Energy and Power

HOW wonderful is the universal energy! Never-tiring, inexhaustible, and apparently eternal in its operation, it moves in atom and in star, informing the fleeting shapes of time with its restless, glowing, pulsating power.

How wonderful is the energy of the universe! It never tires, never runs out, and seems to work forever. It moves through atoms and stars, filling the passing forms of time with its restless, glowing, pulsing power.

Man is a portion of this creative energy, and in him it manifests, through a combination of mental faculties, as affection, passion, intelligence, morality, reason, understanding, and wisdom. He is not merely a blind conductor of energy, but he consciously uses, controls, and directs it. Slowly, but with certainty, is he gaining control of the forces without, and is making them do him obedient service; and just as surely will he gain control of the forces within—the subtle energies of thought—and direct them into channels of harmony and happiness.

Human beings are part of this creative energy. In them, a combination of mental faculties expresses this energy as affection, passion, intelligence, morality, reason, understanding, and wisdom. People do not merely conduct energy blindly. They consciously use, control, and direct it. Slowly but surely, they are gaining control of external forces and making them serve their needs. Just as surely, they will gain control of the forces within, the subtle energies of thought. They will direct these energies toward harmony and happiness.

Man’s true place in the Cosmos is that of a king, not a slave, a commander under the Law of Good, and not a helpless tool in the reign of Evil. His own body and mind are the dual dominion over which he is to reign, a Lord of Truth, the master of himself, the wise user and controller of his store of pure, eternal, creative energy. Let him walk the earth unashamed, strong, valiant, tender, and benign; no longer prostrate in self-abasement, but walking erect in the dignity of perfect manhood; not grovelling in selfishness and remorse,. and crying for pardon and mercy, but standing firm and free in the sublime majesty of a sinless life.

Man’s true place in the universe is as a king, not a slave. He is a commander under the Law of Good, not a helpless tool under the rule of Evil. His body and mind are the two realms he must rule. He must be a Lord of Truth and master of himself, wisely using and controlling his store of pure, eternal, creative energy. Let him walk the earth without shame, strong, brave, gentle, and kind. Let him no longer lie bowed down in self-abasement, but walk upright in the dignity of perfect manhood. Let him no longer grovel in selfishness and remorse, crying out for pardon and mercy. Instead, let him stand firm and free in the sublime majesty of a sinless life.

Long has man regarded himself as vile, and weak, and unworthy, and has been content to remain so; but in the new era which has just now burst upon the world, he is to make the glorious discovery that he is pure, and powerful, and noble when he rises up and wills; and the rising up is not against any outward enemy; not against neighbour, nor governments, nor laws, nor spirits, nor principalities, nor powers, but against the ignorance, folly, and misery which beset him in the dominion of his own mind. For it is only by ignorance and folly that man is slavish; by knowledge and wisdom his kingship is restored.

For a long time, people have thought of themselves as vile, weak, and unworthy, and have been content to remain so. But a new era has just dawned on the world. In this era, people will make a glorious discovery. When they rise up and choose to do so, they are pure, powerful, and noble. They rise up not against any external enemy. They do not rise against neighbors, governments, laws, spirits, principalities, or powers. Instead, they rise against the ignorance, folly, and misery that beset them in their own minds. For people are slavish only because of ignorance and folly. Through knowledge and wisdom, their kingship is restored.

Let them who will, preach man’s weakness and helplessness, but I will teach his strength and power. I write for men, not for babes; for those who are eager to learn, and earnest to achieve; for those who will put away (for the world’s good) a petty personal indulgence, a selfish desire, a mean thought, and live on as though it were not, sans craving and regret. The Truth is not for the frivolous and the thoughtless; the Life Triumphant is not for triflers and loiterers.

Let others preach that people are weak and helpless, but I will teach their strength and power. I write for adults, not for babies. I write for those who are eager to learn and determined to achieve. For the good of the world, they will give up a petty indulgence, a selfish desire, or a mean thought. They will live on as though it had never existed, without craving it or regretting its loss. Truth is not for the frivolous and thoughtless. The Life Triumphant is not for those who waste time and drift through life.

