Sunday, October 28, 2001		Books

For the Soul: Thought; Book on Self-empowerment compiled
by M.M Walia. Sterling Publishers, New Delhi. Pages 63. Price not mentioned.

"BELIEVE in yourself" sounds like a dogmatic approach. So truth remains truth. But one should always think "positive and be optimistic" because "thought itself is a way of life. Moreover poverty and riches are considered to be the outcome of thought. That is why calm and happiness are always generated by pure and positive thoughts.

Never forget what Hugh R.Write says: "Sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can:" In fact thoughts of "worry" and "fear’ poison the source of life and destroy every thing one may call it anything, "harmony, efficiency, vitality or vigour." On the other side, the mental power is doubled and multiplied by thoughts of joy and courage.

The faculty to think or the ability to see through the good and the bad is said to be a unique human trait. So it is the thought process which can work wonders, move the world in either way and even heal diseases. Pure thoughts always produce a deep impression on the mind of others. Action always follows thoughts. When our senses are stimulated and impulses are sent to the brain, the thought process evaluates these as good or bad which finally causes reasoning (physiological and chemical) to generate action.

Thus thoughts have a physical and psychological impact on the body. Grief weakens the human body. Hot temperament damages brain cells, releases chemical substance into blood which ultimately result in depression. Energy is drained out, causes premature old age and even death. Every person should try to be free from the "slavery of prejudices" because any evil thought is subject of being cursed thrice — namely, harms the thinker, harms the person and, finally, harms the mankind.

The matter of utmost importance is to purify thought. In this context the will is primarily the dynamic soul force. Judgement, memory, comprehension, reasoning, reflection and inference are the essential ingredients of mental power which begin to play consistently and jointly for the development of individuality and control over thoughts and speech. Passion, hatred, bitterness, jealousy and anxiety are controlled by virtues like truthfulness, earnestness and industry. In such a situation, harsh words turn soft; temptation is lessened and sensual thoughts are rejected. Every aspiration becomes inspiration which strengthens the will power or soul force.

So passion, egotism and hatred are deep rooted and can only tide over by strenuous efforts and meditations. Sacred thoughts generate divine thoughts which can make a man a saint or sinner. It is purity which overcomes lust. On the other hand, negative thoughts are a forerunner of disease but, at the same time, good and powerful suggestions cure many diseases. It is suggestive therapeutics. We must give a new orientation to the senses in the direction of God. Great souls transmit their message through telepathy. Thought vibrations travel fast and one should understand this as the very basis of the thought culture.

Perceptions are coloured by thoughts. Any depressing and disturbing thought will certainly have a depressing effect. We must adhere to what somebody has said, "Be careful of what you think you want in life, because you will get it." Our thoughts are the only private treasure we have in the world. It is a "sacred sanctum".