dos mentes

507601665e093

189.160.98.49

BY

H.

L.

PAGE

'Tis the _mind that makes the body rich''

Shakespeare.

GREEN LEAF PUBLISHING CO.

Copyright

1909

BY

Green Leaf Publishing Co.

Chicago

C^A

244562

AUi ^ ₁₉₀₉

R. R. DONNELLEY " SONS COMPANY

I

DESIRE to take _{this opportunity} to _{express my} indebtedness to T.

_J.

Hudson, _{whose remarkable} book, ''The Law _of Psychic Phenomena," has been a

model throughout this _volume.

I have drawn largely from _{the material} found in

^'Suggestive Therapeutics," a book _written by

Bern-heim, _{whose works} are _regarded the _world over as being _standard.

There are _{many others,} but I hope I may cover the

entire field by saying that I claim absolutely no _credit for _{this work} save that _which is due to an _earnest desire

to _place in the hands _of those _who heretofore have

been _unable to investigate to their own _satisfaction a

subject

whose influence has reached the remotest cor-ners

of the world.

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

HUMAN

knowledge, pitifully narrow _{and small,} is

to-day _{grappling with} a _{problem which promises}

in its _results to _{vastly expand the powers of mankind,}

although at _present but dimly _understood. Hypnotism is no longer _{theJ plaything of charlatans} but a _science, recognized as _such by the highest _{authorities and} deemed _{of such} importance _{that the greatest universi-ties}

of Europe and America have founded chairs for

its study.

Mental _suggestion in _{medicine takes its place to-day} as one _of the _{greatest weapons} in the _{armory of} the

physician. In Paris a _great hospital is _{conducted solely}

along the lines of hypnotic treatment, and the most emi-nent doctors _of the _{civilized world willingly adopt and}

countenance methods which a _{couple of generations ago}

would have branded them as impostors.

The _{purpose of this book} is to _give a broad, _general

view of hypnotism with its allied sciences : _what it is, what it can _{accomplish, and what} its study _may mean

to _{the average} man _and woman.

The _{most extraordinary}

and preposterous claims have been _put forward for _the new _science by men _who

lo THE DUAL MIND

wish to fatten off the credulity and needs of their fel-lows. They have _{unblushingly asserted that the study}

of hypnotism

(under

their direction, of

_course)

would

bring _{their dupes} boundless health, _{wealth, and} fame. It is hardly _necessary to _{say that neither hypnotism}

nor _{any other science} can fulfil_{such absurd claims.} Nor is it _necessary to _put forward _{such pretensions} to demonstrate _the

wonderful possibilitieswhich lie in this littleunderstood

_subject,

or _{the immense} benefits _which the human race _may hope to _reap from its _study.

In _the firstinstance let us take disease and physical ailments in all their forms. In allages, under one form or _another the _{power of mental suggestion} has been

demonstrated. For _centuries the _{shrine at} Lourdes in

France has been the _{goal of} hundreds _{of thousands of}

sick pilgrims, and the piles of crutches which are _exhib-ited there to-day are by no means fraudulent. Innumer-able

cures were _{actually accomplished at} the sacred _spot as they have been in _{many similar places} in India _and

other countries Avhere the religion of the people is held with uncompromising fervor. Similarly in America to-day _{many people} have been _relieved by Christian

Science, Dowieism, _{and other like creeds.}

Behind them _{all lies} one _simple, fundamental fact. All their accompHshments have _{rested solely} on _mental suggestion or hypnotism. In no case does the _creed or dogma _matter. It _may be Brahminism, Shintoism,

Catholicism, or _{any other} "ism;" _only one thing is nec-_essary. The _{patient must} have implicit faith in the

efficacy of the remedy. In other words, the mind must

How _{far the power}

of mental suggestion may go has not been definitely determined. It is certain that it can _{accomplish almost miracles} in the case _of nervous

diseases, _such as _{paralysis and} those far more _{subtle ail-ments}

which are _{roughly classified}as _neuroticism, or in

simpler English, nerves. It also has _{proved of} incalcu-lable

value in the treatment of consumption, and even has

arrested the progress of such insidious and dreadful

plagues as cancer _and tumors.

This _much has been _{proved and proved} beyond _all

reasonable doubt. Hypnotism can _alleviate human _suf-fering

to an extent undreamed of hitherto in all the

science of medicine.

