The Training of the Higher Powers

Though the highest power of the universe is seeking to express itself through you at this moment, and the great guiding intelligence of your own sub-conscious is waiting silently to spring into action to aid you in realizing your fondest dreams, these infinite powers are useless until they are given directions. Like a thousand loyal and faithful servants they wait idly by content with the task of merely aiding you in your physical existence. Like an army of well trained troops they are standing by patiently in full battle dress awaiting the command of the king. When the command is given they will charge faithfully into battle to secure for you any goal that your heart desires. You are commander and chief of this undefeatable regiment of mind power. But until an objective is decided upon and the proper commands issued forth, they wait faithfully and patiently, ever longing to launch into activity in the attainment of some worthwhile goal.

Though the power and intelligence of the sub-conscious mind is unlimited, it has one characteristic that prevents it from bringing to you life's most priceless treasures. When this peculiar trait is understood, it can be used by you to train the higher powers to manifest its complete omnipotence. It is sad but true that in many cases the mighty powers actually work against you because of the lack of guidance from the conscious mind. The most dominating characteristic of the sub-conscious mind is its absolute faith in your conscious mind. Whatever messages reach the sub-conscious mind from the conscious mind are accepted as absolute truth, no questions asked. The sub-conscious being the faithful servant that it is, transmits all messages into action; right or wrong they are carried out by the sub-conscious powers.

Your sub-conscious is in constant attunement with the conscious mind. It knows your every thought and belief, but what it does not know is that your thoughts are often in error and your beliefs are many times unfounded. Not being able to distinguish fact from error, all thoughts and beliefs are accepted as supreme fact, and the mighty powers act in accordance to these erroneous misconceptions. Then the unknowing commander curses his fate when negative conditions are seemingly thrust upon him.

The proper training, direction and application of the higher forces of the mind can be summed up in these four words, "SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT CONTROL" and "DESIRE." Your desires are its goals and your thoughts are its orders. You may have plenty of desires for the finer things of life, but if you are constantly thinking negative or fear thoughts these erroneous orders are acted upon by the sub-conscious mind and the exact conditions which you dread will unerringly be manifest in your life and circumstances. On the contrary, if you hold confident positive thoughts of success, strength, happiness and prosperity these orders will be carried out and the results will be the realization of these most desired states of being.

Your greatest obstacle between your present position in life and the one which you desire is FEAR. Fear paralyzes power. Worry is a manifestation of fear. Fear and worry are the negative phases of imagination. When you have fear or worry, what you are actually doing is imagining the worst that can happen instead of the best. It's equally easy to think of the best as it is the worst. You must remember that you are in complete control of the orders or suggestions that enter the sub-conscious. FAITH in the higher powers of the mind, and its ability to solve your every problem will nip fear in the bud. Once you have conquered fear and doubt you will have come a long way in the accomplishment of your desire. The knowledge of how the sub-conscious works will aid you immeasurably in securing the best life has to offer.

The most important fact you need to know concerning your sub-conscious is that it is linked with and forms a part of the Mind of the Universe. The sub-conscious mind has ready access to all knowledge. No matter how complex or difficult your problems appear, the answer does exist and the sub-conscious will supply you with a solution. However, there are certain things you must do in order to allow the natural functions of the sub-conscious to manifest. The first and most vital thing for you to realize is that your sub-conscious is not going to do anything special until you order it to. Secondly, you must have a clear and vivid picture of exactly what you wish to be accomplished. The third most important thing to realize is that no matter how strong a command you send, and no matter how vivid your picture is, DOUBT or DISBELIEF in the accomplishment of your goal will cancel your order instantly.

