According to the Sub-consciousing plan, the best thing for the man to do would be for him first to calm and quiet his mind.  Then he should arrange the main features of the problem, together with the minor details in their proper places.  Then he should pass them slowly before him in review, giving a strong interest and attention to each fact and detail, as it passes before him, but without the slightest attempt to form a decision, or come to a conclusion.  Then, having given the matter an interested and attentive review, let him Will that it pass on to his sub-conscious mind, forming the mental image of dropping it through the trap-door, and at the same time giving the command of the Will, “Attend to this for me!”

Then dismiss the matter from your conscious mind, by an effort of command of the Will.  If you find it difficult to do this, you may soon acquire the mastery by a frequent assertion, “I have dismissed this matter from my conscious mind, and my sub-conscious mind will attend to it for me.”  Then, endeavor to create a mental feeling of perfect trust and confidence in the matter, and avoid all worry or anxiety about it.  This may be somewhat difficult at the first trial, but will become a natural feeling after you have gained the confidence arising from successful results in several cases.  The matter is one of practice, and, like anything else that is new, must be acquired by perseverance and patience.  It is well worth the time and trouble, and once acquired will be regarded as something in the nature of a treasure discovered in an unexpected place.  The sense of tranquillity and content—­of calm and confidence—­that comes to one who has practiced this plan, will of itself be worth all the trouble, not to speak of the main result.  To one who has acquired this method, the old worries, frettings, and general “stewed up” feeling, will seem like a relic of barbarism.  The new way opens up a world of new feelings and content.

In some cases the matter will be worked out by the sub-conscious mind in a very short time, and in fact we have known cases in which the answer would be flashed back almost instantly, almost like an inspiration.  But in the majority of cases more or less time is required.  The sub-conscious mind works very rapidly, but it takes time to arrange the thought-material properly, and to shape it into the desired forms.  In the majority of cases it is well to let the matter rest until the next day—­a fact that gives us a clue to the old advice to “sleep over” an important proposition, before passing a final decision.

If the matter does not present itself the following day, bring it up again before the conscious mind for review.  You will find that it has shaped itself up considerably, and is assuming definite form and clearness.  But right here—­and this is important—­do not make the mistake of again dissecting it, and meddling with it, and trying to arrange it with your conscious mind.  But,