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Organizing Your
Mind
This is my interpretation of the second chapter of Harry Lorayne's book 'Secrets of Mind Power'. This chapter is called, 'Cultivate Your Interest - to the Pitch of Success'. Lorayne starts out by saying: "We are all, each and every one of us, completely and irrevocably alone. No matter how many friends a person may have, nor how close those friends may be, it does not change this thought --- or fact, if you will-- that we are each an entity in ourselves." That sounds so cold and unfeeling but really it is true. Absolutely no human being can get inside your head. You are the only one who knows your true thoughts. Now I said human being, but there is a Being who knows your every thought but that is another subject. You can tell the people you are close to your thoughts, but they aren't necessarily explained exactly as you think them. Also maybe they are interpreted differently than what you are trying to express. Then there are the people themselves. How often do you meet someone and say "Hi, how are you?" and how often have people said that to you? Have you ever answered that question and watched as that person's mind wanders away, not really listening to what you are saying? It is because it is just a polite question in which no one really wants an answer. People mostly don't want to know about your aches and pains unless they are good friends or family. Even they sometimes are just being polite, because they also have their own troubles on their mind. For their own troubles and concerns are more important to them just as yours are to you. Continuing on the author believes we need to be, "Curing the 'Private I' Complex." So many of us are 'firmly imprisoned in that seemingly escape-proof cell of ego'. We are so into ourselves that we think the world revolves around us. Lorayne says this can be cured or at least 'arrested' by simply showing an interest in others. This may be hard to believe, but to show an interest in others is something that you will have to force yourself to do. This is not a simple thing to do, just thinking to yourself, " well I am going to show an interest in others". Especially if you are in the habit of mostly thinking of your own interests above all else. Now don't go thinking that if you aren't really thinking of someone else's interests then you are being a hypocrite so you might as well forget it. That is a defeatist way of thinking or maybe even more self-centered. Habits are hard to break no matter what kind they are. It takes work and constant focus to break a habit. Harry Lorayne suggests, " Try thinking of the other person as 'I' instead of he, she or they" In other words, 'put yourself in their shoes'. You will soon find that you really are interested in others. Tolstoy, a well-known novelist, said, " We love people not for what they can do for us, but for what we can do for them." This shows that you are really interested in them and their welfare. Dr. Albert Schweitzer also said about doing for others, that we find, " our secret source of true peace and lifelong satisfaction." So doing something for others will alleviate the emptiness you may be feeling as long as you are doing it in an unselfish manner. You may fool others about your ulterior motive but you won't fool yourself, so in the long run you will continue to be lonely. Would you want to spend time with someone who only thinks of him/herself? If your hang up is that you dislike other people it is more than likely you who should change. To show interest in someone else instead of simply concentrating on yourself, you need to really listen to what they are saying. As you listen try to learn something from what they are saying. This takes focus and concentration and in focusing and concentrating, you are training your mind. In conclusion, one more quote from Harry Lorayne, "The degree of interest that you show toward anyone or anything can be controlled. The way your mind controls that interest can change your entire life for the better." So, Go and Do it! Lorayne starts each chapter with some kind of quote, this is from the third chapter, so until then ... Psychiatrist: Well, I think I know how to solve your problem. You've got to be more enthusiastic; you need more get up and go; more gumption. You must throw yourself completely into your work. Incidentally, what sort of work do you do? Patient: I'm a gravedigger! Patricia Downing |
