him
of
throwing
:
126 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
away the diamond and showing
come diamond
Some
off the case
came
it
in.
We
must
be-
hunters.
of the
diamonds any
man
can find in his natural personal-
ity are
A clear mind. Daily enthusiasm. Self-confidence.
Productive use of time.
A
feeling of quietness.
Creative actions. Alertness to opportunity. Self-liking.
Pleasurable emotions.
A sense of security.
Wealthy Nothing
is
living
more painful
or pointless than trying to maintain a
human
surface personality. Half of
tensions are caused by attempts
of appearing to be someone, instead of actually being that someone.
A
businessman with
how
A
repaint
problem described
with a big bridge, maybe
it is
cisco.
this
like the
it
Golden Gate
bridge like that needs a crew of painters it,
my
year after year. That's
painting things over to
make me
this tiresome task, please tell
"You know
like this:
in
who do
San Fran-
nothing but
endless chore, too. I'm always
look good. If there
is
a
way out
of
me."
"The way out is to examine ourselves as we actually are at the moment, and not run away from whatever we see. This is
present
courage— to see honestly what
When
wise. this
is
really there,
and not pretend
that happens, a miracle also happens.
I
miracle to you, for truth cannot be communicated from one
being to another, but you can experience all, is
what we want.
We
this great
other-
cannot describe
human
change. That, alter
desire to live the real self, the wealthy self
within."
There the
names
is
a children's
of players.
A
girl
game involving
the backward spelling of
named Grace
called Ecarg, while a buy
is
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MAKE YOU POPULAR / 127
named Roy becomes
As soon
Yor.
as a player identifies himself
straightening out his name, he advances a step in the game.
with the game of
whether we
life.
As we
find our natural selves
will be popular or
wanted
we need
So
by
it is
not worry
or liked. Naturalness
is
always
popular.
Popular Thoughts for Your Review 1.
There
is
glittering gold in
your personality.
It
needs only
your discovery. 2.
The
great secret of social popularity
yourself.
The more you
is
to
like yourself, the
be popular with
more
others like
you! 3.
Through the
secrets of
mental magic you can predict an
exciting social future for yourself.
come 4.
And you
can watch
it
true.
Your personality
is
an expression of the way you think.
Uplift your thinking and a brighter self appears effortlessly. 5.
Remember
the illustration of the $100
bill. It
helps build
Self -Directed days. 6.
Let the story of Cincinnatus inspire you.
mander 7.
Make
it
You can be
a com-
own way.
in your
your intention
to find
your Richer
Self. It attracts
others. 8.
Get mental
obstacles out of your path. Notice
how
that
technique helped Helen win her objective! 9.
The man who find this easy
10.
lives naturally lives
Put the ideas of for you.
with ease. Anyone can
life.
this
chapter to practical use. Let them work
X
How
Find
to
Lasting Security
lucille w. was puzzled. about a feeling of security.
"Why,"
I
Can
it
really
"I often
be attained?
I
you assume that security
asked, "do
wonder
doubt
it."
can't be
yours?
"Well," she replied with a vague gesture, "I can't explain it
exactly, but
I
just feel
it's
not possible."
"Have you ever had other be contrary
feelings that later turned out to
to fact?"
"Sometimes."
Why
not
consider that you might be holding some false assumptions
to-
"Then why do you doubt ward
it?
Why
not consider that
all? Personally, I
this truth can't
But
I
know
that
it
just
you can be
is
possible?
might be possible free of
all
be communicated from one person
can help you explore;
yourself."
"Yes, I'd like that." [128]
that security
I
alter
anxiety, but to another.
can help you find the truth for
HOW TO "Where do you other people. I really
don't
"But
it
and lonely
want
I
want
anxious in particular?"
feel
She smiled. "All
FIND LASTING SECURITY / 129
But mostly, when
over.
others to like
to do, just so
doesn't
last,
does
I'll
comes
it
and accept me. feel
I
to pleasing
often do things
wanted."
After awhile you're just as anxious
it?
as before."
That old haunting
"Yes, the comfort wears off.
world comes back again.
adrift in a scary
What can
feeling of being
do?"
I
"For one thing, you can stop sacrificing your integrity by doing things for people just so they will like you."
"Will that help?" "It's
a perfect start. In order to find your
must have courage "Yes, is
I
abandon
to
what you mean.
see
really possible to live
around pretending
know
it
too. So,
"You can be
I
So, in spite of
without anxiety?
be happy.
to
can
genuine security you
false actions."
really live
I
know
I
what
see so
now
I
many
they're not,
think,
it
people going
and
I
think they
without being afraid?"
entirely free of fear."
"I believe you.
I'll
start
with that much."
The value of self-study The And
that
You,
too,
greatest miracle is
of this chapter.
on earth
is
the miracle of a changed
the miracle experienced by Lucille
life.
W.
can see miraculous changes by applying the principles
They
are the very ones that carried Lucille to her
new
world of daily peace.
Where do we
start?
By examining the mind
itself.
finding techniques for changing
it.
By discovering how it works. By By releasing its natural forces. By
exploring our mental world with eagerness and expectancy.
One
time, during a class,
program of
self-study.
I
Someone
suggested that everyone begin such a objected, "But isn't
constantly look at myself? Doesn't ness?
What
I'd like to
do
is
it
lead to vanity
it
and
unhealthy to self -conscious-
the exact opposite— to forget myself.
have no idea what a big bother
I
am
to myself."
You
130 / SECRETS OF
That I replied,
last
sentence brought laughter from the
"Of course you want
set yourself at liberty
imprisoned. That
ways
who
to
MENTAL MAGIC
is
you must
class.
As
it
quieted
be free of yourself. But in order
first
find out
how and why you
to
are
the only purpose of self-observation— to discover
mental freedom.
suspects
to
he may be
To
neglect self-study
is
like a prisoner-of-war
able to break free but neglects to investigate
the possibilities. Your intention
is
what
counts.
Go
into self-examina-
tion with the intention of understanding yourself. Self-understanding is
self -freedom."
This led
to the question,
"What do you mean by
self-freedom?"
The exciting truth mean, freedom from negative reactions
"I
in your daily
ent kind of day
it
ever occurred to you
would be
it
"By mental
ment and
Has
life.
negativities
whatever happens
to
what an
entirely differ-
these negativities were absent?"
if
do you mean things
like
envy and resent-
bitterness?"
"And disappointment and would you
feel if they
were
all
How
and hopelessness.
frustration
gone?"
"Great!"
"Let fact
is,
me
tell
you something that you might think
you can actually
not believe
me
live
such a wonderful
at the present
is
a different
suspicion
is
way
As
I
say,
The
you might
moment, but
just wait until this class
you that you
will begin to suspect that
gets deeper into things. I assure
there
life.
fantastic.
of living than
a Magnificent Glimpse.
what you now experience. This
Once you
get
it,
nothing can pre-
vent miracles of self-change."
"How
come?"
"Because of an unbreakable law of psychological growth. ine Magnificent Glimpse
means
that
the truth within you finally becomes a bit stronger than error.
percent point.
From then on
1
regress.
You won't go back because you see, finally, that it Is you free. Once seen, always seen. This gives you an
it is
that sets
more
genu-
truth."
You
are
impossible for you to ever
at the 5
a drive, an eagerness to find
A
you have reached the point where
the truth intensity,
HOW TO
FIND LASTING SECURITY / 131
"That's exciting."
"There
is
nothing more exciting than the truth."
A UNIQUE SYSTEM Zen, that intensely practical Eastern philosophy,
method
for self-study. It urges non-interference
mind,
much
we would watch
as
unique
with the thought proc-
back and watch our thoughts
esses. It advises as to sit
across the
offers a
a movie. Just as
as they pass
we wouldn't we
climb up on the stage and attempt to interfere with movie scenes,
what we think they should be
shouldn't try to force our thoughts into or into
what we want them
to be.
We
should quietly observe them,
without moral judgment, and with neither condemnation nor approval. Also,
much
watching a movie,
like
we
shouldn't close our eyes to
scenes that startle or disturb us, but merely observe
them
as they
pass by.
This quiet watchfulness builds a clear understanding of the mind. It
heightens our perception of
really are, not as
reality.
We
come
to see things as
they
our tricky minds used to distort them.
All this leads to a calmness, to a new feeling of security— in ways we might now believe impossible. What we must do, really, is make friends of our thoughts. As we come to know them, as we stop resisting, as we come closer, a remarkthat
We
able thing happens:
see
them
for
what they
really
are— the best
friends we've ever had.
During the days of peaceful voyage to the
quired that sighted
it
sailing ships a
West
Indies.
Dutch
One
pass through pirate waters.
trading vessel was on a
portion of the voyage re-
The
anxious crew finally
what they dreaded— strange masts on the horizon. The
urged the captain
to
make
"Let's take a closer look."
a
run for
it,
but that calm
officer
His judgment was wise and
distant vessels proved to be a friendly
sailors
answered,
profitable.
The
group that escorted the Dutch
ship safely to harbor.
We can first
do
By not running away from thoughts that we will find them to be safe and friendly.
likewise.
appear frightening,
at
132 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
TWO FAMOUS The
receptive
mind
PHILOSOPHERS
often receives helpful insight at unexpected
times and from unusual sources.
Such
a Magnificent
Glimpse
of a
mind while walking down the maybe while chatting with friends.
higher level of living can flash into the street,
But
it
while waiting to
fall asleep,
The man who is ready it. The happiness of life
always comes to the waiting mind.
receive fresh truth never fails to receive just as eager to find us as
we
are to find
At one time two famous men sachusetts.
The one
One
of
them made
is
it.
town
lived in the
Mas-
of Concord,
a statement that impressed the other.
receiving the impression later wrote,
the fine remark that, as long as a
last night,
to
"Henry Thoreau made,
man
stands in his
own way,
everything seems to be in his way."
That
is
how a
another, from
We
helpful truth came from one famous philosopher Henry David Thoreau to Ralph Waldo Emerson.
can be practical philosophers
mental wealth as is
we
a golden rule of the
superior
life
And
choose.
mind
he never wants
that once a
to
gathering just as
too,
once gained,
go back
can never be
it
to
much lost. It
man becomes aware of the And he never does,
to the old.
for a truth once seen can never disappear. It always operates within
the
man and
for the
sunset: Its beauty
Our
is
man.
It's
permanent
to
once having observed
their Magnificent
finally
won
their
way
all
the historic
to the Pacific
our labors, the reward of
This cheering view exhilarated the still
When
Ocean,
Glimpse was expressed:
"That ocean, the object of
who were
a colorful
your inner vision.
persistence will guarantee our reward.
Lewis and Clark expedition
anxieties.
like
spirits of all
more delighted on hearing the
all
our
the party,
distant roar of the
breakers."
The sacred well of Maya How
can
illustrate its
we
get a clear picture of the
vast riches, ready for
human mincP What
will
our claim? Most importantly, how
HOW can
we
TO FIND LASTING SECURITY / 133
and enjoy these mental
find
treasures that give us lasting
security?
In writing this book tion that
make
who
a
I
wanted
would answer these
powerful
to find a single
vital questions. I
illustra-
wanted one that would
profound and permanent impression on the mind of everyone
read
took several months to find just the right one, but
It
it.
was a well-rewarded search.
We have the perfect story to help us:
The man was Edward Thompson. The The place was Mayan ruins.
time was the
the Yucatan jungles of Mexico, at the
site
down
New
left his
what he could
there to see
find.
century.
last
of the ancient
For years Edward Thompson had been fascinated by vanished civilization. Finally, he
journeyed
it
tales of this
England home and
As he and
his Indian
guide jogged on horseback through the tangled jungle, an exciting
Upon
plan entered his mind: Itza,
he would center
where
in
its
reaching the
Mayan
city of
Chichen
around the Sacred Well. There, some-
his search
would
depths, he felt he
find the answers to this highly-
advanced people of so long ago. His guide's voice broke the
Ahead
silence. "There!
of us,
Chichen
Itza!"
Thompson cent temples
.
gasped, stared ahead in frozen fascination: Magnifi.
.
powerful
pillars
.
carvings of the Feathered Serpent, the
But
it
It
was much
some 60
feet.
larger than
pyramids
.
.
.
stone
god.
He swung from
he had supposed. From rim at
its
to
rim
it
was
edge he peered into the dark waters
feet below.
start
a
man
digging at once.
Treasure
of instant action.
Go
get
know two
things:
He
called to his guide,
workmen and equipment."
!
As the dredging bucket dipped didn't
silent
it.
Lying down
Thompson was "We'll
.
Mayan
was the Sacred Well that drew Thompson.
the saddle and raced for
about 200
.
He
didn't
into the black depths,
Thompson
know exactly what he would
find
134 / SECRETS OF
down
there.
And he
MENTAL MAGIC
wasn't sure
how
soon he would find anything.
But those were unimportant compared to what he somehow knew— he knew the treasures were there. At first the dredges brought up nothing but mud, leaves, common rocks. Thompson was tempted just a bit to wonder whether his
work was
in vain after
to the task.
Day
all.
But, being a courageous explorer, he stuck
day he crouched
after
at the
edge of the Sacred Well,
Mayan treasure. Days passed. Weeks. Still, nothing but debris. More work. More waiting. Still nothing One morning Thompson was examining the contents of a bucket freshly hauled from the dark depths. Out of the muddy waters he watching for signs of
.
.
.
picked out a curious-looking object, yellow in color and ball-shaped.
His hands trembled with excitement
he turned
as
examination. Then, shouting triumphantly, he tossed fire.
Immediately the
smiled and sighed. ery.
The
object
air
He
was
was thick with
realized that
a ball of
over for close
it
it
into a nearby
a rich fragrance.
he had made
Thompson
his first rich discov-
pom, an incense used by the Mayans
in
their religious rituals.
Now, him from
the jubilant explorer prophesied, nothing could prevent finding greater treasures.
his first Magnificent
He
realized that
Glimpse of forthcoming
His prophecy came
A
true.
steady stream of wealth
from the Sacred Well. Every day brought of ancient glory. First
cense burners, copper
came
tools,
he had caught
riches.
swung up
to light relics that told tales
colorful vases, intricately designed in-
axes
and arrowheads. After
that the waters
yielded golden bells, beautiful jewelry of green jade, glittering orna-
ments of every description.
The
treasure from the Sacred
Well changed Edward Thomp-
son's life in dramatic fashion. In every
way, he was a richer man.
Your enjoyable possession Personalize that story by seeing your
own mind as a Sacred Well. who dares to investi-
Also, picture yourself as the adventurous explorer
gate
it.
By doing
so,
a
number
and your mind. For instance:
of significant facts
emerge about you
HOW TO 1.
You
2.
Your
FIND LASTING SECURITY / 135
moment.
are mentally rich at this very
may be
riches
undiscovered as yet.
3.
You need never doubt your
4.
Your Magnificent Glimpse keeps you
5.
The
inner wealth. excited.
persistent adventurer always finds wealth.
But what about personal
security, the object of our present search?
We need only to realize: Security
And By
is
a state of mind.
nothing
else.
them
discovering your mental riches— by really discovering
—security becomes a
new and wonderful
experience to you!
Personal security becomes the enjoyable possession of the person
who
earnestly seeks until
Dr. Erich If
his
he
finds.
Fromm makes
And you
this
can find
it.
dynamic declaration: and
the individual overcomes the basic doubt concerning himself
place
in life,
he
if
related to the world by embracing
is
act of spontaneous living, he gains strength as
The new security
gains security
.
protection, but
on man's spontaneous
.
freedom can give
.
an
dynamic;
is
activity.
It is
it
in
the
and he not based on
individual is
it
the security that only
x .
.
,
The time of your life Let's see
A
how
these ideas connect with time.
government
official
once told me,
"I
used to kid myself that
tomorrow would automatically be happier. IVe stopped
know
that unless I'm
tomorrow. After
all,
happy
in the here
the kind of person that
determines our kind of Tuesday.
mere passage of time makes
make
tomorrow.
1
ston,
We
we
are
make
I
the difference.
on Monday
It's
We
to avoid facing the fact that
Time changes nothing
Erich Fromm, Escape From Freedom 1941).
all
that.
I
won't be happy is
what
kid ourselves into thinking that
a difference. It doesn't.
in ourselves today that
do almost anything
will
and now
unless
(New
it's
we human beings we create our
the changes
preceded by mental
York: Holt, Rinehart and
Win-
136 / SECRETS OF
change. As
stopped kidding myself. I've
I said, I've
And you know,
changes.
MENTAL MAGIC
That
loss— loss of faith in the present.
hazy future rewards.
To
They
them, today
Such people
to escape.
it
I've
long for past pleasures or for
distasteful
is
common
and something from
now
is
area
the active now.
is
Whether
the very magic they seek.
who
found that people
are psychologically
have a delightful friendship with the present. By taking action
the here and
now
they attain their desires quickly.
They have no
in in-
They
waiting and hoping for some vague "better tomorrow."
terest in
is
are avoiding the only time area that can
or not, the
On the other hand
find
intelligence actually
find that they share a
I
them everything they need. That
they are aware of
free
what
is
facts of life are the securities of life.
In talking with anxious people
give
man; one who
of a highly intelligent
sees life-principles with clarity.
which
inner
I'm happy every day."
That was the observation —seeing that the
made some
and enjoy today everything they want in tomorrow.
"Then
let
us live today," says
German
philosopher Friedrich von
Schiller.
Confidence in yourself supplies power for making today count for something. Self-confidence collapses time;
come
true in the here
and now. That
is
why
it
makes your dreams
the ideas of Chapter III
are especially helpful to you.
Your higher view In Chapter
window
VI we used
the third
is
to
floor.
The
One
on the top
upstairs tenant calls
floor,
down
see the fine sights.
Come on up and
But the man on the
it
looking out the again, this time
the other
down on
I
my
sight?"
"You
to the other,
The mountain view
enjoy this wonderful view."
third floor scorns,
"What kind
of nonsense
you giving me? There are no magnificent mountains out
Why, side
lives
come on up here and
magnificent.
are
man
of a 15-story apartment building. Let's use
with a cast of two men.
ought
the illustration of a
there.
can see for myself that there's only a few scrubby bushes out-
window.
What
better evidence
is
there than
my own
eye-
!
HOW Where sight
is
that third-floor
correct as far as
TO FIND LASTING SECURITY / 137
man
goes,
it
assumes that what he can see
argument or
gets tricked
a
He
out.
the superior
How Like
does
of
other-
and
man
lives
frustrating limita-
first
is
Magnificent Glimpse of
his.
live
on the third
floor.
connect with our search for genuine security?
this:
The life
which can be
all this
him
that he does not as yet suspect that there
is
unnecessary for anyone to
It is totally
falsely
And no amount
Unfortunately, such a
has not as yet caught his
life
his eye-
He
that clings to a false assump-
state of misery, desperation
His main problem
way
mind
to explore the facts.
an unnecessary
tion.
is!
logic or attempts at persuasion will convince
and refuses
tion
that there
is all
While
here:
severely limited.
it is still
wise. Logic can never penetrate a
in
is
only lasting security
dwells on the top
more we
truth, the
The
floor.
and the
true.
We
that the very reality
grow
we
greater our distance
from
this top-
we grow upward
maybe with some
scorned
at this,
truth about
gradually close the gap between the
to see,
we once
We might be surprised
The
in the truth itself.
trembling doubt. But, as
live in
with the aid of natural laws, false
is
but
the very security
is
we
surprise at
we
first,
sought.
are also delighted.
GO INTO ACTION Let's talk for a bit
about personal courage. Let's see
how
it
con-
nects with personal security.
Who
is
the genuinely courageous
man? He
is
the
man who
nally acknowledges that his present ideas about life are not out.
He
fi-
working
observes that the promises of these ideas are not matched by
practical performances.
He
trapped, just as anxious
sees that
he
and confused
is
as
just as
unhappy,
just as
he was before he adopted
these ideas.
That man's honest acknowledgement to the call of inner truth.
now That
insistent, is
That
and because he
genuine courage— to
setting as
it
may
call, is
is
his courageous
which he has ignored so
tired of suffering,
he
answer long,
is
listens at last.
listen to the truth, as temporarily up-
be. After a while
it
no longer
upsets;
it
gives peace.
MENTAL MAGIC
138 / SECRETS OF
At
want
this point I
personal
once more pause in
to
word with you, the
reader.
The
this
book
to
have a
few paragraphs you have
last
They are not just You and I have no practical. You can work
read are not merely some philosophic ideas of mine.
fancy phrases intended to
make you
feel better.
time for that sort of thing. These ideas are
with them to make actual changes in your everyday
living. If that
is
your wish— to make changes that you can actually see and experience
—then
these ideas are for you.
Now, back
to
our
man on
the third
We
about him that he doesn't know: out of the higher belief
make
then,
is
you
We he
see that
know
perfect sense to him, for after
see something that
How,
but he doesn't
life,
floor.
know
a
few things
cheating himself
is
it.
His scorn and
his dis-
all,
how can you
possibly
can't possibly see!
he ever going
to
make
up
it
to that magnificent
view?
By
action.
By
deliberately defying
deliberately acting against his false viewpoint, it.
security of that lower
by
He must have the heroism to leave the so-called floor. He must dare to venture upward, even
while doubting and trembling.
What
he doesn't know
as
yet— and what
will
come
as a
heavenly
surprise— is that the very steps he feared to tread are the very ones leading
him up
to the heights!
Your new life
A man
once asked me,
"How
know when
reached
this
you won't ask that question. You
will
will
I
I've
higher state of thinking?" Reply:
"When you reach
it,
know."
When
any person— for instance, you, the reader— attains
mental elevation, he
is
a different person.
person, not merely someone
he has changed. difference
He knows
He
is
a loftier
actually a different
who hopes he has changed or even believes he is a new man. He is able to see the
that
between mere change
namic change within himself.
He
in outer circumstances
used
to think that
conditions he could improve inner conditions.
Now
and the dy-
by changing outer he
is
wiser.
Now
HOW TO he
sees that life operates
FIND LASTING SECURITY / 139
on a principle of
stands that by placing his inner growth to
First
Things
first, all
First.
He under-
outer riches are added
him.
This inner elevation Life .
.
is
excellently described
Fritz
once more pivots around the real center as
Gradually our whole
.
by Dr.
vision of life
real
is
who
Dr. Kunkel has described a person
Glimpse of another life— the
2
transformed.
.
.
.
caught his Magnificent happiness and
of genuine
life
used to do.
it
revised; our emotional atti-
is
tude towards people and circumstances
Kunkel:
security.
HOW As we
TO STAY ON COURSE
secure self can
come down
a
number
of avenues.
help us break through the shell of our timid are,
she takes the
ership.
more
previously discovered, our growing glimpse of a
initiative,
and asks only
self.
that
we
Nature
is
eager to
Being wiser than
we
don't resist her lead-
This thought was superbly expressed long ago by Aristotle:
"Wise men have an inward sense of what
wisdom
to trust this intuition
is
the last appeal of
what
is
is
beautiful,
and be guided by
right lies within a man's
and the highest
it. The answer to own breast. Trust
thyself."
Life
itself will
will let ourselves
teach us everything
go and
live.
a built-in
can glance
To
to
know? Of
know,
if
only
where
it
we
course. Every man's
compass for correction. Like a wise sea captain,
at the compass, notice that
the ship back to
to
Live freely.
Teach us everything we need
mind has
we need
we
we
are off course, then guide
should be.
carry the compass illustration a bit farther, imagine that
have an actual compass in your hand. Notice that
its
you
needle points
Now
imag-
ine that various pieces of metal are placed near the compass.
They
true.
This
is its
natural condition— to point true direction.
cause the needle to swing around to false positions. But
2 Fritz
Kunkel, M.D., In Search of Maturity
Sons, 1943).
(New
when
the in-
York: Charles Scribner's
140 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC more points out the
terferences are removed, the needle once
right
way.
The human mind false directions only
We
is
like that. In its naturally free state
dependable, steadfast.
tirely accurate,
when we
points true.
It
It flies
permit outside influences
is
it
en-
off into
to distract
have already identified many of these harmful
it.
distractions,
such as worry, anxiety and needless complications.
The easy life Asked someone,
"Why
so complicated?"
is life
Because an individual has permitted complications life,
perhaps without realizing
pass of his
mind he can
it.
simplify his
finds himself staying free of
to enter his
But by watching the corrective comlife
amazingly. For one thing, he
problems in the
first
place; therefore
he
doesn't even need to take corrective action. All of us can think of
we used
things
we were
A
do that caused trouble, then, because we saw that
to
responsible for
tornado
it,
we
ceased causing
wild because
is
it is
it.
complicated.
masses of conflicting temperatures. But as
its
made up
It is
of air
inner elements become
reconciled with each other, the tornado ceases.
So can we become reconciled with
Use your mind and simply and
a
and
find peace.
uncomplicate your mind. Learn
naturally.
There
and you can always find
thing,
and
to
ourselves,
woman who were
it.
is
A
to live easily
way
always the direct
to
do any-
scene from a play showed a
man
having a minor disagreement.
Asked one, "What can we do?" Replied the other, "Couldn't
men
Picture two
we
just
taking turns at a piano.
harmoniously, drawing from the piano other
man
strikes
be nice to each other?"
all its
One
them plays
The
only discord and confusion from the very same
piano. Hearing the two
men, you would not blame the piano. You
would
logically observe that the difference lies in the
piano.
The
first
of
beauty and power.
one plays according
men
before that
to the established principles of
music; the other one violates them. Life
is
like that. It cheerfully invites,
"Learn
to play in accord
.
HOW
TO FIND LASTING SECURITY / 141
with the principles of harmony, and
give
I will
you
all
beauty and
power and peace."
For Your Lasting Security 1
2.
Realize that
A
it is
really possible to live securely.
sense of safety comes with self-understanding. Maintain
a program of self-study. 3.
Be watchful
of your mental processes.
with thoughts of 4.
Remember
all
Become acquainted
kinds.
Edward Thompson. Know
the adventure of
that your mental riches can change your life dramatically. 5.
Remind
yourself that security
a state of
is
can disturb you unless you permit 6. 7.
Enjoy your
life
it.
today!
Don't assume that your present level of living there
is.
Act out the plans of
9.
Place your inner growth
all
that
this chapter. Security follows.
changes in your exterior
Remember rection.
is
SOMM can reveal much higher and happier ones.
8.
10.
mind. Nothing
that your
Learn
to trust
first.
You
will then see
marvelous
affairs.
mind has and use
a built-in
it.
compass for
cor-
Mental Magic Solves
Your Problems
WHEN DON AND they stated their problem like "If there
is
Too few
"There
for Counsel,
this:
we
one thing of which
that there's something culties.
PHYLLIS CAME
are absolutely sure,
wrong somewhere. Too many
solutions. Is there a
way
daily
it's
diffi-
out?"
is."
"Can we
find it?"
"You can." "Then,
please,
we'd
like to talk
This chapter will reveal the freed cal of
Don and
Phyllis
hundreds that
I
from daily
it
over."
secrets of distress.
mental magic that
Their success
is
typi-
have seen— and which can also work
for
you.
A television show the other ans
who were
pirate's treasure.
Comedian [142]
B,
night featured a pair of comedi-
stumbling around a haunted castle in search of
Comedian
A
raced into the hall to scream to
"Something spooky's going on down
in the
dun-
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS geon.
When
went down there
I
/ 143
heard someone booming on a big
I
drum."
bass
"Nonsense,"
scoffs
Comedian
A
few minutes wide
terror in his
no one booming on a
B. "There's
drum. Get back on down there and look
for the treasure."
man
later the frightened
he
eyes. "I tell you,"
yells,
is
back upstairs with
"someone's
down
there
booming on a big bass drum!"
"And
Get back
imagination.
The
you," comes the impatient reply, "that
I tell
scared
down
"Someone's
to
Mr. A. there
you
are.
Come
along."
and
races back for the third time, screeching,
booming on
a big bass drum!"
I
"I'll
They descend
Comedian
booming away.
starts
in your
work."
"All right," his partner agrees,
enter the dungeon,
it's all
He
prove what a jumpy rabbit
the stone steps together.
As they
A casually strolls over to a big bass drum looks
up and innocently remarks, "See?
told you."
Your frosted cake That humorous anecdote
Don and
discovered by
We
carries the first problem-clearing secret
Phyllis:
how we may be unown difficulties. By seeing that false viewpoints them, we then give ourselves a great opportunity for
must look
to ourselves to discover just
knowingly causing our
may be
in
back of
self-correction!
People sometimes ask, "If difficulties,
There
how can is
a
I
I
am unknowingly
causing some of
major secret of mental magic that goes
like this:
person really becomes aware that self-defeating behavior ing, that very
No man same
my
stop hurting myself?"
awareness leads him
to effortlessly
ever knowingly destroys his
own
As
To
state the
becomes aware that
self-
enriching behavior really does contribute to his advancement, he led by that very
When,
knowledge
for instance, a
to
a
self-defeat-
drop that behavior.
best-interests.
secret in positive fashion, as a person
is
is
perform more of those self-enrichments.
man
really sees that
and resentment are self-damaging, he soon
emotions such as envy
loses all desire to
be envious
MENTAL MAGIC
144 / SECRETS OF
and
A
resentful.
And
hungry man
this
is
the only
in sight of dessert
method by which he drops them. no longer has
interest in crusts of
bread.
the
Too many people live off the dry crusts from the lower shelf of cupboard, when they could just as well raise their vision and have on the shelf above.
frosted cake
A man
can abruptly cease from his problem-causing actions any
time he really chooses to do prevent him. Neither
is
There
so.
is
all
bars his way, once he clearly realizes that fact.
we
not,
But we must
are free.
realize
man to man which Whether we know it or
nothing outside the
there anything at
within the
in order to experience
it
ple imprisoned by self-damaging behavior of any
depression, hostility— are like an
He
was imprisoned
was
American
it.
Peo-
kind— perhaps worry,
World War II. Though the door
soldier of
in a seemingly escape-proof cell.
closed, giving the appearance of imprisonment, the
guard
acci-
dentally left the lock open. Seeing this, the American walked out and
away.
And
so can
any
man
use the key of his mental awareness to walk
out of his troubles and remain permanently away from their causes.
YOU CANNOT
FAIL
Robert Peary, the discoverer of the North Pole, told of
a curious
experience he had while adventuring in the frozen lands of the Arctic.
On
one occasion he believed himself
to
be travelling toward the North
Pole at the rate of ten miles per day. Glancing skyward to get his bear-
he was
ings,
backward
hit
by a shock.
at the rate of
He
discovered that he was actually going
twelve miles per day.
He
soon found the reason.
He was drifting backward on an immense ice floe. Many troubled people are like that. They assume making tions.
progress, but never stop to check the accuracy of their assump-
How
or not?
can
There
is
a
man
one
The supreme
check up
test that
honest with ourselves
bit
that they are
when
test is
to see
never taking
whether
fails,
but
his thinking
we must
is
correct
be courageously
it.
whether or not we are actually growing
happier and a share more problem-free each day.
Why
is
a
this a
!
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS whenever we
fool-proof test: Because 1
thinking. If selves
tal
we
cannot
fail to
making
are not
and toward our
we
then
we
thinking
realistic
are operating in
show the
harmony with
fruits of that
healthy
progress, our assumptions toward our-
need a second
life
/ 145
look. If progress
is
definite,
are clearly going along with the never-failing secrets of
men-
magic.
What happens
way he should? Well,
one thing, they
for
any more. Another value far less strain.
problems of the
to the daily
is
man who
just don't
away
his ability to clear
thinks the
happen
as often
with
his difficulties
In other words, problems cease to play a dominant role
he has a
in his everyday activities. Instead,
challenges into opportunities.
he never before thought
He
life-affirming day.
He
turns
takes everything with an ease that
possible.
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR WORLD Maybe you remember
those delightful lines from Robert Love-
man's poem, April Rain: isn't
It
raining rain to me, raining daffodils;
It's
every dimpled drop
In
Wildflowers on the
cloud of gray engulfs the
It
isn't
In these cheery verses It
you
it.
Change
see the expression of a triumphant
it
magically changes
the
its
Because our world
mind— and
is
appearance before your largely
what our minds
presto!— you change your world.
Howard Whether you know it or
not some mystical statement that Vernon
this
is
this
book
to
make you
feel good.
a forceful fact that can it
we
down.
will see a particular event as a condition, rather than a
How is this possible?
make
the town;
didn't at all see the rain as a problem, but rather as a condi-
problem, you will find eyes.
day
raining rain to me, raining roses
It's
tion. If
see
A
And overwhelms
mind.
I
hills.
like this:
"Your
change your days
invisible
not, this
is
dramatically. Balzac states
and mental universe and your
physical universe constitute one
And
included in
and the same."
visible
and
MENTAL MAGIC
146 / SECRETS OF
Never think Always think
is
a problem.
wonder how badly
I
"Here
like this:
is
How
a condition.
can
turn
I
it
an advantage?"
into
Never of
"Here
like this:
me?"
will hurt
it
There
it.
finding
problem and never
fear a is
an advantage
there,
fight
Always take advantage
it.
and you are
perfectly capable of
it.
See yourself as free me
Let
you of an amusing
tell
your personal power of using a
historical incident that illustrates
difficulty for self-advancement. It
War
during World
pened
at the naval battle of Jutland
ters of
the British Fleet were anxious to locate their
in the confusion of battle
were unable
clever idea of letting the
enemy do
Germans
tricked the
When
many.
those
into sending
to find
their
some
them.
work
for
I.
hap-
Headquar-
own warships, but They hit upon the them. The British
secret messages
enemy messages were decoded they
back
to
Ger-
revealed the
locations of the British warships!
Never acknowledge any truth,
ingly
it
hasn't. If
this
and innocently consent
fact— and
it is
what
exactly
a fact— all
to do.
No
free of
its
it
does
always right.
So
this
is
Don't consent. Quietly and
well. If there
is
is
then some action which
painful choice will confront you.
we make
false assumptions.
with the truth,
we
ourselves:
When
his erroneous thinking
of assuming?
He
A
is
his downfall.
What
mind
that
And what
We
get into
those false assump-
have painful problems.
assume that he can leap over a ten-foot chasm, but it,
effort-
your higher vision, then you will know
what we must understand about
trouble because tions clash
it.
because you unknow-
confusions always knows just what to do.
is
is
to
it is
from the problem. Once your mind grasps
as a result of
own
having power over you. In
something has you down
lessly see yourself as free
you should take
difficulty as
if
A man
he
fails to
might
make
could he do in place
could get the facts of the matter, maybe by measur-
ing the chasm or by making some practice leaps on solid ground.
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS
/ 147
The story of Florence The most damaging ward
Never accept
ourselves.
as final
Don't be so sure that you are permanently trapped by
yourself.
Never
we hold toany weakness you may find in
of all false ideas are those that
must continue
believe that life
deep
in distress too
fate.
to tell any-
one about.
Asked Florence I
made
E.,
"Why
few years ago?
a
It
do
I
have
was a love
Now Why
volved with the wrong man. stems from that one blunder.
it
much
for a mistake
became
foolishly in-
pay so
affair. I
seems that
must
need not bother you in the
"It
to
I
all
of today's grief
my
past?"
Not when you
really
be hounded by
slightest.
understand."
"Understand what?"
'That you are permitting that toward yourself. You
feel
You
hate your supposed weakness. "That's just about
"So your
real
day.
Not only "How?"
is it
is
it
is
is
your
bound
to
know.
You
myself."
self-dislike,
and not that past
affair.
itself,
but
it
creates other difficulties."
why you blow up at people; it's and unkind. And that behavior, of
in hostility. That's
course,
I
assumptions
yourself.
a painful pressure. In order to release that pres-
are sometimes critical
is
false
the self-blame that you carry around day after
why you "Yes,
whisper
think that other people scorn you."
I dislike
a problem in
"Self -con tempt
sure you express
it.
problem
Your actual burden
affair to
you are worthless. You blame
harm your It
daily relations with others."
goes on and on.
I
don't
know what
to do."
What Florence discovered "It
is
the destructive attitudes that you hold toward yourself that
you must understand. Don't permit that past event over your present. Let ruthlessly
and
utterly.
happened yesterday."
to paint
dark colors
fade away. Cut self-dislike from your mind, You owe no apology to anyone for whatever
it
148 / SECRETS OF
"Are you saying that
I
MENTAL MAGIC shouldn't submit to the tyranny of
my own
false thinking?"
"Exactly." If
Florence was anything, she was persistent. She kept after those
made sense to her mind. That's why she was able to "What amazes me most is how we permit our minds to trick us. We haven't the slightest notion of how much we surrender our intelligence to false ideas. For the first time I really see how much ideas until they
report back,
I
can do for myself."
"You mean you "Yes, but as I
thought
it
like yourself?"
you once pointed
would
be. I don't
out,
entirely different
it's
even think about whether
or not; I'm peacefully unconcerned with
it.
I
I
from what like
myself
now understand
that
what we call self-acceptance." "And it is also what we call mental freedom."
that
is
The power of self-knowledge "Why," you may beliefs
and
we
"do
cling to these harmful opinions
and
ideas about ourselves?"
Because resist
ask,
we
lack
knowledge of our rightful freedom. Because we
self-knowledge. Aldous
ignorant of ourselves,
it is
Huxley
points out: "If most of us remain
because self-knowledge
prefer the pleasures of illusion.
As
rance, these are bad by every criterion leads to unrealistic behaviour
.
.
is
painful and
we
consequences of such igno-
for the .
Bad because
self-ignorance
and so causes every kind of trouble
for
everyone concerned; and bad because, without self-knowledge, there
can be no true humility
." 1 .
.
Remember, whenever you meet any kind you need not adopt
tion,
fore
you need not turn
it
of challenging condi-
a harm-causing assumption toward it— there-
into a problem.
Through self-knowledge.
In-
getting at the truth of the matter, you can think clearly and safely.
1
Aldous Huxley, The Perennial Philosophy
(New
York: Harper
& Row, 1944\
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS / 149
Never mentally resist a problem Maybe you remember
the story about the carpenter
his co-workers for lunch.
He
"Peanut butter sandwich!
Why
The
butter sandwich?"
opened does
his
it
who
joined
lunch sack and scowled,
always have to be a peanut
next day the same scene took place, with the
carpenter complaining loudly, "Another peanut butter sandwich!" the third day
"Would you
it
was the same
your wife to
with the carpenter scowling,
believe it— another peanut butter sandwich!"
you don't
asked, "If
story,
fix
"Who's married?
like
peanut butter sandwiches,
something else?"
On
The
why
A
friend
don't you ask
carpenter shrugged and said,
make my own sandwiches."
I
That's a good introduction to the point: Never mentally
resist
a
problem. That carpenter was fighting the fact that he was causing his
own
difficulty.
faced his
And that's why it persisted day after day. Had he calmly
own involvement he
could have taken intelligent corrective
action.
Non-resistance toward a difficulty
is
powers that you possess for dissolving that
one of the greatest of difficulty. It
claimed to mankind throughout the ages by the wise teachers understood the secrets First, let's see
when we
get angry at
who
of mental magic.
what we mean by
blame or feelings of
all
has been pro-
it,
when we
resistance.
We oppose a difficulty
are critical or upset or afraid. Self-
guilt are part of resistance. All negative feelings
constitute opposition.
why we shouldn't resist: When we emotionally oppose a problem we distort it, we cannot see it as it actually is. Opposition causes us to see the difficulty not as it is, but as we are. Resistance causes us to interpret things personally— and incorrectly. And it is in-
Now
let's
see
correct interpretation that leads us to act in mistaken
increase the burden.
ways that only
150 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
The pearl Imagine yourself standing before one of those mirrors you find at that
you
amusement
way
is
a distortion?
you calmly
if
Then you would go on your
peace with yourself; you would have no problem.
at
And
before
we go
on, let
me
say that is
your everyday
and you
The
within the
is
it
and
see
wonderfully serviceable to will see
never in escape from
difficulty itself, just as a pearl
what we must
only to
Experiment with
living.
solution to a problem
act upon.
is
"Truth
what
is
always
This
oyster.
always present; its
mean.
I
It is
it.
hidden in the
the iron lids of the mind's eye to read
lift
not something
all this is
impractical or merely philosophical. It
is
self-distorting
in the distortion
But what would happen
see, distress occurs.
realized that the reflection
you believe
parks. If
it
needs
(Ralph
oracles."
Waldo Emerson) Carl H. was wise enough to stop fighting his problem and, stead, to
understand
it.
His easy-going observation cleared
it
up
in-
like
magic. "It's
You
my
see,"
sorts of
much
rough
relations
with other people. That's
he explained, "my business requires
my
my
people— employees, salesmen, customers. Frankly,
conflict.
Sometimes
sarcasm. Other times
we
a
problem.
dealing with
all
there's too
meeting ends in an exchange of open
both go away secretly burning. Where's the
answer?" "Right there in the conflict
itself.
More
specifically,
it's
in your
attitudes."
"How
is
that?"
"Honestly, now, Carl, aren't you sometimes afraid that the other
man up,
is
going to take advantage of you, or that he's trying
make you
look foolish?
And
doesn't that
Be a detective
make you
to
show you
hostile?"
!
own touchiness. He understood that were encouraged by his own negative viewpoints. Then he
Carl finally saw through his his conflicts
saw
that
he could adopt viewpoints that promoted peaceful atmos-
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS pheres.
And
Later, a
problem
that's
I
to
what he
did.
how come your
asked, "Carl,
/ 151
relationships are
no longer
you?"
"Because," he smiled his reply, "I
am no
longer a problem to my-
self."
Benjamin Franklin became
This happy habit enabled him
as they did.
The
success.
"Why?" can work
question
It is
a creative response.
lem.
It
never
It
and world-famous
a skilled scientist
statesman because he had the habit of asking
why
things
happened
to penetrate the secrets of
just as magically for you.
the lesson found in a prob-
resists
helps you to determine the right causes that produce right
effects. It certainly
puts your power of curiosity to work for you.
So ask yourself
mine the
part
why
certain events
you played
happened
in their development.
careful investigation will not fail to give
as
Be
you more
they did. Deter-
Such
a detective.
self-insight
and
in-
creased self-power.
"The
best
really they are,
way
come
to
and not
to
to the truth
conclude they
being to examine things as
are, as
we
fancy of ourselves,
or have been taught by others to imagine." (John
Locke— English
philosopher)
Challenge your powers Before
we
main
get into the
idea of this section, please read
what
Dr. David Seabury has to say about the inner strength possessed by everyone:
No dynamic
therapy
more important than to remind ourselves and thus to learn to use it more constantly.
is
strength,
conviction that this reserve
many
is
there suffices to bring
of this
A
firm
into action in
it
lives.
After nearly half a century of clinical practice, during which time I
have had to deal with every
say
it
emphatically— that
latent in everyone,
of
all
and
helpful therapies.
this
sort of
human problem, can say— and and quiet strength is I
center of courage
that a belief in this fact
is
an
essential attribute
2
2 David Seabury, The Art of Living Without Tension and Row, Publishers, 1958).
(New
York:
Harper
152 / SECRETS OF
People often
my inner
faith in
me, "Mr. Howard,
tell
strengths, but
believe in something that
You cant
MENTAL MAGIC
I
I
know
how
of logic,
can
I
don't believe in?"
something that you don't
trust
I'm supposed to have
how? In the name
trust.
And
it's
folly to
try.
But you can discover your greater
self.
And
then you will have no
problem whatsoever in believing in yourself.
What's
a
good place
to start?
Self-challenge!
There
is
nothing like
it
for releasing before
your eyes your vast
inner resources. As a for-instance, take your money-making
Why not
turn them into creative adventures, especially the problems.
Yes, you can even have fun with difficulties of identifying
Wall
them
if
you make the wise move
as interesting challenges.
A
that
it
makes
financial prosperity
made by
survey
Street firm proved the value of fun-filled work.
showed
activities.
One
a
conclusion
75 percent more certain. Sir
Thomas
Lipton, the famous tea merchant, had this motto on his desk:
Work
my
is
fun.
Self -challenge creates self -belief. Self -belief leads to self -success.
Have a sense of alternatives What
do we mean by a sense of alternatives? think and act as if there is an alternative
We mean that you problem-filled
life.
You
are justified in thinking in that
cause the alternative really life is a
problem-free
exists.
The
to a
manner, be-
alternative to a problem-filled
life.
A farmer isolated in the Idaho hills drove his truck to the city once a week.
He
bumpy dirt road. For two years he did it the One day he wondered whether there might be
traveled on a
hard way on that road.
another road not so rough. There was. For those two years he could
have gone
The trips.
to
town on a new high-speed highway.
farmer's sense of alternatives led
him
to
freedom from bumpy
Likewise, can your sense of "something different" liberate you
from bumpy journeys.
Whenever you
are
on your way toward anything
at all,
remem-
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS ber that there live
is
your daily
a superior
way
to
do
it.
/ 153
This includes the way you
life.
Develop your sense of alternatives by reminding yourself that there
is
:
A better way. A simpler way. A faster way. A happier way. A pleasanter way. Uncomplicate your mind. Glance around alternative. Tell yourself, "I realize that
wrong.
for the
anything that
is
much
simpler
complicated
is
approach every situation with simplicity and directness."
I
Keep
in pursuit of solutions
The mystery surrounding
emotionally-induced illness was solved
Sigmund Freud was
because Dr.
can Red Cross was founded obstacle after another.
a solution-minded
when
William
S.
man. The Ameri-
Clara Barton broke through one
Burroughs faced dozens of complex
mechanical questions, but his answers to them added up to the invention of the first
The a long
that
list
modern adding machine.
point? Concentrate your attention on solutions. Write
down
of possible answers to your perplexities. Include even those
seem unlikely
to help.
Next, plunge into action with
as
many
as
you can. In other words, be solution-minded. It's
really surprising
how many
people are not. Instead, they are
anxious-minded or timid-minded or hopeless-minded. There for
any of us
soever. to is
in
to live in those distressing states of
When
No
no need
need what-
we
mistakenly attribute power
you stop attributing power
to a negative thought, that
They have power
them.
mind.
is
over us only as
moment its power vanishes. You will remember the Law
the
Chapter
II.
Well,
it
of
Ready Supply
that
we
covered
applies perfectly to our present discussion. In
other words, solutions exist before you have need of them.
You need
MENTAL MAGIC
154 / SECRETS OF
never create an answer to any perplexing question; you need only he
aware that the answer presently
exists.
Think
of something that once
bothered you, but which you solved. Notice that the answer simply
appeared claimed,
to
your mind, as
"Why,
it's all
if
You might have
out of nowhere.
so obvious!
Why didn't I
think of
Actually, the answer didn't appear from nowhere. in the depths of your
that released
it,
mind
all
along.
You simply
just as a pianist strikes the
it
ex-
before?"
was there
It
struck the right key
key that sounds the musical
note he wants to hear.
Keep
how
in pursuit of solutions,
and forget everything
else.
That
is
they appear before you, often suddenly, but always delightfully.
Secrets That Solve Your Problems 1.
Discover whether a present difficulty
may
reside in your
mental viewpoint. Change the viewpoint and the problem vanishes immediately! 2.
Become aware
"Men
that our basic problem
are tormented
by
their
own
is
faulty thinking.
opinions of things, and
not by the things themselves." (Michel Montaigne— French
author) 3.
Test your thinking habits. Ask whether they add daily peace of mind. If not,
change them with the
to
your
secrets
of mental magic. 4.
Identify every so-called problem merely as
Then
realize that
tion into 5.
a
condition.
your mind has power to turn that condi-
an advantage.
Remember how Florence own way.
solved her problem. Duplicate her
success in your 6.
Never, never, never mentally to understand
7.
Look
8.
Ask
it.
Watch
it
resist a
problem. Rather, seek
disappear! is
always there.
first
place. It gives
for the pearl in every problem. It
yourself
why
you wise insight
difficulties arise in
for preventing
the
problems from
arising.
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS 9.
Don't assume that the
Use the
road
is
the only
way
ideas of this chapter for discovering the
way. 10.
bumpy
/ 155
Be solution-minded.
to travel.
open high-
The Miracle Way Release Tension
to
GEORGE to sigh, I
"Nothing works.
can't find
permanent
rarily
by taking a
futile.
Once my
A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN, Came
mean, when
I
relief.
Sure,
watching a
trip or
escape
L.,
is
I'm like a prisoner of war
I
comes
it
to frazzled nerves
can break the pace tempo-
ball
game, but
it all
used up I'm right back where
who constantly
seems so I started.
escapes only to find the
outside world just as frightening as prison. Isn't there something better than all this?
Someone
system. I'd like to talk
it
me that you Do you really
told
over.
have a workable have something
special?" "It's special all right,
"So what do
I
"You need do
but
it
belongs to whoever wants
it."
do?" just
one thing about your tension."
"And that is?" "To really understand
it."
"Oh?"
"Have you [156]
noticed, George,
how much
confusion
is
in-
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 157 volved in your tension?
Oh, you may
You
don't really understand
what
it's all
about.
see a surface cause, such as office pressures, but have
ever looked deeper than that?
Have you
ever asked
why you
you
react so
tensely to those office pressures?'*
"No," he smiled. "If
"I just
blow up."
you could only see
where blowing up
you could change your thinking
it,
to
entirely foreign to you."
is
"You mean by doing what you said— by understanding myself? All right.
go along with
I'll
me
that. Just give
a start in the right direc-
tion."
We
had
several sessions in
tives for
Also,
overall insight
phone
He
call
angry outbursts. As his
his inner insecurity led to
deepened, his tension nicely relaxed.
one occasion when he became anxious over a
told of
promised him by a businessman, but which failed
thought that
originally
that disturbed him. his surprise
it
was the possible
But he decided
felt
at all
self-esteem really at the
He
found
Or
out.
level of thinking
is
And
that
was
longer had any power over him.
He
He
To his
asked him-
mercy of everyone who
that a false assumption
on
my
fails to
part?"
George reached that higher
that.
where he controlled
do with
had been wounded.
George's understanding then took a gigantic leap.
my
to
ignored and slighted by the
other man. In other words, his self-esteem
keep his promise?
come.
to look deeper into his reaction.
was that he
it
to
tele-
loss of financial profit
he found out that money had nothing
disturbance. Rather,
self, "Is
need
into George's
doing things, as opposed to those motives he assumed he had.
he saw how
He
which we went
For one thing, he began to understand his actual mo-
for self-insight.
his reactions. Office pressures
was a
free
no
man.
Use your somm
When worry— there
it
is
comes
to
any type of tension— anxiety, nervousness,
a simple fact of life
you should remember: You need
not experience them.
This
is
a fact.
Even
if
a
man
disbelieves
remains. So never mind whether or not you will
come
in time to
whoever persistendy
it,
the wonderful fact
fully grasp this truth;
inquires.
it
158 / SECRETS OF
Nervousness occurs,
normal
mony with
as
George discovered, whenever we meet
with unrealistic
realistic situation
their
MENTAL MAGIC
Our
tools of thought.
we
state of relaxation as
a
nerves achieve
learn to think clearly, in har-
natural laws.
Stated differently, few things are more tiring than the thought that
we
are helpless puppets, helplessly jerked this
way and
an incorrect thought that we must leap aimlessly about
that. It
is
command
at the
of a sudden desire or of an insistent emotion.
The
reverse
is
also true.
Nothing
pleases us
more than the
realiza-
we are not at the mercy of life, but rather under as much protection as we allow ourselves to be. The important thing is not a tense situation that we may meet during our day, but the quality of the thought with which we meet it. Tension is not an object or a thing or a power— it is a reaction within an individual. And an individual is tion that
able to react peacefully.
SOMM can guide him here.
Your glimpse of gold!
A mining problem.
up
It
company
in the days of the early
was losing too much of
their stagecoaches.
was melted down
They
into the shape of
colored black— weighed 700 pounds. right; the
gold went through to
almost worked too well.
They were
that official
When
its
cannon
The
a clever balls.
destination.
is
a fine reminder.
Once
anxiety
fall
this
away.
is
is
lack of
done— and
When
a
it
man
It
something entirely new.
gold
gold-
it
balls
hills
for military
official.
No
am-
doubt
zooming over
the
once more!
can help us see that the only
knowledge about our
can be done— all forms
rich inner
of tension and
catches a glimpse of the gold w ithin
himself he no longer worries about his value. entirely different kind of
ball of
held
But on one occasion
saved just in time by a mining
obstacle to be overcome
natures.
Each
who The
a shipment of the golden balls arrived
had nightmares of golden cannon
story
scheme.
trick fooled the bandits all
heads of warring Indians and back into the
That
faced a serious
gold to road agents
upon
an army sergeant mistook them
at a railroad station,
munition.
its
finally hit
West
He
knows. But
knowing than he assumed
it
would
it
is
be. It
an is
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 159
A man it
wouldn't paint the outside of his house in the hope that
would make the
should
we
try to
living
make
room furniture more comfortable. Neither
exterior changes in our life in the belief that
they actually change our natures.
with our inner
We find our richer selves by working
selves.
Professor James C.
Many
Coleman
points out:
of these attempts at self-enhancement result in real self-
we
improvement, but because of the importance our worth
in
attach to improving
means we choose may improve
other people's eyes, the
our attractiveness to other people without actually changing us "inside" or improving our capabilities.
much
Some
psychologists find the source of
modern man's anxiety in precisely this problem: in trying to develop the traits and behavior and appearance that will please other people, we are often untrue to ourselves We are afraid to be ourselves and to grow in the directions our inner natures dictate. 1 of
.
.
.
The road to the truth Our think
is
progress
right
is
assured once
and reach out
Let's illustrate this
destination, say
Mexico
the road. Looking
that fork.
I
what
for
is
actually right.
with a motorist wanting City.
As he
City.
to take
to his car
he rubs
way
1
his
want
me
palms in
it
He
with his
he comes
to be.
He
Mexico
to it
self-satisfaction
Now
I
is
own
I
can enjoy
don't like
So he
City."
points to the
wrong
gets fork.
and explains,
my
trip."
soon gets
lost
down
and
irritations that
the
wrong go
lost condition.
But, happily, he need not be permanently his
to a fork in
also painfully feels all the frustrations
But, of course, he doesn't. road.
some pleasant
But suppose he remarks, "No,
want the other one
"There! That's the
to reach
drives along
out of his car and twists the sign so that
Returning
mistakenly
up he sees a sign with an arrow pointing out the
Mexico
correct road to
we abandon what we
painful situation.
his clue for
his error.
coming back
With
How? Where
can he
to the right road. It
a bit of self-honesty, plus the
lost.
start?
He
can correct
His very
distress
can force him into facing
abandonment
of pride,
he
1 Reprinted from Personality Dynamics and Effective Behavior by James A. Coleman, copyright I960 by Scott, Foresman and Company, Chicago.
©
MENTAL MAGIC
160 / SECRETS OF
can reason, "Well, now, after
all.
thing
can do about
I
may have
road. I I
They've led
me
own
my
were self-defeating
ideas
my
wrong
down
the
Any
their daily distress.
wrong road need only become to
make
thinking, but
of twisting a sign to suit his
petty preference. Yet in their mental journeys
wrong, then determine
some-
is
mind."
would dream
sensible motorist
But there
around and get back on the right
just spin
it. I'll
knowingly do just that— to self
if
temporarily lost myself through
can also find myself by clearing
No
is
looks as
it
into nothing but trouble.
fully
many
people un-
person finding him-
aware that something
the correction. Such a
man
will not
find his journeys increasingly peaceful.
fail to
The roads of life are clearly marked. We need only to find and Some people think that by sacrificing their beliefs and opinions that they are sacrificing their individuality. The exact opposite is true. What we must sacrifice are our mental illusions. By doing so we
follow.
find our genuine individuality. This
Henrik Ibsen meant when he realize oneself— this
human
seems
to
said,
me
what the Norwegian dramatist
"So
to
conduct one's
life
as to
the highest attainment possible to a
being."
We must want the truth more Is all this
a book?
day
is
Not
merely some
at all. It
is
sort of
than
we want
anything
else.
philosophy that you are reading in
something you can personally turn into every-
ease.
Turn off the switch I
once entered a grammar school classroom just
as a frantic scene
was going on. In the absence
of the teacher, a large fan
dozens of papers
A
The
off
her desk.
was blowing
hailstorm of papers fluttered
all
children scrambled noisily about, trying to collect them.
over.
A
few
seconds later the teacher returned, glanced around in dismay, then flipped off the fan's switch.
you turn
One I
it
"Why," she sighed
to the children, "didn't
off?"
of the girls giggled,
"We
didn't think of
suspect they were having too
much fun
it."
to think of
it,
but do
you notice a resemblance between that scene and the way some people
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / one frantic chase
live? It's
some
their lives into
after another in a vain attempt to collect
sort of order.
They have neglected, of Turn off the mental switch. end.
One branch rather than
But the
course, to
scattering never seems to
do the one
essential thing:
of medicine deals with the prevention of
So should one area of your
cure.
its
161
tension from arising in the
first
place.
We
life
can do
work this
at
ill
health,
preventing
by turning
the mental switch, by not permitting our lives to be scattered
off
by people
or events. "I'll it
go along with
To do tal is
that,"
someone may
agree.
"So
how do
turn
I
off?"
magic.
this
we
will call into service a pair of
We have
already
met them
major
secrets of
in previous chapters.
men-
The
first
the law of Cause and Effect.
Your enrichments
We
could spend the rest of this book in discussing the peaceful
benefits of this law.
...
it
.
Among
its
enrichments you find
.
.
guides you toward a brighter future.
.
.
keeps you at ease in
.
.
.
gives
.
.
.
sharpens your money-making talents.
.
.
.
supplies a lasting inner cheerfulness.
Tension
.
is
you a
all situations.
steadfast self-confidence.
caused largely by mental uncertainty. Living in har-
mony with the principle of Cause and Effect dismisses that uncertainty. You can rest assured that your correct causes will automatically supply correct results. You can afford, as one man phrased it, to "Think easy."
At the officers,
for
battle of Talavera the
"When
Duke
of Wellington instructed his
the French forces reach that grove of trees, attack.
me, I'm going
to take a nap."
He
did
just that.
The
British
As
won
the batde.
The Duke
of Wellington performed his part by setting
up
the
MENTAL MAGIC
162 / SECRETS OF
why he
requirements for victory. That's
could calmly
sit
back and
let
victory roll his way.
You, by doing your part
to
is
can likewise
part,
understand and cooperate with
SOMM,
part of your study program in
sit
back and
Your
relax.
powerful principle. As
this
review the law of Cause and
Effect as covered in Chapter VI.
HOW A
TO LIVE LIGHTLY
second technique, covered in Chapter IV, will gready reduce
tension. Actually,
it
can be stated
you never dreamed
lightness in living
To
much
abandonment
accurately say that the
stronger than that.
We
can
of false responsibility creates a possible.
illustrate:
When
Uncle Eddie came
trouble without end.
with the Miller family
to live
was
it
Uncle Eddie loafed around the house, complained
about the food, and borrowed the family car whenever he chose. Finally,
one evening, Mr. and Mrs. Miller had a minute
Mr. Miller
over.
love you so
much
told his wife,
that
"You know,
dear,
it's
to talk things
only because
put up with your Uncle Eddie."
I
Mrs. Miller's eyes widened with astonishment and dismay.
Uncle Eddie," she gasped.
And
one of the
them disturb Perhaps
first
it is
another person
where does the tension only place
clearly
We him.
things to understand
is
that
understand
we need
not
let
us.
our nervousness, maybe a
The
"My
thought he was your uncle!"
"I
We put up with pressure situations because we don't them.
I
it
can
we can work
whom we
member
believe to be the cause of
of the family or a friend.
exist? In that other person?
exist
is
in our
own
in the correct area, that
No,
Now,
just
of course not.
mind. By seeing
this very
own
thoughts.
is,
with our
need neither oppose that other person nor defend ourselves from
No
other person on earth has power to disturb you unless you
unknowingly give him that power. Withdraw your permission! Do quietly, peacefully, but
do
it
definitely.
And keep
longer surrender your integrity and individuality.
it
to yourself.
it
No
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 163
Mental detachment I
was discussing these
ment, "Somehow grasp.
There
someone
is
ideas with a
that
I feel
my
in
is
true, yet
it's
com-
this
so hard to
who is very unkind. I would like know how. Can you make things
life
your ideas, but don't
to apply
woman who made
what you say
clearer?"
what we can
"Let's see
unkind person even know of that,
do. Imagine, for the
unknown he
his existence;
to you, I
lives a
that this
thousand miles away. More than still
be an unkind per-
you would have no mental connection with him. Your mind
would be still
moment,
mean, suppose you don't
you have never met him. Now, he might
son, but
you
totally
is
free of his unkindness.
Now,
in that state of
mind, would
be distressed?"
"No."
"Why
not?"
your point.
"I see
My distress
is
in
my
It is
my
thinking that connects
to think that the basic connection
have with another person "That's starding,
is
"You have experienced
know
it
you
really
purely mental?"
when you come
"And clarifying." "What will be my condition once "A state of peaceful freedom." I
with him.
mind, not in the man."
"Did you ever stop
"Yes,
me
to think of it."
I
grasp
all
this?"
that state yourself, haven't you?"
can be done. There
is
no
failure to the person
who
penetrates this secret of mental magic."
She found freedom from special secret of
that unpleasant condition through the
mental detachment.
Your wealthy inheritance Whether we
are
aware of
it
or not,
we
are in
command
of our
A
Seattle
own lives. But to experience it we must first mentally see man went without his inheritance of $20,000 because he
it.
didn't
know
MENTAL MAGIC
164 / SECRETS OF
of
Once he was aware
it.
of the wealth awaiting him, he lived out
that wealth.
man
only a
If
would
could see
how
rich
he
is!
What
a fantastic life
he
lead!
And it is something that can be done. By you. Take paper and pencil. Write down those situations and individthat impose upon your time and energy. Realize that you owe
uals
nothing to any situation which burdens you. Note those names on your list
and begin a program of mental detachment, and, where
Make
physical detachment.
it
possible,
your business to stay clear of compli-
cated and nerve-racking things that don't really belong in your
You know what do
it.
This
is
they are. Detach yourself, perhaps a bit at a time, but
not selfishness on your part;
Everything
life.
starts
it's
an awakening.
and everything ends with self-understanding.
Writes Dr. Meerloo:
The true purpose of psychology, and especially of health branch,
is
man from
to free
its
mental
by helping him
his internal tensions
what causes them. Psychology seeks to liberate the its dependency on immature thinking so that each man can realize his own potentialities ... It is based on the premise that when man understands himself, he can begin to be the master of
to understand
human
his
own
The ficial.
from
spirit
life
2 .
.
.
truths about ourselves are often surprising, but always bene-
As an example,
ing conditions.
He
a factory employee objected to his noisy work-
felt that
he couldn't do
unnecessary racket. But because
seem
to
many
his best
so
much
of the other employees didn't
mind, he wondered what was wrong with him. In reading a
book of psychology he made
a comforting discovery:
personality objects strongly to pointless noise. isn't
work with
bothered so much. That
bit of
The
self-knowledge
A
less
well-adjusted
mature person
made him
feel
much
better about himself.
2 Reprinted by permission of of the
Mind by
Joost A.
M.
The World
Meerloo.
Publishing
Company from The Rape
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 165
Understanding tension may seem
It
when
a strange statement to you
people don't really understand the tensions in their
man
unfortunately true. If a
really grasped
say that most
I
when
People assume that they understand the tension
mental
much
keep
and
alive,
it
like the relief
In other pages of this book
He
harms himself.
them on see
the release of the anxiety
finally,
you might have
false ideas.
what damage
we have
gets hurt
This applies
his anxiety
is
by
at seeing a
seen that no
complete
it.
man
ever con-
his actions because
he bases
man were
really to
to tension. If a
doing, he wouldn't stop until he freed
himself. Self-damaging behavior ceases the it
quite an-
is
painting on the wall, after having seen only a small part of
sciously
free!
the seeing of the causes of anxiety, the perceiving of
It is
states that
itself. It is
this is
in truth they
only experience the pain of that tension. Understanding other thing.
Yet
lives.
them, he would be
moment
man
a
really sees
as self-damaging.
Suppose that a toy manufacturer planned one
to retail for
would
cost
two
would abandon
dollars to it
to
produce a
new
toy
But upon investigation he discovered that
dollar.
make. Seeing that
it
was
unprofitable,
it
he
at once.
We must be just as
utterly practical with the attitudes
facture in our minds. If a beliefs are unprofitable,
man
sees that his ideas
he can
we manu-
and assumptions and
also see the folly of
producing them
any longer.
The problem wrong
beyond
his
all that
there
is.
is,
such a
ideas.
man
usually fears that there
He mistakenly
So, to protect his
thinks that
mind from
is
nothing else
what he has seen
insecurity
is
he desperately
clings to the old, habitual and tense ways of thinking. Their familiarity
gives
him an
illusion of comfort only;
HOW TO A It
was
is still
distressed.
FLY AWAY!
children's story tells about a a confining
deep down he
pond with
little
swan who
lived in a small pond.
pleasure and no variety in scenery.
Every morning he paddled his rounds, wondering
why he even
166 / SECRETS OF
bothered.
MENTAL MAGIC
was hardly, he thought, worth the
It
He
struggle.
consid-
ered the idea of finding something better, but he had been told a few things by the other
advised one. "It
"Whether we
unhappy swans "Be much, but
isn't
like
it
or not,"
it's all
added a
with what you have,"
satisfied
:
we've got," remarked another.
third, "this
is
the world."
One morning the unhappy swan awoke with a startling thought. He was a swan. And swans can fly! So away he flew. He found a wide, beautiful lake. His friends followed.
own way, we can
In our
also fly
Magnificent Glimpse of our power
Here you must understand three Although
daringly go beyond
its
new
understand that
present level
need only
vital truths
.
to catch a
so.
cannot see anything above
it
We
away.
do
to
its .
about your mind:
and then
.
