Foreword

I am in receipt of a letter from an earnest student of New Thought, who writes me that he is endeavoring to put into practice the teachings for which I stand. That is all right—I think he will get some good out of the practice (I know that I do). But here is where the trouble comes in—he goes on to say that he is “a faithful disciple” ‘ of mine, and is content to “sit at the feet of the Teacher,” Now, if you will pardon the slang, I must say that such talk “makes me tired.” I wish no “disciples”—disciples are mere parrots repeating what one says—mere human sheep trotting along after some conceited old bell-wether, I do not wish to pose as a bell-wether, nor do I wish a flock of human sheep trotting after me. I want everyone of my fellow students of Mental Science to be his own bell-wether, I like comradeship and mutual help—the help of interdependence. But I don’t like this talk of master and disciple—of leader and follower—this talk and idea of dependence.

I received a letter from a serious student of New Thought. He writes that he is trying to put my teachings into practice. That is fine. I think he will get some good from the practice (I know that I do). But here is the problem. He goes on to say that he is “a faithful disciple” of mine and is content to “sit at the feet of the Teacher.” Now, if you will pardon the slang, such talk “makes me tired.” I want no “disciples.” Disciples are just parrots, repeating what someone says. They are just human sheep, trotting along after some conceited old lead sheep. I do not want to pose as a lead sheep, and I do not want a flock of human sheep following me. I want every one of my fellow students of Mental Science to be their own lead sheep. I like companionship and mutual help, the help that comes from depending on one another. But I do not like this talk of master and disciple, or of leader and follower. I do not like this talk and idea of dependence.

As for sitting at any one’s feet, the idea arouses all the spirit of independence within me. I don’t want to sit at any one’s feet—and I don’t want any one to sit at mine. I am willing, and often glad, to listen to some teacher and to pick from his teachings such bits of truth as my mind is ready to receive. I am willing to say “I don’t know,” and to accept from others that which appeals to me as truth; not because the other says that it is truth, but because my mind recognizes it as such. I take my own wherever I find it, because I recognize it as mine. I know that all students and teachers get their knowledge from the only source of supply—they can’t get it from anywhere else. And if some other fellow happens to see a particular bit of truth before I do, I gladly accept a portion of it from his hands, be he king or beggar; while if I happen to see the thing first, I will gladly share it with all who are ready for it, and who may want it, without feeling that I am a “leader,” or “teacher,” or that they are “followers” or “disciples.” We are all fellow students—that’s all. I recognize no man as my master—and I spurn the person who would call me “Master,” if there be any so foolish. This feet-sitting talk makes me very, very weary. FOREWORD xix

As for sitting at anyone’s feet, the idea brings out all my independence. I don’t want to sit at anyone’s feet, and I don’t want anyone to sit at mine. I am willing, and often glad, to listen to a teacher and pick out the truths my mind is ready to receive. I am willing to say “I don’t know,” and to accept what others offer if it seems true to me. I accept it not because someone else says it is true, but because my mind recognizes it as truth. I take what is mine wherever I find it, because I recognize it as mine. I know that all students and teachers get their knowledge from the only source available. They can’t get it anywhere else. If someone else sees a particular truth before I do, I gladly accept a share of it from him, whether he is a king or a beggar. If I happen to see it first, I will gladly share it with everyone who is ready for it and wants it. I won’t feel that I am a “leader” or “teacher,” or that they are “followers” or “disciples.” We are all fellow students. That’s all. I recognize no man as my master, and I reject anyone foolish enough to call me “Master.” All this talk about sitting at someone’s feet makes me very, very tired. FOREWORD xix

I am fully aware that certain teachers convey the idea that they are chosen mouthpieces of the Infinite, and that all true teachings must bear their hall-mark. And I also know the fanatical devotion and bigotry that many of the followers of such teachers manifest. But this is all child’s play. The teachers sooner or later will be brought up against good hard stone walls, and their heads will be bruised until they realize “just where they are at.” And the “disciples” will have some individuality knocked into them later on, and will be made to stand upon their own feet, by reason of the props being knocked from under them. The New Thought aims at making individuals, not at converting people into droves of sheep, following the tinkle of the bell of some conceited old bell-wether, who imagines that he is the Whole Thing.

