PART I
How to Understand Yourself

8.HOW TO UNDERSTAND YOURSELF

GENERAL ATTITUDES

What are attitudes? Attitudes control our failures and suc­cesses. They are our beliefs and our certainties; they are the sum total of our convictions. Character and personality reflect our inner attitudes and beliefs. When we believe a certain thing is true, we refer to our attitude about that particular thing. Even though we may be entirely wrong in our conviction, to us it is true and so becomes our reality. Our total beliefs reflect attitudes that are positive or negative, scientific or fanciful. Being the sum total of all our beliefs, whether wise or foolish, our attitudes can propel us to the heights or plunge us into despair.

During our earlier years we absorb ideas like a sponge. Parents, relatives, teachers, ministers, and environment have made contributions to our present beliefs. That is why religious or political affiliations rarely reflect independent choice. We form, in like manner, definite concepts of health, sex, sin, love, confidence, faith, and success during our formative years. A child subjected to stern religious discipline and the belief that "sex is sin" battles a guilt complex as long as he lives. It is a matter of record that most mentally disturbed patients suffer from a conflict of such attitudes. Realities of adulthood are incom­patible with unrealistic attitudes formed during early childhood. Since man's reality is what he believes, he often suffers from guilt, anguish, and doubt until his mind cracks beneath the strain.

Attitudes are listed in two broad groups—positive and nega­tive. The positive attitudes naturally lead to survival, health, well-being, and all things pertaining to happiness and success. (See Power Chart, p. 73.) Negative beliefs draw one in the opposite direction, toward unhappiness, failure, and death. Fear is the restraining force behind such beliefs, fear of one thing or many things, but always fear. We say of fear that it paralyzes, it renders impotent those who embrace it. Behind all negative beliefs and attitudes there exists fear.

Negative concepts plague the race—fear of retribution, hell, guilt, illness, jealousy, greed, poverty, and distrust are but a few of them. As long as we are afraid we are incapable of positive action. Two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time. One cannot embrace positive thoughts while doubt persists in the inner mind.

With modern techniques, the negative attitude is first erased; then, without opposition, positive belief supplants it. Simple? Yes. The laws of nature are never complicated. It is man who runs amuck by trying to change and achieve by force alone. Force applied to matter is effective, but the principle is ineffec­tive in the fields of psychology and thought. By force of will we attempt to curb undesirable habits, but rarely succeed. Certainly will power is not the only answer. Well-meaning people find endless apologies for their lack of will: the religiously inclined attribute their failure to wickedness, others blame bad luck, and some blame others for all their problems. If you have failed to keep resolutions, or found it difficult to curb a long-standing habit, or have been unable to change a negative attitude, do not feel that your failure is unusual. You have millions for company. You lack neither faith nor courage, you are not weak, and you are not being punished. Indeed, it is rare to conquer such prob­lems by the power of will alone. As long as negative attitudes dominate, our lives follow certain defined paths of thought and activity. Any action whose pattern is persistently influenced by mental blocks soon forms habits difficult to control.

BLOCKS AND ABERRATIONS

Blocks and aberrations are self-imposed limitations. All com­pulsive actions contrary to our best interests are aberrative if we perform the action against our better judgment and conscious will. Do not take "self-imposed" to mean conscious self-imposi­tion, for this is not the case. No one consciously limits his abili­ties, either mental or physical. It is within the subconscious that these blocks occur. In other words, man does not know they are present, because he did not consciously acquire them or even agree to have them. We have often stressed this faculty of our two separate minds to arrive at opposite considerations, thereby causing man to fight himself. It is essential that you fully appre­ciate this dual quality, since it is misunderstood by most people. Lawmakers and many educators still reflect their confusion on this point, that man is not able to fight his complexes and com­pulsive behavior alone, without some knowledge of his mind and techniques for changing them.

Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, the mind will be better understood, and institutions of correction will be staffed with personnel and equipped with tools for changing the minds of inmates, permitting them a safer return to society. The pattern for antisocial behavior begins in early childhood, when the mind is plastic and molds quickly to suggestion.

Just as social behavior is dictated by negative attitudes and mental blocks, so is our general health. We accept more illnesses today than ever before. We talk about poor health. We read about the increase in illness, and we worry unnecessarily until we actually become ill ourselves. The following example illus­trates one facet of disease acceptance or tolerance that is far more common than one might think. A young man of thirty years, with an eight-year history of nausea and upset stomach, requested help. Prior physical examinations had disclosed no organic cause, but the condition continued to persist. Under deep hypnosis the cause of his condition was discovered, and normal function was immediately restored. He related how he had "played sick" on several occasions, years before, to avoid distasteful chores, and each time he would have a feeling of guilt. Soon, these attacks were occurring regularly, only now they were real and unwanted. What his subconscious had done was to produce nausea and thus avoid the feeling of guilt.

How do we assess the average man who does not beat his wife, fly into a rage, or steal his neighbor's car? We never hear about him, it is true, but how well adjusted is he, and what are the marks of differentiation between him and his more aberrated brother? What motivates the breakdown of moral fiber in one person and not in another? There is just one answer: emotional shock, when not reduced, accumulates strength until it over­powers the survival potential and destroys the will.

Battle fatigue and shell shock are familiar terms, and we understand how prolonged sieges of nervous tension can breakdown conscious awareness and produce conditions such as hysteria or amnesia. These are heavy doses, so to speak, and may produce a break in a short time, but such experiences are not the sole causes for such conditions. They can happen to civilians as well as soldiers. Every time a person tries to accomplish some­thing and fails, the effect of it is registered as a slight emotional shock. In like manner, all other disappointments also register. Add these charges that accumulate from grief, worry, moments of pain, and illness and the total may well equal that ac­cumulated in war. Such is the battle of life. Strong emotional blocks are quite real and will register their effects on sensitive electronic equipment.

MAN IS NO LONGER A MYSTERY

Until recently there was no yardstick for calculating the qualities of character. We have taken a stranger at his face value, accepted the testimony of others, or relied upon business refer­ences and credit associations as aids in arriving at an evaluation of personal worth and moral character. Since any of these ^venues are subject to bias, our judgment of people has often erred. Banks and other institutions that deal in large sums of money must employ extreme caution in their selection of em­ployees, but even they are often fooled.

Research over the past eight years has brought new under­standing to human traits and actions. It has been ascertained that a person who is mentally alert, and who is in command of his seven keys and enjoys good health and success, will be popular with both sexes. It has been observed that those lower on the tone scale will manifest a proportionate reduction in all these respective characteristics.

POWER CHART: INDEX TO HUMAN ABILITY

A man's actions give a perfect index to his attitudes, his habits, and his beliefs. By using and applying the Power Chart, one can evaluate mental levels and anticipate future actions.

Certain negative patterns produce predictable negative actions on a gradient scale. Our scale is quite accurate for de­termining man's emotional level. You will find it to be a valuable tool with which to better understand your fellow man. We have explained how wrong thoughts produce wrong attitudes and concepts. We have seen how small problems accumulate and assume the proportion of major complexes. Man's emotions and actions are controlled and influenced by this accumulation. Since he cannot but react to inherent prevailing attitudes, his actions must reflect his true emotions.

Let us examine the four major levels through which man passes as he drops or rises in emotional tone.

Level 4+.—At the very pinnacle of this scale we find the specially gifted, the prodigy, and the genius. In this select group are those with superior talents, unusual abilities, and photo­graphic memories. The qualities of genius may manifest in the field of art, music, mathematics, industry, or other fields. Those in this group just seem to "know"; they are intuitive and possess powers beyond those associated with normal consciousness. True ecstasy is exclusively a quality reserved for the advanced mind. Ecstasy is strength, knowledge, wisdom, and innate fearlessness. While today true geniuses are few in number, their accomplish­ments will ultimately conquer the universe.

