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A Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga650
manner spoken of a few moments ago. Let us run over a few cases wherein
this principle may be applied.
Let us suppose that you are confronted with a problem consisting of
an uncertainty as to which of two or more courses to adopt in some affair
of life. Each course seems to have advantages and disadvantages, and you
seem unable to pass upon the matter clearly and intelligently. The more
you try the more perplexed and worried do you become. Your mind seems
to tire of the matter, and manifests a state which may be called “mental
nausea.” This state will be apparent to anyone who has had much “thinking”
to do. The average person, however, persists in going over the matter,
notwithstanding the tired condition of the mind, and its evident distaste
for a further consideration of the subject. They will keep on forcing it back
to the mind for consideration, and even at night time will keep thrashing
away at the subject. Now this course is absurd. The mind recognizes that
the work should be done by another part of itself—its digestive region, in
fact—and naturally rebels at the finishing-up machinery being employed in
work unsuited for it.
According to the Sub-consciousing plan, the best thing for the man
to do would be for him first to calm and quiet his mind. Then he should
arrange the main features of the problem, together with the minor details in
their proper places. Then he should pass them slowly before him in review,
giving a strong interest and attention to each fact and detail, as it passes
before him, but without the slightest attempt to form a decision, or come to a
conclusion. Then, having given the matter an interested and attentive review,
let him Will that it pass on to his sub-conscious mind, forming the mental
image of dropping it through the trap-door, and at the same time giving the
command of the Will, “Attend to this for me!”
Then dismiss the matter from your conscious mind, by an effort of
command of the Will. If you find it difficult to do this, you may soon acquire
the mastery by a frequent assertion, “I have dismissed this matter from my
conscious mind, and my sub-conscious mind will attend to it for me.” Then,