Once the objective has been decided upon, quiet the senses and direct your orders to the sub-conscious mind the same way you would a faithful employee; intelligently, precisely, and politely. Then form the clearest most definite mental image that you can of what you wish the end results to be. Once this is done, consider the task accomplished. Until the desire is materialized constantly refer back to your mental image of the end result. Once the order has been put across firmly and definitely, there is no need to repeat. But it is necessary to spend as much time as possible contemplating your mental image. It is important to note at this point that the Higher Powers are yours to use not only in solving life's perplexities, but also for the acquisition of any worthwhile objective, money and material possessions included. It can accomplish either task with equal ease.

The point to remember here is, as we have seen in previous lessons, the purpose of all life is growth and advancement; it is right and just to use your higher powers in obtaining anything that will aid you in your growth and development, but to use the higher powers for accomplishment of anything that will hinder anyone, self include, in their development physically, mentally or spiritually is a Karmic Sin.

No worthwhile objective is beyond your reach when you are aided by the miraculous powers of the higher mind. Be not afraid to set your sights too high; the most common error is choosing a low and ordinary goal. Look around you at all the wonderful accomplishments that have been achieved by others. What others have done you can do. If someone is in possession of that which you desire, do not be covetous or envious, but realize that they came into possession of what they have by working for it or because they were deserving of it. You too are capable of such work or even more. Do not be afraid to desire any good thing. Most people stifle their desire power because they are ignorant of the fact that they have within them infinite powers that will aid them faithfully in the accomplishment of any worthwhile goal.

The mind may be compared to an electrical unit. It is composed of two poles. These two poles, or powers, are the WILL POLE and the EMOTIVE POLE, or the desire pole and the action pole. The desire powers of the mind reach out and scan in all directions to attract to you the objects of your desire. The will pole or action phase of the mind works to move you forward or into the position to receive that which is being attracted to you by your desire force. Unless both phases of mind power are used together, great results should not be expected. What we are saying here is that you cannot sit back and dream or wish yourself into success. It will be necessary for you at times to exert great amounts of energy in the obtaining of your desire, if it be one of great magnitude.

There is nothing more common than opportunity presenting itself to those who are not prepared to take advantage of it. Thousands of persons are presented with opportunities for material success each and every day. But only a handful have put themselves in a position to take advantage of "chance." LET ACTION BE THE KEY WORD IN YOUR LIFE. If there is anything that you wish to accomplish you must act NOW! You cannot act in the past, you cannot act in the future. The only possible time for action is NOW!!! The past does not exist because it has come and gone and the future does not exist because it has not arrived. Time is but the measurement of change. Consciousness is under the law of change; it is forever flowing. This continuous change we experience as NOW, sometimes referred to as the Eternal Now. Upon closer examination it is found that our concept of Now is erroneous. The future does not exist and the past does not exist, so what is the present? The point of transition when one non-existent future changes into another non-existent past. That point has no actual existence because it has no measurement. Anything that you could catch to measure would already be in the past. As soon as you say the word "Now" it is in the past. You literally speak it into non-existence. Pause for the Eternal Moment and think about all this.

It is hoped that by now the student can realize the importance of acting now. The only thing you need be concerned with is what you are thinking and doing NOW. By continually acting in the now, you will find that your will power will strengthen out of all knowledge. No sooner will you realize that a thing needs to be done than you will be doing it. Were you going to see someone about a new job, DO IT NOW. Were you going to put your house in order, DO IT NOW. Teach yourself to respond immediately to the commands of the will; "Procrastination is the thief of time." If you will spend all of your "now time" in the pursuit of your goal you can plainly see that you will accomplish that goal in what will seem like "no time."

In order to properly train the sub-conscious, it is necessary to spend some time alone. Your best results will be obtained when you reach a deep state of relaxation and mental calm. The most efficient procedure for obtaining relaxation is by breath control. Situate yourself in a comfortable position, then breathing through the nose, inhale deeply by using the diaphragm to draw air into the bottom portions of the lungs, pause, then contracting the diaphragm in, force all the stale air out from the bottom up. Repeat these full breaths about ten times the first few times, then add about two each day until you reach twenty-five. It will be unnecessary to exceed this limit. Through the use of this simple breathing technique and by consciously sending commands to the muscles and nerves to relax, or let go, it is possible to reach deep stages of relaxation. When in this relaxed, calm state, you are in the most ideal condition to impress your desires upon the sub-conscious. Also, you will be in the only state in which you may receive guidance from this vast intelligence. "It is in silence that the soul speaks."