Level 4 to 3.5.—From 4 to 3.5 one has few problems he can­not solve. In addition to good health, a person at this particular level has many other desirable qualities. He is ambitious, he enjoys life, and he is well adjusted. Although not a genius, a person at this point on the scale is highly creative. He is honest and sincere and completely without bias. He is confident and directs his attention at will. At this level he is master of his habits and does not permit habits to master him.

Level 3.5 to 3.O.—Here we find those with the following characteristics: cheerfulness, optimism, honesty, and a sense of humor. A person on this level communicates well with others and is rarely jealous or suspicious. He respects the ideas of other people. He is outgoing and inherently kind. He assumes normal responsibilities, he is creative, and he is in command of his atten­tion and memory. He is rarely sick and has few psychosomatic illnesses. He is pleasant, ambitious, and radiates self-confidence, charm, and warmth. He has few blocks and inhibitions. In other words, this is the successful person. His personality attracts be­cause he gives of himself.

Level 3.0 to 2.5.—This is the average citizen; he is fairly well adjusted, but lacks some of the sterling qualities seen at Level 3.5. He sometimes exhibits intolerance to ideas and beliefs that differ from his own. He may be opinionated and selfish, at times. Self-confidence will be lacking when it is most needed. Level 2.5 is prone to worry at times; he has fears and his health is not al­ways good. He can be a good friend, but he does not actively seek friends. He does not expect great success, but neither does he expect to fail. He is generally honest, but under certain con­ditions he may steal and then be harassed by feelings of guilt. Should we attempt to describe him with a single word, it would be "average." He may have trouble concentrating and may be prone to forgetfulness.

Level 2.5 to 2.O.—Here we have the low average, those with more than their share of psychosomatic ills. This group seems to attract trouble. They cannot control their tempers, habits, or appetites. Those in this group have less than average self-confidence and will power. Other keys (of the seven) also may be weak or out of balance.

Level 2.0 to 1.5.—A person on this level is in trouble. He ex­hibits many emotional defects. He becomes careless of his per­sonal appearance. It is difficult for him to look you directly in the eye. One who has dropped to this level is deceitful. He is filled with self-pity and defeat, and he has little tolerance for the prob­lems or opinions of others. He has become the effect of every­thing, such as weather, society, gossip, and germs. At Level 1.5 we find those who are addicted to temper tantrums, brutality, harshness, and vulgarity. Here we find the insanely jealous, the malicious, and the cruel. As we drop lower on the chart we dis­cover the accident prone, for those with a record of accidents are subconsciously seeking death, having arrived at the balance be­tween survival and death. At this point a person is even too low to exhibit anger. He hates but he fears to show it, and his sup­pressed feelings drag him even lower on his downward spiral. At this point he is invariably ill and expects to remain so. All positive qualities of survival are suppressed, and memory, atten­tion, and motivation are sharply impaired.

Level 1.5 to 0.0.—As the human being sinks even lower he drops in the minus levels. Here he ceases to fight. His courage is gone, and he suffers in docile despair, for he has degenerated into a state of complete apathy. He knows at this point that the world is against him and defeat envelops his every move. He has acquired a number of physical ailments, any one of which he is sure may cause his death. He has no confidence in himself or his friends or in Cod. He longs for pity, but as he drops further in the minus zone he even loses interest in himself. He now shuns people for he fears to talk to them. He spends his time drenched in sadness and self-pity. His attention and memory are scrambled in his distorted thoughts. He is slow to answer you for, though his hearing may be good, his attention is nearly gone. Without help, this person is doomed. He will either take his own life, suc­cumb to one of his chronic ailments, or become mentally de­ranged.