I know that certain teachers claim to be chosen spokespeople for the Infinite. They suggest that all true teachings must carry their stamp of approval. I also know how fanatically devoted and intolerant many of their followers are. But all this is child’s play. Sooner or later, these teachers will run into hard stone walls. Their heads will be bruised until they realize “where they stand.” Later on, the “disciples” will have some individuality knocked into them. Their supports will be knocked away, forcing them to stand on their own feet. The New Thought aims to make individuals, not turn people into flocks of sheep. It does not want them following the tinkling bell of some conceited old lead ram who thinks he is the Whole Thing.

The growing soul must realize that it has within itself all that it requires. It may gladly accept from others suggestions, advice, bits of knowledge, and the like, as it goes along—the soul itself being the only judge of what it requires at each particular stage. But, in the end, it must do its own work, and must stand on its own feet. All the teachings in the world will not help you, unless you take hold of the matter yourself and work out your own salvation. You cannot get true mental or spiritual teaching by simply paying so much for a course of lessons, and doing nothing yourself. You must bring something to the teacher before you can take anything away. You must work up to an understanding before the teachings of another will do you any good.

The growing soul must realize that it has everything it needs within itself. Along the way, it may gladly accept suggestions, advice, and bits of knowledge from others. But the soul alone must judge what it needs at each stage. In the end, it must do its own work and stand on its own feet. All the teachings in the world will not help you unless you take charge and work out your own salvation. You cannot receive true mental or spiritual teaching just by paying for a course and doing nothing yourself. You must bring something to the teacher before you can take anything away. You must work toward understanding before another person’s teachings can do you any good.

The teacher may make a suggestion that will open up a line of thought for you, or he may point out a way that has proved of value to him; and thus save you much time and trouble. But you must do the real work yourself.

A teacher may suggest an idea that opens up a new line of thought for you. Or he may point out a method that has worked for him. Either may save you much time and trouble. But you must do the real work yourself.

A teacher may be so filled with the truth that he will overflow, and you will get some of the overflow. I believe that truth is “catching.” But even so, unless you make that truth your own by living it out, and applying it to your needs, it will do you no good. And so long as you are content to “sit at his feet,” and do the “disciple” act, you will not grow one inch. You will be merely a reflection of the teacher, instead of being an individual.

A teacher may be so full of truth that it overflows, and you get some of it. I believe that truth is “catching.” But even then, the truth will do you no good unless you make it your own. You must live it out and apply it to your needs. And as long as you are content to “sit at his feet” and play the “disciple,” you will not grow one inch. You will merely reflect the teacher instead of being an individual.

We need a jogging up on this point every once in a while, “lest we forget.” It is so easy to have your thoughts predigested for you by some teacher or writer—so easy to receive your teaching in capsules. It is so nice to be able to sit down and swallow the tabloid that the teacher or writer kindly has prepared for you, and imagine that you are getting the real thing. But I tell you, friends—it won’t do the work. Imbibe all the teachings you please, but you have got to get down to business yourself. You can’t give some one else a power of attorney to do the work in your place. Life accepts no substitutes—you must step out yourself. It is mighty easy—this idea of paying so much, in time or money, to some teacher or writer, and then sneaking into the Kingdom of Heaven holding on to his skirts—but it won’t work. You’ve got to do some hustling on your own account, and don’t you make any mistake about this fact.

We need a reminder about this point every now and then, “lest we forget.” It is so easy to let a teacher or writer digest your thoughts for you. It is so easy to get your teaching in capsules. It feels so good to sit down and swallow the little pill a teacher or writer kindly prepared for you. You imagine you are getting the real thing. But I tell you, friends, it won't do the work. Take in all the teaching you like, but you have to get down to business yourself. You can't give someone else the authority to do the work for you. Life accepts no substitutes. You must step forward yourself. It's easy to think you can pay a teacher or writer in time or money. Then you can sneak into the Kingdom of Heaven by holding on to their coattails. But it won't work. You have to make an effort on your own, and don't make any mistake about that.