But _{there is another and perhaps} more important

realm in which the new _{science promises} to _reap a _rich harvest. Countless men _and women are _whole in body but _possess some taint in their _{mind which} forever holds

them back in the race _of life. There is a _weakness

there, a rotten _{plank which perpetually gives way under}

strain. It is something intangible, indefinable, some-_thing which marks man from man _and isthe answer to

the _{eternal question of why certain} men _{succeed while}

others, apparently as _{well equipped,} fail. Hypnotism

promises to bring health to that part of man's _wonder-ful

organism which no drug can ever _reach.

When we say that a man is _weak in nine cases _out of ten we mean that he has no _{self-control.} He is under the domination of his emotions and is swayed hither _{and thither,} losing _{ground always} in _the race

which is not to the _strong but to _the direct. In _the

12 THE DUAL MIND

other part of the ship may be sound it will invariably be

wrecked.

There is in man two _minds, two _selves: the con-_scious

ego and the sub-conscious ego. It is this sub-conscious self which hypnotism calls into being, and

which dominates and remedies the defects which may

exist in the conscious mind.

The _{mists of quackery and charlatanism} are _clear-ing

away, and in the light of better, sounder knowl-edge the _world is learning that _{many of} the things

which it scoffed at in the dead past are _{real and} vital. No matter _{what may} be an individual's personal opinion as to the limitations or _{power of} hypnotism and its kindred branches, he cannot _altogether ignore it. It isone _{of the great problems of to-day, and every} intelligentman must take an interest in its development

and possible meaning.

It is a difficult_matter to _give a broad _{and compre-hensive}

view of so broad a

subject

in the circumscribed

limits of a _{single volume.} In this instance the difficulty

has been _enhanced by the fact that the

_subject

was one which opens the road to wide realms of speculation, while the definite truths ascertained are _{comparatively} few. However, _there is no intention _{of putting} for-ward

this book as an _{exhaustive study of} hypnotism and psychic science. The

_object

has been rather to show along general lines what has been accomplished and the possibilitiesthat the future holds.

There can be no _question that the _study oi mental

science is the most important _{of all the} branches _of human knowledge on _which a man _{may exercise} his

brain. Geology, _{astronomy, chemistry and all material}

sciences are _{merely stepping-stones} to this, the _primal

and greatest of all. The efforts of all the scientists

and savants _of the _world have been for _{all ages} directed in one direction. They have _sought in one _way or

another to fathom the great problem of man's _nature,

to find _{the possibilities and} limitations _of his _mind. Through _chemistry we _may learn how his body is formed _{and what} its functions are, _{astronomy and}

geology may teach us the _{age of} our race _and throw a light _upon the _{creation of} our _earth, but _neither

they nor their kindred _sciences can _give us _any in-formation

as to the _{mind which controls} the _chemical

body _and dominates _{the earthly sphere.}

The

wisest men _{of all nations and of all times} have guessed, theorized, and exhausted themselves futilely, in _the hope _{of solving,} even _partially, this greatest _of

all problems. We are _yet far from _{any certain} knowledge; but there is to be seen in the darkness a bright light _{and that} light comes from the _{study of}

hypnotism. This _science, so _{old and yet} so new, has

taught us _{much already and promises} to teach _much

more in the future. It is old for it has been _vaguely

recognized for many centuries, but itisnew for it is only within the past hundred years that any attempt has been

made to study it scientifically and systematically. Up

to _{within the past} fifty_years, indeed, hypnotism has been looked _{upon rather askance} by men _{of science.} To-day

the _greatest savants of the world are devoting their

attention to it,and they do not hesitate to _subscribe their

14 THE DUAL MIND

alone, is their hope of obtaining definiteknowledge con-_cerning

the _{workings of that mystic force, the mind.} The first_{great fact that hypnotism}

revealed to the

world was the duality _of the _mind. This discovery is of an importance _which can _{not easily} be _{overestimated.}

It has _always been _{recognized, although} never _under-stood. All _{religions, pagan} or deistic, have _taught since the earliest times that man has a dual _nature. They have _{called it spiritual and}

physical or by some other term; but hypnotism has _{absolutely established} that this duality is _primarily due to the _{existence of} a

conscious and sub-conscious mind. The

old

_prejudice

against hypnotism, although

rapidly dying out in the face of advancing education, stillexists to a _{considerable extent.} However, the time is approaching when no man or woman _{who aspires} to be _{considered educated,} or even intelligent, can _neglect paying some _attention to the _science. It means _much to

them _personally, for through _{this study} they _may come

to that knowledge _of themselves _which is the firstessen-_tial

to success, _and the first _requisite to _{mental and}

physical development. This book will not have failed if it _will induce some at least of its readers to _consider

seriously a

subject

which is of so _vast importance to

mankind.

