伟大的愿景
但凡有生命的物质，都有诞生、成长、发展和衰亡的周期。对于我们人类来说，我们的成长也有成长的周期，了解成长的周期非常重要，因为这意味着对我们生命的规律的掌握。
根据生命的阶段性特点，我们把七年定为一个循环，每一个七年对我们而言都意味着一个新的阶段。
懵懵无知的少幼年期是人生的第一个七年；接下来的第二个七年是儿童期，儿童期意味着对知识全面的探索时期；下一个七年是青春期，第四个七年中我们将达到生理与心理发展的顶峰；第五个七年是事业发展期，在这个阶段中，我们开始获取财富、成就、住宅和家庭；从３５岁到４２岁的这七年是成熟期，无论是生活，还是事业，我们会达到成熟的顶峰，之后的七年是一个调整和恢复的稳定期。
我们的生命就是这样在七年一轮回的周期中进行，了解这一规律，就可以很好地规划我们的人生，顺应人生发展的潮流。
- 什么是财富
对于财富，可以有很多种解释，但这些解释的基本内容大体一致。财富包括一切具有交换价值、对人有用、令人愉悦的物品。正是因为财富具有可交换的价值，我们才可以用手中的财富换取各种各样自己喜爱的物品。
- 财富的交换价值
财富不仅意味着我们拥有某种商品，同时，我们还可以用手中的财富换取更多自己想要的但原来不属于自己的东西。如果不能进行交换，财富的意义就会大大缩水。
- 勤劳是财富的原因
我们常说勤劳可以致富，可见劳动是财富产生的原因，而财富是劳动的结果，财富是劳动的产物。
- 成为财富的主宰
财富是手段，不是目的。我们要学会驾驭财富，而不是被财富所驾驭。让财富成为自己的主宰，自己服务于财富的做法是本末倒置。
- 远大的理想比财富更为重要
财富不是判断一个人成功与否的标准，决定一个人真正成功与否的标准要看他是否有比积聚财富更为远大的理想。远大的理想要比任何财富都更有价值。
- 理想导致成功
如果想让自己成为事业成功的人，首先就要为自己树立一个让自己为之奋斗的理想。确定了目的地才能知道该朝哪个方向走，心中有了这样一个理想，你就能达到实现理想的途径和方法。
- 普仁提斯·马福尔德的名言
“成功的人也是那些有着最高的精神追求的人，一切巨大的财富都来源于这种超然而又真实的精神能量。”这是普仁提斯·马福尔德留给我们的名言。但很不幸，有很多人不能正确认识这种能量，他们没有一个具体的、固定的追求目标，没有理想，他们浑身是劲，却不知该往哪使。
- 成功者们自有远大的目标
哈里曼的父亲是一个穷职员，年薪只有２００美元；安德鲁·卡耐基全家刚刚来到美国时，他的母亲不得不靠帮人洗衣来养活一家人；富可敌国的托马斯·利普顿从２５美分起家。可以说这些人在开始的时候根本没有什么权势可以指望，但这并没有成为阻挡他们成功的障碍，原因就在于他们有着远大的目标。
- 石油大亨的经验
亿万富翁、石油大亨亨利·Ｍ弗莱格勒同样也有着远大的追求．他总是不厌其烦地告诉自己：那就是自己想追求的：高大的钻井，喷出的石油，巨大的油轮。一闭上眼睛，眼前浮现的就是这些。这就是成功的秘诀。
- 思想指导行动
思想总是先于行动并且指导着行动，不经过认真思考只是鲁莽行事，不会有好的结果。任何现象都自有其成因；因果相循环，这是自然的法则。思想是行动的原因，积极的思想才会导致积极的结果。
- 创造力是思想的结晶
一切的现实都来源于我们的创造力，而创造力又完全是思想的结晶。我们的思想越是丰富，知识越是广博深刻，我们的创造力就越是惊人。
- 思想具有可塑性
思想就像我们童年时玩过的橡皮泥，我们要学会调整自己，使自己的思想变得更加积极乐观，然后它们就会催生现实的成功。
- 引力法则
引力法则规定，我们在外在世界中的种种际遇，都与我们的内心世界相对应。那些进入到我们心灵的焦虑、恐惧、犹豫等消极的观念，自然会给我们的将来带来负面的影响。
- 理想终究会成为现实
如果我们有意识树立一个目标，怀有某种理想，那么这种理想最终会在我们的生活中变为现实。所以，只要我们怀有目标，就可以把命运紧紧地掌握在自己的手中。
- 思想是生命的原动力
一切的环境、际遇、成就，都是思想创造的结果，把握思想，就是把握命运。
