2. The "I" must be something which controls and directs both the body and the mind; something which determines what you shall do and how you shall act. When you come into a realization of the true nature of this "I", you will enjoy a sense of power which you have never before known.
3. Your personality is made up of countless individual characteristics, peculiarities, habits and traits of character; these are the results of your former method of thinking, but they have nothing to do with the real "I".
4. When you say "I think", the "I" tells the mind what it shall think; when you say "I go", the "I" tells the physical body where it shall go; the real nature of this "I" is spiritual, and is the source of the real unity which comes to you when you come into a realization of your true nature.
5. The greatest and most marvellous power which this "I" has been given is the power to think, but few people know how to think constructively or correctly, consequently they achieve only indifferent results. Most people allow their thoughts to dwell on selfish purposes. The inevitable result of an infantile mind. When your mind becomes mature, it understands that the germ of defeat is in every selfish thought.
6. The trained mind knows that every transaction must benefit every person who is in any way connected with the transaction, and any attempt to profit by the weakness, ignorance or necessity of another will inevitably operate to one's disadvantage.
7. This is because the individual is a part of the universal. A part cannot antagonize any other part, but, on the contrary, the welfare of each part depends upon a recognition of the interests of the whole.
8. Those who recognize this principle have a great advantage in your affairs of life. They do not wear themselves out. They can eliminate vagrant thoughts with faculty. They can readily concentrate to the highest degree on any subject. They do not waste time or money upon objects which can be of no possible benefit to them.
9. If you cannot do these things it is because you have thus far not made the necessary effort. The result will be exactly in proportion to the effort expanded. One of the strongest affirmations which you can use for the purpose, plans or prayers of strengthening the will and realizing your unity to accomplish is, "I can be what I will to be".
10. Every time you repeat it, realize who and what this "I" is; try to come into a thorough understanding of the true nature of the "I"; if you do, you will become invincible; that is, provided that your objects, purpose, plans or prayers are constructive and are therefore in harmony with the creative principle of the universe.
11. If you make use of this affirmation, use it continuously, night and morning, and as often during the day as you think of it, and continue to do so until it becomes a part of you; form the habit.
12. Unless you do this, you had better not start at all; because modern high-Philosophy tells that when you start something and do not complete it, or make a resolution and do not keep it, you are forming the habit of failure, absolute, ignominious failure. If you do not intend to do a thing, do not start; if you do start, see it through even if the heavens fall; if you make up your mind to do something, do it, let nothing, or no one interfere; the "I" in you has determined; the thing is settled; the die is cast, there is no longer any argument.
13. If you carry out this idea, beginning with small things which you know you can control and gradually increase the effort, but never under any circumstances allowing your "I" to be over-ruled, you will find that you can eventually control yourself, and many men and women have found to their sorrow that it is easier to control a kingdom than to control thyself.
14. But when you have learned to control yourself, you will have found the "world within" which controls the world without; you will have become irresistible; mankind and things will respond to every wish without any apparent effort on your part.
15. This is not so strange or impossible as it may appear when you remember that the "world within" is controlled by the "I" and that this "I" is a part of or one with the infinite "I" which is the universal power or spirit, usually called GOD.
16. This is not a mere statement or theory made for the purpose of confirming or establishing an idea, but it is a fact which has been accepted by the best religious thought as well as the best scientific thought.
17. Science says: "amid all the mysteries by which you are surrounded, nothing is more certain than that you are ever in the presence of an infinite and external power from which all things proceed."
18. Science says: "You are coming to think of God as dwelling within mankind rather than as operating on mankind from without."
19. Science finds the ever-present eternal power behind this unity and locates it within mankind. But this is by no means a new discovery, the Bible says exactly the same thing, and the language is just as plain and convincing: " Know ye not that ye are the temple of the living God?" Here, then, is the secret of the wonderful creative power of the "world within."
20. Here is the secret of mind mastery. To over-come does not mean to go without things. Self denial is not success. You cannot give unless you get; you cannot be helpful unless you are strong. The infinite is not a bankrupt and you who is the representative of the infinite energy, force and power should not be bankrupt either, and if you wish to be of service to others you must have more energy, force and power, but to get it, you must give it; you must be of service.
21. The more you give the more you shall get; you must become a channel whereby the universal can express activity. The universal is constantly seeking to express yourself, to be of service, and it seeks the channel whereby it can find the greatest activity, where it can do the most good, where it can be of greatest service to mankind.
22. The universal cannot express through you as long as you are busy with your plans, your own purposes; quiet the sences, seek inspiration, focus your mental activity on the within, dwell in the consciousness of your unity with omnipotence. Remember; "still waters run deep"; contemplate the multitudinous opportunities to which you have spiritual access by the omnipresence of power.
23. Visualize the events, circumstances and conditions which these spiritual connections may assist in manifesting. Realize the fact the essence and soul of all things is spiritual and that the spiritual is the real, because it is the life of all there is; when the spirit is gone, the life is gone; it is dead; it has ceased to exist.
24. These mental activities pertain to the world within, to the world of cause; and conditions and circumstances which result are the effect. It is thus that you become the creator. This is important work, and the higher, loftier, grander and more noble the ideals which you can conceive, the more important the work will become.
25. Over-work or over-play or bodily over-activity of any kind produces conditions of mental apathy and stagnation which make it impossible to do the more important work which results in a realization of conscious power. You should, therefore, seek the silence frequently. Power comes through repose; it is in the silence that you can be still, and when you are still, you can think, and thought is the secret of all attainment.
26. Thought is a mode of motion and is carried by the law of vibration, the same as light or electricity. It is given vitality by the emotions through the law of love; it takes form and expression by the Law of Growth; it is a product of the spiritual "I", hence its divine, spiritual and creative nature.
27. From this it is evident that in order to express energy, force and power, abundance or any other constructive purpose, the emotions must be called upon to give feeling to the thought so that it will take form. How may this purpose be accomplished? How may you develop the faith, the courage, the feeling, which will result in accomplishment?
28. The reply is, by exercise; mental exercise is secured in exactly the same way that physical strength is secured, by exercise. You think something, perhaps with difficulty the first time, you think the same thing again, and it becomes easier this time; you think it again and again; it then becomes a mental habit. You continue to think the same thing; finally it becomes automatic; you can no longer help thinking this thing; you are now positive of what you think; there is no longer any doubt about it. You are sure; you know. You must learn to mediate daily.