You may rely upon this scale, for its degree of variation is small. You will never find a person with decidedly mixed quali­ties, such as a Level 3.5 to 3.0 person, antisocial, or suffering from an impaired memory. Neither will you find a Level 1 person who is tortured with psychosomatic illnesses possessing qualities of self-confidence or other high-level qualities. To each his own, for as man goes either up or down this scale, the quality of his attitudes have had to undergo change.

What causes one to drop in tone level? Many things. Unsolved problems and defeats generated by negative attitudes are responsible for most tone changes.

Unfortunate accidents or grief can become an almost insurmountable problem, should the person already be low in confidence and will power. One person may stay at Levels 3 or 2 throughout life, with very little permanent fluctuation, while an­other, through an undesirable combination of circumstances and environment, becomes less able within a short time.

A person's emotional tone does not always give a clear-cut picture of a specific tone level, for as general tone rises or falls the transition is gradual. We might say fluctuations in tone occur by degrees, with a person exhibiting less and less of Tone 3, for instance, and more of the qualities associated with Tone 2, until he finally descends to a stationary Tone 2 level. This same transition occurs in reverse, when one ascends the tone scale. Chronic tone level refers to the general level of tone where a person normally operates, irrespective of temporary fluctuation. Our tone goes up or down occasionally depending upon the pleasure or stress of the moment. Sudden fright, pain, or worry produce drops in tone, just as good news and pleasurable excite­ment precipitate a temporary tone rise. A change in tone is al­ways observed to progress gradually from level to level, either up or down as the case may be. This rule applies to every emotional tone change, whether it be a swift fluctuation caused by fright, or a slow transition in the general tone level.

We will cite here an example with which everyone is familiar. Suppose you are driving along the highway at sixty miles an hour, cheerful and happy (Tone 3). A drunken driver careens onto the road ahead with no warning. Your very first reaction, how­ever quick it may be, is a feeling of irritation (Tone 2.5). You drop into anger very quickly as you apply the brakes (Top of Level 1.5). You are suddenly afraid you cannot avoid an acci­dent as you bear down on him (fear, bottom portion of Tone 1). You manage to stop with only inches to spare. You feel weak, shaken, and depleted; actually you might say you felt numb with fear.

These changes will have occurred within a few seconds, but they did occur in exactly that manner. The rise in tone follows the same pattern. We left you in Tone 0.8 (fear). As you realize what a close call you have had, you become quite scared, which brings on anger (1.5). Your anger subsides as you drive along, even though you are still irritated (Tone 2.5). Gradually you de­cided to think no more about it and turn your attention to some­thing else (back to Tone 3.0).

Emotional stress or tension lowers the tone, while happiness, pleasure, and freedom from tension elevates the tone. Chronic tone drop seems to be propelled by its own momentum, especially in the lower levels, for it is hard to discover the original motivat­ing force. It is true that a person in a low tone does produce and attract dismal thoughts and conditions, which, in turn, further depresses the tone and accelerates the downward spiral. It is well to remember that the person with a chronic tone of 2.0 to 2.5 might rise perhaps to Tone 3 while experiencing pleasurable moments, but would never rise to Tone 3.5 or 4.0, even tem­porarily. Do you not know someone who is obviously so low in tone that a smile would crack his face? Now the very best this person can do to indicate pleasure would be a weak, guilty, or apologetic smile, indicating a slight rise in tone. At no time will the apathy case feel free to indulge in the attitude of relaxed cheerfulness, for the accumulated weight of aberration, fear, and self-condemnation has blocked the emotions from rising. Re­education must guide the person back up the route from whence he came. The path he traveled downward is the same one by which he must return, and transitional-sleep methods permit him a much speedier trip back than ever before possible.

A lowered emotional level will be accompanied by a deterio­ration of one or more of the seven keys to power. Often there is an over-all impairment, from reduced attention and memory to a weakening of the will power. In others there will be noted only slight impairment in certain areas of the personality but great changes in others. Rehabilitation of the basic seven keys is the surest and quickest way to bring about a rise in emotional tone.

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