...
present level
it
will see
it
can
and
level.
Choose in favor of yourself man who dares to turn his back new and unknown ideas. Somehow he new ideas— as temporarily strange as they may be— are
the genuinely courageous
It is
on the old and
strike
senses that these
out for
the keys to the world he seeks.
What
amounts
it all
This
philosopher Soren Kierkegaard had in to
choose in favor of the
to, really, is to
not in favor of continued distress.
what the
is
mind with
his
great
self,
Danish
famous phrase
"Choose oneself."
Back
our original point,
to
we
are
see the self-harm caused by self-tension. in relaxation, clinch your
how
it
ties
you up,
are unable to pletely.
You
fist
tightly
on the So
right track
as a practical
and hold
it
for a
now
physically, mentally, emotionally.
free to direct
experiment
moment. Notice Your energies
do anything constructive. Now, relax your
are
when we
fingers
your attention and strength
to
com-
some
beneficial task.
Let
this serve as a
reminder.
Whenever you
feel tense,
that you are robbing yourself of valuable energy. Be of
it.
That very consciousness
ing—and
release.
will help
work
remember
fully conscious
a miracle of understand-
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 167
The world makes sense An
unchanging law of the mind
dom and mal
is its
self-expression
is
thwarted by
its
own
unceasing urge for free-
whenever the mind's nor-
individuality. Inner conflict arises
illusions, unrealities,
nega-
tivities.
Tension
caused by unlived
is
Peace enters as
we
life.
learn to really live.
Everything changes wonderfully for the chooses himself. Here
is
man
woman who
or
a glowing description of such a person as
given by Dr. Fritz Kunkel:
Much
unconscious, unexpected material will
Destructive tendencies will give pacities. lived.
It's
Our
unlived
life,
way
come
.
.
.
thus released from
its
wants to be
prison,
3
The world makes sense at last to the person who like a man driving through a tunnel with the radio
side that tunnel
hard he
to light.
newly discovered creative ca-
to
tries,
he can't get music from any
regardless of the direction
nothing. Everything
is
station.
he turns the
jumbled, senseless,
irritating.
finds himself.
While
on.
No
matter
dial,
But
in-
how
he can get
as
he
the tunnel to emerge into the light, everything opens to him.
clears
He
can
tune in any station he likes and hear beautiful music.
HOW
TO BE FREE
One wonderful of values. is
By
this I
thing that happens to such a
mean
really necessary to his happiness
and what
ously thought was absolutely essential to his trivial.
His insight into
dens. For example, he
the midst of
triviality
3 Fritz
enables
him
may have thought
some exciting event. This
wearily around looking for
1943).
man
he clearly sees the difference
thrills.
But
Kunkel, In Search of Maturity
his
it
is
his
new
What he previwelfare now becomes
is
not.
to cast off half his bur-
needful to always be in
attitude kept
him running
more mature mind now
(New
set
between what
sees
York: Charles Sdibner's Sons,
168 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
most exciting adventure on earth
that the
is
the development of his
personal powers. His insight into triviality supplies enormous relief
from running around.
The
idea
illustrated
is
man
by the young
assigned a lesson in
astronomy. His task was to determine which planet was the larger,
Earth or Mars. After struggling for an hour with pencil and paper he
wrote on the lesson, "Earth
much
larger,
is
but
it
really doesn't
make
that
difference."
For hundreds of years
maximum
depth
which
at
scientists
life
had wondered what was the
could dwell beneath the
deep areas the water pressure amounted
to
sea.
At some
more than seven
tons on
each square inch of a sea-creature's body. In a deep-sea expedition the Philippine Islands some scientists
found sea-creatures
made
a startling discovery.
living there in perfect comfort.
How
off
They
were they
able to stand that tremendous pressure? Because their inner systems
matched the water it
was the same
At
this
internal
pressure. Because they
as if the pressure
very
moment you
and external
were
in their natural state,
was non-existent.
are fully equipped to be free of both
pressures.
Author Douglas Jerrold brightly an-
nounces, "Nature designed us to be of good cheer."
Miracle Methods to Remember 1.
Learn
to
understand your tensions. Insight
is
a great aid to
relief.
2.
Your mental
reactions to daily events
make
between peace and anxiety. Study your 3.
4.
You find your richer Remember the story City. Let
it
self
by working with your inner
of the motorist traveling to
5.
6.
Realize that tension to
self.
Mexico
guide your thinking.
Practice at turning off the mental switch.
7.
the difference
reactions.
is
a state of
mind.
And you have power
change your mind.
Self-understanding gives you control over your
life.
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 169 8.
Every
man
has the ability to
fly
away
to a
higher and
brighter level of living. 9.
10.
Choose
in favor of yourself.
The world makes more and more uses
SOMM.
sense to the person
For one thing, tension vanishes.
who
How
Your Mind
Attracts Prosperity
one day a mining prospector named Eda street in Los Angeles. Doheny had an inquiring mind and alert eyesight. That's why he gazed curiously at a passing wagon carrying a load of sticky tar. Doheny knew that tar was formed when underground oil seeped to the
ward Doheny was walking down
surface and thickened. His eyesight turned to insight: If there
was
tar,
...
if
there there
Doheny
was
He
nearby Brea
.
.
if
there was
oil,
there was wealth
where the
tar
had
had been scooped up from the
was
told that
it
tar pits.
Doheny
investigated the sticky area, then
called in a partner
and went
to
work.
straight into a gigantic pool of
than 70 million oil
.
called out to the driver, asking
been found.
dug
oil
was wealth, there was opportunity.
barrels.
That was
It
wasn't long before he had
oil. It
eventully yielded more
just the start of a fabulous
empire.
Edward Doheny's Magnificent Glimpse cial fortune.
[170]
And
so can anyone, by using
led
him
SOMM,
to a finan-
glimpse
a Fai
HOW YOUR MIND superior financial future.
The
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 171
purpose of
this
chapter
is
to give
you
those secrets.
Money-making principles What do you
suppose
is
the greatest single factor that determines
a man's financial level?
By up
all tests it is
mental personality. This mental
state
Every money-making act springs from the
characteristics.
up
his
of judgment, alertness, decisiveness, a sense of daring,
of his mind.
ing behind
it.
And
A
each act will be as valuable
his general
room
to the
mental make-up.
degree of
its
own
illuminate every area of his
A
make-
as the creative think-
lamp brightens everything
brightness.
life,
such a simple rule that
been overlooking
it
in a
man's mental power
of your mind.
Maybe
that
is
you need do but one thing:
from now on.
Take two men, both
desiring to increase their incomes.
enthusiastically throws prosperities.
a
often overlooked. If you feel that you have
it is
this natural principle,
of
So does
including his finances.
To make more money, make more
who new
and other
total
man's money-making talents are not something apart
from
Take advantage
made
is
The one
SOMM into action will not wait long for
Natural principles cannot
fail.
In one
way
or an-
way— something special arman who neglects SOMM will do things the hard way, not realizing how much he is missing. A natural principle cannot serve a man who won't permit it to work for him, any more than we can
other—often in a delightfully surprising
But the
rives.
satisfy
hunger by refusing
to eat.
A METHOD FOR EXPANSION Let's
examine, for example, the principle of Mutuality.
It is
basis for every satisfactory financial transaction in the history of
kind.
The
ness, the
man-
more ways you can find to bring Mutuality into your busi-
more business you
What
the
will have.
is it?
Mutuality
is
the blending of your commercial values with the
values of other people.
It is
an exchange of goods of one
sort or another.
MENTAL MAGIC
172 / SECRETS OF
an overlapping of
It is
sells a
and
interests for
product and earns a
profit.
An
collects royalties.
mutual enrichment.
An
A
merchant
new machine
inventor creates a
actor supplies entertainment
and
receives
his paycheck.
Simple?
Of
people.
Lack of
barrier.
(We will
might be a
this
Only
course. Practiced?
to a limited degree
many
by
clear thinking toward this principle often creates a
up
problem in
you
feel that
barrier to you, start breaking through right
now by
take
this
asking yourself the stimulating question,
later pages.) If
"How
can
I
expand the
prin-
ciple of Mutuality?" I
am
thinking of a boulevard merchant
15 percent by using this idea.
He
usual pleasantness, extra attractive in return,
make
They
mutual.
it
who
uplifted his business
more than the
gives his customers
window displays, and so on. They, him more business than they
give
give to his competitors. Actually, there are hundreds of ways to bring into your business.
When pen! So
An
natural
let's
more Mutuality
mind can find and apply them. principles mix with personal power, things hapalert
next examine this idea.
The curious power As
a good example, take the mental force
could select ments.
I
this
power alone and
personally believe
mental powers. There
is
is
its
call curiosity.
be one of the most neglected of our
human mind
know
to
When
When
joined
it
leads to right answers.
becomes an overwhelming force
it
A man
to greater achieve-
present borders, to seek answers.
used constructively
with sincere intentions
to
we
guide him
a constant urge in the
more, to explore beyond curiosity
it
let it
in your
favor.
An
Arizona clergyman once printed a
swamped with make sure they a bit
more
requests for
how
efficiently
use,
and so on.
of
300
"sins."
He
was
no doubt from people who wanted
to
hadn't missed anything! But curiosity can be channeled
constructively.
your financial
it,
list
What you
should do
is
to
connect
it
with
how many ways you can find to win them, you can operate, how many new techniques you can
goals.
See
HOW YOUR MIND
A
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 173
manufacturer in Kansas City makes profitable progress by con-
tinually searching out the weakest link in his chain of operations. Sim-
ply by isolating this area he sees clearly
strengthen
it.
You can do
Get curious over the Isolate
it.
may
whatever your business
to
be.
single weakest point in your financial affairs.
Concentrate your entire attention and
effort into
Then, take the new weakest point and do
a strong point.
Your
likewise,
what must be done
making
it
likewise.
entire level of efficiency will rise rapidly.
Curiosity
$$$$$.
is
You can
results, for
just
select
one of the dozens of mental forces that produce
and employ many others with equally
profitable
example:
Knowledge Flexibility
Self-confidence Persistence
Experimentation
How tive to
amazing
is
the
everything that
is
human mind! good for
It
can be wonderfully recep-
us. Just as
each drop of rain
raises
the level of the entire lake, so does a single truth uplift the level of
your inner
self.
That
is
why
everything you have read so far in this
book helps you in your financial
mind and
a calm
mind
all
affairs.
A
clear
mind and
a cheery
play their enriching role in your daily
business.
Find the secret code
War I the German government had a spy ring at The secret agents were sending their messages back new and baffling code. It was the task of the American
During World
work
in
Mexico.
to Berlin in a
experts to break the code
and read the messages. After some
deductions, the U.S. agents concluded that the their code
Germans were basing
on the words in a certain dictionary. They made an intense
search for that particular book.
eyes— on
skillful
It
was
finally located in front of their
a shelf in the Library of Congress!
That
dictionary provided
the United States with valuable military information.
:
MENTAL MAGIC
174 / SECRETS OF
Let that story remind you that financial secrets are not really
man who
secrets at all— not to the
seen in other chapters that simple.
all
finds the right code-book.
truths about the
mind
We
have
are really very
our wrong use of the mind that complicates things.
It is
Perhaps you
ask, as did
one man, "Can you suggest a simple and
my
can use in
practical codebreaker that I
business tomorrow morn-
mg? Answer: Discover ways
to dig
more gold from
your business. In other words, make more of
have already exhausted selecting
value, give
its
it.
a certain phase of
Even
if
a fresh, close look. Start by
it
any department of your business that you
like,
toward
it.
relaxed alertness, for
you might wander around
Just as
wander around
hidden elements. Finally,
ways, even I
little
ways, to
have suggested
nessmen.
maybe
make
this
it
that area.
or other.
It
method
in a
a
Examine
as
your
it
carefully.
Look
your receptive mind come up with
even
Make more
richer.
of
it.
simple business truth to thousands of busi-
cannot think of a single one
I
some kind
let
such
all. Now, think meadow with a
advertising, purchasing, your personality, anything at alertly
you think you
who
didn't report benefits of
sometimes came in a saving of time and energy, keeping customers
for
perhaps in reduc-
satisfied,
tion of costs.
A candy salesman "I
remember
at
words make more of everything
I
took care of
it
me
of his rich find like this
your lecture
it.
could, but
established account I
told
My
first
how you emphasized
thought was that
I started
thinking
was turned over
to
me
it
over.
those four
already was doing
I
Then, an old and
for service.
For a few weeks
in the usual way, with the usual fair results.
Then.
one afternoon, after getting the usual order, something flashed through
my
was those four words, make more of it. "Well, I did just that. I turned around and asked the manager
mind.
It
to increase his usual order
by $50.
He
From
that day
on
was
all
there
was
to
it.
shrugged and nodded. That
I've inspired
myself with
tin
sc
four magic words."
What of
it!
can you do in your
own
business?
The
same.
Make more
HOW YOUR MIND
TWO VALUABLE
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 175
ACTIONS
A
businessman goes through his day with two different kinds of action: 1) Mechanical action, and 2) Personality action. Let's define these terms, starting
with mechanical action. Suppose
A
mechanical technique would be
sales work of
you are in
to let the prospective
This
is
sale.
The
some kind.
customer handle the product with his
mechanical or physical technique which plays
a
He
wants
to
keep
it.
it;
He now
feels, in a
he doesn't want
way, that the product
to give
it
back.
mobile salesman specializes in the "feeling" technique.
women
to
run a palm along the smooth upholstery; he tough rubber
to feel the
That to
is
if
One
He
apply.
auto-
asks the
invites the
men
tires.
an example of a mechanical action in business.
remember and But
hands.
part in the
customer's physical contact with the product establishes a
personal relationship with is his.
own
its
It
It is
easy
has a certain value in saleswork.
mechanical action
is
worth
$,
personality action
is
worth
$$$$$!
Your business personality
A
personality action
from the mental
what he
does.
self. It is
is
one that springs from inner character,
concerned with what a
Take our automobile salesman
man
is,
not with
again. His pleasant
and
helpful manners are far richer qualities than his mechanical techniques.
have
When customers come into
little
an automobile showroom they
may
They may
feel
knowledge about the car they want
helpless, worried that they won't get their
want
to
to buy.
money's worth. So they
be assured that they are in good hands.
sonality supplies that assurance, they will
If
want
the salesman's per-
to
do business with
him. In the business world as in anywhere factor
on
the mental personality of the
is
man.
else, It is
earth.
Observes the author of Every
Man
a King:
the greatest success-
the greatest attraction
176 / SECRETS OF
Success
MENTAL MAGIC
not dependent solely on our earnest affirmation, on
is
our self-confidence, but also on the confidence of others confidence
own
to
produce
contagious.
It
especially those orator,
this
this
Our own
confidence
affects every
whom you
attitude of
in others.
mind
is
therefore the
Your earnest affirmation
one with whom you come
contact,
in
must master, whether as a teacher, as an
as an attorney, as salesman, as merchant, as possible em-
ployee, or
magical
but
in us;
very largely a reflection of our own, the effect of our
personality on them.
means is
is
in
in
some other way. There way a confident air
adopt or acquire
it,
you
will
is
something that seems almost
influences other people.
If
be surprised to see how soon
it
the
radiate to others, increasing their confidence
in
your
you will 1
ability
.
.
-
The story of brown bear
A a
practical-minded business executive and a nursery tale about
Brown
but
it's
Bear.
You might
even stranger than
think that that that.
The
is
a strange combination,
executive told that nursery tale
before an audience of several hundred businessmen.
"Once upon
a time
It
went
Brown Bear was ambling through
like this:
the woods,
when he suddenly felt hungry. He looked around for some lunch. He searched down this way and up that way, but saw nothing good to eat. Then, Brown Bear smiled. He saw two lunches. One of them was a cluster of luscious-looking berries at the top of a low bush. The other was a
cluster of luscious-looking berries at the top of a tall bush.
Brown
Bear cheerfully went after the berries on the low bush.
He
and struggled and moaned and groaned, but the
on the low
bush were inches too high above he did something
else.
He
the berries on top of the
That
his head. So, because
stretched
tall
berries
up on
his big
strained
he was hungry,
brown
legs
and
ate
bush."
way of presenting several Foremost among them was this power-
story was, of course, an unusual
valuable ideas to the audience. ful point:
Whenever you
are
Mocked
at a certain level, free yourself
by
reaching for a higher one. 1
Orison Swett Marden, Every
Company).
Man
a
King
(New
York:
Thomas
Y. Crowell
HOW YOUR MIND This
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 177
so exciting a plan that
is
many men
don't stop to think of
But why notr In other words, whenever you run into age of any kind, free your ing level. By-pass
with a lower
mind
to think of
something above that block-
in favor of a superior plan of action.
it
level, but, like
Brown
it.
a business block-
Bear, stretch above
Don't battle
it.
Act up! Let's see
how
a
man named Lawrence Frank
freed himself up-
ward.
Frank and
his partner,
Walter Van de
Kamp
Van de Kamp's Lawry's, The Prime (of
Holland Dutch Bakeries) had a restaurant. Called Rib, this Beverly Hills Restaurant
menu
in town.
When
be read in seconds. table,
and
It
had
the waitress passed the
menu
to a diner,
it
could
baked or mashed.
potatoes,
a seasoning,
unique feature: the simplest
offered just four items— prime rib, salad, a vege-
But Mr. Frank and Mr. Van de mutual agreement
a
it
was
their
Kamp
ran into a puzzle.
By
most pressing problem. They needed
one capable of bringing out the best in their entree and
They looked around, gathered available samples, tasted and tested. None were quite right. All lacked the exact flavor and zest. salad.
'We
need
a special seasoning," they concluded,
'
Dut can't find one.
So what do we do?"
At
this
upward. Experiments in the kitchen of his flavorful Salt,
it
He
freed himself
own home
resulted in a
point Lawrence Frank did something.
combination of
was the
first
in a
salt, spices,
new
Lawrence Frank used whole new business.
It's
herbs. Called Lawry's Seasoned
line of exciting
consumer products.
that blockage at a lower level to create a
known
today as Lawry's Foods, Inc., of Los
Angeles.
Any
time you feel blocked at a certain level, ask yourself the cre-
ative question,
"Why
not free myself upward?" This secret of mental
magic supplies surprisingly rich present level and replaces
Experiment with
it
it
results. It releases the
with a vision of a
mind from
much
for yourself. In other words, act up!
higher
the
state.
178 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
Your great adventure Recently, at an art exhibition,
mosaic design.
It
was
I
away
places, including the jungles of
New
Zealand.
was
from
made
table
wood
The
to find the
of far-
Honduras and the mountains
builder of that table remarked,
dozens of people
who would
"The
send
me
in
of various
and shapes. The wood had been collected from dozens
colors
ture
saw a remarkable
built of thousands of pieces of
of
great advena bit of
wood
their country."
have found that the
I
who have
men who make
the most
money
are those
They They have a zest for collecting new customers. They have fun seeing how efficiently they can manufacture and distribute their products. They don't see their business affairs as a monota similar sense of adventure toward their business.
enjoy the challenge.
onous duty, but rather
As an executive
much
as
an opportunity for healthy self-expression.
of an insurance firm told me, "There
seriousness in the business world of today.
grim faces
when you
should see sunny smiles.
I
You
is
far too
and
see worried
don't
mean
you
that
should go to the opposite extreme and become frivolous or careless.
There
is
a third state that springs spontaneously from the
man
found himself. Such a
but not negligent. That
who
is
the kind of
man
I
like to
And
a pleasure.
greater
a free
is
enough,
is
a
come? Because
TO HAVE FUN
".
.
.
man
emotionally satisfying
can
life
live the
most
make
this
pointed
self-fulfilling, creative,
and
hy intelligently organizing and disciplining
2
2 Albert Ellis,
(Englewood
where you win
How
Dr. Albert Ellis and Dr. Robert A. Harper
his thinking."
kind
a creative mind.
is
HOW observation:
this
man's natural condition, and where business
that, interestingly
abundance of the world's material goods.
mind
has
work with— one
enjoys his work because he enjoys himself at work!" Anyone can use the secrets of mental magic for finding
of state for himself. It is
is
man who
light-hearted but not shallow, relaxed
Ph.D. and Robert A. Harper, Ph.D.,
Cliffs, N.J.:
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1961).
A
Guide
to
Rational Livfag
HOW YOUR MIND And
one way of owning
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 179
this self-satisfying life
is
to
make your
material business your mental pleasure. Rosa Bonheur, the famous
French
used
artist,
to specialize in
this principle to
win world-wide fame. She decided
animal paintings. In order to study her subjects she
took enjoyable trips to zoos and farms.
which included create
and
lions
some magnificent
She even kept her
private zoo
deer. All that enthusiasm couldn't fail to
paintings.
Threshing Corn, shows ten
One
of them, the gigantic Horses
Her
life-size horses!
eagerness for her
work
brought her the French Legion of Honor.
finally
You can ever you call
call it,
enthusiasm or fun or
it
include
but what-
it!
As children we used of players standing
self-satisfaction,
to play
on opposite
an outdoor game that had two groups high wall.
sides of a
A ball
was tossed
back and forth over the top of the wall. Players on the receiving end never is
just
knew
just
where and when the
what made
so
it
much
fun.
ball
We
there, alertly interested in the challenge, ties for
making the
would shoot over— and
had
a
and using our natural
Business success should be like that. If
we can make some of all, we will have
alert,
But best
HOW THE MIND I
we
are out there playing
come our way. And,
interesting catches.
fun.
CREATES SUCCESS
once had a business conference with several
While
corporation in Los Angeles.
men
own
told us his
stories I
abili-
catch.
the game, enjoying ourselves, the ball will always
by being
that
good time just being out
talking things over, one of the
success story. It
have ever heard.
It
officers of a large
is
one of the most fascinating
perfectly illustrates the
power
of a
mind
rightly used.
"Several years ago," he began, "I was out of work. Prospects for finding the position
was
my own
I
wanted were dim. The worst part of the
mental attitude.
made
self-doubt.
Oh,
and going
for interviews,
I
negativity showed; that
do about
it.
I
I
situation
was worried, discouraged, loaded with
the rounds every day, filling out applications
it
but without enthusiasm. hurt
was mentally
my
chances. But
in the cellar,
and
I
I
realized that
didn't
that
was
my
know what
that.
to
MENTAL MAGIC
180 / SECRETS OF
"One
evening, after another dejecting round of the town,
like getting out of the house.
Normally,
I
I
felt
would have found some
sort
of entertainment, but a notice in the paper caught
on the subject of mind-power.
told of a lecture
on the
gone into
subject, but hadn't
very deeply.
it
my
attention. It
read a book or two
I'd
Anyway,
went
I
to the lecture.
"That speaker
my
life.
wanted.
said
He advised that we On the way home I
'How would
act
I
and
Well, for one thing, confidence in sonality
I
should act as
tell
feel if I already
would march up
1
we
How
come
what we
already had it.
asked myself,
I
had a well-paying
position?'
every interview with full
to
act cheery, relaxed, happy.
the prospective employer that
was
I
My perand
a capable
could feel so confident? Well, because
I
already had a good position;
words,
if
started thinking about
my abilities. I would
would
reliable person. I
something that changed the entire course of
was merely seeking
I
wouldn't really care whether he hired
me
a change. In other
or not!
Mental magic "I tried
it.
For the next three days
I
assumed the mental
already having the position
I
was seeking.
amazing change in the way
I
went
pletely relaxed.
I
actually enjoyed tracking
feeling! It wasn't long before I
just right for
worked.
me. You can
I like to
I tell
think of
it
down
had three job
call it a
as
you,
after things. I
mental
it
state of
produced an
was unafraid, comthat work.
offers,
What
a
every one of them
trick if
you want, but
it
mental magic."
Mental magic? Of course. And based on established principles of thought which he religions
may
not have realized. Both Eastern and Western
have long taught
this ability of the
only they might have called alyze the principle to
it
to
go beyond
itself,
Modern psychology would "He set aside
faith.
come up with
mind
this conclusion:
negative conditioning long enough to
let his
anhis
natural self-confidence
break through."
But whatever you ous situations.
When
call
it,
it
works.
you assume the
You can apply mind of
state of
it
to
your
vari-
already having
HOW YOUR MIND that
which you
seek, here
which cause you
A man
is
to act in a
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 181
what happens:
way
It
changes your attitudes,
that delivers desired results.
always does the best he assumes he can do. But what he
assumes he can do
always
is
than what he can do. By removing
less
those self-limiting assumptions— by the above
system— he
finds himself
both thinking and doing what he previously considered to be beyond
him.
Your purpose The
story goes about the
immense value
Realizing the
office of a television
"Here
is
love poems. Listen!
The recited
$$$$$
Frenchman who taught
a collie to talk.
of a talking dog he brought
to the
it
producer.
the most amazing animal the world has ever known,"
Frenchman enthused.
the
is
You
"I
have taught him
will hear the
to recite
some French
marvel of the ages!"
producer listened with astonishment as the remarkable
collie
one poem after another. As he finished, the Frenchman smiled.
"There!
You have heard
this
amazing creature. Now,
let's
talk busi-
ness.
all,
The producer shook his head, "Sorry, but how many people understand French?" That producer was missing the
his
mind had wobbled
I can't
use him. After
entire point, wasn't he? Because
off into triviality
he couldn't see the value of
that marvelous collie! I It is
bring this
trivialities
up because
how many
surprising
bubbles in a
is
man
plug a leak in escaping
glass, his
The
The
real villain
behind
inner pressures keep popping to the surface to I
once attended a
sales
discussion kept wandering
in charge
dollars.
the inner and personal problems of a man. Like
confuse his purpose.
the
will help
instead of the business at hand.
these distractions
executives.
it
people waste their talents by attending to
must have had
lots
conference of bakery
away from the
point, but
of experience with that problem.
Every so often, whenever necessary, he would speak out, "Remember, gentlemen,
we
are here for
one purpose only— to
sell
more cake." That
182 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
simple reminder was enough to bring the meeting back to efficiency.
Watch
for this
mind-wandering whenever you conduct business
how
with other people. Notice pose
how
often and
Your watchfulness can help
slips aside.
easily the original pur-
steer
it
back
to the right
track.
Use your action power Keeping other people purposeful valuable idea.
What
where we can
score
about our
some new
Know
exactly
what you want. ways
2. List all possible 3.
own mental meanderings? Here is me give you three
financial hits. Let
your financial goals.
solid steps for sticking to 1.
only one small part of this
is
to get
it.
Plunge into right action with these ways.
man who
Success becomes a certainty to the three steps. Little by
he
little
here and a bright idea there. alter his plans,
but that
is
really the
unworkable actions makes way
What, by the way,
is
New
whole
to revise his thinking or
The abandonment
idea.
of
for right ones.
Many
right action?
from the definition given in to a Successful
have
with these
improvements, a gain
will see changes,
He may
persists
people have benefited
ACTION POWER:
Life. In this
book
The
Miracle
Way
define right action as any-
I
thing that contributes practical value to you. In business, the gather-
ing of fresh information personality.
The
Working with
right action.
So
a definite plan
Ten
unique idea
Percent Plan.
He
making
ten percent
percent larger, or It's
surprising
is
more
maybe
You need
One
businessman, a gen-
effective.
it
I
like this:
concentrate
For instance,
might be
"Suppose I'm
I'll
my mind make
it
on ton
make it ten percent easier to understand. the mind comes up with these ten percent
I'll
how quickly And they pay
improvements.
right action.
for self-advancement. It
explains
working out some newspaper advertising. it
the display of a pleasant
is
point deserves a few details.
last
eral contractor, has a
called the
is
off."
not expect perfect action of yourself. All you need
is
.
HOW YOUR MIND to
do the best you can
for
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 183
now. Adventurous action— which we
cussed previously— is an enjoyable aid.
who
You should be
couldn't find the perfect girl but thought
it
was
like the
lots of
fun
dis-
man
trying.
Special Points for Your Prosperity 1
To make more money, make more
of your mind.
Its
creative
forces are the foundation for all financial fortunes. 2.
Expand your use
3.
Your personal power money-making
4. 5.
6.
7.
of the principle of Mutuality. of curiosity can be channeled into
activities.
Let
it
work
for you.
Select a definite phase of your business. Make more of it. Remember the value of a rich personality. Whenever you feel blocked at any level, free yourself upward. Remember the success of Brown Bear. Turn all your money-making activities into interesting adventures. Have fun!
8.
Stick to your financial purposes. Let nothing distract you.
9.
Know
that
you can always achieve
world. There are no limits to the
far
more
in the financial
man who
employs the
secrets of mental magic. 10.
Use your is
certain.
action power.
Go into right action
and more $$$$$
Inspiring Answers
on Mental Magic
the other day about a proposed
to inquire
trip.
I
stepped into a travel bureau
My only problem was
the abun-
dance of colorful booklets on the wall racks. I
asked the manager,
He I
"Do you have something about
immediately selected and handed
needed.
It
answered
Likewise,
toward a better
which one
That
all
my
me
Ojai?"
the exact booklet
questions.
we need
all
the guides
life
are freely available.
for our various journeys
But we may need
to
know
best serves a present adventure. is
why you
special value.
will find the questions of this chapter of
During the question-and-answer periods
tures they appear
among
of
my
lec-
the most-often-asked. Let the answers
serve as guides to your destinations.
"You say than life
that
try to alter
we
should work at changing ourselves, rather
our exterior world. But will
this
make our
in the practical exterior world any different or
Not only [184]
daily
any better?"
will self-change dramatically transform your daily
INSPIRING ANSWERS
world of practical living but such newness.
it is
ON MENTAL MAGIC
the only thing capable of creating
you wanted new furniture
If
in
merely rearrange the old furniture; you'd entirely their
new
Unfortunately,
set.
/ 185
many
your home you wouldn't
toss
out and go get an
it
people are merely rearranging
mental furniture while under the illusion that they are getting
something new. It is
new
the
life
we
are after, not a wearisome rearrangement of
the old.
Here
selves.
A
we
live;
we
change the exterior
are not seeking to
are seeking a
different mental world
new mental world for ourwhen this happens,
the only goal;
is
follows wonderfully.
all else
Have you read
We
the objective:
is
world in which
ever read a book, set
You probably exclaimed
again?
it
strange.
This book
is
entirely different
can hardly believe that Obviously,
it
yourself,
to
the same book."
it's
was before. But you have changed. Your new; therefore you react differently
several years later
from what
the very same book. Every
is
and
aside,
it
it
What
word
attitudes
to those very
is
"Why,
that's
used to be.
I
has happened? exactly
what
it
and viewpoints are
same words!
The same thing happens when you see the world with your new mind. You still go about your daily affairs, but because you see them differently, you react to them in a fresh way. This new mental reaction is your very new world! Please don't think that sible.
add
There
to
your
is
something mystical or impos-
nothing more practical. There
life
that
renew everything transactions,
all this is
would do more
is
nothing you could
for you. It will transform
in your exterior world,
and
including your business
your relations with the opposite
sex,
your
social life—
everything will be new. If
rather,
you don't believe
it,
then you will know.
you
The
try
proof
it.
is
Then you
will believe, or
yours for the experimenting.
The conquest of loneliness "In spite of everything ness,
it is still
difficulty?"
there.
How
1
do
to escape the
nagging pain of
loneli-
can the secrets of mental magic solve
this
:
MENTAL MAGIC
186 / SECRETS OF
Your study
for
magic
will
show you what
loneliness really
your understanding of the condition that dissolves
It is
is.
and
of mental
once
it
all.
Loneliness
is
caused by your separation from your Real
The
Self.
Real Self knows nothing of loneliness, any more than the sun knows
anything about darkness. You get lonely because you are a stranger to
your
own
thoughts and feelings. Loneliness
is
coming
a
own
with the one thing that frightens you most— your
face to face
self.
Self-understanding dissolves loneliness.
how loneliness is always there beneath the surface of your mind, even when surrounded by lots of people and by gay activities? No matter how loud the noise, you can always hear it. The reason you cannot escape from loneliness is because— in your presHave you
ever noticed
ent state of separation from your Real Self— loneliness
—and you can't escape yourself. One woman expressed it like having
when
"No
this:
matter
how much fun
always have that vague lurking of despair. Then,
at a party, I
I
want
to
weep.
I
know
and be face
Til lose all these distractions
few minutes
that in just a
to face
with
my
emptiness."
why
Exterior distractions are always ending or changing. That's can't
depend upon them
Those happy
states
for inner security, for lasting comfort.
come only from daring
dependable powers of the Real a
I'm
the orchestra plays the final dance of the evening, the anxiety
bubbles up to where
we
you
part of
is
new way toward This
is
ourselves,
clearly explained
Self.
When
and there
it
internally.
depend upon the
that happens,
we
totally
think in
never any more loneliness.
is
by Dr. Maurice Nicoll
Because the Kingdom of Heaven contact with
to
The way
is
is
within a
in
man, he can only get
himself, not outside.
He can
experience flashes of another consciousness, moments of entirely new
meaning, which show that a higher ments of to
this light
.
change because
.
this
level exists in him.
They are mo-
For his mind must slowly be prepared
.
higher level
is
in
order
different from a lower level
and
so the thoughts belonging to a lower level are not of the same order
as those of a higher to receive "light"
way"
level.
— so
Something new must be formed
he must gradually come to "think
in his
mind
a
new
in
l .
.
.
1 Maurice Nicoll, The New Hermitage House, Inc., 1951).
Man
(London: Vincent
Stuart, Ltd.;
New
York:
ON MENTAL MAGIC / 187
INSPIRING ANSWERS
Freedom from the past "I
can
1
have feelings of guilt and regret toward
be free of this mental
By concentrating your
my past mistakes. How
self-punishment?"
attention
and energy on
today's self-devel-
opment.
The
ancient city of Babylon required that travelers supply the
correct daily
password in order
to enter.
One morning
might be
it
"Chariot" and the next day "Harvest." Those using the day's password
gained immediate entrance; those using the old one were stuck outside the gate.
Likewise do
we need
approach each
to
needed actions— those that are
new day with
realistic, energetic,
today's
hopeful. Yesterday's
experiences should be dismissed as having no significance today— for
they haven't.
The
we have
only connection
with the past
is
a mental
one.
Many
people find
Their problem as
is
it
difficult to
that they are
still
break
this
mental connection.
needlessly identifying themselves
being "bad" or "shameful" because of past experiences. Quite often
they are unaware that they are doing
this.
In one case like this
I
asked
the inquirer:
"Think back
for a
moment
to
when you were
a child."
"All right. I'm thinking."
"Did you then do things that were impractical and self-defeating?" "Yes, of course. All children are
"Do you now
believe that
it
bound
was bad
to act like children."
or shameful for
you
to act
like that?"
"No, not bad or shameful
"Why
not?"
"Because a child
is
merely acting out his immature nature.
has no ability to act above "All right. see your
at all."
own
Why
He
his present level of understanding."
not give yourself the same tolerance?
mistakes of a few years ago
in the
same
Why
not
light? Stop
identifying yourself as being a bad or shameful person and merely see yourself as
someone who acted without much mature
nothing bad about
that.
insight. There's
In other words, never see yourself a guilty
MENTAL MAGIC
188 / SECRETS OF
person, but only as
someone who lacked
simple switch will free you.
practical understanding.
It will also
That
enable you to grow rapidly
in self-insight."
"That's exciting."
"Every truth about
life is exciting."
The question of command "My main
discomfort
is
people and conditions. Will
Of
course.
Inasmuch
the feeling that
SOMM
am
I
mercy of
at the
dissolve this distress?"
based on the
as these secrets are
realities of
they will dissolve every negative emotion.
life,
Remember: Nature has made no provision whatsoever housing of negative emotions within you.
them an appearance reality.
Correction comes through right thinking.
come
to see this, bit
then
feel
by
bit,
we
permanent
misconceptions give
no such connection
of attachment, but
things as they actually are, not as
negative emotions
exists in
We must learn to see
falsely think they are. fall
away
bit
by
As you bit.
You
toward people and conditions in an entirely different way.
This happens because you are entirely
new
Our
for the
different.
You
are actually a
person.
This new
complete
self is in
command
of people
and conditions.
But— and this is important to remember— it is a different kind of command than you supposed it would be. It is neither aggressive nor dominating. It is quiet. You command the condition hy clearly understandis
the only genuine control, and the
only one you need.
It consists of a
detached observation of the condi-
tion, entirely apart
from fear or anxiety. You see that there
ing
it.
This clear understanding
nothing to
on your
fear, therefore,
nothing that needs an aggressive
part. In other words,
is
really
command
you command without commanding
at
all!
We
try to control
afraid, so
we
completely.
we fear it. we are no longer when we command
something aggressively only when
But when we reach a higher don't seek
level of consciousness
command. And
that
is
ON MENTAL MAGIC
INSPIRING ANSWERS
Many
Much
of the
them occurs
in the
people feel themselves at the mercy of
One
material in this book offers corrective steps.
of
The Conquest
next chapter in the section entitled
/ 189
life.
of Depression.
Understanding the hostile mind "We
much anger and resentment and hostility in everyday What is the cause and cure of human hostility?"
see so
contacts with people. Hostility gressiveness to
is
the reaction of a frightened person. His angry ag-
is
the only response he
knows
to
be a threat to his self-esteem. His hostility
a self-image
is
something he believes
an attempt
he has of being a certain kind of person. Take a
Such
has a self-picture of himself as being socially popular.
degree of hostility
feel a
when he
when he
being wanted and liked by others. His
stormy
it
its
batters not only the ships
waves
at piers
harms
wise, not only
beyond
itself to
harms neither
to the sea.
upon the
because of
The
When
the sea
is
sea itself but lashes out
and homes on the land. The itself but,
its
hostile
mind,
like-
pressures, strikes out
The calm sea, having no turmoil, The peaceful mind, having no tur-
hurt other people.
itself
nor the land.
and other people.
moil, lives in tranquillity with both itself hostile
mind
is
simply one that
about
life.
We
understand
this.
A cruelly aggressive
tions
by attacking those
he believes are unappreciative of him.
The human mind can be compared with
man who man will
rejected or ignored— for instance,
is
will then seek to lower the painful pressure
whom
a
doesn't receive an invitation to a party. This lack of an invi-
tation disturbs his self-image of
mind
to preserve
scious forces that
will get along best
compel him
he has absorbed the
is
to
not free of
its
false
with angry people
assump-
when we
person has no idea of the uncon-
hurt others. Somewhere along the
false notion that
way
anger and resentment are neces-
He need not employ them as deknow it. He lacks awareness of the truth.
sary to his psychological survival. fenses,
but he simply doesn't
As long
as
he clings
to this unreality,
harming both himself and But freedom
is
he
will continue to act hostile,
others.
certain to the earnest seeker!
A man
can liberate
MENTAL MAGIC
190 / SECRETS OF
himself not only from hostility but from every other harmful emotion.
Such
liberation
Read
encouraging summary of Dr. Erich Fromm: "But being
this
driven by forces
dom (and that
is,
SOMM.
one of the aims of
is
unknown
to
him,
man
is
not free.
He
can attain
free-
health) only by becoming aware of these motivating forces,
of reality, and thus he can
become the master
." 2
of his life
.
.
you have twenty-four servants! "I regularly set
advance with
maximum
You have day.
regardless of
is
one of the most exciting of
thinking about
it
Once you
or not.
all
the secrets of mental magic.
see, the truth
The
it is
point
it; it
is
this:
The
is
more
no time when
insight, increased ability.
never takes a vacation from you.
who
has
really
It
Your hourly experiences
Everything
are the very best
is
and experiences.
We
learn about
valuable; every contact with
life
life
gives
from
you
life.
The
daring exploit of an American naval hero pictures the point:
Officer A.
and
is
great market place for gathering your greater
in your daily events
of
like the air-
part of you.
teachers you have.
life itself.
It's
whether you are
cannot possibly stop working for the person
wholeheartedly invited can't leave you;
it.
skies,
get started, there
more power, deeper
doesn't serve you with
good
and
so as to
who quietly aid you every single how busy you may be, is a faithful servant
works for you, even though you are unaware of
You
SOMM,
speed?"
plane that speeds you forward through the
it
study of
your progress.
This It
my home
twenty-four servants
Each hour,
to speed
time aside for
But how can a busy person find extra time
also attend classes.
Whipple once
sailed into the
disguised his ship as a British gunboat
middle of a British Fleet of warships. Each night
he captured an enemy ship and sent
©
it
to
an American
port.
That
heroic
2 Copyright 1962 by Pocket Books, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Pocket Books, Inc., from Beyond, the Chains of Illusion by Erich Fromm; The Credo Series,
Trident Press.
ON MENTAL MAGIC
INSPIRING ANSWERS
each enemy
officer didn't see
/ 191
but rather as an opportunity!
as a threat,
Likewise, our elevated attitudes can see nothing as a danger, but everything as a chance for greater achievement.
hour
Even."
is
your best hour.
How
come? Because you make
so!
it
What about results? have just started studying
"I
expect to see practical results in
The est
my
best thing about results
anxiety over them.
bility at all.
They
are
Xot up to
is
SOMM
When
with you.
can
I
daily life?"
that
you need not have the
the slightest.
They
slight-
are not your responsi-
the truths within you that you are begin-
ning to release.
Remember,
practical results
come
to
concepts go, your practical good arrives talking things over with people that
with a
this
one
idea. It
is
you. all
Once your
by
itself.
I
false
we could spend our
that important.
It is
mental
often wish in entire time
so necessary that
we
catch
Magnificent Glimpse that betterment comes— it just comes— to the
receptive mind.
And
once having arrived in the mind,
it
expresses
its
richness over every area of practical living.
Give your attention
to the various secrets of
mental magic: Like
persisting in your search for your richer self. Like
able adventure out of your studies of
SOMM.
making an enjoy-
Like understanding the
ways of your mind. Let's take
an example of that
last point.
Even* once in awhile a troubled person will challenge me. all
well and good to talk about peace of mind, but please give
good reason I
why
I
should be
reply, '"Please give
me
"It's
one
happy?-''
me
one good reason
why you
shouldn't be
happy."
At
this point a strange
their eyes.
For just a
split
without a true answer. search their for their
condition.
memory
thing happens.
A
baffled look appears in
second they are caught
A moment
later,
when
off guard.
They
are
they have had time to
for habitual responses, they give
me many
reasons
unhappiness. All of them relate to a distressing exterior
192 / SECRETS OF
I try to
If
show them
MENTAL MAGIC
that there
is
no genuine reason
for their grief.
they didn't think they were unhappy, they wouldn't be.
An unclear the
oversimplification?
mind
As we have already
at all.
seen, an
always involved with unhappiness. By understanding
is
mind— by
Not
seeing through it— we detach ourselves from
its
nega-
tivities.
When will your practical results arrive? You will in a If
few days
you
them come
let
depending upon your
or weeks,
HOW
do
rapidly, they will
own
have them with-
state of receptivity.
just that.
TO CLEAR AWAY
CONFUSION "You have gone more
appreciate
You have
into the
Will you please discuss
detail.
just taken the first step
Many
nizing your confusion.
mental fogginess. They back
the world that's
Become
to
its
evades what
source in their all
is
how
to face,
What
Ed:
I
Al:
Well/ what
Ed:
Square.
is
but as-
its
mind
how
distorts things.
the
human mind
hastily explains
it
odd
and
ex-
logic:
the shape of the earth?
don't know.
mean
Al:
No,
Ed:
Round.
I
is
the shape of your
girl's
earrings?
the ones she wears on Sunday.
Al:
So what
Ed:
Square on week-days and round on Sundays.
is
the shape of the earth?
"How," you may
me
easily the
how
cuses and rationalizes. Especially notice Al:
by recog-
own mind. They wrongly
half the battle. Notice
want
doesn't
it
clarity
mixed up.
increasingly aware of
Awareness of confusion
toward mental
people are not consciously aware of their
fail to trace it it's
I'd
it?"
feel the painful results of their condition
sume
that
problem of mental confusion, hut
to think clearly
Remember
ask, "does insight into
and
my own
confusion help
realistically?"
the adventure of
Edward Thompson
in
Chapter X?
INSPIRING ANSWERS
ON MENTAL MAGIC
When he saw that the
Sacred Well was
he worked
it
at clearing
treasure. Likewise,
when we
cumulated mental
debris, only
removed. Once removed,
Do
When
away.
with accumulated debris
filled
was done, he found pure
that
we
then will
clarity
is
realize that
an indication that you are
It is
And do
not be afraid to be with-
out an answer to something that puzzles you.
answered question often leads
you only intensify your worry.
if
that answer
over an un-
you
If
any answer
is
not based in truth,
will bravely
remain without an
answer long enough, the truthful one will come
wind comes
Worry
to a desperate settling for
But
ac-
must be
it
ours.
heroically challenging false concepts.
just as the right
we have
are consciously aware that
not be afraid to be confused.
that gives temporary comfort.
/ 193
to
you spontaneously,
to the waiting ship.
A challenge! 'You have urged us it
to challenge
better to forget false ideas
When we say we
our
false assumptions.
and go in search
Why isn't
of the truth?"
we are implying that we already know what it is, that we know what we are searching for. But if we already know the object of our search, why are we still are searching for the truth
searching?
We sist
can find what
upon driving down
right.
We
a
highway
that doesn't take
never find the right one.
tion, I will
know what
the false
it.
Anger
is
a guilt-producing act.
is
a painful emotion.
is;
Envy
These
The
of life today,
we can
dissolving of negative
can actually be done.
need only
I
me
false. If I in-
to
my
must leave the wrong
we know is
it
because
we
on
ways of
us.
By
destina-
to find the
suffer
a tormenting thought.
are false
dissolved by challenging their hold alities
by abandoning the
true only
is
from
Revenge
living that
can be
honestly facing the re-
avoid being shocked by them tomorrow.
emotions— false emotions— is something that
You
don't have to believe that this
is
so.
You
start challenging.
The human problem is that man thinks facts. He doesn't know the difference. So, assumptions as
facts,
he proceeds
to live
that his assumptions are
then, taking these false
by them. But because they are
194 / SECRETS OF
false,
he
MENTAL MAGIC
An earnest effort
miserably and anxiously.
lives
true from the false
is
the beginning of the
new
to separate the
life.
Man must challenge his assumptions, no matter how long held or He must force them to prove their practical worth.
deeply entrenched. If
he
persists, if
he refuses
to let
them
bluff
him
into staying, he will
gradually find himself free.
An you
acquaintance of mine has a rock on his living room table.
try to pick
exacdy what
it
up, you are surprised.
it is:
It lifts as lightly as
If
paper. That's
a cleverly constructed paper rock that looks like the
real thing.
Anyone who assumes that that rock is the real thing will waste a certain amount of energy in picking it up. But once it has been challenged, once you see
it
as false,
you no longer bother with
it:
you save
your strength. Likewise,
we
save our natural life-energies
when we
see the dif-
ference between the true and the false.
Your power of attention '7 realize the value of daily persistence in
mental magic.
The
How can 1
story goes about the
have his family it
applying the secrets of
keep myself fully motivated?"
man who
tree looked up,
spent one hundred dollars to
then spent twice that
much
to
thing.
But we
have
hushed up.
That man was obviously attending can do
to the
wrong
better.
Correct attention will keep you motivated as you adventure with
your secrets of mental magic.
Give your mind over only
to those thoughts
plans that are genuinely beneficial. in favor of your
Think that are
it
own
And
forget
and
all else.
feelings
and
Be 100 percent
progress.
through for a moment.
Come up
with ideas and plans
worthy of your attention. There are hundreds of good ones.
Select those that will do the most good for your present target.
Examples of constructive programs:
.
:
INSPIRING ANSWERS
ON MENTAL MAGIC
1
A definite reading schedule.
2.
Handling other people
tactfully.
3.
Abandoning
4.
A
5.
Understanding the emotions.
unrealistic ideas.
daring attitude toward
Why does
life.
you motivated?
attention to such programs keep
The answer
is
/ 195
exciting!
Because they return definite rewards. Because you can actually see
and
feel
The
and enjoy the
rich results.
nected with point
5— that
she correctly gave
it
Why is it I'm
is,
wear
never happy with what
off so
What you
really
think
I
But once
dress.
no happier than
How come
soon?
I get? I
want
a raise in
get
them I'm
I
before.
Why does
the
they don't really satisfy?"
explained, "Because you really don't
raise in pay.
was con-
she didn't understand her emotions. But
pay or a new home or an expensive
I
difficulty
her attention. She said, "Something puzzles me.
surprised to find that I'm really thrill
Her
case of Ellen C. proves the point.
want
is
new home or self-esteem. You are
want
a raise in
that
using these things as substitutes for self -worth. But nothing outside yourself can supply
it.
Self- worth
comes from within.
It
grows
learn about your inner values. Start by understanding that it
your attention.
And
Then you
will find lasting self-esteem."
TO REALLY LIVE!
have heard you speak
within, just as so I
many
times,
and
feel that
new
stirring
you predicted. Will you please summarize your
might study them even more closely?"
Try these
you
she did.
HOW "I
as
much. Give
stops
and
starts
Stop waiting for action
.
Stop rigid thinking
.
.
.
Stop hiding despair
.
.
.
Stop accepting confusion
.
.
start
start
making things happen.
open-mindedness.
start discovering .
.
.
happiness.
start clearing
your mind.
ideas,
MENTAL MAGIC
196 / SECRETS OF
Stop regretting the past
.
.
Stop fighting problems Stop condemning your
life
Stop covering up errors
.
life
Stop feeling helpless
Stop being grim
Do
.
.
.
.
.
They
examining
start
start freeing
ideas.
your mind.
using your powers.
enjoying everything.
not assume that these ideas are
operation.
your days.
start living
.
.
start
.
enjoying the present.
understanding yourself.
start correcting yourself.
.
.
start
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
start
.
Stop accepting everything
Stop complicating
start
.
.
.
require attention,
put into practical
difficult to
persistence,
yes,
certainly,
but
You don't need to struggle with them, but rather join forces with them. They are natural principles that already know what to do for you. Let them do the work! They will never fail you. strained effort, no!
Suppose that some warm afternoon you are porch enjoying a cool breeze. to
you and
says,
Then imagine
"From now on you
sitting
on your front
someone walks up
that
are responsible for this breeze. It
is
up
is
You would probably smile and reply, "Why, you know that that impossible. No human being is responsible for any natural force.
to
you
to
keep
it
going."
This cool breeze operates in the
way
of
its
by
all
itself.
All
need
to
do
is
place myself
cooling power."
That would be
intelligent thinking
when you
same
as wise
I
take the
on your
part.
And you
are just
attitude toward the secrets of mental
magic.
You have no
responsibility for
themselves. All you need
to
do
is
making them
They go all by way of their
go.
place yourself in the
rich benefits.
Personal freedom "I
am
intrigued by the idea of inner liberty of which you speak.
Will you please explain what you mean by personal
Nothing complicated.
I
simply
mean
freedoi>i?"
a relaxed
and easy-going
inner condition that makes everything enjoyable. For instance, even-
one wants
to
enjoy a social occasion, like a party. But
many
people are
.
INSPIRING ANSWERS
anything but free
just because
They are restricted by their self-consciouswon't make a good impression. These anxieties behavior, play-acting, like laughing at a joke
artificial
everyone else does. This role-playing creates more tension,
and robs one of
results in self-disrespect,
of
all it
way. at
/ 197
at one.
ness or worry that they
often produce
ON MENTAL MAGIC
Most
his individual integrity.
hampers freedom of enjoyment.
The solution is not to go to the other extreme and act in a dull A man merely has to act like the only person who can keep him
ease— himself
There studying tion,
are
many
SOMM.
other areas of freedom to be gained through
Anyone can
liberate himself
from self-condemna-
nervousness, panic and so on.
"Why," you may
more people
ask, "don't
Why
of enjoyable liberty?
live in their natural state
many mental
are there so
prisoners?"
Answer: Because they don't know that they are already Picture a
man
tied to a rope
of the rope lies in the
man
looks back
hut he doesn't tion
and If
shadow
of a post, but
and assumes
know
that
about ten yards long.
it is.
that
he
is
is
The
free.
other end
not tied to the post.
tied. It is
a false
Consequently he remains in his
restric-
in his despair.
he
more
will only look
In this book
we have
closely,
he
will see that
called this close look
he
is free.
by many names,
cluding awareness, insight, self-understanding, mature thinking, nificent Glimpse.
They
all
mean
Inspiring
1.
in-
Mag-
the same thing— personal freedom.
Answers for Review
Change your mind and you change your entire secret of
2.
The
assumption,
world!
That
is
the
mental magic.
Loneliness and every other negative feeling can be
dis-
solved through self-understanding. Study yourself! 3.
Remember, nature has made no
provision for the permanent
housing of negative emotions within you. Develop right attitudes 4.
and
negativities fall away.
Use every experience
as a
means
of strengthening yourself.
198 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
Every day can give you a
bit
more power,
additional insight,
greater enjoyment. 5.
You have no you go
responsibility for creating
good
results.
into action with right causes, right results
When
come
all
by themselves. 6.
Don't be afraid of any mental confusions that
may
arise as
you venture forward. They are perfectly normal, and fade 7.
away
will
in time.
Challenge your assumptions toward
life!
If
they are not
giving you practical benefits, abandon them. 8.
Turn your
attention only to constructive programs.
You
will
then receive constructive rewards. 9.
10.
Your mental
self
is
the self
You
are, at the very
moment
of reading these lines, com-
pletely free to live cheerfully secrets of
by the
the friend of the self." (Bhagavada Gita)
self;
is
a great ally. "Upraise the self
and pleasurably. Use the
mental magic to discover
this
freedom.
If
Good Things Will
Come
book, you
You
to
AS YOU FINISH YOUR FIRST READING of this may be wondering about something. You may want to
know more about
its
benefits to you.
that will be
answered in
As
I
author,
This
is
a healthy inquiry
this chapter.
have aimed
at giving
Glimpse of the superior person you can occurs, miracles of self-change begin.
you a Magnificent
be.
Once
glimpse
this
As we have
seen,
the
Magnificent Glimpse consists of a sudden flash of fresh insight. It is
the awakening of the Real Self within you. Yes, miracles begin.
out of the way, to that
is
emptied of
We
let ourselves its
need only
to get
our false selves
be empty and receptive.
old contents
is
The cup
the cup ready to receive the
fresh.
We
need not
strain at creating these miracles.
We
need
only permit the all-powerful truth to flow through us.
To encourage
your
own
Magnificent Glimpse,
I
you, in this chapter, a greater taste of that superior
want
to give
life. I
want [199]
200 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
to
show you how the
secrets of
mental magic will change and enrich
everything. Let's start with:
Living with light
Many to
who
people
study these principles for richer living come
our classes with interesting observations. Here are three of them:
You have given me something understand
sort of inner glow; I
am
living
My
enormous value.
something
warm— and
It
main goal
It still is.
But
other objective.
I
is
don't fully
different.
You might say that known before. A
taking place.
in life I
I
might be described as a
with a kind of light that I've never
definite experience
man.
of
as yet, but I'm on the way.
it
has always been to be a successful business-
have recently found, thanks
want
to find myself, to
to
sharpen
mental magic, an-
my
mind, to build
an inner prosperity as well as an outer one.
I
have achieved profes-
win the other kind.
I
have caught what you
sional success.
I
will also
have described as the Magnificent Glimpse. thought Practical! When I first began my studies of mental magic was a form of mental mysticism. It could be just that, suppose, because some amazing things have happened in my daily living. Things are really moving my way. My home life, for instance, has a tranquillity never known before. You might be interested in hearing that my neighbors and I are organizing a Mental Magic Party. We look forward to some exciting times! I
it
I
The truth at work What
are the forces behind these practical changes?
The very ones you have been absorbing all along! You can, like these people, expect to win the same
fine results as
you go along.
As a matter
of fact, the truth has already
begun
its
fine
work
within you. At this point in your reading you have already started to
make good
things happen.
They
start
within you, then in time, show
themselves in outer prosperity.
The growth
process goes like this:
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 201 Imagine yourself in a dark room, seated before a typewriter. Suddenly, you wish to learn to type, so you go ahead. Because of the darkness your
uncertain and awkward. But that doesn't
efforts are
first
bother you; you realize that you are doing the best you can for now.
So you
Gradually, the room becomes lighter; you see the type-
persist.
writer keys
more
clearly.
Your accuracy
increases.
Then, more
light
and more accuracy. Finally, as the
of the typewriter.
The same
But
it's
you take
fully lighted,
Then, anything you type comes out
full
command
well.
with life-growth. As your mind becomes enlightened,
so does your world. Is this
room becomes
Then, everything you do comes out
something mystical? Well, you can
call
it
well.
that
if
you
like.
practical mysticism.
The conquest of depression "I
know
inquirer.
that I don't understand myself very well," stated one
"So could
would be
a
good
"Do you
we
please talk
emotion and put
single negative
start
It
"Yes, I'm emotionally
"Would you like what we can find?"
now and
all
my
if
I
we
take a
think this
negative feelings."
then?"
up and down."
to search
would be
would help
under the microscope.
toward understanding
get depressed
"Yes, that
over?
it
it
fine.
out that particular emotion, to see
Why
"Because you do not really see
do
I
as
it
get depressed?"
an utterly useless and waste-
ful emotion."
"Really?" "Really.
will explain that in a
I
you a question.
"Oh,
What
"Tell
me
no end
to things that
"Well, since you put in
to ask
make me gloomy."
something. Exactly where does
if it's
want
Family problems. Scary headlines. Worry over
these exterior things or in your
"Then,
first I
do you think causes these feelings of despair?"
lots of things.
finances. There's
moment, but
it
this depression exist?
In
own mind?"
that way,
it's
in
my
mind."
your own mind, you must be permitting these
202 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
mind. You are subconsciously consentnow we come to the big question: Why do
exterior events to depress your
ing to their entrance. So,
you permit
exterior conditions to depress you?"
"I really don't
You there
know."
"It's
because you are getting a certain pleasure out of your gloom.
use
it
as a justification.
must be good reason
for
You it.
think, 'Well, since I'm depressed,
Therefore
I
for myself, to be hostile to the outer world, to
As long
you
as
of
"Once and it is
for
I
all,
see
how
absolutely no further use for
to do.
how
it
is
do?"
to get depressed.
healthy need. Get to
need
demands.'
genuine happiness."
"So what must
harmful
to feel sorry
insistent
your depression, you will never see
justify
you out
tricking
have a right
make
No man
utterly useless,
Once you it.
know them
how
impractical,
you
really see this,
will
how have
All negative emotions serve an unas
unhealthy and that
is all
keeps eating a sour apple once he
you
really
tastes its sour-
ness. "I
have
at least
"Stick with
it.
an idea of what you mean."
Let
it
turn into an actual experience."
Freedom from distressing decisions There
is
a law in one of our states governing
at a crossing. It decrees that neither train shall
An
has passed!
indecisive
mind
two
trains that
meet
go ahead until the other
finds itself in the
same impossible
fix.
ever noticed how many decisions you must make durAnd ever notice how many of them stop your mental tracks? One woman told me, "The most frustrating problem
Have you ing your day? train in I
its
have with
my mind
is
in
making
it
up!"
SOMM gives you freedom from distressing decisions. How? Because one happy secret of mental magic sight into your mind. It enables
your
own mind
that frees
distressing decisions.
you
to
you from
is
understand all
that it.
it
gives
It is
you
in-
insight into
painful thoughts, including
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 203 Let's see
how
Suppose your
works:
this
stand the mechanics of the
TV
set
you must make
Should you replace a tube? Or
decisions.
you don't under-
television set develops trouble. If
several
annoying
there a loose connection in
is
the wires?
Does the
forced into
making decisions— which may turn out wrong— because you
need adjustment? In other words, you are
aerial
don't understand that set.
But what
if
how
learned just
you made a study of
whirled around by conflicting choices. It is
its
mechanics? Suppose you
everything works. Then, you would never again be
You would know what
the very same situation with the mind.
We
to do.
run into
conflict
when we don't understand it. That is why self-study is so imThe enlightened man never has to choose when it comes to own best interests. Because he understands his mental set, he also
only
portant. his
knows what This
to
do with
it.
one of the most relaxing of
is
rewards that
all
SOMM
will
pay you.
Your new life will appear Any
person
who
chooses to do so can experience miracles of
change within himself. self -honesty
he
will not
More than
ning.
that,
can,
fail.
will proceed
And he need
is
that
he begin
no matter how small
Eventually, to his it
own
was not necessary
that his strength
SOMM with persistent
not be strong at the begin-
was not
surprise,
for
him
really his
to
is
to
and
as
he
it
may
at the start.
be strong
be.
whatever
He
need
is.
such a persistent
own
do
his earnest quest in
or blundering
only be willing to start just where he
why
with
he need not even know what
His only requirement
way he
he
If
man
at the start:
strength after
all; it is
discovers
He
finds
the truth
within him that flows through with power, just as electricity empowers a motor by running through
ness
was the
starter
Is all this
it.
The man
button that turned on the life-changing forces.
merely something that makes nice reading but which
has no effective application to daily I
assure
finds that his relaxed willing-
you that
it
is
life?
not mere speculation or guessing. Speak-
204 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC ing personally as your author, theories that leave us
still
I
hungry
no longer have any time
the living Truth that any
It is
vague
for the truth.
not mere theory, then what
If it is
for
man
is it?
in
any condition can actually
experience for himself.
The he can aware
we
greatest tragedy
exchange
really
we
on earth
that a
is
man
fails to realize
that
As we become
his False Self for his Real Self.
are displaying a False Self, rather than living the Real Self,
are beginning to be wise. It
is
the start of a fantastic personal trans-
formation.
One woman transformation? "I
But I
asked, "Will
would
I
you please describe
like to feel
it
more deeply
wish words could convey the feeling of
this
miraculous change.
something that you must— and can— experience for yourself.
it is
know
in detail this inner ."
that
perfectly attainable. I
it is
want you
to
know
it
also.
I
could describe the beauties of the Grand Canyon to you, and you would
my
understand veyed. But live its
if
words. But the inner experience could not be con-
you
Grand Canyon
travel to the
you can
for yourself,
beauty for yourself."
Professor Paul Tillich's description of the Real Self
is
superb:
Then one has the astonishing experience of feeling reunited with one's
self,
not in pride
acceptance.
One
and
false self-satisfaction, but in a
accepts one's
self
as something which
deep is
self-
eternally
important, eternally loved, eternally accepted. The disgust at one's the hatred of one's self has disappeared. There
self,
direction,
a meaning for
life.
All
reunion of one's self with one's
this
there
is
the
New
Being, the
New
is
a center, a
healing— bodily and mental— creates self.
Where
there
is
real healing,
Creation. 1
Definite direction
A
speaker recently offered his audience this interesting idea:
"If
you ever
feel
dismayed
at lack of definite direction in
your
self-advancement program, flash this mental picture before you: Picture a leaf dropping into the edge of a stream.
iPaul
Tillich,
The New Being (New
Its first
swirling move-
York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1955).
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 205
ments are somewhat confused, without
But
definite direction.
heads more and more into the central currents, the confusion placed by swift advancement. that start
is
This
The
leaf
is
it
re-
from the edge, but
to start
the very thing that insured final success!"
illustrates a bright benefit
sistent pursuit of
SOMM.
You have
direction.
had
as
You
will receive
from your per-
gradually but surely gain a sense of
and
a clearer
you
clearer idea of
where you
are going.
For one thing, you no longer accept something as true merely because other people say that
you dare
daring;
to
it is.
Because your
challenge every idea suggested to you.
you are never required
longer
You want
other people
are.
You
tell
you who you
see that
the facts, the truths, the ac-
because you realize that they alone lead to happiness.
let
who you
You
anything that you have not
to accept as true
personally proved to be true. tualities,
grows, so does your
self -trust
are.
You
are finding your genuine self.
You no
are beginning to see
And what
a relief!
You have caught a Magnificent Glimpse of where you want to go. You may still hear distracting voices, but you no longer turn aside to listen. You know for sure that you are on the right track at last, and all is well. One man who discovered this restful secret of mental magic came In other words, you have a definite sense of direction.
back to at
tell
home
me, "You know, Mr. Howard,
for the very
first
time
I feel
in the world."
Your future success
is
CERTAIN One expect
it
idea about your future needs emphasis. to
be a brighter one
Why? Why,
you go along with
as
A
why you can
because your right mental aims of today must reveal
themselves tomorrow in right results. ral principles to
It is
SOMM.
reward your
humorous incident
efforts
in
portance of having right aims.
Not
is it
necessary for natu-
but they must do so increasingly.
one of I
only
my
asked one
classes illustrates the im-
man
with the need for heading in the right direction.
to impress his I
mind
requested that he
bring to class the next evening a single sentence that would describe his right intentions.
He
did,
by
reciting,
"Mr. Howard,
it is
my
aim
:
:
206 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
and purpose and intention and objective and
target
and
and
desire
determination and resolve and goal to perform right mental acts." Let's discuss
When we mean
it
your increasingly better tomorrow.
comes
to
mental magic, the rich get
good for you.) This
is
able law that works in behalf of anyone
Any
amount
small
greater wealth.
What
is
present state, he likes to try to see
behind
As
what he
an unbreak-
persists in uplifting
him-
grow
into
you gain tends
this principle? It
to
connects closely with
a person sees something superior to his sees.
He
His healthy
is
the farther he works upstream the
self-interest
like a gold
more gold he
then urges
new superior state, miner who finds that discovers.
time you feel the urge to find more inner wealth, act
in constructive ways, such as those
That
is
more. Then, having glimpsed that
he plunges ahead once more.
Any
who
of wealth that
the Magnificent Glimpse.
him
riches
anything beneficial— happiness, more energy, restful sleep,
financial gain, anything at all that
self.
