In the Japanese training of “Jiu Jitsu,” the idea seems to be to drop all subjective resistance, and to continue to drop it, until, through the calmness and clearness of sight that comes from quiet nerves and a free mind, the wrestler can see where to make the fatal stroke.  When the right time has arrived, the only effort which is necessary is quick, sharp and conclusive.  This wonderful principle is often misused for selfish ends, and in such cases it leads eventually to bondage because, by the successful satisfaction of selfish motives, it strengthens the hold of our selfishness upon us; but, when used in an unselfish spirit, it is an ever-increasing source of strength.  In the case of difficult circumstances,—­if we cease to resist,—­if we accept the facts of life,—­if we are willing to be poor, or ill, or disappointed, or to live with people we do not like,—­we gain a quietness of nerve and a freedom of mind which clears off the mists around us, so that our eyes may see and recognize the gate of opportunity,—­open before us.

It is the law of concentration and relaxation.  If we concentrate on being willing, on relaxing until we have dropped every bit of resistance to the circumstances about us, that brings us to a quiet and well-balanced point of view, whence we can see clearly how to take firm and decided action.  From such action the re-action is only renewed strength,—­never painful and contracting weakness.  If we could give up all our selfish desires and resistances, circumstances, however difficult, would have no power whatever to trouble us.  To reach such absolute willingness is a long journey, but there is a straight path leading nearer and nearer to the happy freedom which is our goal.

Self-pity is one of the states that interferes most effectually with making the right use of circumstances.  To pity one’s self is destruction to all possible freedom.  If the reader finds himself in the throes of this weakness and is helped through these words to recognize the fact, let him hasten to shun it as he would shun poison, for it is progressively weakening to soul and body.  It will take only slight difficulties of any kind to overthrow us, if we are overcome by this temptation.

Imagine a man in the planet Mars wanting to try his fortunes on another planet, and an angel appearing to him with permission to transfer him to the earth.

“But,” the angel says, “of course you can have no idea of what the life is upon the new planet unless you are placed in the midst of various circumstances which are more or less common to its inhabitants.”

“Certainly,” the Martian answers, “I recognize that, and I want to have my experience on this new planet as complete as possible; therefore the more characteristic and difficult my circumstances are the better.”  Then imagine the interest that man would have, from the moment he was placed on the earth, in working, his way through, and observing his experience as he worked.