Wood Studies In The Thought World - Practical Mind Art

1. Auflage 2012
ISBN: 978-3-8496-2655-6
Verlag: Jazzybee Verlag
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 6 - ePub Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 276 Seiten

These disconnected studies have been gathered and presented to the public in book form. A part of the volume consists of lectures and essays which have not before been published, while the others (subjected to some changes) have been reproduced through the courtesy of the publishers of the various magazines in which they originally appeared. While all the papers are metaphysical, psychological, or evolutionary in character, they are, with one or two exceptions, essentially unitary, and therefore the order in which they are placed is not significant. Like ' short stories,' each is measurably complete in itself. The power, quality, and exercise of the human thinking-faculty are attracting unwonted attention and interest, and the potency of concentrated ideals is increasingly understood and utilized. The priceless value of impersonal truth, and the saving power of optimism, are receiving increased and merited appreciation. It is not merely a duty, but rather a privilege, for the author of this book to join with many others in urging forward the great cause of the higher life, and of a general human incarnation of the divine quality.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Wood, Henry

Leseproben

HAS MENTAL HEALING A VALID SCIENTIFIC AND RELIGIOUS BASIS?

As this topic is somewhat unconventional, the author may be pardoned for a few preliminaries that are somewhat personal and explanatory. He has no professional interest along this line, his position being that of an independent investigator and seeker for truth. He does not appear as the advocate of any school, system, or cult, but only as one who, from force of circumstances, has been led to some appreciation of great principles, a knowledge of which the world greatly needs.

A personal experience, some years since, of unusual depth and intensity, involving an application of the new philosophy, was the starting-point of a most thorough, impartial, and conservative investigation which has followed. An intense philosophical desire to probe as deeply as possible, without fear or favor, was awakened. With such a vivid subjective attestation of the power of a law not yet generally recognized, no one possessing any altruistic spirit could quietly settle down to silence, simply because his own immediate personal needs had been satisfied.

The writer has cultivated conservatism, and even incredulity, in forming conclusions regarding the new thought, which are made up from a careful study of its best literature, philosophy, and practical demonstrations. The fact that he has felt impelled to write somewhat upon this much misunderstood subject, as one of its results, has brought an extensive correspondence, in which are included accounts of a great number of personal experiences ; and this has aided much in forming conclusions.

The average man would like to get at the plain, unvarnished facts. He desires to find the truth, both for its own sake, and for its possible uses. If there is even a modicum of virtue in the systematic employment of thought energy, either in behalf of another, or in self-application, for the healing of human woes and ills, the world seriously needs such a re-enforcement, and every lover of his kind would welcome it. If, on the other hand, it has no exact basis, its hollowness should be exposed.

An honest and impartial search for truth for its intrinsic value, in any department, is rarely unprofitable. Many of the scientific treasures that have been unearthed in the past, which have greatly enriched human accomplishment, have been found in unexpected, and even familiar places, where multitudes had almost stumbled over them. This has been true in physical, as well as in social, political, and ethical science. When new truth new only to human appreciation has been finally interpreted and introduced, every one wonders that a thing so obviously simple was so long delayed. The apparent slowness, therefore, is not on account of any complexity, but because of general unreadiness.

But truth is, and ever will be, restless until recognized. Each special truth is needed to fill a fitting niche in the greater Unit, and there is discrepancy and incompleteness until it finds its place. When Kepler discovered the law which regulates and adjusts planetary revolution, it was found to be the keystone of an arch of indefinite strength and extent.

Have we in mental therapeutics a great principle, capable of wide application, that is so near that we have looked right through and beyond it ? Are there orderly forces in the realm of mind, the utilization of which is more important to mankind than those recently harnessed in the electrical domain ?

Admitting that some charlatanism, extravagance, and a spice of disorderly logic have swathed themselves around this new development, it is clearly in the line of legitimate philosophical inquiry, as well as humanitarianism, to find, through impartial research, if it have laws which are of exact definition. We have yet hardly arrived at the threshold of an intelligent understanding of the principles of mental dynamics. We are ever ready to study political, social, moral, and other objective economies exhaustively, but strangely omit that one which is nearest and most vital.

