When the mind is kept firmly fixed upon some ideal or aim, its whole and varied powers are bent toward the realization and manifestation of that ideal.  In thousands of ways the mind will operate to objectify the subjective mental attitude, a great proportion of the mental effort being accomplished along sub-conscious lines.  It is of the greatest importance to one who wishes to succeed in any undertaking, to keep before his mind’s eye a clear mental image of that which he desires.  He should picture the thing desired, and himself as securing it, until it becomes almost real.  In this way he calls to his aid his entire mental force and power, along the sub-conscious lines, and, as it were, makes a clear path over which he may walk to accomplishment.  Bain says regarding this:  “By aiming at a new construction, we must clearly conceive what is aimed at.  Where we have a very distinct and intelligible model before us, we are in a fair way to succeed; in proportion as the ideal is dim and wavering, we stagger or miscarry.”  Maudsley says:  “We cannot do an act voluntarily unless we know what we are going to do, and we cannot know exactly what we are going to do until we have taught ourselves to do it.”  Carpenter says:  “The continued concentration of attention upon a certain idea gives it a dominant power, not only over the mind, but over the body.”  Muller says:  “The idea of our own strength gives strength to our movements.  A person who is confident of effecting anything by muscular efforts will do it more easily than one not so confident of his own power.”  Tanner says:  “To believe firmly is almost tantamount in the end to accomplishment.  Extraordinary instances are related showing the influence of the will over even the involuntary muscles.”

Along the same lines, many Western writers have added their testimony to the Yogi principle of the manifestation of thought into action.  Kay has written:  “A clear and accurate idea of what we wish to do, and how it is to be effected, is of the utmost value and importance in all the affairs of life.  A man’s conduct naturally shapes itself according to the ideas in his mind, and nothing contributes more to success in life than having a high ideal and keeping it constantly in view.  Where such is the case one can hardly fail in attaining it.  Numerous unexpected circumstances will be found to conspire to bring it about, and even what seemed at first to be hostile may be converted into means for its furtherance; while by having it constantly before the mind he will be ever ready to take advantage of any favoring circumstances that may present themselves.”  Along the same lines, Foster has written these remarkable words:  “It is wonderful how even the casualties of life seem to bow to a spirit that will not bow to them, and yield to subserve a design which they may, in their first apparent tendency, threaten to frustrate.  When a firm, decisive spirit is recognized, it is curious to see how the space clears around a man and