- 有建设性的思想
有建设性的思想的特征是有勇气、有胆识、有力量、意志坚强，如果我们怀有有建设性的思想，那么我们的行为也会表现出同样的特征，从而建设积极的将来。建设性的思想总是充满活力，充满生命，它能够生长、发展、壮大，它会为自己的成长汲取自己所需要的一切。
- 思想的两面性
思想具有两面性，如果我们的思想是建设性的、和谐的，我们彰显的就是“善”；反之，如果我们的思想是破坏性的、不和谐的，我们彰显的就是“恶”。
- 一切成功都并非偶然
一切成功都是靠自己的努力拼搏得来的，失败者常常会抱怨有“超自然的神灵”在捉弄他们的命运，事实上却绝非如此。成功者总是具有积极的思想、积极的行动，正是这些积极的思想与行动的“原因”导致了成功的“结果”，那些失败者所抱怨的捉弄他们的命运之神，其实只不过是他们消极、不平衡的心态而已。
- 心中怀有愿景
愿景会转变为现实，这是绝对科学的事实。愿景会改变我们的性格、能力、思想，进而改变我们的环境，让我们控制自己的命运。没有愿景的人总是浑浑噩噩，虚度时日。心中怀有愿景，你所渴望的目标自会实现，合适的人与合适的机遇，自会在合适的时间与合适的地点出现。
- 想像力也同样重要
通过想象力我们可以把我们所希望的将来的每一个细节勾勒出来，形成视觉的图景；这种思维的过程会在我们的心灵中留下印记，这些印记会变成我们的观念和思想，乃至目标、愿景。然后我们就会有伟大的计划，执著而又坚定的行动方案，有意识地训练你的想象力，让它把你的理想勾勒出来，直到你心中的幻影变得清晰。然后它们就会变成现实。
- 理想终会成真
美好的理想会催生我们的行动，坚定、执著、自信的行动者，最终会收获丰硕的果实。理想终会成真。
- 你自己亦是最好的证据
自然法则的运行是完美、和谐的。如果你需要证据，那些就回想一下你自己生命中的种种奋斗努力吧，当你朝着一个方向坚定地努力之后，你收获到的是什么，你自己心里最清楚。
- 想象力还需接受意志的引导
想象力是一个糟糕的主人，却是一个称职的仆人，除非受到很好的控制，否则它就会使我们陷入五花八门的空想当中，结果导致我们精神的混乱。
- 要培养自己的洞察力
有洞察力的人会看得比普通人更远。任何的理念都要经过透彻的分析，一切不是科学准确的东西都要加经摒弃。如果你这样去做，你就不会在一些无谓的琐事上浪费时间。洞察力是一切事业获得成功的奥秘之一。
- 拥有伟大的精神图景
我们的心中必须拥有一幅关于未来的伟大而又正确的精神图景，我们正是按照这样的精神图景来建造我们的未来。一切的行动、爱、勇气、信心都要服从于它，然后我们的梦想就会变为现实。
本课重点
１、一个人怎样才能够获得财富？
——他的思想必须具有足够的创造力。
２、财富真正的价值何在？
——在于它的交换价值。
３、比财富更为重要的是什么？
——是远大的理想。
４、为什么说创造力是思想的结晶？
——因为我们的思想越是丰富，知识越是广博深刻，我们的创造力就越是惊人。
５、为什么思想是可以改造的？
——因为思想具有极强的可塑性。
６、思想的两面性指的是什么？
——富有建设性的思想和具有破坏性的思想。
７、为什么想象力还需接受意志的引导？
——因为除非想象力受到很好的控制，否则它就会使我们陷入五花八门的空想当中，结果导致我们精神的混乱。
８、为什么我们必须拥有正确的精神图景？
——因为正确的精神图景预示着我们拥有一个美好的将来。
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Part Sixteen
The vibratory activities of the planetary Universe are governed by a law of periodicity. Everything that lives has periods of birth, growth, fruitage, and decline. These periods are governed by the Septimal Law.
