奠定成功的伟大法则
生活中一切的获得都源自于我们不懈的努力和付出，所以，当我们努力为周围的人、事、物有所付出时，我们自然就会得到上天的格外恩庞。
上天对于人类最高价值的恩赐与奖赏，就是人类拥有着取之不尽、用之不竭的思想。创造性的思想带来创造性的行为。如果我们期望生活有所收获，那么我们最有价值的付出就是我们源源不绝的思想本身。
真正具有爆发力的创造性思维是意念高度集中的产物。我们在一定期时间内将思想高度集中于一点，汇集全身所有的能量进行一场飓风般的头脑风暴，随后我们将如同被赋予了超人的力量与智慧，将内在的精神完美再现于现实情景。
这是一门最为本源与基础的科学，它将一切科学包含于其中：这又是高于一切艺术的艺术，将素凡人生装点得无限曼妙。当我们对这门艺术的科学、科学的艺术熟练掌握、灵活运用之时，就可以在人生道路上获得长足的进步。这美好的场景绝非不可触得的海市蜃楼，而是你通过自身不懈努力不断为自己收获的最为振奋人心的嘉笑。
丝毫不必怀疑，当我们将心态调整为积极、无私、公正，我们的人生也必将因此而厚重、踏实、深远。“春种芽苗秋收果”，这是付出回报的忠实法则。自然之河因其规律而流淌，人生也因此规律而前行。只需相信付出必有收获，人生的平衡、乐观才是宇宙精神的主旋律。
人是因为肉体而存在，人是因为精神的存在而永生。因此人的任何生命活动、任何美好的愿望都将通过精神的影响力去得到满足。金钱、财富对我们的满足只是一时，并且只在物质生活的层面上对我们的生活有所影响。而当人的精神与“无限力量”合而为一，人就可以得到取之不尽、用之不竭的供给。金钱存在的意义只是为了服务于人，而不是人服务于金钱，当你能够以这种开阔的思想去看待财富，你的财富的大门就会被开启。届时，你将会拥有你希望得到的一切。
- 对金钱的态度
- 优秀的思想是获得金钱之“因”
对获取财富过程的恐惧只会给我们带来自己所厌倦的贫穷。思想是现实之因，真实的贫穷都是来源于意识世界中的贫穷。有所付出才会场有所收获，如果我们因恐惧而止步不前，那么我们就将真的只会拥有我们所担心的那种因为失败而产生的悲惨结果。对财富的获得也完全服从自然的法则，它同样也遵循宇宙精神的法则，因此它们也受导引于智慧、勇敢、卓越的人类思想。
- 服务于别人
生活中我们经常会引用“人脉即财脉”这样的熟语来形容朋友与财富获得的关系。当我们帮助朋友、为他们服务、为他们谋利益，为他们做更多有益于他们自身的事情的时候，我们也同时不断扩展了我们的交往领域。“服务于别人”是成功的一条黄金定律，而这种服务必须是一种源自于真诚的给予，它的背后是一颗诚实、正直、关爱他人的心。有所企图的帮助不能称之为真正意义上的服务。当心怀鬼胎者使用其有限的手段去容人待友时，他们最终也必将遭人际关系及事业上的全盘失败。因为他们对于交换原理一无所知，他们根本无法瞒天过海地去欺骗宇宙间的根本法则，因果关系的定理必使他深陷入无力、无能、无为的泥淖。
- 重视过程而非结果
生命的能量可以积聚于一点，也可以发散于四周。我们因生命意识中的图景被塑造成可见可触的外在形态。当我们调适自我的心态、开放我们的心灵、吐陈纳新地不断更新自我，更侧重追求过程而非结果，那么最终我们收获的就不仅仅是预先期望的结果，还有意想不到的心理体验。
- 怎样吸引财富
当你具备了能够吸引财富的内因，那么财富也一定会追随你而来。在和财富的邂逅过程之中，你需要具备不只是一颗服务于他人的心，同时你也要具备敏锐的洞察力。你更要在机遇与你碰触的瞬间将其牢牢把握。
- 胸怀广阔
人性中的广阔胸襟与对他人的慷慨大度使我们的思想具有着迷人的活力，而谋私的思想或行为只能带来精彩思维的毁灭。自私像思维中的蚁洞，终会将我们的创造力大厦瓦解、毁灭，也因此折断了飞往财富空间的双翼。我们必如体悟人生一样细细品味所谓“舍得”的真谛。
- 付出越多，得到越多
- 成功者的经验
很多的成功者或财富的拥有者，他们不必依靠损失他人的利益而自我收获，相反，他们往往是依靠帮助他人致富而让自己成为了最富有的人。
- 要敢于思考
芸芸众生，善于思考者却寥寥无几。大多数人对思维的尝试皆是浅尝辄止。他们没有更多的自我的观点，而是人云亦云地过着平淡无趣的生活。他们从不过多地去验证或反思既有的思想，他们以极度顺从的态度迷信于权威和宿命。他们将思考重大决定的工作推卸给极少数的人，结果，这些人不只无形中拿去了思考者的权利，同时也使他们泯灭了创造的能力。
- 要专心致志
当我们在自己所真正关心和专注的事上集中自己的意念和力量，我们就可以心无旁骛地使思维的能量更好地为自己服务。太多的人不了解这个法则，反而消极负面的因素，如悲伤、困苦、混乱等常常挂在心上，结果，这对他不但没有任何益处，反而徒增烦恼，扰乱了他的心神。当我们的内心所渴望的全部是理想的结果，并且专注于它，我们就会因此得到充满活力的状态，得到富有创造性的思考力与行动力，进而，我们的心绪又会进一步加强，这种良性循环怎么会不给我们带来幸福成功的生活呢？
- 精神创造一切
精神是我们必须始终坚守的阵地。我们只有在精神中才能够去创造和实现一切可能。任何精神的美好愿景都必然在我们的思维过程中得以实现其全部过程。
- 领悟思想的真理
“务实者”从来都不是只努力不知抬头看路的愚笨者，相反，他们正是因为“领悟”了思想的真理，才会变得如此执著和坚持不懈，他们的生活也因此变得甜如糖，丰富有趣。
- 怎样才能避免江郎才尽
做生意贵在有新奇的想法和高招，才可以应对风云变换的商海风暴。
- 学会运用无限的力量
我们在本书多次使用过“无限”这样的词汇，这并非是出于无休止的夸大，我只是想告诉你们，当你用最灵敏的智慧去倾听统治世界的真理的时候，它自然会为你带来“无限的力量”。自信于你的能力用创造性的思想去指引你的精神，那么你就学会了运用这种“无限的力量”。
