Thought Waves and How They Reproduce

Like a stone thrown into the water, thought produces ripples and waves which spread out over the great ocean of thought. There is this difference, however: the waves on the water move only on a level plane in all directions, whereas thought-waves move in all directions from a common center, just as do the rays from the sun.

Like a stone thrown into water, thought creates ripples and waves that spread across the great ocean of thought. But there is a difference. Water waves spread in all directions along a flat surface. Thought waves spread in all directions from a common center, just like rays from the sun.

Just as we here on earth are surrounded by a great sea of air, so are we surrounded by a great sea of Mind. Our thought-waves move through this vast mental ether, extending, however, in all directions, as I have explained, becoming somewhat lessened in intensity according to the distance traversed, because of the friction occasioned by the waves coming in contact with the great body of Mind surrounding us on all sides.

Just as a vast sea of air surrounds us on earth, so does a vast sea of Mind. Our thought waves travel through this vast mental ether, spreading in all directions, as I have explained. The farther they travel, the weaker they become. This is because they encounter friction as they come into contact with the great body of Mind surrounding us on all sides.

These thought-waves have other qualities differing from the waves on the water. They have the property of reproducing themselves. In this respect they resemble sound-waves rather than waves upon the water. Just as a note of the violin will cause the thin glass to vibrate and “sing,” so will a strong thought tend to awaken similar vibrations in minds attuned to receive it. Many of the “stray thoughts” which come to us are but reflections or answering vibrations to some strong thought sent out by another. But unless our minds are attuned to receive it, the thought will not likely affect us. If we are thinking high and great thoughts, our minds acquire a certain keynote corresponding to the character of the thoughts we have been thinking. And, this keynote once established, we will be apt to catch the vibrations of other minds keyed to the same thought. On the other hand, let us get into the habit of thinking thoughts of an opposite character, and we will soon be echoing the low order of thought emanating from the minds of the thousands thinking along the same lines.

These thought-waves have other qualities that distinguish them from waves on water. They can reproduce themselves. In this respect, they resemble sound waves more than waves on water. A violin note can make thin glass vibrate and “sing.” Similarly, a strong thought tends to awaken similar vibrations in minds tuned to receive it. Many of the “stray thoughts” that come to us are simply reflections or answering vibrations from another person’s strong thought. But unless our minds are tuned to receive that thought, it is unlikely to affect us. If we think high and great thoughts, our minds acquire a certain keynote that matches the character of those thoughts. Once this keynote is established, we are likely to catch vibrations from other minds tuned to the same thought. On the other hand, we may develop the habit of thinking thoughts of the opposite character. Then we will soon be echoing the low order of thought coming from the minds of the thousands thinking along the same lines.

We are largely what we have thought ourselves into being, the balance being represented by the character of the suggestions and thought of others, which have reached us either directly by verbal suggestions or telepathically by means of such thought-waves. Our general mental attitude, however, determines the character of the thought-waves received from others as well as the thoughts emanating from ourselves. We receive only such thoughts as are in harmony with the general mental attitude held by ourselves; the thoughts not in harmony affecting us very little, as they awaken no response in us.

We are largely what our thoughts have made us. The rest comes from the suggestions and thoughts of others, which reach us through spoken suggestions or telepathically through thought-waves. However, our general mental attitude determines the kinds of thought-waves we receive from others and the thoughts we send out ourselves. We receive only thoughts that are in harmony with our general mental attitude. Thoughts that are not in harmony with it affect us very little because they awaken no response in us.

The man who believes thoroughly in himself and maintains a positive strong mental attitude of Confidence and Determination is not likely to be affected by the adverse and negative thoughts of Discouragement and Failure emanating from the minds of other persons in whom these last qualities predominate. At the same time these negative thoughts, if they reach one whose mental attitude is pitched on a low key, deepen his negative state and add fuel to the fire which is consuming his strength, or, if you prefer this figure, serve to further smother the fire of his energy and activity.

A man who truly believes in himself and maintains a strong, positive attitude of confidence and determination is unlikely to be affected by the negative thoughts of others. These are thoughts of discouragement and failure, coming from people in whom those qualities dominate. At the same time, if these negative thoughts reach someone whose mental attitude is low, they deepen his negative state. They add fuel to the fire consuming his strength. Or, if you prefer another image, they further smother the fire of his energy and activity.