(By
richer.
will take care of tomorrow.
mentioned throughout
Your
it
out
this book.
riches will certainly increase.
This special secret of mental magic makes you an accurate prophet of your future, something like these lines by Alfred For
I
Tennyson
dipt into the future,
Far as
human eye could
see,
Saw the vision of the world, And all the wonder that would
Sincere effort
is
be.
always
rewarded Many
people
who
study these plans are somewhat anxious be-
cause they don't see immediate results.
They wonder whether
their
time and energy are wasted. If,
during your
own
studies,
you ever wonder the same thing,
I
have good news for you
No warded.
well-intentioned
The law
of cause
work toward and
a richer life ever goes unre-
right causes into action; effects are automatic.
observable at the
start,
but that
You need only put Your results may not be
effect will see to
is
it.
only because they have not had time
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 207 to
mature.
It is
them
to see
much
you need do
is
plant
Don't hesitate
by
all
them and
Once you have
itself.
it,
is
your inner
you forget the beet
human
thought.
from your thinking processes.
grow
self will
seeds.
spark— you
Your inner
it
alone to work taller stature.
you leave
not mentally struggle with the truth that
above
don't have
think yourself into a
asks only that
own wisdom. You cannot
You need truth
it
You
growing upward. All
a flash of insight— even a tiny
just as
nature knows what to do; its
seeds.
forget them.
to accept the truth that
can and should forget
out
some beet
like planting
in order to rest assured that they are
simply
It
is.
sets
you
The
free.
It exists entirely
apart
no more depends upon your mind
It
than does the beet seed. Life
is
for living, not for thinking.
To
live freely,
we must
liber-
from negative thought.
ate ourselves
Incidentally,
do you see
how
all this
connects with previous ideas
own way? As we
about getting ourselves out of our
rid the
mind
of
negative concepts, the liberating light breaks through.
If
No, you need not worry whether you are making progress or not. really want it, you are now making itl The next section adds
you
more
to this idea.
you can watch yourself change! At
the start of their studies with
SOMM people often asked me,
"What evidence will I have that I am actually making progress? How will I know that I am experiencing the inner changes of which you speak?"
This
we
is
no problem
are discussing,
you
at all. If
will
morning sun, you
as sure as the
you are
change. By behavior
and speak and
to the ideas that
for yourself. Just
is
I
You
going on because your behavior
mean
the ways you think and feel
act.
As examples, you life is less
open
will observe yourself changing.
will see that something unusual itself starts to
really
answer those questions
are a bit calmer in the face of a problem. Daily
confusing and more purposeful.
You
don't get upset or
irri-
208 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
tated nearly as often as
you used
to.
That vague
pressed and threatened slowly dissolves. a
new kind
of person, for instance, as
feeling of being op-
You begin
who
one
is
to see yourself as
not at the mercy of
unkind people or unexpected circumstances. You are wiser, in handling your
somewhere
or to be
where you
are
You
own
emotions. That dreadful drive to get
someone begins
and who you
to fall
away; you are content
to
new and
in a
exciting way,
you have caught that Magnificent Glimpse of the strong
for
within.
Your
be
are.
depending upon yourself
start
much
wiser,
trust of yourself gives
you
a sense of security that
self
cannot
be shaken by passing assertions of other people. You see— with peace
and satisfaction— that the truth was already within you, waiting only your welcome.
for
In short, everything changes. Everything within you and around
you
is
fresh, colorful, exciting.
We
the inner nature of a tree by observing the kind
we can watch with positive fascination these fruitful products make their appearance in our new nature. We need not change through our own strained effort.
of fruit as
know
can
produces. Likewise,
it
It is
the flow of truth that changes us.
We need only make
it
welcome.
The power of association Some
botanists once
made
a study of
Ocean, separated by 500 miles of
A
sea.
beautiful flower that originally
The
ished on island B.
grew only on
explanation? As
ships paused at island B, the seeds were
cal world.
in the Pacific
a curious discovery.
island A,
is
a
blown onto
their
good example of the power of association
But
it
can be just
now
flour-
ships stopped at the port of
few flower seeds were blown onto the decks.
island A, a
That
two islands
They made
as beneficial in
When
the
new home.
in the botani-
your program of
self-
advancement.
Your reading are the kind that
truth will have
of
SOMM
change the
its
is
an enriching association. These ideas
life.
Any
earnest connection with the
invigorating effect. This
is
always the case, not
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 209
Howard
merely because Vernon life
never
Here
are twelve special thoughts about your
mind
1.
Keep your mind simple and uncomplicated.
2.
Challenge
3.
Never accept worry
4.
Make
5.
Permit
it
6.
Accept
its
7.
Let your mind work with relaxed alertness.
as a necessary state.
a pleasurable study of your mind.
be
to
vast
flexible in its outlooks.
powers as a
View your mind
9.
Don't load
as
your loyal
it
Help your mind grow
11.
Turn
12.
Enjoy
it
fact.
ally.
with burdensome notions.
10.
in knowledge.
loose in creative expression.
it!
read words written on a piece of paper because the pen-
leaves part of itself
healthy ideas
you can
achievements.
to greater
it
8.
You can
that
now:
associate with right
cil
says so, but because the principles of
fail.
is
on the paper. Likewise, your association with
certain to leave a healthy impression
upon you.
Your great opportunity After talking with a
woman
about a very special idea for her per-
sonal growth, she wrote:
Dear Mr. Howard: 1
don't have words to
meant first
me.
time in
about I
to
It
my
tell
has placed
life.
you how much
me on
Thank you
this idea
has
a solid platform for the
so very
much
for telling
me
this great opportunity.
want
to tell
you about
this idea.
Imagine yourself among an audience hearing a lecture on improvement. Imagine that the speaker
says,
with pain and frustration any longer. There
can find
self-
"You need not put up is
a
way
out.
And you
it."
That would
excite you, wouldn't
it? It
would arouse your hope
210 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
and revive your
down ness.
expectations..
man
inside, every
Somehow he
How
senses that he need not put
feels that there
searching will find
come? Because somewhere, deep
is
a
way
up with unhappi-
of escape,
and
that correct
it.
The point is this: The truth is always recognized hy the human mind. It may be rejected by someone who fears that it will break down his tightly-held illusions, but still he recognizes it. The very fact that a man gets upset or angry at the truth is perfect evidence that he recognizes
it.
There
is
wisdom
lots of
in the familiar proverb that
it's
the truth that hurts.
What,
then,
is
our great opportunity?
This:
Whenever we it
selves, regardless of is
how
shocking or painful
the wonderful path to freedom.
ways
we should welcome The truth about ourit may be at the time,
find ourselves upset or hurt
as a fine opportunity for self-advancement.
It
has always been, and
it
will al-
be, the truth that sets us free.
Total power Of more
the good things that
all
come along with
SOMM, none is A happy man
satisfying than the full use of your inner powers.
could well be defined as one
But here inner forces
is
who employs
himself to full capacity.
the vital point to remember:
we must
first
become
To make
full
use of our
aware that we are not
alertly
pres-
ently doing so.
As we saw energies.
see that
He
he
is
in previous pages,
wasting himself.
and self-advancing able
no man ever knowingly wastes
engages in power-draining
action.
He
Now,
activities
lacks insight
because
all
his
because he doesn't
between self-defeating kinds of action— favor-
and unfavorable— take energy, he wastes powers that could very
well be put to productive use.
The famous Wells Fargo company spared no effort to track down bandits who held up its stagecoaches. On one occasion they chased a bandit for several weeks, to finally catch
up with
his stolen treasure
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 211
Oregon
chest in an
The
forest.
chase cost Wells Fargo $10,000.
They
recovered from the chest a single ten-cent piece.
Wells Fargo was probably
justified in investing all that time
and
energy, because of other factors, like their reputation. But there
never a single good reason
why
a
human
is
being should drain himself
in profitless pursuits.
Try
become aware
to
of every thought
and emotion and action
that really does nothing for you. (In our classes
we have found
that
negative emotions cause the most waste; emotions like false pride, touchiness, impatience.)
them out
as worthless.
Your very awareness
And
you
will cause
with their departure, comes
full
to toss
power.
Good things will come In
my previous
Successful
New
book
ACTION POWER: The Miracle Way to a
Life, I told about a secret servant that
many
man's benefit.
It
good
by the curious name of serendipity.
called
is
delighted
man who
alongside every
readers.
works for every
This beneficial source-forIt silently
works
dares to plunge into right action.
Serendipity means that you discover a treasure of some kind while
on the track of something
else. It is a surprising prize that
appears from
an unexpected source. For instance, a newspaper story recently told of a real estate agent
who was showing
property to an attractive busi-
nesswoman. She not only liked the property, but
also the agent.
They
were married. Serendipity had brought them together. Serendipity
man
or
is
just
woman who
we need
to
do
is
one of the many good things that come
to the
goes along with the secrets of mental magic. All
to place ourselves in the
path of benefits.
They
will
then come to us.
Here
is
an interesting anecdote from history that shows how a
relaxed receptivity produces creative power:
One
evening a famous American poet was
sitting
by
His mind was at ease, thinking of nothing in particular. ply enjoying the
warmth and
his fireside.
He was
sim-
quietness. All of a sudden, at the stroke
of midnight, an exciting thought flashed through his mind.
Why
not,
212 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
he asked himself, write a poem about the schooner Hesperus? The
up
poet picked
wrote
It
alive
The poem
with inspiration.
itself.
he
Later, clock.
came
his pen. It
I
told of the interesting experience
then went
bed and
to
fell asleep. I felt
me an effort." That was how Henry Wadsworth
:
"It
was three by the
pleased with the ballad.
hardly cost
The Wreck
ballad
Longfellow wrote his famous
of the Hesperus. His secret
power was
his quiet
receptivity.
The
progressive life can be likened to a
country road just before dawn. As you
by beauty and color that you cannot there.
of
But
dawn
as
all
you
Now,
walking down a
as yet see, that
you don't know
it is
And now,
it.
because you are in the light
more and more yours
walk forward,
will
is
light
you glance around, you are delightfully
as
the beauty of
more and more, If
man
along you are surrounded
you continue forward the dimness fades away, the
appears.
surprised at
stroll
to see
and enjoy.
will appear before you, to dazzle
it
and
to delight.
Good 1.
Remember
Ideas to
SOMM gets right to the point.
that
you with all-around 2.
You can first
3.
step
take full is
Think About Let
it
serve
prosperities.
command
of
any condition
in life.
The
self-command.
Don't permit negative emotions to bluff you. You need never submit to them.
4.
The
enlightened
sions.
mind
is
free
from making distressing
With this secret of mental magic know just what to do.
as
deci-
your guide, you
always 5.
Your
goal
is
think about 6.
to
it.
experience
Your future success so.
Simply do what
future follows.
life
You can have is
is
personally, not merely to
this exciting experience.
as certain as
your desire
to
make
it
necessary to do today, and your richer
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 213 7.
You can
actually observe yourself changing! This
lute proof that 8.
SOMM
is
is
abso-
working within you.
Associate only with cheerful and constructive ideas.
They
upon everything you do. Deep down inside, every man senses that he can be free of an unhappy life. This is the call of truth that every man will leave a favorable impression
9.
can heed and follow. 10.
The good things of life want you as much as you want them. With a receptive mind, let them come to you.
m Your Adventures Into Mental Magic
this chapter plunges you into some especially exciting
You have Section
adventures with mental magic! three power-packed sections:
1:
Section 2: Section 3:
YOUR SPECIAL SECRETS HAVE A MENTAL MAGIC PARTY! 100 GUIDES TO MENTAL MAGIC
All three adventures can lead you to miraculous discoveries of self-enrichment.
Section secrets
So
1
:
let's
your special
While exploring the ideas across some special ones. You press
you
stance,
as
book you are sure
to
come
will find that certain plans im-
you might be inspired by a plan
Or you might
makes your business more
[214]
in this
being just right for your personal progress. For
personal attractiveness. that
advance together, starting with:
for brightening
in-
your
get excited over an idea
profitable.
YOUR ADVENTURES INTO MENTAL MAGIC / 215 This section
is
designed to retain these special secrets in your
mind. So whenever you run across one of them, write of the blank spaces provided.
impression.
You can
you can rewrite
it
Review these
in
very act of listing
it
down
in
one
deepens the
note the idea exacdy as worded in the book, or
any way that looks best
specialties
them completely. After cally
The
it
all,
from time
to you.
to time.
Let your mind absorb
they are yours. This sort of practice magi-
changes them from mere ideas into personal powers— powers that
win your
1.
2.
7.
8.
10.
11.
12.
desires.
216 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
13.
14.
15.
Section 2 have a mental magic party! :
What It is
is
Mental Magic Party?
a
the gathering together of
men and women who wish
to
make
self-improvement an enjoyable adventure.
What is its purpose? To use the secrets of mental home,
What
good
There
are
Magic life.
magic for enriching daily
at the office, in social affairs, in every
Party.
results
the
living.
can be expected?
abundant
Some
life in
department of
prosperities for those attending a
will find themselves with a
much
Mental
happier family
Others are delightfully surprised at the growth of their self-con-
fidence.
Many
will discover practical techniques for increasing their
financial fortunes. Still others find themselves solving their personal
problems with remarkable speed and ease. Everyone will certainly uplift himself into greater happiness
Magic Party
is
practical;
A
and contentment.
Mental
you can enjoyably observe actual enrichments
in your daily affairs.
You, the reader, can be valuable in your having your
own Mental Magic
or play a helpful role as one of
Here
Party.
You can
own community by organize
it
yourself,
its officers.
are six basic steps for
making the most
of your
own
study
group: 1
.
Attracting members:
Start
by informing your
the Mental
Magic
Party.
friends, acquaintances
You can form
and
the group around
your club or church or community organization.
Any
associates of
members
kind of a
of
start
YOUR ADVENTURES INTO MENTAL MAGIC is
a good one.
Remember above
all,
everyone
/ 217
is vitally
interested in
self-improvement!
Your meeting
2.
A
place:
study group can gather together in homes of various members,
in church quarters, wherever
In
tion.
my own work
of the best results
is
most suitable
here in Los Angeles
come from groups
for your particular situa-
we have found
of a dozen or so people
some
that
who meet
once a week in various homes. As practical benefits appear in your group, the mounting enthusiasm
may mean
a
move
to larger quarters!
Time:
3.
Set definite schedules for your meetings. choice. Evenings
and weekends
Once
a
week
a good
is
best serve the convenience of
most
people. Publicity:
4.
The more news letin
story.
the merrier!
Your
local
newspaper
board for your announcement.
If
your group
run a
will gladly
Perhaps your public library will provide space on is
its
bul-
connected with a
church or club, your minister or club president can help you spread the
word
of this beneficial program. Search out
and use
all
available
aids to publicity.
Your Mental Magic
5.
The
leader of the group, whether yourself, a clergyman, or
ever, directs the program.
Magic
Party:
He
uses his
for presenting the ideas that
As
helpful.
own copy
of Secrets of
he personally
feels are especially
another interesting part of the program, various
report personal benefits gained from reading their
book. Also, a question and answer
enrichment.
The whole
from exploring these 6.
idea
is
secrets of
members
own copy
of the
session provides stimulation
to share benefits
who-
Mental
and
and experiences won
mental magic.
The Mental Atmosphere:
We
have given
this
program of self-advancement the name of
Mental Magic Party.
It is
called a party for a very solid psychological
The idea is to provide a mental atmosphere fulness. The science of psychology points out that reason.
of relaxed cheer-
light-heartedness
218 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
makes one more receptive
to helpful ideas.
An
easy-going
mind has
a
superior ability to absorb and understand enlightening truths. So keep
the atmosphere light-hearted and adventurous.
Mental Magic
Make
it
an enjoyable
Party!
Section 3: 100 guides to
mental magic Here you
are 100 helpful guides for your instant use. Let
you may need
to the exact secret
strength.
You can make
at random, then follow
Select a
new one
it it
for today's
them
direct
knowledge and
an interesting adventure by selecting one as
your special guide throughout the day.
for the next day.
will not fail to increase your
Your use
power
as a
of these accurate guides
mental magician.
1.
To
2.
For a secret of mental magic that guides your daily adven-
3.
Whenever you
understand the opposite sex: see page 62.
page 26.
tures: see
feel that
you are carrying too many burdens:
see page 49.
you want something
to believe in: see
page
4.
If
5.
How
6.
To
7.
For some attitudes you should dismiss from your mind: see
8.
To
9.
Whenever you
3.
your understanding of happiness brings
to
it
you:
see page 113.
discover four secret words that
work wonders:
see page
36.
page 97. discover the true feel
meaning
of security: see page 134.
blocked in your money-making
efforts:
see page 176. 10. If
you want
sion: see
to
understand and dissolve feelings of depres-
page 201.
11.
Why you
12.
For some exciting ideas for living in a new way: see page
13.
For good ways
should be a detective: see page 150.
195.
page 120.
to build a
more
attractive personality:
see
YOUR ADVENTURES INTO MENTAL MAGIC 14.
To
15.
Whenever you want
/ 219
read an illustrative story for keeping on the right road:
see page
1
59. to
know why
things
happen
as they
do: see page 78. 16.
How
17.
If
18.
How
while discovering the secrets of mental magic:
to relax
see page 7.
you want more fun
make
to
in life: see
page 103.
fascinating changes in your relations with
the opposite sex: see page 60. 19.
To
read about your wealthy
self:
see page 122.
20. For the perfect illustration of the vast riches of your mind: see page 132.
21. For a valuable principle that aids your
ac-
see page 171.
tivities:
22.
Whenever you want some come to you: see page 211.
23.
Why
there
24. If you
money-making
never any need for
is
want
secrets for
to
know
making good things
distress: see
page 153.
the most important thing to do with
the opposite sex: see page 67. 25.
Whenever you want see
26. If 27.
to achieve
more
success in any area:
page 39.
you want
How
a
to clear
way of life that stays exciting: see page 28. away confusion and have a clear mind: see
page 192. 28.
To
test
your daily progress: see page 144.
29. For eleven
magic words that can transform your
life:
see
page 54. 30.
Whenever you want
to
make
predictions that
come
true:
see page 80.
31.
How
to
enjoy your mind: see page 91.
32. For exciting truths about your Magnificent Glimpse:
page 33.
To
34.
To
see
12.
discover twenty responsibilities that don't belong to you:
see page 47.
read some cheery news about your personal rewards: see
page 206.
220 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
35.
How
to
become more aware
of the truth that sets
you
free:
see page 163. 36.
Whenever you want
37.
To
38.
Whenever you want to dismiss loneliness: see page 185. How Virginia made a magical discovery: see page 77.
a glimpse into your future: see page 74.
read 12 aids in becoming a mental magician with the
opposite sex: see page 68.
39.
40. For the most valuable secret of mental magic for
becoming
popular: see page 116. 41.
To
build practical attitudes that dissolve tensions: see page
165.
two valuable
42. For
aids that earn
$$$$$: see page 175.
43.
To
44.
Whenever you want to banish self-doubt: see page 39. To make your life both secure and simple: see page 140.
45.
discover the greatest day of your
life:
see page 104.
46. For three interesting stories about successful
people:
see
page 20. 47. If
you want
to
guarantee a lovely love
life:
see page 61.
48. For a fascinating story about a magic kingdom: see page 52.
49. For an exciting description of the
new
person you can be-
come: see page 207. 50.
To
51.
Why
turn everything that happens to you into an advantage:
see page 96. to
what you want from
see page 51.
life:
52.
you should turn your attention
How
to
make
every day an enjoyable adventure: see page
135. 53.
To
discover the turning point in your
54. For a basic secret of
life:
see page 10.
mental magic that guarantees personal
happiness: see page 106. 55.
Whenever you want
56.
To
to get into self-enriching action:
see
page 99. read a valuable definition of personality: see page 118.
57. For the secret of attracting the opposite sex: see page 63. 58.
How
to
change and command circumstances: see page 22.
YOUR ADVENTURES INTO MENTAL MAGIC / 221 59.
Why
60.
Whenever you want
61.
How
you should bring
curiosity into
your financial
affairs:
see page 170.
encourage yourself toward building
to
a richer tomorrow: see page 85.
62. If
your world can make more sense: see page 167.
you ever doubt the
practical gifts of the secrets of
mental
magic: see page 185. 63.
Why
64.
Whenever you
you should not
problems bluff you: see page 146.
let
need
feel the
to live
more
lightly: see
page
162. 65. For inspiring ideas that turn your life into an exciting ad-
venture: see page 95. 66.
To
gain a higher viewpoint of
life:
see page 136.
67. For a surprising truth about your happiness: see page 110. 68.
To
read about a secret code that earns
money
for you: see
page 173. 69. If
you want an accurate
some
70. For
definition of love: see page 71.
of the natural
diamonds of your personality: see
page 125.
you want every hour
71. If
to carry
you forward
to greater
achievement: see page 190. 72.
To
73.
Why
discover
what you should
you should work
at
rebel against: see page 4.
expanding your mental
attitudes:
see page 112. 74. For
one of the great
secrets of
mental magic for solving per-
sonal problems: see page 149. 75.
To
76.
Whenever you want
realize the vast
wealth of your mind: see page 17. to get obstacles out of
your way: see
page 90. 77.
How
78.
To
self-knowledge increases your forcefulness: see page
148.
read a deeply practical illustration about your power of
prophecy: see page 76. 79. If
you ever doubt that you can build
self:
see page 8.
a
new world
for your-
:
222 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
80.
How
your rightful
to take
command
of conditions: see page
power
of awareness: see page
188. 81. For a great truth about your 83.
82. If
you want
to catch a glimpse of the gold residing in your
Real Self: see page 158. 83.
How
Betty
H. changed her
84. For a story that
86.
you can apply
to
your
own
flight to
freedom
page 162.
see
85. If
see page 48.
life:
you want good news about your love
Whenever you want
life:
see page 64.
some magnificent changes
to see
in
your world: see page 145. 87. For a major secret that changes your future magically: see
page 75. 88.
Why you
89.
How
should direct your
own
life:
see page 120.
your mental personality creates financial prosperity:
see page 171.
you want
90. If
hostile: see
91. If 92.
to
understand
you want something
How
why
people are unkind and
page 189. to get excited about:
see page 130.
clear thinking aids your life with the opposite sex:
see page 66.
some
93. For
vital
facts
about your attitudes toward yourself:
see page 147.
94.
To
discover the beneficial purpose of self-study: see page
129.
95. For a delightfully surprising fact about tension: see page 157. 96.
Whenever you want cess: see
to accurately predict
your
social suc-
page 117.
97. For an enlightening story about
some
treasure seekers: see
page 65. 98.
To
remind yourself of your
limitless
mental power:
see
page 23. 99. If
you want
free: see
100. For
to
know about
the powerful truth that sets you
page 48.
some valuable
ideas about your
new
life:
see page 138.
About the Author Vernon Howard occupies
a
unique position in the world
popular author of self-improvement books. copies of his
dynamic books have been
More than two
sold
and
as a
million
translated
around
who
receive
the globe.
As fresh
a teacher
and
lecturer
hope and inspiration.
sums up, "There
Howard
speak.
is
You
he
One
attracts vast
grateful
audiences
member
of his audience
something clearly different about hearing Vernon feel that
something new and fascinating
is
hap-
pening to you."
Vernon Howard classes,
lives in
and guides thousands
Los Angeles where he to a richer
lectures, teaches
and more exciting way of
life.
— (continued from front flap) the next few minutes, a golden stream
of revelations will pour into your
... a flood of
life
that will
glittering truths
make your
deepest, grind-
problems fade away
ing
—and
in
their place, quite suddenly, the an-
swers will become crystal clear! •
This book will set your imagination aflame. It will introduce you to the incredible force of
MIND POWER
... a force which, when you understand its clear, simple principles, guarantees that every tick of the clock will carry you one step closer to the wealth, position and influence
God meant for you to enjoy. From this moment on, you begin
test-
ing the wonder-working techniques of
MENTAL MAGIC on every untrained corner of your mind!
And
in a dynamic, positive
you'll
way
do
it
that will
break through ALL mental barriers, organize your powers, and place them forever at your beck and call. In this
book you grasp the
infallible
THE TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
key to success.
you a new method
spotlight for
for
images into their material duplicates. In other words, a technique for thinking things into your life making them come true through crystallizing thought
—
MIND POWER
alone!
Even
will trace these
better,
you
GREAT SECRETS You
will take
to the Sacred
to
their
TEN
origin.
an adventurous journey Well of the mysterious
Mayans. Here you
will see
how
material goals
(continued on back of jacket)
PRENTICE-HALL, Inc. Cliffs, New Jersey
Englewood
764
•
Printed in U.S. of America
—
—
one (continued from back flap) arise from airy nothing. How a man single man, a speck of humanity on this teeming globe writhing in the pit of abject poverty, was suddenly cata-
—
pulted into a million-dollar fortune by the amazing "power within"! will see that "luck" had nothing to do with it. He made his luck through the Power of Mind. Mind Power made his fortune!
And you
SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC by Vernon Howard First in a trickle
.
.
then in a flowing stream
.
untold riches an onrushing flood your way when you discover in
.
.
.
The Exciting Truth About Your Mind The Ten Great Secrets of Mental Magic Your Power of Self-Confidence Freedom from Tiring Responsibility Mental Magic that Wins the Opposite Sex
w
,
.
i
•
j-
About
.
.
come
then
.
surging
Your Thoughts Can Make You
Popular
How How
to
Find Lasting Security
Menta \ Magic Solves Your
Problems
The Miracle Way to Release Tension mM j Your Mind Attracts Prosperity Inspiring Answers on Mental Magic
r» v Mental Magic Predicts Your % Future How to Win Your Desires Quickly What You Should Know About Happiness
TW How
How
will
wr How
.
How Good
Things Will
Your Adventures
into
Come
to
You
Mental Magic
VERNON HOWARD
Vernon Howard's
personal career is a success-story as startling as any in book. Searching for a way to get ahead faster, early in life he stumbled on the track of an exciting discovery. To his surprise, the application of this dynamic force which he calls "Mental Magic" rocketed him to the heights his
of fame and fortune in a few short years!
an inspirational speaker and writer known to millions, who lecOver 2,000,000 copies of his works have been sold and translated into over a dozen languages.
Today he
is
tures every year before vast audiences.
As
a personal advisor, Vernon Howard succeeds overwhelmingly in helping people find new hope and happiness. His own amazing achievements prove that life can be exciting and richly rewarding and he has led tens of thousands to find just that kind of exciting life for themselves. .
PRENTICE-HALL,
Inc.
•
.
.
Fn lewood fe
Cliffs,
New
Jersey
perform feats of Mental Magic that will enable you to generate the full power of your subconscious mind and win for yourself all the good things in life.
Secrets
MENTAL
ftllwlw VOUR *8^ X V
By Vernon Howard •
i
•
i
Change and brighten both today and tomorrow Assure your own future Rid yourself of unnecessary responsibilities and burdens
Wipe
out loneliness, anxidepression
ety, fear, •
Attain the security you have always wanted
POWER OF MIND Yes! You will develop astonishing mental gifts which will serve you every day for the rest of your life! Gifts of
— Will-Power tion
.
.
.
.
Self
Habit-Breal
Worry-Cc Learning
.
and many,
I
m
.
(
.
Concen
Secrets of
Mental
Magic
Other Prentice-Hall Books by
VERNON HOWARD ACTION POWER: The New
Miracle
Way
to a Successful
Life
Your Magic Power
to
Persuade and
Command
Success Through the Magic of Personal Power
Time Power
for Personal Success
Peoyle
Secrets of
Mental Magic how full
to
use your
power of mind
Vernon Howard
PRENTICE-HALL. INC.
ENGLEWOOD
CLIFFS. N.J.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in
2012
http://archive.org/details/secretsofmentalmOOhowa
Secrets of
Mental
Magic
Other Prentice-Hall Books by
VERNON HOWARD ACTION POWER: The New
Miracle
Way
to a Successful
Life
Your Magic Power
to
Persuade and
Command
Success Through the Magic of Personal Power
Time Power
for Personal Success
People
Secrets of
Mental Magic how full
to
use your
power of mind
Vernon Howard
PRENTICE-HALL. INC.
ENGLEWOOD
CLIFFS. N.J,
©
1964,
by Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS ROOK MAY RE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM, EY MIMEOGRAPH OR ANY OTHER MEANS, WITHOUT PERMISSION IN WRITING FROM THE PUELISHER. Library of Congress Catalog Card
Number: 64-20292
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
79797-B&P
I
love
to
plunge into that realm of mystery,
giving a comprehension of the power of mind,
and accustom me
to
the
workings
of
mind.
— Honore
de Balzac
"Something Exciting Is
In a few moments of mental magic.
we
About to Happen!"
will explore together the marvelous
But before we
set out, I'd like to give
you
world
a glimpse
of the marvels just ahead. Let's begin with an anecdote from history:
SOMETHING EXCITING That was the
IS
ABOUT TO HAPPEN!
sign hanging on the wall of a gold miner's cabin.
Guided by an accurate map
of the area, he
had
traveled
on horseback
into the ranges to seek a long-lost gold mine.
He
had something
also
"something exciting
him reminded It
that
it
about to happen!" His sign on the wall kept
is
of that as
happened
the enthusiastic expectancy that
else:
he searched the mountains.
He
all right.
found the gold mine. History reveals
gave him a fabulous fortune.
You,
too,
can find the gold in your
own
life.
copy of Secrets of Mental Magic. You need only
Your map let it
is
your
guide you to
your personal fortunes.
Maybe you come
my
ask, "Exactly
way
You
will catch
of living. Based
we
psychology, •
Do
talk over
of benefits can
few forthcoming
Let's take a look at a •
what kind
I
expect to
way?"
your
first
exciting glimpse of an entirely
on findings of
call it
treasures:
new
both ancient wisdom and modern
your Magnificent Glimpse.
you ever wonder how
to solve
problems too personal
with others? Mental magic supplies solutions to such
to
diffi-
culties as loneliness, anxiety, fear, depression.
•
We
will read the fascinating story of a
famous around the world learn
how your own •
Ever
for his special
man who became
kind of magic.
You
will then
magical touch can give you overwhelming success.
feel that
you are carrying burdensome
responsibilities? [vii]
viii
Through
/ "something exciting
these scientific systems,
We
will take
you
will find yourself free— free to
nature intends.
live lightheartedly, as
•
about to happen!"
is
an adventurous journey
the mysterious Mayans.
Here we
will see
how
to the
tested
Sacred Well of
mental principles
supply appeal to the opposite sex, promote financial prosperity— whatever your target.
within us." That
• "Miracles are
author Honore de Balzac.
One
is
the declaration of French
of the miracles
you can expect
is
new
a
sense of lasting security. • Like to predict a dazzling future for yourself?
Through
accurate secrets of mental magic, you can do just that— then
and watch them come
A
sit
the
back
true!
business acquaintance told me, "I'm very
much
interested in
your forthcoming book, Secrets of Mental Magic. In a single sentence,
how would you "The book
describe it?" is
a system for winning."
For winning whatever you want and need.
why we
now confidently explore together ous world of mental magic. You can enthusiastically expect That
is
thing exciting
is
can
the marvelthat "some-
about to happen!"
Something wealthy.
Vernon Howard
Contents
I.
The Exciting Truth About Your Mind ... Your mind can predict your about
thoughts
new
How
yourself
Practical
Try
world
The
enough
turning
rebel
to
Some
The
point
Trojan
The man with
the blue paint
Your mind
is
the
best
way
is
horse
Be mentally receptive
wealthy
way
secret
Your
Ten Great Secrets of Mental Magic ... 2.
believe
mind
Your
experiment
Your magnificent glimpse
II.
a
Relaxing news
magic! this
What
future!
be
to
1
is
4.
1.
Every
fascinating!
man 3.
is
16
mentally
Your own
Your mind can change you [ix]
X / CONTENTS
II.
Ten Great Secrets of Mental Magic {com.) 5.
Thoughts can command circumstances
powers are 8.
III.
You
The
definite guidances
9.
Mental magic
exciting!
10.
liberty
7.
limitless
You have
6.
Your mental
can choose your thoughts
is
mental
secret of
Your Power of Self-Confidence Your mind
A
definition
words
four
How
to
The
achieve
single
The
banish
of
Exciting
hit
Success!
story
confidence
thought!
to
The song
courage
of
Norman's
more
greatest
How
crown
king's
secret
self-doubt
Your
The
free
is
31
L.
].
Kraft
Your
ideas
natural confidence
IV.
Freedom from Tiring Responsibility Why sets
How
you
Attend
power
free
to
Betty
made
The
Make
truth
Your
The
Love and self-growth
to love
The
ing the other sex
The
fortune hunters
most important thing! tal
magician
What
is
love?
ad-
Your genuine welfare
Mental Magic Wins the Opposite Sex ... Freedom
that
pleasure
a
it
The magic kingdom Eleven magic words
of self-interest
45
.
your responsibilities
progress
Your only duty
what you want
venture of Ulysses
V.
What
you should be defiant
are not
.
An
Understand-
Good
secret of attraction
Love and a
Your
clear
mind
starting point
illustration
59
Lasting
news'.
The The men-
contentment
CONTEXTS
VI.
/ Xi
Mental Magic Predicts Your Future ... A
glimpse
Expand your principle
How
How
vision
predictions
The magic
dictions
a
Virginia
succeeded
monarch!
mental
Your personal
come
The prosperity
Your personal
true
The power
of change
Sailing smoothly
ness
Become
of cause and effect
make
to
tomorrow
into
73
The
forward
pre-
of aware-
great
secret
of
success!
How
VII.
to Win Your Desires Quickly
The
entire
The
viewpoints tunity
destroy
to
discovery
The
pioneer
Check
desire
Attitudes
up
viewpoints
sour
Energize
desires
abandon
Action
power!
What You Should Know About Happiness
102
results will
How
have
to
to
come
greatest day of your life
Life
is
A
Backtalk
profound truth
Happiness and self-expansion
The
is
secret of happiness
great
Predict
The The
The
effortless
Your Thoughts Can Make You Popular The
happiness
Why the U-boat sank How Walter succeeded How to build self-esteem
thinking
clear
and
Serve your best interests
True happiness
for living!
of
freedom
Personal
fun!
The
rewards
IX.
Your oppor-
Victorious
on
88 Your
harriers
pleasures of thinking!
Shirley's
}our
Rich
VIII.
How
secret
....
Why
secret
your
social
self-directed story of
Claim
115
your
inner
wealth!
Building personality-power
Your
Helen's nice
Wealthy
.
queen refused the crown
the
personality
Cincinnatus
perform a miracle! of personality
success
.
living
richer self
man
How
to
The diamonds
/ CONTENTS
xii
X.
How
The
Two
The
time of your
The
easy
How
life
Go
What
course
.
142
to
change
The The power
of self-
Be
Have
a
a
problem
The
your
powers
Challenge
Keep
a sense of alternatives
in pursuit of solutions
The Miracle Way to Release Tension Use your
SOMM
to the truth
Your glimpse
Turn
How to live lightly
Choose in favor
sense
How
to
How Your Mind Money-making
The
brown bear to
magic
road
Your wealthy
How
tension
to
fly
The world makes
of yourself
Attracts Prosperity
principles
A
Find the
method
How
Your
the
Your purpose
is
mind $$$$$
.
for
170
.
expansion
Two
secret code
Your business personality Act up!
have fun
The
be free
curious power
able actions
156
.
Your enrichments
Mental detachment
away!
.
of gold!
off the switch
Understanding
inheritance
XIII.
story of Flor-
resist
detective!
.
How
fail
Florence discovered
Never mentally
knowledge
XII.
You cannot
See yourself as free
your world!
pearl
into
on
life
frosted cake
ence
well
possession
stay
to
Mental Magic Solves Your Problems Your
unique
sacred
enjoyable
Your higher view
life
new
Your
action!
The
Your
Treasure!
A
exciting truth
famous philosophers
Maya
of
The
value of self-study
system
XI.
128
to Find Lasting Security
The
story of
great adventure
How Mental
creates success
Use your
valu-
action
power
contexts /
XIV. Inspiring
Answers on Mental Magic
The
conquest
The
question
of
How
results?
Your power
of
Freedom
loneliness
of
command
You have
mind
xiii
.
from
to clear
the
Understanding the
away
A
cojifusion
How
really
to
past
hostile
What
twenty-four servants!
attention
184
.
about
challenge! Per-
live!
sonal freedom
XV. Good Things Will
Come to You The
Living with light of
Freedom
depression
Your new
life will
future success
You can watch
truth at
is
appear
The conquest
work
from
yourself change!
Total
Your
direction
Sincere effort
certain
decisions
distressing
Definite
Your great opportunity will
199
is
always rewarded
The power
of association
power
Good
things
come
XVI. Your Adventures into Section
I:
Your
magic party!
Mental Magic
special secrets
Section
3:
Section
100 guides
to
2:
.
Have
.
214
a mental
mental magic
Your First Secret of Mental Magic! Here
is
your
turn to Chapter entitled
exciting secret: before reading this book, please
page 214.
Go
Your Special Secrets and Have
By doing
You
first
XVI on
this
you perform your
through the a
first
Mental Magic
first
act as a
two
sections
Party!
mental magician.
turn this book into your personal guide to the richer
life!
"
I
The Exciting Truth About
\ our
Mind
mat have heard the story about the tourist visiting
a beautiful tropical
strolled along the
isle
of die South Seas.
As he
white sands he came across a native resting
comfortably in the shade of a palm grass-skirted girl friend-
The
tourist
tree.
Alongside
him was
his
asked the native:
"How come you don't work?" "Why?" replied the natrfc
To
earn some money."
Why-
To save for your future," WhyS:
you can
retire peacefully."
"Peaceful £:ei£y.
That amusing
story contains a curious
truth,
which
is:
comfort and peace of mind can be yours now.
H That
is
just
one of the great
discover together as
we go
secrets of
mental magic
we
will
along.
m
!
2 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Your mind can predict your FUTURE At
this early point
good that we define the phrase
it is
secrets of
mental magic.
By
this
we mean
that every
man
possesses— possesses at this very
moment— enormous mental powers. However, many of these thoughtforces are unknown to him; he is unaware of their existence within his
mind.
So our purpose
we will we can
to discover these secrets of
is
SOMM).
refer to as
By uncovering
mental magic (which
these mental treasures
use them for daily prosperities.
man who
Everything changes magically for the secrets of his
own
discovers the
power. This great transformation
excellently
is
described by Dr. Maurice Nicoll: But
a man can begin to
to think differently differently
...
If
live differently in himself.
feel differently
this
happens the man has another relationship
and
desire differently
himself/ internally. His life in himself then begins to
Such changes ability to predict
result in practical prosperities.
your
But you may wish
He can begin
and
own
to ask,
future,
which we
"Can
really foretell
Of course you can. Not only that, but you can
I
and
love to
change. 1
One
of
will cover in
them
is
the
Chapter VI.
coming events?"
predict either success or failure for
yourself. If
you prefer
success,
you can have
it.
Your future can be
pros-
perous far beyond anything you dream about.
How
come?
Because the way you think determines the way you
way you
forthcoming pages
own
act.
And
the
act decides the kind of future that unfolds before you. In I
will
show you
prosperous future— and
1 Maurice Nicoll, The New Hermitage House, Inc., 1951).
make
Man
exactly it
come
how you can
foretell
your
New
York:
true!
(London: Vincent
Stuart, Ltd.;
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND / Simple?
Of
course
it
is.
But you must make
its
And you
the
3
simplicity a part
of your even-day affairs.
Marvelous?
Certainly.
can
be
man-el-making
magician.
"You need not be surprised cause everything
is
hear such things are possible, be-
to
possible that
is
consistent with natural
laws."
(Paracelsus— Swiss physician)
What to
believe about
yourself \\
hen Evelyn R. came
spoke of her be-
to talk things over, she
wilderment and lack of purpose: "I think," she explained, ''that I
can pursue with whole-hearted
I'd like a project that I
to find
need something
something that
means something
really
to
to believe in.
interest. I
me.
need
I've tried so
many things— social activities, hobbies, philosophies. There have been men in my life, and one or two affairs. But nothing seems to lift the inner ache. Sooner or later I'm forced to admit that I'm trying to lose
myself in things that don't interest
can
I
me
at all. Tell
me, please, what
really believe in?"
'Tor a change."
replied, "try believing in yourself."
I
"In what way?"
not at
"It's
all
complicated. Just believe in the right things about
yourself."
"What
are the right things?"
"That you can change your
life
by changing your thoughts.
Believe that conflict and frustration are unnecessary. that life
Hold
is
for you, not against you. Proceed as
now
the viewpoint that you
uncovered and developed
"Can
I
for
if
Take
there
is
the stand a
way
out.
possess inner powers that can be
any purpose you wish.
really believe all that?"
"Y\ hat's stopping you?'' "I don't
"There
know." is
nothing
unfortunately, makes
at all in
it
your way. You only think
so as far as
so.
But
that,
you are personally concerned."
4 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC "Yes,
understand."
I
"You want something
Do
yourself.
that
which
in
to believe? All right. Believe in
much, and everything
else will easily take care of
itself."
Evelyn nodded.
"I like that philosophy."
even more than a philosophy, Evelyn;
"It's
your present way of living as the only way. presently
know
it
a fact. Don't accept
it's
It isn't at all.
or not, another brighter world
Whether you
exists for
you
in the
here and now."
Evelyn found that brighter world for herself through the very secrets of
Thomas
now
mental magic you are
Carlyle announced, "It
man works
all
is
uncovering. As English author
the thought of
man ... by which
things whatsoever."
HOW TO BE A REBEL Human happiness.
beings are in constant rebellion against failure and un-
That
is
good.
of unclear thinking, rebellion. In brief, a
man
men
utterly waste their
rebels against the
his protests against exterior conditions
wrong
powers of healthy
things.
By
directing
he misses the point entirely.
It is
not his exterior world that needs his attention;
man
falls into a
it
is
himself.
A
self-made trap whenever he thinks that by replacing
his politics or his sex partner or residence or religion that
changed anything. In for
But because
indicates a desire for freedom.
It
most
truth,
he has
he has merely replaced one prison
another— and deep down in his heart he desperately knows
by not facing that truth, he
really
is
it.
cell
But,
desperately driven to rebel again and
again against some exterior condition— with the same empty results.
What,
then, should
we
rebel against?
What
is
the logical and
profitable target?
We have one thing and one thing only to rebel
against:
Our own
negative or unrealistic or unworkable states of mind.
In that
When
is
a
complete freedom, and in no place
man makes
condition effortlessly rights
else.
right his mental processes, every exterior itself!
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND /
A
man's mental forces can be compared
5
independent
to several
armies, separated from each other, but wishing to defeat a
enemy.
If
sort of disagreement, if
common
they remain apart by not knowing of each other, or by some their attack will
be
common
they agree to join forces in the
less
than
maximum. But
purpose, nothing can with-
stand their attack.
we
Likewise, as
unite
our mental powers, as
all
we
present a
strong front, our life-victories are assured.
Some secret thoughts What are some ideas to hold in mind from the very start of this What wealthy thoughts will guarantee your final prosperity?
book?
an adventurous attitude toward everything you are
First, take
about
Turn
to explore.
people
fail to realize
rience. If spirit of
you
that self-improvement can be
realize
adventure
everything into a fun-filled expedition. Lots of
it,
fires
you are certain
to
an enjoyable expe-
speed up your progress.
up your enthusiasm and
releases
A
your inner
powers.
Next, expect
to
make some
delightful discoveries.
A
group of
psychologists, gathered at a banquet, held an interesting contest
themselves.
Each member
of the
group was asked
to
among
submit an answer
"W hat, 7
in your opinion, is the brightest moment in a Out of dozens of answers, here is the one winning first prize: 'The moment he really sees that by changing his mental attitudes he can change his life." That is just one of the dozens of delightto the question:
man's
life?"
ful discoveries
you can expect
This book
is
want
what
is
to get right to the
the point?
To
it
was
about
man who
all
wasteful wanderings.
point of things and ignore
the
falls into a pit
way
out.
ener-
all else.
gain our rightful mental freedom. That
To wander
and then
his left or right foot that slipped is
Our
squander in pointless searchings of any kind.
only point worth our attention. like a
make.
designed to avoid
gies are too precious to
We
to
sits
And
is
the
off into non-essentials
is
there wondering whether
first.
What
he should think
6 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Practical magic!
SOMM,
After an opening class of mine in
me
a
somewhat hesitantly. Sensing her reluctance,
woman
approached
asked, "Something
I
you'd like to discuss?"
She smiled. "I'm almost embarrassed the
Howard ... do you course,"
her.
woman who
from troubled
"But
Mr.
magic?"
really believe in
I told
let's call it
practical magic."
what?"
"Practical magic? Like
"Like a
but you mentioned
several times during your talk. I'm wondering,
word magic "Of
to ask,
gains self-insight that changes her emotions
to peaceful.
Like a
man who
learns that
portant to be happy than rich. Like anyone
who
it is
more im-
changes his
life
by
discovering his hidden mental riches."
She laughed. "Where do So, as
I
sign
up
for the class?"
you read along, be completely
tion to the essentials, to
once ran an ad in a
what you
New
nice-looking, wishes to
really
practical.
Give your
atten-
want. Be like the farmer
woman
meet
same
of
qualifications
who owns knew
a tractor. Please enclose photo of tractor. That farmer at least
what he wanted, and mind. Write often.
down
so should you.
exactly
know
this:
where you are
She
asks
you
to
The
you can
Wrote
for
your goal clear
at the present
it
new program
is
moment.
If life is
anything, she
do only what you are capable of doing you
will simply relax
now, you need do nothing
Cicero, the ancient
Roman
your
to
Review
of this book.
perfect place to start any
particular level of development. If
best
Make
in a single, short, plain sentence.
Most importantly, use the techniques
Next,
is fair.
it
who
York newspaper: Farmer, age 40, reasonably
at
any
and do the
else.
statesman, "I follow nature as
the surest guide."
Nothing can prevent
a
man's swift progress once he heeds the
natural guides he possesses at any given time. followed, always leads to greater ones.
A
little
truth,
when
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND
/ 7
Relaxing news
When
Fridtjof
Nansen, the Norwegian explorer, ventured into
On
the Arctic regions he brought along several carrier-pigeons.
one
occasion a bird was assigned the daring adventure of flying a thousand
miles over frozen wasteland to deliver a personal note to Mrs. Nansen.
There was some doubt dition
as to the bird's success, for after all, the expe-
had now been gone
for thirty
months. That was a long time for
the pigeon to be gone from home. But one morning Mrs.
Nansen
heard a tapping on her window.
He had
completed his daring that all
flight,
It
was the courageous pigeon.
Nansen
bearing a note informing Mrs.
was well with the polar expedition.
Any man dark. The way
or
woman who
back
capable of failure.
is
it's
there are basic principles that destinations.
And
We
that
is
The
certain.
Whether
home
long-gone can get
feels
natural guidances of
life are in-
in music, cooking, gardening, or living,
cam
7
a
man
need only permit them
why you need
including the ideas in this book.
all
the
way
to his desired
to carry us forward.
never strain or struggle at anything,
You need never
try to think or
stand or act above your present level. As a matter of fact, no
perform above his present
You can
before
level.
And you
under-
man
relieve yourself of all responsibility for being anything
but what you are at the present moment. Once you actually see truth,
and
can
are not expected to.
rest in
it,
you
will take the deepest breath of relaxation
this
you
have ever taken.
The wise Hindu philosopher Patanjali points human needs is the function of the universe." It is
out,
"To supply
never our responsibility to create our supply of good.
It is
our
delightful task to accept that already-created good.
Remember, the man who commands the need not struggle
He
for peace or prosperity or
has them.
secrets of
anything
mental magic
else.
MENTAL MAGIC
8 / SECRETS OF
Your new world Most men
lead dreary lives of sullen submission broken only by
occasional angry outbursts.
make them
the outbursts
What
in a state like this.
that has nothing to
submission keeps them frustrated and
feel guilty.
he
No man
can possibly be happy
fails to realize is that
exists a
It is a
wonderful world of freedom.
you do not know
existence;
our true nature. then suffer
our daily
all
If
it,
you can
find
changed, then
of life exists
we do
man from
Knowledge
about.
discovering
what? Of
of
we were made for freedom, we self-imprisonment. If we do not proceed in
not see that
armed with the simple truth
we remain
know
it.
lack of knowledge.
it is
the pains of
lives
way
not as yet
not lack of intelligence that prevents a
It is
new
a
do with either submission or outburst.
new world which you may
There
If
this
The
that
all
can be brightly
in static hopelessness.
In discussing the peaceful and productive
life,
Dr. Albert Ellis
and Dr. Robert A. Harper cheerfully declare: So
it
can be done. With or without prior psychological sophistica-
an individual can read or hear about a new idea, can forcefully about applying it to his own thought and action, and can carve
tion,
set
amazingly constructive changes
The
average
man
is
like
through the Tunnel of Horrors
in his
own
psyche. 2
someone forced
to take a daily ride
an amusement park.
at
He
of overhanging thread brush across his face
ghostly fingers.
he cringes
as if
When it
unwillbits
he mistakes them
for
a terrifying monster lunges from a dark corner
were
real.
Day
his horrifying journey, anxious
What is the real
is
When
ingly carried through a variety of frightening experiences.
tragedy?
after
day he reluctantly
rides
upon
and defensive.
that he does not refuse to be bluffed by unreality. That he does not challenge, question, defy and investi-
gate each
and every one
It is
of those
seeming
terrors.
That he does not
fight for himself. 2 Albert Ellis Cliffs, N.J.:
and Robert A. Harper,
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1961).
A
Guide
to
Rational Living * (Enelewood 5
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND / 9
Were he
do
to
he would soon find himself out of his private
so,
Tunnel
of Horrors
to ride,
he need not do
and
into his rightful sunshine. If he does not choose so.
Try this experiment One
audience take part in a curious experiment.
his
of
lecturing psychologist pauses in his talk long
how
can
easily the
try
it
forefinger before your face, about a foot away. left
and
jump back and
finger will appear to
finger the illusion of motion,
This experiment mental magic, which
also introduces us to
We
is:
not as our conditioned
life as a
must learn
mind
threat to our progress,
we
and
right, left
forth.
What
even though you know
mains motionless? The way your mind "sees"
are,
reminds everyone
You
"sees" things that don't exist in reality.
then blink your eyes alternately,
it,
Your
It
to let
for yourself, as follows:
Hold your at
mind
enough
Look right.
gives your actually re-
it
it.
one of the great
secrets of
to see things as they really
falsely interprets
will react as
if it
them.
were a
If
we
threat.
see
That
wastes our valuable energies.
Learn
to challenge, question,
Learn
that bothers you.
defy and investigate each situation
to fight for yourself
but never against anything.
Don't permit anyone or anything to bluff you. Greet
situations
all
with a wise mind. Examine them carefully and you will see that
cumstances lack power to harm you. During World
mans
made up
built a fake airfield
hoped
to lure the British into
of flimsy
it.
This
is
what
They
bomb— a wooden
Work at seeing every situation distort
places
Your mind
is
Suppose we were able
cir-
the Ger-
buildings.
They
as
it
sent a single airplane over
one.
really is— not as the
you in command of every
mind may
situation.
enough
to gather together in
thinkers of the ages— Confucius,
Spinoza, William James,
I
wasting bombs on a phony target. But
the British saw through the scheme. the field to drop a single
wooden
War
Plato,
one hall
all
the great
Marcus Aurelius, Baruch
Sigmund Freud. Then suppose we asked
.
MENTAL MAGIC
10 / SECRETS OF
them, one by one,
"How
can a
man
lose his
bondage and gain
his
freedom?"
it
Each would give us the very same answer. They might phrase differently, but since the truth is the truth, they would agree:
"Change your thinking." "Examine your
beliefs."
"Switch your attitudes."
"Check your premises." "Alter your viewpoints."
"Challenge your assumptions."
this:
The Bhagavada Gita, "Man is made by his
boy
What exciting conclusion can we draw? Well, it's like the small who visited the ocean for the first time. When asked what he
thought about
the sacred book of the East, sums belief.
he called
it
As he
believes, so
out, "I'm glad to see
is
up
like
he."
something
that's
enough!"
Your mind, when
it
thinks correctly,
is
enough
to fulfill every
desire.
And secrets of
A
one way
to think correctly
was instructing
revolver.
you aim
right,
volver to
which was attached
you
the barrel.
aim
at
understanding your
"Aim
is
a class of officers in indoor
everything," he told them. "If
can't fail to hit the target."
Turning
against the target.
you
to
mental magic.
police lieutenant
marksmanship with a
lel to
is
"You
He
then held up a
re-
a small but powerful flashlight, set paral-
off the lights, the instructor flashed the light
see,"
he explained, "that when you aim
rightly,
just can't miss."
That is a good idea to remember. As you go through this book, make it your aim, make it your single intention, to understand SOM \ By doing so, you just can't miss its benefits. 1
The turning point At some time that confirms
or other in a man's life he hears an inner shout
what he dimly suspects— that something
is
all
wrong.
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND /
He
sees that his life
is
ways. This awakening— and that
encouraged. "bad,"
listens to
what
is
you are
it
hateful— in
something
as
it
life.
dismayed— be
disillusioned, discouraged or
a wise and necessary step toward discovery of the richer
glad! It
it
no
unworkable
means
life at all. It
that
you see
for the
A
self-satisfied
feel,
pattern just a
A
and be glad about
it.
You have cracked
never climbs
are lots of people eager to give
of
ther off the right track.
to
me,
when
comes
it
Your
to
The
is
is
the
itself
but
it
There
your
throws you even
advisors
may
mean
they
know what
life.
to get utterly
to live
be nice
your
my
"I quit asking
mixed up
that
really explain nothing.
you advice on how
not only worthless in
it is
well-meaning, but that doesn't
about
if
the old negative
bit.
preliminary step for finding the richer self
weary of explanations offered you which
Much
and
must occur
self
man
a single step above his present level. So be disillusioned,
way you
life
time that the
first
unworkable. Dismay with your present
is
before your higher self can appear.
is
self. Disil-
lusionment means that you have frankly faced your way of
found
many
is— should be heeded and
and does not suppress
it,
can be the turning point of his
it
If
he
If
him— yes, even
distasteful to
11
life.
far-
enough people, and they are talking
As one man humorously explained
friends for advice. I
found out they were
as
as I!"
truth itself
is
the only reliable advice.
The Trojan horse How do we go about finding the thing to side,
know
every
is
that
already
man knows what
an amazing load of realities, as
comes
we
know
maze
man
it!
best for him. But his mind has accepted
false doctrine.
with the
lost in a
is
The first Somewhere, deep down in-
truth that sets us free?
in the
He
mistakes too
Tunnel
many
illusions for
of Horrors. So the truth be-
of misinformation.
You probably remember caused the downfall of Troy.
that classic tale of the
The Greek
wooden horse
that
army, encamped outside the
barred gates of Troy, plotted to take the city by trickery.
They
huge wooden
up
horse, planted thirty soldiers inside, sealed
built a
the secret
12 / SECRETS OF
exit,
and withdrew
MENTAL MAGIC
their army.
their eyes with delight— the
into the city
it
next morning the Trojans rubbed
Greeks had disappeared. But what was
wooden horse they had
this strange
to haul
The
when
a wise
"No! Don't you see— it's a
objection:
behind? They were about
left
man named Laocoon Beware
trick.
of this
shouted his
Greek
gift!"
But the Trojans refused the warning. The wooden horse was dragged inside the gates of Troy. That night the hidden warriors
them
slipped through the trapdoor. Racing to the gates they flung
open
to the waiting
Greek army.
That's an excellent illustration of
we
folly— if
only heed
but he must
it.
Every
man
how
the truth can save us from
has the capacity to hear the truth,
listen:
Declares Dr. David Seabury: There
is
no greater, simpler or surer way
than to stop, look and
listen,
to transform your
your mind. At every crossroads of thought, at every blind turn life
listen quietly, to
If
shut out for a
little
This leads us
to
in
the
carefully at the situation; then listen,
the deeper guidances that rise up
ness to help you.
we can
and
your
in
experience, experiment. Stop your thoughtless involvement
rush of events; look calmly
life
seeking the experimental processes of
you are attentive time the noise of
in
your conscious-
and
to the experimental process, life,
you
will
receive great help. 3
another dynamic secret of mental magic which
call:
Your magnificent glimpse There
is
a cheering principle governing
all
personal progress that
goes like this:
Once
a
man
catches a glimpse of something better, nothing can
prevent him from attaining a superior
way
thing that prevents a
non-awareness of
3
it.
Once you
of life actually exists,
its
man from
realize, or
it is
The
discovering his richer world
only
is
his
existence.
David Seabury, The Art of Living Without Tension
Row, 1958).
even suspect, that
practically yours.
(New
^
York: Harper and
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND / 13
The Magnificent Glimpse
is
you have enjoyed thus
far.
cesses
ployed, It is like
that
way
paves the
it
sighting the
it is
just the
how
Notice
When
may
the suc-
and em-
astonish you.
in the early evening. Seeing
many more
that
all
fully understood
for further conquests that
first star
first,
major power behind
a
it,
will appear before
you know your gaze.
many ways: As you new skill, you tackled it and commander. Once you first suspected that you
has already aided you in
it
glimpsed the possibility of learning a eventually became
might
its
talk skillfully before
the idea of a better until that
home
home became
an audience, you
fluttered across
tried
and succeeded. As
your mind, you acted on
it
a reality.
Let's clarify this great idea a bit
more by examining
it
from the
negative view:
Without
that
first
Magnificent Glimpse of the richer
has neither motive nor energy for searching
never looks for something of which he
pursue something that doesn't
man
gets his
exist as
it
a
out. Obviously, a
unaware;
it's
man man
impossible to
an idea in mind. But
as a
exciting suspicion— ever so faintly— his entire ener-
first
gies unite to bring
The
first
is
life,
it
his
way.
adventure of one of our western pioneers
the
illustrates
point:
A
Pennsylvania
fortune in catde.
man
rode west with the intention of making his
With high hopes he founded
of a mountain. But hard times riding around one
morning
came
in the
his
ranch
at the base
form of drought. While
in search of fresh water
he chanced
to
glance toward the base of the mountain and caught his Magnificent
Glimpse. Something unusual over there claimed his attention; something he hadn't noticed before. tion.
the
He
way through
world— a
He
rode on over for further investiga-
discovered a half -covered opening to a canyon that cut the mountain.
valley of lush grass
On
the other side he found his
all
new
and sparkling streams.
Be mentally receptive Your Magnificent Glimpse time,
maybe while
of something better can occur any-
at the office or
when working around
the yard.
It
MENTAL MAGIC
14 / SECRETS OF
when
often comes suddenly, in unexpected moments,
the
mind
is
re-
laxed and receptive. In a flash you see the answer to a problem or feel inspired to leap toward a
Dr. Rollo It is
viewed
May
new
describes this thrilling experience:
as though for a
his life
moment one stood on a mountain peak, and
from that wide and unlimited perspective.
sense of direction from
map
goal.
his
One
gets his
view from the peak and sketches a mental
which guides him for weeks
...
the fact that
we have had
glimpses gives a basis of meaning and direction for
all
these
of our later
actions. 4
Dozens of ideas in
this
book are devoted
to the full
awakening
You might find inspiration in the success story of a businessman. Maybe you instantaneously solve a problem by hearing how a homemaker solved hers. The adventurous action of this man or that woman could well inspire you toward your own new adventures. In one of my classes a salesman of your mind, to giving
it
that Magnificent Glimpse.
remarked that he had recently increased
his sales
by ten percent.
I
asked him how. "By simply remembering," he replied, "that nothing gives so thing. off
I
much make
self-satisfaction as seeing
how
well you can do some-
my
creative abilities. It pays
every account a challenge to
both financially and in great feelings of
self -worth."
Experiences like that can come to you, receptive to the Magnificent Glimpse.
too.
"Those
So keep your mind
who make room
for
impressions will receive them." (Paracelsus)
To
insure profitable journeys, the ancient Persian kings drank
only the water from the river Choaspes, which they carried in silver
The water was said to contain magical powers for success. Likewise, we will have prosperous journeys when we carry along with us the principles of right thinking. In a few moments we will explore
jars.
ten of them.
4 Rollo May, Man's Search for Himself pany, Inc., 1953).
(New
York:
W. W.
Norton and Com-
THE EXCITING TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MIND /
Summary of Vital 1.
The
secrets of
pletely. 2.
Ideas
mental magic can change your
com-
life
Let them!
Accept the delightful truth that you can find a
and 3.
15
far different
far brighter world.
Remember states of
that the only thing
mind.
When we
do
we need
that,
to
change
is
our
everything else changes
effortlessly. 4.
5.
The
best place to start your
right
where you are
No
one needs
out
exists,
6. All
program of self-improvement
at the present
moment.
unhappiness and defeat.
to live in
is
and the earnest seeker can find
The way
it.
problems are opportunities for finding your richer
self.
Study your problems with the intention of understanding them. 7.
Examine your
daily attitudes
replace those that 8.
It is
the truths of
listen to 9.
Be
fail to
life
and viewpoints. Gradually
serve your best interests.
that set us free.
We
need only
to
them.
receptive to the Magnificent Glimpse. It can flash into
your consciousness at any time.
It
comes
to the relaxed
and
waiting mind. 10.
Carry is
SOMM
with you into your everyday
nothing more practical or exciting!
affairs.
There
II
Ten Great
Secrets
Mental Magic
of
a businessman once asked me, "Exactly why should
I
study the secrets of mental magic?"
"Because,"
new life is
or
yours. If
certainly
I told
him, "you can have either a genuinely
you can have the counterfeit of you wish
do
so.
But
to
life.
tired of inner distress,
You can have
tainly break free.
you can imagine. The
new
The
choice
continue with a dreary imitation, you can
you are
if
a
secrets of
a
new
life far
you can
cer-
beyond anything
mental magic will show you the
way. They are ready to give enlightenment to anyone
who
really
wants them." "This real thing that you speak of
"The very eagerness for tic
things that you want:
life
that
relation with the
rity
you once had
woman
and comfort. Not being
[16]
.
.
what
is
it?"
Freedom from worry. The
as a boy.
A tender and roman-
A
lasting sense of secu-
in your
life.
afraid at every corner."
"Is all that really possible?" "It really is."
.
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 17 "That's what
"Then
want
I
all right."
what you can
that's
really have."
The man with the blue paint The
story
man who was overwhelmed
told about the
is
with
buckets of blue paint. All his friends had extra supplies of blue paint that they didn't want.
So they
his doorstep. Before long his
But
of blue paint.
still
carried
them on over and
left
them on
house and garage bulged with buckets
they came.
It
wasn't long before his yard was
a jungle of buckets of blue paint.
"Well," sighed the man, "I've got to do something with blue paint so kindly everything blue.
and brushed
it
He
blue.
by
my
When it
So he
friends."
He
painted his house blue.
door he quickly slapped
became
me
left
all this
started painting
bought a green car
a set of red books were delivered to his
with a coat of blue. Everything he knew
blue.
"I really don't
know what else
know why
to do,
I
do
it,"
he sighed, "but since
don't
1
everything gets blue." So he painted and painted,
without the slightest idea why.
But one day in midair.
as
he was painting something blue,
A fantastic idea
struck his mind.
a cheery red or a bright yellow or
me
I
used
to
maybe
enjoy those happy colors.
"Why
his
brush paused
not paint something
a refreshing green?
What
a revelation!
Seems
There
is
to
an
alternative to blue!"
So from that time on he never painted anything blue. hour was cheery and bright and
The new
life
If
lesson?
does
There
is
And
every
A
bright
colorful.
an alternative
to colorless living.
exist.
you wish
to find
your
own more
colorful days,
we can
start
together with these ten basic secrets of mental magic.
Every man wealthy 1.
It
is
mentally
happened during the days of the
An Apache
early
raiding party captured a U.S.
West.
Army
safe containing
MENTAL MAGIC
18 / SECRETS OF
The thick safe with its combination lock baffled the Indians. They knew the heavy metal box contained something of value, but hadn't the slightest notion of how to put their $7,000 in paper money.
hands on
and
on
it.
tried to
it
melt
its
in
it
and pushed
effort they
with
In desperation they pounded at the safe with tomahawks
it
fire.
off a
abandoned
it
it still
mountain peak. After in a river.
dropped boulders
resisted, they
a
month
of frustrating
The army
finally recovered the safe
The
riches are there for sure.
contents untouched.
Every man's mind
The
When
question
how
is,
is
like that safe.
can
we
break through the walls of misunder-
standing and so reach our mental riches.
There
is
a way.
We need only And
that
is
to
know
the combination.
the whole purpose of this
release the vast wealth
book— to show you how
you already possess within your mind.
Start thinking in terms of
mental freedom. That
phrase to run through your mind.
When
We
Fromm
is
an excellent
your wealthy thoughts are
released, they express themselves as happiness
Dr. Erich
to
and
prosperity.
speaks of this self-expression:
believe that there
is
a
positive answer, that the process of
growing freedom does not constitute a vicious
be free and yet not alone,
critical
and yet not
circle, filled
and
that
man can
with doubts, inde-
pendent and yet an integral part of mankind. This freedom man can attain
by the
realization of his self,
that the realization of the self thinking but also
is
by the realization of man's
active expression of his emotional potentialities
by being himself
are present
in
and
The the
first
1
ston,
spontaneous
realization
and the
.
.
We
believe
total personality,
intellectual potentialities.
by the These
everybody; they become real only to the
extent to which they are expressed. consists in the
.
accomplished not only by an act of
In
other words, positive freedom
activity of the total, integrated personality.
release of
your natural mental wealth
1
is
great secret of mental magic.
Erich Fromm, Escape From Freedom 1941).
