In our first course (The Fourteen Lessons) in the several lessons entitled, respectively, “Thought Dynamics,” “Telepathy, etc.,” and “Psychic Influence,” we have given a general idea of the effect of one mind upon other minds, and many other writers have called the attention of the Western world to the same facts.  There has been a general awakening of interest in this phase of the subject among the Western people of late years, and many and wonderful are the theories that have been advanced among the conflicting schools regarding the matter.  But, notwithstanding the conflicting theories, there is a general agreement upon the fundamental facts.  They all agree that the mental forces may be used to affect oneself and others, and many have started in to use these mental forces for their own selfish ends and purposes, believing that they were fully justified in so doing, and being unaware of the web of psychic causes and effects which they were weaving around them by their practices.

Now, at the beginning, let us impress upon the minds of our students the fact that while it is undoubtedly true that people who are unaware of the true sources of strength within them, may be, and often are affected by mental force exerted by others, it is equally true that no one can be adversely affected in this way providing he realizes the “I” within himself, which is the only Real part of him, and which is an impregnable tower of strength against the assaults of others.  There is no cause for all of this fear that is being manifested by many Western students of thought-power, who are in constant dread of being “treated” adversely by other people.  The man or woman who realizes the “I” within, may by the slightest exercise of the Will surround himself with a mental aura which will repel adverse thought-waves emanating from the minds of others.  Nay, more than this—­the habitual recognition of the “I,” and a few moments’ meditation upon it each day, will of itself erect such an aura, and will charge this aura with a vitality that will turn back adverse thought, and cause it to return to the source from which it came, where it will serve the good purpose of bringing to the mistaken mind originating it, the conviction that such practices are hurtful and to be avoided.

This realization of the “I,” which we brought out in the first few lessons of the present series, is the best and only real method of self-protection.  This may be easily understood, when we remind you that the whole phenomena of mental influencing belongs to the “illusion” side of existence—­the negative side—­and that the Real and Positive side must of necessity be stronger.  Nothing can affect the Real in you—­and the nearer you get to the Real, in realization and understanding, the stronger do you become. This is the whole secret.  Think it over.