Mind Power The Secret of Mental Magic E-Book

William Walker Atkinson

• Herausgeber: William Walker Atkinson
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

“The Secret of Mental Magic,” by William Walker Atkinson is a monumental achievement in the emergent science of mind. And its value is even more pronounced in the current age, as society awakens to the superphysical power dormant in the human mind. As physics catches up to the timeless wisdom, it is being understood that consciousness is unified and all-pervasive; that it is in fact the ground from which all physical reality emerges. To direct consciousness is to direct your reality, to choose from vistas of quantum potentials, to literally master your destiny.

Throughout the ages this has been understood by adepts of the esoteric schools, yogis, swamis, and the elite few. Now its message is being disseminated to all those who listen, as humanity evolves past its spiritual adolescence. Atkinson had a profound understanding of the power of mind and how to wield it, which is elegantly and clearly presented in this text.

William Walker Atkinson was an attorney, merchant, publisher, and author, as well as an occultist and an American pioneer of the New Thought movement. He is also thought to be the author of the pseudonymous works attributed to Theron Q. Dumont and Yogi Ramacharaka.

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Leseprobe

William Walker Atkinson

Mind Power The Secret of Mental Magic

First digital edition 2017 by Anna Ruggieri

Contents

Publisher's Foreword

Chapter 1. The Mental-Dynamo

Chapter 2. The Nature Of Mind-Power

Chapter 3. Mentative Induction

Chapter 4. Mental Magic In Animal Life

Chapter 5. Mental Magic In Human Life

Chapter 6. The Mentative-Poles

Chapter 7. Desire And Will In Fable

Chapter 8. Mind-Power In Action

Chapter 9. Personal Magnetism

Chapter 10. Examples Of Dynamic Mentation

Chapter 11. Dynamic Individuality

Chapter 12. Mental Atmosphere

Chapter 13.Channels Of Influence

Chapter 14. Instruments Of Expression

Chapter 15. Using The Mentative Instruments

Chapter 16. Mental Suggestion

Chapter 17. Four Kinds Of Suggestion

Chapter 18. How Suggestion Is Used

Chapter 19. Induced Imagination

Chapter 20. Induced Imagination In India

Chapter 21. The Ocean Of Mind-Power

Chapter 22. A Glimpse Of The Occult World

Chapter 23. Self Protection

Chapter 24. Indirect Influence

Chapter 25. Mental Therapeutics

Chapter 26. Mental Healing Methods

Chapter 27. Mental Architecture

Chapter 28. Making Over Oneself

Chapter 29. Mind-Building

Publisher's Foreword

We take the greatest pleasure in presenting this latest and best work from the pen of William Walker Atkinson. It embodies the essence of years of thought, study, and experiment on the part of its author whose original research, discoveries, and writings along these lines have given him his worldwide reputation as an authority. It is his Masterpiece. A portion of its material was used in two of the author's previous works, viz., "Mental Magic,” and "Mental Fascination,” both of which works were published byourselves. Both of the said works are now practically out of print, and will be withdrawn from sale by us, as they will be superseded by this newer and more complete work. This foundation material has been edited; added to; changed; improved; and corrected by the author, in accordance with his increased experience and knowledge of the subject. Obsolete matter has been replaced by entirely new material, and the work is now strictly "up-to-date”. It is encyclopaedic in extent and character, every phase of the subject being considered by the author and expressed in words charged with his dynamic vitality. It contains matter that well might have been expanded into several volumes.

Chapter 1. The Mental-Dynamo

I wish to invite you to the consideration of a greatprinciple of Nature—a great natural force that manifests itsactivities in the phenomena of Dynamic Mentation—a greatSomething the energies of which I have called"Mind-Power.”

My thought on the subject is based upon the fundamentalconception that:—

There exists in Nature a Dynamic Mental Principle—aMIND-POWER—PERVADING ALL SPACE—IMMANENT IN ALLthings—manifesting in an infinite variety of forms, DEGREES,AND PHASES.

I hold that this energy, or force, or dynamic principle, is norespecter of persons. Its service, like that of the sun and rain,and all natural forces, is open to all—just and unjust; goodand bad; high and low; rich and poor. It responds to the properefforts, no matter by whom exerted, or for what purpose called intoeffect. But the proper effort must be exerted, consciously orunconsciously, else there will be no operation of the force. Ibelieve that the activities of this dynamic mental principle areintimately correlated to manifestations of the mental operationsknown to us as desire, will, and imagination. We shall learnsomething of the laws and principles and modes of operation of itsenergies and activities, as we proceed with our consideration ofit, in this work. It may be difficult for you to grasp thisconception of Mind-Power at the start—but it will grow uponyour understanding as its activities are presented to you, one byone, like a great panorama.

My terms will be explained and illustrated by examples, as weproceed—so you need not analyze them at this point. It maybeas well, however, to state that I have used the term"Dynamic” in its original Greeksense, i.e., "powerful”; "possessing power,”etc.

I have postulated of my conception of Mind-Power that itpervades all space—is immanent in all things—andmanifests in an infinite variety of forms, degrees, and phases.

But, it may be urged, this is nothing more than science claimsfor the principle of physical energy—then is Mind-Poweridentical with the physical energy of science?—is it nothingmore than a high form of mechanical or material energy? No,Mind-Power is very far from being a blind, mechanicalenergy—it is a living, mental force, which I hold is behindthe manifestations of physical energy and mechanical force. It isnot the physical energy of science, but issomething of the natureof a living will, which is rather the cause of physical energy,than identical with it. Let us take a familiar example. You desireto move your hand—and it moves. Why? Because of themanifestation of the wonderful and mysterious force called"will” which is stored up within you, and which you havereleased to move the hand. You send a current of nerve-force whichis really a manifestation of Mind-Power or will-force from yourbrain, along the nerves of the arm,which contracts the muscles ofthe arm and hand, and your desire is gratified. Your desire, orwish, set into motion the Mind-Power which acted upon the materialsubstance of your body and caused it to act. What was it thatflowed along the nerve-wires? Was it electricity, ormagnetism? No!it was that subtle and mysterious thing that I am callingMind-Power, and which is bound up with the will principle ofmind.