We attract to us the thoughts of others of the same order of thought. The man who thinks success will be apt to get into tune with the minds of others thinking likewise, and they will help him, and he them. The man who allows his mind to dwell constantly upon thoughts of failure brings himself into close touch with the minds of other “failure” people, and each will tend to pull the other down still more. The man who thinks that all is evil is apt to see much evil, and will be brought into contact with others who will seem to prove his theory. And the man who looks for good in everything and everybody will be likely to attract to himself the things and people corresponding to his thought We generally see that for which we look.

We attract the thoughts of others who think along the same lines. A person who thinks about success is likely to connect with others who think the same way. They will help one another. A person who constantly dwells on thoughts of failure comes into close contact with other “failure” people. Each tends to pull the other down even further. A person who thinks everything is evil is likely to see much evil. They will also meet others who seem to prove their theory. A person who looks for good in everything and everyone is likely to attract things and people that match those thoughts. We generally see what we look for.

You will be able to carry this idea more clearly if you will think of the Marconi wireless instruments, which receive the vibrations only from the sending instrument which has been attuned to the same key, while other telegrams are passing through the air in near vicinity without affecting the instrument. The same law applies to the operations of thought. We receive only that which corresponds to our mental attunement. If we have been discouraged, we may rest assured that we have dropped into a negative key, and have been affected not only by our own thoughts but have also received the added depressing thoughts of similar character which are constantly being sent out from the minds of other unfortunates who have not yet learned the law of attraction in the thought world. And if we occasionally rise to heights of enthusiasm and energy, how quickly we feel the inflow of the courageous, daring, energetic, positive thoughts being sent out by the live men and women of the world. We recognize this without much trouble when we come in personal contact with people and feel their vibrations, depressing or invigorating, as the case may be. But the same law operates when we are not in their presence, although less strongly.

You can understand this idea more clearly by thinking of Marconi wireless instruments. They receive vibrations only from a sending instrument tuned to the same frequency. Other telegrams pass through the nearby air without affecting the receiving instrument. The same law applies to thought. We receive only what corresponds to our mental tuning. If we have been discouraged, we can be sure that we have fallen into a negative state. We have been affected not only by our own thoughts but also by similarly depressing thoughts from others. These thoughts are constantly sent out by other unfortunate people who have not yet learned the law of attraction in the thought world. And if we sometimes rise to heights of enthusiasm and energy, we quickly feel an influx of other thoughts. These are the courageous, daring, energetic, positive thoughts sent out by the lively men and women of the world. We recognize this easily when we meet people and feel their vibrations, whether depressing or invigorating. But the same law operates when we are not in their presence, although less strongly.

The mind has many degrees of pitch, ranging from the highest positive note to the lowest negative note, with many notes in between, varying in pitch according to their respective distance from the positive or negative extreme.

The mind has many levels of pitch, from the highest positive note to the lowest negative note. Between these extremes are many notes, each with a pitch that varies according to its distance from either extreme.

When your mind is operating along positive lines you feel strong, buoyant, bright, cheerful, happy, confident and courageous, and are enabled to do your work well, to carry out your intentions, and progress on your road to Success. You send out strong positive thought, which affects others and causes them to co-operate with you or to follow your lead, according to their own mental keynote.

When your mind is focused on positive thoughts, you feel strong, energetic, bright, cheerful, happy, confident, and courageous. You can do your work well, carry out your plans, and move forward on your path to Success. You send out strong positive thoughts that affect others. Depending on their own mental outlook, they cooperate with you or follow your lead.

When you are playing on the extreme negative end of the mental keyboard you feel depressed, weak, passive, dull, fearful, cowardly. And you find yourself unable to make progress or to succeed. And your effect upon others is practically nil. You are led by, rather than leading others, and are used as a human door-mat or football by more positive persons.

When you are at the extreme negative end of the mental keyboard, you feel depressed, weak, passive, dull, fearful, and cowardly. You find yourself unable to make progress or succeed. And you have almost no effect on others. Rather than leading others, you are led by them. More positive people use you as a human doormat or football.

