WHERE WE GET OUR IDEAS.n7039 ¶1
Ideas do not come to us from the without. The belief that we are living in a world of ready-made ideas upon which we may draw as we like is not true. The human mind is not a mere receptacle into which ideas may flow from some outer source. The ideas that exist in the individual mind are created by that mind, and by that mind alone. The belief that all ideas come from some external source — that we simply have to open our mind to receive them — makes the mind a mere channel through which something may pass from one place to another ; or it may make the mind a mere automaton upon which any force from without may act for good or otherwise. This belief, however, is very common, and it is one of the principal obstacles to originality and greatness, as well as to the finding and knowing of real truth.n7039 ¶2
The belief that man develops by opening more widely his mind so as to receive a greater number of ideas from the cosmic fields about him, tends to prevent the further development of the mind. While the realization of the fact that man develops by creating more and more original ideas of his own will tend to promote further development. Any system of thought or belief, therefore, that compels the mind to accept the ideas of others will retard the progress, not only of the individual but of the race. On the other hand, anything that teaches man how to create his own ideas and do his own original thinking will promote the development of greatness.n7039 ¶3
It is a well known fact that every form of greatness comes from original thinking, and those who understand the natures of mind and soul know that original thinking is the direct result of man's power to create consciously his own ideas according to his highest conception of what is truth. < The mind that can create ideas has begun to exercise its own creative powers. And when those powers are mastered anything can be created or recreated. Through these powers man can recreate his own personality, his own character and his own mentality. He can recreate his own mental world, change all his exterior surroundings, and create his own destiny.n7039 ¶4
Man has the power to become a master in the largest sense of that term. And the first step is to create consciously and intelligently his own ideas. To begin, the fact that ideas do not come from without must be realized. We may receive impressions from external sources, but we do not receive ideas from those sources. The only ideas that exist in any mind are the ideas that that mind itself has created.n7039 ¶5
In this connection we must remember that an idea is not a belief about something, but the result of your own mental conception of that something. You may accept any number of beliefs about things without actually thinking about those things. But when you try to understand those things from your own point of view, you form a mental conception of your own, and the result is ideas of your own. These ideas may be crude, nevertheless, you have begun to exercise your own creative power, and may so develop that power that the future may find you in advance of the greatest minds of the age.n7039 ¶6
To exercise this creative power try to form mental conceptions of everything that may enter your mind ; that is, try to understand all things of which you are conscious by looking at those things from your own individual point of view. Do not ask what others may think about this or that, but ask yourself, What do I think? How do these things appear to me while viewed through the eyes of my own mind? Your conclusion may be imperfect at first, but you are arousing your own creative peters; you are forming mental conceptions in your own mentality; and you are creating ideas of your own. You are therefore developing originality and have entered the path to greatness as well as the path to the higher and better understanding of greater truth.n7039 ¶7
To bring your mental creative power into full play the more impressions from the without that you admit in your mind the better, provided those impressions have quality and worth; because to form conceptions we must have something about which to think, and both quality and quantity should be sought from every source. Impressions come through the senses, and indicate to consciousness the fact that there is something real back of those phases of life that are represented by the impressions thus received.n7039 ¶8
When you look at something you gain an impression. But that impression is not at first an idea. The impression simply indicates the existence of something without giving any definite information as to what that something might actually be. If you accept that impression as final on the subject you fail to form any idea of your own with regard to it. Thus your creative power is not brought into action through the coming of that impression, and no original thought is formed. On the other hand, if you proceed to form some definite mental conception about that something, the existence of which was indicated by the impression, you will form an idea of your own, thereby developing the power of original thoughtn7039 ¶9
The same impressions, however, do not originate the same ideas in different minds ; nor is this necessary. The purpose is that each individual mind is to form ideas of his own in connection with every impression that is received so that the power of original thought may be developed. To a materialistic mind the sight of a forest may simply suggest lumber and profit; but to a lofty mind the same forest may suggest the beautiful idea of God's first temples; and he may enter to worship in states more sublime than he ever knew before. What ideas we shall form therefore from impressions thus received will depend entirely upon our own attitude and purpose in life. Though if we actually form ideas according to our present capacity we shall take real steps in the right direction.n7039 ¶10
Our interpretations of things may differ for a time, but if we use these interpretations for the purpose of creating original ideas we shall all reach gradually but surely the same high goal, even though our several paths in the beginning were not the same. We realize therefore the folly of criticising those who differ from us in their ideas about things, because so long as they are creating ideas of their own they are moving forward, building both mind and character; and accordingly deserve only the highest praise.n7039 ¶11
We want everybody to become much. We want everybody to live the largest and best life that is possible in their present state of development. And since we know that original thinking is the secret of greater things, we must invariably rejoice whenever we discover an individual who has begun to create his own ideas. The fact that his ideas may! differ from our own should not disturb us, because when a mind begins original thinking that mind will become larger and larger, and will ere long gain just as large an understanding of truth as we have, and possibly much larger still in the course of time.n7039 ¶12