Many of you are running around after teachers, preachers, prophets, seers, “illuminated souls,” and what not, expecting that your little fee for courses of lessons, private teachings, and all the rest, is going to land you right up in the front rank. Don’t you believe a word of it. You’ve got to go through the motions yourself, before you will attain anything. You can’t sneak in that way—it won’t work. I look around me and see many of these poor creatures “sitting at the feet” of some one or other, sinking their individuality in that of the teacher, and not daring to think an original thought—lest it conflict with some notion of their “Master.” These good souls are so full of the teaching they are imbibing, they will repeat it by the yard, phrase after phrase, like a well-trained parrot. But they don’t understand a bit of it. They are like the moon which shines by reason of the reflection of the sun’s rays, and has no light or heat of its own. The talk of these “disciples” and “sitters-at-the-feet” is nothing but moonshine—mere reflected light. Moons are dead, cold things—no light—no heat—no fire—no energy. Dead, dead, dead—cold, barren and “played-out.” Stop this moon business and build yourself up into a Sun. You have it in you—manifest it. Start yourself in motion, and manifest Life. Don’t suppose that you must be able to solve all the Riddles of the Universe before you can do anything. Never mind about those riddles, just you get down to the task that lies ahead of you, and throw into it some of that Great Life Principle that is within you waiting for a chance to manifest itself. Don’t make the FOREWORD xxiii mistake of supposing that this or that teacher has solved the Great Riddle. If he says he has, he is only bluffing and whistling to keep up courage. He may have found a good-sized chunk of the truth, and if he is willing to pass you a bit of it, all right, but he hasn’t the Whole Thing, by a mighty sight. The Whole Thing isn’t placing itself in the exclusive control of any little bit of itself. No one has a monopoly of knowing—a corner on the Truth. It is yours as much as anybody’s—but you must dig for it.

Many of you run around after teachers, preachers, prophets, seers, “enlightened souls,” and all the rest. You expect that a small fee for courses, private lessons, and the like will put you among the leaders. Don’t believe a word of it. You have to do the work yourself before you can achieve anything. You can’t sneak in that way. It won’t work. I look around and see many of these poor creatures “sitting at the feet” of one person or another. They lose their individuality in the teacher’s and don’t dare have an original thought. It might conflict with some idea of their “Master.” These good souls are so full of the teaching they absorb that they can repeat it at great length. They recite phrase after phrase like a well-trained parrot. But they don’t understand any of it. They are like the moon, which shines by reflecting the sun’s rays and has no light or heat of its own. The talk of these “disciples” and “sitters-at-the-feet” is nothing but moonshine, mere reflected light. Moons are dead, cold things. They have no light, no heat, no fire, no energy. Dead, dead, dead. Cold, barren, and “finished.” Stop being a moon and build yourself into a Sun. You have it in you. Bring it out. Get yourself moving and show Life. Don’t think you must solve all the Riddles of the Universe before you can do anything. Never mind those riddles. Just get down to the task ahead of you. Put some of that Great Life Principle into it. It is within you, waiting for a chance to show itself. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this or that teacher has solved the Great Riddle. If he says he has, he is only bluffing and whistling to keep up his courage. He may have found a good-sized piece of the truth. If he is willing to pass some of it on to you, all right. But he is a long way from having the Whole Thing. The Whole Thing doesn’t put itself under the exclusive control of any small part of itself. No one has a monopoly on knowledge or an exclusive claim to the Truth. It is yours as much as anyone’s, but you must dig for it.

