Hidden Powers

The part played by Earnestness, Enthusiasm and Desire. The Manifestation of Will-Power. The Will and what lies behind it.

The role of earnestness, enthusiasm, and desire. The expression of willpower. The will and what lies behind it.

The majority of you know by actual experience in everyday life that we have within our physical organism that which we call “second-wind.” We have essayed some physical task, and after a bit found ourselves “winded,” that is short of breath, and we are tempted to stop and rest our panting bodies. But, we have also found by experience that if we will stick to the task at hand the feeling of physical distress will usually pass away, and we will gain what is called our “second-wind.” Now just what this “second-wind” is, is a matter that has long perplexed physiologists, and even today they have not been able to hand us down a very good guess at the underlying cause of the phenomenon. It seems to be a fresh start acquired by reason of the opening up of reserve stores of vital energy—latent physical power stored away for such emergencies. All persons who have engaged in athletic sports know very well the details of this peculiar physiological phenomenon—its actuality is too firmly established to admit any doubt.

Most of you know from everyday experience that our bodies have what we call “second-wind.” We have tried a physical task and soon found ourselves “winded,” or short of breath. Then we are tempted to stop and rest, panting as we are. But experience has also taught us that if we stick with the task, the physical distress usually passes. We gain what is called our “second-wind.” Physiologists have long puzzled over exactly what “second-wind” is. Even today, they have not been able to offer a very good guess about its underlying cause. It seems to be a fresh start that comes from tapping into reserves of vital energy. This physical power lies dormant until such emergencies arise. All people who have taken part in sports know the details of this peculiar physical phenomenon. Its reality is too firmly established to admit any doubt.

And, as is often the case, examination shows a curious parallel between the working of Nature on the mental plane and on the physical. Just as there is a physical “second-wind,” so is there a mental reserve force or latent energy upon which we can draw and thus get a fresh start. The phenomena attendant upon physical “second-wind,” as noted above, is almost exactly duplicated by certain mental phenomena. We may be jaded while performing some tedious bit of mental work, and we begin to feel that we are “all in,” when lo! Some new in—and away we are off with a full mental “second-wind” doing our work with a freshness, vigor and enthusiasm far surpassing the original effort. We have tapped into a fresh source or supply of mental energy.

As often happens, we find a curious parallel between how Nature works in the mind and in the body. Just as the body has a “second-wind,” the mind has a reserve of hidden energy. We can draw on this energy to make a fresh start. As noted above, the effects of a physical “second-wind” are almost exactly matched by certain mental experiences. We may grow tired while doing tedious mental work and begin to feel “all in.” Then, suddenly, something new comes in, and we are off with a full mental “second-wind.” We work with freshness, vigor, and enthusiasm far greater than when we began. We have tapped into a fresh supply of mental energy.

The majority of us have little or no conception of the reserve mental energies and forces contained within our being. We jog along at our customary gait, thinking that we are doing our best and getting all out of life that there is in it—think we are expressing ourselves to our utmost capacity. But we are living only in the first-wind mental state, and behind our working mentality are stores of wonderful mental energy and power—faculties lying dormant—power lying latent—awaiting the magic command of the Will in order to awaken into activity and outward expression. We are far greater beings than we have realized—we are giants of power, if we did but know it. Many of us are like young elephants that allow themselves to be mastered by weak men, and put through their paces, little dreaming of the mighty strength and power concealed within their organisms.

Most of us have little or no idea of the reserve mental energy and power within us. We go along at our usual pace, thinking we are doing our best and getting everything we can out of life. We think we are expressing ourselves to our fullest capacity. But we are using only our initial burst of mental energy. Behind our active minds are stores of wonderful mental energy and power. Our abilities lie dormant, and our power waits for the magic command of the will to awaken and express itself. We are far greater beings than we have realized. If only we knew it, we are giants of power. Many of us are like young elephants that let weak men control them and put them through their paces. The elephants have little idea of the mighty strength and power hidden within their bodies.

