Thus, I Read a Book: W. W. Atkinson

Showing posts with label W. W. Atkinson. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Dynamic Thought; Or, The Law of Vibrant Energy by William Walker Atkinson

Dynamic Thought; Or, The Law of Vibrant Energy

I have virtually struggled to complete this reading. It was really tiresome to read this book. I desire to share my view about this book in some separate statements which are assertions.

The writer is not confident about the nature of the argument which he is propounding.

The writer is a lawyer by profession. He is exercising his skill as a legal professional to build his argument and a case.

The nineteenth century had declared the sway of Science and Scientific methodology. It created a crisis of existence for other fields of knowledge and epistemology. This book is an excellent example to demonstrate the nature of the struggle for survival after the advent of the Science as an established field of knowledge. The writer has exercised his professional skill to explain the theories of science concerning his opinions on Mind and Life.

The writer does not like materialists. Well, that is not a right statement. He is ready to give them space but sympathizes with them. I also do not approve the materialists' way of thinking. It is surprising that he had not quoted Karl Marx at all. He has not even talked about Albert Einstein.

The writer has a good understanding of basic lessons of Physics. He does not have a good understanding of Chemistry. He explains the nature of chemical reactions in terms of love, marriage, and divorce. I was just wondering why he never talks about mathematicians. He has quoted many scholars from Europe who were known mathematician. However, while developing his case for the concept of the Mind, he has not taken up the working of the mind of a mathematician. He has talked about zoology in detail in one of his books, but here, he has not found any need to example from that subject. No doubt, he has taken the cases of microbes.

In his book also, he is suggesting that many of his points will be discussed in detail in his next book. He tells that the title is "The Wonders of the Mind." He informs that the book is in preparation. However, I have not located this title in the present anthology which I am using. It claims to be complete works of W. W. Atkinson.

This is how I present my review of this book. Throughout the book, Atkinson keeps assuring his reader that they have to believe in the theories and explanations which he is giving. He knows that his arguments would be rejected by the world of science. Then, Atkinson wishes that one day he will be proved right. He is not confident in his own content.

The issue of Ether is tackled differently. He knows that the world of science has rejected this concept. He has been using this idea in his books wherein he has tried to explain the laws of occultism. The Hindus believe in Akash which has been translated as Ether. He has referred to Hindus theories in many of his books. Therein, he has talked about Akash. But he adopted the term Ether in place of Akash. Now, in this book, he is opposing the idea of Ether.

In one of his book, probably it is one on Telepathy, that he has claimed that he is the first person to use the term 'mentation.' However, in this book, he has written that the word mentation was first used by Elmer Gates.

His views on the actual nature of Gravity is really fascinating. He was a contemporary of Albert Einstein. He collects his material from different magazines. I have a clue that he was a subscriber to many magazines. One can locate this fact by searching on the Internet. But, he has not talked about the explanation as provided by established scientists. I do not know the actual nature and origin of Gravity. I feel secure in the fact that the scientists know and they are using it well in the form in which they have their theory on it.

On the whole, there are fourteen chapters in this book. I have virtually struggled to read this book. At one stage I had even thought of quitting this book. May I suggest then that this book can be skipped. You will not lose much if you do not read this book.

Attention: Advertisements: Use Discretion

Mysticism A Very Short Introduction Mysticism and Science

Thursday, June 22, 2017

The Crucible of Modern Thought by William Walker Atkinson

The Crucible of Modern Thought by William Walker Atkinson is an important book for the readers of W. W. Atkinson as it gives answers to many questions about Atkinson. On the Internet, you may find some views and judgements about this writer and his writings. One statement is that they are mainly the Ghost Writings of the members of Theosophical Society. Another statement is that there was no trend or movement in America which could be called "New Thought Movement". You may find a statement which suggests that all his writings were a Possessed writing. In this title, one can find clues, and factual answers to many of such questions which are mainly based on rumours or unverified and half checked judgements and comments on these writings. However, all the queries and issues will not be settled.

In the compilation published by e-artnow, this book is placed on the third place. It should be placed in the first place. The compilation should begin with this title. It will give a good introduction to the working of the mind of the author and also to the actual nature of the whole anthology. This book has justified my plan to read the compilation from the first title itself. That is another thing, the way I have come across this compilation and the sequence of selection which I have adopted, imparts me a different experience. It is an adventure to explore a thing without any prior knowledge or without any expert guidance. It imparts pleasure to make a discovery on your own. It imparts those abilities or activates those abilities which no expert can make it possible for you and in you.

~~(TO BE CONTINUED)~~

The Nineteenth century is an important topic among the university scholars and academicians. This century established the superiority of science. The Science established its sway. The science was not the product of the nineteenth century. It was in the nineteenth century that its victory was established and granted full recognization. However, it also created a crisis for other fields of intellectual existence. It will turn out to be a lecture in a classroom if I try to elaborate on this point. However, some arguments and facts can help to emphasise that which I am trying to say. It was in the nineteenth century that Napolean created an empire. It was in the nineteenth century that the Concert of Europe took place. It was in the nineteenth century that the emperors allowed the subjects to establish their parliaments and frame their constitutions. It was in the nineteenth century that the books like The Wealth of Nation (1797), the Origin of Species, the Social Contract, the Das Capita were written and they became the important scriptures of the people who matter. It was in the nineteenth century that the subjects like sociology, economics, psychology, Physics, Chemistry etc were accepted as the full-fledged identities and got their name. It was in the nineteenth century that Penicillin was discovered. It was in the nineteenth century that Steam Engine was developed. It was in the nineteenth century that some crucial mathematic formulas were framed and solved. It was in the nineteenth century that Wireless became a reality. It was in the nineteenth century that internal combustion engine was developed. It was in the nineteenth century that the Petroleum was used for the general public. It was in the nineteenth century that the railroads were laid. It was in the nineteenth century that DC and AC (Tesla) were used. It was in the nineteenth century that an aeroplane took its first flight. It was in the nineteenth century that the Industrial Revolution took place. It was in the nineteenth century that the nations like Germany and Italy were unified. It was in the nineteenth century that the American Civil War took place. It was in the nineteenth century that the Periodic table was regularised. It was in the nineteenth century that the structure of Atom was fully accepted. It can be continued further. Behind all this, a single thing became the all pervading thing. It was the Scientific temper and also the scientific methods.

The nineteenth century declared and established the success of the Science. But, along with it, came the crisis for other methods of thinking and temper. The theology was questioned for its belief. Some of the subjects were pushed to the background. Many of the systems of thinking, beliefs and faith were abandoned. But they did not die. As Bertrand Russell had written in his History of Philosophy that these subjects raised some questions and dealt with them which the science could not do.

The above two thought streams were prevailing in the nineteenth century when the world entered into the twentieth century. It was a tumult, a crisis in academics, a fascinating debate among the intellectuals and the people in power running the states that marked the time. It is with this background with which 'the crucible of Modern thought' be understood.

