A Series of Lessons in Raja YogaAtkinson, William Walker
Religion
A Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga
Atkinson, William Walker
Yoga; Yoga, Raja
of training the mind.
WORD IMAGES. It is difficult for the mind to build itself around an idea,
unless that idea be expressed in words. A word is the center of an idea,
just as the idea is the center of the mental image, and the mental image
the center of the growing mental habit. Therefore, the Yogis always lay
great stress upon the use of words in this way. In the particular case
before us, we should suggest the holding before you of a few words
crystallizing the main thought. We suggest the words "I Am"; Courage;
Confidence; Poise; Firmness; Equality. Commit these words to memory, and
then endeavor to fix in your mind a clear conception of the meaning of
each word, so that each may stand for a Live Idea when you say it. Beware
of parrot-like or phonographic repetition. Let each word's meaning stand
out clearly before you, so that when you repeat it you may _feel_ its
meaning. Repeat the words over frequently, when opportunity presents
itself, and you will soon begin to notice that they act as a strong
mental tonic upon you, producing a bracing, energizing effect. And each
time you repeat the words, understandingly, you have done something to
clear away the mental path over which you wish to travel.
PRACTICE. When you are at leisure, and are able to indulge in "day
dreams" without injury to your affairs of life, call your imagination
into play and endeavor to picture yourself as being possessed of the
qualities indicated by the words named. Picture yourself under the most
trying circumstances, making use of the desired qualities, and
manifesting them fully. Endeavor to picture yourself as acting out your
part well, and exhibiting the desired qualities. Do not be ashamed to
indulge in these day-dreams, for they are the prophecies of the things to
follow, and you are but rehearsing your part before the day of the
performance. Practice makes perfect, and if you accustom yourself to
acting in a certain way in imagination, you will find it much easier to
play your part when the real performance occurs. This may seem childish
to many of you, but if you have an actor among your acquaintances,
consult him about it, and you will find that he will heartily recommend
it. He will tell you what practice does for one in this direction, and
how repeated practice and rehearsals may fix a character so firmly in a
man's mind that he may find it difficult to divest himself of it after a
time. Choose well the part you wish to play--the character you wish to be
yours--and then after fixing it well in your mind, practice, practice,
practice. Keep your ideal constantly before you, and endeavor to grow
into it. And you will succeed, if you exercise patience and perseverance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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