Poise and Power · 9 of 11

Chapter IX

The object of concentration is to turn all the energy of the system into any channel desired so that the full power of mind and body may be given to the work in which we are engaged now. Experiments have demonstrated that all those forces in the system which do not follow fixed tendencies will, of themselves, accumulate wherever attention is directed. Therefore, those forces can be gathered at any time and at any place by simply concentrating in the proper way. But there are a great many forces in the system that follow fixed tendencies, and that flow steadily through the channels of these tendencies, practically undisturbed by the ordinary processes of thinking, feeling or acting. They are not effected by concentration. No matter how perfect concentration may be, they absolutely refuse to turn in their paths and go where attention may be directed. This, however, is a serious matter, because a large amount of energy is hourly being thrown away through such tendencies that lead to the surface, towards inferiority, or towards functions that are not being used at present.

In a previous chapter we mentioned the fact that every person is born with the tendency to give a certain amount of energy every day to the sex-function, whether that function is being employed or not. We also stated that when the sex-function was not actually and legitimately employed, all such energy was lost. It is therefore evident that a certain amount of energy is constantly being lost through this tendency, whether the person be single or married, moral or immoral. And it has been demonstrated that some persons lose as much as one-half of all the energy generated in their systems, through this one channel.

But this is not the only fixed tendency through which energy is lost. Every habit which exists for mere gratification is founded upon a tendency that leads energy away into nothing. Temper is another; worry still another; likewise, the tendency to become depressed at every indication of reverses.

The person who becomes angry whenever he is antagonized has a fixed tendency towards anger, and energy is being lost through this tendency every hour.

The person who worries whenever things look dark has a fixed tendency towards worry, and is hourly losing energy through this channel. The person who becomes easily depressed has a fixed tendency towards depression, and is every hour giving up energy to this channel of waste.

In this connection we must remember that every fixed tendency conveys energy: that is, energy is constantly flowing through every fixed tendency, and if the tendency is one of the many just mentioned, all that energy is being thrown away. Why the average person loses fully nine-tenths of his power is therefore easily understood.

Since concentration does not affect the forces which follow fixed tendencies, we must find something which does; because we can not permit this great loss to go on.

The remedy is found in transmutation, which is the power to change forces into different rates of vibration.

The law is whenever any force changes its vibration it changes its channel of expression, and is at once distributed throughout the system; but it will readily follow any other tendency in mind that may be strong at the time. Therefore, through transmutation all the energies that are flowing away will be checked and converted into different forces, and be drawn into those new channels where concentration is acting at the time. In this way transmutation places all the forces in the system in the hands of concentration. To the beginner, transmutation may seem to be something extremely difficult, if not impossible; but it is really very simple, and is of such extraordinary value that it should be mastered at once. The principle is to change the rate of the vibrations of all the forces in the system so as to divert their courses. This is done through a simple act of consciousness. To proceed, realize fully that you are the supreme master of all the forces in your system, and that you can change them and direct them as you like. Have full faith and confidence in this conviction, keeping the idea before mind constantly for some days.

When you are ready to begin experiments, place yourself in a quiet attitude and remain perfectly still for some moments. Breathe deeply but quietly, and through the control of your mind produce a balanced condition of the circulation throughout the system. Then turn mind towards the subconscious, concentrating gently upon the deeper consciousness of life in every atom in your being. Picture in mind the life that permeates every fibre in the body and try to feel the mind that thinks in every part of this life. In other words, try to deeply feel the life that permeates your being. When this deeper feeling is felt, pass a wave of thought gently through your entire system, and when you feel that this thought-wave fills every part of the system, draw this thought-wave gently towards the deeper, finer life that permeates the system. Repeat this several times until you can actually feel the forces of your being responding to this deepening of thought.

When this is felt, turn your attention upon some faculty that you wish to develop, and concentrate with full interest in that direction. While doing so you can feel the system being filled with forces you never felt before, and you can also feel them moving with your attention, accumulating where attention is directed.

This practice taken every day will in a few weeks increase your power to a remarkable extent; and you will find that your false or perverted tendencies will have practically disappeared of themselves. By turning the forces of these tendencies into other channels, the tendencies cease to be.

It is well, however, to give each perverted tendency special attention whenever it becomes active. Should you feel the inclination to worry, proceed at once with the process of transmutation, and when you feel the chemical change in the vibrations, enter into a deep interest in the attitude of cheer, brightness and faith. When you feel anger approaching, transmute the forces you feel and concentrate upon love, kindness and sympathy with the whole heart and soul. Whenever you feel the sex-function becoming active and you do not wish to employ that function at present, transmute the energies which you feel, directing your attention especially to those parts of the body where you feel the energies very active, and then gently draw all the refined forces towards other parts of the body, or to special parts of the brain. Such creative energies are very powerful, and to transmute them into physical vitality or mental force will prove most highly beneficial.

All these fixed tendencies are subconscious; therefore, these forces can not be changed except through a change in the subconscious mind life. This is effected through the process just presented. To remove a habit, take up the process of transmutation whenever the desire becomes strong; and when you feel a chemical change in the system, turn attention upon some other desire—some desire which you wish to cultivate.

No habit will remain in the system after the vibrations of the forces that expressed themselves through the habit have been changed. Likewise, the desires for certain unwholesome foods may be permanently removed. Discontinue taking those foods, and when you feel a desire for them, transmute all the energies of the system into finer subconscious vibrations and turn attention upon the desire for some food which is wholesome.

In fact, any desire can be removed in the same way. If you have a strong desire, or love for something or someone that you know can not be fulfilled at present, you can remove that feeling by transmutation. Anything can be changed in mind or body through transmutation. It is a marvelous art and is so simple that anyone can employ it. What is more, nothing but good can come from its use. The reason is that it works only towards the finer and the more perfect.

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