There is a need to make a specific noting here. It is no that the nineteenth century was the only exclusive century. There are much more such periods which were epoch-making. The scholars tell that 6^th century BCE was one of it. One can easily identify the exclusiveness of the Renaissance. This remark is needed to understand the idea of New Thought Movement about which Atkinson had talked and for which it seems that he was criticised. The Renaissance is also identified with the term New. In the present days, the world of interconnectivity through internet and computers based devices is also bringing in something which may be called the New. For every generation, there was a New and there will be a New. But, the records tell that the nineteenth century was definitely an exclusive century.

The first two chapters of the book, viz, The Twentieth Century Melting Pot and Old Wine in New Bottles are the results of the tumult and brewing about which it is mentioned in the preceding paragraphs on the nineteenth century.

The next two chapters are on Transcendental Thought and Emerson. The author is more concerned with Emerson's Transcendental System which seems to be the ruling thought in the USA in the first decade of the twentieth century. After the chapters on Emerson and his contribution, he takes up the history of western thought, a topic for which you can consult the book by Bertrand Russell titled 'History of Western Philosophy'. I would like to say one thing here. I had tried to read that book but not completed it. My understanding of the Western philosophy is based on the reading of philosophy of History. For that, I have read the book by Collingwood and two good authors from India namely B. Sheik Ali and E. Shridharan. I do not evade to accept it that I am not confident of my understanding of this topic. But, here, when I read these chapters written by Atkinson, I felt highly satisfied with the clarity which I acquired. It may have happened that the core material was already there with me. It is the writing style of the author and his good understanding and ability to write even abstruse and difficult concept in a way that his writing converse with its reader. I may again try to read Russell now.

There is a need to give another noting here. I must accept that in the course of my present reading, the offline dictionary, as provided with the Kindle, is a great help. The other features of making noting and highlighting are an additional asset. The Internet is also a blessing. If you do not understand a term, or a concept or an idea, you can readily browse the web through the Kindle link. You do not feel constrained by the non-availability of a good library. You are not obstructed by the need to visit a library to clear your doubts. You simply right click and give a command for browsing for the topic for which you need an immediate understanding. You do not seek a haughty and pseudo-intellectual for the explanation. You check Internet Encyclopaedias, various blogs and websites and acquire a working glimpse of the thought behind the new and unfamiliar term. In short, the reading is facilitated by these digital devices. I now strongly differ with those, who continue to assert that the paperbacks have their own beauty. I do not deny the aspect of beauty to that format. But for me, the digital devices and means are more effective, practical and productive.

Someone may consider it my overstatement but I must say that I have found his crucible a better book than that of Russell. Atkinson has taken up the orient thought also. He has talked about Vedanta, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Sufiism. It is another thing that he has not discussed a specific thinker separately among them. I do not know and also not able to learn about his selection of Orient thought. He writes that there are many thought traditions which are worthy of selection but he prefers those four. In the case of Russell, he had recognised the influence of the Indian or Vedantic thought on the Western thinkers but he did not make any chapter on that because he was writing about the Western Philosophy. Therefore, I find it a more effective narration. I may change my view after completing a fresh reading of Russell which is spread over nearly 800 pages. But, in this small book, Atkinson is able to perform a balanced job on the whole.

He has devoted one chapter to Theosophy and Christain Science. It is in this chapter that one can learn the actual meaning of the New Thought Movement as claimed by Atkinson. However, it is also evident that he was definitely in contact with the members of Theosophy Society and also in a way influenced by them. But this book is not a work of a possessive writing. In this book, the writer has written what he has understood.

One of a peculiar feature of perception of Western Philosophy that he has not included the name of Marx in the list of his study. He has talked about Materialists. He has talked about Hegel. He has some reservations with the materialist. But, nowhere, he has attempted to mention the name of Karl Marx.

The last chapter is titled the Dawn of Tomorrow. I have seen that he has a hidden desire to earn fame as an established thinker and prophetic writer. However, I do not want to describe much about the content of this chapter. He wrote this book somewhere in 1910. Now nearly a hundred years after, one can easily check that how far is his vision was a vision.

Another feature has turned up in this book and it is relating to the editor of this anthology and the publisher e-artnow. They have tried to fiddle with the contents. While you read Atkinson, you know that he had written his work between 1900 and 1930. In this book, the author has talked about George Bernard Shaw. The compiler of this work has given the year of the death of Shaw which took place in 1950. The editor is definitely unimaginative person. In one of the title also, I have failed to mark this in review of that title, that the publisher has written a introduction to the each chapter. It was a shoddy work. Similarly, the publisher has developed it as a bunch of his work. The publisher has not cared to add the years of the publication of the each title. It does not go well with such a type of work. In the same manner, he has not adopted any method in arranging the works of Atkinson. Like, this work is different from that which I have read in other works of Atkinson. I can suggest a classification of his work. These can be three sets and they can be as follows.

Work on Self Improvement Topics

Work on Mysticism

Work on Philosophy and Personal Essays.

This title can be placed under the third category and that is Work on Philosophy and Personal Essays.

Attention: Advertisement: Use Discretion

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

The Art of Expression and the Principles of Discourse by William Walker Atkinson

Ultimately, I have read the first book in the compilation which is titled 'The Art of Expression and the Principles of Discourse' by William Walker Atkinson.

If, someone, reading the opening line of the post, is surprised at the expression, tone and diction of the sentence, then, kindly continue to read the next paragraph which explains the reason for framing such a sentence.

A Report:

I have a compilation of the unabridged works of William Walker Atkinson. I had virtually discovered it for myself. I was trying to find a good work on Patanjali. When I was searching it on the internet, I was attracted towards a portrait on a title. The title of the book was The Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism. The name of the author was Yogi Ramacharak.

It was Patanjali who first gave the idea of Yoga. It was from his Yoga, the idea of Yogi developed. I was seeking knowledge on Patanjali. The desire to know Patanjali is basically a quest to know Yoga. A person who knows Yoga is called a Yogi. The price of the book by Yogi Ramacharak was also around ₹ 60/-. It was the amount which I could afford to spend. When I was able to find a book on Patanjali, which was by Swami Vivekananda and it was also available in a form of a compilation, I bought that book for ₹300/-. It was like getting a bonus when I also bought this unknown author Yogi Ramacharak, at least to me, along with the anthology of the works of Swami Vivekananda. I did not read Swami Vivekananda. I started reading Yogi Ramacharak. The narration was such that it grabbed my attention. Gradually I learned that the author knew about the Christian religion. He was also referring to numerous English authors. I developed a doubt about the learning of the author Ramacharak. I started searching for him on the internet. Soon, I learned that the name was an adopted name of William Walker Atkinson.

