| How can one become master of one's thought?
First condition. To understand
the full importance of this mastery by becoming aware, through observation,
that our actions are the exact expression of our thoughts and that
so long as we do not have perfect control over our mental activity,
these thoughts are nothing but reflexes coming from every outside
influence (sensations and suggestions). Thus we do not possess ourselves
and can in no way be responsible for ourselves so long as we are
not the masters of our thought.
Second condition. To will persistently an effective direction of our mental
activity.
Third condition. To observe our thoughts in order to become familiar with
them, to know their habitual course and become aware of the ones
which have a special affinity with our sensorial and emotional nature.
Fourth condition. To seek in ourselves the idea which seems to be the highest,
the noblest, the purest and most disinterested and, until the day
we find a more beautiful idea to replace it, to make it the pivot
around which our mental synthesis will be built up, the regulating
idea in whose light all other thoughts can be seen and judged, that
is, accepted or rejected.
Fifth condition. To undergo a regular daily mental discipline. To discover
among all the teachings that have been given on this subject the
method that seems to be most effective and to follow it scrupulously,
rigorously, with energy and perseverance.
Some important recommendations:
To know how to take enough mental rest.
Not to demand from ourselves more than we can do.
To
take time into account and to know how to wait patiently for the
result of our effort.
Lastly,
without neglecting anything we can do ourselves, to know how to
rely with childlike trust on the Great Supreme Force, the Divine
Force that is One in all beings and all things.
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