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A Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga666
to carry it through. Under the pressure of a very strong Desire men have
accomplished feats akin to miracles.
If you find yourself in possession of desires that you feel are hurtful to
you, you may rid yourself of them by deliberately starving them to death,
and at the same time growing opposite desires. By refusing to think of the
objectionable desires you refuse them the mental food upon which alone
they can thrive. Just as you starve a plant by refusing it nourishing soil and
water, so may you starve out an objectionable desire by refusing to give
it mental food. Remember this, for it is most important. Refuse to allow the
mind to dwell upon such desires, and resolutely turn aside the attention,
and, particularly, the imagination, from the subject. This may call for the
manifestation of a little will-power in the beginning, but it will become
easier as you progress, and each victory will give you renewed strength for
the next fight. But do not temporize with the desire—do not compromise
with it—refuse to entertain the idea. In a fight of this kind each victory gives
one added strength, and each defeat weakens one.
And while you are refusing to entertain the objectionable guest you
must be sure to grow a desire of an entirely opposite nature—a desire
directly opposed to the one you are starving to death. Picture the opposite
desire, and think of it often. Let your mind dwell upon it lovingly and let
the imagination help to build it up into form. Think of the advantages that
will arise to you when you fully possess it, and let the imagination picture
you as in full possession of it, and acting out your new part in life strong and
vigorous in your new found power.
All this will gradually lead you to the point where you will “want to”
possess this power. Then you must be ready for the next step which is “Faith”
or “Confident Expectation.”
Now, faith or confident expectation is not made to order in most persons,
and in such cases one must acquire it gradually. Many of you who read these
lines will have an understanding of the subject that will give you this faith.
But to those who lack it, we suggest that they practice on some trivial phases