The Law of Sevens governs the days of the week, the phases of the moon, the harmonies of sound, light, heat, electricity, magnetism, atomic structure. It governs the life of individuals and of nations, and it dominates the activities of the commercial world.
Life is growth, and growth is change, each seven years period takes us into a new cycle. The first seven years is the period of infancy. The next seven the period of childhood, representing the beginning of individual responsibility. The next seven represents the period of adolescence. The fourth period marks the attainment of full growth. The fifth period is the constructive period, when men begin to acquire property, possessions, a home and family. The next from 35 to 42, is a period of reactions and changes, and this in turn is followed by a period of reconstruction, adjustment and recuperation, so as to be ready for a new cycle of sevens, beginning with the fiftieth year.
There are many who think that the world is just bout to pass out of the sixth period; that it will soon enter into the seventh period, the period of readjustment, reconstruction and harmony; the period which is frequently referred to as the Millennium.
Those familiar with these cycles will not be disturbed when things seem to go wrong, but can apply the principle outlined in these lessons with the full assurance that a higher law will invariably control all other laws, and that through an understanding and conscious operation of spiritual laws, we can convert every seeming difficulty into a blessing.
PART SIXTEEN
1. Wealth is a product of labor. Capital is an effect, not a cause; a servant, not a master; a means, not an end.
2. The most commonly accepted definition of wealth is that it consists of all useful and agreeable things which possess exchange value. It is this exchange value which is the predominant characteristic of wealth.
3. When we consider the small addition made by wealth to the happiness of the possessor, we find that the true value consists not in its utility but in its exchange.
4. This exchange value makes it a medium for securing the things of real value whereby our ideals may be realized.
5. Wealth should then never be desired as an end, but simply as a means of accomplishing an end. Success is contingent upon a higher ideal than the mere accumulation of riches, and he who aspires to such success must formulate an ideal for which he is willing to strive.
6. With such an ideal in mind, the ways and means can and will be provided, but the mistake must not be made of substituting the means for the end. There must be a definite fixed purpose, an ideal.
7. Prentice Mulford said: "The man of success is the man possessed of the greatest spiritual understanding and every great fortune comes of superior and truly spiritual power." Unfortunately, there are those who fail to recognize this power; they forget that Andrew Carnegie's mother had to help support the family when they came to America, that Harriman's father was a poor clergyman with a salary of only $200 a year, that Sir Thomas Lipton started with only 25 cents. These men had no other power to depend upon, but it did not fail them.
8. The power to create depends entirely upon spiritual power; there are three steps, idealization, visualization and materialization. Every captain of industry depends upon this power exclusively. In an article in Everybody's Magazine, Henry M. Flagler, the Standard Oil multi-millionaire, admitted that the secret of his success was his power to see a thing in its completeness. The following conversation with the reporter shows his power of idealization, concentration and visualization, all spiritual powers:
9. "Did you actually vision to yourself the whole thing? I mean, did you, or could you, really close your eyes and see the tracks? And the trains running? And hear the whistles blowing? Did you go as far as that?" "Yes." "How clearly?" "Very clearly."
10. Here we have a vision of the law, we see "cause and effect", we see that thought necessarily precedes and determines action. If we are wise, we shall come into a realization of the tremendous fact that no arbitrary condition can exist for a moment, and that human experience is the result of an orderly and harmonious sequence.
11. The successful businessman is more often than not an idealist and is every striving for higher and higher standards. The subtle forces of thought as they crystallize in our daily moods is what constitutes life.
12. Thought is the plastic material with which we build images of our growing conception of life. Use determines its existence. As in all other things our ability to recognize it and use it properly is the necessary condition for attainment.
13. Premature wealth is but the forerunner of humiliation and disaster, because we cannot permanently retain anything which we do not merit or which we have not earned.
14. The conditions with which we meet in the world without, correspond to the conditions which we find in the world within. This is brought about by the law of attraction. How then shall we determine what is to enter into the world within?
