A Talk About the Mind

Man has but one mind, but he has many mental faculties, each faculty being capable of functioning along two different lines of mental effort. There are no distinct dividing lines separating the two several functions of a faculty, but they shade into each other as do the colors of the spectrum.

A person has only one mind, but has many mental faculties. Each faculty can work in two different ways. There are no clear dividing lines between these two functions. Instead, they blend into each other like the colors of the spectrum.

An Active effort of any faculty of the mind is the result of a direct impulse imparted at the time of the effort. A Passive effort of any faculty of the mind is the result of either a preceding Active effort of the same mind; an Active effort of another along the lines of suggestion; Thought Vibrations from the mind of another; Thought impulses from an ancestor, transmitted by the laws of heredity (including impulses transmitted from generation to generation from the time of the original vibratory impulse imparted by the Primal Cause—which impulses gradually unfold, and unsheath, when the proper state of evolutionary development is reached).

An Active effort of any mental faculty results from a direct impulse given at the time of the effort. A Passive effort of any mental faculty can result from several sources: an earlier Active effort of the same mind, an Active effort by another person through suggestion, Thought Vibrations from another person’s mind, or Thought impulses inherited from an ancestor. These inherited impulses include impulses passed down through generations since the original vibratory impulse given by the Primal Cause. They gradually unfold and emerge when the proper stage of evolutionary development is reached.

The Active effort is new-born—fresh from the mint, whilst the Passive effort is of less recent creation, and, in fact, is often the result of vibratory impulses imparted in ages long past. The Active effort makes its own way, brushing aside the impeding vines and kicking from its path the obstructing stones. The Passive effort travels along the beaten path.

Active effort is newly born, fresh from the mint. Passive effort was created longer ago and often results from vibratory impulses set in motion ages ago. Active effort makes its own way, brushing aside vines and kicking stones out of its path. Passive effort travels along the beaten path.

A thought-impulse, or motion-impulse, originally caused by an Active effort of faculty, may become by continued repetition, or habit, strictly automatic, the impulse given it by the repeated Active effort developing a strong momentum, which carries it on, along Passive lines, until stopped by another Active effort or its direction changed by the same cause.

A thought-impulse or motion-impulse may begin with an Active effort of a faculty. Through repetition or habit, it may become strictly automatic. The repeated Active effort gives the impulse strong momentum, carrying it along Passive lines. It continues until another Active effort stops it or changes its direction.

On the other hand, thought-impulses, or motion-impulses, continued along Passive lines may be terminated or corrected by an Active effort. The Active function creates, changes or destroys. The Passive function carries on the work given it by the Active function and obeys orders and suggestions.

On the other hand, an Active effort may stop or correct thought-impulses, or motion-impulses, that continue along Passive lines. The Active function creates, changes, or destroys. The Passive function carries on the work given to it by the Active function. It obeys orders and suggestions.

The Active function produces the thought-habit, or motion-habit, and imparts to it the vibrations which carry it on along the Passive lines thereafter. The Active function also has the power to send forth vibrations which neutralize the momentum of the thought-habit, or motion-habit; it also is able to launch a new thought-habit, or motion-habit, with stronger vibrations, which overcomes and absorbs the first thought, or motion, and substitutes the new one.

The Active function creates a thought-habit, or motion-habit, and gives it vibrations. These vibrations then carry the habit along Passive lines. The Active function can also send out vibrations that neutralize the momentum of the thought-habit, or motion-habit. It can launch a new thought-habit, or motion-habit, with stronger vibrations. The new habit overcomes and absorbs the first thought, or motion, and takes its place.

All thought-impulses, or motion-impulses, once started on their errands, continue to vibrate along passive lines until corrected or terminated by subsequent impulses imparted by the Active function, or other controlling power. The continuance of the original impulse adds momentum and force to it, and renders its correction or termination more difficult. This explains that which is called “the force of habit.” I think that this will be readily understood by those who have struggled to overcome a habit which had been easily acquired. The Law applies to good habits as well as bad. The moral is obvious.

All thought impulses and motion impulses, once set in motion, continue to vibrate along passive lines. They continue until later impulses from the Active function or another controlling power correct or stop them. As the original impulse continues, it gains momentum and force, making it harder to correct or stop. This explains what is called “the force of habit.” I think this will be clear to anyone who has struggled to overcome a habit they easily acquired. The Law applies to good habits as well as bad ones. The moral is obvious.

Several of the faculties of the mind often combine to produce a single manifestation. A task to be performed may call for the combined exercise of several faculties, some of which may manifest by Active effort and others by Passive effort.

Several mental faculties often work together to produce a single result. A task may require several faculties working together. Some may operate through Active effort, while others operate through Passive effort.

