The mind can think of one thing only. Fear is an acute form of negative
concentration--worry its chronic form. If you learn how to place your
mind upon a particular subject and inhibit or "shut off" all other
thoughts, the fascination of fear and worry shall have no power over you.
Most of the things you fear never happen--others can be routed by a bold
front. Even if something ugly does befall you, you have the power within
to enable you to 'bear up' heroically. Fear is a mere negative
thought-habit. It is a negative tendency in the mind. You can best
eradicate this weed from your mind by cultivating the positive attitude
of Courage. There are particular sets of brain-cells being created or
destroyed by particular types of thoughts. The best way to destroy
negative brain-cells is to develop positive brain-cells. If you want to
_Kill off Fear-thoughts_, do not fight them. That would be like trying to
realise how dark a place is and then starting to pitch it out by the
handful. You know you cannot do it. Just open the blinds and let in
sunshine and the place will be flooded with light. The mind hypnotised
by negative thoughts has been compared by a mental scientist to a dirty
wash-bowl full of dirty water. Take the wash-bowl near a tap and turn
the tap on. The steady pour of clean water will soon wash off all the
dirty water and fill the wash-bowl with clear water. So the only way
to root out and destroy evil thoughts is to turn a steady stream of
positive thoughts. To overcome all fear thoughts, you should think
courage-thoughts. Don't crawl on your belly; don't call upon Heaven to
witness what a despicable creature you are. No--a thousand times--no. Act
Courage. Think Courage. Say Courage. That's the way. Turn your face
towards the rising sun. Take "Courage" for your watchword. Affirm
it as far as you can. Fasten it deep and strong in your mind. Always tell
yourself that you are full of courage, morning, noon and night; never
tell yourself that you are weak.
Now, in order to inhibit fear-thoughts and exhibit Courage-thoughts,
you must possess CONCENTRATION. You should be able to take your mind off
a certain subject and put it on something else at your will. Do you know
what Concentration means? Let me give you in my own words something I
remember reading about Napoleon. When banished to St. Helena and
suffering from disease, one day his doctor expressed his curiosity as to
the secret of his success and astonishing power. Napoleon replied
"Doctor, there are drawers in my brain. When I want to think of politics
I pull out the drawer of politics, when I want to think of Josephine, I
pull out the drawer of Law, and so on; and when I shut all these drawers,
I can go to sleep." The doctor smiled incredulity blandly. "Doctor, I can
show you this minute. Doctor, I shut all drawers"--even while saying
this, Napoleon fell with a thud on his pillow. He was fast asleep. The
man of science and medicine examined him in all ways, but Napoleon had
fallen actually fast asleep. This is Concentration and Mind-Control. I
don't admire men of Napoleon's selfish types. Their place is in dark
hell. They use their power for preying upon others. But that his powers
of mind were great, I don't deny. Napoleon in his past life had been a
great Yogi, but the remnants of self and cumulative force of bad Karma
precipitated the bloody results you all know in connection with
Napoleon's career. No doubt, this man was only a means used by God to
bring about certain changes and revolutions.
To develop Concentration, pay attention to the daily work of your life.
Don't neglect small things. Put interest and attention into whatever
you think, say, or do. Be a wide-awake man. Don't go about your work
half-asleep. Wake up and display a few signs of life. Be progressive.
Think much and to the purpose.