Man is a master. If he were not, he could not act contrary to law. Thus his so-called weakness is an indication of strength; his sin is the inversion of his capacity for holiness. For what is his weakness and sin but misdirected energy, misapplied power? In this sense, the wrong-doer is strong, not weak; but he is ignorant, and exerts his strength in wrong directions instead of right, against the law of things instead of with it. Suffering is the recoil of misdirected strength. The bad man becomes good by reversing his conduct. If you are weeping over your sins, cease to commit those sins, and establish yourself in their opposing virtues. It is thus that weakness is converted into strength, helplessness into power, and suffering into bliss. By turning his energies from the old channels of vice, and directing them into the new channels of virtue, the sinner becomes the saint.

Man is a master. If he were not, he could not act against the law. So his so-called weakness is a sign of strength, and his sin is his capacity for holiness turned upside down. What are weakness and sin but misdirected energy and misused power? In this sense, the wrongdoer is strong, not weak. But he is ignorant and uses his strength in wrong directions instead of right ones. He works against the law of things instead of with it. Suffering is the backlash of misdirected strength. A bad man becomes good by changing his conduct. If you are weeping over your sins, stop committing them and make their opposing virtues part of your character. This is how weakness becomes strength, helplessness becomes power, and suffering becomes bliss. The sinner becomes a saint by turning his energies away from the old paths of vice. He directs them instead into the new paths of virtue.

While the universal energy may be unlimited, in particular forms its sum is strictly limited. A man is possessed of a given amount of energy, and he can use or misuse it, can conserve and concentrate it, or dissipate and disperse it. Power is concentrated energy; wisdom is that energy adapted to beneficent ends. He is the man of influence and power who directs all his energies towards one great purpose, and patiently works and waits for its fulfilment, sacrificing his desires in other and more pleasant directions. He is the man of folly and weakness who, thinking chiefly of pleasure, gratifies the desire of the hour, or follows the whim and impulse of the moment, and so drifts thoughtlessly into peevishness and poverty of mind.

While universal energy may be unlimited, the amount in any particular form is strictly limited. A man has a given amount of energy. He can use it well or misuse it. He can conserve and concentrate it, or waste and scatter it. Power is concentrated energy. Wisdom is energy directed toward beneficial ends. A man of influence and power directs all his energy toward one great purpose. He patiently works and waits for that purpose to be fulfilled, sacrificing his desires for other, more pleasant things. A foolish and weak man thinks chiefly of pleasure. He satisfies the desire of the hour or follows the whim and impulse of the moment. In this way, he drifts thoughtlessly into irritability and poverty of mind.

The energy used in one direction is not available for use in other directions: this is a universal law both in mind and matter. Emerson calls it “the law of compensation.” Gain in a given direction necessitates loss in its opposite direction. The force placed in one scale is deducted from the other scale. Nature is always endeavouring to strike a balance. The energy which is dissipated in idleness is not given to work. The pleasure-seeker cannot also be the Truth-seeker. The force wasted in a fit of bad temper is drawn from the man’s store of virtue, particularly the virtue of patience. Spiritually, this law of compensation is the law of sacrifice. Selfish pleasure must be sacrificed if purity is to be gained; hatred must be yielded up if love is to be acquired; vice must be renounced if virtue is to be embraced.

Energy used in one direction is not available for use in others. This is a universal law of both mind and matter. Emerson calls it “the law of compensation.” Gain in one direction requires loss in the opposite direction. The force placed on one side of the scale is taken from the other. Nature is always trying to reach a balance. Energy wasted in idleness is not used for work. A person who seeks pleasure cannot also seek Truth. The force wasted in a burst of anger comes from a man’s store of virtue, especially patience. Spiritually, this law of compensation is the law of sacrifice. Selfish pleasure must be sacrificed to gain purity. Hatred must be given up to gain love. Vice must be rejected to embrace virtue.