At the present moment, mental, or psycho-therapeutics is almost past that stage of flippant criticism, misapprehension, and prejudice through which all new advances have to make their way. This testing, through adverse criticism, and even ridicule, is not altogether to be deplored, nor is it without real use. It renders a needed service in sweeping off extravagances which always attach themselves to new developments. Only by such a fusing can that which is real be purified of its dross. The residuum of truth has inherent vitality. Fires cannot burn it, nor waters quench its living energy. The struggle through which it passes is educational, both to its assailants and defenders.

Theological, social, economic, and ethical systems become gradually softened towards innovators, and finally coalesce, or at least make terms with them; and the therapeutic and materialistic dogmatisms of the past, which have come down to us, will form no exception to the rule. But nothing is bad. One of the most suggestive lessons of synthetic evolution is, that everything has a use in its place and time. Each system forms a terrace or platform from which men may reach higher.

In every discussion accurate definitions are very important. The broader science of mental and physical healing, through the potencies of mind, is not distinctively Christian Science, or Faith Healing, nor is it merely another therapeutic system added to the various "pathies" now extant. The term Christian Science, though often used in a general sense, properly belongs to, and should be identified only with a single school which takes for its exclusive text-book a work entitled " Science and Health," by Mrs. Mary B. G. Eddy, and the Bible as interpreted through it. This statement is made in an impartial spirit, as a matter of definition, and of simple justice to all concerned. The distinctive philosophy known as Faith Cure is also quite different from the normal and broader principles that are in accord with law. Faith Cure, proper, presumes upon special divine interposition in answer to prayer. This must involve a suspension or violation of orderly law. As a matter of fact, owing to the working of subtle mental forces, many remarkable cures take place under its administration, only the modus operandi being misunderstood. The third radical distinction, as hinted at above, is, that this new philosophy of life which in its essence is broad, free, and impersonal is vastly more than merely a new therapeutic competitor, which will strive for a place among existing systems. Its province is quite distinct, and its healing efficacy is only incidental and expressive. Its motive is compliance with orderly law, and it contains no elements which are magical or supernatural. While believing that there are many objective aids to the interpretation of truth, it recognizes no external authority as located in person or text-book. It is a development from within rather than a system; a life rather than a doctrine ; a new consciousness rather than a new philosophy ; a spiritual optimism rather than a material or pessimistic realism. Its business is to bring inner ideals into outward actualized expression. It has to do with the intuition as well as the intellect, and it recognizes that the inner and real nature of man is in most intimate relation with the Universal .Mind and Wholeness. By sympathetic vibration therewith it may, through consciousness, receive inspiration and strength.

Through various subjective colorings, different minds observe in expressive phenomena, occult or miraculous aspects ; but when the Established Order is recognized in its higher ranges, there is nothing which is supernormal, supernatural, or super-reasonable. These shadings are entirely due to the low standpoint of the observer.

Following these partial preliminary definitions, a few of the obstacles and current objections may be noted. Truth is eternally complete, but to human consciousness it is incomplete. But every new development only comes into its abiding-place through friction and misapprehension. What there is already occupies all the space, and the new-comer seems to be an intruder. There is " no room in the inn."

The full recognition of mental causation for all outward phenomena will necessitate a re-examination of systems which are dignified by hoary antiquity and eminent respectability. Institutions that have exercised unquestioned authority, that are entrenched behind barriers of intellectual scholasticism, and that possess social and financial supremacy, instinctively feel that their infallibility is called in question. Piles of ponderous, dusty tomes thereby become mere relics of bygone speculation.

But mental causation for physical conditions is in substantial harmony with the highest and best thought of the seers and philosophers, from Plato down to the present time.

Popular prejudice against mental- or psycho-therapeutics arises largely from an inability to cognize the factors involved. Prevailing materialism makes it logical to rely upon that which...