(New
York: Holt, Rinehait and Win-
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 19
Your mind
2.
Honore de "I love to
is
fascinating!
Balzac, the French novelist, once declared:
plunge into that realm of mystery, giving a compre-
hension of the power of mind, and accustom
me
to the
workings of
human mind
are endless.
the mind."
The
A
and
mysteries
detective story
fascinations of the
a mild thrill by comparison.
is
once assigned several members of a
I
The
personal observations of other people.
minds
class of
to
make some
students were to use their
as observers of other people in action.
back with
mine
One
of the
women came
this curious report:
"There's a definite difference in the mental workings of of
women. For
instance, I noticed something interesting about a con-
between a
versation
man and
a
woman.
looks almost constantly at the face of the
But when the man
reactions.
face. I don't
know
conversation, but
Get
men and
it
talks to
When
the
woman
talks she
man; she keeps an eye on
his
her he looks infrequently at her
the significance of this peculiarity in male-female
makes a fascinating mystery!"
interested in the workings of your
own mind. Watch how
responds and imagines and creates. Become aware of
its
surprise, de-
Why
light,
puzzlement and wonder
this?
Because an understanding of your mental machinery turns
into your personal servant.
power you turn
it
into a
as
you go through your day.
Your mind
mighty force
is
a power.
By
it
realizing
it
do it
as a
for self-advancement.
As you understand the basic principles of the human mind, you become an expert in handling other people. The story goes about the weary mother whose strength was fading fast during the birthday party for her young son.
Take
the area of interpersonal relations.
She thought prize to the
fast,
first
then came up with a workable plan: She offered a
child to go home!
That woman based her
on
child's mind— and it worked! Get fascinated by your own mind. The great men and women all historical ages were those who were enchanted by mental power.
knowledge of a
of
strategy
And why
not?
It is
the basis of
all
power.
20 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Your fascination with your own mental make-up
Your own way
3.
BEST
inquirer
came
is
to say, "I sincerely
What
If that is also
method
the
is
WAY
of mental magic.
best
the second
mental magic.
secret of
An
is
is
want
to discover the secrets
the best way?"
your question, here
is
the heartening answer:
the one that appears easiest for you.
It is
The
your preferred
procedure that makes the search a self-satisfying one. "Each mind has its
own method." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) There
Many
riches.
Here Earl
are dozens of good techniques for collecting your mental
of
them
are just right for you.
are three different
C, Marie W. and Dale
methods that worked out perfectly B.
Earl was an enthusiastic reader. In his letter to
1.
claimed, "I have just finished
my
first
reading of your book
POWER: The Miracle Way to a Successful New it
I now intend know that each
in dozens of special places.
ideas time
nuggets
I
and time
again.
I
for
to
Life.
I
me
he ex-
ACTION
have marked
go over those special
review will uncover
new
missed before."
Earl's personal
ideas that impressed
technique was to concentrate his reading around
him
as
being especially valuable. Try
it
for your-
self.
Marie admitted
2.
wrong.
I
to periods of depression
whenever things went
asked her, "Did you ever stop to think that while you
may be
disappointed over something that you need not go so far as depres-
By understanding
sion?"
gloomy 3.
mind.
Dale was a boulevard merchant with an adventurous turn of
He
liked to take familiar ideas
business aids.
One
use by placing his
attracted attention
and turn them
into profitable
time at a party he saw a magic trick in which
silver dollar floated in a
own
that simple truth, she gradually dissolved
feelings.
bowl of water.
own bowl and
and customers.
He
i
adapted that idea lor his
dollar in his
shop window.
It
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 21 Dale's sense of adventure served
adventurous
Picture in your
him
mind an
attractive
mountain cabin that commands
You wish
a magnificent view of the vast countryside.
cabin in order to enjoy
know which
of the
its
many
pleasures
it
to reach the
you don't
first
you have never traveled
you: All
trails
lead to the cabin.
easily select the
one nearest and
strikes
you
So, secure in this knowledge,
You
and comforts. At
trails to take, for
any of them before. Suddenly
best for you.
Where can an
profitably.
you?
spirit serve
hike happily upward, knowing that your arrival
is
certain.
Going forward
in your
own
way
best
is
your third helpful secret
of mental magic.
Your mind can change you
4.
When "Is
it
Herbert B. came
possible to boil
think that
if I
things over. his life,
him
to tell
my
of your
own
thoughts.
The
mental processes from negative ulously. fact.
That
That
We
is
is
the plain fact.
simple fact
to affirmative,
track,
we
we
it."
talked
your doubt about the
is is,
know.
to
when you
your
life
switch your
changes mirac-
At the present time you don't
your only problem. But
I
various questions about
him what he wanted
"Your single greatest problem, Herbert,
power
might leap over
I
he was on the right
that
studied Herbert's answers to
I
then was able
main problem?
failure to a single
could clearly identify the barrier,
After assuring
he asked,
to talk over his lack of progress
down my
can solve
see that
it."
looked around trying to find an opening where Herbert
could break through to affirmative mental simple and practical
plan. The object was
acts.
for
We
him
decided upon a
demonstrate to
to
himself that his thoughts could actually change things.
"Here's what to do."
I
outlined the plan.
unable to achieve some beneficial
Then,
task,
"The next time you
assume that
it
feel
can be done.
act out that assumption."
"I see.
Get
into action with
an affirmative assumption.
Herbert's success-story, told to to hear:
me
a
few days
later,
was
I'll
do
it."
a pleasure
22 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC "For a long time
arrangement of the
chairs the entire staff
wanted
efficiently. I
man I
around, so
just
He
would be more comfortable and work more
to suggest
kept
to the boss,
it
to myself.
it
But
last
but I'm not the boldest
Wednesday,
after our talk,
walked on over and showed him how everyone would
was so delighted he ordered the rearrangements made
Maybe it
I
in my mind concerning the By switching certain desks and
had an idea
I'd
office furniture.
that wasn't
at once.
an earth-shaking achievement, Mr. Howard, but
did prove that enterprising thoughts can change things.
go on
benefit.
to greater successes.
You
I
expect to
are right— a man's thoughts can change
his life."
Dr. Joost A.
M. Meerloo
growth of personal outlook ings in psychology
The your
and
is
is
".
adds his agreement:
agreed on by
all
.
.
one of the most important
change and
scientific find-
psychologists."
2
simple truth that your daily thoughts can richly change
life is
your fourth great secret of mental magic,
5.
Thoughts can command
circumstances Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and philosopher, made the statement, "The happiness of your life depends upon your thoughts."
And At
so does everything else. Including your circumstances. this
first,
is
difficult for
some people
to grasp.
We
tend to
think of conditions as just happening, when, in reality, they are
we will honestly face the fact that we create our circumwe are well on our way toward causing the kind of conditions
caused. If stances,
we
want.
Just as a controlled ship is master of the waves and winds, so can you control your surrounding conditions. Even though the world often seems harsh and unfair, you need not be affected or hurt at all. You
can be
You can
free.
2 Reprinted
of the
Mind by
sleep peacefully.
You need
not be irritated by
by permission of The World Publishing Company from The Rape Joost
A M.
Meerloo.
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 23 unpleasant people or thrown off balance by unexpected events.
need not unwillingly do things you
want
really don't
You You are
to do.
not required to live in conflict or in frustration.
Does that sound
which
like a lovely ideal that's
we
impossible to attain? If
is
Any man who
thinks so must
mind
a negatively conditioned
man may
Happily, what a in this case
it
think
encouraging to hear but
so, that is
remember
our
that he
is
first
mistake.
thinking with
that can only think in that manner.
mistakenly think
is so,
may
not he
just isn't so!
That triumphant thinker Ralph Waldo Emerson makes "Victory over things nature.
He
The all
is
problems or
office,
the office of
is
you are capable
that
irritations that
while driving your
you
is
a
it
clear:
new power
in
upon nothing
are your very
own
fifth great secret of
6.
car,
of floating freely over
anywhere
And
part of your day.
anywhere— in the home, at all.
How
at the
this pos-
is
are your contentment; because your happi-
ness depends
ability of
may now form
this free-floating
sible? Because, really,
The
man. Each man
holds the keys of the world in his hands."
truth, then,
you can experience busy
And
so.
outside yourself.
Wherever you
you
go,
peace.
your thoughts to
command
circumstances
is
your
mental magic.
Your mental powers
are limitless
When
an Egyptian shepherd boy was given charge of a
sheep he was
gency only.
told,
Its
"The pool on
water
is
the other side of the hill
limited, so don't use
it
is
flock of
for emer-
unless other sources
dry up."
An
extreme hot
his flock to the pool.
spell
brought on the emergency, so the boy led
Although the sheep drank from the pool
long, the water maintained
the strange situation and
its
original level.
made
all
day
The shepherd investigated The pool was fed
a curious discovery:
by an underground stream. As the water was removed from the top of the pool, the
underground pressure was activated into streaming
24 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
upward. In other words, the pool had a constant and
limitless source
of supply.
A man's mental
powers are
"Then why," comes
like
that— limitless.
the logical question, "do the majority of
men and women lead such limited lives?" The answer can also be found in the story of the pool The majority of men and women never really investigate their potentialities. They wrongly assume that what they now see is all that they will ever :
They think that what they presently do is all that they can ever do. They falsely believe that tomorrow must be as unsuccessful as today.
see.
So they sadly accept tation,
his
he
will not
self -limitation.
be motivated
And
we need
man
long as a
accepts limi-
to discover the great potentialities that
mind actually possesses. That shepherd boy discovered
an emergency. But
as
great natural resources because of
not wait for an emergency before locating
our great reserves of inner abundance. Because they are within now,
we can have them now. And one cies is
from arising
none more remarkable than
in the
who
first
benefit
is
that they prevent emergen-
at all. Incidentally, of all the riches of
place.
The
its
self-aware
ability to
keep a
man
SOMM
there
out of trouble
man, the mental magician, the man
understands his mind, not only knows what to do for his
but he knows what not to do. Such a
benefit,
vicious circle of
What we
one
need
man
is
free
own
from the
difficulty after another. is
self-knowledge.
That
is
the secret of limitless
self-power.
An tain,
anxious passenger on a Mississippi riverboat asked the cap-
"Are you sure you know where
"No," the captain replied, "but
You and counter as we
we can
totally
I
all
I
the rocks are?"
know where
the channel
is."
need never be anxious about any hazards we may en-
sail
along.
Once we know our own channels
of strength
unconcern ourselves with hazards. They no longer have
anything to do with us.
Your awareness secret of
of your limitless thought-power
mental magic.
is
your sixth basic
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 25
YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR
7.
THOUGHTS Let's try
an interesting experiment. Start by reading the follow-
ing three thoughts: 1.
2.
"The supply
what
of
I
want
is
always equal to
my
need."
"Every individual possesses magical powers, ready for
re-
lease into his service." 3.
"Results surpassing
all
expectations can be achieved by me."
Here you have three power-packed thoughts
that can inspire your
thinking and guide your action. Furthermore, they are thoughts you
can run through your mind any time you choose can stop you from thinking them whenever you
"Man may have
losopher John Locke states,
mind." All a
might
up
man
needs to do
select a certain
is
to
like.
full
do
so.
Nothing
As English
power over
his
phi-
own
choose to have that power, just as you
key on a cash
register.
In either case you ring
value!
Experiment throughout your day. Memorize the thought you like best
as
among
the preceding three. Choose to let
you go about your I
want
to give
activities. It will refresh
you an
it
inspire your
you.
interesting mental exercise. It will
you that you actually have the power
mind
to spell
remind
out the successes you
want: Consider yourself surrounded by an unlimited supply of wooden alphabet blocks. Next, think of something that you desire, perhaps
more
maybe
self-confidence,
a feeling of security, or whatever. Picture
yourself reaching out for whatever blocks that desire. Block
ply going ahead
from which
to
by block you construct
and
spelling
it
out, for
it.
you need
for spelling out
It is really
a matter of sim-
you have an unlimited supply
draw.
Your mind
is
like that. It contains every
spelling out whatever
you
really need.
Work
element you need for
with
this idea.
More and
more you will increase your ability to select only those thoughts that do you good, that
spell out
your needs.
26 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Your
ability to
choose constructive thoughts
is
your seventh secret
of mental magic.
YOU HAVE DEFINITE
8.
GUIDANCES Some friends called on me the other night, arriving about an hour They explained, "We took the wrong turn at an intersection. When we got back to that corner we saw a sign we should have late.
noticed in the
first
place."
They fail to take time to notice the guiding signs along the way. They drive on, bewildered, getting nowhere and getting worried. They never stop Lots of people are like that in their daily journeys.
to realize that there are definite
guiding signs that could direct them
to their desired destinations.
Stop, look
and
listen
is
not only a fine highway practice but good
when driving toward any life-goal. You already possess the capacity for
conduct
principles.
Your mind
As the author
is
of Every
discovering these guiding
perfectly capable of finding
Man
what
it
looks for.
a King points out:
There can be no more important study, no higher duty owed to ourselves trol,
self
and those about
which
intangible,
is
there
is
us,
than
this
results in self-development.
and most
of thought-control, of self-con-
Perhaps because thought
of us really have so
little
an impression that direction of mind action
is
in
it-
control over
it,
a
difficult
and
abstruse affair, something that requires hard study, leisure, and book
knowledge son
.
.
.
to accomplish. Nothing
has within himself
remake his body and his life. 3
needful, to his
all
is
that
further from the truth. Every peris
needful,
and has all the time and practically
intellectual nature, his character,
You have already absorbed some of these self-enriching guidand many more will present themselves as you read on through. They will, when you permit them to work freely within you, change ances,
everything. For one thing, you will be free from tiring responsibility, as
we 3
will see in
Chapter IV.
Orison Swett Marden, Every
Company).
Man
a
King
(New
York:
Thomas
Y. Crowell
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 27
The
observance of definite and all-powerfid guidances
your
is
eighth secret of mental magic.
9.
The secret of mental
LIBERTY At one time the of
town
it
of
was perched three thousand
a gigantic rock
Thormery, in France. For years the
breaking loose from
its
feet above
villagers lived in
flimsy base to thunder
down upon
dread their
homes. The Frenchmen finally got tired of living under its threat. They made up their minds to remove the cause of their anxiety. They took charges of dynamite, climbed up to the massive stone, and blew it to bits. They lived in complete peace from that day on.
So can
it
who
be with anyone
wishes to be free of any kind of
mental negativity. All our fears and anxieties have a misunderstanding. tricks
Once we have
our minds play on us
we
common base—
the courage to revolt against the
can be sure that any confusions are
way out. When we make up our minds to act, things start to happen. may have to blow up a few things— such as our false beliefs— but on
is
their
just the blast that
W.
Virginia
removes the
commented,
threat!
"If I
could only be hopeful about un-
covering the secrets of mental magic.
I
want
to clear
need some encouragement. Can you supply some something
to
keep
"Think back, happiest of
member
all, I
me
my
sort of
mind, but
I
an inspiration,
going ahead?"
Virginia, to those days
when you were
mean, before the heaviness
that sense of
We that
set into
the very
your mind. Re-
freedom you had?"
She smiled and sighed, "Those were the days." "Like to
know something?"
"What?" "You can have them
again.
You can do more than
that.
You can
exceed those joys far beyond anything you can imagine." Virginia nodded. "That that I can regain those
keep
me
is
encouraging. All right.
sunny hours.
eagerly searching."
It's
I'll
remember
the kind of hope that will
28 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
From like
was
that day forward Virginia
someone who has found a great
what
actually
a
changed woman. She was
And
secret.
that, of course,
was
had happened.
Your freedom from mental negativity
your ninth great secret
is
of mental magic.
Mental magic
10.
One
exciting!
is
evening a Frenchman named Jean-Eugene Robert was
stroll-
ing along the banks of the river Loire, in Orleans. Questions about his future popped into his mind.
How
make
could he
something
What
career should he plan for himself?
Where
the most of his talents?
to get excited
could he find
about?
His thoughts were interrupted by sight of a crowd which had gathered around a wandering magician stand. Jean-Eugene table
walked on over
who had
set
up
watch.
On
the magician's
to idly
were several shiny cups and three small
balls.
a sidewalk
Like a wizard from
a fairy tale the
magician made the balls appear and vanish from one
cup
Almost
to another.
and disappeared
were
as if they
alive, the balls flashed
there.
As the performance ended, the magician
As he explored
the pages,
sensed that he had at
He
for
was
all it
home to read it. his mind tingled with
found something
exhilaration.
to get excited about.
He
This
him! right.
plunged into the
was
last
offered a book for sale
amazing magic. Jean-Eugene
that promised to reveal the secrets of this
eagerly bought one and rushed
magic was
up here
It
was the
great turning point of his
magic with
secrets of stage
total
life.
He
enthusiasm. That
took. As Robert-Houdin, he became one of the great stage
magicians of
all
out Europe.
He
time.
Thousands
flocked to his performances through-
performed before kings and queens, and amassed a
fortune. All because he found something to get excited about. You, too,
have something
You can have backwash of anxiety
to get excited about:
a
way
The
secrets of
of life that stays exciting.
or depression.
Most
people,
over something, feel vaguely disturbed about
It
mental magic! will
have no
when they get excited They feel that their
it.
TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC / 29 by a swing
elation will be followed
And
it
Why?
usually happens.
to the other extreme, to depression.
Because their elation
based on some
is
passing sensation, such as a raise in pay or in receiving a compliment.
Such
exterior excitements always
long as a at the
is
if
produce an opposite reaction. As
looks to such outer events for his excitement he will be
mercy of
But that
man
his
own
negative reaction.
you want an inner
state of
excitement that
never followed by depression, then
So get excited over the exciting adventure loftier levels of
secrets of
you could ever
it is
is
permanent,
yours for the taking.
mental magic!
It is
the most
take. It faithfully carries
you
to
luxurious living.
Your excited adventure with the
ideas of this hook
is
your tenth
great secret of mental magic.
Your Ten Great Secrets 1.
You
presently possess
prosperous days. 2.
The mind
4.
to
Make
it
way
these secrets in the
that seems
your personal adventure.
Your mind can perform miracles its
this treasure.
it.
You can proceed with
with
unlock
a fascinating instrument! Get interested in
is
best for you.
Review
the mental wealth you need for
SOMM
Use
learning more about 3.
all
in
of change.
By cooperating
powers you experience profitable transformation,
both within and without. 5.
6.
You can
increasingly
along with
SOMM,
under your
control.
command
circumstances.
outer conditions
7.
8.
You can
select the
interests.
Do
The
No
to
is
all
much
that there
is.
loftier levels.
kind of thoughts that advance your best
so!
secrets of
on them and 9.
come more and more
Don't assume that your present level
Your mental powers can carry you
As you go
mental magic are sure guides. You can rely
rest in
them.
negative condition can imprison the
man who
deter-
30 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
mines
to
fast goal,
10.
break free.
you
The most secrets of
If
you make inner
liberty
your stead-
will find total freedom.
exciting adventure in life
is
mental magic. So get excited!
your search for the
Your Power of
Self-Confidence
one summer evening
a
invited to a party held in a spacious garden.
area
we found
number
of us
were
As we entered the
Our
ourselves in complete darkness.
host guided
us to chairs at the head of the garden, alongside other guests.
For it
few minutes we
a
was
sat there in the darkness,
Then, suddenly, something
A
single light
garden.
wondering what
about.
all
It
went
interesting happened.
on, revealing a small section of a lovely
was followed by another. One by one the
on, each adding a bit
more
to the
garden and
light revealed a long table, spread
its
lights flashed
occupants.
One
with refreshments. Another
caused the appearance of several guests.
One
fascinating feature of those lights supplies a perfect
mental picture for starting on,
it
not only brightened
As each
this chapter:
its
immediate
area,
light flashed
but shed light on
surrounding sections. In other words, each light helped the other to
make
that garden an interesting scene. [3
:
32 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
This
how
is
The understanding many more. Every light
insight into ourselves can grow.
of one particular truth helps us to understand aids the others.
For instance,
you grow more confident
as
handling
in
when
people in your business world, you increase your self-assurance dealing with the opposite sex.
Let
be your
this truth
power
first
for constructing greater self-
trust.
Your mind
free
is
Gaining self-confidence
take any one of the dozens of
ward. In
The In of fear
chapter
this first
and
moving
and unblocked
(We
timidity.
and
steps
many
will take
dynamic truth we must
natural
its
we
on an
like stepping
is
is
you up-
it
this
your mind
those self-protective feelings
we have when is
mind
free,
is
amazingly free
crossing a busy street.)
but negative experiences of the
past have so covered this original state that it
carry
let
are speaking of psychological fears, not
To
repeat, the natural
you can
of these uplifting steps.
realize
state,
escalator:
should. In other words, self-doubt
is
it
cannot express
itself as
an acquired condition.
And
anything acquired can be dropped! In
my
classes
their very eyes, class
we have an members
a "building" process at
all;
experiment that proves
this.
see that confidence-building
we
Before
not really
is
merely use that word as a convenient
description.
So,
if
you don't "build" self-confidence, what do you do?
You uncover
it
by removing the negative conditioning.
Suppose you have before you a plate covered with get at that plate
you must do
is
Not in covering napkin— and
you don't have remove the
ready for your service.
It
to "build"
was always
it.
That classroom experiment goes and give
a short talk.
like
They can choose any
are entirely familiar.
shake their heads.
is
the plate,
there. this:
members whether they have enough confidence which they
there
To What
a napkin.
the slightest.
Many
I
ask various class
to stand
up
topic they like,
of the
members
right
now
one with smile and
YOUR POWER OF SELF-CONFIDENCE
/ 33
The king's crown then ask everyone
I
to
make
the following experiment the very
how easily you speak up whenever you are chatting You have no trouble at all in finding things to say. There
next day: "Notice
with friends. isn't
the slightest strain or nervousness. Your words flow out freely
and abundandy."
members come back with some interesting reports. One man's comment was typical: "I see the point of the experiment. It Class
proves that spontaneous confidence
blocked by various inhibitions. cause
I
feared
there
all
the time;
is
really here, I
Now
that I see
can correct things in the right way,
that
is,
by removing those mental blocks."
If
you
that
you are now
like, try that
helpful experiment for yourself. Let
know
a confident person, but just don't
years ago there was a violent rainstorm in Spain.
in Spanish earth for
1200
prove apply-
know It
it.
uncov-
That valuable
ered the crown of King Swinthila, ruler of the Visigoths.
crown had been hidden
it
By
it!
ing the secrets of mental magic of this chapter you can soon
Some
merely
it's
couldn't give that talk in class be-
I
wouldn't make a good impression.
I
that confidence
is
years.
Let that anecdote remind you that your crown of self-confidence is
ready for your discovery.
Next,
let's
see
rich find. In the
what good things come
to the
man who makes
words of Dr. Erich Fromm:
The search
for reality
and the uncovering
produces insight and knowledge,
it
of illusions not only
changes man
in
eyes are opened, he awakens, he sees the world as spondingly, he learns affective
powers
in
have been opened
how
order to is
a
it
the process. His it
is
and, corre-
and develop his own intellectual and cope with reality. Only the one whose eyes
to use
realist.
1
The reality of your life is that you totally new kind of self-assurance. This believe
are capable of living with a is
true of you,
whether you
or not. Disbelief in a fact doesn't destroy a fact, but
©
this
it
does
1 Copyright 1962 by Pocket Books, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Pocket Books, Inc', from Beyond the Chains of Illusion by Erich Fromm; the Credo Series,
Trident Press.
34 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
prevent a
practical operation. To find this
its
program that
sum
So, to
you, so
is
will rid our
minds
reality,
we must begin
up, just as your hands and arms are a natural part of
your personal strength. Most people unknowingly cover
up, to one degree or another, but
Like that king's crown,
HOW
can never he yermaneyitly
it
always there.
it is
any time you choose. Choose
to
You can
start
it
lost.
uncovering
it
do so now!
TO BANISH SELF-DOUBT
Exactly what
we can
new
of non-realistic notions.
self-doubt? Well, obviously
is
touch or taste or hear.
It is clearly a
it's
not something
mental attitude.
It is a
way
of thinking.
"How,"
the question then comes up, "do you banish this hurtful
kind of thinking? stir
up good Let's
How
we
can
mental motions that
release, instead,
feelings?"
answer with the adventure of Leonard
E.,
an attorney.
He
called to say: "I certainly agree that
it
believing in his it
comes
as I
my
to
own
takes self-affirmation to
how
success. I've seen for myself
worth. But
private
man wins
a
somehow
I
win business
financial prosperity
can't
by
win the game when
I'm not nearly as confident on the inside
life.
appear to be in public.
I
know
ward myself, but the big question
I
must have
is,
how can
positive attitudes toI
achieve that happy
state?"
by seeing that any
"First,
direct effort to
become
self-confident
won't work." "Yes,
how
well
I
know.
"Because you are trying
Why
does
to force
it
fail?"
your mind
Any
which
it
cannot presently accept as
strong
is
merely a reaction from the opposite
4
So what do
I
true.
to accept
something
deliberate attempt to be state of no-strength."
do?"
A DEFINITION OF COURAGE "Do something you that
you are
of courage.
scared. Don't
haven't dared to do before. Face the fact
run away from your fear through pretense
Be scared— and study
it.
Don't attempt
to
evade the fact
cora
of fear. Don't try to ::
re 15 sc.i:tz is
::.
:z
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We
r.ive
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When we
e£:rW
v.
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36 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
and receptive mind, one It
that has
abandoned
only way. In
we go
easy
struggle.
way
in detail,
the
is
when
into the tremendous secret of non-resistance.
Let's see
your creative
One day to the Detroit sat
and
all strain
man who has learned at last that the Chapter II we will be covering this idea
appears to the
down
how
a relaxed
mind
supplies an easy confidence in
abilities.
man named
1918 a
in
suburbs to
at Egan's
Richard Whiting traveled out
married friend, Ray Egan. Whiting
visit a
He
piano to casually play around with the keys.
didn't try to force anything;
he just rambled around
what
to see
tunes would arise from the piano.
Egan,
who was walking
past,
suddenly stopped.
ing to repeat a certain passage, and vary
Working
together, the
two men soon had
gave the finished song the
changed
later
as
German
an English
to
title
title
a bit.
it
a
asked Whitso.
charming melody. They
Auf Wiedersehen.
of
meaning
He
Whiting did
just
It
was
about the same thing
Auf Wiedersehen. Because of their relaxed receptivity, one of the most enduring
of all popular songs
came
sold millions of copies times.
to
Richard Whiting and Ray Egan.
and has been
You probably have hummed
a hit
or
It
has
around the world several
sung the lovely Till
We
Meet
Again. So,
if
an affirmative attitude toward ourselves and toward our
inner creative powers cannot be forced, then find out
by going
how
does
it
arrive? Let's
into:
Your four secret words Modern psychology
has shed additional light on a secret of
mental magic that was known by the ancients. every
man and woman
self-image
means
that
The
secret
is
that
has a self-image. Defined in simple terms,
you see yourself
as
being a certain kind of
person. If you see yourself as being confident, then you also act confidently, for all exterior actions are identical in nature to the thoughts
that cause them.
On
the other hand,
then your actions must obey the
if
you see yourself
command
as frightened.
of that negative
sell
image.
YOUR POWER OF SELF-CONFIDENCE
commented Norman
"So,"
image of mine from timid
"You can do
I
Where's the
pushed paper and pencil
I
to alter that self-
is
do
it?"
starting line?"
across the desk to him. "Please write
you."
I tell
As he took the
pencil
instructed, "Please write in bold letters
I
the following four magic words
Norman he asked,
Can
it."
"I'd like to get going.
what
A., "the trick
to confident.
/ 37
"It's
need not obey"
1
:
spoke aloud as he wrote, "I need not obey." Looking up
meaning
what?"
is
"Those are your four magic words. Whenever you treating
from a situation that
self for a it's
moment. Notice
telling
calls for
courage, stop and catch your-
that your self-image
you that you are
feel like re-
whispering
is
scared. Don't accept
it.
Remind
to you;
yourself
—calmly and firmly— that you need not obey that suggestion of timidity." "I like the plan."
Norman's story "You
see,
Norman, you
Without
negativity.
yourself so long
and
yourself have
realizing
so often that
it's
magic words are your counter-attack the process. I
You
really don't.
become
often.
You
fidence,
You
to
Your four
You
when you
just think so.
state of
Use
state
That thinking
the four magic words
calm confidence. Use them
needn't struggle to convince yourself of this existing con-
any more than
it's
a strain to see that today
don't have to try to believe a truth;
that your self-confidence
know how you come About ten days
is
More than
true.
is
Wednesday.
you need only accept
Experiment with
all
this.
it.
Let
See
me
out." later
he
"I'm single, you know.
them.
a fixed habit.
of
it
to crack that habit. It reverses
has deceived and cheated you long enough.
your natural and rightful
self-image
this
are telling yourself the exact truth
need not obey. You
to claim
built
of course. You've suggested
it,
they know.
let
me know.
Like
this:
I
like girls all right,
I
think about
but I'm scared of
girls a lot,
but what good
38 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
is
that? I'd like to find a nice
know
girl,
knows
And
it.
but
never works out.
it
When
something, Mr. Howard?
Do
you
you're scared of a girl she
much any more. She's man who makes
then she doesn't like you as
appointed that you're not a strong and confident
her
Well, anyway, the other night something happened that
feel secure.
changed a
dis-
lot of things.
Like to hear?"
"Like to hear."
Success! "Well, there's
me.
nice. Sort of bashful, like
Most
day. I
of the time
have
I
to
she'll
we
hint
to take the initiative,
drop in her
me
with
Know why
submit told
the other day.
company
me,
"It
sounds
ing she wanted
So
to ask
see that
it
But
I
to ask
was
timidity.
up
Anyway,
to
me
I
had
her to have lunch
afraid,
mostly afraid
Then I reYou know something? It
simply occurred to
me
that
I
need not
We had lunch together.
I
have the
feel-
long ago.
You know, Mr. Howard,
know
cracked that timid self-image a
I've
has only the authority over
me
that
I
that's
unknowingly
need not obey."
give
it.
you
find yourself reacting
I
wanted
it's
hope that
asked her. Just like that. She smiled and
like fun."
me
just a small victory, but I bit. I
I
know
I
standing there embarrassed.
strain at all. It
to that feeling.
I
cafeteria.
me
I
don't have the nerve.
need not obey that
I
No
I just
kid? Because
I
kid because
I
should go out together.
but
no and leave
she'd say
membered. worked.
office
in the
the hall. She's very
go in there once or twice a
kid with her.
I just
don't have the courage to seriously ask.
some time
to
down
this girl in the office
This
SOMM
is
highly practical for you,
too.
Use
it
wherever
more shyly than you want. As you hear
the negative whispering, quietly remind yourself, "I need not obey." Start like this: In the spaces below,
you want your
to act
goals.
you can in your 1.
three situations
where
with more daring. This will keep you reminded of
Now,
easily, casually,
list
apply the ideas you have just covered. Use them
without rush or daily affairs.
strain.
Just apply
them wherever
YOUR POWER OF SELF-CONFIDENCE / 39 2. 3.
A
surprisingly delightful thing will
command
cover that you have
HOW
happen
of yourself after
are
is
thoughts,
TO ACHIEVE MORE
The
the result of it is
made up
what we have thought; of our thoughts."
in
life.
"All that
founded on our
it is
(Buddha)
quality of your ideas determines the quality of the actions
you take toward your
desires.
The
average person heads for his goal
with a blend of both affirmative and negative tive his thinking, the greater his
which negative
The
will dis-
all!
Your thoughts determine the place you occupy
we
You
to you.
ideas.
The more
affirma-
degree of success. But the extent to
factors control his
mind, the
lesser his
achievement.
process can be likened to baking a tasty chocolate cake. If
the baker uses the ingredients as listed by the tested recipe, he cannot fail to
them
come up with out, or
if
a tasty chocolate cake.
he adds untasty ones,
But
if
he leaves some of
his cake will
be
less
than
it
could have been. All the ingredients for living confidently are known.
We we
book
can load our table of
We
like.
we Try
call those recipes
this
life
with
as
many
delicious recipes as
need only discover and follow the tested
recipes. In this
the secrets of mental magic.
good recipe for discovering your confident
Select a goal
which you
present capacities. Tackle
it
feel to
be just
slightly
enthusiastically, as best
self:
beyond your
you can. You
will
achieve some degrees of success. That success expands both your abilities
slightly
and your confidence in yourself beyond
to
succeed with the next
goal.
In other words, dare to put yourself to the observable characteristic of successful people.
test.
They
This
is
an
easily
are forever act-
ing beyond themselves. Their mental attitude might be expressed,
"To achieve more than I think I can, I do more than I think I can." Such people find a constant stream of good things coming their way: It came to J. L. Kraft, founder of Kraft Foods, like this:
40 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
The confidence of United States
Officials of the
find a cheese with certain qualities.
freshness
and
that the Kraft invitation
j. l.
kraft
Army and Navy were eager The cheese had to preserve
flavor over long voyages to foreign shores.
company was putting up some
was extended
to
Mr. Kraft
cheese to headquarters for appraisal.
of
its
tins.
They heard
cheese in
tins.
An
bring a five-pound tin of
to
Upon
arriving
he was
the Department of Agriculture was also working on a
preserving cheese in
to its
told that
method
for
Kraft boldly suggested that his cheese and
the rival one be tested alongside each other. So both tins were placed
on an
office radiator for
When of victory.
two weeks.
Kraft returned two weeks later he saw splattered evidence
The
cheese had blown
rival
its
top over the heat. But the
Kraft tin was in perfect shape.
"You win!" an
official
going to clean up the
The
declared, then sadly added, "But who's
office?"
daring confidence of
J.
L. Kraft in both himself and his
product led to government orders for millions of pounds of cheese.
You can your personal
challenge yourself in both your business affairs and in life
with good
results.
Writes Professor James C. Cole-
man: Our human nature seems to be such that we actually function more smoothly and more happily when we are active, questing, challenging, stimulated. When we go out of our way to expand our interests and our knowledge, we gain a sense of satisfaction; when we narrow our interests and cease to grow, we feel dissatisfied. We are bored with a vegetative existence that
offers
no challenge. 2
Success often arrives at an unexpected hour to the person challenges
life,
realize that
who
persistently maintains his self- value.
from 1776
to
1781 George Washington never
major military victory over the the British out of Boston.
Few
From
British. In
that date
on
March it
was
who
people
won
a
of 1776 he drove
a matter of strategy,
2 Reprinted from Personality Dynamics and Effective Behavior by James A. Coleman, copyright 1960 by Scott, Foresman and Company, Chicago.
©
YOUR POWER OF SELF-CONFIDENCE of watching, of being an inspiration to his
/ 41
men. In an unexpected
Yorktown, in October of 1781, General Cornwallis sur-
place, at
rendered his army to the Americans. General Washington
won
out
because, in spite of apparent failure, he maintained his value as a
commander.
The single greatest thought! During the to the
early days of
mainmast of
sight a whale.
whaling ships a golden coin was fastened
Would you
was the reward
a vessel. It
What confidence know
like to
it
gave
to a
for the
first
man
to
man's sharp eyesight!
the greatest single thought for inspiring
your confidence? It is
the thought that your actions will be richly rewarded.
With
that excitement over forthcoming benefits, nothing can
stop you.
Without
that thought, your actions will be half-hearted
and
your results will be few.
We like
Nature made us reward-minded people.
happy endings. And we can have what we But here secrets of
their
failed
and they never
them.
Any
that
By working with
the
know for sure that those rich results way toward you. The Principles of Life have never
mental magic you can
winging
are
and
like.
the exciting point to grasp:
is
rich results
will fail
anyone
who
lives in
success that you have achieved thus far
you have wisely
allied yourself
is
harmony with clear evidence
with these natural principles.
And
you can prove your increased wisdom by relying on them more and more. All this
is
not something mystical or impractical.
workable in everyday to
affairs. I
have seen
help their children; I've watched
crease for businessmen. Like
one
who
it
it
guide parents
work miracles
It
is
richly
who wanted
of financial in-
sunshine, life-principles brighten every-
steps outdoors.
"Nature cannot miss." (John Dryden)
"Come
forth into the light of things; let nature be your teacher."
(William Wordsworth)
42 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Exciting ideas You can always order of things. class
harmony by working with the
find inner
A very
natural
wise high school teacher illustrated this to her
with the following experiment, which you will find fascinating
to try for yourself:
Take
a length of string about a yard long.
teaspoon. Tie the teaspoon by in your ears
handle.
its
and swing the spoon so
that
At
its
center, tie a
Hold the ends
of the string
it
strikes a solid object, per-
haps the back of a chair. You will hear surprising deep, rich and
bell-
like chimes.
Any
of us can find the harmonies
we need— including
self-confi-
dence—by discovering our natural powers.
One man came
to ask several questions
SOMM.
His special goal was
strength.
As we
to build a greater reserve of inner
finished our discussion
review everything we've talked about? I
can keep in mind
as I
about his studies of
go through
my
he asked, "Will you please
I'd like a brief
summary
that
day."
"Everything can be summarized in two exciting ideas."
"What
is
the
"There
is
a
"And
first?"
way
out."
the second?"
"You can
find
it."
Your natural confidence Someone once asked me, "When we speak what do we mean? but what
is
I
actually
That was
hope
this doesn't
meant by the term
sound
of self-assurance,
like a stupid question,
self-confidence?"
really a very intelligent question. It revealed honest
inquiry on the part of that person.
The answer is
this:
the natural principles
Genuine
self-confidence
we have been
is
talking about.
your reliance upon
You can
call
them
whatever you like— Divine Doctrines, Natural Laws, Universal Principles,
Cosmic Forces— but we
are talking about the
same
thing.
You
YOUR POWER OF SELF-CONFIDENCE don't
and you
can't create these principles, but
/ 43
you can certainly de-
pend upon them. But before your reliance must come your awareness. You must see that they exist
As we saw
and
your
exist for
service.
in early pages of this chapter, personal strength
natural possession of your mind. Like
all
natural strengths,
is
a
awaits
it
your discovery. Wrote Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Alexis Carrel: "Nat-
from man-made ones. They are discovered,
ural laws differ profoundly
not invented. Like the spring at the bottom of the well, they exist 3
before they are discovered."
Why
are
you confident when you
slide into
your automobile?
You know
Because you quietly depend upon mechanical principles. that your alliance with
them
will serve
you with the transportation
you want. Such confidence cannot be shattered by anything. Even
someone were
you that the car won't function, you
to scornfully tell
know better. You know very well that mony with that automobile you will be
as long as
you work in har-
carried forward.
Likewise can you confidently permit the principles of carry
you toward your
The
story goes about the
attract a
me two
"Better give
young lady who went shopping
We
doesn't
mind
handsome
need only
we
if
told her that a certain
bottles," the
him by next week-end." That at least reminds us our actions.
millionaire within
young miss eagerly
fail.
in
want
of the simple confidence that can govern
let
And
your personal
of
two weeks.
replied, "I
them prove themselves
to us.
Nature test.
neither can you. Luther Burbank, for life.
You
free of timidity.
Our
one, proved himself with his bold experiments with plant it
to
at the
new brand
challenge her. She invites us to put her to the
She knows she cannot can prove
life
goals.
perfume counter. The saleslady perfume would
if
life.
Power-Points for Self-Confidence 1.
In
its
goal 3
natural state the
is
human mind
is
to recover this original state of
Alexis Carrel, Refections on Life
(New
mind.
York: Hawthorn Books, Inc., 1952).
44 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
2.
You
are perfectly capable of living with an entirely
new
kind of self-assurance. 3.
Your natural strengths can regain them with
4.
Review the
are never permanently
lost.
You
SOMM.
story in this chapter about Leonard. It contains
vital truths. 5.
You need never obey
fearful suggestions
from your mind.
Quietly refuse them. 6. All
the ingredients for living a fully confident
known. Make them your personal 7.
10.
will soon see that
you actually can!
Success often comes at unexpected times and from unseen
man who maintains his self-value. Remember your forthcoming rewards. Let them inspire you. Learn about and trust the natural laws of life. They never fail the man who harmonizes with them. sources to the
9.
are
Constantly challenge yourself to do more than you think
you can. You 8.
life
aids.
Freedom from Tiring Responsibility
after a lecture entitled Eleven Magic Words,
a couple wrote
me
a nice note
which
read:
Dear Mr. Howard:
Thank you Words.
so
much
for
those inspiring Eleven
We cannot begin to tell you how much
entire family.
They
they
mean
Magic to the
are like a golden light tliat cleared the fog
from our minds. You have no idea of how they relieved us from the burden of false responsibility. Everything has lightened in
way we never thought possible. If you have we would like to purchase several hundred
a
friends
and business
same sense
With
associates.
of lightness that
is
We
now
know
it
copies of that talk to pass
will give
around
to
them the
ours.
deepest gratitude and appreciation.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Later in this chapter
magic words.
I
am
I
want
to
supply you with those eleven
confident that they will be as golden to you, [45]
46 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
too.
But
some
take
let's
first,
first
steps toward your
freedom from
tiring responsibility.
Why you When
should be defiant
Donald K. came
get to the point. Sensing this
Why
on your mind? thing is
is
to get
I
You don't have to problem, whatever it is. The important
out into the open where
it
no such thing
an impossible
as
to
asked, "Is there something in particular
not come right out with
having the
feel apologetic for
he seemed reluctant
to talk things over
we
it?
can work on
it.
There
situation. Let's get rid of the diffi-
culty. All right?"
He
smiled.
for a long time.
another.
"It's It's
I feel like
wonder whether stating
it
good
to
hear you say that. I've kept
this business of
a
all
man
feel that
one wearisome responsibility
that weight really belongs there.
something
is
know what
causes
Is
it.
after
I
may
I
not be
mean?"
you don't know what
it
You is
or
that right?"
"That's just about
"Would you "Who?"
I
taking unfair advantage of you.
stagger under that constant load, but
who
botded up
who's forced to carry a load on his back.
very clearly, but do you
"You
it
it."
know who's
like to
causing
it?"
"You." "Really?" "Really."
"How am
I
burdening myself?"
"Nine-tenths of the weights you carry don't belong to you at
But you don't see it— yet. Through accompanied by pangs of
all.
a mistaken sense of duty, usually
you constantly do things you
false guilt,
des-
The truth is, you don't have to They are mental in origin, but you
perately wish you didn't have to do.
You know it— yet. There
only think you do.
do them. don't
up your
thinking.
I'll
are secrets of mental
show you how
will find yourself delightfully free
"Give
me
a single
good
to use
from
secret."
magic that
will clear
them. Then, Donald, you
all
those mystifying loads."
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIRILITY / 47 "Cheerfully defy to you.
It's
all
duties that
you honestly
feel don't
belong
your life— remember?"
Donald
felt
ing and purpose.
much
He
better after that.
His days took on new mean-
learned to separate genuine duties from false
which
ones, a liberating action
your next step toward personal
is
freedom.
What your
responsibilities
ARE NOT
A man
in Arizona once
directions for finding a chest of gold coins.
because
man
it
also included
some
map which gave The map was puzzling
found a faded treasure
and misleading
false
directions.
But the
took time to separate the true from the false— and found his gold. If
we want
to discover
our personal treasures,
we can
separating our genuine responsibilities from those that only
belong to us. It is
never your duty
1.
Give what you
2. Sacrifice 3.
Do more
to:
really don't
want
to give.
your integrity to anyone. than you have time to do.
4.
Drain your strength for
5.
Listen to unwise counsel.
6.
Act above your present capacity.
7.
Retain an unfair relationship.
8.
Be anyone hut
9.
Conform
to
exactly
others.
who you
are.
unreasonable demands.
10.
Be one-hundred percent
11.
Follow the crowd.
12.
Put up with unpleasant
perfect.
situations.
13.
Try
14.
Bear the hurden of another's misbehavior.
15.
Do
16.
Endure your own negative thoughts.
to please
unpleasant people.
something you cannot
17. Feel guilty
really do.
toward your inner
desires.
18. Submit to overhearing conditions.
start
by
seem
to
48 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
19.
Apologize for being yourself.
20.
Meekly
let life
you
pass
HOW BETTY MADE One
PROGRESS
of the most hoaxing of
in Point 8.
Whatever other
by.
all false responsibilities is
secrets of
indicated
mental magic you apply
to
your
be sure to remember that you need never be anyone but exactly
life,
who you
This
are.
a truth that sets
is
you
H. happily
free, as Betty
discovered.
made herself comfortable, "to mean the truth, not just some pleas-
"I'd like/' she explained as she
discover the truth about things.
I
ant-sounding philosophy that doesn't really work.
from astrology
Zen. So, please, could
to
we
I've tried
think
everything
through?
it
Where
do we find the truth?" "Inside your
had
it
Betty, fight
own mind. The
you know the truth
it,
but
is within. You Deep down inside your mind, about yourself. You may resist it, you may
you can never
at birth,
still
you know
truth about yourself
lose
it.
it."
"What do you mean?" "You really know what is
best for yourself, but nonsensical ideas
about your duties toward others have suppressed
you know very well— that there
you
really feel
You know— and between the way
it.
a big difference
is
about things and the
way you pretend
to feel."
She smiled with good humor. "Are you saying I'm I
am.
I
know
artificiality.
it.
That's what
Pretense
is
part of
"Yes, but you've already Betty, inner conflict
yourself
This
is
I
want
my
problem,
made
artificial?
Yes,
to crash through. I'm tired of isn't it?"
progress by realizing
it.
You
see,
caused by the clash between the truth about
and the falsehoods which your mind has innocently absorbed.
conflict
is
at the root of all
human
unhappiness."
The truth that sets you free Betty asked,
mean,
is
and the
"Would
it
be accurate
unhappiness actually the artificial self?"
to state
conflict
it
in another way,
between the genuine
I
self
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIBILITY / 49 pain— anxiety,
"Exactly. All varieties of mental
sion—spring from the difference between your real
despair, depres-
and the
self
self
you think you should be." "What's the way out?"
"Have you should
the courage to be whatever you are, be.
afraid of
What you way and
in the natural
someone
think you should be will take care of
in
its
own good
in your family or
time. For instance,
why you
feel that
away
"You truth
is it,
way. Once you grasp what that fear
it
really
is all
about,
it
the truth that sets us free."
is
much
better already."
are entitled to
it. It's
really the best friend
even
try to destroy
never leaves the mind;
Don't worry, Betty,
if
it
it,
keep
based on honest thinking.
You
you have. You can suppress but
you don't little
it,
always faithful to you.
it's
cant, for
the right track. Just have a "I'll
with,
understand
course."
"I feel
fight
try to
of itself."
"Then "Of
Then
itself
you are
if
maybe someone you work
simply admit to yourself that you are afraid.
falls
and never mind what
it's
the
see,
deny
The
it,
truth
a natural built-in part of you.
fully grasp all this as yet.
patience.
It will
You
are
on
come."
after it."
"Then you
can't fail to be free."
Your only duty You
are never responsible for
any situation where you have
neither the power nor authority to change things. Parents are responsible for their children
because parents do have control in their
homes. (I hear a mother of tornado-like
tots
coming back with, "That's
what you think!") But when the children grow up and nest, parental responsibility goes
ous
fact, yet I find
many
with
it.
own
fly
This may seem
the family
like
an obvi-
parents needlessly burdening themselves long
past natural requirements. Assistance, yes; responsibility, no.
No and any
adult
human
being can take responsibility for another adult,
feelings contrary to that fact are both unrealistic
punishing.
and
self-
:
50 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Whenever you run
into an unchangeable situation
another person, your only task ity
toward
And you
it.
abandon
He
a heavy coat on a hot day.
A man has a conditioned nonsense and hypocrisy
two
You can drop
is
feelings of responsibil-
it
like a
done with
is
Where you can do man who throws off
it.
conscience which
is
made up
of
all
has absorbed from a confused society.
also has a natural conscience
difference in the
all
should do so cheerfully.
owe nothing. You should be
nothing, you
he
to
is
involving
which
is
pure and
free.
To
the
And
see the
the difference between frustration and joy.
half your burdens at this very instant by disbeliev-
ing those fuzzy-minded people
who
they
insist that
know what your
duties are.
A
number
of people have told
received from a paragraph in
The
Way
Miracle
my
it's
New
to a Successful
Take the impossible task of you think
your duty to do
me
of considerable help they
previous book,
Life. It reads
trying to love
so.
The
ACTION POWER:
truth
someone merely because
is,
you are not required
to
love an unlovable person. Your only duty toward an unlovable person is
to face the realities
about
sake but for your own. You
his personality,
and even
that not for his
owe nothing— absolutely nothing— to
the
person whose psychological make-up prevents him from returning your kindness.
No amount
of preaching
change the basic law of
life
by confused moralists can ever
that every adult must earn the right to be
loved. 1
Make
it
a pleasure
Do you know what those that
we
our genuine responsibilities are?
as mature-thinking adults
want
to accept.
They They
are arc
never those imposed upon us by demanding people.
Remember, a worthwhile responsibility in life is never tiring or You want to do it! It's a pleasure. If it's not that, it's not yours
painful. to do.
It is
our responsibility to love, to take delight in our inner powers,
to enjoy the
of friends, to
work
at ridding
Vernon Howard, ACTION POWER: The Miracle (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1963).
1
Life
company
our minds of nega-
Way
to a
Successful
New
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIBILITY / tivities,
to recognize the pleasure in everything pleasurable.
when he
Louis Stevenson was aware of this secret
no duty we so much underrate
No doubt you make
we have had
accurate declaration
Of
course.
But a deeper examination
"To make
is,
I
don't
I
know
"The
usually reply,
greatest gift
others without natural.
—you
first
Not only
self.
to feel useful, to
much
yourself."
be of beneto those
to give."
you could ever give
Any
of
revelation.
something worthwhile
that I have
own happy and mature
your
is
scientifically
happy
others happy, be
to people. I'd like to contribute
around me. But
The
the cart before the horse.
People often remark to me, "I want fit
wrote, "There
duty of being happy."
as the
by modern psychology has come up with a curious
seems that
Robert
have heard many times the advice, "To be happy,
others happy." True.
that idea It
51
you
benefit
to
anyone
try to pass
on
is
to
being personally happy will be strained and un-
that,
but sooner or
later
you
will feel that they are unappreciated.
will resent your efforts
When
you are a spon-
taneously kind individual, your goodness will be a natural offspring of that cheery state.
from your
Genuine goodness cannot be something must be an overflow of
total personality; it
apart
it."
Attend to what you want As both Donald K. and Betty H.
discovered,
it is
the truth about
ourselves that frees us from ourselves.
One
great truth
Nothing can be sonal integrity.
is
this:
right that forces
You have
thing that openly or slyly cuts nity.
Your inner
you
the right— no, the
integrity
away
comes
at the
first,
work
against your per-
duty— to
rebel against any-
to
ground of your human
for without
it
dig-
you cannot be
a
happy and productive person. But we must take care otherwise, our rebellion
is
to see
likely to
really need. Resistance against
selves
is
not healthy rebellion;
the truth before
more rewarding!
we
what our
best-interests really are;
be just the opposite of what
we
any truth we may discover about ourit is
self-harming.
are capable of fighting for
We it.
must recognize
And no
battle
is
MENTAL MAGIC
52 / SECRETS OF
How can you rightfully rebel and replace Like
burdensome sense
of duty,
this:
Turn your that
against a
with joyous action?
it
attention to
same thought
what you
A
way:
in another
really
want from
life.
Let's state
joyous sense of responsibility
toward yourself will free you from mistaken ideas about your duties in
life.
Dr. David Seabury sums up with brilliant clarity: There ests
is
delight
in
doing what one's hopes designate, one's
inter-
impel and lure one to do. Passionate desire helps one to concen-
trate
on what
important to one's personal being, and deliciously to
is
ignore the millions of duties that others would pour upon one's head. 1
'
Learn belong *o
defy cheerfully
to
Like the
to you.
little
all
duties that you honestly feel do not
man you
will
now
read about.
The magic kingdom Once upon
time there was a magic kingdom called Elfonia.
a
Every citizen was an the kingdom.
"Welcome
"My
elf.
One day
a
stranger!
name," he said
street,
someone
called out,
Inquiring Elf."
"is
But where
"Pardon?'' asked Inquiring Elf.
"Maybe you
elf arrived at the gates of
What's your name?"
"Y\ elcome. Inquiring Elf.
is
"Where
your sack of plums?" is
my
what?"
haven't noticed," a citizen explained, "that everyone
in Elfonia carries a sack of live in
new
As he walked down the main
plums over
his shoulder. If
you wish
to
our kingdom you must also carry a heavy sack of plums over
your shoulder." "Well,
if
diat
guess I'd better
is
the custom," Inquiring Elf pleasantly agreed, "I
fall in line."
So Inquiring Elf went sack of plums.
And
to the
Plum Market and
he carried
k
it
around.
the theater, to the book store, even to
bed— he
for the next several days
Wherever he went— to
took on a
carried his heavy sack of
plums over
his shoulder.
2 David Seaburv. The Art of Living Without Tension (New and Row, 1958).
Y
>rk:
Harper
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIBILITY / 53
On
wonder about something.
the sixth day he began to
cam-
heavy sack of plums
a
The neighbor
So. being
"Why
Inquiring Elf. he casually inquired of his neighbor,
must
I
day long?"
all
looked startled
as
he replied,
"I've
never heard that
question before. I'd better ask the mayor."
So the neighbor asked the mayor, '"Why must sack of plums
all
day long?"
The mayor shook have
earn- a heavy
I
head and
his
said.
"I
know.
really don't
I
will
Prime Minister."
to ask the
So the mayor asked the Prime Minister, heavy sack of plums
The Prime
all
"Why
must
I
cam-
a
day long?"
Minister stared into space for awhile, then answered,
"That's a real baffler
We
all right.
had
better see
what the King has
to say."
So the Prime Minister stood before the King I
cam-
ing
a
heavy sack of plums
all
to ask,
"Why
must
day long?"
The King looked shocked as he replied, "That is question. Maybe wed better ask that newcomer
a
most perplex-
to
town
called
Inquiring Elf."
So even-one went a
heavy sack of plums "I've
finally
Inquiring Elf
to all
been thinking about
found the answer.
It's
off
"Freedom
"Now
"Why
must we cam'
that," replied Inquiring Elf.
because
don't have to carry a heavy sack of
"Then
to ask,
day long?"
we
plums
don't
all
know
that
"and
we
I
really
day long."
with the burden!" cried the King. at last!"
echoed the people.
we're getting smart." agreed Inquiring Elf.
Your power of self-interest While
inviting
me
to
speak before her club for the second time
the president requested, "Will
discussed before.
found
I
this a fascniating idea,
Few
you please include an idea
refer to the topic of self-interest.
that
A number
and would appreciate more
things will free you from tiring responsibility
you
of us
details."
more quickly
54 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
than to understand your healthy
powers and
The
So
self-interest.
look into
let's
its
possibilities.
first vital
point to grasp
thing as selfishness. Selfishness
is
is
that self-interest
not the same
is
the result of a man's inability to serve
own best welfare! What, really, is a selfish man? He is simply one who fails to realize that he has vast inner forces ready to supply him his
with whatever he needs for a wealthy this truth
he desperately
fears losing
he could
what
little
clings to
life.
Because he doesn't grasp
whatever he can grab. Because he
he has, he never gains the much greater good
possess.
Your eager
self-interest acts as a searchlight for locating
personal powers. Far from being selfish,
it is
your rich
the very thing that de-
stroys selfishness!
The
person with a healthy sense of what
what we would
call a
mature and
is
right for himself
self-directed personality.
He
dissolved his frantic inner scramblings,
he has poise and
and those who meet him sense
are attracted to his side.
It is
it
and
own
self-assurance,
many
often a false sense of guilt that prevents
cheerfully plunging after their
people from
good.
human
Guilty or not, this emotion swirls around the
system to
cause more damage and distress than one might imagine. This
tremendous subject which with intense ber
interest.
social scientists like
For our purposes here,
is
a
Dr. Freud have studied it is
enough
to
remem-
this:
People feel guilty whenever they standards of conduct. guilt arises act.
is
has
when we
But we should
To
act differently
realize that the
be entirely incorrect,
fail to live
up
to their self-made
say the same thing in another way, false
unrealistic,
from the way we think we should
way we
think
we
should act
and therefore an enemy
may
to healthy
living.
Eleven magic words Take the idea that you should be "good." Now what, in heaven's is meant by that? All we really have is a word, a noble sounding word to be sure, but merely a word that has only the meaning that
name,
:
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIBILITY you give is
it.
Quite obviously
it is
good
to drive
your car
mittee
when you
But
to
"good patience"
to serve. Is
it
No, because you
and
want
not serve
individual?
it
one questions
No, because you
to?
to a false feeling that
are sacrificing
it is
your "duty"
to endlessly give in to a
domineering
away your own
individuality
are giving
name
integrity in the false
and
"good cooperation" to serve on a com-
is it
really don't
your genuine desire
safely,
No
plainly good to brush your teeth in the morning.
that kind of goodness.
/ 55
maybe "good
of "good humility" or
patience."
Abandon
notions that you
all
any way whatsoever.
We
make
Sacrifice
only
sacrifice
is
must
sacrifice yourself to others in life,
never an afhrmation.
we have
nothing worth keep-
a denial of
when we
feel
ing for ourselves.
At
the start of this chapter
way
their lives in a
this miracle for
responsibility in life
first
who
read of the couple
lightened
they never dreamed possible. Here are the eleven
magic words that performed
Your
we
is
them
toward your
own mental
ad-
vancement.
The Law
of Life says
principle of living
Not
just because
you
first
things
first.
will free yourself
Vernon Howard
If
from
you
will
make
this
your
all tiring responsibilities.
says so, but because
it is so.
you
decrees that you should cheerfully serve yourself so that
Nature
will have
something of genuine value for others.
The It is
satisfaction of
creates a satisfied
he
is
is
personality.
a primary
Once
free to go about his daily business
asm and without to give,
your natural needs
happy and generous
a
hampering sense
and because he
law of nature.
a man's inner self
with cheery enthusi-
of guilt. Because
he has something
realizes that his riches are inexhaustible,
he
enriches everyone he meets.
The adventure of ulysses One
of the adventures of Ulysses, the legendary hero of
Greek
mythology, makes a good point for us here. Ulysses and his crew
landed on the shore of a strange and lovely island. While some of the
men were
refilling
water
jars, a
report
came
to Ulysses.
He
was
told
MENTAL MAGIC
56 / SECRETS OF
that the island
who had power
was ruled by Circe, a beautiful and wicked to
men
change
But the
into animals.
sorceress
bad news
really
was that she had already worked her swift wickedness on some
own men who had
carelessly
wandered away from
of his
shore.
Ulysses was angrily marching toward the palace of the wicked princess
when he was
stopped by the god Mercury. "Take
you from
sprig of a plant," said Mercury. "It will protect
this
magic
Circe's evil
enchantment."
As Ulysses stood within the other gullible victim. She gave
palace, Circe
him food and
was sure she had an-
drink, then touched
with her magic wand, calling, "Go! Seek the woods and
fields
him with
your animal companions!"
But the magic twig blocked
knew
it.
She was defeated and
Falling on her knees before Ulysses she agreed to restore his
friends to
human
form.
loyal friend of the
And
Because he
From
that day
on Circe was a
himself possesses a magic twig like that.
own mind he cannot be degraded or who he is— a man free of tyrannical notions
in charge of his
is
harmed. Simply by being
duty— he
she did.
Greek hero.
The man who has found
of
Circe's power.
gives far
more
What this world women who are free from gooders.
to the
world than
the professional do-
all
needs more than anything else
is
men and
mental sorcery.
Your genuine welfare Dr. Rollo those start
who are
May
observes:
"William James once remarked that
concerned with making the world more healthy had best
with themselves.
We could go farther and
the center of strength within ourselves
contribution
Healthy
we can make self-interest
genuine welfare ahead of
to
our fellow men."
can be defined false welfare.
another way, the capacity to do what
we wrongly assume
is
point out that finding
in the long
is
beneficial.
Take
3 Rollo May, Man's Search for Himself pany, Inc., 1953).
run the best
3
as the capacity to place
Or
to state the
your
same thing
in
actually beneficial, not
what
for instance that familiar
emo-
is
(New
York:
W. W.
Norton and Com-
.
FREEDOM FROM TIRING RESPONSIBILITY / 57 tion of anger. Is
Anger
to
it
our benefit to become angry? Obviously not.
destroys peace of mind.
It
weakens good judgment.
It
promotes
we
impulsive behavior that turns out to be self-harming and that regret.
tool?
Then why would anyone employ
and
this useless
later
self -damaging
because our present level of understanding supplies no other
It's
method, because
we
can't think of
able to see that clear
we
an alternative, because
and calm reasoning can
temporary ego-satisfaction, but never lasting
free us.
are un-
Anger supplies
self-satisfaction.
We are free at last when we start pleasing ourselves, not our conand
ditioned
false notions
about ourselves.
All negative tools, such as anger, envy, worry
autumn
leaves once a
man
really sees
them
away
fall
as negative tools.
like
Once he
catches his Magnificent Glimpse of the new, he has no further use
Then his life changes magically in his favor. Whenever you are thinking about a certain action, put
for the old.
question to yourself, "In the long run,
is
it
this
simple
self-defeating or self-
serving?"
The
habit of
making
you
this self-inquiry enables
ference between a constructive and a harmful action. clearly see
happy
where your
best-interests lie,
you
to tell the dif-
And
effortlessly
once you
choose that
course.
The
English philosopher John Stuart Mill supplies this simple
guide: "Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness;
wrong
as
they tend to promote the reverse of happiness."
Summary: Your freedom from your
ability to serve
your
interest to serve
your healthy
tiring responsibility
always equals
self-interest. So, it is to
your
self-
self-interest!
Your Declarations of Freedom 1
Become aware your
2.
that
you are carrying needless notions about
responsibilities.
Learn
to cheerfully
Freedom soon defy
have no place in your day.
all
follows.
duties that
you honestly
feel
58 / SECRETS OF
3.
Review the 20 you
4.
MENTAL MAGIC
How many
listed points in this chapter.
can
from your mind and practiced
rid
Deep down
inside your
you. Ignore the
demands
mind you know what of confused people
and
is
best for
listen
only
to this inner voice. 5.
Know you
6.
this:
to live
When we
It is
your
we
life.
have found ourselves, there are no longer any
burdensome
7.
the truth about your inner self that frees
own
duties.
There
are only those pleasurable actions
enjoy taking.
By being
a personally
happy person you automatically con-
tribute benefits to others.
That
is
what
this
world needs—
genuinely happy people. 8.
Remember
the adventure of Inquiring Elf. Notice
he challenged
society's right to
how
burden him with miserable
custom. 9.
10.
Use your power
of mature self-interest.
Write down and memorize your eleven magic words: Your first
responsibility in life is
vancement.
toward your
own mental
ad-
I Mental Magic Wins the Opposite Sex
during A class
Nancy
F. asked a question that
in the secrets of mental magic,
was on the minds of
several
people.
"How do the secrets apply to my relations with the opposite my affairs with the man in my life go smoother? Will
sex? Will
there be
more
What
love, I
me
"Let are
some
ies? Please give
She target
is
tilted
to
mean, the genuine kind of love?"
answer
Nancy, by asking you
that,
of the things you've learned so far in our stud-
us a few
main
features of mental magic."
her head thoughtfully. "Well,
change our mental
fixed attitudes
a question.
and
beliefs,
then
selves. alter
We
And
that
ferently to everything.
means
We
that
will be
Our
first
them. That causes us to see
everything in an entirely different way, a
thought possible.
let's see.
must challenge our
we
way
that
will act
and
we
never
react dif-
more mature, have deeper
insight into ourselves."
"All right. Suppose that you actually achieve this change of mind.
Suppose that your mental
level
is
elevated, that your [59]
60 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC viewpoints are sharper and wiser.
What
will
happen
everything
to
outside you, things like your social affairs and your daily work?"
"They
get better."
"You mean
on the outside becomes both
that everything
different
and improved?"
"Why, comes
yes.
An
uplifted
mind
in contact, just as sunshine brightens everything
"Please explain that a
bit,
which
elevates everything with
it
shines on."
it
Nancy."
"Hmmm.
Well, it's like this. The way we think is what makes way they are. Think better and things get better." "Do you know this as a personal experience, or are you repeating
things the
we have
ideas
covered in class?"
"In a small way,
on more
I
know
it
personally.
asked whether the secrets of mental magic can help our
you mean.
mind
turning
original question?"
with the opposite sex." Nancy suddenly smiled. "Oh,
tions
at
light."
"Now, Nancy, what was your "I
But I'm working
answered
I just
uplifts everything.
How
get nicer and nicer.
my own
An
question, didn't I?
That means
that
my
life
see
I
rela-
what
uplifted
man
with that
will
nice!"
Freedom to love That was to let her
a roundabout
answer
it
way
for herself.
to
answer Nancy's question, that
That
What we
one of the goals of
is
proof through personal insight. That
is
what
really
are covering together in every chapter,
talking over,
is
the
way
to
achieved, your world changes.
it,
how
are really
W hen 7
that
is
nothing changes.
This includes the world of the opposite vital area of daily living, let's discover
book:
changes things.
what we
become a new person.
Without
this
is,
this
sex.
Because
new
life
this
is
a
connects with
male-female relations.
The
person
who
changes himself through
SOMM will
find
fascinating differences in his relations with the opposite sex.
think and behave in a
way
that at
first is
He
some will
strange, but gradually conies
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX to
A man
be his newly natural manner.
for sharing, rather than as
whom
one with
The
woman
A woman
as
sees a
an individual
man
as
some-
she can communicate, not merely converse.
which both the man and the woman
pleasantries, for
little
sees a
merely using.
