Read the excerpt from Laura M. Westall’s 1908 book A Common-Sense View of the Mind Cure and
respond to each question with one paragraph (two paragraphs total):
1.
What does Westall believe that the human mind
has the power to do? What does she suggest will allow individuals to access
that power?
2.
Do you agree with her assertions? Why or why
not?
“The first step in rational mind-cure is unquestionably to
change the mode of thought; but it is not enough to stop thinking depressing
thoughts--a positive attitude must be taken in order to render the mind
buoyant. And this may be done in several ways:
The method of "suggestion "--the daily affirmation
of ideal health, hope, and courage--is good, for the reason that the mind feeds
upon such ideas as harmonize with the inherent instinct of self-preservation.
One is working with nature.
The use of the imagination is equally good; it is a molding
force. But it requires mental concentration, which few practise or fully
understand, and therefore the simple self-suggestion is easier, generally
speaking.
The spiritual uplift which we call prayer is also an aid. For
whatever uplifts the soul exhilarates the mind, and we thus get a better mental
reaction. Its effect, however, is temporary, and it can not be relied upon to
effect a cure; else why were not our martyred presidents restored to health?
Finally, one may try to cultivate a saner philosophy of
life. Most of us are too self-centered; we dwell too much upon our personal
discomforts. If therefore we can bring ourselves to see that suffering in some
form is the common lot; that it is a part of the discipline of life, which
chastens the soul and fits it for a nobler sphere of thought and action, we
shall go far toward cultivating a cheerful stoicism in regard to our ills.
The second step in self-help is to reform the mode of life,
thus securing a better adjustment to external conditions. And here are needed
common sense and self-control. The man who persistently fritters away his
energy in emotional excesses; who delivers himself up to self-indulgence; who
deprives himself of fresh air, sunshine, sleep, pure food, and pure water, or
who works each day to the point of exhaustion, must suffer the penalty. The law
of compensation can not be escaped. The dyspeptic who persists in
"bolting" his food, overloading his stomach, or eating when fatigued
can not be cured by any method known to man. If you should have a sore on your
hand and removed the scab as fast as it formed, how long would it take for the
sore to heal?
Finally, one must by a combined mental and physical
treatment build up the brain and thus improve the vitality.
To begin with, the brain is the hardest-worked part of the
body, and the tendency of our time is to overwork it. So then one should learn
to rest the brain. When the first symptoms of fatigue appear, stop; throw
yourself back in an easy chair or couch and relax the muscles. This takes the
tension off the brain. Every one knows that when the leg muscles begin to ache,
after walking some distance, how refreshed he feels after a halt of a single
moment. Having relaxed the muscles, close the eyes, and let the thoughts drift;
or, better still, make the mind a blank. Five minutes, even three minutes, will
prove refreshing, and it should be resorted to at frequent intervals daily in
nervous exhaustion. The celebrated Dr. Pepper, of Philadelphia, trained himself
to fall asleep for two or three minutes at frequent intervals throughout the
day, and thus accomplished a vast amount of work without fatigue. Just to relax
the muscles, hold the brain steady, and stop thinking gives this cerebral rest.
The second measure, both hygienic and mental, is stimulating
the brain, but this involves the third, which is breathing.
Some men and nearly all women breathe improperly. With the
latter, tight clothing which crowds the vital organs together and diminishes
lung space, and the wrong habit of sitting and standing, are responsible. Only
a small portion of the lungs is used, and there is residual air which is rarely
changed. And yet "breath is life." We can live a number of days
without food, several days without water, but only a few moments without air. …
It should be made a habit. If one is obliged to live an
indoor life, he should make it a practise to go to the door or window at
frequent intervals and take each time at least seven full, deep inhalations,
filling the lungs to their utmost capacity. With head erect, and chest lifted,
hold the inspired air for a few seconds, to extract all the oxygen from it.
An excellent exercise is to place the feet side by side,
clasp the hands, and inhale and exhale regularly for several moments. The brain
is thus electrically charged.
Another: Stand erect, inhale deeply, then holding the breath
drop the head forward slightly, clench the hands, and tense all the muscles.
This stimulates the circulation of the brain.
For nervous debility and mental depression, deep breathing
is unexcelled, particularly if one applies imagination. Thus: when inhaling
imagine that you are taking into your system the life-giving oxygen; that the
invigorated blood is circulating in the brain, stimulating the exhausted cells,
and imparting to them new life. With a little practise, one will soon be able
to perceive the quickened circulation, which will be followed by a sense of
exhilaration.
Local self-treatment comes next in order. We have seen how
the vital force leaving the brain spreads throughout the body by means of
nerve-fibers; that it is the life-stimulus, since it keeps the internal fires
burning; that if it depreciates or is unequally distributed, the weakest spot
will be the first to suffer; and that only through its activity can the
circulation be kept normal and also the nutrition of each and every part.
Manifestly, then, it is necessary to get control of this
life-energy; and it is by no means as difficult as at first appears.
Simply concentrating the attention or fixing the mind upon
any organ or part will, as before explained, direct the vital current to that
spot. … If one applies imagination or "suggestion" results are
quicker. Thus: One may form a mental picture of the vital force directed to a
given spot, as the gardener turns his hose at will upon the plants under his
care, and one may follow in imagination the course of the blood. And, finally,
the purpose of all this: a mental picture of the desired result. …
A little practise will bring any part of the body into
almost instant communication with the mind. …
It means work--daily, persistent work--to get results. But
if pills and powders fail to cure you, what are you going to do about it? Live
at a "poor dying rate" or muster up courage to take a hand in your
own salvation? …
It is a matter which each person must decide for
himself--whether or not he has the necessary knowledge and courage to attack
his case single-handed. Some friend or physician may put him on his feet, but,
when all is said, the permanence of his cure depends upon himself; for if he
drops back into the old habit of thought and life, he will gradually reinstate
the conditions which first laid him low, and will naturally relapse into a
similar state. He is wise, therefore, in any event, if he sets about his own
regeneration.
Moreover, it is a fine discipline for the mind. It
strengthens the will, develops self-reliance, self-control, and
self-confidence. And when the victory is won, it is virtually self-mastery.
And "whoso conquereth his own soul is greater than he
who taketh a city." ”
The full text of this book is available here: http://www.sacred-texts.com/nth/cvmc/index.htm
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