In the Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophy, W. W. Atkinson had referred to many of his other titles. He had talked about the title of Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga etc. In between, whenever I browsed the internet, I was attentive about the titles by William Walker Atkinson. Soon, I located this compilation by the publisher e-artnow (I do not know who are they.). It was priced at ₹ 48.23/-. It included the title The Fourteen Lessons. It also contained the title 'The Advance Course in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism'. In the book, the Fourteen Lessons, the author had repeatedly mentioned that he would elaborate on different points in his next book and he specifically mentioned it as the Advance Course. Therefore, after completing the reading of the book, I started the book the Advance Course. Again, in that book, he mentioned some of his other titles and suggested that one should also consult them in order to fully understand his elaboration in his book on The Advance course. Therefore, a sequence developed. I read the book and then shifted to another book as suggested in the course. I could do that because all those books were available to me in the compilation. Gradually I found that there is no sequence in my selection of the next title. After reading nearly 20 books out of that compilation, I thought of starting the compilation from the very first book as given in the compilation by the publisher.

The first book in the compilation by e-artnow is "The Art of Expression and the Principles of Discourse".

Now, let us review the experience which I had undergone while reading the earlier titles by W. W. Atkinson. In every book, he was suggesting and recommending a name of his other title which should also be read. I experienced that if you followed his suggestions, you could appreciate the contents of his books. I decided upon a plan that I should read the compilation from the beginning. Now, these two thought-sets worked together. I picked the first book which is 'The Art of Expression'. I read the first page. On the first page he suggested that one should read his book on Thought Culture and Logic in order to fully appreciate the contents of the book. I left the reading there and by following his instructions, I picked the book as suggested by him. I read the book on Logic. I read the book on Thought Culture. There were some more titles dealing with Thought Cutlure. However, in these two books, that was on Logic and Thought Culture, he talked about the aspects of Memory. He suggested that one should also read his book on Memory Development. I then read his books on Memory Training and Memory Culture. After reading these four books, ultimately, I read this book.

The Review of the Book:

There are fifteen chapters in this book.

Among all the chapter, I will like to emphasise that the Chapter X, The Argumentative Discourse, the Chapter XI, Argumentation and the Chapter XII, Evidence and Proof have attracted my attention and interest. William Walker Atkinson was a lawyer by profession. The ideas which he has taken up in the selected chapters has an imprint of his training and professional experience. The contents and topics are also relevant to my subject of History. I have virtually found a set of notes which I am going to use for my students. Let me take up a particular topic.

He has discussed the Cause and Effect relations. I had been teaching about the Cause and Effect relations to my students. I use the elaboration by E. H. Carr in "What is History" and also the Idea of History by R. G. Collingwood. It is substantiated by the book by an Indian author B. Sheik Ali. E. H. Carr had discussed it in his chapter on Causation. He has his style of explaining the topic. But, somewhere, I felt as if, E. H. Carr might have read his book. No, I do not pass any judgement here. I am just sharing by impression. Atkinson might have published this book before 1920. He had his bookseller agent based in London. E. H. Carr wrote essay somewhere around 1950 and his book was first published in 1954. Collingwood wrote his draft for the Oxford University Press in 1935 and it was later that his incomplete work was published. Now I am going to use them in my class.

I read those chapters with great interest. I believe that these chapters can be included in his title on Logic also. He made his book as logic as per the elaboration by William Stanely Jevons and other Logicians. No doubt, while talking about Logic, you must understand the core rules and principles. But, by incorporating it in that book, the rules and principles can be substantiated for the better understanding of the common reader. It can definitely be made a part of the book on Thought Culture.

On the sideline, I will also like to discuss a similar feature concerning one of his elaboration. In his Advance course, he has discussed about the features of the Absolute. While giving the features of the Absolute, he has written an essay which is as good as a note on Japaji Sahib, an Utterance of Guru Nanak Dev. I teach Sikh history also. We have to explain the features of the concept of the Absolute as given by Guru Nanak Dev. I have read many textbooks because of my professional needs for that topic. All the text books give a similar elaboration. Somewhere, I felt as if, all those text book had been borrowing from a common source and among them, the perfect elaboration is given by Atkinson. In his elaboration, nowhere, Atkinson has mentioned about Sikhism or Guru Nanak Dev. It is a feature of his writings that while discussing the Indian Mystic thoughts, he does not mention a single Indian name associated with scriptures or any Sanskrit work. He refers to Latin and Grecian origin of English words. He referred to words like Gyan, Raja, Hatha, Prana etc. But, he uses only those terms which are now readily included in the English dictionaries.

The topics of the first three chapters are Expression, Languages: It Beginnings and the Evolution of Language. It makes a fascinating reading. If one knows about the history of these topics, then it can be appreciated with great admiration that how these topics had dominated the intellectual circle of the world at the beginning of the twentieth century. I will suggest that in order to appreciate these topics in historical context, one should read this essay titled Philosophy of Language on Internet Encylopedia on Philosophy,

From chapter IV to Chapter IX, the topics are the Words, the Building of Vocabulary, The Choice of Words, the Figurative Speech and the Discursive Expression. While I was reading these chapters, I felt that he should have also given a chapter on Grammar or suggested the need for the grammar. I am a native of India. I live in Punjab. My dialect is Punjabi. But, I generally write and think in Hindi. I keep a grammar of English by Wren and Martin even today. I consult it again and again. But, suddenly, I realized that I do not have any grammar book of Hindi. If somebody asks me about the forms of Verbs or Kriya, or Adjectives or Vianjan, I will not able to tell. I do not even remember the alphabets of Hindi. I believe, because Atkinson was an English speaking native of America, therefore, he did not feel the need to suggest it. It is taken for granted that you know the rules of grammar in a natural way. It is another thing, that in his book on developing Memory, he has given a doggerel rhyme on Parts of Speech. It seems there is a difference in teaching methods at school level between India and Western World. One of my elders had told me that in his times, the history was always taught in the form of doggerel rhymes. Now a day, it is all that research based history and no one remembers the history.

In the chapter on the Expression, he has given the central idea of this book. He says there that the art of expression is concerned with oral expression or speaking and the rules and principles that can also be used for writing and composition. He has laid the limits in his explanation itself that the extent of the discourse in the book is limited. He has not talked about the skills of uttering a word, the stress on the different part of speech, the modulation of voice while explaining the elocution etc. On the whole, whatsoever he has given, can be made a good starting point to learn about elocution, speaking, oration and also the writing methods.

I end by repeating that I liked the chapters on Argumentative Discourse and Argumentation.

Attention: Advertisement: Use Discretion

Friday, June 9, 2017

Memory Culture: The Science of Observing, Remembering and Recalling by William Walker Atkinson

Memory Culture: The Science of Observing Remembering and Recalling by William Walker Atkinson is the book which I read after reading his other book titled Memory: How to Develop, Train and Use It.

