Dynamic Thought

A FOREWORD


This is a queer book. It is a marriage of the Ancient Occult Teachings
to the latest and most advanced conceptions of Modern Science--an odd
union, for the parties thereto are of entirely different temperaments.
The marriage might be expected to result disastrously, were it not for
the fact that a connecting link has been found that gives them a bond of
common interest. No two people may truly love each other, unless they
also love something in common--the more they love in common, the greater
will be their love for each other. And, let us trust that this will
prove true in this marriage of Occultism and Science, celebrated in this
book.

The Occultists usually get at the "facts," first, but they manage to
evolve such outrageous theories to explain the facts, that the world
will have none of their wares, and turns to Science for something
"reasonable." Science, proceeding along different lines, at first denies
these "facts" of the Occultists, not finding them accounted for by any
of her existing theories; but, later on, when the "facts" have been
finally thrust under her eyes, after repeated attempts and failures, she
says, "Oh, yes, of course!" and proceeds to evolve a new theory, welding
it with other scientific hypotheses, and after attaching a new label
thereto, she proudly exhibits the thing as "the latest discovery of
Modern Science"--and smiles indulgently, or indignantly, when the theory
of the old Occultists is mentioned, saying, "Quite a different thing, we
assure you!" And yet, in all justice, be it said, Science usually
proceeds to find much better "proofs" to fit the "facts" of Occultism,
than did the Occultists themselves. The Occultist "sees things," but is
a poor hand at "proofs"--while the Scientist is great on "proofs," but
so often, and so long, fails to see many things patent to the Occultist
who is able to "look within" himself, but who is then unable to
positively and scientifically "prove" the facts. This is easily
explained--the Occultist's information comes from "within," while the
Scientist's comes from without--and "proofs" belong to the "without"
side of Mentation. And this is why the Occultists so often make such a
bungle regarding "proofs" and the Scientist fails to see "facts" that
are staring the Occultist in the face.

The whole history of Occultism and Science proves the above. Take the
phenomenon called "Mesmerism" for instance--it was an old story with the
Occultists, who had been for years aware of it, theoretically and
practically. Mesmer brought it into general prominence, and Science
laughed at it and at Mesmer's "fluid" theory, and called him a charlatan
and imposter. Years afterwards, Braid, an English surgeon, discovered
that some of the facts of "Mesmerism" were true, and he announced his
discovery in a scientific manner, and lo! his views were accepted, and
the thing was called "Hypnotism," poor old Mesmer being forgotten,
because of his theory. Then, after a number of years, certain other
aspects of the phenomenon were discovered, and scientifically relabelled
"Suggestion," and the re-naming was supposed to "explain" the entire
subject, the learned ones now saying, "Pooh, 'tis nothing but
'Suggestion,'" as if _that_ explained the matter. But so far, they have
only accepted certain phases of this form of Dynamic Thought--for that
is what it is, and there are many other phases of which they do not
dream.