 Just as blood circulates in the arteries and veins, carrying material food to every portion of body and brain, so thought force circulates in the nerves, carrying spiritual fire for the transmutation of matter into higher forms. All disease is due to the clogging either of nerves or veins, or both. The eating of rich food in greater quantities than can be assimilated and eliminated, produces thick, sluggish blood, which tends to deposit sediment at every twist and turn of veins and arteries, thus choking the flow. When a stream gets into this condition navigation has to be abandoned until the stream is dredged out again. When the human body is so choked and clogged with stagnant matter inflammation, fermentation sets in, a “sick spell” occurs and the doctor administers a cathartic to excite the secretions and dredge out the festering debris. Then the patient “feels better” and free circulation is once more established. Of course it is not easy to know just how to regulate the supply of rich food so that the circulation shall not become clogged; at least it is not easy whilst we cling to the habit of eating three or four square meals a day, whether we feel hungry or not; and whilst we tempt appetite with all manner of highly seasoned dishes. Wild animals have to hunt for their food, which consists of but one thing at a meal. They work for all they get. Unless hungry they do not hunt. No one calls a catamount or an eagle to highly seasoned feasts at regular intervals. Catamount or eagle eats when he is hungry. And before eating he has to wake up and work for his dinner. This induces full breathing and sets his blood to racing at such a rate that it clears the track and leaves room and power enough to take care of the new meal. No sluggish circulation in wild animals, and no disease. Here is a hint for man. Of course if you are never sick or depressed; if you are strong and well, and growing stronger, you may need no hints. But if you are not all that you desire to be just try a little judicious starving, along with plenty of exercise and fresh air. Live on plain foods, principally fruits and nuts, and skip a meal now and then, or even half a dozen meals, until you get down through that veneer of cultivated appetite— down to real hunger, of the sort that impels a catamount to travel for miles and wait patiently for hours to find that for which he hungers. Hunger is an infallible guide as to what to eat, and how often. It is the real voice which comes up from arteries cleansed and ready to carry fresh supply to waiting body. But appetite is the whining call of an unrested stomach and unready arteries, which have been taught to cry at stated intervals. Most of us are the slaves of spoiled appetite; but we have never once in our stuffed lives since childhood been really hungry and known the real joy of eating. Clogging of the arteries and veins results in clogging brain and nerves. It is impossible for a man with a clogged and diseased body to think his best. The clogging presses against nerves as well as arteries and prevents free circulation of thought. And only free thought is high thought. A man with a clogged system will think cramped, negative thoughts. He can’t help it. His nerves are cramped. His doctor may say he is “nervous,” but “nervousness” and “weak nerves” are simply cramped nerves—cramped in a clogged system. Now I know that it is quite possible to take the kinks out of one’s nerves by mind power alone—provided one is not too badly clogged and cramped. But high living will eventually choke off high thinking, and NO human being can reach his highest thinking along with high living. Reason and all human experience proves this. And I leave it to you if it is not vastly more sensible to reduce your living and thus free your cramped nerves to the free flow of high thought than to attempt to live high and force high thought through “weak nerves.” The only bit of you which may refuse to agree with this statement of the case is your spoiled appetite. Are you going to pamper that and starve your high thought? It is for you to decide. But now let us suppose that with your whole being you will serve the God of High Thinking. You are going to practice low living that you may more fully serve the God of High Thinking. You are fasting your body into an unclogged state. You are feeding it upon simple foods, such as nuts and fruits, which are not thickening to the blood, as are meat, condiments and pastries. You are exercising freely and taking deep, full, outdoor breathing exercises to promote good circulation of blood and free the nerves. You are doing all this, and you are rejoicing in the glorious feeling of health and courage and freedom which comes to you. You are bright, alert, ready, with “a heart for any fate.” But you want yet higher thinking. Good! Your nerves are free now, and ready to receive higher thought than any they have ever carried. Now fill them with “incessant affirmatives” of your HIGHEST IDEALS. “Go into the silence” and see how still you can be, mentally and physically. Simply rest until Spirit can form within you the mental picture of what you are to work for. Keep being still, and waiting expectantly, until “it comes to you” just what to do. To that clean body and brain of yours it will come quickly and with joy. Keep free in body, and keep looking mentally for new things to “come to you,” and the way will grow brighter and brighter. You will grow brighter and brighter and brighter. And whatsoever things you desire you shall have. Say “I can and I will.” It will fill you with power. Above all things, say “I AM what I desire to be.” It is true. You have made conscious connection with The Infinite. |
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