In the compilation by e-artnow.com, this book on Memory Culture is listed before the book Memory: How to Develop. I read the book Memory: How to Develop first and then read Memory Culture. If you just try to ponder and reflect upon the title, you may be amused and think that both the titles convey the same thing. Well, there is a little bit of difference. If you focus on the meaning of each title, you may yourself identify that there is a little bit of fine difference in the meaning and motive of the titles. You should develop the ability of Memory to remember, recall and recognise. Yes, this can be achieved. I do not know that what the qualified Psychologists and Neurologists have to say about that. They have developed drugs and processes which can make any person to reveal out his or her thought and memory under their observation. But, as a common man, when you are not under the observation of a psychologist or neurologist, you have to deal with your memory on your own. It is there, that you need it, that you must have the ability to remember, recall and recognise your knowledge. Now, How can you do that? What type of activities should be performed by the mind? What type of culture should one adopt to use his or her memory? These questions give you these two titles.

Now, I will not call that one book is an adjunct to other. It is not that it supplement each other. They exist as a separate identity. They are not two eyes of the same man. They are heart and brain of the same man. That is it. They are rather two heads of the same body. They synchronised their activity and the body achieves its full potential. You can not have a memory culture without developing memory. You can not do much by developing memory without having a memory culture. That is the relation.

When you read this author, somewhere you feel that he ends a chapter abruptly and carves out a fresh chapter to continue his narration. You desire that he should have said the thing in the same chapter, there and then. You adjust to his writing by giving a view that it is his style. However, it is not simple as that.

I just wonder that he was a contemporary of Mark Twain. The USA feels proud of Mark Twain and considers him its icon. However, Atkinson may have been popular for his writings. One can judge that from the fact that it is stated at a number of places on the internet that his titles are still in publication. I have come across them because of that. I am not a person from a literary background. I read and read a lot. But that does not make me qualified for being a literary person. But, for me, he has done a good job. My criticism and sarcasm of his writing is my way to deal with the information which I gather. I have an admiration for his work.

Now, Let us see the contents of the title.

He deals with this topic by alluding to the importance of subconsciousness in the first chapter. In the case of Memory development title, he has emphasised the importance of having a good memory.

After that chapter, he again takes up the topics on sense organs based information, abstraction, perception, developing ideas and using logic. He repeats the chapters on the ear and the eye use. All these aspects have been mentioned as separate chapters in the Memory Development. However, here, he has tried to tell that there is a culture which one should develop while dealing with memory.

I am interested in emphasising the contents of the last chapter which is titled Artificial Systems. In this chapter, he has tried to give the history of the development of the artificial systems. He has covered a number of methods of artificial systems to develop the memory. You may come across books and paid courses which try to help you to learn such artificial methods of developing the memory. However, in between, Atkinson has remarked that many people get frustrated with such type of methods. They feel cheated when they fail to maintain the practices taught in such courses and books. He is not against these methods. He has suggested that if you get to benefit from them, then incorporate them into your practice of developing memory. It is there, he has also raised a question. He has tried to emphasise that the feature of memory is a natural thing. One should make efforts to develop and harness that natural ability first. It is just like developing your muscles. You go to gym for that. You can do it at your home. But it is you who have to do it. He has a point.

I do not want to say that he has given the ultimate truth on the development of memory. I do not undervalue the achievements of scientific psychology. It is a result of scientific psychology that we know today that generally, we try to remember things in a set of three facts. You remember a long number by remembering them in a set of three figures. The neurologist has come with many such drugs which can make a person a captive of a neurologist. The intelligence agencies use the work of their outcome. The drug addicts can be treated only by the expert. In their cases, the works of Atkinson will not be a help. But, it is for the common man, that he is more relevant.

A Suggestion:

One should read the following combination of his titles in order to fully get the benefit on the subject which he has taken up. The subject is the use and development of Memory.

Set One:

The Subconsciousness and Superconsciousness Planes of Mind

Suggestion and Auto Suggestion (I have to add to the contents of the review of these titles. However it will be a good plan if someone follows my suggestion and read these books. After that, he read my reviews.)

Thought Culture, Or, Practical Mind Training.

Set Two:

Memory: How to Develop, Train and Use it

Memory Culture: The Science of Observing, Remembering and Recalling

The Art of Logical Thinking; Or, The Laws of Reasoning

It is my suggestion that they may be read in that order.

I would like to add. You can download the Kindle Software which is a freeware. It can be downloaded on a tablet, mobile phone and PC. You can buy the compilation from the Kindle store. It cost you ₹48. 23/-. If you are in India, I do not think, this combination can be any issue. I have used e.artnow compilation. There are many more compilations and individual titles by the same author available on the internet on Google Books also. The free copies can also be downloaded from Internet Archive or Guttenberg project. However, I find the compilation by the e-artnow as the cheapest possible option. There are some flaws in this compilation but if you have visualised and accepted the game plan, then it is the right set that can be adopted.

Ending Message:

I have started the reading of The Art of Expression.

Attention: Advertisements: Use Discretion

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Memory: How to Develop, Train and Use It by William Walker Atkinson

The Idea of Selecting This Title for Reading:

It is a repetition of that which I have already explained as the reasons to read the titles by William Walker Atkinson. I have a collection of the works by Atkinson. I have already read some of its titles. Now, I have decided to read the compilation from the first title in the list. The title is "The Art of Expression and The Principle of Discourse".

Atkinson had written numerous books. In every book, he alluded to his other books and suggested to his reader to consult the other book in order to explore the full benefit of the title. I had read his different books without any plan or sequence. But, in between, I have developed this view that his suggestions should be followed. Therefore, when I started his book on the Art of Expression, I found that there was a suggestion that one should read his book on logic and also the thought culture. In his book on thought culture, he advised that one should read his book on memory culture. There were two books on memory topic. One of the book is this one which is the subject of this review and the second one is titled "Memory Culture: The Science of Observing, Remembering and Recalling". I am on the verge of completing the reading of that book. Now, here is the review on Memory: How to Develop, Train and Use It.

The Book Structure:

The book has twenty chapters. The chapters can be safely divided into two sections. The section one may contain first nine chapters. The second section, which may contain chapters from Chapter X to the end, can be called the section of practical suggestions and instructions.

In the first section, he has emphasised those aspect of psychology which I believe should be taught to every student. In schools, reading and writing are taught. These aspects, which are explained in this book, should also be incorporated in the instructions and made the part of the practice of study as the sports and other co-curricle activities are emphasised as the part of schooling.

If you are a student, you must go through this book. It will benefit you in your studies. You have to study the titles which are suggested in the first paragraph of this post. You may find it cumbersome. However, it is more result oriented if you read the combination of the titles as suggested in the first paragraph. I am also amused when I find that in his every book, the author suggests another book. But, I feel, that if he has taken up all the topics in one single title, it would have not been that attractive and useful.