Mind-Power is an actual living force. It is the force that makesplants grow—and animal bodies grow—and which enablesall living things to move and act. It is the force which enablesthe growing mushroom to raise up the slabs of paving stone—orcauses the roots of a tree to split open the great boulders, intothe crevices of which they have crept. Mind-Power is not anabstraction or speculative nothing—it is an existent, living,mental, acting force, manifesting sometimes with an appallingpower, and sometimes with a delicate, subtle touch that is almostimperceptible, but which accomplishes its purpose.

In order to reach a clear conception of the universality ofMind-Power, let us consider its manifestations as we see them,unquestioned, in the universe—on the many planes of life andactivity. Beginning with the more familiar instances of itsoperation and manifestation,let us then proceed to delve stilldeeper until we reach instances not so easily perceived; and thenstill further back until we find it in places and in things thatare generally regarded as lacking in Mind-Power and life.

And, here let me say that I hold that life and Mind-Power arealways found in company with each other—there is some closerelationship between the two—they are probably twin-phases ofthe same thing, or else twin-manifestations of the same underlyingreality. There is no life without mind and Mind-Power—and noMind-Power, or mind, without life. And, further, I claim that thereis nothing without life in the universe—nothing lifelessthere, or anywhere. The universe is alive, and has mind andMind-Power in every part and particle of itself. This is not anoriginal idea of my own, of course,— the leading scientificthinkers admit it today, and the Hindu philosophers have known itfor fifty centuries. Do you doubt this? Then listen to theseauthorities who ably express the thought of their scientificschools.

Luther Burbank, that most wonderful man who has revolutionizedour conceptions of plant-life, and who has practically heldPlant-Life in the palm of his hand, says: "All my investigationshave led me away from the idea of a dead materialuniverse tossedabout by various forces, to that of a universe which is absolutelyall force, life, soul, thought, or whatever name we choose to callit. Every atom, molecule, plant, animal or planet, is only anaggregation of organized unit forces held in place by strongerforces, thus holding them for a time latent, though teeming withinconceivable power. All life on our planet is, so to speak, juston the outer fringe of this infinite ocean of force. The universeis not half dead, but all alive.”

Dr. Saleeby, in his important scientific work, "Evolution:the Master Key,” goes even still further in his claim ofa living universe; and life accompanied by mind. He says, amongother things: "Life is potential in matter; life-energy is not athing unique andcreated at a particular time in the past. Ifevolution be true, living matter has been evolved by naturalprocesses from matter which is, apparently, not alive. But if lifeis a potential in matter, it is a thousand times more evident thatmind is potential in life. The evolutionist is impelled to believethat mind is potential in matter. (I adopt that form of words forthe moment, but not without future criticism.) The microscopiccell, a minute speck of matter that is to become man, has in it thepromiseand germ of mind. May we not then draw the inference thatthe elements of mind are present in those chemicalelements—carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur,phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chlorine—that are found in thecell. Not only must we do so,but we must go further, since we knowthat each of these elements, and every other, is built up out ofone invariable unit, the electron, and we must therefore assertthat mind is potential in the unit of matter—the electronitself.”

Flammarion, the eminent French scientist, says: "Theuniverse is a dynamism. Life itself, from the most rudimentarycell up to the most complicated organism, is a special kind ofmovement, a movement determined and organized by a directing force.Visible matter, which stands tous at the present moment for theuniverse, and which certain classic doctrines consider as theorigin of all things—movement, life, thought—is only aword void of meaning. The universe is a great organism, controlledby a dynamism of the psychical order.Mind gleams through its everyatom. There is mind in everything, not only in human and animallife, but in plants, in minerals, in space.” Prof. J. A.Fleming, in his work on "Waves, Air and Aether,” says: "Inits ultimate essence energy may be incomprehensible by us except asan exhibition of the direct operation of that which we call mindand will.”

Let us then follow the hint given by the scientists—let usproceed to examine the evidences of the immanence of life andMind-Power in all of the things ofthe universe—thingsorganic; things inorganic; and things beyond organism, shape andform—back into the very ether of space itself. And in thesearch we shall find these evidences everywhere—in allthings. Nowhere does life and Mind-Power escape us. Immanent in allthings—manifesting in an infinite variety of forms, degrees,and phases, we find these twin-principles. I invite you to join inone of the most interesting and fascinating explorations known tomodern science.

We do not need any proof to demonstrate the existence of life,mind and Mind-Power in man, or in the lower animals. The activitiesresulting from its presence are in constant evidence. And if weexamine the plant kingdom we will see manifestations of life, mind,and Mind-Power there also. Plants not only manifest"appetency,” or "the instinctive tendency on the part of lowforms of organic life, to perform certain acts necessary for theirwell-being, particularly in the selection and absorption of thematerial substances necessary for their support andnutriments”;—not only "instinct” or "involuntaryand unreasoning prompting or impulse, and the responsethereto”;—but also, in certain cases, there appearsmental action closely akin to conscious choice and will. I referyou to the many recent works on mind in plant-life forillustrations and proofs of this statement. And biology shows usthat there is life, mind, and Mind-Power inherent inthe cells ofwhich our bodies, blood and the material of animal and plant life,is composed. These cells are "little lives,” and manifestmental power and faculty. They perform their particular functions,and live, grow, reproduce themselves, and act just as do the tinyforms of animal life at the bottom of sea—the latter beingbut little more than single cells, or cell-groups. The possessionof memory on the part of the cells of organic matter, is anaccepted scientific fact.

At this point the orthodox and conservative scientist usuallystops, drawing a line between "organic” and "inorganic”matter. But the daring minds of advanced scientists of today havebrushed aside the dividing line, and have moved to a position wherethey meet the Hindu philosophers and the occultists, and now admitand teach that life, mind and Mind-Power invade the"inorganic” world to its utmost limits, and that universe isindeed alive and possesses Mind.