15. Whatever enters the mind through the senses or the objective mind will impress the mind and result in a mental image which will become a pattern for the creative energies. These experiences are largely the result of environment, chance, past thinking and other forms of negative thought, and must be subjected to careful analysis before being entertained. On the other hand, we can form our own mental images, through our own interior processes of thought regardless of the thoughts of others, regardless of exterior conditions, regardless of environment of every kind, and it is by the exercise of this power that we can control our own destiny, body, mind and soul.
16. It is by the exercise of this power that we take our fate out of the hands of chance, and consciously make for ourselves the experiences which we desire, because when we consciously realize a condition, that condition will eventually manifest in our lives; it is therefore evident that in the last analysis thinking is the one great cause in life.
17. Therefore, to control thought is to control circumstances, conditions, environment, and destiny.
18. How then are we to control thought; what is the process? To think is to create a thought, but the result of the thought will depend upon its form, its quality and its vitality.
19. The form will depend upon the mental images from which it emanates; this will depend upon the depth of the impression, the predominance of the idea, the clarity of the vision, the boldness of the image.
20. The quality depends upon its substance, and this depends upon the material of which the mind is composed; if this material has been woven from thoughts of vigor, strength, courage, determination, the thought will possess these qualities.
21. And finally, the vitality depends upon the feeling with which the thought is impregnated. If the thought is constructive, it will possess vitality; it will have life, it will grow, develop, expand, it will be creative; it will attract to itself everything necessary for its complete development.
22. If the thought is destructive, it will have within itself the germ of its own dissolution; it will die, but in the process of dying, it will bring sickness, disease, and every other form of discord.
23. This we call evil, and when we bring it upon ourselves, some of us are disposed to attribute our difficulties to a Supreme Being, but this supreme being is simply Mind in equilibrium.
24. It is neither good nor bad, it simply is.
25. Our ability to differentiate it into form is our ability to manifest good or evil.
26. Good and evil therefore are not entities, they are simply words which we use to indicate the result of our actions, and these actions are in turn predetermined by the character of our thought.
27. If our thought is constructive and harmonious we manifest good; if it is destructive and discordant we manifest evil.
28. If you desire to visualize a different environment, the process is simply to hold the ideal in mind, until your vision has been made real; give no thought to persons, places or things; these have no place in the absolute; the environment you desire will contain everything necessary; the right persons, and the right things will come at the right time and in the right place.
29. It is sometimes not plain how character, ability, attainment, achievement, environment and destiny can be controlled through the power of visualization, but this is an exact scientific fact.
30. You will readily see that what we think determines the quality of mind, and that the quality of mind in turn determines our ability and mental capacity, and you can readily understand that the improvement in our ability will naturally be followed by increase in attainment and a greater control of circumstances.
31. It will thus be seen that Natural laws work in a perfectly natural and harmonious manner; everything seems to "just happen." If you want any evidence of this fact simply compare results of your efforts in your own life, when your actions were prompted by high ideals and when you had selfish or ulterior motives in mind. You will need no further evidence.
32. If you wish to bring about the realization of any desire, form a mental picture of success in your mind, by consciously visualizing your desire; in this way you will be compelling success, you will be externalizing it in your life by scientific methods.
33. We can only see what already exists in the objective world, but what we visualize, already exists in the spiritual world, and this visualization is a substantial token of what will one day appear in the objective world, if we are faithful to our ideal. The reason for this is not difficult; visualization is a form of imagination; this process of thinking forms impressions on the mind, and these impressions in turn form concepts and ideals, and they in turn are the plans from which the Master architect will weave the future.
34. The psychologists have come to the conclusion that there is but one sense, the sense of feeling, and that all other senses are but modifications of this one sense; this being true, we know why feeling is the very fountain head of power, why the emotions so easily overcome the intellect, and why we must put feeling into our thought, if we wish results. Thought and feeling is the irresistible combination.
35. Visualization must, of course, be directed by the will; we are to visualize exactly what we want; we must be careful not to let the imagination run riot. Imagination is a good servant but a poor master, and unless it is controlled it may easily lead us into all kinds of speculations and conclusions which have no basis or foundation of fact whatever. Every kind of plausible opinion is liable to be accepted without any analytical examination and the inevitable result is mental chaos.