Training of the sub-conscious has often been likened unto programming a computer. If you, the operator, program these higher powers negatively with thoughts of failure, lack, limitation and fear, it is impossible to obtain positive results no matter what degree of conscious effort that you put forth. Remember that your thoughts are the punch cards, your sub-conscious is the computer and whatever program is fed into the computer is formulated into an exact equivalent in your life.

It is important that you start NOW in the training of these higher powers. To aid you in this process we now introduce you to the most efficient means of training the sub-conscious: AFFIRMATIONS and DENIALS. An "affirmation" is defined as; "a statement of truth directed to the sub-conscious mind until it is accepted by the sub-conscious mind and becomes the directing principle of ones life." The purpose of these affirmations is to establish in your consciousness a broad understanding of the principles on which all life and existence depends. The more often you present to your mind a proposition that is logical and true, the stronger the inner feelings of security become to you. The mind of man is built on Truth and the clearer your understanding of Truth, the more substantial your mind becomes.

For those who are not familiar with affirmations, you must realize that your life exists entirely of what is in your mind. No two lives are the same because no two minds are the same. If your mind takes on the characteristics of another person's mind, in time your life will manifest the same qualities as that person's life. This is why it is so important to associate with people of an inspiring nature. You tend to think the way your friends do. Your friends, like your habits and thoughts, are your greatest ally or your worst enemy.

If our lives consist entirely of what is in our mind, then it can be readily seen that anything we take out of the mind we take out of the life, and anything that we put into the mind we put into the life. Here in brief form is contained the greatest of all occult secrets. How to control your life. Through the intelligent use of affirmations and denials it is possible to build with mathematical certainty our lives and circumstances.

Begin now to purge your mind of every negative thought and belief in failure, limitation, lack, inharmony, fear, poverty, sickness, anxiety, doubt, or any other mental state that is not of the highest order. This you do by denying them residence in your mind. Many times they will try to re-enter; you must stand ever on guard to deny them entrance to your mind. In their place, encourage the cultivation of thoughts of hope, faith, peace, power, prosperity, success, health, happiness, charity, abundance and all other positive mental states that are beneficial to your sense of well-being. You can readily see that if your mind is constantly filled with these positive occupants there will be no vacancy for the evil tenants that will so ruthlessly undermine and ruin the foundation of a happy satisfied life. Learn to consciously train the higher powers by continually sending to it suggestions of the most inspiring and positive nature. This practice is sometimes referred to as self- or auto-suggestion. WHENEVER YOU FIND YOURSELF THINKING ALONG NEGATIVE LINES, CONSCIOUSLY REVERSE THESE THOUGHTS INTO THEIR OPPOSITES. Constantly send positive and inspiring suggestions or affirmations to the deeper inner mind.

The highest that is in you is constantly affirming "I AM," but it's left up to you to finish the sentence. You finish the statement with your beliefs. Such as, "I AM a failure," "I AM poor," "I AM sad." These beliefs determine your life as surely as if they were a mold into which your life was being poured. It is up to you to finish the "I AM" statement with the states of being you wish to manifest in your life. Start now affirming "I AM SUCCESS," "I AM PROSPERITY," "I AM POSITIVE," "I AM STRONG AND HEALTHY," "I AM CALM AND CONFIDENT," "I AM MASTER OF MY LIFE, NOW." Other affirmations are, "My sub-conscious mind calls on the Universal Mind and solves all my problems."

The following affirmations are from Florence Shinn's Your Word is Your Wand, published in 1941.

"My seeming impossible good comes to pass, the unexpected now happens!"