The meeting of new conditions—new problems—calls for the exercise of Active effort; whilst a familiar problem, or task, can be easily handled by the Passive effort without the assistance of his more enterprising brother.

New conditions and problems call for Active effort. But Passive effort can easily handle a familiar problem or task without help from its more enterprising brother.

There is in Nature an instinctive tendency of living organisms to perform certain actions, the tendency of an organized body to seek that which satisfies the wants of its organism. This tendency is sometimes called Appetency. It is really a Passive mental impulse, originating with the impetus imparted by the Primal Cause, and transmitted along the lines of evolutionary development, gaining strength and power as it progresses. The impulse of the Primal Cause is assisted by the powerful upward attraction exerted by The Absolute.

In Nature, living organisms have an instinctive tendency to perform certain actions. An organized body tends to seek what satisfies its needs. This tendency is sometimes called Appetency. It is really a passive mental impulse that began with the force imparted by the Primal Cause. The impulse has passed through the stages of evolutionary development, gaining strength and power as it progresses. The powerful upward attraction exerted by The Absolute assists the impulse of the Primal Cause.

In plant life this tendency is plainly discernible, ranging from the lesser exhibitions in the lower types to the greater in the higher types. It is that which is generally spoken of as the “life force” in plants. It is, however, a manifestation of rudimentary mentation, functioning along the lines of Passive effort. In some of the higher forms of plant life there appears a faint color of independent “life action”—a faint indication of choice of volition. Writers on plant life relate many remarkable instances of this phenomenon. It is, undoubtedly, an exhibition of rudimentary Active mentation.

In plant life, this tendency is easy to see. It appears less in lower types of plants and more in higher types. It is generally called the “life force” in plants. However, it is a form of basic mental activity operating through Passive effort. In some higher forms of plant life, there is a faint sign of independent “life action”. There is a slight indication of choice or will. Writers on plant life describe many remarkable examples of this phenomenon. It is undoubtedly a form of basic Active mental activity.

In the lower animal kingdom a very high degree of Passive mental effort is found. And, varying in degree in the several families and species, a considerable amount of Active mentation is apparent. The lower animal undoubtedly possesses Reason only in a lesser degree than man, and, in fact, the display of volitional mentation exhibited by an intelligent animal is often nearly as high as that shown by the lower types of man or by a young child.

In the lower animal kingdom, passive mental activity is highly developed. Active mental activity is also evident, though it varies in degree among families and species. Lower animals undoubtedly have less ability to reason than humans. In fact, an intelligent animal’s ability to think deliberately is often nearly as great as that of lower types of humans or a young child.

As a child, before birth, shows in its body the stages of the physical evolution of man, so does a child, before and after birth—until maturity—manifest the stages of the mental evolution of man.

Before birth, a child’s body shows the stages of human physical evolution. In the same way, a child shows the stages of human mental evolution, both before and after birth, until maturity.

Man, the highest type of life yet produced, at least upon this planet, shows the highest form of Passive mentation, and also a much higher development of Active mentation than is seen in the lower animals, and yet the degrees of that power vary widely among the different races of men. Even among men of our race the different degrees of Active mentation are plainly noticeable; these degrees not depending by any means upon the amount of “culture,” social position or educational advantages possessed by the individual. Mental Culture and Mental Development are two very different things.

Man is the highest form of life yet produced, at least on this planet. Man shows the highest form of Passive mentation. He also shows a much greater development of Active mentation than lower animals do. Yet the degree of that power varies widely among the different races of men. Even among men of our race, the differences in Active mentation are easy to see. These differences do not necessarily depend on a person's “culture,” social position, or educational opportunities. Mental Culture and Mental Development are two very different things.

You have but to look around you to see the different stages of the development of Active mentation in man. The reasoning of many men is scarcely more than Passive mentation, exhibiting but little of the qualities of volitional thought. They prefer to let other men think for them. Active mentation tires them and they find the instinctive, automatic, Passive mental process much easier. Their minds work along the lines of least resistance. They are but little more than human sheep.

You only have to look around to see the different stages of development of Active mentation in people. The reasoning of many men is hardly more than Passive mentation, showing little evidence of deliberate thought. They prefer to let other men think for them. Active mentation tires them, and they find the instinctive, automatic process of Passive mentation much easier. Their minds follow the path of least resistance. They are little more than human sheep.

Among the lower animals and the lower types of men Active mentation is largely confined to the grosser faculties—the more material plane; the higher mental faculties working along the instinctive, automatic lines of the Passive function.

Among lower animals and lower types of men, Active mentation is largely limited to the more basic faculties, on the more material plane. The higher mental faculties work instinctively and automatically through the Passive function.

