Many of us have been in the habit of thinking of the Ego - the "I" of ourselves - as merely the physical body. This is the materialistic point of view. Others think of their "I" as a mental creature having control of the body, and having his abode in the brain. This is partially correct, but is only half the truth. Others realize that there is a "higher self" in the man, and a few have recognized that "higher self," and live in accord with its dictates. The real Ego, or "I," is as much higher than Mind, as Mind is higher than the body; and both body and mind are subordinate to it. Both are its tools and are used for its work, when it sees fit to use them. The real self is that which we feel when in times of reverie and introspection, we think or say, "I AM." All of us have felt this consciousness of the real self, at certain times in our lives, but have failed to realize its full importance. Lay down this book for a few moments, and, relaxing the muscles of your body and assuming a passive state of mind, think quietly and calmly on the words "I AM," and endeavor to picture your real self, superior to both mind and body. If you have secured the proper state of mind and body, you will perceive a glimmer of the presence of the real self within you. Continue the practice. It will awaken in your mind a perception of the truth. Nothing can injure or destroy the real self. The body and mind may pass away, but the "I AM" is eternal, and impregnable to harm. It is powerful, and, when the mind has learned to adapt itself to its influence, man becomes like another being, and acquire hither to unknown powers.
The purpose of this series of lessons does not permit me to dwell at length upon this subject. Its importance demands a work of many volumes to do it even faint justice, but I wish, at this point, to direct the attention of the student to this vital truth, with all the earnestness of which I am capable. Take whatever view you wish regarding the instructions given you in this course, accept its teachings or reject them, as you see fit, but let this one thought sink deeply into your mind: THE I AM IS YOUR REAL SELF. When your mind recognizes its master, you will have learned the secret of Life. I have planted this thought seed in you mind, and it will grow and evolve into a beautiful plant bearing a flower whose fragrance will surpass that of earth's fairest blossoms. When its leaves unfold and show the flower in all its beauty, then will you know that you have found yourself.
Lord of a thousand worlds am I,
And I reign since time began;
And night and day, in cyclic sway,
Shall pass while their deeds I scan.
Yet time shall cease ere I find release,
FOR I AM THE SOUL OF MAN.
Charles H. Orr
That which we mean when we say "the will" is a manifestation of; the I AM of the individual, bearing nearly the same relation to it that thought it does to the mind. When we speak of "developing the will," we really mean the developing of the mind to recognize and be controlled by the will. The will is strong enough; it does not need "developing." This is contrary to the generally accepted doctrine, but is it correct, nevertheless. A strong will current is flowing over the psychic wires, but you must learn to raise the trolley pole to the wire, before you are able to move the mental car.
Man thinks along different lines. One class of thinking which we have called Passive Mentation is little more that instinctive effort - it sort of "thinks itself," and requires little or no Volic Force for its production. Another class of mental effort, which we will call Active Mentatioin, is produced by a greater or lesser demand of the mind upon the power of the will. I can merely call your attention to this fact, as a detailed treatment of the matter is without the scope of this work. I have gone deeper into you. In this work I am called upon to teach "How" and not "Why," and, therefore, I do not care to take you beyond the border of the realm of theory. The more man thinks along the lines of Active Mentation, the stronger and more forceful are his thoughts. The reverse is, of course, likewise true. The man who understands the law of Mental Control is placed at the immense advantage over his brother, who follows the "calf path" of Passive mental effort.
Thoughts of all kinds are projected by the mind, and their vibrations go out from the individual, influencing others to a greater or lesser degree, according to the force of the impelling effort. Passive thoughts are less powerful than active thoughts, but the former, if constantly repeated, have much force. It will be seen, readily, that in order to produce a direct effect upon the mind of another by thought vibrations, an effort of Volation is required; the stronger the effort, the stronger the effect.
The next lesson will be devoted to the subject of the exercise of the power of Volation.
Direct Volation
Volation, the measure of success - Leaders of men possess it - Unconscious acquirement - Napoleon Bonaparte aware of the truth - Strong men feel the "I" – Desire - Some not willing to "pay the price" of success - Men who have mastered occult power - The vibratory force - Telepathy, thought transference and mind reading - Masters of the art guard their secrets - The prime requisite for acquirement - Exercise of volation in personal interview – Expectation - Some men but puppets - General instructions - Power must not be used to harm others - A warning - Satan's terrible example - How to "will" a thing - Exercise I: Making a person turn around - Exercise 2: Influencing a person in a public place - Exercise 3: Influencing a person without looking directly at him - Comical results - Exercise 4: Suggesting a forgotten word - Remarkable results obtained by a German student - Exercise 5: Directing the motions of another person - Exercise 6: Window exercises - Influencing passers-by - Fascinating experiments - To be used for your own development, not for amusement or to satisfy vulgar curiosity.
The exercise of Volation differs very materially, in degree, among different men. It maybe states, broadly, that a man exerts an influence over other men in an exact ratio to his measure of Volation. The ledger of men has developed this power to a comparatively high degree, although perhaps unconsciously and without any knowledge of the workings of the mighty force which is operating in his behalf. Many such men frankly admit that they are unable to explain or account for their power over men. They know that they have some sort of power, but are ignorant of its nature or laws. Napoleon is a striking example of a man of highly developed Volation. His will was imposed upon millions of men who obeyed his commands, and he accomplished results little short of miraculous. From remarks dropped by him, it seems probable that he had, at least, a faint idea of the force at his command, and he acted in accordance therewith, for a while. He afterwards attempted to misuse his power; lost sight of the source of his strength; neglected its laws, and fell. You will notice that all successful men instinctively feel the "I" strongly. They have faith in themselves, and frequently feel that they have a special Providence overlooking their affairs. They, like Napoleon, feel that they have a "star of destiny." This is an instinctive recognition of the I AM. They have but a glimpse of the truth, and have made the most of it, their strong desire for power, fame, or riches pushing them on, and causing them to instinctively avail themselves of the powerful aid of the Ego. There are many who recognize the power of the I AM, some of whom understand its laws, and yet these men do not assert themselves in the struggle for material reward. They have the power within them, but DESIRE is not there. They are content with the lesser material rewards, and are not willing to "pay the price" of what is known as Success or the mastery of men. Many men who have mastered the occult power, scorn wealth, position and fame, and exert no desire for them, feeling that these things are unworthy of their power, and preferring to use the forces at their command for what they consider higher aims. They say with the prophet, "Vanity, vanity, all is vanity," and with Puck, "what fools these mortals be." The law of compensations seems to even all things, and wealth, power and position do not always bring happiness. The old sayings: "uneasy the head that wears the crown," and "There is no rose without its thorn," are literally true.
However, I do not propose preaching a sermon on Life, nor do I wish to point at moral. Every individual must choose for himself, and no man can decide for another. I say, however, that whatever you do, do it right. There is only one way to do things, and that is to do them. You must "put your hand to the plow, and look not backward." Select your goal and then move straight toward it, sweeping from your path all obstacles.