"Man's _{best study is}man," _{said Pope, and} the _poet spoke with the inspiration of genius. The man who best _understands himself _first,and then his fellows is the one to _{whom the world offers} itsfairest _{prizes and} life its_{greatest compensations.} Some men are fortunate

intuitively understand human _nature as _expressed in

their associates and companions, but there is no bar to

any one from _cultivating this _power to _at least some

extent.

Every _thinking man _and woman is _profoundly impressed _at some time or _other in their lives by _psychic

experiences. It might be almost said that no _person

reaches mature _{years without} having his life_materially influenced by _the unseen forces _which are _allaround us, little recognized or _understood. Hypnotism _offers a

theory _{of the} unseen _{world which} does _{not conflict with}

any known facts. It opens up a _wonderful field for advancement, and promises the richest rewards for

those _who learn itssecrets.

Hypnotism _{gives the only explanation,}

satisfactory to the intelligence, _of the _{problem of} those titanic

figures, such as Napoleon _and Caesar, _who have from

time to _{time strode with giant steps} across the history

of the world. It is true that that explanation isneither conclusive nor _{embracive of all the} facts, but it has

thrown _{the firstplain light} on _{the powers and} careers _of

these _{extraordinary} men.

Psychic _science has _many broad branches _{and sub-divisions.}

They _will be indicated _generally in _this

volume, but each has its own _{separate and extensive}

literature,

and the student who wishes to pursue an indi-vidual

subject

further will find a _wide field _of interest-ing

CHAPTER II

THE _SUBJECTIVE MIND

THE

phenomenon of the

_subjective

mind is of such

vast importance that itmust be thoroughly _studied and understood by the student of hypnotism who hopes to _{achieve any mastery of} his

subject.

Man has, or _appears to have, two _{minds, each}

endowed with separate and distinct attributes and each

capable, under certain conditions, of operating inde-pendently. These dual _minds are _respectively

objec-tive

and

_subjective

in their nature and are _referred to

by these titles. The

subjective

mind appears to be a distinct and

separate entity in distinction to the

objective

mind

which is merely a function _{of the physical} brain. The former _possesses independent _{powers and} has a _mental

organization of its own. It _appears to be _{capable of} maintaining an _existence independent _of the body _and

is, in _{other words, the soul of} man. The

objective

mind, on the _other hand, _possesses no _powers or _attri-butes

apart frorn the physical body and is incapable of

acting independently. In short the one _possesses dyna-mic force _apart from _the body _{while the other} does _not.

The _{line of demarcation} between the two is _clearly defined _{and their} functions are _{essentially unlike.} In

general terms the differences between the two minds

may be stated as follows :

The

objective

mind takes _{cognizance of} the

_objec-

_tive

world and its media of observation are the five

senses _of the _physical body. It is the _natural out-_growth

of man's _{physical necessities and} his guide in his

perpetual struggle with his material environment. The highest function _of the

_objective

_mind is its ability to

reason.

The

subjective

mind takes cognizance of its environ-ment

through means independent _of the _physical senses. It perceives through what we _commonly term intuition. It is the seat of the emotions and the storehouse of

memory. Under certain conditions it can be _made to leave the body _and travel to.distant lands, practically

annihilating distance and bringing back intelligence of an _{exact and truthful character.} This _phenomenon has been _observed too _{often and tested} too _well to _permit

of any doubt as to its_correctness. The

subjective

mind

has _{also the power} to _penetrate the _{minds of others and}

read the minutest particulars of their thoughts. This is done _{without the aid of the ordinary}

objective

means

of communication, such as _speaking or _writing. In _{the normal condition of} a man's lifethe

objective

mind controls him and governs most _of his actions. The science of hypnotism deals in reality with the reversing of this normal condition. That itto say, it endeavors

to _{put the}

objective

mind in

_{abeyance"and_call}

intO-the^

full_{exercise of its functions the}

subjective

mind-The

subjective

mind to a large extent _receives its

character and education from the

_objective

mind. It

possesses power of memory O'fitsown and when called into _{control will perform the offices pertaining} to _the

i8 THE DUAL MIND

physical body which it has been habituated to through the _{exercise of} the

_objective

_mind. For this reason it presents as _{marked points of} difference in _varying indi-viduals

as are _shown by _their

objective

or _primary

selves. A man does _not become as the gods, knowing the difference between _{good and evil, simply} because his

objective

mind is laid to sleep and his subliminal

self is topmost. His powers are _{vastly enlarged} in certain directions, but he will be also under the limita-tions

of his primary self. The

subjective

mind may really be termed the life

principal of the body and its main functions are _{the pre-servation} of the human body and the propagation of the

race. In _{the exercise of these} functions some _of its

most interesting _phenomena are to be observed.