Some of the lower forms of "organic” life, so-called,possess no organs, and are but masses of jelly-like matter withoutsigns of even rudimentary organs—and yet these life-formsshowevidences of desire, choice, and will. And Science has admittedthe existence of life and mind in the crystals! the latter"growing” in a manner showing vital and selective energy, andeven rudimentary sex. More than this, the metals and minerals,under scientific tests, have shown "responses” that aresimilar to the same action in organic life—showing life andrudimentary sensation, the latter of course being a manifestationof mind. Some of the cold, careful scientific records read likefairy tales to those not familiar with the wonderful achievementsof recent science. I wish that I had the time and space to recountthese tests—but I must hasten on. Enough to say that inmineral and metallic forms there has been found "response”indicating the existence of "sensation” in varying degrees;and that in the crystallization of minerals and metals there hasbeen evidenced the action of the same instinctive mental-lifeenergy which as "appetency or instinct” builds up the bodiesof living organic forms. If you wonder at this—think of themiracle which is performed every second by plants absorbing theminerals of the earth, which are then converted into livingplant-cells; then we eat the plants and convert the plant-cellsinto animal-cells which serve as the basisof our blood, muscles,organs, and even our brains. In fact, every particle of organicsubstance was evolved in this way. Think over this and you will seethat Nature is One in her essence, and that she is alive andpossesses Mind-Power.

But we do not stop even at this advanced point. Minerals, andall forms of matter are composed of infinitesimal atoms, orparticles. The particles combine by reason of some inherent"attraction” existing between certain of them, known as"chemical affinity,” etc. Chemicalaffinity is a peculiarthing—it manifests in likes and dislikes, loves and hates; itis impossible to study these manifestations without recognizing anelementary manifestation of "like and dislike”—"loveand hate.” You think that this is far fetched, do you? Well,listen to these words from some of the leading scientists aboutthis power to receive sensations, and power to respond to the same,and maybe you will change your mind. Haeckel, the great Germanscientist, holds that the atoms of which matter iscomposed may"receive sensations,” and "respond to sensations.” Hedwells upon thisfact in his latest works "The Riddle of theUniverse,” and "The Wonders ofLife”’ and writes as follows regarding "sensationin the inorganic world”: "I cannot imagine,” Haeckelsays, "the simplest chemical and physical process, withoutattributing the movements of the material particles to unconscioussensation.” He also says, in another place: "The idea ofchemical affinity consists in the fact that the various chemicalelements perceive the qualitative differences in otherelements—experience 'pleasure' or 'revulsion' at contact withthem, and execute specific movements on this ground.” Headds, later, that the "sensations” and "responses” inplant and animal life are "connected by a long series ofevolutionary stages with the simpler forms of sensation that wefind in the inorganic elements and that reveal themselves inchemical affinity.” Nageli, another scientist, says: "If themolecules possess something that is related, however distantly, tosensation, it must be comfortable to be able to follow theirattractions and repulsions; uncomfortable when they are forced todo otherwise.” And so you see that Science now is preparingto admit elementary life and Mind-Power in the atoms and particlesof matter.

But we have not as yet reached the utmost limit of scientificinvestigation regarding the presence of mind in the universe."Further than the atoms?” you may ask. Yes, further than theatoms! What is true regarding the atoms, is true ofthe ions or electrons of which they arecomposed—these tinier particles are attracted and repelled;form groups and combinations which regulate the kind of atomproduced; and manifest the same kind of "affinity” that isnoticeable in the atoms. And more than this—these particles,as well as all forms of physical energy, are believed to emergefrom the ether, that subtle, tenuous, universal substance, which,although unseen, and intangible, is held to exist in order toaccount for the phenomenaof the universe. If there is Mind in theparticles that emerge from the Ether, is it too much to claim thatthere must be Mind in the Ether itself? Is this preposterous? Notso! Listen to the words of the following scientific authorities onthe subject:

Flammarion says: "Mind gleams in every atom. There is mind ineverything, not only in human and animal life, but in plants, inminerals in space!” Cope says: "The basis of life and mindlies back of the atoms, and may be found in the universalether.” Hemstreet says: "Mind in the ether is no moreunnatural than mind in flesh and blood.” Stockwell says: "Theether is coming to be apprehended as an immaterial, super-physicalsubstance, filling all space, carrying in its infinite, throbbingbosom the specks ofaggregated dynamic force called worlds. Itembodies the ultimate spiritual principle and represents the unityof those forces and energies from which spring, as their source,all phenomena, physical, mental and spiritual, as they are known toman.” Dolhearsays: "Possibly the ether may be the mediumthrough which mind and matter react....Out of the ether couldemerge, under proper circumstances, other phenomena, such as life,or mind, or whatever may be in the substratum.” And, so, wehave the best of authority to support the inevitable conclusionthat there must be Mind-Power even in the ether.

For my own part, I go still further, and for several years backhave been claiming that the Ether and the Universal Mind-PowerPrinciple are one and the same thing—that is,that thattheoretical something that science has called "the Ether,” isin reality the Universal Mind-Power Principle from which allmanifestations of activities emerge—the Universal MentalDynamo! I cannot prove this, of course—but it is logical.Butmy argument does not depend even upon this—for admit thatthere is Mind-Power in the ether, and my case is won. And in theether it must be, even if the ether is not but another name for it.For if Mind-Power is not in the ether, from whence does it comeinto the particles of matter, and in matter itself, organic andinorganic?

Resting the consideration for a moment, let me say that withmind as reason, intellect, etc., I have nothing to do in this book,for this is a consideration of the dynamic phaseof mind— thePower phase—Mind-Power, or Dynamic Mentation. I am trying toshow you that Mind-Power exists everywhere, and is manifest inevery activity of the universe. "In every activity of theuniverse?” you say; "surely you do not include physicalactivity and energy such as natural forces etc.!” Yes, I domean just that! "How can that be?” you ask, "what hasMind-Power to do with electricity, light, heat, magnetism,gravitation, etc.?”

It has everything to do with them, in my opinion. I will explainitto you in a few words, for I cannot go into this subject atlength in this book, but must hasten on to the other parts of mysubject.

