The object of this book is to summarize in a practical way reasonable methods of obtaining self-help through the exercise of our own mental powers. Chapters include Self-Help In Sickness, Self-Suggestion in Theory, Self-Suggestion In Practise, and Right And Wrong Thinking. No encouragement is given to the claims of self-help systems that run counter to common sense and daily experience. The plain fact of the human body and the necessity of studying it carefully and learning how best to care for it and satisfy its needs are emphasized, and its interactions with our thoughts and emotions indicated as a basis for the working of self-suggestion. On the other hand, man is recognized as having spiritual as well as mental and physical attributes, which bring him into touch with that Principle which is the ultimate source of all power, of all life, and of all healing. Throughout it is shown how the right place of methods of mental and spiritual self-help is by the side of routine medical or surgical measures, and that under no circumstances should they be used in opposition to the latter.
In this little book, it would be impossible to include any adequate scheme of mind training applicable to the purposes of general education.
The most I can do is to indicate the main lines on which the adult individual or even the understanding learner of earlier years must work in an endeavor to obtain that Captaincy of the Soul which should be the ideal of every human being. At the same time an outline of mental exercises that will be found useful can be given. It must not be forgotten that in any particular case faulty powers of concentration, attention, and self-control may be dependent on some idea, or the memory of an unhappiness or misdeed, that still holds sway in the depths of the subconscious mind, although long passed out of the ordinary remembrance. Under such circumstances, it is usually necessary that the mental field be analyzed by someone who understands these things before the right path can be discovered. The seeker after strength very often tells one that he quite realizes the paramount importance of developed powers of concentration and attention. Realizes, indeed, that these are absolutely essential to any healthy, well-poised being. But the constant cry is, "How can I attain increased powers of concentration and attention? How can I develop the germ of attentive and concentrative ability, which is born in me? So many tell me that I must learn to attend. But none tell me how I can help myself in this respect."
This is, of course, a very real practical difficulty, and has no doubt arisen largely because writers on these subjects have hesitated in giving general directions, well knowing that it is only possible to help many by special exercises and
instruction adapted to their particular cases. But having made this quite clear, and duly pointed out the limitations experienced in the following general rules, I have no objection to giving a few broad hints and generally applicable exercises.
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