/ 61
yearn, express themselves with delightful frequency. Both have an
inner freedom that releases and exchanges tenderness, affection, simple
The
kindness and understanding.
Real Self possesses
these quali-
all
they need only freedom of expression.
ties;
Poet Richard Lovelace sees
it:
have freedom in
If 1
And
in
my
soul
my love, am free,
Angels alone, that soar above,
Enjoy such
When we
become new,
liberty.
so does our love.
Love and self-growth Take
Many ship.
the idea of responsibility, covered in the previous chapter.
husbands and wives, many
Though
this
of inner tension
What
can
Well,
we
may
and
lovers, feel
burdened by a
not be outwardly admitted,
a
it is
irritability-.
SOMM
do about
this?
can see that our primary responsibility in
We
our
own
this
higher level of understanding
personal growth.
sense of having an
relation-
major cause
can put is
first
things
first.
reached, there
unwanted burden. In
its
place
is
life is
toward
Then, when
no longer any
we have
positive
feelings toward the relationship. Instead of irritating responsibility,
we have
a lighthearted outlook that
for both the
Our
man and
first
the
responsibility-
guarantees a lovely love
This
is
life
is
Our
toward personal growth. That alone
with the opposite
clearly explained
is
sex.
by Dr. Fritz Kunkel:
duties towards ourselves
coincide. Indeed there
makes the relationship pleasant
woman.
and towards our
social
environment
only one duty, namely: to grow mature. To
62 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC ourselves,
find
both
growth,
hood
.
.
Couples
Z'
our center, our highest value of
and
creativity
individual
.
of
.
.
means
unlimited
expanding
brother-
1
who have
disagreements have a perfect opportunity for
mutual growth. By taking
their responsibility
toward growth, they can
use a problem— actually use it— for gaining self-insight.
The
longleaf
pine, growing in the South, has an interesting characteristic. It uses to
fire
promote
its
away surrounding
make
strange
we need
how
The
health and development. its
easily the
flames burn
growth. Likewise, any couple can
their very conflicts a source of
It is
loved,
own
obstacles to
mutual enrichment.
human mind
misses the point.
We
not be rich or famous or influential.
one thing. Ovid, the ancient poet, makes
it
be
need be only
"To be
clear:
To
loved, be
lovable."
Understanding the other sex This
is
a good place to pause for an interesting inquiry: Exactly
why are we studying the secrets of mental magic? What purpose do we have in making this search? Why are we taking time to explore these ideas? What is the point of it all? The point? It is of
To An
utmost significance and simplicity:
enable you to live and love freely. uplifted
mind
is
the only power capable of delivering happi-
and harmony. Unless we think
ness
our actions will be meaningless.
one unwanted condition sex will be anxious
But
in
an entirely new manner,
We will be
to another.
Our
like
all
puppets tugged from
relations
with the opposite
and confused.
as the secrets of
mental magic do their good work, everything
You no longer think toward the opposite sex with anxiety or You have no sense of burden. Instead, there is a certain clarity of mind that makes everything just what it should be. Clear thinking toward the other sex is essential. That is win we changes.
confusion.
1 Fritz
Kunkel, M.D., In Search of Maturity
Sons, 1943).
(New
York: Charles Scribner's
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX will cover this feature in following pages.
/ 63
But a few preliminary ideas
at this point will help.
Someone once
we
old,
wrote, "Although the world
have three major problems
still
thousands of years
is
to solve: blondes, brunettes
and redheads." Yet, certainly
man makes it his purpose to understand women, he can do so. If a woman makes it her intention to grasp the workif
a
ings of the male mind, she has
standing of
SOMM
no
real
problem. Their overall under-
will overflow beneficially into their inquiry of
each other.
One
men
of the
"Why
ing and asking,
made
in our class
do women seem
the
women
smile by frown-
so awfully mysterious to us
men?"
Women stand them.
themselves encourage the fiction that you can't under-
It
gives
them a sense
of power.
But a woman goes
all
out
man who has sense enough to see through her. It relieves her of much painful pretense. A woman really doesn't want to be mysteri-
for a
so
ous.
She wants
to
be loved.
The secret of attraction The subconscious attitudes that a man holds toward a woman are not much different from his other attitudes. The way he thinks toward a specific woman will be similar to his manner of thinking toward
life
casts the
in general.
His mind
same quality of
light
is
like a revolving searchlight that
on everything
least a fair grasp of the realities of life
favorable form toward the of self-acceptance in fact, of
and
those
he
in his
its
path. If he has at
will express
life. If
them
in
some
he has a good degree
will reveal itself in his acceptance of the
woman,
any woman.
The same ful
it
woman
in
hostile
is
true of his negative viewpoints.
toward
life
damaging viewpoints toward the opposite
disguised in one
way
A mind
that
is
fear-
in general will have no choice but to extend sex.
They may be
or another, but sooner or later they will do their
damage, either openly or by some subtle means. All this brings us to a vital point:
It is
useless to try to build a
64 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC surface personality in the hope that
We
it
will
win mature love from an-
we are mature-minded, we will attract members of the opposite sex who are likewise minded. Here are three rules: Mature minds get along fine. One mature mind other person.
what we
attract
are. If
and one immature mind get along not
at all.
Two
immature minds can
use each other, but can never really like each other.
you are interested
If
in a finer love
you must not miss the
life,
significance of this mental law:
We attract and hold a person of the other sex who dwells same general attract
a
level that
someone on
much
we
on the
ourselves occupy. Like attracts like.
a higher level— which
means
To
that he or she will be
nicer person— we need do only one thing: raise our
own
level.
Good news! So again we come back is:
A
change
in the self
to
an exciting principle of
maintaining the mature love of a
Each it
is
man
this
of attracting,
book, which
winning and
woman.
or a
of us has the capacity for finding this greater maturity, for
Our
already exists within us.
pages,
way
the sure
is
to
we
will see in forthcoming
remove unnatural blockages. These blocks
and unworkable
unrealistic
part, as
are
made up
of
attitudes:
Writes Professor Henry Clay Lindgren: It
is
we
true that
all
have a capacity
we
normally develops and grows as maturity. But
may be
what we do not often
and be loved which
realize
is
that our capacity to love
blocked or limited by anxiety, by emotional immaturity, or by
and patterns
attitudes, feelings,
of behavior which are the residues of
childhood experiences. The more
more
to love
pass through various stages of
difficult
Our goal,
it is
then,
we
are affected by such factors, the
for us to love. 2
is
not to "create" a capacity for love, but to destroy
those barriers that prevent
its
release
and enjoyment.
2 Henry Clay Lindgren, How to Live with Yourself and Like It (Greenwich, Conn.: Premier Books, Fawcett Publications, Inc.). Reprinted by permission of author, copyright
©
1953.
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX All this
is
really very
mental magic— such
And
freedom.
good news.
It
as those in following
means
/ 65
that every secret of
chapters— contribute
one of these inner freedoms
is
to inner
that of love.
The fortune hunters
A story
told about
is
ing tales about
some men and women who had heard
lost treasure chests.
They were
excit-
told that fabulous for-
tunes were hidden away on some distant islands. So they joined forces
out their riches.
to seek
They agreed
to share
whatever fortune they
found.
They boarded set sail
ship,
and with an experienced captain
at the
helm,
with high hopes.
On
the fifth day out the captain called out, "Treasure island
ahead!" But they were too busy talking about their treasure-hunting plans to look up.
On
the tenth day the captain shouted, "Treasure island on the
horizon!" But they were so busily occupied with studying
maps
treasure
On
some old
that they didn't bother to answer.
the fifteenth day the captain shouted, "Treasure island to the
starboard!"
But they were so intent on deciding on
just
how
to divide
the treasure that they paid no attention. Fortunately, that story has a
women
finally
became aware
of
that their supposed earnestness
happy ending. Those men and
what they were missing. They was only a
series of distractions that
robbed them of the very thing they wanted. So they stopped ing themselves.
They began
to listen.
So many male-female ventures
woman
And so
realized
distract-
they found their fortunes.
are like that.
The man and
the
needlessly distract themselves from their very fortunes of
mutual happiness that they expect from
One 1.
study at a university came
Worry about
their venture.
up with
five
major
distractions:
yesterday and tomorrow, instead of
making
the relationship a pleasurable one right now. 2.
Shallow thinking. Talking about love and harmony instead of
becoming the kind of mature person who can express
these harmonious characteristics.
66 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
3.
Indifference to the need of the other party for attention and affection.
4. Believing
human 5.
that additional material possessions will
intimacy.
They
bring
won't.
Protecting the ego, rather than expanding the
mind
to
its
it
so
greater capacities for love.
Love and a clear mind One
of the strangest things about the
seldom stops
to really
think— to think
our thoughts are clearly new, old
and familiar
we
imagine that
ideas.
We
when
two
"Aren't
human
ceiling
We
clearly.
in truth
we
walking on the
flies
beings
In no place do
that
often imagine that
are merely repeating
when we
We
are only ex-
may well be mistaken. It's One remarked to the other,
ceiling.
They spend
silly?
and then walk on the
is
mistake familiarity for accuracy.
are seeing things realistically,
pressing our personal viewpoints— which like the
human mind
a fortune
on
this beautiful
floor."
we need more mental
clarity
than in our
lives
with
the other sex.
is
Take the common practice of comparing the sexes. Comparison bound to induce feelings of inferiority or superiority. Both are based
on insecure thinking. Both should be abandoned. The mature-minded lover thinks neither of inferiority nor superiority, nor even equality.
Only
a soldier in battle
weaker than he
is.
have no meaning
The
wonders whether the enemy
is
stronger or
terms of inferiority, superiority and equality
to the free
and mature man. In
their place
he thinks
about things that are really meaningful, such as enjoying the
rela-
tionship!
English author John Ruskin writes, excuse foolish, if
"We
are foolish
in speaking of the superiority of one sex
and without
to the other, as
they could be compared in similar things! Each has what the other
has not; each completes the other; they are nothing alike; and the happiness
and perfection of both depend on each asking and receiving
from the other what the other only can
Asked someone, "What keeps mind?"
give."
a person in a confused state of
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX "His lack of awareness that he
"What
prevents
confused."
is
him from becoming aware?"
"His lack of a good look
at himself."
"What is the way out?" "A good look." "Will that make him a more "It
/ 67
loving person?"
the only thing that will."
is
"Why
that?"
is
"Because, as the false goes, the truth comes." "It's
the truth that sets you free?"
among
"Free,
other things, to genuinely love."
The most important thing! The
story
is
told about the noted
artist
why he
"Because
never visited the United States. Replied the Frenchman,
know
only
I
"What are The artist
they?"
Come
see
my
How much? Ham
and
paintings."
enough," the reporter told him, "to get you by in the
is
United States
That
a half-dozen sentences in English."
answered, "Hello. Good-by.
eggs. I love you.
"That
artist who was interThe American asked the
French
viewed in Paris by an American reporter.
for at least a year."
story introduces us to a basic principle for all
happy human
relations: Simplicity.
How
unnecessarily complicated
would occur
in everyone's life
if
we
are.
What
magical changes
everyone would work at simplifica-
tion! If
men and women would
purpose, everything else would
reduce their relations to one single fall
into place with ease.
What single purpose? To simply enjoy each other.
When
your sole occupation
of the other, there tions, like
is
no room
is
to find pleasure in the
left for
anything
else.
company
Harmful emo-
envy and touchiness, are crowded out by your enjoyment.
:
68 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
As one woman laughed during a class, "You know, how much fun he could be!"
never realized
I
Your starting point This
the perfect starting point for building every other element
is
needed
for
cannot
fail to
harmonious
relations.
A
simple resolve to enjoy each other
quietly produce further enrichments, such as coopera-
and patience.
tion
This secret of mental magic was sparked by the response page in
my
previous book
New Life.
a Successful
It
ACTION POWER: The
to a
Way
Miracle
to
reads:
Happily, the single most important thing you should do with a
woman
the very
is
same
thing she wants:
Enjoy her! If
you
will
will fall into
simply do that much, your entire relationship with her
place delightfully. You won't have to struggle trying to
understand her. You can that you
When you And
that in
perform.
rest
from trying to get her to do something
want but doubt that she wants. simply enjoy a
itself is just
A woman
woman, she knows
that you like her.
about the most persuasive act you could ever
soon wearies of a
man who
won't relax,
let
go,
and
enjoy her company. She doesn't want to be changed, analyzed, advised, judged, contradicted, sermonized, educated, pressured, or any-
thing else.
She wants you to enjoy her as she what makes her enjoy you. 3
is.
And
that,
never forget,
is
The mental magician Let's explore a bit
of mental
Do
more the ways
magic contribute
you wonder what they would be
advanced mental magician on
On 3
in
specifically to
this loftier level
Vernon Howard,
which the general
secrets
male-female relations. like if a person
were an
a higher level of understanding?
he would
ACTION POWER: The
Miracle
Life (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1963).
Way
to a
Successful
New
.
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX 1.
Be competent
2.
Never
3.
Really understand
4.
i\ot be sensitive or touchy.
5.
Be confident toward him
6.
Fully enjoy every mutual venture.
7. 8.
Not be at the mercy of domination. Have an attractive sex-personality.
9.
Know how
him
or her.
or her.
to act naturally.
Hayidle the other person smoothly.
Never
12.
Be
get his feelings hurt.
at ease
with the opposite sex.
had reached these it all
course.
ideas in one of our classes
sounds too good
be attained by us?
"Of ideas.
fear loss of lore.
10.
We really
in matters of sex.
1 1
spoke up, ''But
/ 69
I
to
can't imagine
be
true.
them
At the present time they
You can no more
picture
Can
when someone
these ideal states
as actualities."
are merely introductory
them than you can picture some new
person that you haven't as yet met personally. But that doesn't
They are real; just as you may meet and know tomorrow.
that they don't exist. that
mean
an unknown person
real as
An illustration "I assure
you that
it
is
entirely possible for
personally— 2lS living experiences.
ment
at this, or
you may
not,
you
to
know them
You may nod your head
but that
is
in agree-
unimportant for now. Our
new attitudes that will make you a new person. Then you will know these delightful states as actual experiences. You will change so much you will no longer recognize your former self." Asked one of the married women, "WiD you please give us some purpose
is
to build
sort of illustration
about
this self-change.
How
does
it
come about?
Where do we start? Take the matter of hurt feelings. I don't understand how I can be free of them. I'm sensitive to criticism. It's been
my
nature for years. Just a disapproving glance from
plunges getting
me
my
into gloom.
With
feelings hurt?"
all this
touchiness,
my husband
how can
I
keep from
70 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
"The answer
is
9
person you
call I.
in the
on a
reacting to everything lesser
T
is
This new
way you
Your present
dissolved, a
T
identify yourself, that
It is
Once
this
lesser level of understanding.
new one
takes
its
place.
This
T cannot be hurt or offended or insulted you don't understand
one. Don't worry
if
become
you
clearer to
"Don't worry.
I
as
we go
in this
is,
has no choice but to get hurt.
your Real
is
Self.
any way by any-
in
present. It will
all this at
along. All right?"
intend sticking with this until
really get
I
It's
it.
fascinating."
"You asked for an illustration. Let's use this one: mind a set of bowling pins sitting upright at the end
Picture in your of the alley.
As
long as those pins are sitting there, they are ready to get knocked down.
They what
are in a position to be if
tumbled by anyone who comes along. But
they were entirely removed from the alley?
be knocked
down by anyone
ing pins get knocked
or anything.
Then
How can
they couldn't
non-existent bowl-
down?
Lasting contentment "Now,
in our
mental
life,
The ways
our beliefs are the pins.
that
other people act toward us are the bowling balls.
"To go on with
the illustration, you have certain beliefs that
should not exist in your mind. they do
exist,
They
may
appreciation doesn't appear, you get hurt and to the big question
false notion that
case,
long as
believe that other people
should appreciate you more than they do. Then,
you faced the
as
they are certain to get knocked down, and you will get
your feelings hurt. For instance, you
we come
But
are unrealistic.
:
What would happen
you should receive
reality that
it
all
just doesn't
when
maybe if
this desired
resentful.
you removed the
that appreciation?
come
you would never ever be hurt again.
as
you want
How
Now
What
it?
if
In that
can a non-existent
belief get hurt? It can't."
"Then, the abandonment of lasting peace of "It is the
all
our false beliefs
is
see, all
mental suffering
results
the
way
to
mind."
only way.
You
clash between the truth about things
from
a
and our mistaken viewpoints
MENTAL MAGIC WINS THE OPPOSITE SEX toward them. Take away the the truth comes, pain goes.
"Then,
as
you have
false
viewpoint and the truth comes. As
no longer has
It
/ 71
said, there
a
really
is
home."
no need
to suffer
from
anything?"
harm
"Absolutely nothing can
man who
the
has found himself."
may help our home life." Then you will know for sure."
"I think this
"Try
it.
What
love?
is
Asked someone, "What but the word "It
This
is
not the thing.
is
love?
The word
Can
love be analyzed
best to start negatively, that
is
clears the
mind
of false concepts
"Could we please go into "Love
is
is
tossed about so freely,
to find out
is,
from the very
and defined?"
what
love
is
not.
start."
this idea?"
not possessiveness.
It is
not dependency or attachment
or even admiration. It cannot be any of these things."
"Why
not?"
"Because there
may be
unloving motives behind them. Let's take
an example. Suppose that you are depending upon your spouse or sweetheart to give you a sense of importance, to admire and appreciate you. This dependency makes you afraid. fail to
give
you
as
this fear creates a
Obviously,
all
much
are afraid that they will
demand, a sense of
criticism, inner or outer hostility.
these have nothing to do with love."
"Where does that leave us?" "With the only accurate definition definition
You
admiration as you think you deserve. In turn,
of love that there
is.
But
"Can you
give us
some idea
of
what you mean?"
"For one thing, love will be entirely different from what you think don't
this
must be personally experienced."
it is.
Love
is
a state of
complete detachment. Love
is
now
when you
want anything from the other person, when you have no hidden
motives of self-gain,
when you have no demands whatsoever upon is a state of total understanding. It may seem
him. This kind of love
strange to define love as understanding, but that
is
what
it
really is."
72 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
''How can
whether another person actually possesses a
tell
I
genuinely loving nature?"
"By consistency
of pleasant behavior.
Someone who merely
pre-
tends to be kindly will sooner or later forget his rehearsed lines. slips.
You
catch
him
an offguard
in
anything but kindness.
A
facial expression that indicates
small remark
other hand, the genuinely loving person
and
no
His Real
lines to forget.
Self,
"If
I
is
On
him away.
give
its
the
consistent in both his public to act out,
he has
which he found by facing the
simply and spontaneously lives out
"Can
may
he has no pretenses
private behavior. Because
He
truth,
richness."
reach this happy state?"
you want
more than you want anything
it
else."
Ten Dynamic Secrets 1.
Remember
that all the secrets of mental magic aid your life
with the opposite 2.
Continue
to uplift
an increasingly 3.
sex.
They change
everything for the better.
your mental viewpoints. This gives you
attractive personality.
Resolve to deepen your self-insight.
produces smoother
It
relations with the other sex. 4.
Bear in mind your purpose in studying to live
5.
and
Review the
to
for affection,
What
the most important thing a
is
learn
tenderness
be released.
section dealing with love
and
has everything to do with a better love 7.
You
love!
Everyone has a natural capacity
and romance. They need only 6.
SOMM.
a clear
mind.
It
life.
man and
a
woman
can
do? Enjoy each other! 8.
Review the twelve
won by tal
9.
man
or
woman who becomes
an advanced men-
magician.
We
find our genuinely loving natures
beliefs 10.
the
benefits given in this chapter. All can be
about ourselves.
Remember
W
7
by abandoning
false
ork on this point.
the definition of love supplied at the end of this
chapter. Study
and apply
its
principles.
Mental Magic Predicts
Your Future
can make
it
How
you don't have to come the way you like.
take
comes.
life as it
You
come?
Because mental magic can predict your future!
And you
You can use makes your successful future come
don't need a gypsy tent or a crystal ball, either. scientific
magic that
really
true.
The
tale
gypsy fortune
is
told of the
teller.
wealthy bachelor
His problem,
shapely blue-eyed blonde with
The
who
consulted a
seems, was to find just the
it
whom
he could share
gypsy made a few passes over her magic crystal
advised in a mysterious voice, find a stream. Follow
"Walk
downstream
into the
until
to
ball,
then
until
you
an oak
tree.
woods
you come
his future.
Resting beneath that oak tree you will find the loveliest blonde
on earth."
An
hour
later the
tent to complain,
was no blonde
weary
man pushed
back into the gypsy
"What's wrong with your prediction? There
at all."
[73]
74 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Asked the fortune
"Did you find the woods?"
teller,
"Yes."
"Did you find the stream?" "Yes."
"Did you find the oak
tree?"
"Yes."
"Well," shrugged the gypsy with a cheery grin, "three out of four guesses
is
pretty good for me!"
But the bachelor's quest had a happy ending his
own
turn
up
prophecy.
He
just the girl
after
all.
He made
predicted that sooner or later his search would
he wanted. So he searched, they met, and they
shared good fortune together.
A GLIMPSE
INTO
TOMORROW
Greece has dozens of ancient temples where inquirers used consult a prophet— called an oracle— about their future.
temples an archaeologist
At one
to
of these
named Constantin Carapanos unearthed
some strange-looking bronze
tablets.
On
them were written questions
The questions modern man might ask.
brought by inquirers, plus the answers from the oracle.
much like those a know whether or not to invest in a certain piece of property. The oracle told him to go ahead; the purchase would be profitable. Another inquirer, an anxious man named Lysanias,
were surprisingly
One
inquirer
practical;
wanted
to
hopefully asked whether the child to be born to his wife was his own.
Man has
always been fascinated by the future. Like a traveler on
an upward-curving mountain the next bend.
trail,
He somehow
just a foot or two,
he wants
realizes that
to
know what
is
around
by glimpsing ahead, even
he can do something today
to turn the future to
his favor.
And
he actually can.
He
can do
it
with self-observation. Just as
science can predict the weather by observing the nature of winds and clouds, so can
we
foresee our individual futures by observing our
own
natures. It is
not at
all difficult for
you
to predict
your personal future for
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE
/ 75
You can foretell the way you will feel, You can forecast whether or not you will
the next several days or weeks.
whether elated or depressed.
make ple,
progress in your financial affairs.
Your
relations
with other peo-
whether pleasant or otherwise, can be seen with accuracy.
How? Your magic pened
to
you
crystal ball
is
Whatever has haphappen— unless you take the
self-observation.
in the past will continue to
one necessary action that changes things the way you want them.
(which we
moment).
will get to in a
Become a mental monarch! The happy truth is, if you any way you like.
don't like your
own
forecast,
you can
alter it in
How
come?
Because your future
always and only an outcome of what you
is
are.
To change
your future, change yourself.
Deep down is
the truth of the matter.
way they
We
we
did yesterday.
be a perfectly accurate prophet of your future
to
you can be one. You can
foretell a superior
simple reason that you have the power to shape
We Any tal
start
attempt to alter our future without
asking a caterpillar to it is
You
or by
A
changing our menIt's
like
a butterfly.
are your future.
Human
what we
nicely
first
a butterfly. It can't fly like a butterfly
fly like
We
like to avoid facing this fact
beings
fail to
do.
human
events, nothing ever just
is
identical with our mental
positive mentality produces positive outcomes. Alfred
sums up, 'Think
by pre-
make things happen, either by what we do You and I are the causes of our consequences.
For better or for worse, our future up.
for the
it.
disappointment and confusion.
tending that things just happen. In
happens.
tomorrow
by changing ourselves.
character can only result in
until
that here
sense that things turned out the
all
are today because of the shaping
you want
If
success,
man knows
in his heart of hearts, every
well!
Do
make-
Tennyson
well will follow thought."
76 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Once your mind
takes
on a royal nature, no person and no
cir-
cumstance can bar you from your personal kingdom.
The makes an
adventure of Cyrus the Great, the ancient Persian monarch, interesting illustration of the point.
Cyrus was born
but the wicked King Astyages was determined
a prince,
prevent the boy from
to
inheriting the royal throne. Cyrus found himself banished to desolate wastelands, to
be brought up in the care of lowly shepherds. His
future seemed hopeless. Yet through a series of courageous exploits he
won
his
way
throne rightfully his own.
to the
man whose
Likewise, nothing can deny future royalty to the
mentality
that of a
is
monarch.
Expand your vision The
paragraphs immediately following are of extreme value to
you and your richer future. Please give them maximum
The human mind capacity for seeing.
is
It is
attention.
incapable of seeing anything above possible for
present state, but at any given time
extend
to
can see only what
its
present
beyond
vision
it it
its
it
its
can pres-
ently see.
What
is
the practical
meaning
for seeing future possibilities,
curately our future successes.
more ness,
clearly see that
we
with that wisdom,
we
of this?
raise
As we
As we
our capacity
our powers for predicting ac-
uplift our
mental viewpoint,
are in control of our future.
we
raise
With
we
that aware-
are able to take control.
Picture yourself climbing to the third floor of a fifteen story building.
As you stand
at a
cars passing
from right
tinue to the
left,
window you see before you a highway, with You can predict how far a car will con-
to left.
but wherever your vision of the highway ends, your
accurate prediction must also end. But
extended your view by climbing upward that greater height
what would happen to the very top floor?
you could see much farther
to the left.
if
you
From
And now,
because you can see more, you can predict more! All this
is
not a vague philosophy, or just a pleasant idea.
It is
a
downright practical picture of something that you can do anv time you
choose— with enormous personal enrichment.
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE
Want
to
guarantee your richer future?
Then
/ 77
raise
your mental
your awareness.
level, uplift
As did Virginia L. She
didn't bother very
ment. She was
at least
much
to
hide her bitterness and resent-
honest about them. She said, "I sometimes
woman
think I'm the unluckiest
in town. If
you only knew some of
the bad breaks I've had."
luck?
"Do you know anyone who
asked,
I I
mean, are you acquainted with someone
constantly gets
I
all
know how
don't
Virginia,"
do.
I
she does
HOW VIRGINIA "Why,
who seems
lucky,
who
office
with
the good things you miss?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact
me.
has the opposite kind of
it,
She works
in the
same
but she does."
SUCCEEDED
asked, "do you suppose there
I
is
such a con-
between her fortunes and yours? Something must
sistent difference
be causing them." "Sure. She's lucky and I'm not."
"But what makes her so lucky?"
"Who
knows? She
just is."
"Does her personality have an enthusiasm that makes her
attrac-
tive to others?"
"Yes,
I
suppose."
"Do you have "No. I'm too "Does she that
come up
that enthusiasm?"
tired to get excited over anything."
tactfully take the initiative in
working out problems
at the office?"
"Usually."
"Do you do "No,
likewise?"
I'd just as
soon
let
someone
"Don't you suppose that she just
else
handle
it."
might be the cause of her own
good fortunes?"
"Maybe. Could be." "Is there
any reason why you can't do the same
"I'd like to. I really
would."
for yourself?"
MENTAL MAGIC
78 / SECRETS OF
To
Virginia's credit, she started
an active program
for
changing
her future. Later, during a class in mental magic she reported, "For the
time
first
I really
person himself.
tempted
ways had
efficient
I
new
do
(She was is
other day
saw
I
the
was
I
promotion.
office
and
that her pleasant
A
so can I."
it,
few weeks
department of public
herself.) It
The
It's
rightfully earned her that promotion. Well," Vir-
she did, too.
its
selected.
good example:
looked her over.
ginia smiled, "if she can
And
a
creates a superior tomorrow.
woman who had won an
to feel envious of a
Instead of yielding,
ing in
you
give
I'll
what
see
later the
company had an openwas immediately
relations. Virginia
right for the promotion because she
now
was
right with
her good fortune to travel around town, meeting
people and enjoying herself.
The principle of cause and EFFECT The
story goes about the scientist
who produced
creature by crossing a tiger with a parrot. scientist replied, "I don't
know what
When
it is,
but
a strange sort of
asked about
when
it
it,
talks
the
you'd
better listen!"
That
bit of
humor carries a good lesson in living: Whenever the it may appear strange at first, but what great mes-
truth speaks to us,
we
sages
hear by bending an
ear!
That is why we next want Effect.
your day, either for your best here step
is
that
make
to
is
Effect
to is
we
it
become aware
often
fail to
exactly,
It is really
of
interests or against
existence.
its
power
Here
for
it is:
see is
it
The
them.
And
Our purpose the
principle of
while riding one.
Cause and
every minute of
It is
first
wise
Cause and
so close to us
in operation.
the principle of Cause and Effect?
very simple.
careful attention.
sonal
life
a force that serves our welfare.
like looking for a horse
What,
it
to attend to the principle of
This powerful principle operates in your
Once
It
can be observed by anyone
understood,
changing the
life.
it
becomes
a
who
gives
tremendous per-
:
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE / 79
Whenever you do anything sult of
it.
An
at all,
thing always leads to another. There
out an in
another thing occurs as a
re-
action always produces a reaction. In other words, one is
no such thing
as a
cause with-
hurled against a wall— it must bounce away
effect. It's like a ball
one direction or another.
You have seen you plant
a seed,
this principle at
it
work
reacts as a flower.
in
hundreds of ways:
As you speak
to
speaks back. If you constantly suggest to yourself that you are
emotions will soon make you feel that way.
your favorite candy, your
taste
When
When
someone, he ill,
you take a
your
bite of
responds with pleasure.
Your personal prosperity It is
important that
we
quences that
we
experience.
see ourselves as the cause of the conse-
Some
are behind the life-conditions they
facing responsibility for their
own
people hesitate to admit that they
now
experience, for
it
would mean
problems. Such people are missing
out on one of the greatest opportunities ever to knock, which
By admitting come happily
responsibility for
is:
we can
whatever happens,
be-
responsible for increasing success!
Or state the same thing in another way a man realizes that he is the cause of
As
his effects,
he can cause
the kind of actions that reflect personal prosperity. It is
and "I
always a sign of forthcoming abundance
less explains, "It
caused
it
Now, saw
in
able. sal
to
this
happened
to
when
a
man
less
me," and more and more observes,
happen."
word
Chapter IV,
"responsibility" needs
it isn't
some
a tiring process at
This kind of responsibility means
to
clarification.
all. It is
As we
purely pleasur-
harmonize with the univer-
laws of success, to go along with the secrets of mental magic.
like the delightful responsibility
you have
for attending
It's
an exciting
party!
You can
achieve anything you want by putting good causes into
action.
Want
to
You can
be happier? cause
it
to
happen.
80 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Like to increase your income?
You can employ money-making causes. Hope to brighten your personality? You can cause its appearance. I used to work alongside a man who used
own way. He'd
breeze into the office in the morning, grin, shake a
make
finger toward the ceiling, exclaim, "Let's It
this principle in his
things happen!"
was curious how many good things did happen.
So why
can't
you
now
start right
to
make good
things
happen
to you?
You
actually can.
HOW TO MAKE
PREDICTIONS
COME TRUE Since a good cause always produces a good consequence, you can
make your it
self-prophecies
come
The
man
the easy way.
Not
only that, but you can do
woman
consistently employs those
true.
or
powers which shape his future for him. Such a
positive
his friends
make
wise
come
things
What
is
his
needed
for us. Professor
way.
is
The
be
in
He
self-prophet can smile.
an intense
interest in
H. A. Overstreet makes
The great individual, then, will
man
astounds
and acquaintances who wonder how he always manages
will
it
to
knows.
what the future can hold
clear:
be future-minded.
His chief interest
forecasting possibilities. The vitality of his mind will be di-
rected toward shaping his world into
Make some of mental magic,
forecasts for yourself!
more adequate forms. 1
When based
on the
you can cheerfully expect good things
solid secrets
to
come your
way. Here are three examples: 1.
Todays
Prediction:
possesses vast
"By accepting the truth that
and unused powers
1 H. A. Overstreet, About Ourselves pany, Inc., 1927).
(New
my mind
." .
.
York:
W. W.
Norton and Com-
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE
/ 81
Tomorrow's Fulfillment: "Those powers are released into
my
personal service."
The power
A
example
classic
mous
human mind
that of
is
on
can reach amazing proportions.
Johann Dase, of Germany, who was
in his day as a mental magician.
When
fa-
a handful of coins were
number of coins instantly. glance he could add up the total number of books on a shelf. Never doubt the power of your mind to do far more than it does.
spilled
At
of the
a
2.
a table
he could
call
out the exact
Today's Prediction: "By taking an adventurous attitude toward
my
money-making
enterprises
Tomorrow's Fulfillment:
"I
." .
.
cannot
fail to
cause additional pros-
perity for myself/' I
was once introduced
who was
wealthy businessman named Olson
to a
tagged with the curious nickname of "Overlap."
name was explained
to
me
like this
:
The
nick-
"Whenever Olson meets another
businessman he immediately looks for areas where their financial terests overlap.
When
finding them, he suggests to the other
they work together to develop mutual benefits.
It's
man
surprising
in-
that
how
often that simple technique strikes gold for Overlap Olson."
What 3.
adventurous attitude will strike gold for you?
Today's Prediction: "By working with natural principles governing successful
human
Tomorrow's Fulfillment: attractive It
of
and
relations
"My
." .
.
personality will be increasingly
influential."
was the dynamic personality
of Robert
Clive— the famous Clive
India— that made possible his dazzling victory
sey.
Many
their
battlefields
men, but
have been
won by
at the Battle of Plas-
military leaders
historians agree that there never
was
who
inspired
a victory quite like
the one scored by this Englishman near the village of Plassey, in India. It
would
certainly take inspired leadership to
win
that battle, for Clive
defeated an opposing army of 60,000 soldiers with only 3,000 his
own! Predict a
more winning
personality for yourself.
men
of
82 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Your personal predictions Use the following Prediction,
list
richer future. After
know can come 1.
spaces for your
any kind of
Today s
own
forecasts. After
Today's
mental magic that works for your
secret of
Tomorrow's Fulfillment,
list
the dream that you
true!
Prediction:
Tomorrow's Fulfillment:
2.
Today's Prediction:
Tomorrow's Fulfillment:
Today's Prediction:
3.
Tomorrow's Fulfillment:
The magic of change Your quest by looking It's
for a brighter
man
resists so
for the better, yet if
made
we
call
a
man
in the right direction
change.
curious that one of the greatest of
one that a
Also,
tomorrow turns
into that magical action
all
human
needs
also
is
stubbornly. Everyone wants to alter his
what a
resistance arises
does venture forth,
a genuine change at
all,
condition for another. As one
how
when change
is
life
proposed!
often he finds that he hasn't
but merely an exchange of one poor
man
described himself, "I'm like a frantic
prisoner looking for escape, but merely switching from one cell to
another."
When
thinking about changing our future,
the right intentions. If
porary
we
we must
start
with
wish to alter our lives merely to gain a tem-
thrill or for ego-satisfaction,
we
will eventually find
it
a less
:
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE than satisfying move. Or,
if
the intention
to avoid facing a challeng-
is
The
ing task, the change will only add to our self-doubt. frequently changes his is
employment may announce
to better himself, yet the real reason
on each
may be
who
that his intention
job.
the real reason for any shift in the directions tives are often just the opposite of
skilled in self -trickery.
is
to believe.
We
with the apple as long as I'm If
person
to escape fear of failure
We
Correct motives start with self-honesty.
mind
/ 83
We
often believe
mean
chum, "Okay,
told his
The actual moThe human only what we want
take.
what we fancy they
often say one thing and
who
we
must frankly face
are!
another, like the boy
we'll divide
it
equal, just
more equal than you."
we can
we are we see that the motive is wrong, move. But if we can identify the motive as
get at our subconscious motives for changing,
well on our way
to healthy change. If
we can refrain from the good, we can proceed with
cheerful confidence.
one that serves your genuine
A
"good" motive
is
best-interests.
The power of awareness "How," you might
How can The
I
gain greater
ask, "can I
be sure that
wisdom
shaping
awareness that
we
for
are not
aware
my
is
I
am
thinking clearly?
future?"
the beginning of greater
wisdom.
As an everyday example, you have probably had the curious experience of reading the same paragraph several times while your mind was wandering far away. All of a sudden you caught yourself, you became
alertly
aware that you were not aware.
pened, you were able to able to concentrate
When
that hap-
take control of your future reading. You were
on the paragraph,
to
make
it
count for something.
So can we become more and more aware of our present
By doing In
so,
we empower
our future
activities.
my classes I sometimes conduct sessions
consist of questions
in self-awareness.
and answers which help the
serving element in their everyday actions.
Examples
actions.
They
class to see the self-
84 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
"Which solve
it
the self-serving action— to fight angrily a problem or to
is
through calm reasoning?"
"To solve it." "Which is the
1
beneficial
win over
situation or to
course— to withdraw from a challenging
it?"
o win.
"Which
the courageous choice— to worry over
is
think of you or to live your
"To
live
your
own
Sailing Some
New
you think best?"
life as
life."
smoothly forward
years ago the
off the coast of
what others
Navy
vessel
Brooklyn was cruising smoothly
Bedford, Massachusetts.
dered, stopped and slowly sank.
The
The
ship suddenly shud-
Brooklyn was the victim of an
unchartered rock. Although thousands of ships had passed near the
submerged menace over the strike
years, the
Navy
ship was the
first
to
it.
The Navy knew that something had to be done about the hidden danger. What they did was both simple and workable— they went to work with It is
two
a wire drag, a heavy cable suspended between
boats.
lowered into the sea and fixed at a certain depth. As the boats
move ahead a rock
is
the wire drag catches any rocks or ledges in
and
located
identified,
it
no longer has power
its
to
path.
damage
Once pass-
ing vessels.
That
is
an excellent
parallel to a
future life-cruises pleasant ones.
we can
locate
and
By using
The
self-aware
man
confident in reaching his port.
Dr. Erich
same thing
Fromm,
in his
to
make our
the "drag wire of awareness,"
identify those subconscious notions that threaten
our voyage. By a bit of investigation us no more.
method we can use
we can make
sure that they bother
can chart any course he
He
is
a
likes,
and be
Columbus to his own future. Sigmund Freud, says the
in discussing Dr.
own way:
But Freud did not end on a note of fatalism confirming man's utter
helplessness against the powers which determine him. that
man can become aware
He postulated
of the very forces which act behind his
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE back— and
that in
freedom and
becoming aware of them he enlarges the realm of
able to transform himself from a helpless puppet moved
is
by unconscious forces his
/ 85
to
a self-aware and free man who determines
destiny. 2
own
The great secret of success!
We change our future by first changing our thoughts. As in
Chapter
this
I,
upon by the
a truth agreed
is
we saw
great mental scientists
of history.
The
mind cannot be stopped in its eager work of "Our actions are accomplished in our
force of a richer
creating a richer tomorrow.
thought before they are reproduced outside of faculties radiating
ful
from
and improvable by
Leon D. and "That might be
why
use."
are gifted with
extensive, power-
(Honore de Balzac)
just the clue I'm looking for. I've often asked myself
my own
in
my
saleswork keeps repeating
want
scarcity I
can do something about "Right.
We
were discussing these ideas when he commented,
news
the bad
causing
I
us.
common center— faculties
a
Think
it.
to face
Then, I'm
sure, I
of a giant printing press, the kind
used by a newspaper. Suppose that the editor set up the type to
That
the headline read Failure. in every
newspaper
Failure.
Why?
type. It has 2l
On
Monday, Tuesday and Every day would produce the same
see Failure.
Because the printing press must reproduce that basic
no choice but
better headline, or
to follow orders.
hoped
for one, nothing
paper must follow the metal pattern set for
Leon nodded. Success.
"I see.
Ours
Now, suppose
"Correct.
That magically
is
a
Even
if
the editor
wanted
would happen. The newsit."
mental pattern."
the editor changed the basic type to read
reverses the news. Every
would produce Success. Nothing duce anything
make
what would be reproduced
exactly
is
rolling off the press.
Wednesday you would
am
Right?"
moment
for a
frankly.
it
If I
itself.
in the
day of the week
world could cause
it
to pro-
else."
©
2 Copyright 1962 by Pocket Books, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Pocket Books, Inc., from Beyond the Chains of Illusion by Erich Fromm; The Credo Series,
Trident Press.
86 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
"What you mental type
are saying,"
everything
right,
is
Think
"Exactly.
Leon commented,
"is
of your subconscious
mind
as
news you
will get.
If
the
your personal print-
ing press. Whatever kind of mental type you set up, that of
when
that
rolls out successfully."
is
the kind
you want successful headlines, compose
thoughts of success." "That's a great illustration.
"Put
it
I
won't forget
into action. That's the
whole
it."
idea."
Leon's saleswork spurted upward immediately.
He
found that by
thinking of himself as successful with every customer those thoughts
reproduced themselves in the form of more for
Leon from You,
too,
And
see
sales. It
was good news
that day forward.
can predict your it
come
own
bright future.
true.
Thoughts That Enrich Your Future 1.
Get excited over your
future! It can turn out the
way you
want. 2.
The
secrets of
mental magic enable you
to look into tomor-
row. This foresight gives you power to shape forthcoming events to your liking. 3.
Self-change
Work 4.
A
is
your great guarantee of a change in fortune.
at uplifting yourself.
royal future awaits the
man
or
woman who becomes
a
mental monarch. 5.
Learn
to see
stretches your 6.
Why
your world from a higher level of
powers of prediction.
should you depend upon the principle of Cause and
Effect? Because 7.
it
can be depended upon!
You can make good secrets of
8.
vision. It
things
happen
to you.
Employ
the
mental magic.
Forecast a richer future for yourself, based on the plans
found
in this chapter.
MENTAL MAGIC PREDICTS YOUR FUTURE 9.
Develop
self -awareness.
from arising 10.
Keep
in
For one thing,
prevents problems
in the future.
mind Leon's triumphant
own mental
it
/ 87
type reading Success.
experience. Set
up your
How
to
Win Your
Desires Quickly
we
don't desire something because
it
is
valuable.
We value something because we desire
it.
why we must explore the world of our must understand why the mind searches for certain This
is
the understanding of our wants that wins
them
desires.
We
things. It
is
for us quickly.
Also, equally important, this understanding frees us of certain
kinds of desires that cause mental anguish.
between what we need. As one
really
fill
I
helps us to judge
need and what we merely assume we
man commented, "What a
need half the things
It
wanted."
With
relief to find that I didn't
wise judgment
we can
ful-
one desire after another and find them not temporary toys but
permanent
pleasures.
What you really want is also what is know— deep down inside you know— what be blurred by unclear thinking or by
some other form [88]
best for you. is
And you It may
best for you.
false feelings of guilt or
by
of mental tyranny, but healthy desires are always
HOW
TO WIN YOUR DESIRES QUICKLY / 89
there, always trying to break through.
It's
from
all
contact with
girls,
like the
As the boy viewed the wondrous
time.
"What
was the
son," to the
sights he'd like to like
one of those
have most.
life-size
boy of
mechanical
reply, 'are life-size
his son
the
for the first
his father. 'Those,
dolls."
which one
On
way back
the
of the wonderful
boy eagerly
"I think," the
mechanical
On
ladies.
town together
sights a trio of pretty girls
are thoser" asked the
mountains the father asked
who
carefully barred
even from pictures of young
boy's eighteenth birthday they journeyed to
giggled past.
mountaineer
The boy was
lived with his son far back in the ranges.
replied, "I'd
dolls."
The entire secret It is
always possible for you
Declares Ralph ture. In
In other words,
But in order is
is
anything you really need. nothing capricious in na-
nature the implanting of a desire indicates that the
tion of that desire
That
to attain
Waldo Emerson, 'There
to
is
gratifica-
in the constitution of the creature that feels
life offers
you
a checking account with endless funds.
withdraw them you must know that they are problem
really the only
it."
for
there.
most people, and one which we
discuss in other chapters.
What,
then,
the
is
great secret for
first
winning your
desires
quickly? Let's introduce ter Scott.
it
This young
with the story of an English youth named Wal-
man had
the days of knighthood.
Nothing fascinated him more than
dashing knights in armor villains
and wooing
fair
who
astronomy or archaeology.
tales of
to read of
galloped from casde to casde, battling
maids.
single subject of knighthood. or
wholehearted eagerness for
a
He
happily devoted himself to the
He never touched a book about politics He crammed his mind only with adven-
tures of daring knights.
His mind became so rich with the subject that he to write his
man
later
own adventure
became
Sir
tales.
Walter
So he
Scott, the
His secret of success can be yours,
you wish
to
win your
desires swiftly.
did.
That
is
felt
how
the urge
the
young
famous author of Ivanhoe. too.
You can apply
it
wherever
90 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC Single-minded purpose.
That
To on
the entire secret.
is
the degree that a
his goal, to that
man
able to concentrate his mental powers
is
same degree
will
he succeed. Now, every
man
has
the potential power for winning overwhelming success in his chosen
may
but he
area,
not be using
in
it
an
all-out attack.
His powers are
divided, spread out too thin, incapable of the concentrated pressure that finally cracks obstacles.
HOW
TO DESTROY BARRIERS
Single-mindedness means to concentrate yourself powerfully and enjoyably on the desire you want to win.
To itself
success
dynamic
attain this
from
own
its
must not
they are, he
is
demand
also
Once
they should.
state,
the
mind must
progressively detach
contradictions. For instance, a person wishing social
free of
that other people behave as he thinks
person simply permits people to act the
this
way
is
consequently a more
man must not waste
his energies in point-
mental contradiction and
attractive person himself.
Also, the single-minded less pursuits,
straining to
such as anxiety over what others think of him, or in
make
a good impression.
how much mind-power
Many
people have no idea of
they drain away by such useless
activities.
Later pages of this chapter offer plans for plugging up the leaks in personal power.
Single-mindedness
hamper your nation
is
progress.
is
a beneficial destroyer of
When
it
barriers
attacks, obstacles crumble. Procrasti-
much
time.
It's
ing for a river to run dry before daring to cross. But the
what he wants has no such
difficulty.
He
man waitman who knows
like a
simply goes ahead
in some way. He may cross over by swimming or wading or sailing, but it makes no difference to him as long as he goes.
Confusion
is
another negative mental state that
falls
flying or
before the
single-minded man. Casanova, the great lover, was asked which
many
that
a typical mental attitude that flees before the wholehearted
individual. Procrastination wastes so
exactly
all
lady friends he liked best.
He
replied,
"The one
1
am
ol his
with
at
HOW TO WIN YOUR
DESIRES QUICKLY / 91
the moment." Likewise, your concentrated effort leaves no
room
for
confusion.
Your viewpoints In order to win your desires quickly, you must
them. Here
is
a desire arises within you,
by a response, that be more or
is,
will respond,
it is
immediately followed
by an attitude toward that
more
less positive in nature, or
"No,
I
don't think
This attitude
You
or less negative.
my way."
come
likely to
it's
desire.
can achieve that desire," or
will either react within, "Yes, I think I
you
understand
a major principle to grasp:
Whenever will
first
Obviously, your mental viewpoint toward a desire has an enor-
mous
influence on whether you
like releasing
for
its
or not.
fulfill it
A
positive reaction
an arrow from a bow, enabling the arrow
Your
target.
positive release sets into
motion
is
to
speed straight
all
your natural
powers, such as imagination, persistence, hope. But a negative response creates only a strain.
It's
drawn bow, but never for
much
like
an archer tensely facing
releasing
it.
of a man's daily tension.
justment state
it
The The
with
authors of Psychology of Ad-
like this:
Frustration, therefore,
does not eliminate important wants but only
accentuates them. This gives
rise to
"tension." Tension from lack of
a very annoying experience called
want
fulfillment
is
suffering of mankind. This statement implies that
pressive
his target
frustration of desire accounts
and
want-fulfilling individual.
gnawing pressure of an
unfulfilled vital
biologically has certain needs
vented he suffers from
this
and
perhaps the keenest
each of us
No one who want can
that
when
is
an ex-
experiences the
easily
deny that man
their satisfaction
is
pre-
1 basic violation of nature.
The pleasures of thinking! So what we must do and needs.
To do
this, first
is
to invite attitudes that fulfill
think about a present desire of yours.
observe the basic attitudes you hold toward
it.
Now,
Determine whether they
iFrom Mikesell and Hanson's The Psychology of Adjustment, Van Nostrand Company, Inc., Princeton, N.J.
1952, D.
our wants
copyright
©
92 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
work
for the desire or against
negative.
The
Separate the positive ones from the
it.
very distinguishing between the two
is
bright light.
Finally, encourage the attitudes that favor your desire, dismiss
the useless ones. Let's take
an interesting example: Suppose that you want
to
And by the way, have you ever considered new world you would inhabit if you actually and constantly
enjoy your daily thoughts.
what
a
enjoyed your mind? So,
It
would be the very world
which you
seek!
what favorable thoughts can you have toward your own mind?
Well, for one thing you can see ure.
for
When
it
you understand the
fly
for pleas-
mental magic— thinking
secrets of
fun! If you don't fight your thoughts,
narrow channels, they can
wonderful instrument
as a
when you
them
don't force
is
into
you away into marvelous worlds. You
can challenge your mind to tackle and solve a problem. You can paint
you intend
a mental picture of the brighter conditions
can search around for
There
to create.
You
self-enriching opportunities.
are endless pleasures
and
profits to the
person
Roman
who
has
made friends with his own mind. The summed it up with, "If you have a contented mind, you have enough ancient
author Plautus
to enjoy life with." It
has been rightly observed that
we
get from
life in
proportion
we give. That rule applies specifically to our desires. We catch them we first put something into our pursuit. The man who fails to get what he wants is like the rancher who wanted to catch a rabbit, but as
as
thought
it
pointless to place a real carrot in the trap. Instead,
a paper picture of a carrot
catch?
A
and placed
it
inside the trap.
he clipped
What
did he
paper rabbit.
Place positive attitudes into your various traps and you will certainly catch positive results.
Your opportunity People in mental confusion often say, structive thoughts all right, but
but
I
don't
know how
to find
I
"I
just don't
them."
would
like to think con-
have any. Not only
that.
HOW TO WIN YOUR To
such an inquiry
know how
to find
usually reply, "For now, you don't need to
I
them. All you need do
present ideas are not working.
you can recognize the
to realize fully that
is
You must
will
one delusion after another. Be content
self to
make
will then
Then,
This
is
something
all is
well."
problems and failures and
is
They
is
The
lose
your
illu-
and mistakes
difficulties
force us to face the truth.
right
not a matter of
You must
why
are so valuable to us.
admit fully that your
to
appearance. Clear thinking
its
finding something, but of losing something. sions.
go on attaching your-
genuine courage.
is
your
recognize the false before
you
true. Otherwise,
present ideas are self-defeating. This
way
DESIRES QUICKLY / 93
They
tell
us that
wrong, while at the same time announcing that some-
thing can also he right. Every difficulty— such as a thwarted desire— is
an opportunity
to give
up some
unrealistic notion that prevents the
appearance of our desire.
Objected one woman, "But what will
my
Won't
illusions?
I
have
left
What
can
I
feeHost^ Insecure?
once I
I
give
up
do with an
empty mind?"
"Once
what can he do with
a farmer clears his field of weeds,
it?"
Shirley's discovery Shirley
vented
its
J.
was blocked
Her weedy thinking premake other people like and
in her desire.
growth. She said, "I want to
appreciate me."
"That's entirely beside the point,"
I
told her.
"What do you mean? Everyone wants "I If
mean, Shirley, that you are looking
you think that others don't
reason
why you
think that way.
yourself very well. So,
course they don't like
me? Can't
say
I
like
you
And
too well.
mind
is
you want, that
are with others
How
there's a
you don't you
react,
like
'Of
could they like someone like
secret thoughts?"
a
from the wrong angle.
as well as
blame them.' Really, now,
She smiled. "You're
be liked." it
the reason
whenever you
me
to at
reader."
Shirley, aren't these your
94 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
make them like you. Work at changing your Once your personal self-esteem goes up, so You won't have any doubts about your accept-
"Forget trying to
thoughts toward yourself. will
your popularity.
ance by others. Your confidence will be based on a simple acceptance of yourself."
"Are you saying that others will
"Exactly. it.
me
like
to the
same degree
that
myself?"
I like
You
Take
will see that
you get along with world
is
a look at
it
right
now. Be ruthlessly honest about
you get along with others
yourself.
Your acceptance
to the
same degree
that
or rejection in the social
caused by your acceptance or rejection of yourself.
If
you
don't like yourself you will feel that others don't like you either. This
makes you
act guardedly,
unnaturally, ready to get hurt by a
stiffly,
remark or a look." "Yes, that's
how
it
goes.
So
it's
my
thoughts about myself that
need uplifting?" Yes.
Use
the secrets of mental magic for building your self-es-
teem. Then, you'll be delighted at the
way
all
your
social relations fall
nicely into place."
"All right.
I'll
work with
it."
Shirley wisely did just that.
from
And
she changed her social relations
No one
when he
or
between self-popularity and other-popularity
is
fair to delightful.
She couldn't
fail.
ever
fails
she works with the truth.
(The
relation
such an important idea that
we
will
examine
its
details in
Chapter IX).
Victorious viewpoints Shirley achieved her desire by seeking and discovering a basic truth about herself.
And
for every desire
you may have, there
is alv.
way through. One of your best means of discovery is to ask yourself, "Would there actually be a barrier if my mind wasn't creating one"" You will find that there are no barriers except self-made ones. And they can be torn down by correcting our attitudes toward ourselves. a
Dr. David Seabury speaks about victorious viewpoints:
HOW Is
top
.
it
.
TO WIN YOUR DESIRES QUICKLY / 95
true that there are acts which can direct one's
As we progress
?
.
our research
in
and near great used these means,
that the great
or unconsciously— choose which
how
word you
will.
may have
victory can be accomplished
doubted that
will
it
show
way
to the
that there are;
instinctively, intuitively
Their conclusions as to
none of them
differed, but
could be done.
it
Of one fact we can be sure: those who won positions of power, who gained recognition, who performed great services for mankind, who sought and found love, who, in whatever their sphere, became fortunate, maintained through thick
and
concerning the desires they sought to
fulfill.
thin
an affirmative attitude
2
The pioneer we
So,
see that
And
big difference. I
strongly urge
tures.
true.
I
know
you
pioneer
our attitude toward our desire that makes the is
a special
Tu
to adopt:
rn
kind of affirmative attitude that >:>
;
nothing that will do more
of
Sooner or
A
it is
there
later,
to
jv.n-fdUd .adven-
:;::•:
make your
desires
come
even-thing comes to the adventurous man.
named James
Bridger
made
a
famous
discover}-
venturing into the unknown. His success supplies a helpful
by ad-
illustra-
tion:
among
Bridger was the Bear River.
It
a party* of
was wild and unmapped country, and nothing was
more mysterious than the very had
Western trappers encamped along
river flowing past their
a different idea as to the course of the
camp. Everyone
Bear River. Excited opinions
flew back and forth across the campfire. In order to setde things.
James Bridger stood up and spoke out, "I'm leaving. give you
some
The adventurous its
way through
into sight.
valleys
be back
to
and mountains. Suddenly,
David Seaburv.
a vast
it
twisted
view burst
attitude led to the discovery,
Great Salt Lake.
Your adventurous
2
trapper followed the Bear River as
That was how an adventurous
in 1S24. of Utah's
Row,
I'll
right answers.
T
Publishers, 1958).
attitudes can
make
discoveries for vou, too.
'New
York: Harper and
96 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
Check up on your desires needful to think clearly toward a desire
It is
under a mental microscope. Try
this, set it
you can about
Am
Ask
it.
all-out effort
What further information Do I enjoy my pursuit of
How
can
make
1
have.
To do
understand everything
yourself questions like the following:
making an
1
to
we may
toward
it?
can help me? it?
faster progress?
Am 1 using obstacles for benefits? Notice that
last question,
"Am
I
using obstacles for benefits: " 1
contains an explosive secret of mental magic.
The
idea
It
to use every-
is
thing that happens to you as a stimulus for self-advancement.
A
teacher wanted to impress her class with the
of the world.
ingly
on our
object that
found
She wanted side.
immense wealth
to see that the natural earth
She asked everyone
was absolutely
useless.
is
to try to think of
As hard
overwhelm-
some natural
as they tried,
nothing was
be without value of some kind. Dry crusts of bread provided
to
A single
food for passing birds.
and
it
color.
And
rose petal could be studied for beauty
so on.
Likewise, every
human
we permit it. member of my
condition can be turned into an advan-
tage once
A
lecture audience spoke up,
painfully tense. I'd like to loosen myself, to relax. tion.
How
can
I
turn
it
"My That
muscles are is
my
condi-
into advantage?"
"The reason you remain physically tense is because you don't stop to become aware that you are tense. Interrupt yourself during your day to notice how tightly you are holding your muscles. Once you see let
this,
once you are aware that you are tense, you can simply
go and loosen yourself.
really solves
it.
It is
your awareness of the condition that
Practice this self-observation throughout your day.
After a while your combination of self-awareness and self-loosening will
become
a relaxed habit."
HOW TO WIN YOUR Look There
is
DESIRES QUICKLY / 97
for the benefits in every condition.
They
are always there.
always a supply to every desire.
Energize your desire a startling fact about
It is
many
people that they have
all
the
power they need but are completely unaware of how much of it they waste. What great things they could accomplish if they would only plug up the leaks of their precious energy!
You have
the
all
power you need
Declares the author of Every you dream
All that
be within your reach if
if
you can focus your
pose.
whether
Man
of, all that
winning
you need.
all that
a King:
you yearn for and long
you have the power to
it
health,
is
faculties with sufficient intentness
you wish, hold
it
money, or
to be, will
affirm sufficiently strong,
on a single pur-
concentration upon the thing you wish that brings
is
It
for
to you,
it
position. Constantly affirm that
which
power positive and
persistently in the thought, concentrate all the
and when the mind is sufficiently come to you as certainly as a stone will the earth, when left free in the air, through the attracting of gravitation. You make yourself a magnet to draw the con-
of your mind
upon
it,
creative the desired thing will
come
to
influence dition
you wish. 3
What must we do find energy.
we need
not
not the creation of energy that needs our attention.
We
You
already have so
Your thoughts
The
are
physical body
such a
to create
much
enormous is
an aid
state? Certainly
present power:
forces.
to attainment.
Your emotions carry you
freely forward.
The
a creative power.
faculty of speech
Your
five senses
is
enrich you every day.
Attitudes to abandon No,
it is
must channel 3
it
into constructive release.
Orison Swett Marden, Every
Company).
Man
a King
But
(New
in order to York:
do
Thomas
this
we
Y. Crowell
:
98 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
must be aware
that
we
are wasting those precious powers.
man knowingly
cause us to stop at once, for no Battling unrealistic fears
will
wastes himself.
wasted action.
typical of
is
That
The
time
and energy spent fighting phantoms could well be employed winning
moment. Wasted energy
the desire of the
walking down the
street
"Why," asked
is
illustrated
while wildly swatting at the
air.
you making those
a passing friend, "are
man
by the
useless
motions?"
Replied the
man
as
he swatted
"But there aren't any
"It works, doesn't it?"
Learn
out, "It keeps tigers away."
within a thousand miles."
tigers
beamed the swinging
to identify those
one.
mental motions that waste your thought-
power. As you see them for what they
are,
you
abandon
will speedily
them. Here are ten typical attitudes that should be cast overboard:
Worry
over being misunderstood.
Clinging to false assumptions.
Being unnecessarily
serious.
Indulging in self-accusation. Regretting the past.
Mentally arguing with the
Not maintaining
self.
a receptive mind.
Being emotional instead of reasonable.
Not making
it
an
Getting angry at
interesting adventure.
life.
Let's give that last point the close look
An unhappy wants
to
person rebels against his unwanted condition.
natural and healthy.
way
I,
It
is
he
is
He
all
by
his great mistake:
he rebels against the wrong things.
lost in
and wearily
the desert
his
rebellion
itself this
man
is
as
both
that there
is
right.
where he makes
he should be attacking
man
Now,
indicates a feeling in the
to live— and
But here ter
deserves
be rid of the things that make up his unhappiness, such
failure, anxiety, weariness.
another
it
own
He
As we saw
battles against
false beliefs
about
life.
life,
He
who wrongly assumes that he must What he should battle is
battle the elements.
in
is
Chap-
when like a
stay there his belief
HOW TO WIN YOUR
he must stay there. Once he actually sees that he need not remain,
that
way out
the
DESIRES QUICKLY / 99
as simple as
is
walking away.
Action power! One man who had found that life
opener
was a
when
I
battle
saw that
Now,
assumptions.
I
way out
his
told
me,
"I
between myself and the world.
was
really
not only
know
it
used
between the truth and exactly
what
I
to
What
think
an eye-
my
false
want, but have
them."
Some
of the letters crossing
my
desk refer to an idea found in
ACTION POWER: The Miracle Way New Life. You might apply it to your programs: previous book
When you get mad What you should rebel
at
life
to a
my
Successful
you are misdirecting precious energy.
phony and unworkable and someone planted in your mind when you were too young to know better. You now think that these attitudes are the only ones that exist, because when you know only one thing you know only one thing. But there exists a world of happiness and excitement of which you may not be aware. But you can find it. against
agonizing attitudes toward
How? By once
A
was used
to carry logs
The
downward
channels weakened the it
went
all
self.
Your
all
part
the is
off.
The
of farmers
steady flow.
river
As
it
after another. Less
corrective action
no longer wasted
coursed
than 50
was taken. its
energy.
the way.
Let that remain already have
energy served to deliver
river to serve their various pur-
river's
came through. Then,
channels were blocked logs
river's
one channel
lost its logs to
percent of the timber
its
were
downstream from the
Then, trouble developed. Groups
and engineers dug channels into the
All
that
The fallen trees were trimmed, rolled into the down to the sawmill. For several months every-
thing worked out perfectly. All that
The
life
left to float
the logs to the destination.
poses.
the
you by fuzzy-minded people.
river in Brazil
and
is
that
the steady reduction of those false ideas about
drilled into
jungles to the city. river,
life
as a
mental picture. Let
power you need
it
remind you that you
for delivering your desires to your-
to recover all that
every idea or notion that drains you.
power.
You do
it
by blocking
off
MENTAL MAGIC
100 / SECRETS OF
Rich results will come
My hope them
until
in presenting all these ideas
you receive
practical results.
confidence in that— when you enjoyably
Or maybe you
is.
thrill to
They
Maybe you
insight that increases your income.
you
that
will
persist. It
ing some tiresome action because for the less it
is
first
will
work with
come— have
might be
full
a flash of
find yourself abandon-
how
time you see
the feeling that a
new
life is
point-
actually
possible.
But they also
come. You can work alone part of the time, and
will
with others.
Many
people
me
tell
that they have been helped by
forming groups for the sole purpose of exploring the secrets of mental magic. Others find
it
who
ported from groups
make these studies a part of their Some of the best results are re-
profitable to
church or club or business
activities.
gather in the evening at homes of various
members. Chapter
XVI
supplies details for having a
Plans That
1.
There find
2. 3.
are
Win Your
Mental Magic Party.
Desires
abundant supplies of everything you need. You
them through
SOMM.
Maintain a single-minded purpose toward your
Examine your
attitudes
goal.
desires.
Encourage
a cheerful
atmosphere
toward your
affirmative viewpoints. 4.
Enjoy your mind. This establishes that invites your desires.
5.
Ask
yourself whether the barrier to
what you want
exists
only in your mind. This could prove to be a great revelation. 6. 7.
Go
after
Use everything ficulty
8.
your desires with a as a
means
spirit of
adventure.
of self-advancement.
Every
dif-
can stimulate you to more successful action.
Remember
that your
power
is
always equal
to
your need.
HOW 9.
Become aware energies.
10.
TO WIN YOUR DESIRES QUICKLY / 101
Work
of thoughts
Abandon
and emotions
that waste your
attitudes that drain your strength.
energetically with the plans in this chapter until
win your
desires.
Help
Mental Magic Party.
others to
win
theirs
you
by holding a
What You Should Know About Happiness
probably, at some time or other, you have played the party game that goes like Players
sit
The
in a circle.
tence, then quickly whispers is
player thinks of a short sen-
to the next player.
The
sentence
quickly whispered around the circle from player to player.
Then, the stands
it.
final player
There
is
speaks aloud the sentence as he under-
always a strange and funny difference between
the original sentence and the sentence,
bold
confused
"The
is
lives.
Happily, lost. It
man
is
The
it
form.
One game
into battle!" It
started with
came
out,
'The
cattle!"
how some
people end up with
original truth-that-makes-for-happiness gets
way.
need not remain that way. The truth can never
can be distorted or rejected or ignored, but the brightest
life is
that the truth
is
ready for the
man
as
soon as the
ready for the truth. As William Makepeace Thackeray
points out, [102]
final
went
a good illustration of
distorted along the
hope of
its
soldiers
bent some
girls
That
be
it
first
this:
"Our
great thoughts, our great affections, the truths of
"
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT our
life,
never leave
Surely they cannot separate from our con-
us.
sciousness, shall follow
HAPPINESS / 103
whithersoever that shall go, and are of their
it
nature divine and immortal.
As we regain our
emotional freedom
full
of direct living, that delightful state
we knew
we
also reclaim the art
in childhood.
Children
are beautifully spontaneous because a confused society has not yet
forced
them
be
to
suppressed, on guard.
artificial,
thing because he feels like feels
he should
feel like
HOW
it.
He
a distorted message. it
his
moment more is
about that party game.
not responsible for having received
couldn't help
what was passed on
him.
He
as
about himself and his capacities. Most of them were planted in
mind when he lacked discernment, when he was now;
reason, "Let's see as I've
to
much judgment and understanding as was possible. no man is responsible for having picked up false doc-
with
Likewise, trines
child does some-
TO HAVE FUN!
that last player in the circle
received
A
adult does something because he
it.