Those of you who have read our little manual entitled “The Inner Consciousness” will recall what we said therein regarding the regions above and below the plane of the ordinary outer consciousness. And on those hidden planes of the mind, are untold possibilities—the raw materials for mighty mental tasks and achievement—the storage batteries of wonderful accomplishment. The trouble with us is that we do not realize the existence of these faculties. We think that we are merely what we manifest in our ordinary dogtrot gait. Another problem is that we have not had the incentive to take action—we have lacked the interest to do great things—we haven’t wanted to hard enough. This “want-to-hard-enough” is the great inciting power in life. Desire is the fire which rouses up the steam of Will. Without Incentive—and that means Desire—we accomplish nothing. Given the great, earnest, burning ardent Desire as an animating force—the great incentive to take action, and we are able to get up this mental “second-wind”—yes, third, fourth, and fifth winds—tapping one plane of inward power after another, until we work mental miracles.

Those of you who have read our little manual, “The Inner Consciousness,” will recall what we said about the regions above and below ordinary outward consciousness. Those hidden levels of the mind hold untold possibilities. They contain the raw materials for great mental tasks and achievements, the storage batteries of remarkable accomplishment. The trouble is that we do not realize these faculties exist. We think we are only what we show in our ordinary daily routine. Another problem is that we have had no incentive to act. We have lacked the interest to do great things. We haven’t wanted to hard enough. This “want-to-hard-enough” is the great driving power in life. Desire is the fire that raises the steam of Will. Without Incentive, which means Desire, we accomplish nothing. With a great, earnest, burning, ardent Desire to drive us to action, we can find a mental “second-wind.” Yes, we can find third, fourth, and fifth winds, drawing on one level of inner power after another until we work mental miracles.

We wonder at the achievements of the great men in all walks of life, and we are apt to excuse ourselves by the sad remark that these people seem to “have it in them,” while we have not. Nonsense, we all have it in us to do things a hundred times greater than we are doing. The trouble is not in greater than we are doing. The trouble is not in the lack of power and mental material, but in the Desire and Interest, and Incentive to arouse into activity those wonderful storehouses of dynamic power within our mentality—we fail to call into our disposal, and which is like all other natural powers and forces eager and anxious to be manifested and expressed. Yes, that’s what we said “anxious and eager,” for all natural forces, penned up and in a static condition seem to be bursting with desire to manifest and express into outer dynamic activity. This seems to be a law of life and nature. Nature and all in it seems to be eager for active expression. Have you not been surprised at yourselves at times, when under some slightly higher pressure and incentive Something Within you seemed to break its bounds and fairly carry you off of your feet in its rush into active work? Have you not accomplished tasks under the stress of a sudden urgent need, that you would have deemed impossible in cold-blood. Have you not carried all before you when you “warmed-up” to the task, whereas your ordinary self would have stood around doing nothing under ordinary circumstances.

We marvel at the achievements of great men in all walks of life. We tend to excuse ourselves by sadly saying that these people seem to “have it in them,” while we do not. Nonsense. We all have it in us to do things a hundred times greater than what we are doing. The problem is not a lack of power or mental resources. It is a lack of Desire, Interest, and Incentive to awaken the wonderful stores of dynamic power within our minds. We fail to put this power to use. Like all other natural powers and forces, it is eager and anxious to show and express itself. Yes, we said “anxious and eager.” All natural forces, when held in and inactive, seem ready to burst with the desire to become active in the world. This seems to be a law of life and nature. Nature and everything in it seem eager for active expression. Have you not sometimes surprised yourself when a little more pressure and incentive set Something Within you free? Did it not nearly sweep you off your feet as it rushed into active work? Under the pressure of a sudden, urgent need, have you not accomplished tasks you would have thought impossible in calmer moments? When you “warmed-up” to a task, have you not overcome every obstacle? Yet under ordinary circumstances, your ordinary self would have stood around doing nothing.

Earnestness and Enthusiasm are two great factors in bringing into operation these latent forces, and dormant powers of the mentality. But one need not stand by and wait until you work yourself into a fit of fervor before the energies spring into action. You can by a careful training of the Will—or rather, by a carefully training of yourself use your Will—manage to get hold of the mental throttle, so that you may pull it down and turn on a full head of steam whenever necessary. And when you have once mastered this, you will find that you are not any more tired when running under full pressure, than when you are crawling along—this being one of the Secrets of Success.

Earnestness and enthusiasm are two powerful forces that bring your hidden mental powers into action. But you do not have to wait until you work yourself into a state of excitement before your energies awaken. You can carefully train your will, or rather, train yourself to use it. In this way, you can take hold of your mental throttle and turn on a full head of steam whenever necessary. Once you have mastered this, you will find that running at full pressure is no more tiring than crawling along. This is one of the Secrets of Success.