These functions are common to _{the whole animal} cre-_ation.

The first_{may be subdivided,} it_{is exercised in} the firstplace in what is commonly known as _{the instinct} of self preservation. In the second place it operates in

the instinct to _preserve human life in _general, an instinct

which is almost as _strong as the first. The _second func-tion is universal and of enormous _potency. There is no _{species of animal} life so low or _{undeveloped where} the instinct of reproduction does not appear and in tre-mendous

force. This _{phase of} life istoo _well known to

call for special attention. It is invariable save for a

few rare cases _{where personal} idiosyncrasy _obviates it and then the

_{jondition^und}

isa

diseased

_{and abnormal} one.

Where _{the life of} an individual or _{of his offspring is} in danger the

and governs every act as long as _{abnormal exertion} is

necessary for the preservation of the imperilled life. Innumerable _{proofs might} be _{given of this phenomenon}

and many of them could be supported out _{of the personal} experience of the average man. A man in deadly _peril frequently _{exhibits preternatural strength which}

would be impossible

under normal conditions. He also dis-plays

the most _{marvelous presence of mind and will} do

exactly the _right thing at _exactly the _right time _when it

is _{obvious that} he _{could not} have _employed the _slow,

logical _{processes of the}

objective

mind. In other words

liis_acts become instinctive,

which is to say that he is

under the possession of his

_subjective

entity.

Cases _{of premonitions of} impending danger are too familiar to _{require any} discussion. But it is_{not often}

realized that they are _{really examples of} the _solicitude

of the

_subjective

mind, which sees _{and understands}

many things which are hidden to the

objective

man.

Most _{usually* these premonitions} are disregarded _and do

not rise above the threshold of the consciousness. This

is _easily

explained. The habits of modern man _and his

attitude of scepticism towards everything that he does _{not fully understand render} him averse to _regard a warning which might otherwise avert a _{peril which} his

objective

mind is incapable of realizing. We are at

present only on the threshold _of this vast knowledge which is ours _when we know how to _{avail ourselves of} it, but _undoubtedly the day _will come _{when all the}

powers of the

_subjective

mind which are to-day _revealed by hypnotism _will be _{at the control of} the individual.

20 THE DUAL MIND

law _{that where} a _person isin imminent danger _the

sub-jective

mind makes a _{supreme effort} to _{give warning} and avert the _peril. Sometimes it is _{successful and} sometimes not, but it is _certain that in _every case the effort is made and the responsibility rests on the indi-vidual

for disregarding it.

fhese

warnings are in themselvesproof _{that the}

sub-jective

mind has powers of perception and can _acquire knowledge _which is

outside the ran^e of the

_objective

faculties. It is _constantly on _{the alert, and_ey-en when} the body is _asleep it is _{always active} as is _constantly being _shown by _{well authenticated} instances _{of where}

men are _roused from _{sleep by} an _overwhelming sense _of some _approaching danger. They have found the warn-_ing

true, _{although generally they could not} account for

the warning which had certainly come _through no

_objec-

_tive

means.

Although _the

subjective

mind may appear at times

to be dormant it is never so. It takes _{notice of and}

records what passes in allstates _{of the mind,} not merely the incidents _of its waking lifebut also all that occurs during _{the periods of} its own _{special activity.}

The

subjective

memory is the only one _{which records}

every thing down to even the _minutest details _which occur throughout a lifetime. The

objective

memory

is

exercised by an _{effort of} the _{will, but that of the sub-conscious} mind acts _{unconsciously.} It is _what we _call

recollection.

This is one _of the _greatest marvels of man's _sub-liminal

self. The smallest details of acquired knowl-edge

only require favorable conditions to call them forth. The _{extent of these vast} treasure houses isincredible but

every thinking man can _{recall instances of where recol-lection} came to him, _{under certain specificcircumstances,} of events _which he had long since forgotten. Every

experience of life is recorded in ineffaceable characters

on the _{mind of} man.

Recent _{scientific investigation} has _shown how _wide

the difference is between the

objective

and

_subjective

memories. The first has been demonstrated to have an _absolute location in _{the cerebrum, and the} localization of disease has proved that it may be subdivided into such divisions as _{visual memory, auditory memory,}

memory of speech etc. This has been _proved beyond' doubt by _{experiments which show that any} one _{of these}

branches can be destroyed by a _{surgical operation.} .