Don’t bother about the theories, or the unsolvable riddles—just get down to business and begin to Live. Sometimes I amuse myself by reading some of the theories and “explanations” of those who think that they have hold of the Whole Thing. After I get through with the theories of one “dead-sure” chap, I take up the directly opposite theories of another fellow who considers himself the special mouthpiece of the Absolute. Whew! I it’s a great brain-shaker. If you’re not careful you will find yourself being served a nice dish of scrambled brains. When I get sort of “stewed-up” over such things I go out into the sun and fall back on the “Laughing Philosophy,” which soon brings me around all right. Nothing will puncture these bubbles so quickly as a good dose of Laughter. Laughter is the only thing that keeps the race from madness. The sense of humor is God’s best gift to Man. Try it the next time you get “stewed up” with “high statements,” “basic truths,” “axiomatic principles.” Beware of any teachings that will not stand the test of the sunny out-of-doors, and the application of the Laughing Philosophy. Shun the teachings that require a pursed-up mouth, and a strained, preternaturally sober face. Have nothing to do with teachings that require a dim, dark, sunless room to be absorbed in—beware of teachings and doctrines that bear the musty smell of the cell upon them. Carry out into the sun the teachings that are offered you, and see whether or not they fade—apply the chemical of laughter, and ascertain whether the stuff bleaches. Remember this test when you are perplexed or worried over some strange theory or doctrine—no matter from whence it comes. If any one tells you that which will not bear the test—discard the teaching, for it is spurious in that event. Try this on my writings along with the others.

Don’t worry about theories or unsolvable riddles. Just get down to business and start Living. Sometimes I amuse myself by reading the theories and “explanations” of people who think they understand the Whole Thing. After reading one “dead-sure” fellow’s theories, I turn to the opposite theories of another. He thinks he is the special mouthpiece of the Absolute. Whew! It really shakes up your brain. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up with a nice dish of scrambled brains. When I get worked up over such things, I go out into the sun. I fall back on the “Laughing Philosophy,” which soon sets me right again. Nothing pops these bubbles as quickly as a good dose of Laughter. Laughter is the only thing that keeps the human race from madness. A sense of humor is God’s best gift to Man. Try it the next time you get worked up over “high statements,” “basic truths,” or “axiomatic principles.” Beware of any teaching that cannot stand the test of the sunny outdoors and the Laughing Philosophy. Avoid teachings that require pursed lips and a strained, unnaturally serious face. Have nothing to do with teachings that you can absorb only in a dim, dark, sunless room. Beware of teachings and doctrines that carry the musty smell of a cell. Take the teachings offered to you out into the sun and see whether they fade. Apply the chemical of laughter and see whether it bleaches them. Remember this test when a strange theory or doctrine puzzles or worries you, no matter where it comes from. If someone tells you something that cannot stand the test, discard the teaching. It is false. Test my writings along with all the others.

Stop being moons. Stop living by reflected light. Get into action and convert yourself into a living sun. You can do it. It is within your power. Every human soul contains within it the elements of the Sun—get to work and express yourself. Stiffen up your backbone and hold your head erect. Don’t be afraid to say “I am IT.”

Stop being moons. Stop living by reflected light. Take action and turn yourself into a living sun. You can do it. You have the power. Every human soul contains the elements of the Sun. Get to work and express yourself. Stand straight and hold your head high. Don’t be afraid to say “I am IT.”

This is a straight-from-the-shoulder talk. Don’t tell me that you are “disciples” of mine—I disown you; I refuse to have disciples. Don’t try to “sit at my feet”—if you do, I will use my feet to push you off the platform. I need room to swing my feet about and don’t want people sitting there. But if you wish to call me “Brother,” or “Fellow Student,” or “Schoolmate in the Kindergarten of God,” I will be glad to have you do so. That’s all we are, after all—little babes tugging away at the breast of the Absolute.

This is a blunt talk. Don’t tell me you are my “disciples.” I disown you. I refuse to have disciples. Don’t try to “sit at my feet.” If you do, I’ll use my feet to push you off the platform. I need room to swing my feet around, and I don’t want people sitting there. But if you want to call me “Brother,” “Fellow Student,” or “Schoolmate in the Kindergarten of God,” I’ll be glad to hear it. After all, that’s all we are: little babies tugging at the breast of the Absolute.