To many a person, the term “The Will,” means merely a firm, steadfastness of mind, akin to Determination and Fixity of Purpose. To others it means something like Desire. To others, it means “the power of choice,” etc. But to occultists, the Will is something far more than these things—it means a Vital Power—an Acting Force of the Mind—capable of dominating and ruling the other mental faculties as well as projecting itself beyond the mental organs of the individual and affecting others coming within its field of influence. And it is in this sense that we use the word “Will” in this lesson.

To many people, “The Will” simply means a firm, steady mind, much like Determination and Fixity of Purpose. To others, it means something like Desire. To still others, it means “the power of choice,” and so on. But to occultists, the Will is much more than these things. It is a Vital Power, an Acting Force of the Mind. It can dominate and control the other mental faculties. It can also project itself beyond a person’s mental organs and affect others within its field of influence. This is the sense in which we use the word “Will” in this lesson.

We have no desire to take the reader into the dim realms of metaphysics, or even into the lighter but still arduous paths of scientific psychology, but we must acquaint him with the fact of the existence of this thing that we call Will Power, and its relation to the “I.” Of all the mental faculties or powers, that of the Will is the closest to the “I” or Ego of the person. It is the Sword of Power clasped in the hand of the Ego. One may divorce himself in thought from the other mental faculties and states, but when he thinks of the “I” he is bound to think of it as possessing that power which we call Will. The Will is a primal, original power of the “I” which is always with it until the end. It is the force with which he rules (or should rule) his mental and physical kingdom—the power of which his Individuality manifests itself upon the outside world.

We do not want to lead the reader into the dim realms of metaphysics. Nor do we want to take him down the lighter but still difficult paths of scientific psychology. But we must make him aware of what we call Will Power and its relation to the “I.” Of all mental faculties or powers, the Will is closest to a person’s “I” or Ego. It is the Sword of Power held in the hand of the Ego. A person can imagine himself apart from his other mental faculties and states. But when he thinks of the “I,” he must think of it as possessing the power we call Will. The Will is a primal, original power of the “I,” and it stays with the “I” until the end. It is the force with which he rules (or should rule) his mental and physical kingdom. It is the power through which his Individuality makes itself known in the outside world.

Desire is the great motive power inciting the Will to action in life. As we have shown you the action of Will without the motive power of Desire is unthinkable, and therefore it follows that the culture and right direction of Desire carries with it the channel of expression and manifestation of the Will. You cultivate certain Desires, in order that the Will may flow out along these channels. By cultivating the Desire along certain lines, you are making channels along which the Will may flow in its rush toward expression and manifestation. So be sure to map out your Desire channels clearly by making the proper Mental Images of what you want—be sure and make the Desire channels deep and clear-cut by the force of repeated attention and autosuggestion.

Desire is the great driving force that moves the Will to act in life. As we have shown, the Will cannot act without the driving force of Desire. So when you cultivate and rightly direct Desire, you also guide how the Will expresses and reveals itself. You cultivate certain Desires so that the Will can flow through those channels. By cultivating Desire in certain directions, you create channels for the Will as it rushes toward expression. So be sure to map out your channels of Desire clearly. Form the right Mental Images of what you want. Make the channels deep and clear through repeated attention and autosuggestion.

History is filled with examples of men who have developed the use of the Will. We say “developed the use” rather than “developed Will,” for man does not develop his Will—his Will is always there ready for use—a man develops his ability to use the Will—perfects himself in its use. We have frequently used the following illustration, and have not been able to improve upon it: Man is like a trolley car, with the upraised trolley-pole of his mind reaching out to the live wire of Will. Along that wire is flowing the current of Will Power, which it “taps” and draws down into his mind, and by which he is able to move, and act and manifest power. But the power is always in the Wire, and his “developing” consists in the ability to raise the pole to the Wire, and thus “tap into” its energy. If you will carry this idea in your mind, you will be able to apply this truth more easily in your everyday life.

History is full of examples of men who have learned to use the Will. We say “learned to use” rather than “developed Will” because a man does not develop his Will. His Will is always there, ready to use. He develops his ability to use it and perfects that ability. We have often used the following illustration and have not been able to improve on it: A man is like a trolley car. The raised trolley pole of his mind reaches out to the live wire of Will. The current of Will Power flows along that wire. The mind “taps” it and draws it down, enabling the man to move, act, and show power. But the power is always in the Wire. His “development” consists of learning to raise the pole to the Wire and thus “tap into” its energy. If you keep this idea in mind, you will be able to apply this truth more easily in everyday life.