In dealing with people, therefore, our otyect should not be to persuade them to accept our system of belief. On the contrary, we should try to encourage them in original thinking. We should try to present methods through which they may become so great in mind and soul that they can understand the whole truth for themselves. The mind that becomes larger and larger will know the truth and live the truth without being persuaded by others. Therefore all our efforts for the race should be directed upon the development of larger minds and greater souls. To promote this purpose original thinking along the lines of seeking, finding and knowing the truth is the one great essential. Let people believe what they like for the present, but do your best, by all means, to stimulate the desire in all minds to create their own individual ideas about everything.n7039 ¶13
The truth is everywhere. We all can see it if we have sufficient mental capacity; no one has the monopoly; nor is it necessary for us to gain our understanding of truth through certain persons or systems. All minds are equal before the Infinite Mind. And each individual mind must understand the truth through his own mentality. We can know only by using our own power to know. And that power develops through the constant use of creative capacity, that is, original thinking, or the creation of our own ideas about everything about which we may think.n7039 ¶14
If we wish people to see as much of the true and beautiful as we see, we should help them to develop the same high states of mind. The same mental altitudes produce the same points of view, the same points of view produce the same mental conceptions, and the same mental conceptions produce the same ideas. In consequence, when we reach the heights of great souls we shall see life as they see it; we shall think the same thoughts that they think; and the peace and the joy that they feel we shall feel also.n7039 ¶15
Do not criticise what you do not understand, or what does not appeal to you. Instead, develop your mind more and more ; and what you do not understand today will be simplicity itself tomorrow. We are wasting too much time trying to change each other's belief. If we would all use that time helping each other on to greater heights of understanding and power we should ere long become so highly developed that we all could see all things from all points of view. Then we should all agree in all things without even trying to agree.n7039 ¶16
We cannot find the truth by following this system or that, but by using the best systems and methods in the development of a superior understanding; and in the use of methods we must remember that impressions or beliefs have no value except as indicators pointing the way to some hidden reality or truth. Therefore those who receive the wisdom of the past, or the impressions of the present, as something to have and to hold, gain absolutely nothing. However, those who try to form original mental conceptions of everything that enters the mind from any source, will not only develop originality and greatness, but will sooner or later form those very ideas that have always produced the greatest things in life.n7039 ¶17
We are changed, improved or transformed through the renewal of our minds. And this renewal is the result of our creating superior ideas of everything about which we may think. To form superior ideas it is necessary to improve constantly upon all of our mental conceptions; in brief, to accept no conclusion as final, but to try to see all things through a larger and a larger understanding The greatest mistake that can be made in this connection is to accept ideas from other minds without trying to improve upon those ideas in our own minds.n7039 ¶18
The ideas we think we receive from other minds are not necessarily ideas, but usually only impressions of those ideas, because the only ideas that can exist in any mind are the ones that that mind creates itself. Those impressions, however, that are received from the ideas expressed by others may become instrumental in forming ideas of our own if employed for that purpose ; but if they are simply accepted without further thought they are valueless.n7039 ¶19
Originality comes not by accepting beliefs, but from the creation of superior ideas about all things that are represented by our beliefs. And the more numerous our beliefs or impressions are the better, provided we select only the best. There are some who are trying to develop originality by refusing to listen to other minds, thinking that they must depend wholly upon their own conclusions. But originality does not come by ignoring the thoughts of others. Originality comes by improving upon those thoughts. And since we must know the best thoughts in the world today in order to create something better, we should familiarize ourselves with the best ideas and the best minds everywhere. Then we should try to form superior ideas in our own minds. We may not succeed at once in forming ideas that are superior to those of the master minds, but we will in the effort create ideas of our own, thus taking the path to greatness and the path to greater truth. And by continuing in this path we shall soon rise to those heights from where we can give the world something better than has ever been given before.n7039 ¶20
To form superior ideas look at the subject under consideration from as many viewpoints as possible and enter into the finest grades of mental life during the process. Learn to feel deeply whenever you think, and try to see the very soul of all thought. All such effort, however, must be gentle, though filled with a strong, penetrating desire that gives the whole attention to the spirit of perfection that permeates all things. Refine the mind by training yourself to think through the feeling of your finest conception of refinement, and hold attention centered upon your highest realization of what may be termed cosmic substance. This substance is the perfect substance from which all substance is formed. Therefore it is the highest and finest that we can think of. It is the least material, and by thinking about it your mind enters into a finer consciousness through which superior ideas will invariably be formed.n7039 ¶21
Having realized this fine mental life, take up your various beliefs and try to form superior ideas about the principles or realities which those beliefs represent. You will have results almost from the beginning. Then search everywhere for ideas that are superior to your own in order that you can improve upon them all. Whether you do or not you will at any rate improve upon your own power of originality, and to continue in that improvement is to reach those heights in the course of time where you can improve upon almost anything. Through this prac- * tice discoveries and inventions of great value may appear to you at any time. In fact, you are liable to do greater things than ever were done before, no matter how insignificant you may be today. By creating your own ideas about all things you begin the development of creative power and there is no limit to what this power can do.n7039 ¶22