- 体验那种“无限的力量”
本课重点
１、成功的第一法则是什么？
——服务于人。
２、怎样才能使我们更好地服务于他人？
——将思想与胸襟同时开拓；重视过程远胜于重视结果；重视追寻远胜于重视拥有。
３、自私会给我们带来什么恶果？
——自私的想法会将我们思想中有价值的东西排斥、毁灭。
４、成功如何被发展到极致？
——轻视结果，重视付出：轻视拥有，重视过程，然后你就会得到更多。
５、有很多人甘愿一生庸碌，却将自己思考的权力赠予他人，这会有什么结果？
——他们的思考的权力将被少数人获得，而那些人将会拥有原本属于他们的思想与财富。
６、如果一个人的思想里充满的是消极与悲伤，结果会如何？
——会将更多的悲伤和损失招至身旁。
７、如果一个人的思想里充盈的是快乐和自信，将会产生怎样的结果？
——积极乐观的思想会为我们带来更加令人振奋的巨大收获。
８、精神法则是否同样可应用于商业？
——当然可以，无数的事实都表明这一法则非常适合于商业之中，那些在商业上成功的人莫不如此。
９、怎样才能够取得商业上的成功？
——体验那种“无限的力量”，从这种“无限的力量”中找到自己的全部所需。
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Part Twenty-Three
In the part which I have the honor to transmit herewith you will find that money weaves itself into the entire fabric of our very existence; that the law of success is service; that we get what we give, and for this reason we should consider it a great privilege to be able to give.
We have found that thought is the creative activity behind every constructive enterprise. We can therefore give nothing of more practical value than our thought.
Creative thought requires attention, and the power of attention is, as we have found, the weapon of the Super-man. Attention develops concentration, and concentration develops Spiritual Power, and Spiritual Power is the mightiest force in existence.
This is the science which embraces all sciences. It is the art which, above all arts, is relevant to human life. In the mastery of this science and this art there is opportunity for unending progression. Perfection in this is not acquired in six days, nor in six weeks, nor in six months. It is the labor of life. Not to go forward is to go backward.
It is inevitable that the entertainment of positive, constructive and unselfish thoughts should have a far-reaching effect for good. Compensation is the keynote of the universe. Nature is constantly seeking to strike an equilibrium. Where something is sent out something must be received; else there should be a vacuum formed.
By observance of this rule you cannot fail to profit in such measure as to amply justify your effort along this line.
PART TWENTY-THREE
1. The money consciousness is an attitude of mind; it is the open door to the arteries of commerce. It is the receptive attitude. Desire is the attractive force which sets the current in motion and fear is the great obstacle by which the current is stopped or completely reversed, turned away from us.
