15.  Infinite and Finite

Wisdom begins with the dawn of reason, and reason is but an understanding of the knowledge and principles whereby we may know the true meaning of things.  Wisdom then is illuminated reason, and this wisdom leads to humility for humility is a large part of reason.  If one concentrates, as an exercise, on any quotation from the Bible, he will begin to understand the development of wisdom.  For example, in the quotation, "Whatsoever things you desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them," "Whatsoever" is very definite and implies that the only limitation which is placed upon each of us is our ability to think, to generate the energy to be equal to the occasion, to rise to the emergency, to constantly remind ourselves that faith is not a shadow but a substance - "the substance for things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen".

Thought is the connective link between the infinite and the finite, between the universe and the individual.  This creative power depends upon our recognition of the potential power of the spirit or mind and must not be confused with evolution.  Creation is the calling into existence all that does not exist in the objective world.  Evolution is simply the unfolding of potentialities involved in things which already exist.  The great error of the present day is the idea that man has to originate the intelligence whereby the infinite may proceed to bring about a specific purpose or result.  Nothing of this kind is necessary.  The universal mind can be depended upon as the ways and means for bringing about any necessary manifestations.  We must, however, create the ideal and this ideal should be perfect.   Every success has been accomplished by persistent concentration upon an object in view.

If you require love try to realize that the only way to get love is by giving it out.  The more you give, the more you will receive.  The only way you can give love is to fill yourself with love.

Thought force is the most powerful means of obtaining knowledge, and if concentrated on any subject, will solve the problem.  Nothing is beyond the power of human comprehension.  But in order to harness thought force and make it do our bidding, personal work is required.  But thought is the fire that creates the steam that turns the wheel of fortune upon which your experience depends.  Ask yourself a few questions, concentrate on them silently and then reverently await the response.   To quote Larsen: "That a man can change himself, improve himself, recreate himself, control his environment, master his own destiny is the conclusion of every mind who is wide awake to the power of right thought in constructive action".  It is important, however, never to dissipate the power of thought by scattering the thought from one object to another; and the energy to avoid the scattering must be developed through the power of concentration.  The sun cannot start a fire, but use a magnifying glass and the sun can start a fire.  So it is when one scatters one's thoughts, no result is apparent.  But by focusing this power of thought on any single purpose, through concentration for any length of time, nothing becomes impossible.

In order to cultivate the powers of one's thoughts, bring a photograph into your meditation.  Concentrate on the photograph of someone you love for at least ten minutes.  Examine it closely, the expression, the eyes, the form of the features, the way the hair is arranged.  Note every detail by concentrating for ten minutes.  Now close your eyes and you will start to see it mentally.  As you repeat this process you will learn the power of concentration.

Tension leads to mental unrest and abnormal activity of the mind.   It produces worry, care, fear and anxiety.  Before you meditate take a warm bath if necessary in order to allow the mental faculties to develop the greatest freedom.

The solar plexus has been likened to the sun of the body because it is the central point of distribution for the energy which the body is constantly exuding.   This energy is very real energy and is being distributed by very real nerves to all parts of the body and is thrown off in the atmosphere which evolves the body.  If this radiation is sufficiently strong, a person is called magnetic.  Such a person may become positively radiant and will yield immense power for good.  His presence alone, without a spoken word will often bring peace and comfort to the troubled mind with which he comes into contact.  It has been said that the solar plexus is the point at which the part meets the whole, the finite becomes the infinite, where the uncreating becomes the creating, the universe becomes universal, the invisible becomes visible, that it is the point at which life appears and there is no limit to the amount of life an individual may generate from this solar centre.  Conscious thought within is master of this centre from which the life and energy of the entire body flows; and the quality of the thought which we entertain determines the quality of the thought which our sun will radiate; and the character of the thought which our conscious mind entertains will determine the nature of the thought which this sun radiates; and consequently will determine the nature of the experience which will result.

Thoughts of courage, power, confidence, and hope all produce a corresponding state, but the one arch enemy of the solar plexus, which must be absolutely destroyed before there is any possibility of letting any light shine is fear.  Fear of the unknown, nameless fear - this enemy must be completely destroyed.  He must be eliminated.  He must be expelled.  His is a cloud which hides our sun, which causes perpetual depression.  He is a personal devil which we all have, which makes men fear the past, fear the present, fear the future, fear their friends, fear their enemies, fear anything and everybody.  When fear is effectively and completely destroyed your light will shine, the clouds will disperse, and you will have found the source of power, energy, and life.

The man who knows that he can develop the sun and power of the solar plexus will not fear criticism or anything else.  He will be too busy radiating courage, confidence, and power.  He will anticipate success by his mental attitude.   He will pound barriers to pieces and destroy the doubt and hesitation which fear places in our paths.  This knowledge works only through practical application.   We learn by doing.  Only through practice does an athlete become powerful.   If you are religiously inclined let your light shine.  If you have a bias against physical science, then awaken the solar system.  If you are strictly scientific, then impress your subconscious mind.  Mental concentration on the object of your desires is the means of impressing the subconscious.  This is the simplest and most effective way.  It is the method by which great inventors, great financiers, and great statesmen have been able to convert the subtle and visible forces of desires and confidence into actual, tangible, concrete facts in the objective world.  To quote James Allan, "Cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realms of thought as in the world of visible and material things.  Mind is the master weaver both of the entire garment of character and the outer garment of circumstances".