Here it is in a nut-shell: All the forms of natural physicalenergy, or forces, known as light, heat, electricity, magnetism,etc., are held by science to be forms of energy arising fromthe vibration of the particles of matter. Now what causesthe vibration? Motion of the particles, of course! And what causesthe particles to move? Just this, the attraction and repulsionexisting between them! And what causes the particles to exhibitthis attraction and repulsion toward each other? Now here is wherewe get to the heart of the matter; listen well! We have seen thatthe particles are attracted to, or repelled by, eachother—inthe matter of "likes and dislikes”; "love andhates”; or "pleasure or revulsion”; or "comfortable anduncomfortable experiences related, however distant, tosensation,” etc. And these attractions and repulsions areheld to result from "capacity to experience sensations” andthe power to "respond to sensations.” And both the power toreceive and experience "sensations,” and to respondthereto, are manifestations of mentality, which Haeckelhas compared to "desire” and "will.” And if mentalityis the cause ofthe sensations and of the response there; and thelatter are the causes of the attractions and repulsions; and thelatter are the causes of the motion, to and fro, of the particlesof matter; and the latter, in turn is the cause of the vibrations;and thevibrations are the causes of the manifestations of light,heat, electricity, magnetism, etc.,—then am I not justifiedin claiming that mind and Mind-Power are the motive-force ofall physical energy?

And, am I not justified in postulating the existence ofanuniversal mental dynamic principle? I tell you, friends, that thefuture will show that this dynamic mental principle is the sourceof energy—not energy the source of mind! I know that this isrevolutionary, but I believe that it will meet the requirements ofthe future. I have been preaching this thing for several yearsnow—and many have been the smiles; the jeers; and the sneers.But, from the beginning, I have felt a keen appreciation of thewords of Galvini, when hesaid, bitterly: "I am attacked bytwo veryopposite sects—the Scientists and the Know-Nothings; bothlaugh at me, calling me the 'Frog's Dancing Master,' but I knowthat I have discovered one of the greatest forces innature.”

And, now, in conclusion, I must ask you to form a mental pictureof this great universal dynamic mental principle; pervading allspace; immanent in all things; and manifesting in an infinitevariety of forms, degrees and phases. We can think of it only bymeans of symbols. Let us then consider it as a great living,throbbing, pulsating, mentating Ocean of Dynamic Mind-Power. In thedepths of that Ocean of Mind-Power there is quiet, and calm andpeace—the embodiment of latent power, and potential energy.On its surface are ripples, waves, great movements of energy,currents, whirlpools, eddies—phases of fierce tempestalternating with phases of calm and quiet. And from the depths ofthat Ocean of Mind-Power, all mental and physical Poweremerges—and to its bosom all must return. And in that oceanthere is an infinite store of energy, from which may be drawn thatwhich the human centers of consciousness and power require, whenthey learn the secret. This Ocean of Mind-Power is our only sourceof dynamic energy—but we have at our disposal as much of itsforce as we can carry off over our channels of supply. It is theuse of this power that we call Dynamic Mentation.

Now, do you understand what I mean by the Universal Principle ofDynamic Mind-Power—this Universal Mental-Dynamo?

Several years ago I told a friend of this conception, and afterhe had listened to me attentively and with interest, he reflected afew moments, and then suddenly asked: "But where do I comein?” And that is the question that many of you are askingnow, no doubt. Well, while here I cannot dip into metaphysics orphilosophical speculation, or even into my favorite occult sources,I will say that each of you is a Centre of Power in that Ocean ofDynamic Mind-Power and each "I” is a master of the power. Youhave the Whole Thing back of you—and you are free to drawupon it for all that your channel will carry to you. And you areallowed to enlarge your channel. That is enough for thistime—more will follow as we proceed.

Chapter2. The Nature Of Mind-Power

At this point I am confronted with the questionthat naturallyarises when one begins to consider an unfamiliar object, subject,or principle—the question of: "What is it?”"What is Mind-Power” is a difficult question toanswer, for it implies a knowledge of the thing "in-itself,”apart from its activities and manifestations. And this"thing-it-selfness” is something that the candid, scientificthinker admits is beyond the range of his thought and knowledge.Any attempt to answer such a question must involve one in a maze ofmetaphysical and philosophical speculation regarding somethingwhich is by nature unknowable. And so I may as well frankly statehere that I do not purpose "guessing” at the"thing-in-itselfness” of Mind-Power. For, at the best, anyattempt at an answer would be merely a guess—for Idonot know, neither do I know anyone elsewho knows!

I am acquainted with the numerous speculations of the ancientand modern philosophers and metaphysicians on the subject—Ihave read and studied them, and have rejected them as mere theoriesunsupportedby facts. And I have made and rejected a dozen or moretheories of my own on the subject—all vague, foolishspeculations. I have studied the best of what has been written andthought regarding this "thing-in-itselfness” of mind andMind-Power, so you see my ignorance is not the ignorance that comesfrom lack of thought, or lack of acquaintance with the thoughts ofothers—but is rather the ignorance that comes as the resultof much thought, and much study of the thoughts of others—theignorance that is onlyrealized through knowledge. Regarding theseultimate questions, the best thinkers freely confess theirignorance knowing that, as Nordau has said, they "have plucked thatsupremest fruit of the Tree of Knowledge—the consciousness ofour ignorance.” Like Pyrrhon, some twenty-five centuries ago,they say "Uden horizo’’—"I do notdecide.”

We do not know"things-in-themselves”—we cannot know them.If we knew the ultimate truths regarding the tiniest and mostinsignificant thing in the universe, we would know everythingthat is—for that tiniest thing is connected with, and relatedto everything in the universe, and that which underlies theuniverse—and to know the "thing-in-itself”of anything would be to know the great"Thing-in-Itself” of The All. All that we can do is to knowand consider things by what they do; and how they act; and throughtheir manifestations and activities; and the results and effects ofthe same—rather than by what they are in the abstract, orapart from their activities, manifestations, and the phenomenaproceeding from them. Apart from their activities, manifestationsand phenomena, things are but abstract no-things so far as ourunderstanding is concerned—airy "words” coined by themetaphysicians and philosophers in order to provide foodforspeculation, argument, and dispute without end. And we may as welladmit the fact that all consideration of ultimate things—things-in-themselves—inevitably leads us to the conclusionthat the only real Thing-in-Itself is a Something, underlying allthings and yet a No-Thing, and which transcends all of ourexperience, knowledge, reason, thought, and evenimagination.

And therein lies the folly of attempting to tell "justwhat” anything is.

