Poise and Power · 7 of 11
Chapter VII
Be composed and self-possessed. Forget the outer self by thinking deeply about the inner self. This is extremely important, because complete self-possession is the result of mild surface action, and a full, strong, serene interior action.
To forget the outer self does not mean to ignore the objective and the physical life, but to establish the center of conscious action in the larger interior life. What we become conscious of, that we shall express; therefore, when we consciously live in the larger, interior life, we shall express a larger measure of life, and consequently the outer self will be far better supplied and cared for than if we lived on the surface.
In the attitude of complete self-possession the mind has full conscious control of every action of the personality, and can therefore prevent every unnecessary movement of thought or muscular activity.
It is a fact to be well remembered that every unnecessary movement of mind or body is an uncontrolled movement; and that every uncontrolled movement wastes energy. In the average person, restless, nervous, uncontrolled action is almost a habit, appearing especially in unnecessary movements of hands and feet. This is a lack of Poise and must be overcome.
However, when we try to remove unnecessary surface action, we are liable to be drawn to the opposite extreme and become too quiet. In this age, when the inner life is being studied so extensively, a great many arrive at the conclusion that the serene life is the only true life. This conclusion is based upon the discovery that the higher consciousness can be attained only through the perfect calm; but though the perfect calm is necessary to the attainment of any larger or higher state of mind or consciousness, still, the perfect calm alone will not bring these things.
Too many students of the new life have aimed at simply becoming quiet, acting upon the belief that both wisdom and power will come in the silence; but in their efforts in this direction they have overlooked one of the greatest principles of attainment in existence, viz: no attainment is possible without power; and power cannot act constructively unless it acts in peace.
A person may become quiet in a superficial way without preventing in the least the constant waste of energy through the various sources mentioned. In this quiet state he may expect to gain power, but no power will be gained until he stops the waste of power, and consciously unites peace with power.
We must remember that the consciousness of peace and the consciousness of power are two distinct states of consciousness. Though both states may exist in the mind at the same time, still, if they are separated nothing will be gained as far as the gaining of power is concerned. The quiet person has the consciousness of peace: the strenuous person has the consciousness of power; but neither has Poise, and both are wasting their energies to an enormous extent. The strenuous person scatters his forces broadcast by forceful action; the quiet person fails to hold on to any of his energies and permits them to gently slip away.
When the consciousness of peace and the consciousness of power are united we have a new state of consciousness, and this consciousness is Poise. Therefore, when we proceed to change the center of consciousness from the plane of restless surface action to the plane of serene interior action, we must not forget to keep power in mind, as well as peace.
In this connection, the attitude of deep soul satisfaction should be cultivated to the fullest extent; also a state of uninterrupted contentment. This may seem difficult to do when everything in life is the way we do not wish it to be; but we must remember that happiness does not come from circumstances or things.
Happiness does not come from having much, but from being much. And he who is much will inevitably possess much.
Contentment and soul satisfaction hold power in the system, and thus aid directly in giving the person the greater power required to make everything in life become the way he desires it to be.
Deep soul satisfaction will also promote the consciousness of Poise, and give to mind a clear conception of what Poise actually is. In other words, Poise will be felt; and we do not understand Poise until we feel it.
After we have felt Poise, we know the way to the mental attitude of Poise, and can successfully enter this attitude at any time and under any circumstance.
When we have learned to do this, we should always act in Poise, whether our work be physical or mental, or both. To act in Poise does not require slow, measured movements, as too many suppose. You can work with lightning speed and still be in Poise. In fact, the more perfect your Poise, the more rapidly you can work, and the higher will be the quality of your product.
It may appear to be a startling fact, nevertheless it is true, that when you work in Poise you will never feel tired, providing you secure eight hours sleep out of every twentyfour.
Always think in Poise, and feel every thought to be calm and strong. If every thought does not produce a calm, strong feeling in mind, you are out of Poise and are losing mental energy. To think in Poise is a very high art, and will aid remarkably in developing ability and mental capacity. To cultivate this art, give the feeling of Poise to every thought, and gradually you will think more and more in Poise without trying to do so. There are few attainments that are of greater value than to be able to speak in Poise. The public speaker who can speak in Poise will reach the very soul of his audience and every word will carry conviction. The same is true of the musician who can sing or play in Poise; also of the actor who can act in Poise. In our daily association with people we shall find that the word spoken in Poise is the word which produces the results desired. In brief, if we have to depend upon our voice for success, we shall never fail when we speak in Poise.
To cultivate this fine art, speak gently, calmly, and with serene power. It is not necessary to always speak slowly, but every word should have soul—a strong, silent soul.
Another great attainment is to be able to read in Poise; though the average person is never in Poise while he reads. The cause of this is the habit of rushing through an article to get the main points, or skimming over as much matter as possible in a given time.
When we read something which is not interesting, we pass on as rapidly as possible to get through with it. When we read something which is interesting, we are constantly on tip-toe to discover what is coming next. The result is nervousness, restlessness, waste of energy, and the formation of tendencies which lead mind into the shallow, the superficial, and the inferior. To cultivate the art of reading in Poise, select the best, or that which is absolutely necessary for you to read, and read very quietly at first. Realize that it is not how much you read that counts, but how much you gain from that which you do read. Express the feeling of Poise in every word that is mentally spoken, and try to discern the inner meaning of every statement made. This will develop depth of feeling in connection with your reading which is so necessary to the attainment of Poise.
In a very short time you will naturally enter the attitude of Poise whenever you take up something to read; and you will be able to read with considerable speed without losing your Poise in the least. To read in Poise not only saves energy, but it develops depth of thought, lucidity of intellect, and evolves a much clearer understanding of that which is read.
Among all great attainments, that of going to sleep in Poise is by no means the least; because no one can fully gain that for which he goes to sleep unless he goes to sleep in Poise. This is very important, as we can not impress the subconscious with any satisfactory results unless we go to sleep in Poise.
Recent investigations have demonstrated the fact that the subconscious will respond to any idea or desire held in mind as we go to sleep; and also, that the great possibilities of the within can in this way be gradually brought into expression. But we must go to sleep in Poise to have these extraordinary results. To go to sleep in Poise, relax mind and body; feel the soul of Poise, and realize the fullness of the silent life.
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