36. We must therefore construct only such mental images as are known to be scientifically true. Subject every idea to a searching analysis and accept nothing which is not scientifically exact. When you do this you will attempt nothing but what you know you can carry out and success will crown your efforts; this is what businessmen call far-sightedness; it is much the same as insight, and is one of the great secrets of success in all important undertakings.
37. For your exercise this week, try to bring yourself to a realization of the important fact that harmony and happiness are states of consciousness and do not depend upon the possession of things. That things are effects and come as a consequence of correct mental states. So that if we desire material possession of any kind our chief concern should be to acquire the mental attitude which will bring about the result desired. This mental attitude is brought about by a realization of our spiritual nature and our unity with the Universal Mind which is the substance of all things. This realization will bring about everything which is necessary for our complete enjoyment. This is scientific or correct thinking. When we succeed in bringing about this mental attitude it is comparatively easy to realize our desire as an already accomplished fact; when we can do this we shall have found the "Truth" which makes us "free" from every lack or limitation of any kind.
A man might frame and let loose a star, to roll in its orbit, and yet not have done so memorable a thing before God as he who lets a golden-orbed thought to roll through the generations of time.
H. W. Beecher
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Study Questions with Answers
151. Upon what does wealth depend?
Upon an understanding of the creative nature of thought.
152. Upon what does its true value consist?
Upon its exchange value.
153. Upon what does success depend?
Upon spiritual power.
154. Upon what does this power depend?
Upon use; use determines its existence.
155. How may we take our fate out of the hands of chance?
By consciously realizing the conditions which we desire to see manifested in our lives.
156. What then is the great business of life?
Thinking.
157. Why is this so?
Because thought is spiritual and therefore creative. To consciously control thought is therefore to control circumstances, conditions, environment and destiny.
158. What is the source of all evil?
Destructive thinking.
159. What is the source of all good?
Scientific correct thinking.
160. What is scientific thinking?
A recognition of the creative nature of spiritual energy and our ability to control it.
The greatest events of an age are its best thoughts. It is the nature of thought to find its way into action.
Bovee
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Part Sixteen
The vibratory activities of the planetary Universe are governed by a law of periodicity. Everything that lives has periods of birth, growth, fruitage, and decline. These periods are governed by the Septimal Law.
The Law of Sevens governs the days of the week, the phases of the moon, the harmonies of sound, light, heat, electricity, magnetism, atomic structure. It governs the life of individuals and of nations, and it dominates the activities of the commercial world.
Life is growth, and growth is change, each seven years period takes us into a new cycle. The first seven years is the period of infancy. The next seven the period of childhood, representing the beginning of individual responsibility. The next seven represents the period of adolescence. The fourth period marks the attainment of full growth. The fifth period is the constructive period, when men begin to acquire property, possessions, a home and family. The next from 35 to 42, is a period of reactions and changes, and this in turn is followed by a period of reconstruction, adjustment and recuperation, so as to be ready for a new cycle of sevens, beginning with the fiftieth year.
There are many who think that the world is just bout to pass out of the sixth period; that it will soon enter into the seventh period, the period of readjustment, reconstruction and harmony; the period which is frequently referred to as the Millennium.
Those familiar with these cycles will not be disturbed when things seem to go wrong, but can apply the principle outlined in these lessons with the full assurance that a higher law will invariably control all other laws, and that through an understanding and conscious operation of spiritual laws, we can convert every seeming difficulty into a blessing.
PART SIXTEEN
1. Wealth is a product of labor. Capital is an effect, not a cause; a servant, not a master; a means, not an end.
2. The most commonly accepted definition of wealth is that it consists of all useful and agreeable things which possess exchange value. It is this exchange value which is the predominant characteristic of wealth.
3. When we consider the small addition made by wealth to the happiness of the possessor, we find that the true value consists not in its utility but in its exchange.
4. This exchange value makes it a medium for securing the things of real value whereby our ideals may be realized.
5. Wealth should then never be desired as an end, but simply as a means of accomplishing an end. Success is contingent upon a higher ideal than the mere accumulation of riches, and he who aspires to such success must formulate an ideal for which he is willing to strive.