In view of the facts mentioned, and which are held to be correctby the world's best thinkers, how much saner is it to devote ourattention to the consideration of things as known through theiractivities, manifestations, and phenomena— knowing them bywhat they do, and and how they act; by the laws and principlesofthe activities and operations; rather than by speculationsconcerning their nature as abstract thing-in-themselves. This isthe method of modern Science, as compared with those of speculativephilosophy and metaphysics. But, "a little learning is a dangerousthing”; and "fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”And so we shall never be at a loss for ingenious theories and"solutions” of ultimate problems. We have among us some whoglibly inform us that they know "just what Mind is!” Such addto the gaiety of the nations, and therefore are useful andinteresting. Did you ever hear of the youth at college, who whenasked by his professor: "What is electricity?” answered"Well, sir, I did know, but I have forgotten!” Theprofessor answered, dryly: "Now, isn't that too bad! Here is theonly person in the world who ever knew just what electricityis—and he has forgotten! What a loss to the race!” Whydo we not have courage enough to leave off this making of thespeculative soap-bubbles with which we have been amusing ourselves,and learn to answer honestly, "I do not know!” or,at least like modern Science, learn to frankly state: Here ourknowledge of the subject ends; to-morrow we may knowmore, but sufficient for the day is the knowledge thereof—andan inch of knowledge of facts is worth a mile of unsupportedspeculation and theory. As Thomas L. Harris has said:

"The theorist who dreams a rainbow dream,

And calls hypothesis 'philosophy,'

At best is but a paper financier

Who palms his specious promises for gold

Facts are the basis of philosophy;

Philosophy, the harmony of facts.

Seen in their right relation"

And, now, having confessed your ignorance and mine, let usproceed to a consideration of Mind-Power as known by itsactivities.

In the first place, let mesay that I do not hold that Mind-Poweris identical with mind. Rather does it seem to me to be correlatedto mind, particularly in the operation of mind known as desire,will, and imagination. If you like, we may consider it to be theacting aspect of mind. Mind has three aspects—the aspect ofbeing, or substance; the aspect ofthought, with the sub-divisionsof reason, feeling, emotion, desire, will, etc., on both consciousand subconscious planes; and third, the aspect of ACTING. And it isin this aspectof action that mind is known as Mind-Power.

While it is extremely likely that there is a certain employmentand manifestation of Mind-Power in the ordinary processes ofreasoning, intellectual effort, etc., still Mind-Power seems to bemore closely connected with the more elementary phase of mentation,such as feeling, emotion, and particularly desire and will. We knowthat it is possessed by the lower forms of animal and plant life;even the inorganic forms; all of which existed and employed theforce before intellect and reason manifested itself in man. And soI would impress upon you that while Mind-Power may be called intooperation by, and still more certainly may be directed by theintellect—still you must not make the mistake of identifyingit with that phase of mind or attributing it solely to creaturespossessing the same. It is a far more elementary and basic force,as you have seen in the preceding chapter.

Indeed, in order that you may understand the operations ofMind-Power you may as well get into the habit of considering it ascorrelated to that which we call will, (as distinguished fromintellect and reason).

By "will” I do not mean that phase or faculty of the mindwhich decides, determines, or chooses—although this customaryuse of the termis quite correct as applied to one phase of will.This deciding, choosing, determining faculty is one of theattributes of intellect and Self-consciousness superimposed uponthe elemental will in the direction of guiding, directing, turningand restraining—it is the Ego at the wheel, directing theShip of Life by the Chart of Reason, the motive-power being will,or Mind-Power. Choice in the lower forms of life and activity,simply means yielding to the strongest desire, or aggregate ofstrongest desires, oraverage of strongest desires.

No, I did not mean will in the above sense, but in the moreelementary sense of the term—the original sense, for the wordis derived from the root meaning "to wish; to desirestrongly.” And, in this elementary sense, theword"will” is used to designate that primitive, original,universal mental principle in life, which manifests in desire foraction, and in the response to that desire. In this sense will maybe considered as Desire-Will, both being held to be phases of thesame thing—or rather the two poles of the same thing. Thedesire-pole of this Desire-Will is connected with that which wecall emotion, feeling, etc., which arouses it into action. Thewill-pole of this Desire-Will is connected with that principle ofmentalactivity which we are considering under the name ofMind-Power—the dynamic aspect of mind. I ask that you re-readthis paragraph, that you may fix this idea firmly in your mind, forupon it depends the correct understanding of much that I shall haveto sayin this work.

In Desire we find the first step toward Dynamic Mentation.Desire precedes action of will which releases the dynamic force ofthe mind—the Mind-Power. Desire is the coiling up thesteel-spring of Will—there is always a state of"tension” about desire—a state of "coiled-upenergy” caused by "feeling,” "emotion” or similarstate which has beenaroused by the sight of, or memory of, orthought of, some attractive object. The feeling” inspired bythe attractive object coils up the spring of desire, and this"coiled-up” energy supplies the "motive-power” of thewill. But, remember this, some desires are acted upon, while othersare rejected—neither men nor things act upon everydesire. There is the other pole of the Desire-Will which mustbe calledinto action—and this leads us to a consideration ofthe matter of choice, determination, or decision, which is so oftenexpressed by the term” "Will, " as I said a littlefurther back.

This choosing or determining phase of will, is little more thanan empty name or term, so far as is concerned the relation betweendesire and will action in the cases of things and creatures lowerin the scale than man. For in these cases this choice,determination, or decision is based entirely upon the degree of"feeling,”or the degree of attractiveness of the objectspresenting themselves to the attention—the strongest feeling,attraction, or motive-interest winning the day. (Fear is one of thestrongest feelings influencing desire, and acts usually as aneutralizer of other feelings and desires, and is most potent as amotive influencing choice or decision—in fact, one isjustified in regarding fear as the negative form of desire, beingreally a "desire-not-to.”) With the advent of reason, andintellect, particularly whenthe self-conscious ego appears, newelements are introduced, by reason of which man is enabled todeliberate and weigh motives, desires, feelings, emotions, etc.,and thus the will of man is held to contain elements lacking in thegeneral principle of will.

