- 以积极的思维取代消极的思维
- 思想创造现实
每个人都可以任由自己的思想天马行空、自由驰骋，而那些建设性的思想会在他的性格、体魄和环境中留下健康积极的印迹。
- 保留那有建设性的思想
- 乔治·马修·亚当斯的箴言
“学会判断，不要让那些不能给你带来明显益处的东西进入你的心灵世界。”这是乔治·马修·亚当斯留给我们的一句话，其中的道理显而易见。所有的人都必须培养一种富有建设性的心态。
- 要有丰富的想像力
想像力是思想中最有建设性的部分，一切成功的行为，都有想像力作为先导。想像力是光，它为我们照亮了一个全新的思想世界；想像力是伟大的建筑师，它把我们渴望得到的事物塑造成希望中的现实；想像力是一件强有力的工具，所有探险家、发明家，都是借助这一工具，把梦想变为现实。
- 想像力会引发理想
如果把未来比作一件成衣，那么想像力就是制作成衣的材料，心灵的作用则是把材料编织成衣裳，而我们的未来，就在这样的过程中浮现出来。想像力的培养，会引发美好的理想。
- 伟大的思想创造伟大的事物
真正的成功皆由伟大的思想创造，物质世界中的事物就如同陶匠手中的泥，思想则是陶匠，将它塑造成形，而这塑造的工作不得不借助想像力的运用。为了培养想像力，我们必须做一些练习。
- 锻炼我们的思想
我们的肌肉需要加强锻炼，才能变得结实健美。精神的力量也需要锻炼，否则无法变得强大。
- 切勿混淆想像力与白日梦
白日梦只是一种挥霍精神财富的行为，它将导致精神上的疾患。切勿混淆想像力和幻想，也不要把想像力与白日梦赞同起来，它们之间有本质上的区别。
- 学会去想像，然后就会得到回报
艺术家会认为最为艰苦的劳作莫过于有建设性的想像，这是一种高强度的脑力劳动，但是它的回报也是最为丰厚的。企业家如果不在他的想象中构想整个发展计划，他就无法建设一个拥有数十家分公司、数千名员工、上千万资产的大公司。对于有想像力的人，生活将把一切最美好的事物都赐给他，使他梦想成真。
- 运用思想的力量
你只要能有意识地运用思想的力量，与精神这个全能者保持步调一致，那么你就能够在通往成功的道路上大踏步前进。因为，精神是惟一的造物者，它无所不能、无所不知、无所不在。
- 做好接纳这种力量的准备
一切力量都是由心而生，真正的力量总是来自于内心。为此，我们必须准备好去接纳这种力量，这种接纳也是需要经过训练的，就像锻炼身体一样。要时刻把自己放置在一个能够接收这种能量的位置上，以免错过这种无所不在的能量。
- 改变我们内心的状态
为了接纳这种力量，我们就必须改变在我们心中占主导地位的精神状态。如果我们整天都沉浸在怯懦、恐惧、忧虑等想法中，就很难为一时的冲动和快乐而改变，当然就不能指望那些积极、强大、创造性的想法能够占据我们的心灵，就会错过美好、强大、和谐的状态。记住引力法则，它会准确无误地按照你的性格、思维以及占主导地位的精神状态，在生活中以同样的状态来回馈于你。
- 认识你内心的潜能
我们的内心蕴含着无尽的潜能，但只有在你第一次认识它、使用它之后，它才变得对你清晰可见。然后才能拥有它，把它注入到你的意识中，让它与你合而为一。
- 找到能量之源泉
自古以来，健康长寿一直都是人们孜孜不倦的追求，想尽各种办法，但收效甚微。一旦你能够掌控自己的潜能，就会发现自己变得耳聪目明，腿脚便捷，浑身洋溢着青春的活力；你的身上就会有源源不断的能量涌出，仿佛得到了长生不考的灵丹妙药。
- 不断地获取知识
知识的获得带来能力的增长，知识是宇宙的灵魂，它使我们的思想变得强大而富有能量，不断地获取知识，你将因此变得强大。
- 知识是人类思想的结晶
知识是人类思想的结晶和升华。如果我们的知识体系停止进步，思想不再提升，我们的能力就会停滞不前，甚至消退。
- 坚持你的理想
坚定不移的理想，是成功不可或缺的必要条件。在它的驱使下，你的精神能量将会投向一个明确的目标，与之融为一体。你将因此获得充足的信心，驱除一切险阻。你将拥有积极进取的勇气和能力，将富足与和谐吸引到你的身边。坚持你的理想，即使面对逆境，一旦环境转变，你将听到心底发出的召唤，你的坚持将得到丰厚的回报。
- 思想、想像力与理想
思想是实现理想所用的材料，而想像力就是理想的精神工作室。思想、想像力与理想结合起来，成功的阶梯因些得以筑造，一切伟大的事物得以诞生。
- 看到结果，也要看到原因
只有很少的人懂得，他们所见的一切都只是结果，在结果之前还有原因的存在。而绝大多数人都以为一切都只是结果，却不知道结果由原因决定。他们因为不知道这一点而显得焦躁不安。
- 看穿表象，遥望未来
当我们的思想能够看穿事物的表象，遥望未来，一切都与先前截然不同了，卑微的小事变得意义深远，了然无趣的琐事变得趣味无穷；一些我们曾经认为毫无用处的事情将成为生命中至关重要的存在。
本课重点
１、什么是想象力？
——想像力是我们预想未来的照明灯，是我们新思想的导航者，所有的发明家、探索者都必须依赖于它。
２、运用想像力会有什么结果？
——将使你的思想大展宏图、开拓未来。
３、怎样获得想像力？
——想像力的成长离不开训练。
４、如何区别想像力和白日梦？
——想像力是富有建设性的思维的一种，它会带来建设性的行动，白日梦则是精神涣散的表现，它只会导致迷茫和失落。
５、错误由什么产生？
——无知导致错误。
６、学习知识会有什么结果？
——提高我们思考的能力。
７、什么会导致一个积极的将来？
——是理想，坚定不移的理想能够带来富有成效的行动，和随之而来的成功。
８、敏锐地分析观察会产生怎样的效果？
——开发洞察力与想象力，增加知识与智慧。
９、这些将来带来怎样的结果？
——成功和和谐。
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Part Eight
In this Part you will find that you may freely choose what you think but the result of your thought is governed by an immutable law! Is not this a wonderful thought? Is it not wonderful to know that our lives are not subject to caprice or variability of any kind? That they are governed by law. This stability is our opportunity, because by complying with the law we can secure the desired effect with invariable precision.
It is the Law which makes the Universe one grand paean of Harmony. If it were not for law, the Universe would be a Chaos instead of a Cosmos.