Let me now take up some aspects of the contents. The author is again perfect and best in his art of writing. He has written a simple English. You do not have to consult a dictionary to understand his discourse. You do not encounter any Latin or other archaic or technical terms. Well, in the case of these titles, he has not quoted numerous authorities as he has done in the case of the titles on esoteric and mystic topics.

Kindly check this list.

You have Five sense organs viz. Eye, Ear, Nose, Tongue, and Touch sense and their corresponding sensations.

You get information on your surroundings through your sense organs.

You gather the information guided by following mind features. They are

Your Desire
Your Interest

Your Attention

Your Concentration.

The information which you gather through your senses is confined to and restricted by your ability to Abstract the data from the sensation of your sense organs. You can learn to polish your ability to Abstract in this book.

The Abstraction is kept in your brain or rather the abstraction gives you the Perception.

The Perception is utilized by the brain to develop the Idea.

An Idea is identified with the help of terms and images. The book tells about the simple methods to develop this process consciously. The extra thing that is required is your consistency and ability to utilize it with a commitment.

Now if you are interested in this elaboration and it conveys you some meaningful talk, then, this book can be used to develop your memory.

I have full regards for the Psychologists and Neurologists. If they are there to tell that their field of research has progressed far ahead than the content of this book, then I will definitely like them to suggested me the titles of the books which they want to recommend.

Attention: Advertisements: Use Discretion:

Finis

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Thought Culture, Or, Practical Mental Training by William Walker Atkinson

After reading sixteen titles written by W. W. Atkinson, I thought of reading the first title in the compilation. The first book in the compilation is the "Art of Expression". On the first page, it is recommended that one should first read a book on Logic and then on Thought Training in order to fully utilize the content of the title. I have read the book on Logic. A review is already on this blog. This is the next book.

A Reminisance:

The books or the titles which I have already reviewed and commented upon on this blog, were mostly on esoteric sciences. There is a story behind it. I wanted to read about Patanjali. On the basis of my prior knowledge, I tried to acquire the book written by Swami Vivekananda on Patanjali. While I was searching for that on the Internet, I came across a book on Philosophy of a Yogi by Yogi Ramcharaka. The discourse in that book was written in such a manner that I was highly impressed by the thought process that it was inducing in my perception and understanding. Gradually, I observed that it was written by a person who had good knowledge of Christianity and Western literature. I directed my attention and efforts to learn about Yogi Ramcharak. In due course, I discovered that the real author was W. W. Atkinson. Soon, I was able to find a compilation of his writings for a very small amount.

One of the supporting factor in facilitating this reading was the free software of Kindle. I had learned about Kindle when it was not available in India. As it is a general response of most of the people, that when something new is introduced, the people tends to pass a judgement without caring to know that whether they are really genuine, right, and they are fully qualified to pass that judgement. I am no different from such people. Therefore, I did not care to look into the Kindle. I had learnt there were many more e-book reader softwares. However, in between, I was able to collect PDF format books from Google Books ( When I started, it was called Google Print). They were free. They were related to my subject of History. They were providing me such documents which I could have acquired only from archives. If I had ever tried that, at the maximum, I would have been declared a good research scholar and obtained a PhD. I have not done that. The technology has proved itself a blessing for the creatures like me. I was happy and content in realing PDFs of old books provided by Google Books. I even bought some google books also. But there I encountered a problem. I needed internet when I desired to read them. I could read them offline as I could do in case of PDF books. In India, the continuity of electricity supply and consistency of the internet are an issue. No doubt, it is gradually improving but, it is still there. I do not know what actually is the situation in the developed countries. But anyhow, let me come back to my topic of this post. When I was able to locate, Swami Viveknanda on Kindle store, then came the issue of getting that software. The bait was that the price was very less. Soon, I learnt that I could get the Kindle software free of cost. I downloaded it. Then I bought the books of Swami Vivekananda and also the book by Yogi Ramchakara. Till this day I have not read the books by Swami Vivekananda which I have downloaded. I had been reading W. W. Atkinson.

The guiding query, interest and motive were to read about Patanjali and Yoga and what he had told about Yoga. The books by Yogi Ramchakara was on Yogic practices. From there on, the event of reading on Kindle continued. The features on Kindle, like highlighting, which I had been doing on PDF also, the online dictionary, the facility to read it offline etc, all these facilitated my reading urge. But I was hooked to Ramchakara. My discovery of Atkinson behind that Yogi, was an award to me by my ownself. My topic was study of Yoga Philosophy. I knew little bit before hand. Therefore, there was enough grounds to explore the compilation which I had obtained as a lottery. However, I gradully learned about the method and style of writing by Atkinson. I found that he had developed numerous titles on different Ideas related to Yoga. There was no sequence. Therefore, I had then decided to read the compilation from the first title itself. I had an experience of the style of title making by Atkinson. I picked the first title called "The Art of Expression". In the first chapter itself, rather on the very first page, he had suggeted that one should read his book on Logic before fully appreciating his title. I did not continue with the Art of Expression book. I picked the title which he had suggested on Logic and immediately shifted to the book of Logic. I have posted the review on it on my blog already. It was in the book on the Logic,that, he suggested that one should also read his book on "Thought Culture". I, then, started that book. In the book on Thought Culture, he suggested that one should read his book on developing Memory. I completed the book on Thought Culture and started the reading of Memory Development. But, here I did not fulfill my commitement with this blog. I have completed the reading of book on Memory Development but had not written the review on Thought Culture. Now I am trying to do that.

The Review:

Thought Culture; or, Practical Mental Training is one of the title in which the smooth English of the writer is well demonstrated. I read it within few hours. In this book, it is suggested that one should also read his book on Memory development. I started that book after completing the reading of this book without posting my first impression on the blog. It was the attractiveness of the writing which was the motivation to learn about the memory development. Memory development is one issue which is cherished by people from all age group. Therefore, I should eagerness to read that book without writing any post.

No doubt, I had highlighted many lines within the book. I also recorded some comments. But, I did not write anything on the register which I usually did while reading. I even tried to look towards other titles also, which carried the term 'thought' in its title. However, I moved to the title of Memory development and then later to Memory Culture.

This book is definitely required to be read if you want to fully explore and get benefit out of his book on Logic titled the Art of Logical thinking about which I have already posted my comment.

The book contains fourteen chapters. In this way, it is one of the smaller book as compared to other books. It is a smaller book because it has a lesser number of chapters.

The firt four chapters are merely an introduction type chapters. He introduces you to the ides of Thought and Thought Culture or motivate to go for Mental Training.

The substantial topic begins in Chapter 5 titled Attention. Kindly look into the following list.

Senses

Sensation

Attention, concentration and Desire

Perception

Representation

Abstraction

Association of Ideas

Generalization

Judgement

Derived Judgement (A difficult and technical chapter probably based on the hypothesis of William Stanely Jevons.)