Earnest men soon discover that if they are to accomplish anything that is successful, strong, and enduring, either in worldly, intellectual, or spiritual channels, they must curb their desires, and sacrifice much that seems sweet; yea, even much that seems important. Hobbies, bodily and mental indulgences, enticing companionships, alluring pleasures, and all work that does not tend to some central purpose in his life, must be sacrificed by the man of strong resolve. He opens his eyes to the fact that time and energy are strictly limited, and so he economizes the one and concentrates the other.

Earnest people soon discover that they must control their desires to achieve anything successful, strong, and lasting. This is true whether their goals are worldly, intellectual, or spiritual. They must give up much that seems pleasant, and even much that seems important. A person of strong resolve must give up hobbies, physical and mental indulgences, tempting company, and alluring pleasures. They must also give up all work that does not serve a central purpose in their life. They realize that time and energy are strictly limited. So they use time carefully and focus their energy.

Foolish men waste their energies in swinish ease and gluttonous indulgence, in frivolous pleasures and empty talk; in hateful thoughts and irritable outbursts of passion; in vain controversy and meddlesome interference; and then complain that many are more “fortunately” equipped than they are for a useful, successful, or great life, and they envy their honoured neighbour who has sacrificed self to duty, and has devoted all his energies to the faithful performance of the business of his life. “Не who is just, speaks the truth, and does what is his own business, him the world will hold dear.” Let a man attend to his own business, consecrating all his faculties to, and concentrating all his energies upon, the perfect accomplishment of the task of his life, not stepping aside to condemn or interfere with the duties of others, and he will find life simple, strong, and happy.

Foolish men waste their energies on piglike laziness and gluttony, trivial pleasures and empty talk. They waste them on hateful thoughts and irritable outbursts of passion, pointless arguments and meddling in others’ affairs. Then they complain that many others are more “fortunately” equipped for a useful, successful, or great life. They envy their honored neighbor, who has sacrificed self for duty and devoted all his energies to faithfully carrying out his life’s work. “The world will cherish a man who is just, speaks the truth, and minds his own business.” Let a man mind his own business and devote all his abilities and energies to carrying out his life’s task perfectly. Let him do so without turning aside to condemn or interfere with the duties of others. Then he will find life simple, strong, and happy.

The universe is girt with goodness and strength, and it protects the good and the strong. Evil and weakness are self-destructive. Dissipation is annihilation. All nature loves strength. I see no inherent cruelty in “the survival of the fittest.” It is a spiritual as well as a natural law. The stronger qualities in the beast are the fittest to evolve a higher type. The nobler moral qualities in man are his emancipators, and it is well that they should dominate and ultimately crush out the ignoble tendencies. Most certain it is that he who gives dominion to the lower, courts destruction, and does not survive, either in the struggle of life without or the battle of Truth within. The life given to the lower is lost to the higher; yea, it is finally lost also to the lower, and so all is lost, for evil is ultimately nothingness. But the life given to the higher is preserved and is not lost to anything, for, while it sacrifices much that the world holds precious, it does not sacrifice anything that is precious in reality. The untrue and the worthless must perish, and he who consecrates himself to the good and the true is content that they should perish, and so at last he stands where sacrifice ends, and all is gain—such a one survives in the struggle of life without, and he conquers in the battle of Truth within.

The universe is surrounded by goodness and strength, and it protects the good and the strong. Evil and weakness destroy themselves. Dissipation leads to annihilation. All nature loves strength. I see no inherent cruelty in “the survival of the fittest.” It is a spiritual law as well as a natural one. The stronger qualities in animals are best suited to produce a higher type. The nobler moral qualities in man set him free. It is right that they should dominate and finally crush his ignoble tendencies. Anyone who gives control to his lower tendencies certainly invites destruction. He does not survive, either in the outward struggle of life or in the inner battle for Truth. A life given to the lower is lost to the higher. Indeed, it is finally lost to the lower as well. So all is lost, for evil is ultimately nothingness. But a life given to the higher is preserved and lost to nothing. Though it sacrifices much that the world holds precious, it sacrifices nothing that is truly precious. What is untrue and worthless must perish. Anyone who dedicates himself to the good and the true is content to let these things perish. At last he reaches a place where sacrifice ends and all is gain. Such a person survives the outward struggle of life and wins the inner battle for Truth.