But the aspect of will with which we are much concerned is theaspect of action—the will-pole of Desire-Will. Just wheredesire passes into will is impossible to decide—the chancesare that they blend into each other. But this we do know,that "something happens” at a certain stage of the mentaloperation, whereby the attention of the thing, or ego, passes fromthe pole of desire to the pole of will—and then, one of twothings happens, i. e., (1) either the "coiled-up”spring of desire is released by thewill, and the energy of desireis transmuted into the energy of will, which thus releases theMind-Power or dynamic quality of mind into action; or else: (2) thewill refuses to be aroused, and desire slowly uncoils her spring,and the tension is relieved, gradually or at once. The will may becultivated and developed so as to refuse to release the spring ofdesire into action—and in this inhibiting quality lies muchof that which is called "strength of will”—it oftenrequires more will not to do, than todo.

The aspect of "action” is the true dynamic quality ofwill. And with action all will is intimately and inseparablyconnected. As Prof. Halleck says: "Will concerns itself withaction. The student must keep that fact before him, no matter howcomplex the matter seems.” Action is the. "innermeaning” and reason of the will. And it is with this phasethat we are concerned in the present work. Action is the essentialaspect of Mind-Power— the latter exists for the purpose ofActing. It is the essence of activity.

And so you will see that this "universal dynamic mentalprinciple”—which I have called "Mind-Power,” isnot that phase of mind which manifests as intellectual, reasoningprocesses; but is that phase of mind which is aroused bydesire-will— and whichacts. It is manifest in the universeamong forms of life below the plane of reason, as well asamongthose on that plane, and therefore precedes Reason in evolution. Italso manifests along unconscious and automatic lines, and precedesthe self-consciousstage of man. It represents an elementary,primitive, fundamental, dynamic, mental force; and may be thoughtof as a raw, crude, undeveloped force, manifesting along the linesof instinctive action or appetency, rather than along the lines ofintellect, reason, or the higher cognitive faculties. It issomething far more elemental and basic than intellect. It is morenearly akin to the elemental life forces which we personify underthe name of "Nature.”

Whether or not that which we know as reason or intellect wereevolved from an elemental Mind-Stuff; or whether these higher formsofmentality are something of an entirely higher and distinctnature; or whether, as the occultists hold, intelligence is theresult of the influence of a Spiritual Ego (something distinct frommind) upon an elementary Mind-Stuff—these are questionsbelonging to other phases of the general subject of Being, withwhich we have nothing to do in the consideration of the subjectbefore us. I have my own opinions and beliefs on these points, andso have each of you—we may differ regarding the same, but maystill be able to examine the subject before us as co-workers, inspite of our lack of agreement regarding questions of philosophy,metaphysics, or religion. We are dealing with anaturalforce—a universal energy—now and here, andshould examine and study its principles just as we would were itelectricity, magnetism, heat or light that we were studying. I aminviting you to a scientific study, not a metaphysical orphilosophical speculation, doctrine or theory. These latter thingshave their own good places—but they have no place here atthis time.

Chapter3. Mentative Induction

As wonderful as is the manifestation of Mind-Power within thelimits of the form of the thing, cell, plant, animal, or person,and which produces the effects known as local action, movement,etc., there is still a greater wonder to be witnessed in themanifestation of the same power beyond the limits of thepersonality or form in which it originates. And it is tothismanifestation of Mind-Power that I am about to apply the term"Telementation.”

I may as well explain my terms at this place and time. In thefirst place I use the term "Mentation,” in the sense of"Mental activity”; the term being derived from the Latinword mentis, meaning "the mind”; and the suffix"ation”; meaning "action.” So "Mentation” means"mental activity.” From Mentation we derive Mentative, or"relating to mental activity”; Mentate, or "to manifestmental activity”; etc., etc.

From Mentation, also, I derive the term, "Telementation,”which so far as I know, was originally coined by me several yearsago. The word is derived from the Greekword, tele, meaning "far off”; and the word"mentation,” above explained. "Telementation” means"mental activity at a distance,” or mentation exerted overspace,” or "long-range mental influence,” etc. I havebeen led to the coining of this new term designed to take the placeof "telepathy,” for the reason that the latter term isimproper and misleading. "Telepathy,” according to itsroot-words, really means "to suffer at a distance,” or the"feeling of the pain of another,” the suffix "pathy,”being derived from the Greek word meaning "to suffer.” It maybe used properly in connection with the sympathetic transference ofpain, or disease, or similar mental state, but its use otherwise isimproper. It is being discarded by the best scientific authorities,who prefer the term "Thought Transference,” etc. I havethought it advisable to use the term "telementation” in thisconnection, believing that it meets the requirements of the casebetter than any other term of which I have any knowledge. I expectit to come into general use before long.

And now about the transference of mental states from one thingor personto another. I shall not attempt to go into a discussion ofthe phenomena of Thought-Transference in this work, for the reasonthat it is too well established, and too generally known to requirean argument in its favor from me. To thousands of carefulinvestigators it is an established fact, and anyone who will takethe time and trouble to conduct the experiments may reproduce thephenomena to his own satisfaction. Moreover there are instances oftelementation arising in the everyday life of nearly every person,such instances being of the spontaneous order, that is, not havingbeen expected or sought after. Those who are desirous of obtaining"proofs” of telementation, beyond their own personalexperiences, are referred to the records of the English SocietyforPsychical Research, which contain the carefully noted reports ofmany very interesting cases which have been conducted by thesociety under the most careful supervision andscientificrequirements. The circulation of Mind-Power is as real a naturalphenomenon as the circulation of air, water, or the blood.

There have been many theories advanced to account fortelementation, and there has been much talk of "two-minds,”"dual-mentality,” etc., in this connection. In this work Ishall have very little, ifanything, to say regarding man's"two-minds.” I, of course, am fully conversant with thesubject of the sub-conscious and super-conscious regions of theMind, but I find this principle of telementation to have its rootsstill further back in the scale ofevolution—back before"consciousness” as we know it, existed in the created formsof matter or life—back to the plane of "mind in inorganicmatter”—and therefore, I shall not attempt to urge any"two-mind” theories to account for it. In fact, I believethat the mind of man is a far more complex thing than a"dual-mind” combination—there are many more planes andregions of mind than the "objective” and "subjective”minds of the "dual-mind” authorities.