Reasoning.

If you are student and want to improve enjoyment of study, then learn the meanings of the terms given in the above list. You may learn the meaning of these terms from a dictionary or the Internet. However, I will suggest you to learn their meaning from this book written by William Walker Atkinson. Each term is a heading of a chapter. You can now make it out the actual nature of the suggestion. Those of you, who may have some training in psychology, may join in to talk about these topics in reference to the content in the book. It is a request that kindly do not give your modern research narrative here. Kindly come up with a narrative which everyone could understand in a way that it may benefit them without paying any fees to an expert. After all, everyone has his mind and owner of his or her mind. Help them to use it without imposing your intitutionalised degree on the society. I am not here to hurt some one but everyone owns his or her brain and mind. If you help to get optimum benefit of it, then it is right of the society of to get it as it is the society which has provided to you a setup in which you acquired your degree.

Now I will talk about "Memory: How to Develop, Train and Use It" as explained by W. W. Atkinson, in the next post.

Attention: Advertisements: Use Discretion:

Sunday, May 21, 2017

The Art of Logical Thinking; or, The Laws of Reasoning by W. W. Atkinson

Before I say my thing, I will like to ask few questions to the readers of this post.

Are you a student?

Are you a fresh research scholar?

Do you want to understand the research methodology in any field of enquiry?

Are you troubled by your thoughts and seeking some clarity?

If the answers to above questions are in affirmative then kindly be attentive.

I strongly recommend it to you to read this book.

A Confession:

I have been reading books on logic. I am having notes on research methodology. I have books on this topic. I have J. S. Mills book on it. I have Kant's book on Reasoning. I listen to many people who claim that they are talking logically. I have confronted the opposition that had questioned my ability to do a logical thinking. I read and come across the statements which appeal to logic. I confess I am not sure about the concept of LOGIC and reasoning. I have read the books on this topic but I have never completed the books. I struggle to read through the pages of the established scholar which have been declared the semantic discourses. I have never completed the reading of such authorities. I have read about the writing of the philosophers and logicians. I have pretended to understand them but have never developed the concrete comprehension of the subject.

Now, here is a book, which I have completed. I feel satisfied to some extent. Therefore, I invite you to use it.

I have displayed the compilation of the complete works on Atkinson. This title is listed on number two in the list the compilation which I use.

I had actually started the first book in the compilation. The title of that book is The Art of Expression and The Principles of Discourse. It was suggested in the first chapter of that book that the title on Logic should be read.

In this book on Logic, the author has also suggested that one should also read the title on the Subconscious and Supreconscious in order to fully understand this book. I have already reviewed that book. However, I may again read that book and write a fresh review on that. But, in any case, you can read this book without consulting the suggested title.

The Content:

It is written in the peculiar style of the author about which I have commented again and again. No doubt, he has quoted many authorities. But, in this book, there is a discernable difference. He provides the quotation to take forward or explain a point. The narration is straight. It is without the Latin or Grecian terms. It is in simple English. That is the mark of the author. It proves highly effective in case of a topic like logic.

The books which I have read earlier, they generally talk about Deductive Logic. There are many books which provide rules of syllogism. The understanding of the aspect of syllogism is required to clear entrance tests to many courses and even jobs. I have found that the similar type of tests are conducted in different countries. My experience is that all such books are not meant for everyone. Some people highly recommend them. But many fail to get benefit out of them. It may also prove true in case of this title. I am enthusiastic in recommending this very particular title. But, it may not prove useful to others. Even then, I suggest that it is worth trying. Atkinson writes small chapters. It helps a lot in developing the comprehension of the subject.

Atkinson has not directly taken up the Deductive Logic. He has taken up the topic in the following order.

He talks about the concept of Reason.

Then, he talks about the idea of concept, image, term, judgement and propositions. In this way, he lays the foundation of the subject. If you are able to grasp the gist of these lessons then you are ready to move to the actual topics.

He takes up Inductive Logic first. That has played the trick. It is more useful to understand the Inductive Logic before the deductive logic. In general books, which are actually written to prepare you for the entrance examinations, they lay more stress on deductive logic. They are actually guided by the form of questions which appear in the question papers. But when they try to explain the rules of Syllogism, for many students, it becomes a herculean task to understand them. They actually try to learn the lessons in place of polishing their deductive logic abilities.

In case of preparing experiments and developing hypothesis, this book may seem to many as an old version of research. The field of research methodology has progressed much. You may find it an archaic work. Even the arrangement and sequence of research methodology may be found bit out of order. You will find that there is less stress on issue of framing the question. But, on the whole, he is able to bring in the right discourse. I am quite sure, those who will follow this book, may appreciate my suggestion. You will definitely develop the right understanding of Inductive Logic and Deductive Logic from the quantity of the content which he has given.

In case of Fallacy, he has not devoted much efforts. However, he has tried to cover up many points.

Finis. For me, it is a new thing, that he ends his book with a term written as "FINIS". He has written a similar end to his other books also.

Attention: Advertisement: Use Discretion:

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Mental Power: The Secret of Mental Magic by W. W. Atkinson

The description is quite long.

I have called this blog as a review of the books which I have read. But, I have repeatedly stated that I write what I want to write. In between these two motives, I exercise a freedom. However, the readers may like or dislike it. I may write a piece which may be as long as the book. You will complain that your essays are longer than the book. You have called your blog a review of a book. You are cheating us. You are wasting our time and money. It is not fair.

Well, I will not apologise. I will again say that I have read the book. Now, I write what I want to write. I will not say that Take it or Leave it. I just invite you to experience it in order to know that you will experience a similar thing if you read this book.

In case of the book by W. W. Atkinson titled "Mental Power: The Secret of Mental Magic", I would like to make some comments.

The first comment is as follows.

I say it with confidence that it is a book of Motivational reading. What is Motivational reading? I do not know. Well, the general category which is popular for such a kind of books is "self improvement book".

The way I have written the above paragraph, it may convey the impression, that I am not sure about what I have to say. Secondly, it may happen, that someone also read this book and then after that, he may comment on my observations on this book that Mr. Blogger you do not have well developed intellectual edifice. Therefore, you are not sure of the category of this book. It is a very effective book on the method of use of the Mind. One can learn many truths of the methods of use of Mind. The author of the book has given a practical, pragmatic and an effective methods to raise your Mind to the optimum level.

I continue to present my observations and impressions on the content of the book and now I again shift to another set of comments.

General Comments:

Suppose you imagine and desire a thing. You desire such a thing which seems unachievable or you just do not have the right idea or plan to work for it. Now, at such a stage, you come across a person or book, who or which, propose to you that they would get it for you. You will listen to them. You may not understand whatsoever they bring before you but you persist with the pursuit. If it is allowed, then it can be said, that you pretend to understand them.