First, then, be strong. Strength is the firm basis on which is built the temple of the Triumphant Life. Without a central motive and fixed resolve, your life will be a poor, weak, drifting, unstable thing. Let the act of the moment be governed by the deep abiding purpose of the heart. You will act differently at different times, but the act will not be wrong if the heart is right. You may fall and go astray at times, especially under great stress, but you will quickly regain yourself, and will grow wiser and stronger thereby so long as you guide yourself by the moral compass within, and do not throw it away to gratify effeminate indulgence and give yourself up to uncertain drifting. Follow your conscience. Be true to your convictions. Do at the moment what you regard as right, and put away all procrastination, vacillation, and fear. If you are convinced that, in the performance of your duty under certain circumstances the severest measures are necessary, carry out those measures, and let there be no uncertainty about it. Err on the side of strength rather than weakness. The measures you adopt may not be the best, but if they are the best you know, then your plain duty is to carry them out; by so doing you will discover the better way, if you are anxious for progress, and are willing to learn. Deliberate beforehand, but in the time for action do not hesitate. Avoid anger and stubbornness, lust and greed. The angry man is the weak man. The stubborn man, who refuses to learn or to mend his ways, is the foolish man. He grows old in folly, and grey hairs do not bring him reverence or honour. The sensualist has energy for pleasure only, and reserves none for manliness and self-respect. The greedy man is blind to the nobility of human nature and the glory of a true life; he spends his energies in perpetuating the miseries of hell, instead of enjoying the happiness of heaven.

First, be strong. Strength is the firm foundation on which the temple of the Triumphant Life is built. Without a central purpose and firm resolve, your life will be weak, aimless, and unstable. Let your deepest, lasting purpose guide what you do at each moment. You will act differently at different times, but your actions will not be wrong if your heart is right. You may stumble and go astray, especially under great stress. But you will quickly regain your footing and grow wiser and stronger as a result. You will do so as long as you follow your inner moral compass. Do not throw it away for the sake of self-indulgence and give yourself up to aimless drifting. Follow your conscience. Be true to your convictions. Do what you believe is right in the moment. Set aside all procrastination, indecision, and fear. You may be convinced that your duty requires the harshest measures in certain circumstances. If so, carry them out without hesitation. Err on the side of strength rather than weakness. Your measures may not be the best, but if they are the best you know, your clear duty is to carry them out. By doing so, you will discover a better way, if you want to progress and are willing to learn. Think carefully beforehand, but do not hesitate when it is time to act. Avoid anger and stubbornness, lust and greed. An angry man is weak. A stubborn man who refuses to learn or change his ways is foolish. He grows old in his folly, and his gray hair brings him neither respect nor honor. A man devoted to sensual pleasure has energy only for pleasure. He saves none for manliness and self-respect. A greedy man is blind to the nobility of human nature and the glory of a true life. He spends his energy prolonging the miseries of hell instead of enjoying the happiness of heaven.

Your strength is with you, and you can spend it in burrowing downward or in climbing upward. You can dissipate it in selfishness or conserve it in goodness. The same energy will enable you to become a beast or a god. The course along which you direct it will determine its effect. Do not think the thought, “My mind is weak,” but convert weakness into strength, and energy into power by redirecting your mental forces. Turn your thoughts into noble channels. Put away vain longings and foolish regrets; abolish complaint and self-condolence, and have no dalliance with evil. Lift your face upward. Rise up in your divine strength, and spurn from your mind and life all meanness and weakness. Do not live the false life of a puling slave, but live the true life of a conquering master.

Your strength is yours to use. You can spend it digging downward or climbing upward. You can waste it on selfishness or preserve it through goodness. The same energy can make you a beast or a god. How you direct that energy determines its effect. Do not think, “My mind is weak.” Instead, turn weakness into strength and energy into power by redirecting your mental forces. Guide your thoughts toward noble things. Put aside empty desires and foolish regrets. Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself, and have nothing to do with evil. Lift your face upward. Rise in your divine strength and cast all pettiness and weakness out of your mind and life. Do not live the false life of a whining slave. Live the true life of a victorious master.