In some persons the positive element seems to predominate, and in others the negative quality seems to be more in evidence. There are, of course, widely varying degrees of positiveness and negativeness, and B may be negative to A, while positive to C. When two people first meet there is generally a silent mental conflict in which their respective minds test their quality of positiveness, and fix their relative position toward each other. This process may be unconscious in many cases, but it occurs nevertheless. The adjustment is often automatic, but occasionally the struggle is so sharp—the opponents being so well matched—that the matter forces itself into the consciousness of the two people. Sometimes both parties are so much alike in their degrees of positiveness that they practically fail to come to terms, mentally; they never really are able to get along with each other, and they are either mutually repelled and separate or else stay together amid constant broils and wrangling.

In some people, the positive element seems to predominate. In others, the negative quality seems more apparent. Of course, there are many degrees of positiveness and negativeness. B may be negative in relation to A, while positive in relation to C. When two people first meet, there is generally a silent mental conflict. Their minds test each other’s positiveness and establish their relative positions. In many cases, this process may be unconscious, but it happens all the same. The adjustment is often automatic. Occasionally, though, the two people are so evenly matched that the struggle is sharp enough for both to become conscious of it. Sometimes both are so alike in their degrees of positiveness that they practically fail to reach a mental understanding. They are never really able to get along. Either they repel each other and separate, or they stay together amid constant quarrels and arguments.

We are positive or negative to every one with whom we have relations. We may be positive to our children, our employes and dependents, but we are at the same time negative to others to whom we occupy inferior positions, or whom we have allowed to assert themselves over us.

We are positive or negative toward everyone we interact with. We may be positive toward our children, employees, and dependents. But at the same time, we are negative toward others who rank above us or whom we have allowed to assert themselves over us.

Of course, something may occur and we will suddenly become more positive than the man or woman to whom we have heretofore been negative. We frequently see cases of this kind. And as the knowledge of these mental laws becomes more general we will see many more instances of persons asserting themselves and making use of their new-found power.

Of course, something may happen that makes us suddenly more positive than someone we were previously negative toward. We often see cases like this. And as knowledge of these mental laws spreads, we will see many more people assert themselves and use their newfound power.

But remember you possess the power to raise the keynote of your mind to a positive pitch by an effort of the will. And, of course, it is equally true that you may allow yourself to drop into a low, negative note by carelessness or a weak will.

But remember, you have the power to raise your mind to a positive pitch through an effort of will. Of course, it is equally true that carelessness or a weak will can let you sink to a low, negative note.

There are more people on the negative plane of thought than on the positive plane, and consequently there are more negative thought vibrations in operation in our mental atmosphere. But, happily for us, this is counterbalanced by the fact that a positive thought is infinitely more powerful than a negative one, and if by force of will we raise ourselves to a higher mental key we can shut out the depressing thoughts and may take up the vibrations corresponding with our changed mental attitude. This is one of the secrets of the affirmations and auto-suggestions used by the several schools of Mental Science and other New Thought cults. There is no particular merit in affirmations of themselves, but they serve a twofold purpose: (1) They tend to establish new mental attitudes within us and act wonderfully in the direction of character building—the science of making ourselves over. (2) They tend to raise the mental keynote so that we may get the benefit of the positive thought-waves of others on the same plane of thought.

More people are on the negative plane of thought than on the positive plane. As a result, more negative thought vibrations are active in our mental atmosphere. But fortunately, this is offset by the fact that a positive thought is infinitely more powerful than a negative one. If we use our will to raise ourselves to a higher mental key, we can shut out depressing thoughts. We may then pick up the vibrations that correspond to our changed mental attitude. This is one of the secrets behind the affirmations and autosuggestions used by the various schools of Mental Science and other New Thought groups. Affirmations have no special value in themselves, but they serve two purposes: (1) They help establish new mental attitudes within us. They also work wonders in building character, the science of remaking ourselves. (2) They help raise our mental key so that we may benefit from the positive thought waves of others on the same plane of thought.