Take another case. You are skeptical. Someone proposes to you that you can do wonders if you follow him. You listen to him. You read his book. You do not come to a lesson for sometime wherein those practical and workable acts are clearly spelt out which may bring the action on the ground or give to some effective demonstration and presentation. But, the author continues to give a fresh theory. He creates his own terms and concepts. He continues to dismantle some established terminology. What will you do? Quit.

I have given two comments by now. Now, here is the third one. I believe that you will accept a proposition that, within ones own heart, everyone desires power. If you can develop a weapon (here, in this case, it is the mind, a thing which is with you, in your possession and under your exclusive ownership.) with which you will control others then you would definitely like to acquire it. But, you will definitely demand that you must see something real. If someone suggests to you that he will help you to develop such a weapon, then you may continue to listen to him and read his book. You will demand that something real should come out. It is your mind. You want to convert it into a miraculous weapon. You will persist. But, you must see some real thing.

Now, let me take up the fourth comment. I believe that it is wrong to suggest or sell a thing which you do not possess. A salesman does such a thing. He sells a thing which he actually does not possess or own. It is more true in case of an agent of insurance products. He persists with an art to create a sale.

While reading the book, I have felt that all the four points given above, were energised and active from time to time.

Apart from that, I would like to present the following views in reference to the book in question.

I adopt the method of Atkison in order to suggest you my secret doctrine. It is as follows.

Have you ever watched a small child? The children have an impressionable and sensitive mind. They easily accept and believe spectacular suggestions. You show them the movies of Batman, Spiderman and Superman. They start behaving like those characters. They adopt their gestures. The suggestion of superhuman powers is readily grabbed by these young impressionist brains. Do you think that they are acquiring right mental energies? I will not answer it.

Even the grown up people have impressionist mind. Your lifelong learnings and experiences are very important. The strength of your culture is very important. The impressionist mind tends to believe the unbelievable things. Your learnings and culture have a role to play in such a response.

It is generally suggested that one should read self-improvement books. As far as the information with me goes, it is believed that even in big companies, the self-improvement and motivational sessions are organised. But they are generally conducted by experienced psychologists.

I do not feel ashamed in accepting it that at present, I am infatuated by the writings of W. W. Atkinson. I wait for evening hours to find time to read his books. I wait for sundays or holidays to write about his books. I snatch time from my daily routine to read his writings. His writings, his phrases, his explanations are quite soothing to me. But, I have not found effective results from the tasks which he has suggested. It is not meant for this particular book. I am including all the books which I have read by now. I accept that I have not even practised them seriously and with conviction. It may also be possible that I am not all that intellectually developed and intelligent to put his suggestions to practice. I am sceptical about his claims on a different aspect of psychology and spiritual aspects. There is a reason behind it. When he talks about magneto-electric personality, when he forges terms, when he enunciates theories of two poles of mind like one is Desire Force pole and other is Will Power force; the poles similar to electric points on electric batteries, when he creates parallel with the laws of physics and evolution, when he boasts about the efficacy, authenticity, scientific validity and transcendental truths as discovered by him and only him, I lose conviction in believing and then following his clues and suggestions. He appropriates a role of a teacher for himself and considers you as his student. He writes as if he is talking in a class to freshers in a course. This form of narration somewhere turns you away from him.

I study and teach history. I follow the views of Collingwood wherein he says that thought can be recreated. I know the objections of E. H. Carr against his theory. This is not the place to discuss that issue here. But, I believe in Collingwood and K. K. Dutta. These scholars said that while reading history, a historian was expected to use imagination for recreating the thought. No doubt, this criterion goes against the theory of evolution and selection of Charles Darwin. It is because of that E. H. Carr had criticised R. G. Collingwood. While using imagination, a historian is expected to develop a psychological understanding. Therefore, I read such topics as it is given in many titles of W. W. Atkinson. However, when I think that even general public will also read such thing, then I start wondering about the impact which it will leave on them. On the Internet, it is mentioned at many places that the writings of W. W. Atkinson are still popular and his works are republished again and again. It is only because of such a reason, even I have come across it. There, I become somewhat doubtful about the efficacy of such titles. I fear that it may induce illusions and finally dissatisfaction. He keeps on invoking the theory of secrets of Eastern Philosophy and Hindu literature. I do not know, how it will be creating a distorted picture about all of it in the minds of people who do not have enough chance and occasion to make efforts to get to the actual facts.

The Chapter Making of W. W. Atkinson in Mental Power

This is really a long book. This is a book with 29 chapters.

In the book, he refers to Hindu literature. Which is that Hindu literature? As I have already pointed out, that he keeps on referring to Hindu literature but he never tells the name of the author and title to which he is referring. Then he builds a theory. He breaks that theory and the concepts involved in it into numerous chapters and thus the book is written. Many of the concepts are his own creation. You may call it a work of creativity. No doubt, he is a good writer.

From Chapter I to Chapter V, which include The Mental Dynamo, The Nature of Mind Power, The Mentative Induction, Mental Magic in Animal Life and Mental Magic in Human life, virtually make a single whole. He seems to have a special infatuation for snakes. He has described a whole chapter around snakes. It is in the chapter Mental Magic in Animal life. He should have called it as, "A Hunter with the Weapon of Mind". In this set, he is building the background on which he then goes to build the whole edifice of his book. All my comments are actually related to this strategy. However, if you sustain your interest and curiosity up to Chapter 5, then only, you will continue. Otherwise, you will discontinue this book.

From Chapter VI to Chapter XI, one may find a different set of narration. He writes an imaginary story in chapter VII, titled Desire and Will in form of a fable. This set of chapters is a tricky one. It may amuse you because of different factors. In writing of Atkinson, you find a mixture of arguments and I will elaborate on it in coming paragraphs. He is a product of his time, society and education. He believes in mysticism. He believes in science. He had read European literature. He has read logic and law. He knows about American literature. He is a product of historic changes taking place in America. The mixture of these factors is fully revealed in his writings. You should know the America of the earlier decades of the twentieth century in order to appreciate and understand the contents of these chapters.

Mental Atmosphere, the title of Chapter XII is spread over to Chapter XIII titled Channels of Influence, and to Chapter XIV and XV titled Instruments of Expression and Mentative Instruments respectively. After that, Mental Suggestion that is Chapter XVI is spread over to four kinds of Suggestion that is explained in Chapter XVII and then finally Chapter XVIII – How Suggestion is Used. They are the work of his imagination at its best. You may approve of it. But, I have found it a mixture of arguments. However, I will not call it a fallacy of multiple arguments.

Chapter XXI is titled The Ocean of Mind Power. I have given it an individual standing. In this chapter, he is elaborating on his main postulate of Two Poles of Mind viz. Will Power and Desire Force. He is a master of his art. He has given a theory. Then in fifteen chapters, he built a justification for that and now he is announcing his success. However, the whole explanation displays a picture of a construction undertaken by an imaginative mind. If you reach here, then there is every possibility, that, you have become his student.

