STUDENTS for many years have come to
this School asking for a better understanding of God, (GOOD! ORDER!
DOMINATING!) and desiring knowledge
of the best way to get the most out of life. They have heard God spoken of
as being afar off, when He is as close to us as the breath we breathe,
closer than our hands and feet. They have heard Him spoken of as: Love,
Divine Mind, Divine Intelligence, Jehovah, God, Lord, First Cause, Primal
Substance, and other names. Being of an analytical mind I, too, have wanted
to know the facts of a Truth. If it is a Truth, there are facts to be had,
and they can prove themselves, not alone in Spirit but in a very practical
way.
It is my intention to present these lessons simply, without high minded
words or vague statements that sound pretty and promising. The terms above
named are all synonymous. They mean one and the same thing, and I choose to
use a simpler name that everyone will understand. I shall call God working
in our lives "LAW." Interpreting the Law in several ways should bring it
more clearly into our way of thinking. Then as we strive to work with the
Law we are living closer to God, and such living brings a better
understanding. TOP
As you grow in knowledge and are able to form better opinions, do not
hesitate to change your views. Remember, "The wise man changes his mind; the
fool never." There can be no progress without change, no growth without
renewal. There must be a constant stream of new thought better thought and
truer thought to insure progression in life. As soon as you perceive the
better, let go of the old, grasp the new. To continue to hold on to the old
and inferior when the new and superior is at hand is to retard growth, and
to this one cause may be traced many of the ills of man.
Proceed to use your thinking faculty and take care that it does not use you.
Master your mind and guide it intelligently; that is, exercise
discrimination in all your thinking. Learn to think as you ought to think,
give your mental life to the matters that are absolutely essential to your
welfare, and the balance of your thought to themes of beauty, truth and
progress. In other words, live with the ideal, but do not neglect the
practical. Aim to adjust the two, and to strive to be on the outside what
you idealize on the inside. Your thoughts make you; and your ideals,
principles, or ruling desires will determine your destiny. TOP
Learn to use your powers unless you wish to be used by them. Make a daily
effort to use the knowledge you have gained. Try to improve upon all your
opinions. Endeavor to obtain a truer and larger conception of each of your
personal views.
This process entails effort, but all such mental discipline is highly
constructive. It leads to a steady increase of mind power, and it is the
mind that matters most among life's actualities. You may occasionally
blunder. We are all inclined to do this, more so in the earlier stages of
our mental development. However, we learn by our mistakes. Then by the
constant use of our intelligence we cause our faculties to grow so strong
and alert that in time, we are able to avoid further errors.
Man's problems are mental in nature; they have no existence outside of
themselves, and it has been discovered that nearly all will yield up their
solutions when subjected to a broad and exact analysis. You can acquire this
ability by studying the Law of life and its modes of expression. Then by
constant effort use your thinking faculty in constructive ways as you work
with these Laws. Have good and sound reasons for all the views you hold. As
you try to find these, many of your old time views will fall to pieces. Form
clear and definite ideas regarding your convictions as to why you do as you
do, and as to why you think as you think. Such practice is like conducting a
mental house cleaning. The practice of clear thinking tends to clarify the
mind, tones up the faculties, sharpens the perceptions, and gives one a
stronger and better grasp of the basic essentials for a larger and richer
life. TOP
Clear and exact thinking is a very great necessity. It is, in fact, a sure
means to advancement on the material as well as on the spiritual planes. A
line of distinction, however, should be drawn between mere surface thought,
that is, ordinary, trivial and commonplace thinking, and real thought, which
is associated with the understanding of Truth. The latter is deep thinking
which arouses dormant powers, quickens the perceptions, and leads to the
enlargement of the understanding. The former is but a passing phase of
mental activity, while the latter governs the life of man.
The shallow, surface thought that we give to the ordinary duties and small
things of daily life is not the thought that reforms our character, develops
our mind or changes our destiny. It is the positive, deep, and penetrating
thought that comes from profound and strong conviction born of a higher
perception and a clearer realization of the Truth. The surface idea is not
the real thought. The inner convictions which control one's aims, desires,
and motives, constitute the real thought of the individual and wholly
determine the course of his life and personal destiny. TOP
Psychologists tell us that every individual is controlled by his
convictions, whether he is aware of it or not. Such convictions largely
determine the nature of his thinking; the inner thought coming from the
heart represents the real motives and desires. These are the causes of
action. If his ideas or convictions are wholesome and true to his higher
nature all will be well, and he will reflect something of the harmony and
beauty and utility of his constructive and superior views in his personal
life. If his convictions or ideas are not wholesome and true, he will
reflect something that is discordant, inharmonious, and evil.
Always make it a point of moving forward in your mind, ever seeking to
unfold your power of thought and to develop hidden possibilities. Learn to
train the mind to clear and exact thinking. Your ability to do so will grow
rapidly by regular exercise and discipline. No normal person wants to
decrease in power and ability. Therefore, strive to cultivate your
intelligence and to express better, bigger, and superior thought on all
matters about which you may think. There is so much good in the world that
it can outbalance the evil; therefore, you can go on thinking more
constructive and good thoughts every day, about yourself, your fellow man,
life, and all natural things, to the constant enrichment of your mind and
the improvement of your whole being.
You cannot get the most out of these lessons by reading them once or twice.
They should be read often and studied with scrutiny. You will find with each
reading something clearer than before.