2. Fear is just the opposite from money consciousness; it is poverty consciousness, and as the law is unchangeable we get exactly what we give; if we fear we get what we feared. Money weaves itself into the entire fabric of our very existence; it engages the best thought of the best minds.
3. We make money by making friends, and we enlarge our circle of friends by making money for them, by helping them, by being of service to them. The first law of success then is service, and this in turn is built on integrity and justice. The man who at least is not fair in his intention is simply ignorant; he has missed the fundamental law of all exchange; he is impossible; he will lose surely and certainly; he may not know it; he may think he is winning, but he is doomed to certain defeat. He cannot cheat the Infinite. The law of compensation will demand of him an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
4. The forces of life are volatile; they are composed of our thoughts and ideals and these in turn are molded into form; our problem is to keep an open mind, to constantly reach out for the new, to recognize opportunity, to be interested in the race rather than the goal, for the pleasure is in the pursuit rather than the possession.
5. You can make a money magnet of yourself, but to do so you must first consider how you can make money for other people. If you have the necessary insight to perceive and utilize opportunities and favorable conditions and recognize values, you can put yourself in position to take advantage of them, but your greatest success will come as you are enabled to assist others. What benefits one must benefit all.
6. A generous thought is filled with strength and vitality, a selfish thought contains the germs of dissolution; it will disintegrate and pass away. Great financiers are simply channels for the distribution of wealth; enormous amounts come and go, but it would be as dangerous to stop the outgo as the income; both ends must remain open; and so our greatest success will come as we recognize that it is just as essential to give as to get.
7. If we recognize the Omnipotent power that is the source of all supply we will adjust our consciousness to this supply in such a way that it will constantly attract all that is necessary to itself and we shall find that the more we give the more we get. Giving in this sense implies service. The banker gives his money, the merchant gives his goods, the author gives his thought, the workman gives his skill; all have something to give, but the more they can give, the more they get, and the more they get the more they are enabled to give.
8. The financier gets much because he gives much; he thinks; he is seldom a man that lets anyone else do his thinking for him; he wants to know how results are to be secured; you must show him; when you can do this he will furnish the means by which hundreds or thousands may profit, and in proportion as they are successful will he be successful. Morgan, Rockefeller, Carnegie and others did not get rich because they lost money for other people; on the contrary, it is because they made money for other people that they became the wealthiest men in the wealthiest country on the globe.
9. The average person is entirely innocent of any deep thinking; he accepts the ideas of others, and repeats them, in very much the same way as a parrot; this is readily seen when we understand the method which is used to form public opinion, and this docile attitude on the part of a large majority who seem perfectly willing to let a few persons do all their thinking for them is what enables a few men in a great many countries to usurp all the avenues of power and hold the millions in subjection. Creative thinking requires attention.
10. The power of attention is called concentration; this power is directed by the will; for this reason we must refuse to concentrate or think of anything except the things we desire. Many are constantly concentrating upon sorrow, loss and discord of every kind; as thought is creative it necessarily follows that this concentration inevitable leads to more loss, more sorrow and more discord. How could it be otherwise? On the other hand, when we meet with success, gain, or any other desirable condition, we naturally concentrate upon the effects of these things and thereby create more, and so it follows that much leads to more.
11. How an understanding of this principle can be utilized in the business world is well told by an associate of mine:
12. "Spirit, whatever else it may or may not be, must be considered as the Essence of Consciousness, the Substance of Mind, the reality underlying Thought. And as all ideas are phases of the activity of Consciousness, Mind or Thought, it follows that in Spirit, and in it alone, is to be found the Ultimate Fact, the Real Thing, or Idea."
13. This being admitted, does it not seem reasonable to hold that a true understanding of Spirit, and its laws of manifestation, would be about the most "practical" thing that a "practical" person can hope to find? Does it not seem certain that if the "practical" men of the world could but realize this fact, they would "fall all over themselves" in getting to the place in which they might obtain such knowledge of spiritual things and laws? These men are not fools; they need only to grasp this fundamental fact in order to move in the direction of that which is the essence of all achievement.
14. Let me give you a concrete example. I know a man in Chicago whom I had always considered to be quite materialistic. He had made several successes in life; and also several failures. The last time I had a talk with him he was practically "down and out," as compared with his former business condition. It looked as if he had indeed reached "the end of his rope," for he was well advanced into the stage of middle-age, and new ideas came more slowly, and less frequently to him than in former years.