Chapter XIX and XX are a study in contrast. He is very critical of Hindu pretentions. I do not believe that he had ever visited India. In one book, that is on Telepathy, he had given a distorted version on 1857 event in India. (The American Civil War took place in 1860.) In this very set, he is also highly appreciative of Hindu achievements. His admiration for that race is reflected in succeeding chapters. How is it so?

Chapter XXII titled A Glimpse of the Occult World also deserves a separate place. The content of this chapter is beyond the grasp of a reader like me. The dimension which are described in here, are beyond my knowledge, experience and visualization.

I will call it a work of imaginative mind and if it is allowed, then it is a product of a weird mind. He claims to know the ultimate secret in the chapter on the Occult World. He invites you as your student and expresses a desire to share with you all the highest secrets of Occult. He is sympathetic with you because he already knows that it is beyond your capabilities and experience to perceive and imbibe the content of occult secrets. Hence, he is ready to give you only a glimpse of it. It is up to you to receive it or reject it. It is not fair.

Chapter XXIV has a title which I am unable to understand that how he has called it an Indirect Influence. The core topic of this chapter is the concept of "Visualization". The author begins with his own classification and then writes a panegyric on Visualization.

The idea of Visualization deserves a separate treatment. It should have been placed in an earlier location. The book would have been a different thing if he had talked about visualization along with Desire Force and Will Force Poles theory.

From Chapter XXV to Chapter XXVII, form a single set. They are not his own writings. This is what I have felt. He had borrowed it from some published source. But he kept on emphasizing in the chapters that they were the result of his years of experience, learning based on empirical observations and experimentation. When you end the book with Chapter XXIX, titled Mind Building, you may learn on your own the actual working of the author. This chapter is totally different in style from his usual style. The difference is quite loud and evident. This chapter is based on Phrenology. This field of study is now abandoned and redundant. Here, you will find a list of personality traits which are now studied by psychologists with scientific methods. In their methods, Phrenology does not find any place.

I would like to write few things more. If you have read it up to this point, then kindly persist and continue to the end.

I do not know the actual background of W. W. Atkinson. I have read some information on his background on the Internet. But, I have not found any scholarly work on him. In a case of one website, I have found that a scholar with a university has provided the collection of his work on a website. His site is associated with the university where he works. However, I have written on Atkinson under the influence to which I am exposed through reading his writings.

Keeping in view the above mentioned factor, I would like to present some views. When you come across some new information and explanation, it is your responsibility to use your discrimination intellect to decide on the nature, authenticity and credibility of the information or the data which you have gathered. It is easy to say it than to practice. For that, you must have developed the ability of learning. You must have grown from the stage of a receiver of information to the stage of a learner and thinker. If your writer knows his job well, you will get influenced. The result will be that you approve the content. But, if you become critical, then you earn a better credit. If there is something to appreciate then appreciate. However, it is more beneficial if you try to question it and reconsider it in your contemplation and reflection. If you have developed or learned to explore such an ability of your brain and are in a position of exploring such an ability of the brain, then you may learn that there are some gaps in the provided information and the data. This thing happens a lot while reading the works of W. W. Atkinson. He can create chapters. He writes well. But, like a Marxist scholar, he keeps on shifting his parameters. Like a magician, such scholars play with illusions and play of hidden cards and devices. They may make use of conceit, sleight of hands, and play of expressions and eyes and in a case of a writer like W. W. Atkinson, the play of arguments. You may find it in abundance in the writings of W. W. Atkinson.

W. W. Atkinson begins with some esoteric or mystic assertions. He, then, tries to claim that it can be scientifically proved. Then, he again shifts to mysticism and suddenly to psychology. From psychology, he will shift to general philosophy or testimonies. He is good in writing and he manages this affair well. You read and he plays his game. This his style. In this book, he has adopted another device. He has forged new terms and concepts. Thus, a mixture is assembled.

In the case of his other writings, he has mainly referred to Eastern Philosophies or Yogic Philosophies. He has presented his material with a motive of presenting it to the American world. He has avoided picking and using names from Sanskrit literature. Along with this, he has synchronized his explanation with the scientific knowledge which he possessed and in form, in which, it was popular during his lifetime.

It is suggested somewhere on the Internet itself, that he had done all his writings under some possessive spirit. But, here, in the case of this title, a real W. W. Atkinson, is writing for his readers. He readily uses the phrases like, 'I Say', 'I Propound' or 'I assure you' or 'I am the first person to tell such a thing' and so on.

It is difficult to digest and accept many of his claims. In first five chapters of this book, he is virtually constructing a theory. He constructs many phrases. He claims that he is the first person to use the word 'mentation', 'telementation' in place of telepathy and 'Desire Force'.

It is a normal feature in his writings that he tries to give a scientific justification to his explanation. In this book, he constructed a theory. He is very confident about the discovery or you may say, invention, of his theory. He is convinced that his theory would be accepted along with other established theories like that of Newton. He declares, while synchronising it with the contemporary progress in electricity field, that there are two poles in your mind. One is Desire Force Pole which attracts and the other is Will Power Force, that radiates. The Desire Force Pole receives and attracts and Will Power Pole emits and influence. I am really impressed by his writing skills. When I continued my reading from chapter to chapter, and these two poles were mentioned again and again, I started visualizing that I had two horns on my head. One horn was a Desire Pole and the other was a Will Pole. Will anyone like to experience this visualization?

While reading his book and also his other writings, I observe that he is quoting numerous scholars and thinkers from Europe. He was living and writing when American history had witnessed its Gilded Age, the Populist and Progressive Movements. It was a period in which, journalism was progressing to its new heights. It was a period dominated by Carnegie, J. J. Adams, Tesla, Davis and Harley, Morgan Stanely, Wright Brothers, Ford and such many other finance and science giants. But, I do not find any direct reference to them in his writings. Not at least, up to now thus far, when I have already read his ten books.

At one place, he has written, while giving instructions on how to conduct the mental healing, that readers should not take his instructions lightly because of their simplicity or ordinary structure. It suggests that even he knew that some readers would not take his writings seriously because of the of the overall nature of his writings. It is an important point to observe. Atkinson knew the skill of writing. You can read his book and get attracted towards it. How far you will accept whatsoever he claims in his writings, it all depends on your learning and experiences. For me, as I have already written, that is a mixture of scientific explanation, imaginary constructs and skilful art of suggestion. He has written a book wherein he has described the art of suggestion and it can be read in the title, '~~The Subconscious and Superconsciousness~~' 'Suggestion and Auto-Suggestion'. He is a great artist of Suggestion.

Attention: Advertisements: Kindly note, the book of W. W. Atkinson, the complete work is displayed. I am using this compilation. It is available on Kindle. It costs ₹48.30 only