And, remember this, that Habit is almost entirely a matter of the sub-conscious mentality.  It is true that Habits originate in the conscious mind, but as they are established they sink down into the depths of the sub-conscious mentality, and thereafter become “second nature,” which, by the way, is often more powerful than the original nature of the person.  The Duke of Wellington said that habit was as strong as ten natures, and he proceeded to drill habits into his army until they found it natural to act in accordance with the habits pounded into them during the drills.  Darwin relates an interesting instance of the force of habit over the reason.  He found that his habit of starting back at the sudden approach of danger was so firmly established that no will-power could enable him to keep his face pressed up against the cage of the cobra in the Zoological Gardens when the snake struck at him, although he knew the glass was so thick that there could be no danger, and although he exerted the full force of his will.  But we venture to say that one could overcome even this strongly ingrained habit, by gradually training the sub-conscious mentality and establishing a new habit of thought and action.

It is not only during the actual process of “willing” the new habit that the work of making the new mental path goes on.  In fact, the Yogis believe that the principal part of the work goes on sub-consciously between the intervals of commend, and that the real progress is made in that way, just as the real work of solving the problem is performed sub-consciously, as related in our last lesson.  As an example, we may call your attention to some instances of the cultivation of physical habits.  A physical task learned in the evening is much easier to perform the following-morning than it was the night before, and still easier the following Monday morning than it was on the Saturday afternoon previous.  The Germans have a saying that “we learn to skate in summer, and to swim in winter,” meaning that the impression passed on to the subconscious mentality deepens and broadens during the interval of rest.  The best plan is to make frequent, sharp impressions, and then to allow reasonable periods of rest in order to give the sub-conscious mentality the opportunity to do its work.  By “sharp” impressions we mean impressions given under strong attention, as we have mentioned in some of the earlier lessons of this series.

A writer has well said:  “Sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny,” thus recognizing habit as the source of character.  We recognize this truth in our training of children, forming goods habits of character by constant repetition, by watchfulness, etc.  Habit acts as a motive when established, so that while we think we are acting without motive we may be acting under the strong motive power of some well established habit.  Herbert Spencer has well said:  “The habitually honest man does