As the lower forms of life progressed in the evolutionary scale, they developed new faculties, which were latent within them. These faculties always manifested in the form of rudimentary Passive functioning, and afterwards worked up, through higher Passive forms, until the Active functions were brought into play. The evolutionary process still continues, the invariable tendency being toward the goal of highly developed Active mentation. This evolutionary progress is caused by the vibratory impulse imparted by the Primal Cause, aided by the uplifting attraction of The Absolute.

As lower forms of life progressed along the evolutionary scale, they developed new abilities that had been latent within them. These abilities always first appeared as basic Passive functions. They then developed through higher Passive forms until Active functions came into play. Evolution continues, and its constant tendency is toward highly developed Active thought. This evolutionary progress is caused by the vibratory impulse given by the Primal Cause, aided by the uplifting attraction of The Absolute.

This law of evolution is still in progress, and man is beginning to develop new powers of mind, which, of course, are first manifesting themselves along the lines of Passive effort. Some men have developed these new faculties to a considerable degree, and it is possible that before long Man will be able to exercise them along the line of their Active functions. In fact, this power has already been attained by a few. This is the secret of the Oriental occultists, and of some of their Occidental brethren.

The law of evolution is still at work, and man is beginning to develop new powers of mind. Of course, these powers are first appearing through Passive effort. Some men have developed these new faculties to a considerable degree. Before long, Man may be able to exercise them through their Active functions. In fact, a few have already gained this power. This is the secret of the Eastern occultists and some of their Western brethren.

The amenability of the mind to the Will can be increased by properly directed practice. That which we are in the habit of referring to as the “strengthening of the Will” is in reality the training of the mind to recognize and absorb the Power Within. The Will is strong enough; it does not need strengthening, but the mind needs to be trained to receive and act upon the suggestions of the Will. The Will is the outward manifestation of the I AM. The Will current is flowing in full strength along the spiritual wires; but you must learn how to raise the trolley-pole to touch it before the mental car will move. This is a somewhat different idea from that which you have been in the habit of receiving from writers on the subject of Will Power, but it is correct, as you will demonstrate to your own satisfaction if you will follow up the subject by experiments along the proper lines.

With properly directed practice, the mind can become more responsive to the Will. What we usually call “strengthening the Will” is really training the mind to recognize and absorb the Power Within. The Will is already strong enough and does not need strengthening. But the mind needs training to receive and act on the Will’s suggestions. The Will is the outward manifestation of the I AM. The current of the Will flows at full strength through the spiritual wires. But you must learn to raise the trolley pole to touch the wire before the mental car will move. This idea differs somewhat from what writers on Will Power have taught you. But it is correct, as you will prove to your own satisfaction if you pursue the subject through the right experiments.

The attraction of The Absolute is drawing man upward, and the vibratory force of the Primal Impulse has not yet exhausted itself. The time of evolutionary development has come when man can help himself. The man who understands the Law can accomplish wonders by means of the development of the powers of the mind; whilst the man who turns his back upon the truth will suffer from his lack of knowledge of the Law.

The attraction of The Absolute is drawing humanity upward. The vibratory force of the Primal Impulse has not yet run out. Evolution has now reached a stage where people can help themselves. Those who understand the Law can accomplish wonders by developing the powers of the mind. But those who turn their backs on the truth will suffer because they do not know the Law.

He who understands the laws of his mental being, develops his latent powers and uses them intelligently. He does not despise his Passive mental functions, but makes good use of them also, charges them with the duties for which they are best fitted, and is able to obtain wonderful results from their work, having mastered them and trained them to do the bidding of the Higher Self. When they fail to do their work properly he regulates them, and his knowledge prevents him from meddling with them unintelligently, and thereby doing himself harm. He develops the faculties and powers latent within him and learns how to manifest them along the line of Active mentation as well as Passive. He knows that the real man within him is the master to whom both Active and Passive functions are but tools. He has banished Fear, and enjoys Freedom. He has found himself. He has learned THE SECRET OF THE I AM.

A person who understands the laws of his mind develops his hidden powers and uses them intelligently. He does not look down on his Passive mental functions. Instead, he puts them to good use, giving them the tasks they are best suited for. He has mastered them and trained them to obey the Higher Self, so they can produce wonderful results. When they fail to work properly, he corrects them. His knowledge keeps him from interfering with them foolishly and harming himself. He develops the abilities and powers hidden within him. He also learns how to express them through Active as well as Passive thought. He knows that the real man within him is the master, and that both Active and Passive functions are merely tools. He has banished Fear and enjoys Freedom. He has found himself. He has learned THE SECRET OF THE I AM.