A great promoter of the steel-pen, and electroplating industries, possesses this quality to a marked degree. It has been said of him that: “He had, to begin with, a strong, powerful, almost irresistible Will; and whoever and whatever he opposed, he surely conquered in the end.” Buxton said: “The longer I live, the more certain I am that the great difference between men, between the feeble and the powerful, the great and the insignificant, is Energy—Invincible Determination—a purpose once fixed, and the Victory or Death. That quality will do anything that can be done in this world—and no talents, no circumstances, no opportunities, will make a two-legged creature a man without it. In this last quotation and the one preceding it, the idea of Persistence and Determination is identified closely with that of Will. And they are closely identified, the idea being that the Will should be held close, fast, and steadily against the task to be accomplished, just as the steel chisel is held firmly up against the object on the lathe, until its work is accomplished. It is not the mere Determination or Persistency that does the work—these would be of no avail unless the Will were there to do the cutting and shaping. But then again, there is a double-aspect of Will here—the Will in one phase does the work, while in another it forces the mind to hold it up against the task. So, in a sense the Will is the power back of Determination and persistency, as well as the force doing the work—the cutting-edge of the chisel, as well as the firm hand that holds it to its work.

A leading promoter of the steel-pen and electroplating industries has this quality to a remarkable degree. It has been said of him: “He had, to begin with, a strong, powerful, almost irresistible will. He always conquered whoever or whatever he opposed in the end.” Buxton said: “The longer I live, the more certain I am of this. The great difference between men, between the weak and the powerful, the great and the insignificant, is energy. It is invincible determination, a purpose once fixed, and victory or death. That quality will do anything that can be done in this world. Without it, no talents, circumstances, or opportunities will make a two-legged creature a man.” In both quotations, persistence and determination are closely linked with will. And they are closely linked. The idea is that the will should be held firmly and steadily against the task at hand. It should be held there just as a steel chisel is held firmly against an object on a lathe until its work is done. Determination or persistence alone does not do the work. Neither would be of any use unless the will were there to do the cutting and shaping. But will has two sides here. In one, it does the work. In the other, it forces the mind to hold the will against the task. So, in a sense, will is both the power behind determination and persistence and the force doing the work. It is both the cutting edge of the chisel and the firm hand that holds it to its work.

Simpson has said: “A passionate Desire, and an unwearied Will can perform impossibilities, or what would seem to be such, to the cold and feeble.” Disraeli said: “I have brought myself by long meditation to the conviction that a human being with a settled purpose must accomplish it, and that nothing can resist a Will which will stake even existence upon its fulfillment.” Foster says: “It is wonderful how even the casualties of life seem to bow to a spirit that will not bow to them, and yield to sub-serve a design which they may, in their first apparent tendency, threaten to frustrate. When a firm, decisive spirit is recognized, it is curious to see how the space clears around a man and leaves him room and freedom.” Mitchell has said: “Resolve is what makes a man manifest; not puny resolve; not crude determination; not errant purpose—but that strong and indefatigable Will which treads down difficulties and danger, as a boy treads down the heaving frost lands of winter, which kindles his eye and brain with a proud pulse-beat toward the unattainable. Will makes men giants.”

Simpson said: “Passionate desire and tireless will can achieve impossibilities, or what would seem impossible to the cold and weak.” Disraeli said: “After long reflection, I have become convinced that a person with a fixed purpose must achieve it. Nothing can resist a will that is prepared to stake even its existence on fulfilling that purpose.” Foster says: “It is remarkable how even life’s misfortunes seem to bow to a spirit that refuses to bow to them. They seem to help a plan that they may at first appear likely to frustrate. When people recognize a firm, decisive spirit, it is curious to see how the space clears around a man. He is left with room and freedom.” Mitchell said: “Resolve is what reveals a man. Not weak resolve, crude determination, or misguided purpose, but strong and tireless will. Such will tramples difficulties and danger, as a boy tramples winter ground heaved up by frost. It lights up his eyes and mind with a proud, pulsing drive toward the unattainable. Will makes men giants.”

So, raise that mental trolley-pole, and touch the live wire of Will.

So, raise your mental trolley pole and connect it to the live wire of Will.