Let's think together for a
Now,
An
been
told, that
me
let
think things through.
I'm at the mercy of fate? Or, do
too
young
to
Is it really true,
I
possess certain
me in command of my own life? Yes, I make it my business to find and use my natural
inner strengths that place
think
I do.
So
I'll
powers."
No, you and
when we were
too
I
are not responsible for having accepted the false
young
to
know
the difference between the true
and
the false.
But every
man
ideas that trick
him
is
responsible for ridding himself of those hoaxing
into unhappiness.
And do you want
to
know something? Freedom -finding can be
a fun-filled game!
Personal freedom and happiness Margaret C. started the counseling session with the simple declaration, "I
want
to
be happy."
104 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
"Do you know what happiness
is?" I asked.
"No."
"Then how "I don't
"When you really
mean
will
you recognize
know. Everything
is
is
it
want
say that you
when you
see it?"
so confused." to
be happy, Margaret, what you
you want freedom from unhappiness. Freedom
that
is
happiness." "Yes,
I
can see
How
that.
"By dropping the chains
do
I
liberate myself?"
When
of unrealistic thinking.
you see
things as they really are, not as you think they should be, you are free
—and
completely happy."
Margaret found her freedom by using the ideas you
will
now
read
about.
Back
in the year
1535 a Spanish ship was sailing
off the coast of
South America when they sighted a strange group of
The
islands.
exploring crew discovered some amazing creatures living there, includ-
ing giant tortoises.
When
the
news spread about these curious lands
—called the Galapagos Islands— other expeditions tried to find them,
but
failed.
around
The
superstitious sailors concluded that the islands
to different spots in the sea.
The
ocean currents carried approaching ships this truth
This
was discovered, the is
islands
moved
simple fact was, the tricky
off in
wrong
directions.
were located with
Once
ease.
an excellent example of how the human mind draws
and harmful conclusions through misunderstanding. In advanced science those sailors, but
this
we wouldn't make a geographical mistake we still come up with harmful conclusions
false
day of as did
our
in
daily mental explorations.
The greatest day of your life What,
to tell the truth,
our happiness?
about and what
It is
we wrongly
sions that contradict reality,
and any attempt
is
the thing that wears us out and destroys
the constant clash between
to find
think
we
it is.
suffer.
As long There
is
what as
life is real])
we hang onto
all
illu-
no other explanation,
one will only resxdt in additional pain and
frustration.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
HAPPINESS / 105
The
is
wise and courageous
man
who
the one
is
for the sake of his
willing
may be—
to face the facts of life— as temporarily challenging as they
permanent freedom and peace.
Where, then,
is
happiness?
In the mind. In your mind. Proof?
Think
of something outside your mind, perhaps a person or a
possession that used to give exterior thing
you pleasure, but no longer does. That
the same, but
is still
it
no longer makes you happy.
come? Because your thoughts have changed toward
How
because your
it,
viewpoints are different.
More evidence? Think you in the like it?
of another person or a possession that past,
but that
now
gives
you
had no
satisfaction.
attraction for
How
come you
Again, because your mind holds altered attitudes toward
it.
This does not mean, of course, that exterior objects have nothing to
do with our
states of happiness. It does
points determine
mean
whether they are pleasurable
that our mental view-
or not.
Since you can change your mind, you can change your states of
happiness— in ways far greater than you
may now
One man who came for counsel was told, your life will be when you really see your mind own troubles."
"Why
is
that?"
suspect!
"The
greatest
day of
as the cause of
your
he asked.
"Because for the
first
the ability to create your
time you will also really see your
own
mind with
happiness."
Serve your best interests Have you interests?
ever
What
The answer
is
is
wondered why people often harm
extremely helpful
:
Take,
as
an example, the
He
best
as
he grasps
man who
uses this self-damaging
method only because he knows no other course But
own
the explanation for such contradictory behavior?
constantly meets difficulties with anger.
of alternatives.
their
to take;
he
is
unaware
a self-helping tool— such as seeing his
MENTAL MAGIC
106 / SECRETS OF
problem with a mature technique.
mind— his
As we grasp the
anger
we
superior,
away
falls
an out-of-date
as
lose the inferior.
As we
really
we serve them. The ideas we have covered up to this point should make us excited! The mind can create happiness. It is independent of outside insee our best interests,
fluences. It will free us
from painful dependency upon
fickle
circum-
stances.
Here
how
is
Dr. David Seabury expresses
it:
modern psychology has in recent years and happiness that should excite us far more than the invention of any of our modern machines. It has made the discovery of how a person uses his mind correctly, and thus Research
made a
how
in
the field of
contribution to our health
to live with ease.
has proved a fact of greater importance to
It
modern contrivances put together. Yet was so simple that humans have ignored it for centuries. Especially was this basic wisdom hidden because it depended upon an attitude, and not until recent decades have the attitudes by which people live seemed important. What is this grand yet simple discovery that can do so much for
each individual than like
all
of our
the discovery of the wheel the needed truth
us? It consists in knowing how true mental power is made available to anyone who knows how to use it In other words, modern psychology now offers you a way by which you can use your intelligence many, many times more successfully. By so doing you will not only conquer most of the troubles in your life, but achieve the desires that for years you have found im.
.
.
possible of realization. 1
Life
Now
is
for living!
that we've covered
to a truth that at first
all this
may seem
ground about thinking, we come
contradictory.
But
it
actually
makes
wonderful sense: Life
is
for living, not for thinking.
But before we can
Have you
live freely,
our thinking must be liberated.
ever noticed that the happiest people are those
who
go about their business casually, spontaneously, almost thoughtlessly
1 David Seabury, The Art of Living Without Tension and Row, Publishers, 1958).
(New
York:
Harper
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT —and They
yet accomplished
than those
happy because they have learned
are
magic— that tain
much more
of effordess mentality. Their
worry over criticism from others or
They appear
HAPPINESS / 107
who
strain at things?
major secret of mental
a
minds have no space
to
indifferent to occurrences that others interpret as a bother
or a threat. In short, they are like a lighthouse in a
ing away almost as
if
storm— calmly
also.
You can
learn to live your days
happily, rather than painfully think
them through. As French
Honore de Balzac
as a
secrets of nature,
"As soon
states,
where there
Balzac calls "sight"
mind
of the
is
calls "insight" or
True happiness One
thing
are not the ful
no
are
he can see that the marvelous
What tist
way
same thing
as
the same thing that a
we must you are
As we have
itself.
about
going on.
It is
only
scien-
really
when we
seen, the peace-
happy, do you stop to think
are
it
without being aware of
unhappy
that
we
stop to think
it.
What
magnificent conclusion do
we
reach?
Happiness appears when the mind ceases
The
story goes about the cowboy
his horse to carry
him down
steps, stopped, took a
"Got
modern
experience, almost without think-
No. You en joy ably experience
it?
is
that thoughts about happiness
is
about
is
needed
effortless
is
it
what
is
the outcome of the simple."
ing about
at all.
novelist
desires to penetrate the
"understanding."
happiness
When
man
real secrets, all that is
we must understand
something that
is
shin-
the storm didn't exist.
Their secret can be yours,
sight;
to enter-
doubt their personal value.
a
it!
few more, halted once more. Asked an onlooker,
stubborn horse?"
"No," explained the
command he That tantly
the road.
to fight for
who was having trouble getting The animal took a few hesitant
is
"He's so afraid he won't hear
my
next
stops all the time to listen."
They hesimake galloping
the unfortunate condition of lots of people.
stumble forward,
progress.
rider.
They
when
they could just as well
are so afraid of criticism or of
making mistakes
that
they halt constantly to see whether their actions are approved by
108 / SECRETS OP
MENTAL MAGIC
others. In other words, their
hampers forward
minds
war which
are in a constant tug of
progress.
Notice that unhappy times are accompanied by considerable mental
That can even be
confusion.
stated a bit stronger: Notice that un-
happiness always involves confused thoughts.
Here we have another valuable clue ment: Our personal peace increases
for finding
we
as
genuine content-
learn to think clearly.
The rewards of clear thinking Unless our minds operate with
What do we mean
will elude us.
clarity
by
the facts of a matter, to be aware of
and
simplicity, tranquillity
means
clear thinking? It
to see
and not be swayed by
its realities,
faulty attitudes or unrealistic desires.
The problem
We
or less clearly.
most of us are
is,
haven't the slightest idea
we
takenly see things as
than as they
are, rather
mind by
this stunt of the
we
the
we are of how
satisfied that
name
are.
thinking more
we
mis-
Psychology
calls
means
that
often
of "projection." This
project our personal beliefs toward a situation, then assume that
what we think
is
true
The
be the case.
actually true— though the exact opposite
is
hostile
mind, for instance,
is
might
convinced that other
people are as hostile as he is— which keeps him in both inner and outer conflict.
The
clear-minded man, on the other hand, draws no such
He
conclusions.
meets everyone
reveal himself as he actually
is,
as
an individual; he
some
hostile,
each person
lets
some peaceful. That
of clear thinking in inter-personal relations gives
him an
sort
easy com-
mand.
To
be aware that
rather than as
we
need.
it
we
actually
And what
trouble.
false
This
is
is, is
we
are,
a great step toward the clear-mindedness
rich rewards there are!
Why the Any
often mistakenly see the world as
u-boat sank
information that
we hold
in
mind
is
certain to cause
such an important idea to remember that
you about an incident from history that
will help implant
I
want it.
to tell
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT During World mines
off the
War
the
I
HAPPINESS / 109
German submarine UC-44 was
laying
English coast, hoping to blow up unwary British vessels.
But the U-boat hadn't counted on the cleverness of Admiral William
Naval
Hall, director of British
Intelligence. Hall decided to deliver
some false— and destructive— information submarine. ships,
The
to the
commander
of the
own Germans. The
admiral broadcast a message, supposedly to his
but which he
knew would be
intercepted by the
message stated that the mines planted by the submarine had been cleared away; therefore, any ship could waters.
now
Although the information was
pass safely through the
(the mines were
false
there), the U-boat swallowed the message whole.
upon
UC-44
false information, the
As
still
a result of acting
own mines and
struck one of her
sank.
What
can
we do
prevent ourselves from acting upon false
to
attitudes that sink our happiness?
Lots. For
we can
one thing,
use some:
Backtalk Whisper:
'Tour supply of happiness
beyond Backt-alk:
"That low
limited.
is
a totally false assumption that
at all.
My happiness
Backtalk:
"Because contentment
Even though I
accept
"Human
don't swal-
is
mans
natural condition.
need more understanding on
I it
I
increases automatically as
Whisper:
idea,
can't go
it."
is
my mind finds liberty." "Why not remain miserable?"
Whisper:
You
this
as absolutely true."
nature doesn't really change.
Why
try to
improve yourself?" Backtalk:
"Pure nonsense.
Human
nature changes
time, for better or for worse.
I
all
the
intend to change for
the better."
alone and helpless in a hostile world."
Whisper:
"You
Backtalk:
"Wrong. All the
are
all
Life are on
my
and use them."
great
side. I
and natural Principles of need only
to fully discover
110 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
"Making unhappy mistakes
Whisper:
a
is
permanent pattern
of behavior in your life."
My
"Totally incorrect.
Backtalk:
of insight into myself.
my mistakes
grows,
mistakes are caused by lack
As
will fall
my
self-understanding
away more and more."
A PROFOUND TRUTH It's
been said that the best way
him
to introduce
happiness
gloom
to other girls. Likewise, the best
way
to
is
not
keep your
quietly to refuse negative ideas that try to introduce them-
is
selves to your
that
keep her youth
for a girl to
is
mind. Don't
let
the gloomy lives of other people suggest
necessary to your
life. It isn't at all.
Not when you apply
the secrets of mental magic.
Nature has equipped certain
sea-birds with anti-salt glands that
enable them to purify water from the ocean. Likewise, your
equipped with anti-gloom devices that enable you
mind
is
to obtain only the
good and enjoyable from the world.
Walter B. was
came
we
a prosperous business executive
to the point in his office transactions.
talked:
"I'll
"You
down
get right
How
change things.
can
I
He came
to business. I'm
who
habitually
to the point as
unhappy.
I
want
to
acquire happiness?"
can't."
"I can't?"
he asked
in surprise.
"No, and neither can anyone
else."
"I don't understand."
"You ness.
This
can't, isn't
Walter, acquire happiness. But you can lose unhappt-
merely a play on words. This
you've been looking
contentment with
is
for.
The
is
the profound truth
only thing that will give you genuine
the loss of discontent. If you will work as earnestly
this idea as
you do with
a business project,
you
will
make
that
inner change that you want."
"I'm trying to understand your point, but
you please supply
"You
see,
a
few
my
mind's hazy. Will
details?"
your unhappiness
is
caused by unrealistic and
self-
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HAPPINESS damaging
They as if
really haven't that
So— you
so.
it is
it's
Your
false ideas
stance, but
Then you "Let I
ess,
make you
But back
see things incorrectly. It
bad behavior or
some
in
is
this
that the prob-
exterior circum-
mind
of
its
distortions.
will be peaceful in all situations."
me
Walter, "whether I'm following you.
see," said
my
should work at dismissing
You have
it
false ideas
about
life.
You
say
Then, when
the automatic outcome?"
is
Think
exactly right.
ways— buying new
futile
trying to think
of happiness as a ridding proc-
work
at
pears
all
clothes or joining clubs or even by
happy thoughts. They
ridding your
by
itself.
When
mind
Then,
of
its
clothes
Walter came back
plunged right
to the point:
a business associate.
and clubs have for
hand. So
I
I
do
day I
I
was tempted
all,
that
is,
on the right
to
my
realized that
wanted most of
blow up
at
anger would
to solve the prob-
choose to calmly talk the matter over with him.
Now,
you mean. By ridding myself of that to
a bit hazy, but I'm
"It's still
Even-thing cleared up nicely.
was able
their rightful place."
second conference he again
a
Then, suddenly,
prevent the very thing
when you
negative viewpoints, happiness ap-
track at last. For instance, the other
at
the simple reason that
fail for
mind can only produce negative answers. But
a negative
I
know
did you
not as something to acquire. People try to acquire happiness in so
many
lem
How
actually isn't— it's in your attitude toward them. Learn
it
I'm free of them, happiness
you react
SUCCEEDED
those false viewpoints. Rid your
to dismiss
that
a mind-reader.
makes you unhappy. You conclude
in another person's
is
so,
part of your negative mental make-up.
all
incorrect seeing that
hurt your feelings.
from others?"
HOW WALTER ''Because
to
get unhappy.''
that I'm sensitive to remarks
to the point.
power
power, but because you think
Walter grinned. "You must be
lem
you may have
ideas that dwell in your mind. Foi instance,
the false notion that other people have the
111
/
for the
his first
time,
false notion that
the practical thing. I'm
Walter had caught
first
much
I
really see
what
anger was useful,
happier, believe me."
Magnificent Glimpse of the better
life.
MENTAL MAGIC
112 / SECRETS OF
Summary: Happiness appears automatically
we
as
rid
our minds
of unhappiness-causing ideas.
Happiness and self-expansion one
If there is
expansion.
To do
makes us
self-esteem
is
we
To
life,
it
self-
is
did on the pre-
gain self-insight
certain to uplift both our
liking for ourselves.
it
simply growth, but
and
us pleased with ourselves.
touchy or more cheerful
less
and our
We can call
element for the happy
something better on Friday than
Monday makes
vious that
essential
self-expansion or release of our inner resources or it all
adds up to the same thing: living more fully
zestfully every day.
Nothing— absolutely nothing— has
the power to
make you happier
than the daily discovery that you are actually better than you thought
you were! And
if
you think you
are.
added fact,
to the
and a
you
book
fact
really
(And just to
want
this
know, you are always better than
to
not something that Vernon
is
make you
which you can
Howard
because
feel good. It's here
it's
a
when-
delightfully discover for yourself
ever you choose).
man
Every sion.
To
to that
has a natural urge for mental and emotional expan-
the extent that you express your inner talents,
same extent does your happiness glow more
the degree that your rich inner self
same degree
Here
will
how
is
Life
you
feel dissatisfied
Dr. Erich
energy directed toward destruction
less
is
2 Erich
1941).
is
.
.
.
It
.
.
.
to
its if
own; this
changes
it:
it
tends to grow, to be ex-
tendency
thwarted the
is
into energies directed
The more the drive toward
life
the drive toward destruction; the more
life.
little,
And
with yourself.
explains
seems that
life
by
suppressed and blocked, to that
is
life
the strength of destructiveness. Destructiveness
unlived
ston,
Fromm
has an inner dynamism of
pressed, to be lived.
stronger
is
little
brightly.
is
toward
thwarted, is
the
realized, the
the outcome of
2
Fromm, Escape From Freedom (New York:
Holt, Rinehart and
Win-
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
HOW One
evening
TO BUILD SELF-ESTEEM at a
in their early teens.
stantly
my
on
banquet
steaming sweet potato. All the that particular sweet potato
much self
was seated near
What
several
young
ladies
salad course they giggled con-
as only teen-age girls
named Linda was
with cheery pride.
I
Throughout the
and amusingly, left
HAPPINESS / 113
can giggle.
Then
the
girl
served with a delicious-looking hodygirlish glee at the table
on Linda's
concentrated on
Linda herself beamed
plate.
pleased her so much, and
what
attracted so
attention? Information scurried around the table that Linda her-
had grown that
vegetables at
when most
up our the market, she had done something unique. Through potato! In these days
of us pick
her personal thought and effort she had brought that sweet potato into existence. It
was
special because
personally proven Linda to herself!
it
was her
Her
Linda had
creation!
self-satisfaction
was
entirely
sprang from her own initiative and self-reliance. we depend upon other people or for outer events to give us a sense of self-esteem, we will be worried. We will worry that they will fail us. But if we depend upon the center of strength found within, justified: It If
disappointment becomes impossible. Happiness springing from a simple trust in the self can endure because
it is
genuine.
The secret of happiness Count Leo
who
Tolstoy, the noted novelist
wrote
War and
Peace, once told a story about a wealthy nobleman and his downstairs
neighbor, a
coming from the purse full of if
The nobleman was annoyed by the cheery happy worker below. The wealthy man held
tailor.
money
to the tailor
with the
offer,
'This money
is
songs
out
a
yours
you stop your happy songs."
The
tailor
money and stopped
took the
he missed the sound of
his
own happy
must express
my
happiness."
saying, "I
Any that
any
of us can
make
genuine happiness artificial devices.
the
singing.
He
voice.
same discovery
is
like a
after a while
returned the money,
We can
see
the courage to give
up
as that tailor.
comes when we have
Happiness
But
glowing lantern covered with
114 / SECRETS OF
a heavy cloth.
It is
there
MENTAL MAGIC
all right,
glowing brightly.
When we
remove
the covering of misunderstanding, the light leaps out to brighten every-
thing in the
life.
Happiness
is.
You have nothing
And
do any time you earnestly choose
do
to
needs only your
to create. It
uncovering-through-understanding.
that
something you can
is
so.
Vital Truths About Your Happiness 1.
Happiness
is
never permanently
lost
by anyone.
It
can be
wonderfully reclaimed through the secrets of mental magic. 2.
No
one can be blamed for having absorbed unhappiness-
causing ideas. But everyone can have the fun of rediscovering his naturally free 3.
self.
As we really understand what life
is all
about, a great change
As the mind thinks newly,
takes place.
exterior circum-
stances change miraculously. 4.
Happiness
exists, first of all, in
the mind.
When
our mental
processes are clear, peace follows. 5.
Get excited over your
talents for building a better life.
You
already possess the basic tools— your thoughts. 6. Life is for easy living,
insight that 7.
makes
To remember a
it
not for strained thinking. Seek the
easy.
type of thinking
we
the story of the U-boat. Clear the 8.
Think
should avoid, remember
mind
of false information.
of happiness as a ridding process.
negative thoughts, happiness rushes in to 9. Self-expression
your natural 10.
makes you
fill
the vacuum.
Find ways
to
develop
creativities.
Depend upon your self-esteem
feel good.
As you dismiss
and
inner center of strength.
self-satisfaction.
It
gives
you
K Your Thoughts Can
Make You Popular
scientists tell us that the sea contains millions of dollars
worth of gold. They have accurately estimated
that sea water contains about five cents'
worth of gold
to every
ton.
Someday some genius may work out an economical plan winning will
all
that glittering gold
Something that you have personality.
of sea water has
wealth.
When
he does, he
is
is
favorites. Just as every gallon
gold, so does every
and always has been
not be aware of
Once you there
its
man
possess his inner
there,
even though the
it.
catch a Magnificent Glimpse of your richer
nothing else you need to do. Your awareness of the richness
watch, so
I
my
self,
its exist-
itself.
A man wrote a newspaper editor: found
immense wealth:
also contains
Nature plays no
It is there,
man may
I
sea.
be a pretty wealthy genius.
Your
ence
from the
for
"Last
week
I lost
my wrist-
placed an ad in your lost-and-found column.
watch under the
sofa.
Your paper
Today
gets results."
[115]
116 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
we
That's an example of the confused kind of thinking which
must avoid
in our social relations.
gets results.
So
let's
go on
We
want
to discover
what
really
to:
The great secret The
great secret for
topmost truth about that
and
wanning success then give
field,
in it
any
Find the
field is this:
your wholehearted interest
action.
When You
it
comes
to personal popularity, the
topmost truth
is
this:
you become wore
attain greater popularity with others as
popular with yourself.
This is
is
an absolute and unbreakable law governing friendships.
the very foundation for being
no
secret but this
wanted and appreciated.
one you would have
all
you need
It
you had
If
for insuring
your
popularity.
why
Let's see
The same
as those
aware of
this
is so.
subconscious attitudes that
this,
we yet
we
hold toward ourselves are the
project toward others. it is so.
If
we
We
may
not be consciously
genuinely like ourselves
we
will natu-
when outwardly. The
rally express that self-liking as other-liking— and others like us
we
like
them! All inner attitudes express themselves
process might be likened to the waves of a lake.
ward and backward, back and expresses
the its
mind
purity in both
its
that
is
roll
out-
forth. If the lake's waters are pure,
its
peace with
at
The waves
inward and outward itself
it
Likewise,
rolls.
expresses that peacefulness in
all
outward adventures.
The
author of Every
We
radiate
Man
what we
feel
our deep-seated convictions.
become, we radiate tion, in
our manner,
a King explains
and
the mind
is
think most
1
moods and
about and
strive to
to others in our every letter, in every conversain
our
life.
Spirit
is
contagious, and
will
whom we come
harmony and peace, if it is strong and peace, and harmony wherever we go.
in
radiate health,
Orison Swett Marden, Every
Company).
like this:
believe, our fleeting
What we
perceived or even taken on by those with If
it
be quickly in
contact.
healthy,
we
1
Man
a
King
(New
York:
Thomas
Y. Crowell
:
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MARE YOU POPULAR
Why
11"
/
the queen refused the
CROWN my work
In
you would haYe made
full
men and women whom
have studied thousands of
I
being successful. By "successful"
classify as
mean
I
they
use of their natural potentialities. All their other
achieYements— such
as in business or in
—were spontaneous outcomes
being
a
competent homemaker
of their successful personalities. For in-
am thinking of a bouleYard merchant who is just about the pleasantest man you could eYer meet. He is outgoing, light-hearted,
stance, I
and makes you
welcome from the moment you
feel
The man's commercial
success grows swiftly,
Why?
successful
Because he
is first
step into his shop.
month
yn. All his
a-
month.
after
good financial
fortunes follow effortlessly.
So here
Our
dynamic
the
is
secret
The
personality
and
it
traits,
are attracted to
such
is'
What
Let's
fashion:
upon
it.
as pleasantness
the natural parts of the
man
who
person
will naturally project that self -liking
people sense
this
discoYered
popularity with others depends, really, on our
esteem, on feelings of self-worth.
pany
we haYe
Such
examine
who
He
others with faYor.
King Charles
I. is
a
as
it
What
tends to be
operates in it
critical, easily
Queen
a great secret
saves.
it
disfavors himself finds
self-expressions are hardly popular.
its
negatiVe
difficult to
look
offended. T:
Henrietta Maria, wife of
good example of such self-defeating beha\ior. She
once refused the crowns of both England and Scotland. didn't like the
c
Other
displays likeable
2
v:ho likes himself.
mental principle
this
person
gees.
self-
and calmness, because they are
time and effort and disappointment
The
enjoys his
whereYer he
own own
way they
Why?
She
ran the coronation ceremony!
You need not do anything to be popular, lou need only he someone. Someone who is popular with himself. Then, when you are with others, you will always know exactly what to do and how to do it.
Predict your social success Chapter VI showed you how
and then make
it
come
true.
to predict
your
own
Well, nowhere can you
future success
foretell a brighter
MENTAL MAGIC
118 / SECRETS OF
future for yourself than in the world of
human
By applying
relations.
SOMM you can be absolutely sure of living in an entirely new world. The
phrase "new world"
be so delightfully
literally true. It will
is
wonder whether
ferent that you will
really true. Yes,
it is
is
it
dif-
true,
because as psychologist William James declared, "The greatest revolution in our generation
human
the discovery that
is
beings, by changing
the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives."
What is woman living
this
new world
human
of
is
delightfully different.
The
tion I never before thought possible.
before others
is
gone.
know why
others. I
might describe
in this brighter creation
"Everything
am
I
There
My
they behave as they do.
cause they are frightened— like
used to be.
self-esteem
I
mercy of an unkind word or glance. People
But— and here it
would
is
be. I
a strange discovery— it
am
at ease
can add
to
world
different, yes,
is
If so.
or take
it
you have not
And
I
am
No it
like
it.
I
I
on an act
understand
them has
know
one can hurt is
My
because
no longer
as yet
is
I
life
am
in
I
thought
makes perfect sense
at last.
My
different."
experienced this bright world, you can do
we
are
not a single line of prophecy in the previous
paragraph that cannot be personally true of you.
power yourself with the
me
at the
me. They respect me.
not as important as
not talking about anything fanciful— in this book
always practical. There
be-
it is
with myself, and neither praise nor blame
away.
it
is
like this:
it
criticism of
they are unkind,
rooted in myself;
is
or
a peaceful relaxa-
strain of putting
If
My
is
myself, and content with
been replaced by understanding.
any way.
The man
relations like?
secrets of
The
secret
is
to
em-
mental magic.
Claim your inner wealth! It's
really not difficult to discover the secrets of personal
We all
know what we
like in other people.
their attractive qualities are the
We
know
And we
charm.
realize that
same ones that make us appealing.
that the attractive person
is
cheerful, self-confident,
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MAKE YOU POPULAR pleasant to be around, and so on. traits is
not the problem at
What we must these are
all.
mere
do
is
first
step
to
since even-thing that
Venom
Our purpose
Change our
we
we
heme,
turn
at the office,
and do begins
are
to
is
them
What
go.
else.
thought-
as a
expression of the way v:e
l.ir.
:.-.'.'.;.
and we change the kind
basic thinking
into per-
wherever we
they are mental attitudes.
to see that
tlie
winning
venture beyond mere identification. After
descriptions.
is
identification of these
all.
sonal qualities that serve us in the
The
The
119
/
:<::'-:
of personality
express.
Think cheerfully
in private
and we
act cheerfully in public.
Be
content with ourselves and that contentment will show on our faces.
Know
that there
is
no reason
to
be afraid of anything and others will
sense that we know it. Where can we start altering those mental patterns that will remake our personalities? With self-knowledge. Someone once asked me. 'What has self-knowledge to do with
personal popularity?"
"Everything."
"How?" you don't understand that you have an abundance
"If
wealth,
how can you
even though If a
it's
man
makes no
as yet
claim
You must understand
it?
claim
it.
People
who
self,
It
But because no one realized
its
until over 150 years later did
name
is
there.
value,
he obviously
was discovered back
1601, and explored frequently by adventurers from
the
of inner
ignore their nobler natures
_ht be likened to the continent of Australia. in
it
unused."
has not had a glimpse of his richer
effort to
that
no one bothered
many
to claim
lands. it.
Not
Captain James Cook take possession
in
of England.
Self-knowledge gives you a Magnificent Glimpse of your richer self.
From
that time on,
you possess your brighter personality.
MENTAL MAGIC
120 / SECRETS OF
The self-directed personality In spy
X,
who
is
about to parachute behind enemy
commanding rips
it
you sometimes see a scene going
thrillers
The CO.
officer.
pulls a
this.
When
he's
Agent Z. The two
lines, stands before his
$100
He hands a half to Agent X
in half.
bill
from his wallet and
with the instructions, "Take
you meet the agent with the matching half of
you
work
will
Agent
like this:
you'll
know
Your combined
together.
bring about a successful mission."
skills will
Every person man's personality
something
is
without value
is
apart from his wealthy as being "alienated"
like that one-hundred-dollar bill. If a
self.
from
only because he
still
torn
Psychology usually describes such a
man
it
is
his real personality.
But
he
as
is
gets together
with himself, as his various values combine, he becomes a whole per-
His personal wealth
sonality, rich in attractiveness.
nized by those
Such
He
whom
a person
is
He clearly knows what it. He doesn't submit his
has no hesitation going after
sees that
instantly recog-
he wants.
self -directed.
others for their approval.
He knows what
he cannot submit
his self-esteem.
is
he meets.
He knows
his thinking to
course
is
anyone
desires to
best for him.
else
and
still
that to surrender his right to think
is
He
retain to sur-
render both his individuality and his happiness.
A
single
woman was
lived with her married sister said. "I
have no privacy.
ter thinks
"She the
I
me
telling
about her troubles
and the family.
can hardly
call
my
at
"I don't like life
my
it
home. She at all,"
she
my
sis-
own. But
I'm better off living there." also thinks
your rent
way you help around
is
handy, doesn't she?
And
she likes
the house?"
Building personality-power "Well, of course, as long as I'm living there help."
She then repeated
had given her
I said,
I
feel
it's
my
duty
to
the reasons her sister and her husband
for staying in their
"All right,"
do you think?"
all
home.
"you've told
me what
they think.
Now, what
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MAKE YOU POPULAR
/ 121
A quizzical expression flitted across her face. She seemed curiously starded that there might be a difference between their ideas and hers.
Her
expression seemed to say, 'Tor the
She
are the vital ones."
first
time
said aloud, "I think I
I
see that
ought
my desires my own
to get
apartment."
She
and
did,
and with
self
others.
Dr. Sidney The
began a new era of popularity— with both her-
that
M.
She was directing her own
Jourard
person
real-self directed
the healthy personality
is
person affirms the value and worth of as the best guide for
self is
a true expression of
values his
and
and
his
own
He
his real self.
.
.
.
The
trusts his real
conduct. Consequently, his behavior
his real self.
He knows
strives to satisfy the
his real
needs
in
needs,
his
own
accordance with
values. 2
own
Use
ideals,
life.
states:
this secret of
mental magic for building your personality
power: 1.
day with the intention of watching the results of
Start your
your various thoughts and actions. 2.
genuine
Notice the kinds of thoughts and actions that resulted in satisfaction; also note those that
proved unsatisfactory.
This will deepen your insight into yourself. You will see that really it is.
is
your
own
it
thoughts and actions that make your day whatever
But most exciting
of
all,
you
will catch a Magnificent
own power to make every day a triumphant And that will give you more self-esteem. And that will make you more attractive!
of your
Glimpse
one.
The story of Cincinnati^ When our minds express maturity and power we der whether people will want us and seek us out. strong individual
is
"strong individual"
inner self 2
we
Sidney
pany, 1958).
always in far
we mean
less
need never won-
The
genuinely
supply than demand.
the person
who
And by
has found that wealthy
are discussing.
M.
Jourard, Personal Adjustment
(New
York:
The Macmillan Com-
MENTAL MAGIC
122 / SECRETS OF
The
ancient legend
tells
about Cincinnatus,
who was
such a
strong personality:
A the
breathless messenger raced into
Roman army was "If
our army
the people.
trapped by
Rome
with terrifying news:
enemy, the Aequians.
its
Rome is helpless before the invaders," wailed we save ourselves? Who will lead us out of our
is lost,
"How
can
peril?"
"Cincinnatus senator.
"We
now
"But he sides,
the only one
is
must go
to
who can
help us," cried a
Roman
him; ask his aid."
lives in
peace on his farm," came the objection. "Be-
he has no authority in Rome."
"Then we will give him all the his wisdom we are lost."
authority he needs," was the reply.
"Without
The
who
Senate sent a delegation to Cincinnatus,
agreed to take
command. As he entered Rome he saw
despair and confusion. But his
calm strength soon
He
army
then led a quickly formed
to the rescue of the trapped forces.
On men
rallied the people.
the battlefield, Cincinnatus ordered the attack, then led his
to swift victory over the
On
returning to
cinnatus their king. as ruler of
Rome
He
Rome were
my country's
deliverer,
SOMM out, followed,
Aequians.
the jubilant people wanted to
make Cin-
gently declined, saying that his sixteen days
quite enough.
but
I
He
explained, "I'm pleased to be
have no need
to
be
its
develops such a personality— one that
dictator." is
needed, sought
and admired.
Your richer self Fd given a talk on human relations a man from the audience questioned, "You mentioned personal maturity several times. Why all After
the emphasis? What's the practical value in being mature? I
just live
my own
life
the
way
I
want and
standing and self-growth? What's to stop
happy
life as I
Why
can't
skip things like self-under-
me
from living
my own
see it?"
"There's nothing to stop you. But don't overlook one vital
Without maturity there
is
no happiness. The two
fact.
are inseparable.
Of
!
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MAKE YOU POPULAR / 123 course there
may be lots
you mistakenly iden-
of events in your life that
happiness— like running around and doing exciting things. But
tify as
beneath
the haunting despair
all
it
make
that? Please don't
is
still
there.
Have you
noticed
the mistake of thinking of maturity as
some
nothing like that at
sort of lofty religious or moralistic teaching. It's
an intensely practical way of life. Maturity is mental money; more you have the more genuine joy you can own. That's what I
all. It's
the
mean by
maturity. It
happy with
When
its
means you have found your
seeking to understand ourselves, what
thing to remember?
The
purpose
find.
The
real self
and are
riches."
It's
the purpose for
not to scold the
is
self or to
healthy motives are to bring
deep-down drives and
is
the important
which we seek self-knowledge.
up
be upset by anything you
to conscious
awareness your
desires, to correct self-harming attitudes, to dis-
cover and employ hidden
talents,
and
to
become
free of conflict
and
despair.
who makes this his intense intention will surely find as we have seen, this personal treasure chest is attractive to others. Just one of its many gems is the appealing trait of loyalty, of which Dr. Meerloo writes: "In general, we can say that the person who is honest with himself and shows a minimum of selfdeceit, the man who exhibits a stable structure of character, the person Any
person
And,
his richer self.
with genuine maturity, loyal to others."
is
most true
to himself,
and, as a result, most
3
We need not labor to be liked. We need only uncover the Richer Self— the Self that
I
want
vital truth
The mander
3
attractive to
both ourselves and others.
HOW
TO PERFORM A MIRACLE
to tell
you a
about
human
story about President Lincoln. It spotlights a
personality.
President once appointed General Joseph Hooker as com-
of the
Army
and win military
of the
is
of the Potomac. Lincoln told
victories that
would bring the
Reprinted by permission of The World Publishing Mind by Joost A. M. Meerloo.
Hooker
Civil
to
War
go ahead
to a rapid
Company from The Rape
124 / SECRETS OF
who was
General Hooker,
close.
MENTAL MAGIC
made some
not a very modest man,
extravagant claims. For one thing, he boasted that he would soon cap-
Richmond, the Confederate
ture
while Lincoln was
capital. Later,
reviewing the Army, Hooker turned to him with the confident declara-
when
tion, "Sir,
The that your
path,
it
take
I
Richmond
first
objective
will be easy
is
To
review
to take
that obstacle
winning our objectives the
in the
can remove them. President Lincoln wanted Hooker intelligence
and energy had
to
be directed, that
we must
of Lee's army. Likewise,
two make
five,
we must
the
way
is
mind
rid the
we
now
how
see
toward the
think that two and idea
if
we
Once
it
crumbles,
wrong
of that
where
to the destruction
is,
idea
the obstacle
is
this.
itself.
Your
life will
matically that you will think a miracle has occurred. Let's
to see just
are to
it.
Experiment with
clear.
arrival.
direct our intelligence
destruction of false ideas that bar our path. If
come to the truth about Remember, a false
Our way. And we
always awaiting our
is
remove those mental blocks that stand
to
out of your
is
Richmond.''
a basic truth for
success
it:
Once
Lee's army.
enough
Here again we meet
is
.
President interrupted by saying, "General, please remember
easy way. part
." .
this
change so dra-
And
it
has.
connects with personality-power.
Helen's nice
man
In counselling with Helen W., the mental obstacle was plain
enough.
We
had
to discover
what she
really
wanted, as opposed
to
what she thought she wanted. Helen kept
telling
their eyes," she said, I
me how
"and
I
attractive she
know
through a mental
man
barrier, so I
to
men.
"I catch
it."
have found that an abrupt question
prefer— a nice
was
is
way
to get
"Which do you
really
often the best
asked Helen:
in your life or your stage performance?"
"I'm not sure what you mean." "I
have no doubt but that you are
using this attractiveness to play a
power
to interest
any
man
I like,
role.
so
I
attractive to
You
men. But you
think, 'Well,
can afford
to
I
guess
I
are
have
be distant and cool.
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MAKE YOU POPULAR I like to
keep them guessing/ But underneath
very
much
Your
little
that
afraid, aren't
/ 125
Helen, you are
it all,
man
you? You are afraid that no
wants you.
dramatic performances are designed to convince yourself
you are
attractive.
But every day when the play
over you are in
is
despair."
"Yes," she said softly. "That's a good description.
How
did you
know?" "That's unimportant for now.
an honest woman. So
tell
What we want
continue in your despair or do you want a nice
She smiled. "Good.
"I'll
to
me, which do you want?
man
do
Do
is
make you
you want
to
in your life?"
take the nice man."
Now we can get somewhere."
And we did. Rather, Helen did. She became aware of a trick of human mind going like this Whenever we fear we cannot attain a certain goal, we set up various defenses, for instance, a pretense that we don't really want it. But that pretense is the very barrier to fulfillthe
:
ment
of that desire.
Helen found her genuine
personality. It
was
just
what one man
—living in the same apartment house— found appealing. Helen had
found the nice
Use
man
she wanted
all
along.
these secrets of mental magic to find
what you want
in the
world of people.
The diamonds of personality
We have so many misconceptions as to what makes a person popular.
Sometimes we think another person
is
popular with us,
when
in
we are merely attracted by exterior glitter. We soon grow weary man or woman who has only a surface personality. But we never of the person who is inwardly wealthy; in fact, he becomes more
reality
of the tire
attractive to us
The most
day by day. popular personality
Everyone senses the strength of the thing that
is
unnatural
sense, but because all
it
is
wrong.
trait
of
all is to
man who It is
be a
real person.
dares to be himself.
wrong not
in
wrongs the unnatural individual.
the wealth found in his genuine personality.
It's
Any-
any moralistic It
robs
like
him
of
throwing
:
126 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
away the diamond and showing
come diamond
Some
off the case
came
it
in.
We
must
be-
hunters.
of the
diamonds any
man
can find in his natural personal-
ity are
A clear mind. Daily enthusiasm. Self-confidence.
Productive use of time.
A
feeling of quietness.
Creative actions. Alertness to opportunity. Self-liking.
Pleasurable emotions.
A sense of security.
Wealthy Nothing
is
living
more painful
or pointless than trying to maintain a
human
surface personality. Half of
tensions are caused by attempts
of appearing to be someone, instead of actually being that someone.
A
businessman with
how
A
repaint
problem described
with a big bridge, maybe
it is
cisco.
this
like the
it
Golden Gate
bridge like that needs a crew of painters it,
my
year after year. That's
painting things over to
make me
this tiresome task, please tell
"You know
like this:
in
who do
San Fran-
nothing but
endless chore, too. I'm always
look good. If there
is
a
way out
of
me."
"The way out is to examine ourselves as we actually are at the moment, and not run away from whatever we see. This is
present
courage— to see honestly what
When
wise. this
is
really there,
and not pretend
that happens, a miracle also happens.
I
miracle to you, for truth cannot be communicated from one
being to another, but you can experience all, is
what we want.
We
this great
other-
cannot describe
human
change. That, alter
desire to live the real self, the wealthy self
within."
There the
names
is
a children's
of players.
A
girl
game involving
the backward spelling of
named Grace
called Ecarg, while a buy
is
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN MAKE YOU POPULAR / 127
named Roy becomes
As soon
Yor.
as a player identifies himself
straightening out his name, he advances a step in the game.
with the game of
whether we
life.
As we
find our natural selves
will be popular or
wanted
we need
So
by
it is
not worry
or liked. Naturalness
is
always
popular.
Popular Thoughts for Your Review 1.
There
is
glittering gold in
your personality.
It
needs only
your discovery. 2.
The
great secret of social popularity
yourself.
The more you
is
to
like yourself, the
be popular with
more
others like
you! 3.
Through the
secrets of
mental magic you can predict an
exciting social future for yourself.
come 4.
And you
can watch
it
true.
Your personality
is
an expression of the way you think.
Uplift your thinking and a brighter self appears effortlessly. 5.
Remember
the illustration of the $100
bill. It
helps build
Self -Directed days. 6.
Let the story of Cincinnatus inspire you.
mander 7.
Make
it
You can be
a com-
own way.
in your
your intention
to find
your Richer
Self. It attracts
others. 8.
Get mental
obstacles out of your path. Notice
how
that
technique helped Helen win her objective! 9.
The man who find this easy
10.
lives naturally lives
Put the ideas of for you.
with ease. Anyone can
life.
this
chapter to practical use. Let them work
X
How
Find
to
Lasting Security
lucille w. was puzzled. about a feeling of security.
"Why,"
I
Can
it
really
"I often
be attained?
I
you assume that security
asked, "do
wonder
doubt
it."
can't be
yours?
"Well," she replied with a vague gesture, "I can't explain it
exactly, but
I
just feel
it's
not possible."
"Have you ever had other be contrary
feelings that later turned out to
to fact?"
"Sometimes."
Why
not
consider that you might be holding some false assumptions
to-
"Then why do you doubt ward
it?
Why
not consider that
all? Personally, I
this truth can't
But
I
know
that
it
just
you can be
is
possible?
might be possible free of
all
be communicated from one person
can help you explore;
yourself."
"Yes, I'd like that." [128]
that security
I
alter
anxiety, but to another.
can help you find the truth for
HOW TO "Where do you other people. I really
don't
"But
it
and lonely
want
I
want
anxious in particular?"
feel
She smiled. "All
FIND LASTING SECURITY / 129
But mostly, when
over.
others to like
to do, just so
doesn't
last,
does
I'll
comes
it
and accept me. feel
I
to pleasing
often do things
wanted."
After awhile you're just as anxious
it?
as before."
That old haunting
"Yes, the comfort wears off.
world comes back again.
adrift in a scary
What can
feeling of being
do?"
I
"For one thing, you can stop sacrificing your integrity by doing things for people just so they will like you."
"Will that help?" "It's
a perfect start. In order to find your
must have courage "Yes, is
I
abandon
to
what you mean.
see
really possible to live
around pretending
know
it
too. So,
"You can be
I
So, in spite of
without anxiety?
be happy.
to
can
genuine security you
false actions."
really live
I
know
I
what
see so
now
I
many
they're not,
think,
it
people going
and
I
think they
without being afraid?"
entirely free of fear."
"I believe you.
I'll
start
with that much."
The value of self-study The And
that
You,
too,
greatest miracle is
of this chapter.
on earth
is
the miracle of a changed
the miracle experienced by Lucille
life.
W.
can see miraculous changes by applying the principles
They
are the very ones that carried Lucille to her
new
world of daily peace.
Where do we
start?
By examining the mind
itself.
finding techniques for changing
it.
By discovering how it works. By By releasing its natural forces. By
exploring our mental world with eagerness and expectancy.
One
time, during a class,
program of
self-study.
I
Someone
suggested that everyone begin such a objected, "But isn't
constantly look at myself? Doesn't ness?
What
I'd like to
do
is
it
lead to vanity
it
and
unhealthy to self -conscious-
the exact opposite— to forget myself.
have no idea what a big bother
I
am
to myself."
You
130 / SECRETS OF
That I replied,
last
sentence brought laughter from the
"Of course you want
set yourself at liberty
imprisoned. That
ways
who
to
MENTAL MAGIC
is
you must
class.
As
it
quieted
be free of yourself. But in order
first
find out
how and why you
to
are
the only purpose of self-observation— to discover
mental freedom.
suspects
to
he may be
To
neglect self-study
is
like a prisoner-of-war
able to break free but neglects to investigate
the possibilities. Your intention
is
what
counts.
Go
into self-examina-
tion with the intention of understanding yourself. Self-understanding is
self -freedom."
This led
to the question,
"What do you mean by
self-freedom?"
The exciting truth mean, freedom from negative reactions
"I
in your daily
ent kind of day
it
ever occurred to you
would be
it
"By mental
ment and
Has
life.
negativities
whatever happens
to
what an
entirely differ-
these negativities were absent?"
if
do you mean things
like
envy and resent-
bitterness?"
"And disappointment and would you
feel if they
were
all
How
and hopelessness.
frustration
gone?"
"Great!"
"Let fact
is,
me
tell
you something that you might think
you can actually
not believe
me
live
such a wonderful
at the present
is
a different
suspicion
is
way
As
I
say,
The
you might
moment, but
just wait until this class
you that you
will begin to suspect that
gets deeper into things. I assure
there
life.
fantastic.
of living than
a Magnificent Glimpse.
what you now experience. This
Once you
get
it,
nothing can pre-
vent miracles of self-change."
"How
come?"
"Because of an unbreakable law of psychological growth. ine Magnificent Glimpse
means
that
the truth within you finally becomes a bit stronger than error.
percent point.
From then on
1
regress.
You won't go back because you see, finally, that it Is you free. Once seen, always seen. This gives you an
it is
that sets
more
genu-
truth."
You
are
impossible for you to ever
at the 5
a drive, an eagerness to find
A
you have reached the point where
the truth intensity,
HOW TO
FIND LASTING SECURITY / 131
"That's exciting."
"There
is
nothing more exciting than the truth."
A UNIQUE SYSTEM Zen, that intensely practical Eastern philosophy,
method
for self-study. It urges non-interference
mind,
much
we would watch
as
unique
with the thought proc-
back and watch our thoughts
esses. It advises as to sit
across the
offers a
a movie. Just as
as they pass
we wouldn't we
climb up on the stage and attempt to interfere with movie scenes,
what we think they should be
shouldn't try to force our thoughts into or into
what we want them
to be.
We
should quietly observe them,
without moral judgment, and with neither condemnation nor approval. Also,
much
watching a movie,
like
we
shouldn't close our eyes to
scenes that startle or disturb us, but merely observe
them
as they
pass by.
This quiet watchfulness builds a clear understanding of the mind. It
heightens our perception of
really are, not as
reality.
We
come
to see things as
they
our tricky minds used to distort them.
All this leads to a calmness, to a new feeling of security— in ways we might now believe impossible. What we must do, really, is make friends of our thoughts. As we come to know them, as we stop resisting, as we come closer, a remarkthat
We
able thing happens:
see
them
for
what they
really
are— the best
friends we've ever had.
During the days of peaceful voyage to the
quired that sighted
it
sailing ships a
West
Indies.
Dutch
One
pass through pirate waters.
trading vessel was on a
portion of the voyage re-
The
anxious crew finally
what they dreaded— strange masts on the horizon. The
urged the captain
to
make
"Let's take a closer look."
a
run for
it,
but that calm
officer
His judgment was wise and
distant vessels proved to be a friendly
sailors
answered,
profitable.
The
group that escorted the Dutch
ship safely to harbor.
We can first
do
By not running away from thoughts that we will find them to be safe and friendly.
likewise.
appear frightening,
at
132 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
TWO FAMOUS The
receptive
mind
PHILOSOPHERS
often receives helpful insight at unexpected
times and from unusual sources.
Such
a Magnificent
Glimpse
of a
mind while walking down the maybe while chatting with friends.
higher level of living can flash into the street,
But
it
while waiting to
fall asleep,
The man who is ready it. The happiness of life
always comes to the waiting mind.
receive fresh truth never fails to receive just as eager to find us as
we
are to find
At one time two famous men sachusetts.
The one
One
of
them made
is
it.
town
lived in the
Mas-
of Concord,
a statement that impressed the other.
receiving the impression later wrote,
the fine remark that, as long as a
last night,
to
"Henry Thoreau made,
man
stands in his
own way,
everything seems to be in his way."
That
is
how a
another, from
We
helpful truth came from one famous philosopher Henry David Thoreau to Ralph Waldo Emerson.
can be practical philosophers
mental wealth as is
we
a golden rule of the
superior
life
And
choose.
mind
he never wants
that once a
to
gathering just as
too,
once gained,
go back
can never be
it
to
much lost. It
man becomes aware of the And he never does,
to the old.
for a truth once seen can never disappear. It always operates within
the
man and
for the
sunset: Its beauty
Our
is
man.
It's
permanent
to
once having observed
their Magnificent
finally
won
their
way
all
the historic
to the Pacific
our labors, the reward of
This cheering view exhilarated the still
When
Ocean,
Glimpse was expressed:
"That ocean, the object of
who were
a colorful
your inner vision.
persistence will guarantee our reward.
Lewis and Clark expedition
anxieties.
like
spirits of all
more delighted on hearing the
all
our
the party,
distant roar of the
breakers."
The sacred well of Maya How
can
illustrate its
we
get a clear picture of the
vast riches, ready for
human mincP What
will
our claim? Most importantly, how
HOW can
we
TO FIND LASTING SECURITY / 133
and enjoy these mental
find
treasures that give us lasting
security?
In writing this book tion that
make
who
a
I
wanted
would answer these
powerful
to find a single
vital questions. I
illustra-
wanted one that would
profound and permanent impression on the mind of everyone
read
took several months to find just the right one, but
It
it.
was a well-rewarded search.
We have the perfect story to help us:
The man was Edward Thompson. The The place was Mayan ruins.
time was the
the Yucatan jungles of Mexico, at the
site
down
New
left his
what he could
there to see
find.
century.
last
of the ancient
For years Edward Thompson had been fascinated by vanished civilization. Finally, he
journeyed
it
tales of this
England home and
As he and
his Indian
guide jogged on horseback through the tangled jungle, an exciting
Upon
plan entered his mind: Itza,
he would center
where
in
its
reaching the
Mayan
city of
Chichen
around the Sacred Well. There, some-
his search
would
depths, he felt he
find the answers to this highly-
advanced people of so long ago. His guide's voice broke the
Ahead
silence. "There!
of us,
Chichen
Itza!"
Thompson cent temples
.
gasped, stared ahead in frozen fascination: Magnifi.
.
powerful
pillars
.
carvings of the Feathered Serpent, the
But
it
It
was much
some 60
feet.
larger than
pyramids
.
.
.
stone
god.
He swung from
he had supposed. From rim at
its
to
rim
it
was
edge he peered into the dark waters
feet below.
start
a
man
digging at once.
Treasure
of instant action.
Go
get
know two
things:
He
called to his guide,
workmen and equipment."
!
As the dredging bucket dipped didn't
silent
it.
Lying down
Thompson was "We'll
.
Mayan
was the Sacred Well that drew Thompson.
the saddle and raced for
about 200
.
He
didn't
into the black depths,
Thompson
know exactly what he would
find
134 / SECRETS OF
down
there.
And he
MENTAL MAGIC
wasn't sure
how
soon he would find anything.
But those were unimportant compared to what he somehow knew— he knew the treasures were there. At first the dredges brought up nothing but mud, leaves, common rocks. Thompson was tempted just a bit to wonder whether his
work was
in vain after
to the task.
Day
all.
But, being a courageous explorer, he stuck
day he crouched
after
at the
edge of the Sacred Well,
Mayan treasure. Days passed. Weeks. Still, nothing but debris. More work. More waiting. Still nothing One morning Thompson was examining the contents of a bucket freshly hauled from the dark depths. Out of the muddy waters he watching for signs of
.
.
.
picked out a curious-looking object, yellow in color and ball-shaped.
His hands trembled with excitement
he turned
as
examination. Then, shouting triumphantly, he tossed fire.
Immediately the
smiled and sighed. ery.
The
object
air
He
was
was thick with
realized that
a ball of
over for close
it
it
into a nearby
a rich fragrance.
he had made
Thompson
his first rich discov-
pom, an incense used by the Mayans
in
their religious rituals.
Now, him from
the jubilant explorer prophesied, nothing could prevent finding greater treasures.
his first Magnificent
He
realized that
Glimpse of forthcoming
His prophecy came
A
true.
steady stream of wealth
from the Sacred Well. Every day brought of ancient glory. First
cense burners, copper
came
tools,
he had caught
riches.
swung up
to light relics that told tales
colorful vases, intricately designed in-
axes
and arrowheads. After
that the waters
yielded golden bells, beautiful jewelry of green jade, glittering orna-
ments of every description.
The
treasure from the Sacred
Well changed Edward Thomp-
son's life in dramatic fashion. In every
way, he was a richer man.
Your enjoyable possession Personalize that story by seeing your
own mind as a Sacred Well. who dares to investi-
Also, picture yourself as the adventurous explorer
gate
it.
By doing
so,
a
number
and your mind. For instance:
of significant facts
emerge about you
HOW TO 1.
You
2.
Your
FIND LASTING SECURITY / 135
moment.
are mentally rich at this very
may be
riches
undiscovered as yet.
3.
You need never doubt your
4.
Your Magnificent Glimpse keeps you
5.
The
inner wealth. excited.
persistent adventurer always finds wealth.
But what about personal
security, the object of our present search?
We need only to realize: Security
And By
is
a state of mind.
nothing
else.
them
discovering your mental riches— by really discovering
—security becomes a
new and wonderful
experience to you!
Personal security becomes the enjoyable possession of the person
who
earnestly seeks until
Dr. Erich If
his
he
finds.
Fromm makes
And you
this
can find
it.
dynamic declaration: and
the individual overcomes the basic doubt concerning himself
place
in life,
he
if
related to the world by embracing
is
act of spontaneous living, he gains strength as
The new security
gains security
.
protection, but
on man's spontaneous
.
freedom can give
.
an
dynamic;
is
activity.
It is
it
in
the
and he not based on
individual is
it
the security that only
x .
.
,
The time of your life Let's see
A
how
these ideas connect with time.
government
official
once told me,
"I
used to kid myself that
tomorrow would automatically be happier. IVe stopped
know
that unless I'm
tomorrow. After
all,
happy
in the here
the kind of person that
determines our kind of Tuesday.
mere passage of time makes
make
tomorrow.
1
ston,
We
we
are
make
I
the difference.
on Monday
It's
We
to avoid facing the fact that
Time changes nothing
Erich Fromm, Escape From Freedom 1941).
all
that.
I
won't be happy is
what
kid ourselves into thinking that
a difference. It doesn't.
in ourselves today that
do almost anything
will
and now
unless
(New
it's
we human beings we create our
the changes
preceded by mental
York: Holt, Rinehart and
Win-
136 / SECRETS OF
change. As
stopped kidding myself. I've
I said, I've
And you know,
changes.
MENTAL MAGIC
That
loss— loss of faith in the present.
hazy future rewards.
To
They
them, today
Such people
to escape.
it
I've
long for past pleasures or for
distasteful
is
common
and something from
now
is
area
the active now.
is
Whether
the very magic they seek.
who
found that people
are psychologically
have a delightful friendship with the present. By taking action
the here and
now
they attain their desires quickly.
They have no
in in-
They
waiting and hoping for some vague "better tomorrow."
terest in
is
are avoiding the only time area that can
or not, the
On the other hand
find
intelligence actually
find that they share a
I
them everything they need. That
they are aware of
free
what
is
facts of life are the securities of life.
In talking with anxious people
give
man; one who
of a highly intelligent
sees life-principles with clarity.
which
inner
I'm happy every day."
That was the observation —seeing that the
made some
and enjoy today everything they want in tomorrow.
"Then
let
us live today," says
German
philosopher Friedrich von
Schiller.
Confidence in yourself supplies power for making today count for something. Self-confidence collapses time;
come
true in the here
and now. That
is
why
it
makes your dreams
the ideas of Chapter III
are especially helpful to you.
Your higher view In Chapter
window
VI we used
the third
is
to
floor.
The
One
on the top
upstairs tenant calls
floor,
down
see the fine sights.
Come on up and
But the man on the
it
looking out the again, this time
the other
down on
I
my
sight?"
"You
to the other,
The mountain view
enjoy this wonderful view."
third floor scorns,
"What kind
of nonsense
you giving me? There are no magnificent mountains out
Why, side
lives
come on up here and
magnificent.
are
man
of a 15-story apartment building. Let's use
with a cast of two men.
ought
the illustration of a
there.
can see for myself that there's only a few scrubby bushes out-
window.
What
better evidence
is
there than
my own
eye-
!
HOW Where sight
is
that third-floor
correct as far as
TO FIND LASTING SECURITY / 137
man
goes,
it
assumes that what he can see
argument or
gets tricked
a
He
out.
the superior
How Like
does
of
other-
and
man
lives
frustrating limita-
first
is
Magnificent Glimpse of
his.
live
on the third
floor.
connect with our search for genuine security?
this:
The life
which can be
all this
him
that he does not as yet suspect that there
is
unnecessary for anyone to
It is totally
falsely
And no amount
Unfortunately, such a
has not as yet caught his
life
his eye-
He
that clings to a false assump-
state of misery, desperation
His main problem
way
mind
to explore the facts.
an unnecessary
tion.
is!
logic or attempts at persuasion will convince
and refuses
tion
that there
is all
While
here:
severely limited.
it is still
wise. Logic can never penetrate a
in
is
only lasting security
dwells on the top
more we
truth, the
The
floor.
and the
true.
We
that the very reality
grow
we
greater our distance
from
this top-
we grow upward
maybe with some
scorned
at this,
truth about
gradually close the gap between the
to see,
we once
We might be surprised
The
in the truth itself.
trembling doubt. But, as
live in
with the aid of natural laws, false
is
but
the very security
is
we
surprise at
we
first,
sought.
are also delighted.
GO INTO ACTION Let's talk for a bit
about personal courage. Let's see
how
it
con-
nects with personal security.
Who
is
the genuinely courageous
man? He
is
the
man who
nally acknowledges that his present ideas about life are not out.
He
fi-
working
observes that the promises of these ideas are not matched by
practical performances.
He
trapped, just as anxious
sees that
he
and confused
is
as
just as
unhappy,
just as
he was before he adopted
these ideas.
That man's honest acknowledgement to the call of inner truth.
now That
insistent, is
That
and because he
genuine courage— to
setting as
it
may
call, is
is
his courageous
which he has ignored so
tired of suffering,
he
answer long,
is
listens at last.
listen to the truth, as temporarily up-
be. After a while
it
no longer
upsets;
it
gives peace.
MENTAL MAGIC
138 / SECRETS OF
At
want
this point I
personal
once more pause in
to
word with you, the
reader.
The
this
book
to
have a
few paragraphs you have
last
They are not just You and I have no practical. You can work
read are not merely some philosophic ideas of mine.
fancy phrases intended to
make you
feel better.
time for that sort of thing. These ideas are
with them to make actual changes in your everyday
living. If that
is
your wish— to make changes that you can actually see and experience
—then
these ideas are for you.
Now, back
to
our
man on
the third
We
about him that he doesn't know: out of the higher belief
make
then,
is
you
We he
see that
know
perfect sense to him, for after
see something that
How,
but he doesn't
life,
floor.
know
a
few things
cheating himself
is
it.
His scorn and
his dis-
all,
how can you
possibly
can't possibly see!
he ever going
to
make
up
it
to that magnificent
view?
By
action.
By
deliberately defying
deliberately acting against his false viewpoint, it.
security of that lower
by
He must have the heroism to leave the so-called floor. He must dare to venture upward, even
while doubting and trembling.
What
he doesn't know
as
yet— and what
will
come
as a
heavenly
surprise— is that the very steps he feared to tread are the very ones leading
him up
to the heights!
Your new life
A man
once asked me,
"How
know when
reached
this
you won't ask that question. You
will
will
I
I've
higher state of thinking?" Reply:
"When you reach
it,
know."
When
any person— for instance, you, the reader— attains
mental elevation, he
is
a different person.
person, not merely someone
he has changed. difference
He knows
He
is
a loftier
actually a different
who hopes he has changed or even believes he is a new man. He is able to see the
that
between mere change
namic change within himself.
He
in outer circumstances
used
to think that
conditions he could improve inner conditions.
Now
and the dy-
by changing outer he
is
wiser.
Now
HOW TO he
sees that life operates
FIND LASTING SECURITY / 139
on a principle of
stands that by placing his inner growth to
First
Things
first, all
First.
He under-
outer riches are added
him.
This inner elevation Life .
.
is
excellently described
Fritz
once more pivots around the real center as
Gradually our whole
.
by Dr.
vision of life
real
is
who
Dr. Kunkel has described a person
Glimpse of another life— the
2
transformed.
.
.
.
caught his Magnificent happiness and
of genuine
life
used to do.
it
revised; our emotional atti-
is
tude towards people and circumstances
Kunkel:
security.
HOW As we
TO STAY ON COURSE
secure self can
come down
a
number
of avenues.
help us break through the shell of our timid are,
she takes the
ership.
more
previously discovered, our growing glimpse of a
initiative,
and asks only
self.
that
we
Nature
is
eager to
Being wiser than
we
don't resist her lead-
This thought was superbly expressed long ago by Aristotle:
"Wise men have an inward sense of what
wisdom
to trust this intuition
is
the last appeal of
what
is
is
beautiful,
and be guided by
right lies within a man's
and the highest
it. The answer to own breast. Trust
thyself."
Life
itself will
will let ourselves
teach us everything
go and
live.
a built-in
can glance
To
to
know? Of
know,
if
only
where
it
we
course. Every man's
compass for correction. Like a wise sea captain,
at the compass, notice that
the ship back to
to
Live freely.
Teach us everything we need
mind has
we need
we
we
are off course, then guide
should be.
carry the compass illustration a bit farther, imagine that
have an actual compass in your hand. Notice that
its
you
needle points
Now
imag-
ine that various pieces of metal are placed near the compass.
They
true.
This
is its
natural condition— to point true direction.
cause the needle to swing around to false positions. But
2 Fritz
Kunkel, M.D., In Search of Maturity
Sons, 1943).
(New
when
the in-
York: Charles Scribner's
140 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC more points out the
terferences are removed, the needle once
right
way.
The human mind false directions only
We
is
like that. In its naturally free state
dependable, steadfast.
tirely accurate,
when we
points true.
It
It flies
permit outside influences
is
it
en-
off into
to distract
have already identified many of these harmful
it.
distractions,
such as worry, anxiety and needless complications.
The easy life Asked someone,
"Why
so complicated?"
is life
Because an individual has permitted complications life,
perhaps without realizing
pass of his
mind he can
it.
simplify his
finds himself staying free of
to enter his
But by watching the corrective comlife
amazingly. For one thing, he
problems in the
first
place; therefore
he
doesn't even need to take corrective action. All of us can think of
we used
things
we were
A
do that caused trouble, then, because we saw that
to
responsible for
tornado
it,
we
ceased causing
wild because
is
it is
it.
complicated.
masses of conflicting temperatures. But as
its
made up
It is
of air
inner elements become
reconciled with each other, the tornado ceases.
So can we become reconciled with
Use your mind and simply and
a
and
find peace.
uncomplicate your mind. Learn
naturally.
There
and you can always find
thing,
and
to
ourselves,
woman who were
it.
is
A
to live easily
way
always the direct
to
do any-
scene from a play showed a
man
having a minor disagreement.
Asked one, "What can we do?" Replied the other, "Couldn't
men
Picture two
we
just
taking turns at a piano.
harmoniously, drawing from the piano other
man
strikes
be nice to each other?"
all its
One
them plays
The
only discord and confusion from the very same
piano. Hearing the two
men, you would not blame the piano. You
would
logically observe that the difference lies in the
piano.
The
first
of
beauty and power.
one plays according
men
before that
to the established principles of
music; the other one violates them. Life
is
like that. It cheerfully invites,
"Learn
to play in accord
.
HOW
TO FIND LASTING SECURITY / 141
with the principles of harmony, and
give
I will
you
all
beauty and
power and peace."
For Your Lasting Security 1
2.
Realize that
A
it is
really possible to live securely.
sense of safety comes with self-understanding. Maintain
a program of self-study. 3.
Be watchful
of your mental processes.
with thoughts of 4.
Remember
all
Become acquainted
kinds.
Edward Thompson. Know
the adventure of
that your mental riches can change your life dramatically. 5.
Remind
yourself that security
a state of
is
can disturb you unless you permit 6. 7.
Enjoy your
life
it.
today!
Don't assume that your present level of living there
is.
Act out the plans of
9.
Place your inner growth
all
that
this chapter. Security follows.
changes in your exterior
Remember rection.
is
SOMM can reveal much higher and happier ones.
8.
10.
mind. Nothing
that your
Learn
to trust
first.
You
will then see
marvelous
affairs.
mind has and use
a built-in
it.
compass for
cor-
Mental Magic Solves
Your Problems
WHEN DON AND they stated their problem like "If there
is
Too few
"There
for Counsel,
this:
we
one thing of which
that there's something culties.
PHYLLIS CAME
are absolutely sure,
wrong somewhere. Too many
solutions. Is there a
way
daily
it's
diffi-
out?"
is."
"Can we
find it?"