6. With such an ideal in mind, the ways and means can and will be provided, but the mistake must not be made of substituting the means for the end. There must be a definite fixed purpose, an ideal.
7. Prentice Mulford said: "The man of success is the man possessed of the greatest spiritual understanding and every great fortune comes of superior and truly spiritual power." Unfortunately, there are those who fail to recognize this power; they forget that Andrew Carnegie's mother had to help support the family when they came to America, that Harriman's father was a poor clergyman with a salary of only $200 a year, that Sir Thomas Lipton started with only 25 cents. These men had no other power to depend upon, but it did not fail them.
8. The power to create depends entirely upon spiritual power; there are three steps, idealization, visualization and materialization. Every captain of industry depends upon this power exclusively. In an article in Everybody's Magazine, Henry M. Flagler, the Standard Oil multi-millionaire, admitted that the secret of his success was his power to see a thing in its completeness. The following conversation with the reporter shows his power of idealization, concentration and visualization, all spiritual powers:
9. "Did you actually vision to yourself the whole thing? I mean, did you, or could you, really close your eyes and see the tracks? And the trains running? And hear the whistles blowing? Did you go as far as that?" "Yes." "How clearly?" "Very clearly."
10. Here we have a vision of the law, we see "cause and effect", we see that thought necessarily precedes and determines action. If we are wise, we shall come into a realization of the tremendous fact that no arbitrary condition can exist for a moment, and that human experience is the result of an orderly and harmonious sequence.
11. The successful businessman is more often than not an idealist and is every striving for higher and higher standards. The subtle forces of thought as they crystallize in our daily moods is what constitutes life.
12. Thought is the plastic material with which we build images of our growing conception of life. Use determines its existence. As in all other things our ability to recognize it and use it properly is the necessary condition for attainment.
13. Premature wealth is but the forerunner of humiliation and disaster, because we cannot permanently retain anything which we do not merit or which we have not earned.
14. The conditions with which we meet in the world without, correspond to the conditions which we find in the world within. This is brought about by the law of attraction. How then shall we determine what is to enter into the world within?
15. Whatever enters the mind through the senses or the objective mind will impress the mind and result in a mental image which will become a pattern for the creative energies. These experiences are largely the result of environment, chance, past thinking and other forms of negative thought, and must be subjected to careful analysis before being entertained. On the other hand, we can form our own mental images, through our own interior processes of thought regardless of the thoughts of others, regardless of exterior conditions, regardless of environment of every kind, and it is by the exercise of this power that we can control our own destiny, body, mind and soul.
16. It is by the exercise of this power that we take our fate out of the hands of chance, and consciously make for ourselves the experiences which we desire, because when we consciously realize a condition, that condition will eventually manifest in our lives; it is therefore evident that in the last analysis thinking is the one great cause in life.
17. Therefore, to control thought is to control circumstances, conditions, environment, and destiny.
18. How then are we to control thought; what is the process? To think is to create a thought, but the result of the thought will depend upon its form, its quality and its vitality.
19. The form will depend upon the mental images from which it emanates; this will depend upon the depth of the impression, the predominance of the idea, the clarity of the vision, the boldness of the image.
20. The quality depends upon its substance, and this depends upon the material of which the mind is composed; if this material has been woven from thoughts of vigor, strength, courage, determination, the thought will possess these qualities.
21. And finally, the vitality depends upon the feeling with which the thought is impregnated. If the thought is constructive, it will possess vitality; it will have life, it will grow, develop, expand, it will be creative; it will attract to itself everything necessary for its complete development.
22. If the thought is destructive, it will have within itself the germ of its own dissolution; it will die, but in the process of dying, it will bring sickness, disease, and every other form of discord.
23. This we call evil, and when we bring it upon ourselves, some of us are disposed to attribute our difficulties to a Supreme Being, but this supreme being is simply Mind in equilibrium.
24. It is neither good nor bad, it simply is.
25. Our ability to differentiate it into form is our ability to manifest good or evil.
26. Good and evil therefore are not entities, they are simply words which we use to indicate the result of our actions, and these actions are in turn predetermined by the character of our thought.
27. If our thought is constructive and harmonious we manifest good; if it is destructive and discordant we manifest evil.
