What grabs your attention? Thing 1 or Thing 2

I mentioned last week that we’ve been re-reading each chapter of Haanel’s Master Key. Today I reached Chapter 18 which tells us that “Thought is the invisible link by which the individual comes into communication with the Universal, the finite with the Infinite, the seen with the Unseen. Thought is the magic by which the human is transformed into a being who thinks and knows and feels and acts.” (18:14)

Haanel goes on to say “In order to grow we must obtain what is essential for our growth, but as we are at all times a complete thought entity, this completeness makes it possible for us to receive only as we give; growth is therefore conditioned on reciprocal action, and we find that on the mental plane like attracts like, that mental vibrations respond only to the extent of their vibratory harmony.” (18:24)

I found myself drawn to these two verses on a deeper level than previously. We are complete thought entities! What does this actually mean in easy English? In my mind I pictured a full glass of water. The age old question, “Are you a glass half full or a glass half empty person kind of person” is just another way of asking if someone is an optimistic or pessimistic person. But Haanel suggests that our glass is always full. How do you add more water to an already full glass? The answer is simple, you make room for more by emptying some first. This is a great analogy for our talents and skills as well as our thoughts.

An athlete (lets call him Bob 🙂 ), wants to win a race. He has read every book on running ever printed, he has studied maps of the race track and googled the best type of running shoes to buy. However, Bob says “I don’t want to waste the little energy I do have so I will not run until the start of the race.” If you were a betting man, would you put all your money on Bob to win? Of course not………. Hmmm, but Bob has read all the books, and theoretically he clearly knows his stuff! He has given it a lot of thought, his intentions are good, so why are the chances of him winning slim?

Because even though all Bob’s reading and thinking is great there comes a point at which his knowledge is useless unless it is physically applied. Knowledge does not apply itself. We all know instinctively if he really wants any chance of winning he must get out there and run, and run and run and run. Not once, but over and over until he perfects his technique and strength, and as Bob gives of himself physically, (in other words empty some of the water), he gains more strength and becomes faster.

All life works on the principle of Law of Attraction. Notice how the weeds in your garden seem to multiply so easily!! Animals like to group together in kind and humans like to group together with others of like mind. It makes us feel comfortable, safe, energised and happy being with others who understand us. Our thoughts ripple across the Universal field of energy, and when they are charged with emotion they vibrate more strongly, attracting to them other vibrations of a similar frequency. Yet it doesn’t matter if that emotion is negative or positive. Just as the soil doesn’t care what seeds you plant, growing a weed as easily as a rose, mind works in a similar way. “Thought is the energy by which the law of attraction is brought into operation, which eventually manifests in abundance.” (18:27) However, if your thoughts are positive and in harmony with Universal Mind which is Love, then they will attract to you things required for your growth and ultimately the life you desire. Our intention is crucial, because this feeds our attention and “Attention has been held to be the distinguishing mark of genius. The cultivation of attention depends upon practice.” (18:31)

“The incentive of attention is interest; the greater the interest, the greater the attention; the greater the attention, the greater the interest, action and reaction; begin by paying attention; before long you will have aroused interest; this interest will attract more attention, and this attention will produce more interest, and so on. This practice will enable you to cultivate the power of attention.” (18:32)

Bob’s interest was in running. His intention was to win. He gave running his attention and gained valuable knowledge. But knowledge does not apply itself and so what was then required was action. By keeping positive thoughts focused on his intention gives Bob the best chance of success.

What thing really interests you? What thing makes your heart sing? What thing makes you feel alive? What thing gives you that tickley feeling in the pit of your stomach like a kid on Christmas eve and you can’t sleep from anticipation and excitement? When you know this, give it some thought. Give it your attention and create more thoughts until you’re inspired to action. Only as we give is our glass refreshed, and when we are refreshed we grow.