"The four winds of success now blow to me my own. From North, South, East, and West comes my endless good."

"Endless good comes to me in endless ways NOW!"

"I am awake to my higher powers, and gather in the harvest of endless opportunities."

"I am harmonious, poised, and magnetic. I now draw to myself my own. My power is God's power and is irresistible!"

"Divine order is now established in my mind, body, and affairs. I see clearly and act quickly and my greatest expectations come to pass in miraculous ways."

"The tide of destiny has turned and everything good comes my way. I banish the past and now live in the wonderful NOW, where happiness and success comes to me each day."

"The genius within me is now released; I now fulfill my destiny."

"I make friends with hindrances and every obstacle becomes my steppingstone. Everything in the Universe, visible and invisible, is working to bring to me the highest good."

"All obstacles now vanish from my pathway. Doors fly open, gates are lifted and I enter the kingdom of fulfillment, here and now!"

"My good now flows to me in a steady, unbroken ever-increasing stream of success, happiness, and abundance."

"I am in perfect harmony with the working of Universal Law. I stand aside and let Infinite Intelligence make easy and successful my life and circumstances."

"I am as necessary to God as He is to me, for I am the channel to bring His plan to pass."

"Infinite Intelligence can not fail, so I can not fail. The warrior within me has already won."

Any of the above affirmations or those of your own choosing, such as the 23rd Psalm, etc., if continually sent to the sub-conscious mind will in time be accepted by this tremendous power and it will become the directing principle of your life. However, it is important to remember not to nullify these positive suggestions by entertaining negative thoughts or beliefs. Instead you must reinforce these sub-conscious commands with the most positive mental state that you can conceive.

In time the process of reversing negative mental states and making positive sub-conscious commands will become habitual and automatic. By the time you have reached this stage you will be amazed to find that your self and circumstances have been miraculously transformed. You will no longer be perplexed by seemingly "unsolvable" problems. You will merely hand them over to your sub-conscious mind and forget it. Sometime later or the next morning when you are thinking of nothing in particular, the answer will suddenly flash into your mind and with a sigh of relief you will gratefully acknowledge the higher powers for solving all your problems.

The time above all times for making affirmations and denials and for submitting problems to be solved by the sub-conscious, is right before falling asleep and immediately upon awakening. It is at these times when the sub-conscious is most impressionable.

Begin now to train your higher powers, start affirming success and prosperity NOW. Render your thoughts and beliefs super positive now. Start now to mold your life by molding your mind. Deny all that appears evil, affirm all that is good. Go forward with joy and gladness. From this moment on you can never fail, for you have the secret of controlling your life. Remember the power of the sub-conscious is illimitable; its only limitations are the ones you put in front of it by lack of faith and negative thinking. Remember the words of St. Paul: "Be ye transformed by the renewal of your mind." Remember the teachings of this lesson; may they guide you in your new life to come.

We leave this lesson with the following mental demand to be directed to the sub-conscious mind before going to sleep and upon arising.

I now realize that within me there are infinite powers seeking expression. These latent forces have been lying dormant because "I" the commander was unaware of their existence and have not ordered them to achieve the first thing.

"I" now recognize myself as an individual center of life, mind, consciousness and volitionary power, my existence being part of the one life, the one mind, the one power.

As part of my divine heritage "I" possess the same properties as the "source" from which "I" come.

I now will that these sub-conscious powers take dominion over my life, and fill my life with purpose and inspiration.

I now demand these inner forces to guide me unerringly to the highest level of achievement of which "I" am capable.

I know that in strict accordance with the laws of mind, this process begins immediately. I will not resist the changes that take place in my life no matter how little I understand them. I will use all of life's experience as a means of bettering myself. I shall always strive to maintain the highest viewpoint of experiences that appear negative.

Henceforth, I gain as much from my mistakes as from my successes, therefore "I" can never fail.

All is said and done, "I" am humbly grateful for the glorious life that is unfolding now!