I find the basis for the theory of telementation far back in thescale—in fact at the lowest extreme of the scale of things. Ifind it in the atoms, or in the particles of which the atoms arecomposed. In the first chapter of this work I called your attentionto the manifestation of Mind-Power among the atoms and particles ofmatter, which was evidenced by action, motion, and movementsresulting from "attraction and repulsion” of these atoms andparticles. In other words I showed that physical forces wereproduced by the motions of the particles, or vibrations of theatoms, which arose from states of like and dislike; love and hate;attraction and repulsion; pleasure and pain; among these tinyparticles of matter. And it is here that the elementary principleof telementation is noticeable—here is where it may beseen infull primitive force and operation. If you will think for a moment,you will see that the motions of the atoms aretwo-fold, viz. (1) the voluntary motion of the atomtoward the other atom to which it is attracted by chemicalaffinity; and (2) themovement of the atom occasioned by the"attractive force” exerted by the other atom, in the samemanner that a magnet” draws” the needle to it.

Haeckel has told us that there is the voluntary movement of theatom itself, in response to the "desire” awakened in it bythe attraction—how does it become aware of the presence ofthe other atom unless something passes between them? And thatsomething must be in the nature of a mentative current, for thereis nothing else to pass, because all other forms of energybeingproduced by vibrations of the atoms arising from mental states, theMind-Power must precede the physical energies, and must be the"something that passes between” the two atoms. Feeling thepresence of the other atom, the first atom moves towards itsaffinity, voluntarily, and just as you move your arm orwalk—the atom probably exerting a push upon the ether whichmust be to the atom or particle what the air is to the wing of thebird, or the water to the fin of the fish. But there is anothercause of motion, as we have seen—the mutual pull of theattracting atoms.

And what manner or kind of energy is it that thus "draws”or "pulls” the other atom? It cannot be electricity, ormagnetism, for those forces, as we have seen, are produced by arate of vibration occasioned by the Mind-Power in the atomsthemselves—therefore wemust go back to the antecedent force,which is Mind-Power, and attribute to it the drawing or pullingforce which moves the atoms toward each other.

That this attracting or pulling force is in operation betweenthe particles of matter, there can be no doubt. No two atoms ofmatter are in absolute touch with each other—there is alwaysa distance between them—a space which thus separatesthem—which never can be traversed or overcome. There seems tobe an individuality in these tiny particles which, althoughallowing them to form combinations, nevertheless prevents absoluteblending or amalgamation. There is always a "keep yourdistance,” or "thus far and no further” principle inNature which holds every particle of matter individual and alone.Every ion, electron, atom, and molecule of matter isalone, and separated even from its closest affinity by a "touch menot” circle of influence, which is also mentative in itsnature, in my opinion.Even the hardest diamond, or piece of steel,is composed of molecules close together but yet separated by thiscircle of influence; and every molecule is composed of severalatoms between which the same law operates; and every atom iscomposed of many ions or electrons, which have distancesbetween them. So true is Nature in her proportions and laws, thatscientists assert that in the hundreds of ions of whichthe tiniest atom is composed (and which atom is invisible to thesight by reason of its smallness) there is a "distancebetween” observed and maintained by these particles, whichbears the same proportion to their sizes that the distance betweenthe planets of our solar system bears to their particularsizes—in other words, that the ions composinganatom are akin to a minute solar system, each ion beingattracted to the other, and yet "kept at its distance,” thecombined pull and push of the desire and the "keep off,”respectively, tending to cause them to circle round and round eachother.

And what is the force that traverses the space across which theparticles themselves cannot travel? It is not electricity, ormagnetism, for those forces are but the results of these circlingand vibrations, and not their cause—and moreover science hasnot discovered electricity or magnetism between the atoms. And whatholds the atoms and molecules of matter together, or rather inproximity—what causes their propinquity? Science answers:chemical affinity, and cohesion! But these terms are merely names,and science does not explain the nature of the forceemployed,—but it knows that it is not electricity ormagnetism, or any other known physical force. I answer: It isMind-Power exerted over the intervening spaces by Telementationthat attracts and holds these atoms and molecules in their places,and yet keeps them "at their distance.” Mind-Power, theexistence of which in the atoms was postulated by Haeckel, andwhich always has been taught by the occultists.

And, so finding that telementation exists in the elementaryformsof substance and physical things, I am justified in looking for itspresence and manifestation from that point of the scale upward. AndI believe that the vibrations of mental states, feelings, desires,etc., are transmitted from one mind to anotherby telementation,arousing similar states, feelings, desires, etc., in the receivingmind along the lines of what we call "induction” in physicalscience. But before considering induction, I would ask youtoconsider the following quotation from Flammarion, the eminentFrench scientist, who says:

"We sum up, therefore, our preceding observations by theconclusion that one mind can act at a distance upon another,without the habitual medium of words, or any other visible means ofcommunication. It appears to us altogether unreasonable to rejectthis conclusion if we accept the facts. This conclusion will beabundantly demonstrated. There is nothing unscientific, nothingromantic in admitting that an idea can influence a brain from adistance. The action of one human being upon another, from adistance, is a scientific fact; it is as certain as the existenceof Paris, of Napoleon, of Oxygen, or of Sirius.” He furtherstates: "There can be no doubt that our psychical force creates amovement in the ether, whichtransmits itself afar like allmovements of ether, and becomes perceptible to brains in harmonywith our own. The transformation of a psychic action into anethereal movement, and the reverse, may be analogous to what takesplace on a telephone, where thereceptive plate, which is identicalwith the plate at the other end, reconstructs the sonorous movementtransmitted, not by means of sound, but by electricity.”

As I have said, I account for the transference of mental states,etc., by the theory of "Mentative Induction,” which I believeto be the theory more fully meeting the requirements of the casethan any of the "dual-mind” or similar hypotheses. The term"Mentative Induction” will be readily understood by thosefamiliar with the phenomena of electricity. The word"induction” comes from the word "induce,” which means"to influence.” In electrical science the word induction isused in the sense of "the process whereby one body possessingmagnetic or electrical properties reproduces that property inanother body without direct contact.”