"You can." "Then,
please,
we'd
like to talk
This chapter will reveal the freed cal of
Don and
Phyllis
hundreds that
I
from daily
it
over."
secrets of distress.
mental magic that
Their success
is
typi-
have seen— and which can also work
for
you.
A television show the other ans
who were
pirate's treasure.
Comedian [142]
B,
night featured a pair of comedi-
stumbling around a haunted castle in search of
Comedian
A
raced into the hall to scream to
"Something spooky's going on down
in the
dun-
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS geon.
When
went down there
I
/ 143
heard someone booming on a big
I
drum."
bass
"Nonsense,"
scoffs
Comedian
A
few minutes wide
terror in his
no one booming on a
B. "There's
drum. Get back on down there and look
for the treasure."
man
later the frightened
he
eyes. "I tell you,"
yells,
is
back upstairs with
"someone's
down
there
booming on a big bass drum!"
"And
Get back
imagination.
The
you," comes the impatient reply, "that
I tell
scared
down
"Someone's
to
Mr. A. there
you
are.
Come
along."
and
races back for the third time, screeching,
booming on
a big bass drum!"
I
"I'll
They descend
Comedian
booming away.
starts
in your
work."
"All right," his partner agrees,
enter the dungeon,
it's all
He
prove what a jumpy rabbit
the stone steps together.
As they
A casually strolls over to a big bass drum looks
up and innocently remarks, "See?
told you."
Your frosted cake That humorous anecdote
Don and
discovered by
We
carries the first problem-clearing secret
Phyllis:
how we may be unown difficulties. By seeing that false viewpoints them, we then give ourselves a great opportunity for
must look
to ourselves to discover just
knowingly causing our
may be
in
back of
self-correction!
People sometimes ask, "If difficulties,
There
how can is
a
I
I
am unknowingly
causing some of
major secret of mental magic that goes
like this:
person really becomes aware that self-defeating behavior ing, that very
No man same
my
stop hurting myself?"
awareness leads him
to effortlessly
ever knowingly destroys his
own
As
To
state the
becomes aware that
self-
enriching behavior really does contribute to his advancement, he led by that very
When,
knowledge
for instance, a
to
a
self-defeat-
drop that behavior.
best-interests.
secret in positive fashion, as a person
is
is
perform more of those self-enrichments.
man
really sees that
and resentment are self-damaging, he soon
emotions such as envy
loses all desire to
be envious
MENTAL MAGIC
144 / SECRETS OF
and
A
resentful.
And
hungry man
this
is
the only
in sight of dessert
method by which he drops them. no longer has
interest in crusts of
bread.
the
Too many people live off the dry crusts from the lower shelf of cupboard, when they could just as well raise their vision and have on the shelf above.
frosted cake
A man
can abruptly cease from his problem-causing actions any
time he really chooses to do prevent him. Neither
is
There
so.
is
all
bars his way, once he clearly realizes that fact.
we
not,
But we must
are free.
realize
man to man which Whether we know it or
nothing outside the
there anything at
within the
in order to experience
it
ple imprisoned by self-damaging behavior of any
depression, hostility— are like an
He
was imprisoned
was
American
it.
Peo-
kind— perhaps worry,
World War II. Though the door
soldier of
in a seemingly escape-proof cell.
closed, giving the appearance of imprisonment, the
guard
acci-
dentally left the lock open. Seeing this, the American walked out and
away.
And
so can
any
man
use the key of his mental awareness to walk
out of his troubles and remain permanently away from their causes.
YOU CANNOT
FAIL
Robert Peary, the discoverer of the North Pole, told of
a curious
experience he had while adventuring in the frozen lands of the Arctic.
On
one occasion he believed himself
to
be travelling toward the North
Pole at the rate of ten miles per day. Glancing skyward to get his bear-
he was
ings,
backward
hit
by a shock.
at the rate of
He
discovered that he was actually going
twelve miles per day.
He
soon found the reason.
He was drifting backward on an immense ice floe. Many troubled people are like that. They assume making tions.
progress, but never stop to check the accuracy of their assump-
How
or not?
can
There
is
a
man
one
The supreme
check up
test that
honest with ourselves
bit
that they are
when
test is
to see
never taking
whether
fails,
but
his thinking
we must
is
correct
be courageously
it.
whether or not we are actually growing
happier and a share more problem-free each day.
Why
is
a
this a
!
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS whenever we
fool-proof test: Because 1
thinking. If selves
tal
we
cannot
fail to
making
are not
and toward our
we
then
we
thinking
realistic
are operating in
show the
harmony with
fruits of that
healthy
progress, our assumptions toward our-
need a second
life
/ 145
look. If progress
is
definite,
are clearly going along with the never-failing secrets of
men-
magic.
What happens
way he should? Well,
one thing, they
for
any more. Another value far less strain.
problems of the
to the daily
is
man who
just don't
away
his ability to clear
thinks the
happen
as often
with
his difficulties
In other words, problems cease to play a dominant role
he has a
in his everyday activities. Instead,
challenges into opportunities.
he never before thought
He
life-affirming day.
He
turns
takes everything with an ease that
possible.
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR WORLD Maybe you remember
those delightful lines from Robert Love-
man's poem, April Rain: isn't
It
raining rain to me, raining daffodils;
It's
every dimpled drop
In
Wildflowers on the
cloud of gray engulfs the
It
isn't
In these cheery verses It
you
it.
Change
see the expression of a triumphant
it
magically changes
the
its
Because our world
mind— and
is
appearance before your largely
what our minds
presto!— you change your world.
Howard Whether you know it or
not some mystical statement that Vernon
this
is
this
book
to
make you
feel good.
a forceful fact that can it
we
down.
will see a particular event as a condition, rather than a
How is this possible?
make
the town;
didn't at all see the rain as a problem, but rather as a condi-
problem, you will find eyes.
day
raining rain to me, raining roses
It's
tion. If
see
A
And overwhelms
mind.
I
hills.
like this:
"Your
change your days
invisible
not, this
is
dramatically. Balzac states
and mental universe and your
physical universe constitute one
And
included in
and the same."
visible
and
MENTAL MAGIC
146 / SECRETS OF
Never think Always think
is
a problem.
wonder how badly
I
"Here
like this:
is
How
a condition.
can
turn
I
it
an advantage?"
into
Never of
"Here
like this:
me?"
will hurt
it
There
it.
finding
problem and never
fear a is
an advantage
there,
fight
Always take advantage
it.
and you are
perfectly capable of
it.
See yourself as free me
Let
you of an amusing
tell
your personal power of using a
historical incident that illustrates
difficulty for self-advancement. It
War
during World
pened
at the naval battle of Jutland
ters of
the British Fleet were anxious to locate their
in the confusion of battle
were unable
clever idea of letting the
enemy do
Germans
tricked the
When
many.
those
into sending
to find
their
some
them.
work
for
I.
hap-
Headquar-
own warships, but They hit upon the them. The British
secret messages
enemy messages were decoded they
back
to
Ger-
revealed the
locations of the British warships!
Never acknowledge any truth,
ingly
it
hasn't. If
this
and innocently consent
fact— and
it is
what
exactly
a fact— all
to do.
No
free of
its
it
does
always right.
So
this
is
Don't consent. Quietly and
well. If there
is
is
then some action which
painful choice will confront you.
we make
false assumptions.
with the truth,
we
ourselves:
When
his erroneous thinking
of assuming?
He
A
is
his downfall.
What
mind
that
And what
We
get into
those false assump-
have painful problems.
assume that he can leap over a ten-foot chasm, but it,
effort-
your higher vision, then you will know
what we must understand about
trouble because tions clash
it.
because you unknow-
confusions always knows just what to do.
is
is
to
it is
from the problem. Once your mind grasps
as a result of
own
having power over you. In
something has you down
lessly see yourself as free
you should take
difficulty as
if
A man
he
fails to
might
make
could he do in place
could get the facts of the matter, maybe by measur-
ing the chasm or by making some practice leaps on solid ground.
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS
/ 147
The story of Florence The most damaging ward
Never accept
ourselves.
as final
Don't be so sure that you are permanently trapped by
yourself.
Never
we hold toany weakness you may find in
of all false ideas are those that
must continue
believe that life
deep
in distress too
fate.
to tell any-
one about.
Asked Florence I
made
E.,
"Why
few years ago?
a
It
do
I
have
was a love
Now Why
volved with the wrong man. stems from that one blunder.
it
much
for a mistake
became
foolishly in-
pay so
affair. I
seems that
must
need not bother you in the
"It
to
I
all
of today's grief
my
past?"
Not when you
really
be hounded by
slightest.
understand."
"Understand what?"
'That you are permitting that toward yourself. You
feel
You
hate your supposed weakness. "That's just about
"So your
real
day.
Not only "How?"
is it
is
it
is
is
your
bound
to
know.
You
myself."
self-dislike,
and not that past
affair.
itself,
but
it
creates other difficulties."
why you blow up at people; it's and unkind. And that behavior, of
in hostility. That's
course,
I
assumptions
yourself.
a painful pressure. In order to release that pres-
are sometimes critical
is
false
the self-blame that you carry around day after
why you "Yes,
whisper
think that other people scorn you."
I dislike
a problem in
"Self -con tempt
sure you express
it.
problem
Your actual burden
affair to
you are worthless. You blame
harm your It
daily relations with others."
goes on and on.
I
don't
know what
to do."
What Florence discovered "It
is
the destructive attitudes that you hold toward yourself that
you must understand. Don't permit that past event over your present. Let ruthlessly
and
utterly.
happened yesterday."
to paint
dark colors
fade away. Cut self-dislike from your mind, You owe no apology to anyone for whatever
it
148 / SECRETS OF
"Are you saying that
I
MENTAL MAGIC shouldn't submit to the tyranny of
my own
false thinking?"
"Exactly." If
Florence was anything, she was persistent. She kept after those
made sense to her mind. That's why she was able to "What amazes me most is how we permit our minds to trick us. We haven't the slightest notion of how much we surrender our intelligence to false ideas. For the first time I really see how much ideas until they
report back,
I
can do for myself."
"You mean you "Yes, but as I
thought
it
like yourself?"
you once pointed
would
be. I don't
out,
entirely different
it's
even think about whether
or not; I'm peacefully unconcerned with
it.
I
I
from what like
myself
now understand
that
what we call self-acceptance." "And it is also what we call mental freedom."
that
is
The power of self-knowledge "Why," you may beliefs
and
we
"do
cling to these harmful opinions
and
ideas about ourselves?"
Because resist
ask,
we
lack
knowledge of our rightful freedom. Because we
self-knowledge. Aldous
ignorant of ourselves,
it is
Huxley
points out: "If most of us remain
because self-knowledge
prefer the pleasures of illusion.
As
rance, these are bad by every criterion leads to unrealistic behaviour
.
.
is
painful and
we
consequences of such igno-
for the .
Bad because
self-ignorance
and so causes every kind of trouble
for
everyone concerned; and bad because, without self-knowledge, there
can be no true humility
." 1 .
.
Remember, whenever you meet any kind you need not adopt
tion,
fore
you need not turn
it
of challenging condi-
a harm-causing assumption toward it— there-
into a problem.
Through self-knowledge.
In-
getting at the truth of the matter, you can think clearly and safely.
1
Aldous Huxley, The Perennial Philosophy
(New
York: Harper
& Row, 1944\
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS / 149
Never mentally resist a problem Maybe you remember
the story about the carpenter
his co-workers for lunch.
He
"Peanut butter sandwich!
Why
The
butter sandwich?"
opened does
his
it
who
joined
lunch sack and scowled,
always have to be a peanut
next day the same scene took place, with the
carpenter complaining loudly, "Another peanut butter sandwich!" the third day
"Would you
it
was the same
your wife to
with the carpenter scowling,
believe it— another peanut butter sandwich!"
you don't
asked, "If
story,
fix
"Who's married?
like
peanut butter sandwiches,
something else?"
On
The
why
A
friend
don't you ask
carpenter shrugged and said,
make my own sandwiches."
I
That's a good introduction to the point: Never mentally
resist
a
problem. That carpenter was fighting the fact that he was causing his
own
difficulty.
faced his
And that's why it persisted day after day. Had he calmly
own involvement he
could have taken intelligent corrective
action.
Non-resistance toward a difficulty
is
powers that you possess for dissolving that
one of the greatest of difficulty. It
claimed to mankind throughout the ages by the wise teachers understood the secrets First, let's see
when we
get angry at
who
of mental magic.
what we mean by
blame or feelings of
all
has been pro-
it,
when we
resistance.
We oppose a difficulty
are critical or upset or afraid. Self-
guilt are part of resistance. All negative feelings
constitute opposition.
why we shouldn't resist: When we emotionally oppose a problem we distort it, we cannot see it as it actually is. Opposition causes us to see the difficulty not as it is, but as we are. Resistance causes us to interpret things personally— and incorrectly. And it is in-
Now
let's
see
correct interpretation that leads us to act in mistaken
increase the burden.
ways that only
150 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
The pearl Imagine yourself standing before one of those mirrors you find at that
you
amusement
way
is
a distortion?
you calmly
if
Then you would go on your
peace with yourself; you would have no problem.
at
And
before
we go
on, let
me
say that is
your everyday
and you
The
within the
is
it
and
see
wonderfully serviceable to will see
never in escape from
difficulty itself, just as a pearl
what we must
only to
Experiment with
living.
solution to a problem
act upon.
is
"Truth
what
is
always
This
oyster.
always present; its
mean.
I
It is
it.
hidden in the
the iron lids of the mind's eye to read
lift
not something
all this is
impractical or merely philosophical. It
is
self-distorting
in the distortion
But what would happen
see, distress occurs.
realized that the reflection
you believe
parks. If
it
needs
(Ralph
oracles."
Waldo Emerson) Carl H. was wise enough to stop fighting his problem and, stead, to
understand
it.
His easy-going observation cleared
it
up
in-
like
magic. "It's
You
my
see,"
sorts of
much
rough
relations
with other people. That's
he explained, "my business requires
my
my
people— employees, salesmen, customers. Frankly,
conflict.
Sometimes
sarcasm. Other times
we
a
problem.
dealing with
all
there's too
meeting ends in an exchange of open
both go away secretly burning. Where's the
answer?" "Right there in the conflict
itself.
More
specifically,
it's
in your
attitudes."
"How
is
that?"
"Honestly, now, Carl, aren't you sometimes afraid that the other
man up,
is
going to take advantage of you, or that he's trying
make you
look foolish?
And
doesn't that
Be a detective
make you
to
show you
hostile?"
!
own touchiness. He understood that were encouraged by his own negative viewpoints. Then he
Carl finally saw through his his conflicts
saw
that
he could adopt viewpoints that promoted peaceful atmos-
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS pheres.
And
Later, a
problem
that's
I
to
what he
did.
how come your
asked, "Carl,
/ 151
relationships are
no longer
you?"
"Because," he smiled his reply, "I
am no
longer a problem to my-
self."
Benjamin Franklin became
This happy habit enabled him
as they did.
The
success.
"Why?" can work
question
It is
a creative response.
lem.
It
never
It
and world-famous
a skilled scientist
statesman because he had the habit of asking
why
things
happened
to penetrate the secrets of
just as magically for you.
the lesson found in a prob-
resists
helps you to determine the right causes that produce right
effects. It certainly
puts your power of curiosity to work for you.
So ask yourself
mine the
part
why
certain events
you played
happened
in their development.
careful investigation will not fail to give
as
Be
you more
they did. Deter-
Such
a detective.
self-insight
and
in-
creased self-power.
"The
best
really they are,
way
come
to
and not
to
to the truth
conclude they
being to examine things as
are, as
we
fancy of ourselves,
or have been taught by others to imagine." (John
Locke— English
philosopher)
Challenge your powers Before
we
main
get into the
idea of this section, please read
what
Dr. David Seabury has to say about the inner strength possessed by everyone:
No dynamic
therapy
more important than to remind ourselves and thus to learn to use it more constantly.
is
strength,
conviction that this reserve
many
is
there suffices to bring
of this
A
firm
into action in
it
lives.
After nearly half a century of clinical practice, during which time I
have had to deal with every
say
it
emphatically— that
latent in everyone,
of
all
and
helpful therapies.
this
sort of
human problem, can say— and and quiet strength is I
center of courage
that a belief in this fact
is
an
essential attribute
2
2 David Seabury, The Art of Living Without Tension and Row, Publishers, 1958).
(New
York:
Harper
152 / SECRETS OF
People often
my inner
faith in
me, "Mr. Howard,
tell
strengths, but
believe in something that
You cant
MENTAL MAGIC
I
I
know
how
of logic,
can
I
don't believe in?"
something that you don't
trust
I'm supposed to have
how? In the name
trust.
And
it's
folly to
try.
But you can discover your greater
self.
And
then you will have no
problem whatsoever in believing in yourself.
What's
a
good place
to start?
Self-challenge!
There
is
nothing like
it
for releasing before
your eyes your vast
inner resources. As a for-instance, take your money-making
Why not
turn them into creative adventures, especially the problems.
Yes, you can even have fun with difficulties of identifying
Wall
them
if
you make the wise move
as interesting challenges.
A
that
it
makes
financial prosperity
made by
survey
Street firm proved the value of fun-filled work.
showed
activities.
One
a
conclusion
75 percent more certain. Sir
Thomas
Lipton, the famous tea merchant, had this motto on his desk:
Work
my
is
fun.
Self -challenge creates self -belief. Self -belief leads to self -success.
Have a sense of alternatives What
do we mean by a sense of alternatives? think and act as if there is an alternative
We mean that you problem-filled
life.
You
are justified in thinking in that
cause the alternative really life is a
problem-free
exists.
The
to a
manner, be-
alternative to a problem-filled
life.
A farmer isolated in the Idaho hills drove his truck to the city once a week.
He
bumpy dirt road. For two years he did it the One day he wondered whether there might be
traveled on a
hard way on that road.
another road not so rough. There was. For those two years he could
have gone
The trips.
to
town on a new high-speed highway.
farmer's sense of alternatives led
him
to
freedom from bumpy
Likewise, can your sense of "something different" liberate you
from bumpy journeys.
Whenever you
are
on your way toward anything
at all,
remem-
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS ber that there live
is
your daily
a superior
way
to
do
it.
/ 153
This includes the way you
life.
Develop your sense of alternatives by reminding yourself that there
is
:
A better way. A simpler way. A faster way. A happier way. A pleasanter way. Uncomplicate your mind. Glance around alternative. Tell yourself, "I realize that
wrong.
for the
anything that
is
much
simpler
complicated
is
approach every situation with simplicity and directness."
I
Keep
in pursuit of solutions
The mystery surrounding
emotionally-induced illness was solved
Sigmund Freud was
because Dr.
can Red Cross was founded obstacle after another.
a solution-minded
when
William
S.
man. The Ameri-
Clara Barton broke through one
Burroughs faced dozens of complex
mechanical questions, but his answers to them added up to the invention of the first
The a long
that
list
modern adding machine.
point? Concentrate your attention on solutions. Write
down
of possible answers to your perplexities. Include even those
seem unlikely
to help.
Next, plunge into action with
as
many
as
you can. In other words, be solution-minded. It's
really surprising
how many
people are not. Instead, they are
anxious-minded or timid-minded or hopeless-minded. There for
any of us
soever. to is
in
to live in those distressing states of
When
No
no need
need what-
we
mistakenly attribute power
you stop attributing power
to a negative thought, that
They have power
them.
mind.
is
over us only as
moment its power vanishes. You will remember the Law
the
Chapter
II.
Well,
it
of
Ready Supply
that
we
covered
applies perfectly to our present discussion. In
other words, solutions exist before you have need of them.
You need
MENTAL MAGIC
154 / SECRETS OF
never create an answer to any perplexing question; you need only he
aware that the answer presently
exists.
Think
of something that once
bothered you, but which you solved. Notice that the answer simply
appeared claimed,
to
your mind, as
"Why,
it's all
if
You might have
out of nowhere.
so obvious!
Why didn't I
think of
Actually, the answer didn't appear from nowhere. in the depths of your
that released
it,
mind
all
along.
You simply
just as a pianist strikes the
it
ex-
before?"
was there
It
struck the right key
key that sounds the musical
note he wants to hear.
Keep
how
in pursuit of solutions,
and forget everything
else.
That
is
they appear before you, often suddenly, but always delightfully.
Secrets That Solve Your Problems 1.
Discover whether a present difficulty
may
reside in your
mental viewpoint. Change the viewpoint and the problem vanishes immediately! 2.
Become aware
"Men
that our basic problem
are tormented
by
their
own
is
faulty thinking.
opinions of things, and
not by the things themselves." (Michel Montaigne— French
author) 3.
Test your thinking habits. Ask whether they add daily peace of mind. If not,
change them with the
to
your
secrets
of mental magic. 4.
Identify every so-called problem merely as
Then
realize that
tion into 5.
a
condition.
your mind has power to turn that condi-
an advantage.
Remember how Florence own way.
solved her problem. Duplicate her
success in your 6.
Never, never, never mentally to understand
7.
Look
8.
Ask
it.
Watch
it
resist a
problem. Rather, seek
disappear! is
always there.
first
place. It gives
for the pearl in every problem. It
yourself
why
you wise insight
difficulties arise in
for preventing
the
problems from
arising.
MENTAL MAGIC SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS 9.
Don't assume that the
Use the
road
is
the only
way
ideas of this chapter for discovering the
way. 10.
bumpy
/ 155
Be solution-minded.
to travel.
open high-
The Miracle Way Release Tension
to
GEORGE to sigh, I
"Nothing works.
can't find
permanent
rarily
by taking a
futile.
Once my
A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN, Came
mean, when
I
relief.
Sure,
watching a
trip or
escape
L.,
is
I'm like a prisoner of war
I
comes
it
to frazzled nerves
can break the pace tempo-
ball
game, but
it all
used up I'm right back where
who constantly
seems so I started.
escapes only to find the
outside world just as frightening as prison. Isn't there something better than all this?
Someone
system. I'd like to talk
it
me that you Do you really
told
over.
have a workable have something
special?" "It's special all right,
"So what do
I
"You need do
but
it
belongs to whoever wants
it."
do?" just
one thing about your tension."
"And that is?" "To really understand
it."
"Oh?"
"Have you [156]
noticed, George,
how much
confusion
is
in-
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 157 volved in your tension?
Oh, you may
You
don't really understand
what
it's all
about.
see a surface cause, such as office pressures, but have
ever looked deeper than that?
Have you
ever asked
why you
you
react so
tensely to those office pressures?'*
"No," he smiled. "If
"I just
blow up."
you could only see
where blowing up
you could change your thinking
it,
to
entirely foreign to you."
is
"You mean by doing what you said— by understanding myself? All right.
go along with
I'll
me
that. Just give
a start in the right direc-
tion."
We
had
several sessions in
tives for
Also,
overall insight
phone
He
call
angry outbursts. As his
his inner insecurity led to
deepened, his tension nicely relaxed.
one occasion when he became anxious over a
told of
promised him by a businessman, but which failed
thought that
originally
that disturbed him. his surprise
it
was the possible
But he decided
felt
at all
self-esteem really at the
He
found
Or
out.
level of thinking
is
And
that
was
longer had any power over him.
He
He
To his
asked him-
mercy of everyone who
that a false assumption
on
my
fails to
part?"
George reached that higher
that.
where he controlled
do with
had been wounded.
George's understanding then took a gigantic leap.
my
to
ignored and slighted by the
other man. In other words, his self-esteem
keep his promise?
come.
to look deeper into his reaction.
was that he
it
to
tele-
loss of financial profit
he found out that money had nothing
disturbance. Rather,
self, "Is
need
into George's
doing things, as opposed to those motives he assumed he had.
he saw how
He
which we went
For one thing, he began to understand his actual mo-
for self-insight.
his reactions. Office pressures
was a
free
no
man.
Use your somm
When worry— there
it
is
comes
to
any type of tension— anxiety, nervousness,
a simple fact of life
you should remember: You need
not experience them.
This
is
a fact.
Even
if
a
man
disbelieves
remains. So never mind whether or not you will
come
in time to
whoever persistendy
it,
the wonderful fact
fully grasp this truth;
inquires.
it
158 / SECRETS OF
Nervousness occurs,
normal
mony with
as
George discovered, whenever we meet
with unrealistic
realistic situation
their
MENTAL MAGIC
Our
tools of thought.
we
state of relaxation as
a
nerves achieve
learn to think clearly, in har-
natural laws.
Stated differently, few things are more tiring than the thought that
we
are helpless puppets, helplessly jerked this
way and
an incorrect thought that we must leap aimlessly about
that. It
is
command
at the
of a sudden desire or of an insistent emotion.
The
reverse
is
also true.
Nothing
pleases us
more than the
realiza-
we are not at the mercy of life, but rather under as much protection as we allow ourselves to be. The important thing is not a tense situation that we may meet during our day, but the quality of the thought with which we meet it. Tension is not an object or a thing or a power— it is a reaction within an individual. And an individual is tion that
able to react peacefully.
SOMM can guide him here.
Your glimpse of gold!
A mining problem.
up
It
company
in the days of the early
was losing too much of
their stagecoaches.
was melted down
They
into the shape of
colored black— weighed 700 pounds. right; the
gold went through to
almost worked too well.
They were
that official
When
its
cannon
The
a clever balls.
destination.
is
a fine reminder.
Once
anxiety
fall
this
away.
is
is
lack of
done— and
When
a
it
man
It
something entirely new.
gold
gold-
it
balls
hills
for military
official.
No
am-
doubt
zooming over
the
once more!
can help us see that the only
knowledge about our
can be done— all forms
rich inner
of tension and
catches a glimpse of the gold w ithin
himself he no longer worries about his value. entirely different kind of
ball of
held
But on one occasion
saved just in time by a mining
obstacle to be overcome
natures.
Each
who The
a shipment of the golden balls arrived
had nightmares of golden cannon
story
scheme.
trick fooled the bandits all
heads of warring Indians and back into the
That
faced a serious
gold to road agents
upon
an army sergeant mistook them
at a railroad station,
munition.
its
finally hit
West
He
knows. But
knowing than he assumed
it
would
it
is
be. It
an is
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 159
A man it
wouldn't paint the outside of his house in the hope that
would make the
should
we
try to
living
make
room furniture more comfortable. Neither
exterior changes in our life in the belief that
they actually change our natures.
with our inner
We find our richer selves by working
selves.
Professor James C.
Many
Coleman
points out:
of these attempts at self-enhancement result in real self-
we
improvement, but because of the importance our worth
in
attach to improving
means we choose may improve
other people's eyes, the
our attractiveness to other people without actually changing us "inside" or improving our capabilities.
much
Some
psychologists find the source of
modern man's anxiety in precisely this problem: in trying to develop the traits and behavior and appearance that will please other people, we are often untrue to ourselves We are afraid to be ourselves and to grow in the directions our inner natures dictate. 1 of
.
.
.
The road to the truth Our think
is
progress
right
is
assured once
and reach out
Let's illustrate this
destination, say
Mexico
the road. Looking
that fork.
I
what
for
is
actually right.
with a motorist wanting City.
As he
City.
to take
to his car
he rubs
way
1
his
want
me
palms in
it
He
with his
he comes
to be.
He
Mexico
to it
self-satisfaction
Now
I
is
own
I
can enjoy
don't like
So he
City."
points to the
wrong
gets fork.
and explains,
my
trip."
soon gets
lost
down
and
irritations that
the
wrong go
lost condition.
But, happily, he need not be permanently his
to a fork in
also painfully feels all the frustrations
But, of course, he doesn't. road.
some pleasant
But suppose he remarks, "No,
want the other one
"There! That's the
to reach
drives along
out of his car and twists the sign so that
Returning
mistakenly
up he sees a sign with an arrow pointing out the
Mexico
correct road to
we abandon what we
painful situation.
his clue for
his error.
coming back
With
How? Where
can he
to the right road. It
a bit of self-honesty, plus the
lost.
start?
He
can correct
His very
distress
can force him into facing
abandonment
of pride,
he
1 Reprinted from Personality Dynamics and Effective Behavior by James A. Coleman, copyright I960 by Scott, Foresman and Company, Chicago.
©
MENTAL MAGIC
160 / SECRETS OF
can reason, "Well, now, after
all.
thing
can do about
I
may have
road. I I
They've led
me
own
my
were self-defeating
ideas
my
wrong
down
the
Any
their daily distress.
wrong road need only become to
make
thinking, but
of twisting a sign to suit his
petty preference. Yet in their mental journeys
wrong, then determine
some-
is
mind."
would dream
sensible motorist
But there
around and get back on the right
just spin
it. I'll
knowingly do just that— to self
if
temporarily lost myself through
can also find myself by clearing
No
is
looks as
it
into nothing but trouble.
fully
many
people un-
person finding him-
aware that something
the correction. Such a
man
will not
find his journeys increasingly peaceful.
fail to
The roads of life are clearly marked. We need only to find and Some people think that by sacrificing their beliefs and opinions that they are sacrificing their individuality. The exact opposite is true. What we must sacrifice are our mental illusions. By doing so we
follow.
find our genuine individuality. This
Henrik Ibsen meant when he realize oneself— this
human
seems
to
said,
me
what the Norwegian dramatist
"So
to
conduct one's
life
as to
the highest attainment possible to a
being."
We must want the truth more Is all this
a book?
day
is
Not
merely some
at all. It
is
sort of
than
we want
anything
else.
philosophy that you are reading in
something you can personally turn into every-
ease.
Turn off the switch I
once entered a grammar school classroom just
as a frantic scene
was going on. In the absence
of the teacher, a large fan
dozens of papers
A
The
off
her desk.
was blowing
hailstorm of papers fluttered
all
children scrambled noisily about, trying to collect them.
over.
A
few
seconds later the teacher returned, glanced around in dismay, then flipped off the fan's switch.
you turn
One I
it
"Why," she sighed
to the children, "didn't
off?"
of the girls giggled,
"We
didn't think of
suspect they were having too
much fun
it."
to think of
it,
but do
you notice a resemblance between that scene and the way some people
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / one frantic chase
live? It's
some
their lives into
after another in a vain attempt to collect
sort of order.
They have neglected, of Turn off the mental switch. end.
One branch rather than
But the
course, to
scattering never seems to
do the one
essential thing:
of medicine deals with the prevention of
So should one area of your
cure.
its
161
tension from arising in the
first
place.
We
life
can do
work this
at
ill
health,
preventing
by turning
the mental switch, by not permitting our lives to be scattered
off
by people
or events. "I'll it
go along with
To do tal is
that,"
someone may
agree.
"So
how do
turn
I
off?"
magic.
this
we
will call into service a pair of
We have
already
met them
major
secrets of
in previous chapters.
men-
The
first
the law of Cause and Effect.
Your enrichments
We
could spend the rest of this book in discussing the peaceful
benefits of this law.
...
it
.
Among
its
enrichments you find
.
.
guides you toward a brighter future.
.
.
keeps you at ease in
.
.
.
gives
.
.
.
sharpens your money-making talents.
.
.
.
supplies a lasting inner cheerfulness.
Tension
.
is
you a
all situations.
steadfast self-confidence.
caused largely by mental uncertainty. Living in har-
mony with the principle of Cause and Effect dismisses that uncertainty. You can rest assured that your correct causes will automatically supply correct results. You can afford, as one man phrased it, to "Think easy."
At the officers,
for
battle of Talavera the
"When
Duke
of Wellington instructed his
the French forces reach that grove of trees, attack.
me, I'm going
to take a nap."
He
did
just that.
The
British
As
won
the batde.
The Duke
of Wellington performed his part by setting
up
the
MENTAL MAGIC
162 / SECRETS OF
why he
requirements for victory. That's
could calmly
sit
back and
let
victory roll his way.
You, by doing your part
to
is
can likewise
part,
understand and cooperate with
SOMM,
part of your study program in
sit
back and
Your
relax.
powerful principle. As
this
review the law of Cause and
Effect as covered in Chapter VI.
HOW A
TO LIVE LIGHTLY
second technique, covered in Chapter IV, will gready reduce
tension. Actually,
it
can be stated
you never dreamed
lightness in living
To
much
abandonment
accurately say that the
stronger than that.
We
can
of false responsibility creates a possible.
illustrate:
When
Uncle Eddie came
trouble without end.
with the Miller family
to live
was
it
Uncle Eddie loafed around the house, complained
about the food, and borrowed the family car whenever he chose. Finally,
one evening, Mr. and Mrs. Miller had a minute
Mr. Miller
over.
love you so
much
told his wife,
that
"You know,
dear,
it's
to talk things
only because
put up with your Uncle Eddie."
I
Mrs. Miller's eyes widened with astonishment and dismay.
Uncle Eddie," she gasped.
And
one of the
them disturb Perhaps
first
it is
another person
where does the tension only place
clearly
We him.
things to understand
is
that
understand
we need
not
let
us.
our nervousness, maybe a
The
"My
thought he was your uncle!"
"I
We put up with pressure situations because we don't them.
I
it
can
we can work
whom we
member
believe to be the cause of
of the family or a friend.
exist? In that other person?
exist
is
in our
own
in the correct area, that
No,
Now,
just
of course not.
mind. By seeing
this very
own
thoughts.
is,
with our
need neither oppose that other person nor defend ourselves from
No
other person on earth has power to disturb you unless you
unknowingly give him that power. Withdraw your permission! Do quietly, peacefully, but
do
it
definitely.
And keep
longer surrender your integrity and individuality.
it
to yourself.
it
No
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 163
Mental detachment I
was discussing these
ment, "Somehow grasp.
There
someone
is
ideas with a
that
I feel
my
in
is
true, yet
it's
com-
this
so hard to
who is very unkind. I would like know how. Can you make things
life
your ideas, but don't
to apply
woman who made
what you say
clearer?"
what we can
"Let's see
unkind person even know of that,
do. Imagine, for the
unknown he
his existence;
to you, I
lives a
that this
thousand miles away. More than still
be an unkind per-
you would have no mental connection with him. Your mind
would be still
moment,
mean, suppose you don't
you have never met him. Now, he might
son, but
you
totally
is
free of his unkindness.
Now,
in that state of
mind, would
be distressed?"
"No."
"Why
not?"
your point.
"I see
My distress
is
in
my
It is
my
thinking that connects
to think that the basic connection
have with another person "That's starding,
is
"You have experienced
know
it
you
really
purely mental?"
when you come
"And clarifying." "What will be my condition once "A state of peaceful freedom." I
with him.
mind, not in the man."
"Did you ever stop
"Yes,
me
to think of it."
I
grasp
all
this?"
that state yourself, haven't you?"
can be done. There
is
no
failure to the person
who
penetrates this secret of mental magic."
She found freedom from special secret of
that unpleasant condition through the
mental detachment.
Your wealthy inheritance Whether we
are
aware of
it
or not,
we
are in
command
of our
A
Seattle
own lives. But to experience it we must first mentally see man went without his inheritance of $20,000 because he
it.
didn't
know
MENTAL MAGIC
164 / SECRETS OF
of
Once he was aware
it.
of the wealth awaiting him, he lived out
that wealth.
man
only a
If
would
could see
how
rich
he
is!
What
a fantastic life
he
lead!
And it is something that can be done. By you. Take paper and pencil. Write down those situations and individthat impose upon your time and energy. Realize that you owe
uals
nothing to any situation which burdens you. Note those names on your list
and begin a program of mental detachment, and, where
Make
physical detachment.
it
possible,
your business to stay clear of compli-
cated and nerve-racking things that don't really belong in your
You know what do
it.
This
is
they are. Detach yourself, perhaps a bit at a time, but
not selfishness on your part;
Everything
life.
starts
it's
an awakening.
and everything ends with self-understanding.
Writes Dr. Meerloo:
The true purpose of psychology, and especially of health branch,
is
man from
to free
its
mental
by helping him
his internal tensions
what causes them. Psychology seeks to liberate the its dependency on immature thinking so that each man can realize his own potentialities ... It is based on the premise that when man understands himself, he can begin to be the master of
to understand
human
his
own
The ficial.
from
spirit
life
2 .
.
.
truths about ourselves are often surprising, but always bene-
As an example,
ing conditions.
He
a factory employee objected to his noisy work-
felt that
he couldn't do
unnecessary racket. But because
seem
to
many
his best
so
much
of the other employees didn't
mind, he wondered what was wrong with him. In reading a
book of psychology he made
a comforting discovery:
personality objects strongly to pointless noise. isn't
work with
bothered so much. That
bit of
The
self-knowledge
A
less
well-adjusted
mature person
made him
feel
much
better about himself.
2 Reprinted by permission of of the
Mind by
Joost A.
M.
The World
Meerloo.
Publishing
Company from The Rape
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 165
Understanding tension may seem
It
when
a strange statement to you
people don't really understand the tensions in their
man
unfortunately true. If a
really grasped
say that most
I
when
People assume that they understand the tension
mental
much
keep
and
alive,
it
like the relief
In other pages of this book
He
harms himself.
them on see
the release of the anxiety
finally,
you might have
false ideas.
what damage
we have
gets hurt
This applies
his anxiety
is
by
at seeing a
seen that no
complete
it.
man
ever con-
his actions because
he bases
man were
really to
to tension. If a
doing, he wouldn't stop until he freed
himself. Self-damaging behavior ceases the it
quite an-
is
painting on the wall, after having seen only a small part of
sciously
free!
the seeing of the causes of anxiety, the perceiving of
It is
states that
itself. It is
this is
in truth they
only experience the pain of that tension. Understanding other thing.
Yet
lives.
them, he would be
moment
man
a
really sees
as self-damaging.
Suppose that a toy manufacturer planned one
to retail for
would
cost
two
would abandon
dollars to it
to
produce a
new
toy
But upon investigation he discovered that
dollar.
make. Seeing that
it
was
unprofitable,
it
he
at once.
We must be just as
utterly practical with the attitudes
facture in our minds. If a beliefs are unprofitable,
man
sees that his ideas
he can
we manu-
and assumptions and
also see the folly of
producing them
any longer.
The problem wrong
beyond
his
all that
there
is.
is,
such a
ideas.
man
usually fears that there
He mistakenly
So, to protect his
thinks that
mind from
is
nothing else
what he has seen
insecurity
is
he desperately
clings to the old, habitual and tense ways of thinking. Their familiarity
gives
him an
illusion of comfort only;
HOW TO A It
was
is still
distressed.
FLY AWAY!
children's story tells about a a confining
deep down he
pond with
little
swan who
lived in a small pond.
pleasure and no variety in scenery.
Every morning he paddled his rounds, wondering
why he even
166 / SECRETS OF
bothered.
MENTAL MAGIC
was hardly, he thought, worth the
It
He
struggle.
consid-
ered the idea of finding something better, but he had been told a few things by the other
advised one. "It
"Whether we
unhappy swans "Be much, but
isn't
like
it
or not,"
it's all
added a
with what you have,"
satisfied
:
we've got," remarked another.
third, "this
is
the world."
One morning the unhappy swan awoke with a startling thought. He was a swan. And swans can fly! So away he flew. He found a wide, beautiful lake. His friends followed.
own way, we can
In our
also fly
Magnificent Glimpse of our power
Here you must understand three Although
daringly go beyond
its
new
understand that
present level
need only
vital truths
.
to catch a
so.
cannot see anything above
it
We
away.
do
to
its .
about your mind:
and then
.
...
present level
it
will see
it
can
and
level.
Choose in favor of yourself man who dares to turn his back new and unknown ideas. Somehow he new ideas— as temporarily strange as they may be— are
the genuinely courageous
It is
on the old and
strike
senses that these
out for
the keys to the world he seeks.
What
amounts
it all
This
philosopher Soren Kierkegaard had in to
choose in favor of the
to, really, is to
not in favor of continued distress.
what the
is
mind with
his
great
self,
Danish
famous phrase
"Choose oneself."
Back
our original point,
to
we
are
see the self-harm caused by self-tension. in relaxation, clinch your
how
it
ties
you up,
are unable to pletely.
You
fist
tightly
on the So
right track
as a practical
and hold
it
for a
now
physically, mentally, emotionally.
free to direct
experiment
moment. Notice Your energies
do anything constructive. Now, relax your
are
when we
fingers
your attention and strength
to
com-
some
beneficial task.
Let
this serve as a
reminder.
Whenever you
feel tense,
that you are robbing yourself of valuable energy. Be of
it.
That very consciousness
ing—and
release.
will help
work
remember
fully conscious
a miracle of understand-
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 167
The world makes sense An
unchanging law of the mind
dom and mal
is its
self-expression
is
thwarted by
its
own
unceasing urge for free-
whenever the mind's nor-
individuality. Inner conflict arises
illusions, unrealities,
nega-
tivities.
Tension
caused by unlived
is
Peace enters as
we
life.
learn to really live.
Everything changes wonderfully for the chooses himself. Here
is
man
woman who
or
a glowing description of such a person as
given by Dr. Fritz Kunkel:
Much
unconscious, unexpected material will
Destructive tendencies will give pacities. lived.
It's
Our
unlived
life,
way
come
.
.
.
thus released from
its
wants to be
prison,
3
The world makes sense at last to the person who like a man driving through a tunnel with the radio
side that tunnel
hard he
to light.
newly discovered creative ca-
to
tries,
he can't get music from any
regardless of the direction
nothing. Everything
is
station.
he turns the
jumbled, senseless,
irritating.
finds himself.
While
on.
No
matter
dial,
But
in-
how
he can get
as
he
the tunnel to emerge into the light, everything opens to him.
clears
He
can
tune in any station he likes and hear beautiful music.
HOW
TO BE FREE
One wonderful of values. is
By
this I
thing that happens to such a
mean
really necessary to his happiness
and what
ously thought was absolutely essential to his trivial.
His insight into
dens. For example, he
the midst of
triviality
3 Fritz
enables
him
may have thought
some exciting event. This
wearily around looking for
1943).
man
he clearly sees the difference
thrills.
But
Kunkel, In Search of Maturity
his
it
is
his
new
What he previwelfare now becomes
is
not.
to cast off half his bur-
needful to always be in
attitude kept
him running
more mature mind now
(New
set
between what
sees
York: Charles Sdibner's Sons,
168 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
most exciting adventure on earth
that the
is
the development of his
personal powers. His insight into triviality supplies enormous relief
from running around.
The
idea
illustrated
is
man
by the young
assigned a lesson in
astronomy. His task was to determine which planet was the larger,
Earth or Mars. After struggling for an hour with pencil and paper he
wrote on the lesson, "Earth
much
larger,
is
but
it
really doesn't
make
that
difference."
For hundreds of years
maximum
depth
which
at
scientists
life
had wondered what was the
could dwell beneath the
deep areas the water pressure amounted
to
sea.
At some
more than seven
tons on
each square inch of a sea-creature's body. In a deep-sea expedition the Philippine Islands some scientists
found sea-creatures
made
a startling discovery.
living there in perfect comfort.
How
off
They
were they
able to stand that tremendous pressure? Because their inner systems
matched the water it
was the same
At
this
internal
pressure. Because they
as if the pressure
very
moment you
and external
were
in their natural state,
was non-existent.
are fully equipped to be free of both
pressures.
Author Douglas Jerrold brightly an-
nounces, "Nature designed us to be of good cheer."
Miracle Methods to Remember 1.
Learn
to
understand your tensions. Insight
is
a great aid to
relief.
2.
Your mental
reactions to daily events
make
between peace and anxiety. Study your 3.
4.
You find your richer Remember the story City. Let
it
self
by working with your inner
of the motorist traveling to
5.
6.
Realize that tension to
self.
Mexico
guide your thinking.
Practice at turning off the mental switch.
7.
the difference
reactions.
is
a state of
mind.
And you have power
change your mind.
Self-understanding gives you control over your
life.
THE MIRACLE WAY TO RELEASE TENSION / 169 8.
Every
man
has the ability to
fly
away
to a
higher and
brighter level of living. 9.
10.
Choose
in favor of yourself.
The world makes more and more uses
SOMM.
sense to the person
For one thing, tension vanishes.
who
How
Your Mind
Attracts Prosperity
one day a mining prospector named Eda street in Los Angeles. Doheny had an inquiring mind and alert eyesight. That's why he gazed curiously at a passing wagon carrying a load of sticky tar. Doheny knew that tar was formed when underground oil seeped to the
ward Doheny was walking down
surface and thickened. His eyesight turned to insight: If there
was
tar,
...
if
there there
Doheny
was
He
nearby Brea
.
.
if
there was
oil,
there was wealth
where the
tar
had
had been scooped up from the
was
told that
it
tar pits.
Doheny
investigated the sticky area, then
called in a partner
and went
to
work.
straight into a gigantic pool of
than 70 million oil
.
called out to the driver, asking
been found.
dug
oil
was wealth, there was opportunity.
barrels.
That was
It
wasn't long before he had
oil. It
eventully yielded more
just the start of a fabulous
empire.
Edward Doheny's Magnificent Glimpse cial fortune.
[170]
And
so can anyone, by using
led
him
SOMM,
to a finan-
glimpse
a Fai
HOW YOUR MIND superior financial future.
The
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 171
purpose of
this
chapter
is
to give
you
those secrets.
Money-making principles What do you
suppose
is
the greatest single factor that determines
a man's financial level?
By up
all tests it is
mental personality. This mental
state
Every money-making act springs from the
characteristics.
up
his
of judgment, alertness, decisiveness, a sense of daring,
of his mind.
ing behind
it.
And
A
each act will be as valuable
his general
room
to the
mental make-up.
degree of
its
own
illuminate every area of his
A
make-
as the creative think-
lamp brightens everything
brightness.
life,
such a simple rule that
been overlooking
it
in a
man's mental power
of your mind.
Maybe
that
is
you need do but one thing:
from now on.
Take two men, both
desiring to increase their incomes.
enthusiastically throws prosperities.
a
often overlooked. If you feel that you have
it is
this natural principle,
of
So does
including his finances.
To make more money, make more
who new
and other
total
man's money-making talents are not something apart
from
Take advantage
made
is
The one
SOMM into action will not wait long for
Natural principles cannot
fail.
In one
way
or an-
way— something special arman who neglects SOMM will do things the hard way, not realizing how much he is missing. A natural principle cannot serve a man who won't permit it to work for him, any more than we can
other—often in a delightfully surprising
But the
rives.
satisfy
hunger by refusing
to eat.
A METHOD FOR EXPANSION Let's
examine, for example, the principle of Mutuality.
It is
basis for every satisfactory financial transaction in the history of
kind.
The
ness, the
man-
more ways you can find to bring Mutuality into your busi-
more business you
What
the
will have.
is it?
Mutuality
is
the blending of your commercial values with the
values of other people.
It is
an exchange of goods of one
sort or another.
MENTAL MAGIC
172 / SECRETS OF
an overlapping of
It is
sells a
and
interests for
product and earns a
profit.
An
collects royalties.
mutual enrichment.
An
A
merchant
new machine
inventor creates a
actor supplies entertainment
and
receives
his paycheck.
Simple?
Of
people.
Lack of
barrier.
(We will
might be a
this
Only
course. Practiced?
to a limited degree
many
by
clear thinking toward this principle often creates a
up
problem in
you
feel that
barrier to you, start breaking through right
now by
take
this
asking yourself the stimulating question,
later pages.) If
"How
can
I
expand the
prin-
ciple of Mutuality?" I
am
thinking of a boulevard merchant
15 percent by using this idea.
He
usual pleasantness, extra attractive in return,
make
They
mutual.
it
who
uplifted his business
more than the
gives his customers
window displays, and so on. They, him more business than they
give
give to his competitors. Actually, there are hundreds of ways to bring into your business.
When pen! So
An
natural
let's
more Mutuality
mind can find and apply them. principles mix with personal power, things hapalert
next examine this idea.
The curious power As
a good example, take the mental force
could select ments.
I
this
power alone and
personally believe
mental powers. There
is
is
its
call curiosity.
be one of the most neglected of our
human mind
know
to
When
When
joined
it
leads to right answers.
becomes an overwhelming force
it
A man
to greater achieve-
present borders, to seek answers.
used constructively
with sincere intentions
to
we
guide him
a constant urge in the
more, to explore beyond curiosity
it
let it
in your
favor.
An
Arizona clergyman once printed a
swamped with make sure they a bit
more
requests for
how
efficiently
use,
and so on.
of
300
"sins."
He
was
no doubt from people who wanted
to
hadn't missed anything! But curiosity can be channeled
constructively.
your financial
it,
list
What you
should do
is
to
connect
it
with
how many ways you can find to win them, you can operate, how many new techniques you can
goals.
See
HOW YOUR MIND
A
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 173
manufacturer in Kansas City makes profitable progress by con-
tinually searching out the weakest link in his chain of operations. Sim-
ply by isolating this area he sees clearly
strengthen
it.
You can do
Get curious over the Isolate
it.
may
whatever your business
to
be.
single weakest point in your financial affairs.
Concentrate your entire attention and
effort into
Then, take the new weakest point and do
a strong point.
Your
likewise,
what must be done
making
it
likewise.
entire level of efficiency will rise rapidly.
Curiosity
$$$$$.
is
You can
results, for
just
select
one of the dozens of mental forces that produce
and employ many others with equally
profitable
example:
Knowledge Flexibility
Self-confidence Persistence
Experimentation
How tive to
amazing
is
the
everything that
is
human mind! good for
It
can be wonderfully recep-
us. Just as
each drop of rain
raises
the level of the entire lake, so does a single truth uplift the level of
your inner
self.
That
is
why
everything you have read so far in this
book helps you in your financial
mind and
a calm
mind
all
affairs.
A
clear
mind and
a cheery
play their enriching role in your daily
business.
Find the secret code
War I the German government had a spy ring at The secret agents were sending their messages back new and baffling code. It was the task of the American
During World
work
in
Mexico.
to Berlin in a
experts to break the code
and read the messages. After some
deductions, the U.S. agents concluded that the their code
Germans were basing
on the words in a certain dictionary. They made an intense
search for that particular book.
eyes— on
skillful
It
was
finally located in front of their
a shelf in the Library of Congress!
That
dictionary provided
the United States with valuable military information.
:
MENTAL MAGIC
174 / SECRETS OF
Let that story remind you that financial secrets are not really
man who
secrets at all— not to the
seen in other chapters that simple.
all
finds the right code-book.
truths about the
mind
We
have
are really very
our wrong use of the mind that complicates things.
It is
Perhaps you
ask, as did
one man, "Can you suggest a simple and
my
can use in
practical codebreaker that I
business tomorrow morn-
mg? Answer: Discover ways
to dig
more gold from
your business. In other words, make more of
have already exhausted selecting
value, give
its
it.
a certain phase of
Even
if
a fresh, close look. Start by
it
any department of your business that you
like,
toward
it.
relaxed alertness, for
you might wander around
Just as
wander around
hidden elements. Finally,
ways, even I
little
ways, to
have suggested
nessmen.
maybe
make
this
it
that area.
or other.
It
method
in a
a
Examine
as
your
it
carefully.
Look
your receptive mind come up with
even
Make more
richer.
of
it.
simple business truth to thousands of busi-
cannot think of a single one
I
some kind
let
such
all. Now, think meadow with a
advertising, purchasing, your personality, anything at alertly
you think you
who
didn't report benefits of
sometimes came in a saving of time and energy, keeping customers
for
perhaps in reduc-
satisfied,
tion of costs.
A candy salesman "I
remember
at
words make more of everything
I
took care of
it
me
of his rich find like this
your lecture
it.
could, but
established account I
told
My
first
how you emphasized
thought was that
I started
thinking
was turned over
to
me
it
over.
those four
already was doing
I
Then, an old and
for service.
For a few weeks
in the usual way, with the usual fair results.
Then.
one afternoon, after getting the usual order, something flashed through
my
was those four words, make more of it. "Well, I did just that. I turned around and asked the manager
mind.
It
to increase his usual order
by $50.
He
From
that day
on
was
all
there
was
to
it.
shrugged and nodded. That
I've inspired
myself with
tin
sc
four magic words."
What of
it!
can you do in your
own
business?
The
same.
Make more
HOW YOUR MIND
TWO VALUABLE
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 175
ACTIONS
A
businessman goes through his day with two different kinds of action: 1) Mechanical action, and 2) Personality action. Let's define these terms, starting
with mechanical action. Suppose
A
mechanical technique would be
sales work of
you are in
to let the prospective
This
is
sale.
The
some kind.
customer handle the product with his
mechanical or physical technique which plays
a
He
wants
to
keep
it.
it;
He now
feels, in a
he doesn't want
way, that the product
to give
it
back.
mobile salesman specializes in the "feeling" technique.
women
to
run a palm along the smooth upholstery; he tough rubber
to feel the
That to
is
if
One
He
apply.
auto-
asks the
invites the
men
tires.
an example of a mechanical action in business.
remember and But
hands.
part in the
customer's physical contact with the product establishes a
personal relationship with is his.
own
its
It
It is
easy
has a certain value in saleswork.
mechanical action
is
worth
$,
personality action
is
worth
$$$$$!
Your business personality
A
personality action
from the mental
what he
does.
self. It is
is
one that springs from inner character,
concerned with what a
Take our automobile salesman
man
is,
not with
again. His pleasant
and
helpful manners are far richer qualities than his mechanical techniques.
have
When customers come into
little
an automobile showroom they
may
They may
feel
knowledge about the car they want
helpless, worried that they won't get their
want
to
to buy.
money's worth. So they
be assured that they are in good hands.
sonality supplies that assurance, they will
If
want
the salesman's per-
to
do business with
him. In the business world as in anywhere factor
on
the mental personality of the
is
man.
else, It is
earth.
Observes the author of Every
Man
a King:
the greatest success-
the greatest attraction
176 / SECRETS OF
Success
MENTAL MAGIC
not dependent solely on our earnest affirmation, on
is
our self-confidence, but also on the confidence of others confidence
own
to
produce
contagious.
It
especially those orator,
this
this
Our own
confidence
affects every
whom you
attitude of
in others.
mind
is
therefore the
Your earnest affirmation
one with whom you come
contact,
in
must master, whether as a teacher, as an
as an attorney, as salesman, as merchant, as possible em-
ployee, or
magical
but
in us;
very largely a reflection of our own, the effect of our
personality on them.
means is
is
in
in
some other way. There way a confident air
adopt or acquire
it,
you
will
is
something that seems almost
influences other people.
If
be surprised to see how soon
it
the
radiate to others, increasing their confidence
in
your
you will 1
ability
.
.
-
The story of brown bear
A a
practical-minded business executive and a nursery tale about
Brown
but
it's
Bear.
You might
even stranger than
think that that that.
The
is
a strange combination,
executive told that nursery tale
before an audience of several hundred businessmen.
"Once upon
a time
It
went
Brown Bear was ambling through
like this:
the woods,
when he suddenly felt hungry. He looked around for some lunch. He searched down this way and up that way, but saw nothing good to eat. Then, Brown Bear smiled. He saw two lunches. One of them was a cluster of luscious-looking berries at the top of a low bush. The other was a
cluster of luscious-looking berries at the top of a tall bush.
Brown
Bear cheerfully went after the berries on the low bush.
He
and struggled and moaned and groaned, but the
on the low
bush were inches too high above he did something
else.
He
the berries on top of the
That
his head. So, because
stretched
tall
berries
up on
his big
strained
he was hungry,
brown
legs
and
ate
bush."
way of presenting several Foremost among them was this power-
story was, of course, an unusual
valuable ideas to the audience. ful point:
Whenever you
are
Mocked
at a certain level, free yourself
by
reaching for a higher one. 1
Orison Swett Marden, Every
Company).
Man
a
King
(New
York:
Thomas
Y. Crowell
HOW YOUR MIND This
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 177
so exciting a plan that
is
many men
don't stop to think of
But why notr In other words, whenever you run into age of any kind, free your ing level. By-pass
with a lower
mind
to think of
something above that block-
in favor of a superior plan of action.
it
level, but, like
Brown
it.
a business block-
Bear, stretch above
Don't battle
it.
Act up! Let's see
how
a
man named Lawrence Frank
freed himself up-
ward.
Frank and
his partner,
Walter Van de
Kamp
Van de Kamp's Lawry's, The Prime (of
Holland Dutch Bakeries) had a restaurant. Called Rib, this Beverly Hills Restaurant
menu
in town.
When
be read in seconds. table,
and
It
had
the waitress passed the
menu
to a diner,
it
could
baked or mashed.
potatoes,
a seasoning,
unique feature: the simplest
offered just four items— prime rib, salad, a vege-
But Mr. Frank and Mr. Van de mutual agreement
a
it
was
their
Kamp
ran into a puzzle.
By
most pressing problem. They needed
one capable of bringing out the best in their entree and
They looked around, gathered available samples, tasted and tested. None were quite right. All lacked the exact flavor and zest. salad.
'We
need
a special seasoning," they concluded,
'
Dut can't find one.
So what do we do?"
At
this
upward. Experiments in the kitchen of his flavorful Salt,
it
He
freed himself
own home
resulted in a
point Lawrence Frank did something.
combination of
was the
first
in a
salt, spices,
new
Lawrence Frank used whole new business.
It's
herbs. Called Lawry's Seasoned
line of exciting
consumer products.
that blockage at a lower level to create a
known
today as Lawry's Foods, Inc., of Los
Angeles.
Any
time you feel blocked at a certain level, ask yourself the cre-
ative question,
"Why
not free myself upward?" This secret of mental
magic supplies surprisingly rich present level and replaces
Experiment with
it
it
results. It releases the
with a vision of a
mind from
much
for yourself. In other words, act up!
higher
the
state.
178 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
Your great adventure Recently, at an art exhibition,
mosaic design.
It
was
I
away
places, including the jungles of
New
Zealand.
was
from
made
table
wood
The
to find the
of far-
Honduras and the mountains
builder of that table remarked,
dozens of people
who would
"The
send
me
in
of various
and shapes. The wood had been collected from dozens
colors
ture
saw a remarkable
built of thousands of pieces of
of
great advena bit of
wood
their country."
have found that the
I
who have
men who make
the most
money
are those
They They have a zest for collecting new customers. They have fun seeing how efficiently they can manufacture and distribute their products. They don't see their business affairs as a monota similar sense of adventure toward their business.
enjoy the challenge.
onous duty, but rather
As an executive
much
as
an opportunity for healthy self-expression.
of an insurance firm told me, "There
seriousness in the business world of today.
grim faces
when you
should see sunny smiles.
I
You
is
far too
and
see worried
don't
mean
you
that
should go to the opposite extreme and become frivolous or careless.
There
is
a third state that springs spontaneously from the
man
found himself. Such a
but not negligent. That
who
is
the kind of
man
I
like to
And
a pleasure.
greater
a free
is
enough,
is
a
come? Because
TO HAVE FUN
".
.
.
man
emotionally satisfying
can
life
live the
most
make
this
pointed
self-fulfilling, creative,
and
hy intelligently organizing and disciplining
2
2 Albert Ellis,
(Englewood
where you win
How
Dr. Albert Ellis and Dr. Robert A. Harper
his thinking."
kind
a creative mind.
is
HOW observation:
this
man's natural condition, and where business
that, interestingly
abundance of the world's material goods.
mind
has
work with— one
enjoys his work because he enjoys himself at work!" Anyone can use the secrets of mental magic for finding
of state for himself. It is
is
man who
light-hearted but not shallow, relaxed
Ph.D. and Robert A. Harper, Ph.D.,
Cliffs, N.J.:
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1961).
A
Guide
to
Rational Livfag
HOW YOUR MIND And
one way of owning
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 179
this self-satisfying life
is
to
make your
material business your mental pleasure. Rosa Bonheur, the famous
French
used
artist,
to specialize in
this principle to
win world-wide fame. She decided
animal paintings. In order to study her subjects she
took enjoyable trips to zoos and farms.
which included create
and
lions
some magnificent
She even kept her
private zoo
deer. All that enthusiasm couldn't fail to
paintings.
Threshing Corn, shows ten
One
of them, the gigantic Horses
Her
life-size horses!
eagerness for her
work
brought her the French Legion of Honor.
finally
You can ever you call
call it,
enthusiasm or fun or
it
include
but what-
it!
As children we used of players standing
self-satisfaction,
to play
on opposite
an outdoor game that had two groups high wall.
sides of a
A ball
was tossed
back and forth over the top of the wall. Players on the receiving end never is
just
knew
just
where and when the
what made
so
it
much
fun.
ball
We
there, alertly interested in the challenge, ties for
making the
would shoot over— and
had
a
and using our natural
Business success should be like that. If
we can make some of all, we will have
alert,
But best
HOW THE MIND I
we
are out there playing
come our way. And,
interesting catches.
fun.
CREATES SUCCESS
once had a business conference with several
While
corporation in Los Angeles.
men
own
told us his
stories I
abili-
catch.
the game, enjoying ourselves, the ball will always
by being
that
good time just being out
talking things over, one of the
success story. It
have ever heard.
It
officers of a large
is
one of the most fascinating
perfectly illustrates the
power
of a
mind
rightly used.
"Several years ago," he began, "I was out of work. Prospects for finding the position
was
my own
I
wanted were dim. The worst part of the
mental attitude.
made
self-doubt.
Oh,
and going
for interviews,
I
negativity showed; that
do about
it.
I
I
situation
was worried, discouraged, loaded with
the rounds every day, filling out applications
it
but without enthusiasm. hurt
was mentally
my
chances. But
in the cellar,
and
I
I
realized that
didn't
that
was
my
know what
that.
to
MENTAL MAGIC
180 / SECRETS OF
"One
evening, after another dejecting round of the town,
like getting out of the house.
Normally,
I
I
felt
would have found some
sort
of entertainment, but a notice in the paper caught
on the subject of mind-power.
told of a lecture
on the
gone into
subject, but hadn't
very deeply.
it
my
attention. It
read a book or two
I'd
Anyway,
went
I
to the lecture.
"That speaker
my
life.
wanted.
said
He advised that we On the way home I
'How would
act
I
and
Well, for one thing, confidence in sonality
I
should act as
tell
feel if I already
would march up
1
we
How
come
what we
already had it.
asked myself,
I
had a well-paying
position?'
every interview with full
to
act cheery, relaxed, happy.
the prospective employer that
was
I
My perand
a capable
could feel so confident? Well, because
I
already had a good position;
words,
if
started thinking about
my abilities. I would
would
reliable person. I
something that changed the entire course of
was merely seeking
I
wouldn't really care whether he hired
me
a change. In other
or not!
Mental magic "I tried
it.
For the next three days
I
assumed the mental
already having the position
I
was seeking.
amazing change in the way
I
went
pletely relaxed.
I
actually enjoyed tracking
feeling! It wasn't long before I
just right for
worked.
me. You can
I like to
I tell
think of
it
down
had three job
call it a
as
you,
after things. I
mental
it
state of
produced an
was unafraid, comthat work.
offers,
What
a
every one of them
trick if
you want, but
it
mental magic."
Mental magic? Of course. And based on established principles of thought which he religions
may
not have realized. Both Eastern and Western
have long taught
this ability of the
only they might have called alyze the principle to
it
to
go beyond
itself,
Modern psychology would "He set aside
faith.
come up with
mind
this conclusion:
negative conditioning long enough to
let his
anhis
natural self-confidence
break through."
But whatever you ous situations.
When
call
it,
it
works.
you assume the
You can apply mind of
state of
it
to
your
vari-
already having
HOW YOUR MIND that
which you
seek, here
which cause you
A man
is
to act in a
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 181
what happens:
way
It
changes your attitudes,
that delivers desired results.
always does the best he assumes he can do. But what he
assumes he can do
always
is
than what he can do. By removing
less
those self-limiting assumptions— by the above
system— he
finds himself
both thinking and doing what he previously considered to be beyond
him.
Your purpose The
story goes about the
immense value
Realizing the
office of a television
"Here
is
love poems. Listen!
The recited
$$$$$
Frenchman who taught
a collie to talk.
of a talking dog he brought
to the
it
producer.
the most amazing animal the world has ever known,"
Frenchman enthused.
the
is
You
"I
have taught him
will hear the
to recite
some French
marvel of the ages!"
producer listened with astonishment as the remarkable
collie
one poem after another. As he finished, the Frenchman smiled.
"There!
You have heard
this
amazing creature. Now,
let's
talk busi-
ness.
all,
The producer shook his head, "Sorry, but how many people understand French?" That producer was missing the
his
mind had wobbled
I can't
use him. After
entire point, wasn't he? Because
off into triviality
he couldn't see the value of
that marvelous collie! I It is
bring this
trivialities
up because
how many
surprising
bubbles in a
is
man
plug a leak in escaping
glass, his
The
The
real villain
behind
inner pressures keep popping to the surface to I
once attended a
sales
discussion kept wandering
in charge
dollars.
the inner and personal problems of a man. Like
confuse his purpose.
the
will help
instead of the business at hand.
these distractions
executives.
it
people waste their talents by attending to
must have had
lots
conference of bakery
away from the
point, but
of experience with that problem.
Every so often, whenever necessary, he would speak out, "Remember, gentlemen,
we
are here for
one purpose only— to
sell
more cake." That
182 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
simple reminder was enough to bring the meeting back to efficiency.
Watch
for this
mind-wandering whenever you conduct business
how
with other people. Notice pose
how
often and
Your watchfulness can help
slips aside.
easily the original pur-
steer
it
back
to the right
track.
Use your action power Keeping other people purposeful valuable idea.
What
where we can
score
about our
some new
Know
exactly
what you want. ways
2. List all possible 3.
own mental meanderings? Here is me give you three
financial hits. Let
your financial goals.
solid steps for sticking to 1.
only one small part of this
is
to get
it.
Plunge into right action with these ways.
man who
Success becomes a certainty to the three steps. Little by
he
little
here and a bright idea there. alter his plans,
but that
is
really the
unworkable actions makes way
What, by the way,
is
New
whole
to revise his thinking or
The abandonment
idea.
of
for right ones.