Here, then, is the secret of the origin of both good and evil, this is all the good and evil there ever was or ever will be.
Let me illustrate. Thought results in action, if your thought is constructive and harmonious, the result will be good; if your thought is destructive or inharmonious, the result will be evil.
There is therefore but one law, one principle, on cause, one Source of Power, and good and evil are simply words which have been coined to indicate the result of our action, or our compliance or non-compliance with this law.
The importance of this is well illustrated in the lives of Emerson and Carlyle. Emerson loved the good and his life was a symphony of peace and harmony, Carlyle hated the bad, and his life was a record of perpetual discord and inharmony.
Here we have two grand men, each intent upon achieving the same ideal, but one makes use of constructive thought and is therefore in harmony with Natural Law, the other makes use of destructive thought and therefore brings upon himself discord of every kind and character.
It is evident therefore that we are to hate nothing, not even the "bad," because hatred is destructive, and we shall soon find that by entertaining destructive thought we are sowing the "wind" and in turn shall reap the "whirlwind."
PART EIGHT
1. Thought contains a vital principle, because it is the creative principle of the Universe and by its nature will combine with other similar thoughts.
2. As the one purpose of life is growth, all principles underlying existence must contribute to give it effect. Thought, therefore, takes form and the law of growth eventually brings it into manifestation.
3. You may freely choose what you think, but the result of your thought is governed by an immutable law. Any line of thought persisted in cannot fail to produce its result in the character, health and circumstances of the individual. Methods whereby we can substitute habits of constructive thinking for those which we have found produce only undesirable effects are therefore of primary importance.
4. We all know that this is by no means easy. Mental habits are difficult to control, but it can be done and the way to do it is to begin at once to substitute constructive thought for destructive thought. Form the habit of analyzing every thought. If it is necessary, if its manifestation in the objective will be a benefit, not only to yourself, but to all whom it may affect in any way, keep it; treasure it; it is of value; it is in tune with the Infinite; it will grow and develop and produce fruit an hundred fold. On the other hand, it will be well for you to keep this quotation from George Matthews Adams, in mind, "Learn to keep the door shut, keep out of your mind, out of your office, and out of your world, every element that seeks admittance with no definite helpful end in view."