15. He said to me, in substance: "I know that all things that "work out" in business are the result of Thought; any fool knows that. Just now, I seem to be short on thoughts and good ideas. But, if this "All-Mind" teaching is correct, it should be possible for the individual to attain a ‘direct connection’ with Infinite Mind; and in Infinite Mind there must be the possibility of all kinds of good ideas which a man of my courage and experience could put to practical use in the business world, and make a big success thereof. It looks good to me; and I am going to look into it."
16. This was several years ago. The other day I heard of this man again. Talking to a friend, I said: "What has come of our old friend X? Has he ever gotten on his feet again?" The friend looked at me in amazement. "Why," said he, "don't you know about X's great success? He is the Big Man in the '_________ Company' (naming a concern which has made a phenomenal success during the last eighteen months and is now well known, by reason of its advertisements, from one end of the country to another, and also abroad). He is the man who supplied the BIG IDEA for that concern. Why, he is about a half-million to the good and is moving rapidly toward the million mark; all in the space of eighteen months." I had not connected this man with the enterprise mentioned; although I knew of the wonderful success of the company in question. Investigation has shown that the story is true, and that the above stated facts are not exaggerated in the slightest.
17. Now, what do you think of that? To me, it means that this man actually made the "direct connection" with Infinite Mind -- Spirit -- and, having found it, he set it to work for him. He "used it in his business."
18. Does this sound sacrilegious or blasphemous? I hope not; I do not mean it to be so. Take away the implication of Personality, or Magnified Human Nature, from the conception of the "The Infinite," and you have left the conception of an Infinite Presence-Power, the Quintessence of which is Consciousness -- in fact, at the last, Spirit. As this man, also, at the last, must be considered as a manifestation of Spirit; there is nothing sacrilegious in the idea that he, being Spirit, should so harmonize himself with his Origin and Source that he would be able to manifest at least a minor degree of its Power. All of us do this, more or less, when we use our minds in the direction of Creative Thought. This man did more, he went about it in an intensely "practical" manner.
19. I have not consulted him about his method of procedure, though I intend doing so at the first opportunity, but, he not only drew upon the Infinite Supply for the ideas which he needed (and which formed the seed of his success), but that he also used the Creative Power of Thought in building up for himself an Idealistic Pattern of that which he hoped to manifest in material form, adding thereto, changing, improving its detail, from time to time -- proceeding from the general outline to the finished detail. I judge this to be the facts of the case, not alone from my recollection of the conversation a few years ago, but also because I have found the same thing to be true in the cases of other prominent men who have made similar manifestation of Creative Thought.
20. Those who may shrink from this idea of employing the Infinite Power to aid one in his work in the material world, should remember that if the Infinite objected in the least to such a procedure the thing could never happen. The Infinite is quite able to take care of itself.
21. "Spirituality" is quite "practical," very "practical," intensely "practical." It teaches that Spirit is the Real Thing, the Whole Thing, and that Matter is but plastic stuff, which Spirit is able to create, mould, manipulate, and fashion to its will. Spirituality is the most "practical" thing in the world -- the only really and absolutely "practical" thing that there is!
22. This week concentrate on the fact that man is not a body with a spirit, but a spirit with a body, and that it is for this reason that his desires are incapable of any permanent satisfaction in anything not spiritual. Money is therefore of no value except to bring about the conditions which we desire, and these conditions are necessarily harmonious. Harmonious conditions necessitate sufficient supply, so that if there appears to be any lack, we should realize that the idea or soul of money is service, and as this thought takes form, channels of supply will be opened, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that spiritual methods are entirely practical.
We have discovered that premeditated, orderly thinking for a purpose matures that purpose into fixed form, so that we may be absolutely sure of the result of our dynamic experiment.
Francis Larimer Warner
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Study Questions with Answers
221. What is the first law of success?
Service.
222. How may we be of the most service?
Have an open mind; be interested in the race rather than the goal, in the pursuit rather than possession.
223. What is the result of a selfish thought?
It contains the germs of dissolution.
224. How will our greatest success be achieved?
By a recognition of the fact that it is just as essential to give as to receive.
225. Why do financiers frequently meet with great success?
Because they do their own thinking.
226. Why do the great majority in every country remain the docile and apparently willing tools of the few?
Because they let the few do all their thinking for them.
227. What is the effect of concentrating upon sorrow and loss?
More sorrow and more loss.
228. What is the effect of concentrating upon gain?
More gain.
229. Is this principle used in the business world?
It is the only principle which is ever used, or ever can be used; there is no other principle. The fact that it may be used unconsciously does not alter the situation.
230. What is the practical application of this principle?
The fact that success is an effect, not a cause, and if we wish to secure the effect we must ascertain the cause, or idea or thought by which the effect is created.
Nurture your mind with great thoughts; to believe in the heroic makes heroes.
Disraeli