28. If you desire to visualize a different environment, the process is simply to hold the ideal in mind, until your vision has been made real; give no thought to persons, places or things; these have no place in the absolute; the environment you desire will contain everything necessary; the right persons, and the right things will come at the right time and in the right place.
29. It is sometimes not plain how character, ability, attainment, achievement, environment and destiny can be controlled through the power of visualization, but this is an exact scientific fact.
30. You will readily see that what we think determines the quality of mind, and that the quality of mind in turn determines our ability and mental capacity, and you can readily understand that the improvement in our ability will naturally be followed by increase in attainment and a greater control of circumstances.
31. It will thus be seen that Natural laws work in a perfectly natural and harmonious manner; everything seems to "just happen." If you want any evidence of this fact simply compare results of your efforts in your own life, when your actions were prompted by high ideals and when you had selfish or ulterior motives in mind. You will need no further evidence.
32. If you wish to bring about the realization of any desire, form a mental picture of success in your mind, by consciously visualizing your desire; in this way you will be compelling success, you will be externalizing it in your life by scientific methods.
33. We can only see what already exists in the objective world, but what we visualize, already exists in the spiritual world, and this visualization is a substantial token of what will one day appear in the objective world, if we are faithful to our ideal. The reason for this is not difficult; visualization is a form of imagination; this process of thinking forms impressions on the mind, and these impressions in turn form concepts and ideals, and they in turn are the plans from which the Master architect will weave the future.
34. The psychologists have come to the conclusion that there is but one sense, the sense of feeling, and that all other senses are but modifications of this one sense; this being true, we know why feeling is the very fountain head of power, why the emotions so easily overcome the intellect, and why we must put feeling into our thought, if we wish results. Thought and feeling is the irresistible combination.
35. Visualization must, of course, be directed by the will; we are to visualize exactly what we want; we must be careful not to let the imagination run riot. Imagination is a good servant but a poor master, and unless it is controlled it may easily lead us into all kinds of speculations and conclusions which have no basis or foundation of fact whatever. Every kind of plausible opinion is liable to be accepted without any analytical examination and the inevitable result is mental chaos.
36. We must therefore construct only such mental images as are known to be scientifically true. Subject every idea to a searching analysis and accept nothing which is not scientifically exact. When you do this you will attempt nothing but what you know you can carry out and success will crown your efforts; this is what businessmen call far-sightedness; it is much the same as insight, and is one of the great secrets of success in all important undertakings.
37. For your exercise this week, try to bring yourself to a realization of the important fact that harmony and happiness are states of consciousness and do not depend upon the possession of things. That things are effects and come as a consequence of correct mental states. So that if we desire material possession of any kind our chief concern should be to acquire the mental attitude which will bring about the result desired. This mental attitude is brought about by a realization of our spiritual nature and our unity with the Universal Mind which is the substance of all things. This realization will bring about everything which is necessary for our complete enjoyment. This is scientific or correct thinking. When we succeed in bringing about this mental attitude it is comparatively easy to realize our desire as an already accomplished fact; when we can do this we shall have found the "Truth" which makes us "free" from every lack or limitation of any kind.
A man might frame and let loose a star, to roll in its orbit, and yet not have done so memorable a thing before God as he who lets a golden-orbed thought to roll through the generations of time.
H. W. Beecher
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Study Questions with Answers
151. Upon what does wealth depend?
Upon an understanding of the creative nature of thought.
152. Upon what does its true value consist?
Upon its exchange value.
153. Upon what does success depend?
Upon spiritual power.
154. Upon what does this power depend?
Upon use; use determines its existence.
155. How may we take our fate out of the hands of chance?
By consciously realizing the conditions which we desire to see manifested in our lives.
156. What then is the great business of life?
Thinking.
157. Why is this so?
Because thought is spiritual and therefore creative. To consciously control thought is therefore to control circumstances, conditions, environment and destiny.
158. What is the source of all evil?
Destructive thinking.
159. What is the source of all good?
Scientific correct thinking.
160. What is scientific thinking?
A recognition of the creative nature of spiritual energy and our ability to control it.
The greatest events of an age are its best thoughts. It is the nature of thought to find its way into action.
Bovee