5. If your thought has been critical or destructive, and has resulted in any condition of discord or inharmony in your environment, it may be necessary for you to cultivate a mental attitude which will be conducive to constructive thought.
6. The imagination will be found to be a great assistance in this direction; the cultivation of the imagination leads to the development of the ideal out of which your future will emerge.
7. The imagination gathers up the material by which the Mind weaves the fabric in which your future is to be clothed.
8. Imagination is the light by which we can penetrate new worlds of thought and experience.
9. Imagination is the mighty instrument by which every discoverer, every inventor, opened the way from precedent to experience. Precedent said, "It cannot be done;" experience said, "It is done."
10. Imagination is a plastic power, molding the things of sense into new forms and ideals.
11. Imagination is the constructive form of thought which must precede every constructive form of action.
12. A builder cannot build a structure of any kind until he has first received the plans from the architect, and the architect must get them from his imagination.
13. The Captain of Industry cannot build a giant corporation which may coordinate hundreds of smaller corporations and thousands of employees, and utilize millions of dollars of capital until he has first created the entire work in his imagination. Objects in the material world are as clay in the potter's hand; it is in the Master Mind that the real things are created, and it is by the use of the imagination that the work is done. In order to cultivate the imagination it must be exercised. Exercise is necessary to cultivate mental muscle as well as physical muscle. It must be supplied with nourishment or it cannot grow.
14. Do not confuse Imagination with Fancy, or that form of daydreaming in which some people like to indulge. Daydreaming is a form of mental dissipation which may lead to mental disaster.
15. Constructive imagination means mental labor, by some considered to be the hardest kind of labor, but, if so, it yields the greatest returns, for all the great things in life have come to men and women who had the capacity to think, to imagine, and to make their dreams come true.
16. When you have become thoroughly conscious of the fact that Mind is the only creative principle, that it is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent, and that you can consciously come into harmony with this Omnipotence through your power of thought, you will have taken a long step in the right direction.
17. The next step is to place yourself in position to receive this power. As it is Omnipresent, it must be within you. We know that this is so because we know that all power is from within, but it must be developed, unfolded, cultivated; in order to do this we must be receptive, and this receptivity is acquired just as physical strength is gained, by exercise.
18. The law of attraction will certainly and unerringly bring to you the conditions, environment, and experiences in life, corresponding with your habitual, characteristic, predominant mental attitude. Not what you think once in a while when you are in church, or have just read a good book, BUT your predominant mental attitude is what counts.
19. You can not entertain weak, harmful, negative thoughts ten hours a day and expect to bring about beautiful, strong and harmonious conditions by ten minutes of strong, positive, creative thought.
20. Real power comes from within. All power that anybody can possibly use is within man, only waiting to be brought into visibility by his first recognizing it, and then affirming it as his, working it into his consciousness until he becomes one with it.
21. People say that they desire abundant life, and so they do, but so many interpret this to mean that if they will exercise their muscles or breathe scientifically, eat certain foods in certain ways, drink so many glasses of water every day of just a certain temperature, keep out of drafts, they will attain the abundant life they seek. The result of such methods is but indifferent. However, when man awakens to the truth, and affirms his oneness with all Life, he finds that he takes on the clear eye, the elastic step, the vigor of youth; he finds that he has discovered the source of all power.
22. All mistakes are but the mistakes of ignorance. Knowledge gaining and consequent power is what determines growth and evolution. The recognition and demonstration of knowledge is what constitutes power, and this power is spiritual power, and this spiritual power is the power which lies at the heart of all things; it is the soul of the universe.
23. This knowledge is the result of man's ability to think; thought is therefore the germ of man's conscious evolution. When man ceases to advance in his thoughts and ideals, his forces immediately begin to disintegrate and his countenance gradually registers these changing conditions.
24. Successful men make it their business to hold ideals of the conditions which they wish to realize. They constantly hold in mind the next step necessary to the ideal for which they are striving. Thoughts are the materials with which they build, and the imagination is their mental workshop. Mind is the ever-moving force with which they secure the persons and circumstance necessary to build their success structure, and imagination is the matrix in which all great things are fashioned.
25. If you have been faithful to your ideal, you will hear the call when circumstances are ready to materialize your plans and results will correspond in the exact ratio of your fidelity to your ideal. The ideal steadily held is what pre-determines and attracts the necessary conditions for its fulfillment.