In text-books on physics a simple experiment is often givenstudents to illustrate magnetic induction, as follows: A magnet isso placed that its poles project over the edge of a table uponwhich it rests. An iron nail, orsteel needle, is held a littledistance below the magnet so that it will not actually touch thelatter but will be near enough to be magnetized by"induction,” that is, without direct contact. The nail, orneedle, will have an induced property of magnetismproduced by thecurrent from the magnet, and will support another nail, or needle,by direct contact. This induced magnetism renders the nail, orneedle, a magnet, possessing all the properties of the originalmagnet, so long as the current flows.

And, just as a magnet may communicate its properties byinduction so may an electrified body communicate electrical statesin another body without actual contact. The text-books are full ofexamples to illustrate this law. The theory accepted by Science isthat the induction is the action of the electrical current throughthe ether, by waves of vibration. And I hold that just as thevibratory-waves of magnetism and electricity pass through the etherand produce similar properties in other bodies by means ofinduction, so do the vibratory waves of Mind-Power, from one mind,pass through the ether, and by induction set up similar mentalstates in the minds of other persons within the "field ofinduction.”

I hold that just as the "excitement” of the particles ofmatter ("excitement” being merely "aroused activity”)may manifest an energy that may be transmitted to another object,removed in space from the first, and then may arouse by induction asimilar state of "excitement” in the particles of the secondobject—so may the "excitement” of the mind among thebrain cells of the animal or person be transmitted by telementationto another animal or person in whom, by mentative induction, asimilar state of excitement is generated or induced. I hold thatthere is the closest possible relationship between motive energyand emotive energy—in fact, that both are forms of the samething.

I shall not attempt to go into details regarding telementationor mentative induction at this place, for the reason that I shallbring out theprinciple in detail, from time to time, by pointingout the manifestations and activities of these principles. But Iwish you to fix in your mind the elementary principles ofMind-Power in its phases of telementation or "long-distanceeffect,” and of mentative induction, or the process by which"like begets like” on the mental plane as on the physical.The machinery of the mentative processes and activities beinghidden from physical sight, we may understand these processes andactivities better by using the illustration of correspondingphysical processes and activities—particularly when thecorrespondences are more than mere resemblances, being operationsof the same underlying natural laws. For this reason, theillustration or symbol of wireless-telegraphy will help us tounderstand telementation; and electrical or magnetic induction willhelp us to understand the phenomena of mentative induction.

And, now let us pass on to a consideration of the activities andmanifestations of Mind-Power, in its phases of telementation andmentative induction, in living creatures, beginning with the loweranimals.

Chapter4. Mental Magic In Animal Life

I have spoken of the manifestation of Mind-Power among theatoms and particles of matter, whereby the tiny corpusclesbecomeaware of each other's proximity, and whereby they move voluntarilyin response to the desire aroused by the attraction or affinity ofthe other atoms; and whereby they also exert a pull or drawingpower on the other atoms, and respond to the same attracting forceof the other particle. Ascending the scale, we find the crystalsbuilding up their forms by drawing material from the fluids inwhich they are immersed, and then building upon a set pattern andstyle, as truly as does the builder among theanimals or amongmen.

Passing on to the low forms of animal life, we find tinylife-forms in the slime of the ocean-bed, which are apparently nomore than tiny drops of glue—cells without a nucleus—which nevertheless perform the functions of all organic forms,being born, taking nutrition, assimilating, eliminating, growingold, and finally dying, after reproducing their kind by growth anddivision. But, the point that most concerns us is that althoughthese creatures have no senses, or even rudimentary sense organs,they are aware of the approach of other creatures, and of theirfood. In some way they become "aware” of thesethings—how, man does not know. Moreover they are possessed ofthe power of motion, and exert their will in the direction ofmoving from place to place. Some of these forms of life, whenviewed under even a strong microscope are seen to move by glidingfrom place to place, apparently at will, and with no perceptibleemployment of organs of motion such as false-feet, fins, etc. Theyseemsimply to move by pure will. How do they do this? Howdo they become aware of the approach of other creatures, withoutsense-organs, or the rudiments of the same? It seems that mentationand telementation are manifested here.

Rising higher in the scale, wefind many insects seeminglyendowed with the faculty of becoming aware of the presence of otherinsects at distances so great as to render the ordinary senses ofno avail. Students of ant-life relate many remarkable instances ofthis kind. Ants at a distance seem to be able to communicate withtheir fellows, summoning assistance, and directing the movements ofant-armies. A professor in an American university has related thatupon one occasion he met with an instance of telementation on thepart of a colony of ants. He stated that he had placed a breedingcage of ants inside of a stone house, the latter having wallssixteen inches thick, with no windows and but one door, the latterbeing so sealed and protected that it was impossible for even atiny ant toenter its crevices. When approaching this house for thepurpose of studying the progress of his ant colony, he would noticethat other ants had collected on the outside of the walls, and wererunning about trying to get through the stone blocks. Then he triedthe experiment of moving his ant-cage from one part of the house toanother—first placing it beside one wall, and then another,and so on, trying all positions and places. In each case, aftereach change, when he would emerge from thehouse he would find theoutside ants grouped on the stone wall as near to the inside antsas possible, changing their position from side to side according tothe position of the ant-cage inside of the house. Many otherinstances of the possession of the power of telementation on thepart of ants have been noted.

Another authority relates that a pair of foreign moths werebrought to England. There were no other moths of that kind in thecountry. One of them, the male, escaped in a part of England manymiles distant from theplace to which the remaining moth, thefemale, was taken. The female moth was placed in a tiny cage forsecurity, and then set out-of-doors during the night. In themorning, much to the entomologist's surprise, he found the malemoth clinging to the tiny cage which contained the female. It wasthe same male, undoubtedly, for in size, coloring, appearance,etc., it corresponded exactly; besides which there was not anothermoth of that particular species known to be in England. Similarexperiments have been conducted with insects, and there is held tobe ample grounds for believing that insects attract their mates bymeans of some mental power beyond the range of the ordinarysenses.

Schools of fish seem to have some method of instantaneouscommunication between the individual fishes composing them, for theentire school moves from side to side, turning sharply, etc., as ifit were possessed of but a single mind. Some scient [...]