Many
right action?
from the definition given in to a Successful
have
with these
improvements, a gain
will see changes,
He may
persists
people have benefited
ACTION POWER:
Life. In this
book
The
Miracle
Way
define right action as any-
I
thing that contributes practical value to you. In business, the gather-
ing of fresh information personality.
The
Working with
right action.
So
a definite plan
Ten
unique idea
Percent Plan.
He
making
ten percent
percent larger, or It's
surprising
is
more
maybe
You need
One
businessman, a gen-
effective.
it
I
like this:
concentrate
For instance,
might be
"Suppose I'm
I'll
my mind make
it
on ton
make it ten percent easier to understand. the mind comes up with these ten percent
I'll
how quickly And they pay
improvements.
right action.
for self-advancement. It
explains
working out some newspaper advertising. it
the display of a pleasant
is
point deserves a few details.
last
eral contractor, has a
called the
is
off."
not expect perfect action of yourself. All you need
is
.
HOW YOUR MIND to
do the best you can
for
ATTRACTS PROSPERITY / 183
now. Adventurous action— which we
cussed previously— is an enjoyable aid.
who
You should be
couldn't find the perfect girl but thought
it
was
like the
lots of
fun
dis-
man
trying.
Special Points for Your Prosperity 1
To make more money, make more
of your mind.
Its
creative
forces are the foundation for all financial fortunes. 2.
Expand your use
3.
Your personal power money-making
4. 5.
6.
7.
of the principle of Mutuality. of curiosity can be channeled into
activities.
Let
it
work
for you.
Select a definite phase of your business. Make more of it. Remember the value of a rich personality. Whenever you feel blocked at any level, free yourself upward. Remember the success of Brown Bear. Turn all your money-making activities into interesting adventures. Have fun!
8.
Stick to your financial purposes. Let nothing distract you.
9.
Know
that
you can always achieve
world. There are no limits to the
far
more
in the financial
man who
employs the
secrets of mental magic. 10.
Use your is
certain.
action power.
Go into right action
and more $$$$$
Inspiring Answers
on Mental Magic
the other day about a proposed
to inquire
trip.
I
stepped into a travel bureau
My only problem was
the abun-
dance of colorful booklets on the wall racks. I
asked the manager,
He I
"Do you have something about
immediately selected and handed
needed.
It
answered
Likewise,
toward a better
which one
That
all
my
me
Ojai?"
the exact booklet
questions.
we need
all
the guides
life
are freely available.
for our various journeys
But we may need
to
know
best serves a present adventure. is
why you
special value.
will find the questions of this chapter of
During the question-and-answer periods
tures they appear
among
of
my
lec-
the most-often-asked. Let the answers
serve as guides to your destinations.
"You say than life
that
try to alter
we
should work at changing ourselves, rather
our exterior world. But will
this
make our
in the practical exterior world any different or
Not only [184]
daily
any better?"
will self-change dramatically transform your daily
INSPIRING ANSWERS
world of practical living but such newness.
it is
ON MENTAL MAGIC
the only thing capable of creating
you wanted new furniture
If
in
merely rearrange the old furniture; you'd entirely their
new
Unfortunately,
set.
/ 185
many
your home you wouldn't
toss
out and go get an
it
people are merely rearranging
mental furniture while under the illusion that they are getting
something new. It is
new
the
life
we
are after, not a wearisome rearrangement of
the old.
Here
selves.
A
we
live;
we
change the exterior
are not seeking to
are seeking a
different mental world
new mental world for ourwhen this happens,
the only goal;
is
follows wonderfully.
all else
Have you read
We
the objective:
is
world in which
ever read a book, set
You probably exclaimed
again?
it
strange.
This book
is
entirely different
can hardly believe that Obviously,
it
yourself,
to
the same book."
it's
was before. But you have changed. Your new; therefore you react differently
several years later
from what
the very same book. Every
is
and
aside,
it
it
What
word
attitudes
to those very
is
"Why,
that's
used to be.
I
has happened? exactly
what
it
and viewpoints are
same words!
The same thing happens when you see the world with your new mind. You still go about your daily affairs, but because you see them differently, you react to them in a fresh way. This new mental reaction is your very new world! Please don't think that sible.
add
There
to
your
is
something mystical or impos-
nothing more practical. There
life
that
renew everything transactions,
all this is
would do more
is
nothing you could
for you. It will transform
in your exterior world,
and
including your business
your relations with the opposite
sex,
your
social life—
everything will be new. If
rather,
you don't believe
it,
then you will know.
you
The
try
proof
it.
is
Then you
will believe, or
yours for the experimenting.
The conquest of loneliness "In spite of everything ness,
it is still
difficulty?"
there.
How
1
do
to escape the
nagging pain of
loneli-
can the secrets of mental magic solve
this
:
MENTAL MAGIC
186 / SECRETS OF
Your study
for
magic
will
show you what
loneliness really
your understanding of the condition that dissolves
It is
is.
and
of mental
once
it
all.
Loneliness
is
caused by your separation from your Real
The
Self.
Real Self knows nothing of loneliness, any more than the sun knows
anything about darkness. You get lonely because you are a stranger to
your
own
thoughts and feelings. Loneliness
is
coming
a
own
with the one thing that frightens you most— your
face to face
self.
Self-understanding dissolves loneliness.
how loneliness is always there beneath the surface of your mind, even when surrounded by lots of people and by gay activities? No matter how loud the noise, you can always hear it. The reason you cannot escape from loneliness is because— in your presHave you
ever noticed
ent state of separation from your Real Self— loneliness
—and you can't escape yourself. One woman expressed it like having
when
"No
this:
matter
how much fun
always have that vague lurking of despair. Then,
at a party, I
I
want
to
weep.
I
know
and be face
Til lose all these distractions
few minutes
that in just a
to face
with
my
emptiness."
why
Exterior distractions are always ending or changing. That's can't
depend upon them
Those happy
states
for inner security, for lasting comfort.
come only from daring
dependable powers of the Real a
I'm
the orchestra plays the final dance of the evening, the anxiety
bubbles up to where
we
you
part of
is
new way toward This
is
ourselves,
clearly explained
Self.
When
and there
it
internally.
depend upon the
that happens,
we
totally
think in
never any more loneliness.
is
by Dr. Maurice Nicoll
Because the Kingdom of Heaven contact with
to
The way
is
is
within a
in
man, he can only get
himself, not outside.
He can
experience flashes of another consciousness, moments of entirely new
meaning, which show that a higher ments of to
this light
.
change because
.
this
level exists in him.
They are mo-
For his mind must slowly be prepared
.
higher level
is
in
order
different from a lower level
and
so the thoughts belonging to a lower level are not of the same order
as those of a higher to receive "light"
way"
level.
— so
Something new must be formed
he must gradually come to "think
in his
mind
a
new
in
l .
.
.
1 Maurice Nicoll, The New Hermitage House, Inc., 1951).
Man
(London: Vincent
Stuart, Ltd.;
New
York:
ON MENTAL MAGIC / 187
INSPIRING ANSWERS
Freedom from the past "I
can
1
have feelings of guilt and regret toward
be free of this mental
By concentrating your
my past mistakes. How
self-punishment?"
attention
and energy on
today's self-devel-
opment.
The
ancient city of Babylon required that travelers supply the
correct daily
password in order
to enter.
One morning
might be
it
"Chariot" and the next day "Harvest." Those using the day's password
gained immediate entrance; those using the old one were stuck outside the gate.
Likewise do
we need
approach each
to
needed actions— those that are
new day with
realistic, energetic,
today's
hopeful. Yesterday's
experiences should be dismissed as having no significance today— for
they haven't.
The
we have
only connection
with the past
is
a mental
one.
Many
people find
Their problem as
is
it
difficult to
that they are
still
break
this
mental connection.
needlessly identifying themselves
being "bad" or "shameful" because of past experiences. Quite often
they are unaware that they are doing
this.
In one case like this
I
asked
the inquirer:
"Think back
for a
moment
to
when you were
a child."
"All right. I'm thinking."
"Did you then do things that were impractical and self-defeating?" "Yes, of course. All children are
"Do you now
believe that
it
bound
was bad
to act like children."
or shameful for
you
to act
like that?"
"No, not bad or shameful
"Why
not?"
"Because a child
is
merely acting out his immature nature.
has no ability to act above "All right. see your
at all."
own
Why
He
his present level of understanding."
not give yourself the same tolerance?
mistakes of a few years ago
in the
same
Why
not
light? Stop
identifying yourself as being a bad or shameful person and merely see yourself as
someone who acted without much mature
nothing bad about
that.
insight. There's
In other words, never see yourself a guilty
MENTAL MAGIC
188 / SECRETS OF
person, but only as
someone who lacked
simple switch will free you.
practical understanding.
It will also
That
enable you to grow rapidly
in self-insight."
"That's exciting."
"Every truth about
life is exciting."
The question of command "My main
discomfort
is
people and conditions. Will
Of
course.
Inasmuch
the feeling that
SOMM
am
I
mercy of
at the
dissolve this distress?"
based on the
as these secrets are
realities of
they will dissolve every negative emotion.
life,
Remember: Nature has made no provision whatsoever housing of negative emotions within you.
them an appearance reality.
Correction comes through right thinking.
come
to see this, bit
then
feel
by
bit,
we
permanent
misconceptions give
no such connection
of attachment, but
things as they actually are, not as
negative emotions
exists in
We must learn to see
falsely think they are. fall
away
bit
by
As you bit.
You
toward people and conditions in an entirely different way.
This happens because you are entirely
new
Our
for the
different.
You
are actually a
person.
This new
complete
self is in
command
of people
and conditions.
But— and this is important to remember— it is a different kind of command than you supposed it would be. It is neither aggressive nor dominating. It is quiet. You command the condition hy clearly understandis
the only genuine control, and the
only one you need.
It consists of a
detached observation of the condi-
tion, entirely apart
from fear or anxiety. You see that there
ing
it.
This clear understanding
nothing to
on your
fear, therefore,
nothing that needs an aggressive
part. In other words,
is
really
command
you command without commanding
at
all!
We
try to control
afraid, so
we
completely.
we fear it. we are no longer when we command
something aggressively only when
But when we reach a higher don't seek
level of consciousness
command. And
that
is
ON MENTAL MAGIC
INSPIRING ANSWERS
Many
Much
of the
them occurs
in the
people feel themselves at the mercy of
One
material in this book offers corrective steps.
of
The Conquest
next chapter in the section entitled
/ 189
life.
of Depression.
Understanding the hostile mind "We
much anger and resentment and hostility in everyday What is the cause and cure of human hostility?"
see so
contacts with people. Hostility gressiveness to
is
the reaction of a frightened person. His angry ag-
is
the only response he
knows
to
be a threat to his self-esteem. His hostility
a self-image
is
something he believes
an attempt
he has of being a certain kind of person. Take a
Such
has a self-picture of himself as being socially popular.
degree of hostility
feel a
when he
when he
being wanted and liked by others. His
stormy
it
its
batters not only the ships
waves
at piers
harms
wise, not only
beyond
itself to
harms neither
to the sea.
upon the
because of
The
When
the sea
is
sea itself but lashes out
and homes on the land. The itself but,
its
hostile
mind,
like-
pressures, strikes out
The calm sea, having no turmoil, The peaceful mind, having no tur-
hurt other people.
itself
nor the land.
and other people.
moil, lives in tranquillity with both itself hostile
mind
is
simply one that
about
life.
We
understand
this.
A cruelly aggressive
tions
by attacking those
he believes are unappreciative of him.
The human mind can be compared with
man who man will
rejected or ignored— for instance,
is
will then seek to lower the painful pressure
whom
a
doesn't receive an invitation to a party. This lack of an invi-
tation disturbs his self-image of
mind
to preserve
scious forces that
will get along best
compel him
he has absorbed the
is
to
not free of
its
false
with angry people
assump-
when we
person has no idea of the uncon-
hurt others. Somewhere along the
false notion that
way
anger and resentment are neces-
He need not employ them as deknow it. He lacks awareness of the truth.
sary to his psychological survival. fenses,
but he simply doesn't
As long
as
he clings
to this unreality,
harming both himself and But freedom
is
he
will continue to act hostile,
others.
certain to the earnest seeker!
A man
can liberate
MENTAL MAGIC
190 / SECRETS OF
himself not only from hostility but from every other harmful emotion.
Such
liberation
Read
encouraging summary of Dr. Erich Fromm: "But being
this
driven by forces
dom (and that
is,
SOMM.
one of the aims of
is
unknown
to
him,
man
is
not free.
He
can attain
free-
health) only by becoming aware of these motivating forces,
of reality, and thus he can
become the master
." 2
of his life
.
.
you have twenty-four servants! "I regularly set
advance with
maximum
You have day.
regardless of
is
one of the most exciting of
thinking about
it
Once you
or not.
all
the secrets of mental magic.
see, the truth
The
it is
point
it; it
is
this:
The
is
more
no time when
insight, increased ability.
never takes a vacation from you.
who
has
really
It
Your hourly experiences
Everything
are the very best
is
and experiences.
We
learn about
valuable; every contact with
life
life
gives
from
you
life.
The
daring exploit of an American naval hero pictures the point:
Officer A.
and
is
great market place for gathering your greater
in your daily events
of
like the air-
part of you.
teachers you have.
life itself.
It's
whether you are
cannot possibly stop working for the person
wholeheartedly invited can't leave you;
it.
skies,
get started, there
more power, deeper
doesn't serve you with
good
and
so as to
who quietly aid you every single how busy you may be, is a faithful servant
works for you, even though you are unaware of
You
SOMM,
speed?"
plane that speeds you forward through the
it
study of
your progress.
This It
my home
twenty-four servants
Each hour,
to speed
time aside for
But how can a busy person find extra time
also attend classes.
Whipple once
sailed into the
disguised his ship as a British gunboat
middle of a British Fleet of warships. Each night
he captured an enemy ship and sent
©
it
to
an American
port.
That
heroic
2 Copyright 1962 by Pocket Books, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Pocket Books, Inc., from Beyond, the Chains of Illusion by Erich Fromm; The Credo Series,
Trident Press.
ON MENTAL MAGIC
INSPIRING ANSWERS
each enemy
officer didn't see
/ 191
but rather as an opportunity!
as a threat,
Likewise, our elevated attitudes can see nothing as a danger, but everything as a chance for greater achievement.
hour
Even."
is
your best hour.
How
come? Because you make
so!
it
What about results? have just started studying
"I
expect to see practical results in
The est
my
best thing about results
anxiety over them.
bility at all.
They
are
Xot up to
is
SOMM
When
with you.
can
I
daily life?"
that
you need not have the
the slightest.
They
slight-
are not your responsi-
the truths within you that you are begin-
ning to release.
Remember,
practical results
come
to
concepts go, your practical good arrives talking things over with people that
with a
this
one
idea. It
is
you. all
Once your
by
itself.
I
false
we could spend our
that important.
It is
mental
often wish in entire time
so necessary that
we
catch
Magnificent Glimpse that betterment comes— it just comes— to the
receptive mind.
And
once having arrived in the mind,
it
expresses
its
richness over every area of practical living.
Give your attention
to the various secrets of
mental magic: Like
persisting in your search for your richer self. Like
able adventure out of your studies of
SOMM.
making an enjoy-
Like understanding the
ways of your mind. Let's take
an example of that
last point.
Even* once in awhile a troubled person will challenge me. all
well and good to talk about peace of mind, but please give
good reason I
why
I
should be
reply, '"Please give
me
"It's
one
happy?-''
me
one good reason
why you
shouldn't be
happy."
At
this point a strange
their eyes.
For just a
split
without a true answer. search their for their
condition.
memory
thing happens.
A
baffled look appears in
second they are caught
A moment
later,
when
off guard.
They
are
they have had time to
for habitual responses, they give
me many
reasons
unhappiness. All of them relate to a distressing exterior
192 / SECRETS OF
I try to
If
show them
MENTAL MAGIC
that there
is
no genuine reason
for their grief.
they didn't think they were unhappy, they wouldn't be.
An unclear the
oversimplification?
mind
As we have already
at all.
seen, an
always involved with unhappiness. By understanding
is
mind— by
Not
seeing through it— we detach ourselves from
its
nega-
tivities.
When will your practical results arrive? You will in a If
few days
you
them come
let
depending upon your
or weeks,
HOW
do
rapidly, they will
own
have them with-
state of receptivity.
just that.
TO CLEAR AWAY
CONFUSION "You have gone more
appreciate
You have
into the
Will you please discuss
detail.
just taken the first step
Many
nizing your confusion.
mental fogginess. They back
the world that's
Become
to
its
evades what
source in their all
is
how
to face,
What
Ed:
I
Al:
Well/ what
Ed:
Square.
is
but as-
its
mind
how
distorts things.
the
human mind
hastily explains
it
odd
and
ex-
logic:
the shape of the earth?
don't know.
mean
Al:
No,
Ed:
Round.
I
is
the shape of your
girl's
earrings?
the ones she wears on Sunday.
Al:
So what
Ed:
Square on week-days and round on Sundays.
is
the shape of the earth?
"How," you may
me
easily the
how
cuses and rationalizes. Especially notice Al:
by recog-
own mind. They wrongly
half the battle. Notice
want
doesn't
it
clarity
mixed up.
increasingly aware of
Awareness of confusion
toward mental
people are not consciously aware of their
fail to trace it it's
I'd
it?"
feel the painful results of their condition
sume
that
problem of mental confusion, hut
to think clearly
Remember
ask, "does insight into
and
my own
confusion help
realistically?"
the adventure of
Edward Thompson
in
Chapter X?
INSPIRING ANSWERS
ON MENTAL MAGIC
When he saw that the
Sacred Well was
he worked
it
at clearing
treasure. Likewise,
when we
cumulated mental
debris, only
removed. Once removed,
Do
When
away.
with accumulated debris
filled
was done, he found pure
that
we
then will
clarity
is
realize that
an indication that you are
It is
And do
not be afraid to be with-
out an answer to something that puzzles you.
answered question often leads
you only intensify your worry.
if
that answer
over an un-
you
If
any answer
is
not based in truth,
will bravely
remain without an
answer long enough, the truthful one will come
wind comes
Worry
to a desperate settling for
But
ac-
must be
it
ours.
heroically challenging false concepts.
just as the right
we have
are consciously aware that
not be afraid to be confused.
that gives temporary comfort.
/ 193
to
you spontaneously,
to the waiting ship.
A challenge! 'You have urged us it
to challenge
better to forget false ideas
When we say we
our
false assumptions.
and go in search
Why isn't
of the truth?"
we are implying that we already know what it is, that we know what we are searching for. But if we already know the object of our search, why are we still are searching for the truth
searching?
We sist
can find what
upon driving down
right.
We
a
highway
that doesn't take
never find the right one.
tion, I will
know what
the false
it.
Anger
is
a guilt-producing act.
is
a painful emotion.
is;
Envy
These
The
of life today,
we can
dissolving of negative
can actually be done.
need only
I
me
false. If I in-
to
my
must leave the wrong
we know is
it
because
we
on
ways of
us.
By
destina-
to find the
suffer
a tormenting thought.
are false
dissolved by challenging their hold alities
by abandoning the
true only
is
from
Revenge
living that
can be
honestly facing the re-
avoid being shocked by them tomorrow.
emotions— false emotions— is something that
You
don't have to believe that this
is
so.
You
start challenging.
The human problem is that man thinks facts. He doesn't know the difference. So, assumptions as
facts,
he proceeds
to live
that his assumptions are
then, taking these false
by them. But because they are
194 / SECRETS OF
false,
he
MENTAL MAGIC
An earnest effort
miserably and anxiously.
lives
true from the false
is
the beginning of the
new
to separate the
life.
Man must challenge his assumptions, no matter how long held or He must force them to prove their practical worth.
deeply entrenched. If
he
persists, if
he refuses
to let
them
bluff
him
into staying, he will
gradually find himself free.
An you
acquaintance of mine has a rock on his living room table.
try to pick
exacdy what
it
up, you are surprised.
it is:
It lifts as lightly as
If
paper. That's
a cleverly constructed paper rock that looks like the
real thing.
Anyone who assumes that that rock is the real thing will waste a certain amount of energy in picking it up. But once it has been challenged, once you see
it
as false,
you no longer bother with
it:
you save
your strength. Likewise,
we
save our natural life-energies
when we
see the dif-
ference between the true and the false.
Your power of attention '7 realize the value of daily persistence in
mental magic.
The
How can 1
story goes about the
have his family it
applying the secrets of
keep myself fully motivated?"
man who
tree looked up,
spent one hundred dollars to
then spent twice that
much
to
thing.
But we
have
hushed up.
That man was obviously attending can do
to the
wrong
better.
Correct attention will keep you motivated as you adventure with
your secrets of mental magic.
Give your mind over only
to those thoughts
plans that are genuinely beneficial. in favor of your
Think that are
it
own
And
forget
and
all else.
feelings
and
Be 100 percent
progress.
through for a moment.
Come up
with ideas and plans
worthy of your attention. There are hundreds of good ones.
Select those that will do the most good for your present target.
Examples of constructive programs:
.
:
INSPIRING ANSWERS
ON MENTAL MAGIC
1
A definite reading schedule.
2.
Handling other people
tactfully.
3.
Abandoning
4.
A
5.
Understanding the emotions.
unrealistic ideas.
daring attitude toward
Why does
life.
you motivated?
attention to such programs keep
The answer
is
/ 195
exciting!
Because they return definite rewards. Because you can actually see
and
feel
The
and enjoy the
rich results.
nected with point
5— that
she correctly gave
it
Why is it I'm
is,
wear
never happy with what
off so
What you
really
think
I
But once
dress.
no happier than
How come
soon?
I get? I
want
a raise in
get
them I'm
I
before.
Why does
the
they don't really satisfy?"
explained, "Because you really don't
raise in pay.
was con-
she didn't understand her emotions. But
pay or a new home or an expensive
I
difficulty
her attention. She said, "Something puzzles me.
surprised to find that I'm really thrill
Her
case of Ellen C. proves the point.
want
is
new home or self-esteem. You are
want
a raise in
that
using these things as substitutes for self -worth. But nothing outside yourself can supply
it.
Self- worth
comes from within.
It
grows
learn about your inner values. Start by understanding that it
your attention.
And
Then you
will find lasting self-esteem."
TO REALLY LIVE!
have heard you speak
within, just as so I
many
times,
and
feel that
new
stirring
you predicted. Will you please summarize your
might study them even more closely?"
Try these
you
she did.
HOW "I
as
much. Give
stops
and
starts
Stop waiting for action
.
Stop rigid thinking
.
.
.
Stop hiding despair
.
.
.
Stop accepting confusion
.
.
start
start
making things happen.
open-mindedness.
start discovering .
.
.
happiness.
start clearing
your mind.
ideas,
MENTAL MAGIC
196 / SECRETS OF
Stop regretting the past
.
.
Stop fighting problems Stop condemning your
life
Stop covering up errors
.
life
Stop feeling helpless
Stop being grim
Do
.
.
.
.
.
They
examining
start
start freeing
ideas.
your mind.
using your powers.
enjoying everything.
not assume that these ideas are
operation.
your days.
start living
.
.
start
.
enjoying the present.
understanding yourself.
start correcting yourself.
.
.
start
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
start
.
Stop accepting everything
Stop complicating
start
.
.
.
require attention,
put into practical
difficult to
persistence,
yes,
certainly,
but
You don't need to struggle with them, but rather join forces with them. They are natural principles that already know what to do for you. Let them do the work! They will never fail you. strained effort, no!
Suppose that some warm afternoon you are porch enjoying a cool breeze. to
you and
says,
Then imagine
"From now on you
sitting
on your front
someone walks up
that
are responsible for this breeze. It
is
up
is
You would probably smile and reply, "Why, you know that that impossible. No human being is responsible for any natural force.
to
you
to
keep
it
going."
This cool breeze operates in the
way
of
its
by
all
itself.
All
need
to
do
is
place myself
cooling power."
That would be
intelligent thinking
when you
same
as wise
I
take the
on your
part.
And you
are just
attitude toward the secrets of mental
magic.
You have no
responsibility for
themselves. All you need
to
do
is
making them
They go all by way of their
go.
place yourself in the
rich benefits.
Personal freedom "I
am
intrigued by the idea of inner liberty of which you speak.
Will you please explain what you mean by personal
Nothing complicated.
I
simply
mean
freedoi>i?"
a relaxed
and easy-going
inner condition that makes everything enjoyable. For instance, even-
one wants
to
enjoy a social occasion, like a party. But
many
people are
.
INSPIRING ANSWERS
anything but free
just because
They are restricted by their self-consciouswon't make a good impression. These anxieties behavior, play-acting, like laughing at a joke
artificial
everyone else does. This role-playing creates more tension,
and robs one of
results in self-disrespect,
of
all it
way. at
/ 197
at one.
ness or worry that they
often produce
ON MENTAL MAGIC
Most
his individual integrity.
hampers freedom of enjoyment.
The solution is not to go to the other extreme and act in a dull A man merely has to act like the only person who can keep him
ease— himself
There studying tion,
are
many
SOMM.
other areas of freedom to be gained through
Anyone can
liberate himself
from self-condemna-
nervousness, panic and so on.
"Why," you may
more people
ask, "don't
Why
of enjoyable liberty?
live in their natural state
many mental
are there so
prisoners?"
Answer: Because they don't know that they are already Picture a
man
tied to a rope
of the rope lies in the
man
looks back
hut he doesn't tion
and If
shadow
of a post, but
and assumes
know
that
about ten yards long.
it is.
that
he
is
is
The
free.
other end
not tied to the post.
tied. It is
a false
Consequently he remains in his
restric-
in his despair.
he
more
will only look
In this book
we have
closely,
he
will see that
called this close look
he
is free.
by many names,
cluding awareness, insight, self-understanding, mature thinking, nificent Glimpse.
They
all
mean
Inspiring
1.
in-
Mag-
the same thing— personal freedom.
Answers for Review
Change your mind and you change your entire secret of
2.
The
assumption,
world!
That
is
the
mental magic.
Loneliness and every other negative feeling can be
dis-
solved through self-understanding. Study yourself! 3.
Remember, nature has made no
provision for the permanent
housing of negative emotions within you. Develop right attitudes 4.
and
negativities fall away.
Use every experience
as a
means
of strengthening yourself.
198 / SECRETS OF
MENTAL MAGIC
Every day can give you a
bit
more power,
additional insight,
greater enjoyment. 5.
You have no you go
responsibility for creating
good
results.
into action with right causes, right results
When
come
all
by themselves. 6.
Don't be afraid of any mental confusions that
may
arise as
you venture forward. They are perfectly normal, and fade 7.
away
will
in time.
Challenge your assumptions toward
life!
If
they are not
giving you practical benefits, abandon them. 8.
Turn your
attention only to constructive programs.
You
will
then receive constructive rewards. 9.
10.
Your mental
self
is
the self
You
are, at the very
moment
of reading these lines, com-
pletely free to live cheerfully secrets of
by the
the friend of the self." (Bhagavada Gita)
self;
is
a great ally. "Upraise the self
and pleasurably. Use the
mental magic to discover
this
freedom.
If
Good Things Will
Come
book, you
You
to
AS YOU FINISH YOUR FIRST READING of this may be wondering about something. You may want to
know more about
its
benefits to you.
that will be
answered in
As
I
author,
This
is
a healthy inquiry
this chapter.
have aimed
at giving
Glimpse of the superior person you can occurs, miracles of self-change begin.
you a Magnificent
be.
Once
glimpse
this
As we have
seen,
the
Magnificent Glimpse consists of a sudden flash of fresh insight. It is
the awakening of the Real Self within you. Yes, miracles begin.
out of the way, to that
is
emptied of
We
let ourselves its
need only
to get
our false selves
be empty and receptive.
old contents
is
The cup
the cup ready to receive the
fresh.
We
need not
strain at creating these miracles.
We
need
only permit the all-powerful truth to flow through us.
To encourage
your
own
Magnificent Glimpse,
I
you, in this chapter, a greater taste of that superior
want
to give
life. I
want [199]
200 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
to
show you how the
secrets of
mental magic will change and enrich
everything. Let's start with:
Living with light
Many to
who
people
study these principles for richer living come
our classes with interesting observations. Here are three of them:
You have given me something understand
sort of inner glow; I
am
living
My
enormous value.
something
warm— and
It
main goal
It still is.
But
other objective.
I
is
don't fully
different.
You might say that known before. A
taking place.
in life I
I
might be described as a
with a kind of light that I've never
definite experience
man.
of
as yet, but I'm on the way.
it
has always been to be a successful business-
have recently found, thanks
want
to find myself, to
to
sharpen
mental magic, an-
my
mind, to build
an inner prosperity as well as an outer one.
I
have achieved profes-
win the other kind.
I
have caught what you
sional success.
I
will also
have described as the Magnificent Glimpse. thought Practical! When I first began my studies of mental magic was a form of mental mysticism. It could be just that, suppose, because some amazing things have happened in my daily living. Things are really moving my way. My home life, for instance, has a tranquillity never known before. You might be interested in hearing that my neighbors and I are organizing a Mental Magic Party. We look forward to some exciting times! I
it
I
The truth at work What
are the forces behind these practical changes?
The very ones you have been absorbing all along! You can, like these people, expect to win the same
fine results as
you go along.
As a matter
of fact, the truth has already
begun
its
fine
work
within you. At this point in your reading you have already started to
make good
things happen.
They
start
within you, then in time, show
themselves in outer prosperity.
The growth
process goes like this:
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 201 Imagine yourself in a dark room, seated before a typewriter. Suddenly, you wish to learn to type, so you go ahead. Because of the darkness your
uncertain and awkward. But that doesn't
efforts are
first
bother you; you realize that you are doing the best you can for now.
So you
Gradually, the room becomes lighter; you see the type-
persist.
writer keys
more
clearly.
Your accuracy
increases.
Then, more
light
and more accuracy. Finally, as the
of the typewriter.
The same
But
it's
you take
fully lighted,
Then, anything you type comes out
full
command
well.
with life-growth. As your mind becomes enlightened,
so does your world. Is this
room becomes
Then, everything you do comes out
something mystical? Well, you can
call
it
well.
that
if
you
like.
practical mysticism.
The conquest of depression "I
know
inquirer.
that I don't understand myself very well," stated one
"So could
would be
a
good
"Do you
we
please talk
emotion and put
single negative
start
It
"Yes, I'm emotionally
"Would you like what we can find?"
now and
all
my
if
I
we
take a
think this
negative feelings."
then?"
up and down."
to search
would be
would help
under the microscope.
toward understanding
get depressed
"Yes, that
over?
it
it
fine.
out that particular emotion, to see
Why
"Because you do not really see
do
I
as
it
get depressed?"
an utterly useless and waste-
ful emotion."
"Really?" "Really.
will explain that in a
I
you a question.
"Oh,
What
"Tell
me
no end
to things that
"Well, since you put in
to ask
make me gloomy."
something. Exactly where does
if it's
want
Family problems. Scary headlines. Worry over
these exterior things or in your
"Then,
first I
do you think causes these feelings of despair?"
lots of things.
finances. There's
moment, but
it
this depression exist?
In
own mind?"
that way,
it's
in
my
mind."
your own mind, you must be permitting these
202 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
mind. You are subconsciously consentnow we come to the big question: Why do
exterior events to depress your
ing to their entrance. So,
you permit
exterior conditions to depress you?"
"I really don't
You there
know."
"It's
because you are getting a certain pleasure out of your gloom.
use
it
as a justification.
must be good reason
for
You it.
think, 'Well, since I'm depressed,
Therefore
I
for myself, to be hostile to the outer world, to
As long
you
as
of
"Once and it is
for
I
all,
see
how
absolutely no further use for
to do.
how
it
is
do?"
to get depressed.
healthy need. Get to
need
demands.'
genuine happiness."
"So what must
harmful
to feel sorry
insistent
your depression, you will never see
justify
you out
tricking
have a right
make
No man
utterly useless,
Once you it.
know them
how
impractical,
you
really see this,
will
how have
All negative emotions serve an unas
unhealthy and that
is all
keeps eating a sour apple once he
you
really
tastes its sour-
ness. "I
have
at least
"Stick with
it.
an idea of what you mean."
Let
it
turn into an actual experience."
Freedom from distressing decisions There
is
a law in one of our states governing
at a crossing. It decrees that neither train shall
An
has passed!
indecisive
mind
two
trains that
meet
go ahead until the other
finds itself in the
same impossible
fix.
ever noticed how many decisions you must make durAnd ever notice how many of them stop your mental tracks? One woman told me, "The most frustrating problem
Have you ing your day? train in I
its
have with
my mind
is
in
making
it
up!"
SOMM gives you freedom from distressing decisions. How? Because one happy secret of mental magic sight into your mind. It enables
your
own mind
that frees
distressing decisions.
you
to
you from
is
understand all
that it.
it
gives
It is
you
in-
insight into
painful thoughts, including
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 203 Let's see
how
Suppose your
works:
this
stand the mechanics of the
TV
set
you must make
Should you replace a tube? Or
decisions.
you don't under-
television set develops trouble. If
several
annoying
there a loose connection in
is
the wires?
Does the
forced into
making decisions— which may turn out wrong— because you
need adjustment? In other words, you are
aerial
don't understand that set.
But what
if
how
learned just
you made a study of
whirled around by conflicting choices. It is
its
mechanics? Suppose you
everything works. Then, you would never again be
You would know what
the very same situation with the mind.
We
to do.
run into
conflict
when we don't understand it. That is why self-study is so imThe enlightened man never has to choose when it comes to own best interests. Because he understands his mental set, he also
only
portant. his
knows what This
to
do with
it.
one of the most relaxing of
is
rewards that
all
SOMM
will
pay you.
Your new life will appear Any
person
who
chooses to do so can experience miracles of
change within himself. self -honesty
he
will not
More than
ning.
that,
can,
fail.
will proceed
And he need
is
that
he begin
no matter how small
Eventually, to his it
own
was not necessary
that his strength
SOMM with persistent
not be strong at the begin-
was not
surprise,
for
him
really his
to
is
to
and
as
he
it
may
at the start.
be strong
be.
whatever
He
need
is.
such a persistent
own
do
his earnest quest in
or blundering
only be willing to start just where he
why
with
he need not even know what
His only requirement
way he
he
If
man
at the start:
strength after
all; it is
discovers
He
finds
the truth
within him that flows through with power, just as electricity empowers a motor by running through
ness
was the
starter
Is all this
it.
The man
button that turned on the life-changing forces.
merely something that makes nice reading but which
has no effective application to daily I
assure
finds that his relaxed willing-
you that
it
is
life?
not mere speculation or guessing. Speak-
204 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC ing personally as your author, theories that leave us
still
I
hungry
no longer have any time
the living Truth that any
It is
vague
for the truth.
not mere theory, then what
If it is
for
man
is it?
in
any condition can actually
experience for himself.
The he can aware
we
greatest tragedy
exchange
really
we
on earth
that a
is
man
fails to realize
that
As we become
his False Self for his Real Self.
are displaying a False Self, rather than living the Real Self,
are beginning to be wise. It
is
the start of a fantastic personal trans-
formation.
One woman transformation? "I
But I
asked, "Will
would
I
you please describe
like to feel
it
more deeply
wish words could convey the feeling of
this
miraculous change.
something that you must— and can— experience for yourself.
it is
know
in detail this inner ."
that
perfectly attainable. I
it is
want you
to
know
it
also.
I
could describe the beauties of the Grand Canyon to you, and you would
my
understand veyed. But live its
if
words. But the inner experience could not be con-
you
Grand Canyon
travel to the
you can
for yourself,
beauty for yourself."
Professor Paul Tillich's description of the Real Self
is
superb:
Then one has the astonishing experience of feeling reunited with one's
self,
not in pride
acceptance.
One
and
false self-satisfaction, but in a
accepts one's
self
as something which
deep is
self-
eternally
important, eternally loved, eternally accepted. The disgust at one's the hatred of one's self has disappeared. There
self,
direction,
a meaning for
life.
All
reunion of one's self with one's
this
there
is
the
New
Being, the
New
is
a center, a
healing— bodily and mental— creates self.
Where
there
is
real healing,
Creation. 1
Definite direction
A
speaker recently offered his audience this interesting idea:
"If
you ever
feel
dismayed
at lack of definite direction in
your
self-advancement program, flash this mental picture before you: Picture a leaf dropping into the edge of a stream.
iPaul
Tillich,
The New Being (New
Its first
swirling move-
York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1955).
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 205
ments are somewhat confused, without
But
definite direction.
heads more and more into the central currents, the confusion placed by swift advancement. that start
is
This
The
leaf
is
it
re-
from the edge, but
to start
the very thing that insured final success!"
illustrates a bright benefit
sistent pursuit of
SOMM.
You have
direction.
had
as
You
will receive
from your per-
gradually but surely gain a sense of
and
a clearer
you
clearer idea of
where you
are going.
For one thing, you no longer accept something as true merely because other people say that
you dare
daring;
to
it is.
Because your
challenge every idea suggested to you.
you are never required
longer
You want
other people
are.
You
tell
you who you
see that
the facts, the truths, the ac-
because you realize that they alone lead to happiness.
let
who you
You
anything that you have not
to accept as true
personally proved to be true. tualities,
grows, so does your
self -trust
are.
You
are finding your genuine self.
You no
are beginning to see
And what
a relief!
You have caught a Magnificent Glimpse of where you want to go. You may still hear distracting voices, but you no longer turn aside to listen. You know for sure that you are on the right track at last, and all is well. One man who discovered this restful secret of mental magic came In other words, you have a definite sense of direction.
back to at
tell
home
me, "You know, Mr. Howard,
for the very
first
time
I feel
in the world."
Your future success
is
CERTAIN One expect
it
idea about your future needs emphasis. to
be a brighter one
Why? Why,
you go along with
as
A
why you can
because your right mental aims of today must reveal
themselves tomorrow in right results. ral principles to
It is
SOMM.
reward your
humorous incident
efforts
in
portance of having right aims.
Not
is it
necessary for natu-
but they must do so increasingly.
one of I
only
my
asked one
classes illustrates the im-
man
with the need for heading in the right direction.
to impress his I
mind
requested that he
bring to class the next evening a single sentence that would describe his right intentions.
He
did,
by
reciting,
"Mr. Howard,
it is
my
aim
:
:
206 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
and purpose and intention and objective and
target
and
and
desire
determination and resolve and goal to perform right mental acts." Let's discuss
When we mean
it
your increasingly better tomorrow.
comes
to
mental magic, the rich get
good for you.) This
is
able law that works in behalf of anyone
Any
amount
small
greater wealth.
What
is
present state, he likes to try to see
behind
As
what he
an unbreak-
persists in uplifting
him-
grow
into
you gain tends
this principle? It
to
connects closely with
a person sees something superior to his sees.
He
His healthy
is
the farther he works upstream the
self-interest
like a gold
more gold he
then urges
new superior state, miner who finds that discovers.
time you feel the urge to find more inner wealth, act
in constructive ways, such as those
That
is
more. Then, having glimpsed that
he plunges ahead once more.
Any
who
of wealth that
the Magnificent Glimpse.
him
riches
anything beneficial— happiness, more energy, restful sleep,
financial gain, anything at all that
self.
(By
richer.
will take care of tomorrow.
mentioned throughout
Your
it
out
this book.
riches will certainly increase.
This special secret of mental magic makes you an accurate prophet of your future, something like these lines by Alfred For
I
Tennyson
dipt into the future,
Far as
human eye could
see,
Saw the vision of the world, And all the wonder that would
Sincere effort
is
be.
always
rewarded Many
people
who
study these plans are somewhat anxious be-
cause they don't see immediate results.
They wonder whether
their
time and energy are wasted. If,
during your
own
studies,
you ever wonder the same thing,
I
have good news for you
No warded.
well-intentioned
The law
of cause
work toward and
a richer life ever goes unre-
right causes into action; effects are automatic.
observable at the
start,
but that
You need only put Your results may not be
effect will see to
is
it.
only because they have not had time
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 207 to
mature.
It is
them
to see
much
you need do
is
plant
Don't hesitate
by
all
them and
Once you have
itself.
it,
is
your inner
you forget the beet
human
thought.
from your thinking processes.
grow
self will
seeds.
spark— you
Your inner
it
alone to work taller stature.
you leave
not mentally struggle with the truth that
above
don't have
think yourself into a
asks only that
own wisdom. You cannot
You need truth
it
You
growing upward. All
a flash of insight— even a tiny
just as
nature knows what to do; its
seeds.
forget them.
to accept the truth that
can and should forget
out
some beet
like planting
in order to rest assured that they are
simply
It
is.
sets
you
The
free.
It exists entirely
apart
no more depends upon your mind
It
than does the beet seed. Life
is
for living, not for thinking.
To
live freely,
we must
liber-
from negative thought.
ate ourselves
Incidentally,
do you see
how
all this
connects with previous ideas
own way? As we
about getting ourselves out of our
rid the
mind
of
negative concepts, the liberating light breaks through.
If
No, you need not worry whether you are making progress or not. really want it, you are now making itl The next section adds
you
more
to this idea.
you can watch yourself change! At
the start of their studies with
SOMM people often asked me,
"What evidence will I have that I am actually making progress? How will I know that I am experiencing the inner changes of which you speak?"
This
we
is
no problem
are discussing,
you
at all. If
will
morning sun, you
as sure as the
you are
change. By behavior
and speak and
to the ideas that
for yourself. Just
is
I
You
going on because your behavior
mean
the ways you think and feel
act.
As examples, you life is less
open
will observe yourself changing.
will see that something unusual itself starts to
really
answer those questions
are a bit calmer in the face of a problem. Daily
confusing and more purposeful.
You
don't get upset or
irri-
208 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
tated nearly as often as
you used
to.
That vague
pressed and threatened slowly dissolves. a
new kind
of person, for instance, as
feeling of being op-
You begin
who
one
is
to see yourself as
not at the mercy of
unkind people or unexpected circumstances. You are wiser, in handling your
somewhere
or to be
where you
are
You
own
emotions. That dreadful drive to get
someone begins
and who you
to fall
away; you are content
to
new and
in a
exciting way,
you have caught that Magnificent Glimpse of the strong
for
within.
Your
be
are.
depending upon yourself
start
much
wiser,
trust of yourself gives
you
a sense of security that
self
cannot
be shaken by passing assertions of other people. You see— with peace
and satisfaction— that the truth was already within you, waiting only your welcome.
for
In short, everything changes. Everything within you and around
you
is
fresh, colorful, exciting.
We
the inner nature of a tree by observing the kind
we can watch with positive fascination these fruitful products make their appearance in our new nature. We need not change through our own strained effort.
of fruit as
know
can
produces. Likewise,
it
It is
the flow of truth that changes us.
We need only make
it
welcome.
The power of association Some
botanists once
made
a study of
Ocean, separated by 500 miles of
A
sea.
beautiful flower that originally
The
ished on island B.
grew only on
explanation? As
ships paused at island B, the seeds were
cal world.
in the Pacific
a curious discovery.
island A,
is
a
blown onto
their
good example of the power of association
But
it
can be just
now
flour-
ships stopped at the port of
few flower seeds were blown onto the decks.
island A, a
That
two islands
They made
as beneficial in
When
the
new home.
in the botani-
your program of
self-
advancement.
Your reading are the kind that
truth will have
of
SOMM
change the
its
is
an enriching association. These ideas
life.
Any
earnest connection with the
invigorating effect. This
is
always the case, not
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 209
Howard
merely because Vernon life
never
Here
are twelve special thoughts about your
mind
1.
Keep your mind simple and uncomplicated.
2.
Challenge
3.
Never accept worry
4.
Make
5.
Permit
it
6.
Accept
its
7.
Let your mind work with relaxed alertness.
as a necessary state.
a pleasurable study of your mind.
be
to
vast
flexible in its outlooks.
powers as a
View your mind
9.
Don't load
as
your loyal
it
Help your mind grow
11.
Turn
12.
Enjoy
it
fact.
ally.
with burdensome notions.
10.
in knowledge.
loose in creative expression.
it!
read words written on a piece of paper because the pen-
leaves part of itself
healthy ideas
you can
achievements.
to greater
it
8.
You can
that
now:
associate with right
cil
says so, but because the principles of
fail.
is
on the paper. Likewise, your association with
certain to leave a healthy impression
upon you.
Your great opportunity After talking with a
woman
about a very special idea for her per-
sonal growth, she wrote:
Dear Mr. Howard: 1
don't have words to
meant first
me.
time in
about I
to
It
my
tell
has placed
life.
you how much
me on
Thank you
this idea
has
a solid platform for the
so very
much
for telling
me
this great opportunity.
want
to tell
you about
this idea.
Imagine yourself among an audience hearing a lecture on improvement. Imagine that the speaker
says,
with pain and frustration any longer. There
can find
self-
"You need not put up is
a
way
out.
And you
it."
That would
excite you, wouldn't
it? It
would arouse your hope
210 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
and revive your
down ness.
expectations..
man
inside, every
Somehow he
How
senses that he need not put
feels that there
searching will find
come? Because somewhere, deep
is
a
way
up with unhappi-
of escape,
and
that correct
it.
The point is this: The truth is always recognized hy the human mind. It may be rejected by someone who fears that it will break down his tightly-held illusions, but still he recognizes it. The very fact that a man gets upset or angry at the truth is perfect evidence that he recognizes
it.
There
is
wisdom
lots of
in the familiar proverb that
it's
the truth that hurts.
What,
then,
is
our great opportunity?
This:
Whenever we it
selves, regardless of is
how
shocking or painful
the wonderful path to freedom.
ways
we should welcome The truth about ourit may be at the time,
find ourselves upset or hurt
as a fine opportunity for self-advancement.
It
has always been, and
it
will al-
be, the truth that sets us free.
Total power Of more
the good things that
all
come along with
SOMM, none is A happy man
satisfying than the full use of your inner powers.
could well be defined as one
But here inner forces
is
who employs
himself to full capacity.
the vital point to remember:
we must
first
become
To make
full
use of our
aware that we are not
alertly
pres-
ently doing so.
As we saw energies.
see that
He
he
is
in previous pages,
wasting himself.
and self-advancing able
no man ever knowingly wastes
engages in power-draining
action.
He
Now,
activities
lacks insight
because
all
his
because he doesn't
between self-defeating kinds of action— favor-
and unfavorable— take energy, he wastes powers that could very
well be put to productive use.
The famous Wells Fargo company spared no effort to track down bandits who held up its stagecoaches. On one occasion they chased a bandit for several weeks, to finally catch
up with
his stolen treasure
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 211
Oregon
chest in an
The
forest.
chase cost Wells Fargo $10,000.
They
recovered from the chest a single ten-cent piece.
Wells Fargo was probably
justified in investing all that time
and
energy, because of other factors, like their reputation. But there
never a single good reason
why
a
human
is
being should drain himself
in profitless pursuits.
Try
become aware
to
of every thought
and emotion and action
that really does nothing for you. (In our classes
we have found
that
negative emotions cause the most waste; emotions like false pride, touchiness, impatience.)
them out
as worthless.
Your very awareness
And
you
will cause
with their departure, comes
full
to toss
power.
Good things will come In
my previous
Successful
New
book
ACTION POWER: The Miracle Way to a
Life, I told about a secret servant that
many
man's benefit.
It
good
by the curious name of serendipity.
called
is
delighted
man who
alongside every
readers.
works for every
This beneficial source-forIt silently
works
dares to plunge into right action.
Serendipity means that you discover a treasure of some kind while
on the track of something
else. It is a surprising prize that
appears from
an unexpected source. For instance, a newspaper story recently told of a real estate agent
who was showing
property to an attractive busi-
nesswoman. She not only liked the property, but
also the agent.
They
were married. Serendipity had brought them together. Serendipity
man
or
is
just
woman who
we need
to
do
is
one of the many good things that come
to the
goes along with the secrets of mental magic. All
to place ourselves in the
path of benefits.
They
will
then come to us.
Here
is
an interesting anecdote from history that shows how a
relaxed receptivity produces creative power:
One
evening a famous American poet was
sitting
by
His mind was at ease, thinking of nothing in particular. ply enjoying the
warmth and
his fireside.
He was
sim-
quietness. All of a sudden, at the stroke
of midnight, an exciting thought flashed through his mind.
Why
not,
212 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
he asked himself, write a poem about the schooner Hesperus? The
up
poet picked
wrote
It
alive
The poem
with inspiration.
itself.
he
Later, clock.
came
his pen. It
I
told of the interesting experience
then went
bed and
to
fell asleep. I felt
me an effort." That was how Henry Wadsworth
:
"It
was three by the
pleased with the ballad.
hardly cost
The Wreck
ballad
Longfellow wrote his famous
of the Hesperus. His secret
power was
his quiet
receptivity.
The
progressive life can be likened to a
country road just before dawn. As you
by beauty and color that you cannot there.
of
But
dawn
as
all
you
Now,
walking down a
as yet see, that
you don't know
it is
And now,
it.
because you are in the light
more and more yours
walk forward,
will
is
light
you glance around, you are delightfully
as
the beauty of
more and more, If
man
along you are surrounded
you continue forward the dimness fades away, the
appears.
surprised at
stroll
to see
and enjoy.
will appear before you, to dazzle
it
and
to delight.
Good 1.
Remember
Ideas to
SOMM gets right to the point.
that
you with all-around 2.
You can first
3.
step
take full is
Think About Let
it
serve
prosperities.
command
of
any condition
in life.
The
self-command.
Don't permit negative emotions to bluff you. You need never submit to them.
4.
The
enlightened
sions.
mind
is
free
from making distressing
With this secret of mental magic know just what to do.
as
deci-
your guide, you
always 5.
Your
goal
is
think about 6.
to
it.
experience
Your future success so.
Simply do what
future follows.
life
You can have is
is
personally, not merely to
this exciting experience.
as certain as
your desire
to
make
it
necessary to do today, and your richer
GOOD THINGS WILL COME TO YOU / 213 7.
You can
actually observe yourself changing! This
lute proof that 8.
SOMM
is
is
abso-
working within you.
Associate only with cheerful and constructive ideas.
They
upon everything you do. Deep down inside, every man senses that he can be free of an unhappy life. This is the call of truth that every man will leave a favorable impression
9.
can heed and follow. 10.
The good things of life want you as much as you want them. With a receptive mind, let them come to you.
m Your Adventures Into Mental Magic
this chapter plunges you into some especially exciting
You have Section
adventures with mental magic! three power-packed sections:
1:
Section 2: Section 3:
YOUR SPECIAL SECRETS HAVE A MENTAL MAGIC PARTY! 100 GUIDES TO MENTAL MAGIC
All three adventures can lead you to miraculous discoveries of self-enrichment.
Section secrets
So
1
:
let's
your special
While exploring the ideas across some special ones. You press
you
stance,
as
book you are sure
to
come
will find that certain plans im-
you might be inspired by a plan
Or you might
makes your business more
[214]
in this
being just right for your personal progress. For
personal attractiveness. that
advance together, starting with:
for brightening
in-
your
get excited over an idea
profitable.
YOUR ADVENTURES INTO MENTAL MAGIC / 215 This section
is
designed to retain these special secrets in your
mind. So whenever you run across one of them, write of the blank spaces provided.
impression.
You can
you can rewrite
it
Review these
in
very act of listing
it
down
in
one
deepens the
note the idea exacdy as worded in the book, or
any way that looks best
specialties
them completely. After cally
The
it
all,
from time
to you.
to time.
Let your mind absorb
they are yours. This sort of practice magi-
changes them from mere ideas into personal powers— powers that
win your
1.
2.
7.
8.
10.
11.
12.
desires.
216 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
13.
14.
15.
Section 2 have a mental magic party! :
What It is
is
Mental Magic Party?
a
the gathering together of
men and women who wish
to
make
self-improvement an enjoyable adventure.
What is its purpose? To use the secrets of mental home,
What
good
There
are
Magic life.
magic for enriching daily
at the office, in social affairs, in every
Party.
results
the
living.
can be expected?
abundant
Some
life in
department of
prosperities for those attending a
will find themselves with a
much
Mental
happier family
Others are delightfully surprised at the growth of their self-con-
fidence.
Many
will discover practical techniques for increasing their
financial fortunes. Still others find themselves solving their personal
problems with remarkable speed and ease. Everyone will certainly uplift himself into greater happiness
Magic Party
is
practical;
A
and contentment.
Mental
you can enjoyably observe actual enrichments
in your daily affairs.
You, the reader, can be valuable in your having your
own Mental Magic
or play a helpful role as one of
Here
Party.
You can
own community by organize
it
yourself,
its officers.
are six basic steps for
making the most
of your
own
study
group: 1
.
Attracting members:
Start
by informing your
the Mental
Magic
Party.
friends, acquaintances
You can form
and
the group around
your club or church or community organization.
Any
associates of
members
kind of a
of
start
YOUR ADVENTURES INTO MENTAL MAGIC is
a good one.
Remember above
all,
everyone
/ 217
is vitally
interested in
self-improvement!
Your meeting
2.
A
place:
study group can gather together in homes of various members,
in church quarters, wherever
In
tion.
my own work
of the best results
is
most suitable
here in Los Angeles
come from groups
for your particular situa-
we have found
of a dozen or so people
some
that
who meet
once a week in various homes. As practical benefits appear in your group, the mounting enthusiasm
may mean
a
move
to larger quarters!
Time:
3.
Set definite schedules for your meetings. choice. Evenings
and weekends
Once
a
week
a good
is
best serve the convenience of
most
people. Publicity:
4.
The more news letin
story.
the merrier!
Your
local
newspaper
board for your announcement.
If
your group
run a
will gladly
Perhaps your public library will provide space on is
its
bul-
connected with a
church or club, your minister or club president can help you spread the
word
of this beneficial program. Search out
and use
all
available
aids to publicity.
Your Mental Magic
5.
The
leader of the group, whether yourself, a clergyman, or
ever, directs the program.
Magic
Party:
He
uses his
for presenting the ideas that
As
helpful.
own copy
of Secrets of
he personally
feels are especially
another interesting part of the program, various
report personal benefits gained from reading their
book. Also, a question and answer
enrichment.
The whole
from exploring these 6.
idea
is
secrets of
members
own copy
of the
session provides stimulation
to share benefits
who-
Mental
and
and experiences won
mental magic.
The Mental Atmosphere:
We
have given
this
program of self-advancement the name of
Mental Magic Party.
It is
called a party for a very solid psychological
The idea is to provide a mental atmosphere fulness. The science of psychology points out that reason.
of relaxed cheer-
light-heartedness
218 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
makes one more receptive
to helpful ideas.
An
easy-going
mind has
a
superior ability to absorb and understand enlightening truths. So keep
the atmosphere light-hearted and adventurous.
Mental Magic
Make
it
an enjoyable
Party!
Section 3: 100 guides to
mental magic Here you
are 100 helpful guides for your instant use. Let
you may need
to the exact secret
strength.
You can make
at random, then follow
Select a
new one
it it
for today's
them
direct
knowledge and
an interesting adventure by selecting one as
your special guide throughout the day.
for the next day.
will not fail to increase your
Your use
power
as a
of these accurate guides
mental magician.
1.
To
2.
For a secret of mental magic that guides your daily adven-
3.
Whenever you
understand the opposite sex: see page 62.
page 26.
tures: see
feel that
you are carrying too many burdens:
see page 49.
you want something
to believe in: see
page
4.
If
5.
How
6.
To
7.
For some attitudes you should dismiss from your mind: see
8.
To
9.
Whenever you
3.
your understanding of happiness brings
to
it
you:
see page 113.
discover four secret words that
work wonders:
see page
36.
page 97. discover the true feel
meaning
of security: see page 134.
blocked in your money-making
efforts:
see page 176. 10. If
you want
sion: see
to
understand and dissolve feelings of depres-
page 201.
11.
Why you
12.
For some exciting ideas for living in a new way: see page
13.
For good ways
should be a detective: see page 150.
195.
page 120.
to build a
more
attractive personality:
see
YOUR ADVENTURES INTO MENTAL MAGIC 14.
To
15.
Whenever you want
/ 219
read an illustrative story for keeping on the right road:
see page
1
59. to
know why
things
happen
as they
do: see page 78. 16.
How
17.
If
18.
How
while discovering the secrets of mental magic:
to relax
see page 7.
you want more fun
make
to
in life: see
page 103.
fascinating changes in your relations with
the opposite sex: see page 60. 19.
To
read about your wealthy
self:
see page 122.
20. For the perfect illustration of the vast riches of your mind: see page 132.
21. For a valuable principle that aids your
ac-
see page 171.
tivities:
22.
Whenever you want some come to you: see page 211.
23.
Why
there
24. If you
money-making
never any need for
is
want
secrets for
to
know
making good things
distress: see
page 153.
the most important thing to do with
the opposite sex: see page 67. 25.
Whenever you want see
26. If 27.
to achieve
more
success in any area:
page 39.
you want
How
a
to clear
way of life that stays exciting: see page 28. away confusion and have a clear mind: see
page 192. 28.
To
test
your daily progress: see page 144.
29. For eleven
magic words that can transform your
life:
see
page 54. 30.
Whenever you want
to
make
predictions that
come
true:
see page 80.
31.
How
to
enjoy your mind: see page 91.
32. For exciting truths about your Magnificent Glimpse:
page 33.
To
34.
To
see
12.
discover twenty responsibilities that don't belong to you:
see page 47.
read some cheery news about your personal rewards: see
page 206.
220 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
35.
How
to
become more aware
of the truth that sets
you
free:
see page 163. 36.
Whenever you want
37.
To
38.
Whenever you want to dismiss loneliness: see page 185. How Virginia made a magical discovery: see page 77.
a glimpse into your future: see page 74.
read 12 aids in becoming a mental magician with the
opposite sex: see page 68.
39.
40. For the most valuable secret of mental magic for
becoming
popular: see page 116. 41.
To
build practical attitudes that dissolve tensions: see page
165.
two valuable
42. For
aids that earn
$$$$$: see page 175.
43.
To
44.
Whenever you want to banish self-doubt: see page 39. To make your life both secure and simple: see page 140.
45.
discover the greatest day of your
life:
see page 104.
46. For three interesting stories about successful
people:
see
page 20. 47. If
you want
to
guarantee a lovely love
life:
see page 61.
48. For a fascinating story about a magic kingdom: see page 52.
49. For an exciting description of the
new
person you can be-
come: see page 207. 50.
To
51.
Why
turn everything that happens to you into an advantage:
see page 96. to
what you want from
see page 51.
life:
52.
you should turn your attention
How
to
make
every day an enjoyable adventure: see page
135. 53.
To
discover the turning point in your
54. For a basic secret of
life:
see page 10.
mental magic that guarantees personal
happiness: see page 106. 55.
Whenever you want
56.
To
to get into self-enriching action:
see
page 99. read a valuable definition of personality: see page 118.
57. For the secret of attracting the opposite sex: see page 63. 58.
How
to
change and command circumstances: see page 22.
YOUR ADVENTURES INTO MENTAL MAGIC / 221 59.
Why
60.
Whenever you want
61.
How
you should bring
curiosity into
your financial
affairs:
see page 170.
encourage yourself toward building
to
a richer tomorrow: see page 85.
62. If
your world can make more sense: see page 167.
you ever doubt the
practical gifts of the secrets of
mental
magic: see page 185. 63.
Why
64.
Whenever you
you should not
problems bluff you: see page 146.
let
need
feel the
to live
more
lightly: see
page
162. 65. For inspiring ideas that turn your life into an exciting ad-
venture: see page 95. 66.
To
gain a higher viewpoint of
life:
see page 136.
67. For a surprising truth about your happiness: see page 110. 68.
To
read about a secret code that earns
money
for you: see
page 173. 69. If
you want an accurate
some
70. For
definition of love: see page 71.
of the natural
diamonds of your personality: see
page 125.
you want every hour
71. If
to carry
you forward
to greater
achievement: see page 190. 72.
To
73.
Why
discover
what you should
you should work
at
rebel against: see page 4.
expanding your mental
attitudes:
see page 112. 74. For
one of the great
secrets of
mental magic for solving per-
sonal problems: see page 149. 75.
To
76.
Whenever you want
realize the vast
wealth of your mind: see page 17. to get obstacles out of
your way: see
page 90. 77.
How
78.
To
self-knowledge increases your forcefulness: see page
148.
read a deeply practical illustration about your power of
prophecy: see page 76. 79. If
you ever doubt that you can build
self:
see page 8.
a
new world
for your-
:
222 / SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
80.
How
your rightful
to take
command
of conditions: see page
power
of awareness: see page
188. 81. For a great truth about your 83.
82. If
you want
to catch a glimpse of the gold residing in your
Real Self: see page 158. 83.
How
Betty
H. changed her
84. For a story that
86.
you can apply
to
your
own
flight to
freedom
page 162.
see
85. If
see page 48.
life:
you want good news about your love
Whenever you want
life:
see page 64.
some magnificent changes
to see
in
your world: see page 145. 87. For a major secret that changes your future magically: see
page 75. 88.
Why you
89.
How
should direct your
own
life:
see page 120.
your mental personality creates financial prosperity:
see page 171.
you want
90. If
hostile: see
91. If 92.
to
understand
you want something
How
why
people are unkind and
page 189. to get excited about:
see page 130.
clear thinking aids your life with the opposite sex:
see page 66.
some
93. For
vital
facts
about your attitudes toward yourself:
see page 147.
94.
To
discover the beneficial purpose of self-study: see page
129.
95. For a delightfully surprising fact about tension: see page 157. 96.
Whenever you want cess: see
to accurately predict
your
social suc-
page 117.
97. For an enlightening story about
some
treasure seekers: see
page 65. 98.
To
remind yourself of your
limitless
mental power:
see
page 23. 99. If
you want
free: see
100. For
to
know about
the powerful truth that sets you
page 48.
some valuable
ideas about your
new
life:
see page 138.
About the Author Vernon Howard occupies
a
unique position in the world
popular author of self-improvement books. copies of his
dynamic books have been
More than two
sold
and
as a
million
translated
around
who
receive
the globe.
As fresh
a teacher
and
lecturer
hope and inspiration.
sums up, "There
Howard
speak.
is
You
he
One
attracts vast
grateful
audiences
member
of his audience
something clearly different about hearing Vernon feel that
something new and fascinating
is
hap-
pening to you."
Vernon Howard classes,
lives in
and guides thousands
Los Angeles where he to a richer
lectures, teaches
and more exciting way of
life.
— (continued from front flap) the next few minutes, a golden stream
of revelations will pour into your
... a flood of
life
that will
glittering truths
make your
deepest, grind-
problems fade away
ing
—and
in
their place, quite suddenly, the an-
swers will become crystal clear! •
This book will set your imagination aflame. It will introduce you to the incredible force of
MIND POWER
... a force which, when you understand its clear, simple principles, guarantees that every tick of the clock will carry you one step closer to the wealth, position and influence
God meant for you to enjoy. From this moment on, you begin
test-
ing the wonder-working techniques of
MENTAL MAGIC on every untrained corner of your mind!
And
in a dynamic, positive
you'll
way
do
it
that will
break through ALL mental barriers, organize your powers, and place them forever at your beck and call. In this
book you grasp the
infallible
THE TEN GREAT SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC
key to success.
you a new method
spotlight for
for
images into their material duplicates. In other words, a technique for thinking things into your life making them come true through crystallizing thought
—
MIND POWER
alone!
Even
will trace these
better,
you
GREAT SECRETS You
will take
to the Sacred
to
their
TEN
origin.
an adventurous journey Well of the mysterious
Mayans. Here you
will see
how
material goals
(continued on back of jacket)
PRENTICE-HALL, Inc. Cliffs, New Jersey
Englewood
764
•
Printed in U.S. of America
—
—
one (continued from back flap) arise from airy nothing. How a man single man, a speck of humanity on this teeming globe writhing in the pit of abject poverty, was suddenly cata-
—
pulted into a million-dollar fortune by the amazing "power within"! will see that "luck" had nothing to do with it. He made his luck through the Power of Mind. Mind Power made his fortune!
And you
SECRETS OF MENTAL MAGIC by Vernon Howard First in a trickle
.
.
then in a flowing stream
.
untold riches an onrushing flood your way when you discover in
.
.
.
The Exciting Truth About Your Mind The Ten Great Secrets of Mental Magic Your Power of Self-Confidence Freedom from Tiring Responsibility Mental Magic that Wins the Opposite Sex
w
,
.
i
•
j-
About
.
.
come
then
.
surging
Your Thoughts Can Make You
Popular
How How
to
Find Lasting Security
Menta \ Magic Solves Your
Problems
The Miracle Way to Release Tension mM j Your Mind Attracts Prosperity Inspiring Answers on Mental Magic
r» v Mental Magic Predicts Your % Future How to Win Your Desires Quickly What You Should Know About Happiness
TW How
How
will
wr How
.
How Good
Things Will
Your Adventures
into
Come
to
You
Mental Magic
VERNON HOWARD
Vernon Howard's
personal career is a success-story as startling as any in book. Searching for a way to get ahead faster, early in life he stumbled on the track of an exciting discovery. To his surprise, the application of this dynamic force which he calls "Mental Magic" rocketed him to the heights his
of fame and fortune in a few short years!
an inspirational speaker and writer known to millions, who lecOver 2,000,000 copies of his works have been sold and translated into over a dozen languages.
Today he
is
tures every year before vast audiences.
As
a personal advisor, Vernon Howard succeeds overwhelmingly in helping people find new hope and happiness. His own amazing achievements prove that life can be exciting and richly rewarding and he has led tens of thousands to find just that kind of exciting life for themselves. .
PRENTICE-HALL,
Inc.
•
.
.
Fn lewood fe
Cliffs,
New
Jersey
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