26. It is thus that you may weave a garment of spirit and power into the web of your entire existence; it is thus that you may lead a charmed life and be forever protected from all harm; it is thus that you may become a positive force whereby conditions of opulence and harmony may be attracted to you.
27. This is the leaven which is gradually permeating the general consciousness and is largely responsible for the conditions of unrest which are everywhere evident.
28. In the last Part you created a mental image, you brought it from the invisible into the visible; this week I want you to take an object and follow it back to its origination, see of what it really consists. If you do this you will develop imagination, insight, perception, and sagacity. These come not by the superficial observation of the multitude, but by a keen analytical observation which sees below the surface.
29. It is the few who know that the things which they see are only effects, and understand the causes by which these effects were brought into existence.
30. Take the same position as heretofore and visualize a Battleship; see the grim monster floating on the surface of the water; there appears to be no life anywhere about; all is silence; you know that by far the largest part of the vessel is under water; out of sight; you know that the ship is as large and as heavy as a twenty-story skyscraper; you know that there are hundreds of men ready to spring to their appointed task instantly; you know that every department is in charge of able, trained, skilled officials who have proven themselves competent to take charge of this marvelous piece of mechanism; you know that although it lies apparently oblivious to everything else, it has eyes which see everything for miles around, and nothing is permitted to escape its watchful vision; you know that while it appears quiet, submissive and innocent, it is prepared to hurl a steel projectile weighing thousands of pounds at an enemy many miles away; this and much more you can bring to mind with comparatively no effort whatever. But how did the battleship come to be where it is; how did it come into existence in the first place? All of this you want to know if you are a careful observer.
31. Follow the great steel plates through the foundries, see the thousands of men employed in their production; go still further back, and see the ore as it comes from the mine, see it loaded on barges or cars, see it melted and properly treated; go back still further and see the architect and engineers who planned the vessel; let the thought carry you back still further in order to determine why they planned the vessel; you will see that you are now so far back that the vessel is something intangible, it no longer exists, it is now only a thought existing in the brain of the architect; but from where did the order come to plan the vessel? Probably from the Secretary of Defense; but probably this vessel was planned long before the war was thought of, and that Congress had to pass a bill appropriating the money; possibly there was opposition, and speeches for or against the bill. Whom do these Congressmen represent? They represent you and me, so that our line of thought begins with the Battleship and ends with ourselves, and we find in the last analysis that our own thought is responsible for this and many other things, of which we seldom think, and a little further reflection will develop the most important fact of all and that is, if someone had not discovered the law by which this tremendous mass of steel and iron could be made to float upon the water, instead of immediately going to the bottom, the battleship could not have come into existence at all.
32. This law is that, "the specific gravity of any substance is the weight of any volume of it, compared with an equal volume of water." The discovery of this law revolutionized every kind of ocean travel, commerce and warfare, and made the existence of the battleship, aircraft carriers, and cruise ships possible.
33. You will find exercises of this kind invaluable. When the thought has been trained to look below the surface everything takes on a different appearance, the insignificant becomes significant, the uninteresting interesting; the things which we supposed to be of no importance are seen to be the only really vital things in existence.
Look To This Day For it is Life, the very Life of Life. In Its brief course lie all the Verities and Realities of your existence; The Bliss of Growth; The Glory of Action; The Splendor of Beauty; For Yesterday is but a Dream, And tomorrow is only a Vision: But Today well lived makes every Yesterday a Dream of Happiness, and Every Tomorrow a Vision of Hope. Look well, therefore, to This Day!
From the Sanskrit
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Study Questions with Answers
71. What is the imagination?
A form of constructive thought. The light by which we penetrate new worlds of thought and experience. The mighty instrument by which every inventor or discoverer opened the way from precedent to experience.
72. What is the result of imagination?
The cultivation of the imagination leads to the development of the ideal out of which your future will emerge.
73. How may it be cultivated?
By exercise; it must be supplied with nourishment or it cannot live.
74. How does imagination differ from daydreaming?
Day dreaming is a form of mental dissipation, while imagination is a form of constructive thought which must precede every constructive action.
75. What are mistakes?
The result of ignorance.
76. What is knowledge?
The result of man's ability to think.
77. What is the power with which successful men build?
Mind is the very moving force with which they secure the persons and circumstances necessary to complete their plans.
78. What pre-determines the result?
The ideal held steadily in mind attracts the necessary conditions for its fulfillment.
79. What is the result of a keen analytical observation?
The development of imagination, insight, perception and sagacity.
80. To what do these lead?
Opulence and harmony.