Whether or not we believe in them, we are constantly making affirmations. The man who asserts that he can and will do a thing—and asserts it earnestly—develops in himself the qualities conducive to the well doing of that thing, and at the same time places his mind in the proper key to receive all the thought-waves likely to help him in the doing. If, on the other hand, one says and feels that he is going to fail, he will choke and smother the thoughts coming from his own subconscious mentality which are intended to help him, and at the same time will place himself in tune with the Failure-thought of the world—and there is plenty of the latter kind of thought around, I can tell you.

Whether or not we believe in affirmations, we are constantly making them. A man who sincerely declares that he can and will do something develops the qualities needed to do it well. At the same time, he tunes his mind to receive all the thought-waves likely to help him do it. On the other hand, if someone says and feels that he is going to fail, he will choke and smother the helpful thoughts coming from his own subconscious mind. At the same time, he will tune himself to the Failure-thought of the world. And I can tell you, there is plenty of that kind of thought around.

Do not allow yourselves to be affected by the adverse and negative thoughts of those around you. Rise to the upper chambers of your mental dwelling, and key yourself up to a strong pitch, away above the vibrations on the lower planes of thought. Then you will not only be immune to their negative vibrations but will be in touch with the great body of strong positive thought coming from those of your own plane of development.

Do not let the harmful and negative thoughts of those around you affect you. Rise to the upper rooms of your mental home, and lift yourself to a strong pitch, far above the vibrations of lower levels of thought. Then you will not only be immune to their negative vibrations. You will also be in touch with the great body of strong positive thought coming from those at your own level of development.

My aim will be to direct and train you in the proper use of thought and will, that you may have yourself well in hand and may be able to strike the positive key at any moment you may feel it necessary. It is not necessary to strike the extreme note on all occasions. The better plan is to keep yourself in a comfortable key, without much strain, and to have the means at command whereby you can raise the pitch at once when occasion demands. By this knowledge you will not be at the mercy of the old automatic action of the mind, but may have it well under your own control.

My aim is to guide and train you to use thought and will properly. This will help you control yourself and strike a positive note whenever you feel it is necessary. You do not need to strike the strongest note on every occasion. It is better to stay in a comfortable key, without much strain, while remaining able to raise the pitch at once when needed. With this knowledge, you will not be at the mercy of your mind’s old automatic habits. Instead, you can keep them under your own control.

Development of the will is very much like the development of a muscle—a matter of practice and gradual improvement. At first it is apt to be tiresome, but at each trial one grows stronger until the new strength becomes real and permanent. Many of us have made ourselves positive under sudden calls or emergencies. We are in the habit of “bracing up” when occasion demands. But by intelligent practice you will be so much strengthened that your habitual state will be equal to your “bracing up” stage now, and then when you find it necessary to apply the spur you will be able to reach a stage not dreamed of at present.

Developing your will is much like developing a muscle. It takes practice and gradual improvement. At first, it can be tiring. But with each attempt, you grow stronger, until your new strength becomes real and lasting. Many of us have made ourselves assertive when faced with sudden demands or emergencies. We are used to “bracing up” when the occasion demands it. But with thoughtful practice, you will become much stronger. Your usual state will equal your current “bracing up” state. Then, when you need to push yourself, you will be able to reach a level you cannot now imagine.

Do not understand me as advocating a high tension continuously. This is not at all desirable, not only because it is apt to be too much of a strain upon you but also because you will find it desirable to relieve the tension at times and become receptive that you may absorb impressions. It is well to be able to relax and assume a certain degree of receptiveness, knowing that you are always able to spring back to the more positive state at will. The habitually strongly positive man loses much enjoyment and recreation. Positive, you give out expressions; receptive, you take in impressions. Positive, you are a teacher; receptive, a pupil. It is not only a good thing to be a good teacher, but it is also very important to be a good listener at times.

Do not think I am recommending that you remain in a state of high tension all the time. That is not at all desirable. It is likely to put too much strain on you. You will also find it helpful to release the tension at times and become receptive, so you can absorb impressions. It is good to be able to relax and become somewhat receptive. You can do this knowing that you can always return to a more positive state whenever you choose. A person who is always strongly positive misses much enjoyment and recreation. When you are positive, you express yourself. When you are receptive, you take in impressions. When you are positive, you are a teacher. When you are receptive, you are a pupil. It is good to be a good teacher, but it is also very important to be a good listener at times.