On _{the other} hand _the

subjective

memory appears to

te

an inherent force _which has no _{apparent anatomical} relation to the individual _and is incapable _of being either

hurt or helped by _{the surgeon's} knife. On _{the contrary,}

an _{abnormal condition of} the _cerebrum has frequently

"been

followed by _{extraordinary exposition of} the

go.w.ers-olthe

_subjective

mind. This

,has_Q.CCufr'ed

in,

numerous instances in the case _{of persons mentally} deranged. While _{they may} have lost _{much of} their

objective

powers of perception those of their

_subjective

selves appear to be permanent. Except in

such cases _where human knowledge is

governed by fixed laws everything acquired by the sub-

_jective

mind is through

_objective

education. In other

22 THE DUAL MIND

through the _{operation of} the

_objective

senses. For instance, its knowledge _of books is _{only such} as has

been _acquired by _the individual _through

objective

means.

At _the same _time the

_subjective

_mind has _powers

which can _{at present only} be recognized _{without explan-ation.} It can _make itself heard, felt _and can move ponderable

_objects.

This discovery has explained much of the phenomena of spiritism, although we are far from understanding itsoperation or the laws _{under which} it is_governed. Its _{apparent powers}

of annihilating space

and time and wandering from country to country with-out

the body is another _of the fascinating _problems which it offers for solution.

There are _{several ways} in _which the _subconscious

mind can be brought _above the _{threshold of conscious-ness} and placed in control of the individual. When this is done we term _{the results phenomena and} the leading instances _which have been _alluded to here are _caused through the _{medium of hypnotism} or _mesmerism. That

is: _{percussive sounds, such} as _{table rappings, movement} of ponderable bodies and phantasmagoric appearances.

One _of the _{curiosities of} the _{subconscious mind} is that the _only branch _of human knowledge _which it

appears to know

instinctively

is that of mathematics. It cannot tell historical or _{geographical events,} but itcan

estimate time without the aid of an instrument or make an _{arithmetical calculation with} no _{apparent process of} reason. A _{third class of phenomena} to be _observed is in _respect to _music. In these three _classes are to be

found

musical prodigies which have appeared from time to

time in the _world.

Music isa _{phase of} the human _{soul and} belongs _abso-lutely

to the _{realm of the subconscious.} All _musicians

have an inherent _{power of grasping} the laws _of har-mony

and it is not too much to say that all genuine

music is the product of the unconscious mind. There^ is _{practically no} limit to the _{power of music} over the

subconscious mind. It isthe universal language of the human

soul and appeals alike to the most _cultured man

and the savage. It is also the most potent force for the^ awaking of the subconscious memory that we know.

A familiar tune _{will recall}to a man _{events and experi-ences} which could not be brought back by any effort of the will.

An inherent _{power of the}

subjective

mind is its

faculty for _{measuring lapse of time. The}

objective

mind

does _{not possess} it _and can _only measure time by the movements _{of the heavenly} bodies, or some _other mate-_rial

aid. The

_subjective

mind on _{the other hand requires} no dependence on

objective

aids, or the _{exercise of}

reason. Generally _{speaking the inherent powers of the}

subjective

mind pertain to a _{comprehension of the laws}

of nature. It _comprehends by intuition the laws _of mathematics, the laws governing the harmony of sounds and in some instances the^ laws _governing the harmony of colors.

An important distinction between the

subjective

and

objective

minds rests in the fact that in the firstcase

all reasoning isdeductive while in the second it may be inductive. The

24 THE DUAL MIND

and reason deductively _unerringly. The one _exception

to _{this rule is when the premises} are _opposed to _the prin-ciples of the person. It is unlike the

_objective

mind

in being incapable _{of taking} a _{series of experiences} or facts, _and from _them drawing _{general conclusions} to

guide future action or _establish a _general law. It _may be _noted here that through the

subjective

mind mathematical and musical faculties can be devel-oped in individuals _without

objective

training. In fact

this has been done in some cases _where the individual was incapable _{of receiving any considerable}

objective

education. The

subjective

mind is always

_subject

to suggestion

from the

objective

mind, either that of itsown _person

or _of some one _else. What ismore, itcan be controlled

by _{suggestions opposed} to _all reason. The

objective

mind will

_reject

suggestions which are _opposed to its

sense _of reason, its_{positive knowledge} or the evidence

of its senses. On the _other hand _the

subjective

mind

will accept any premise that is suggested to itno _matter

how _absurd or illogical it _may be. This is the whole basis _of hypnotic _phenomena,

and it is important to remember that the

_subjective

mind will always accept

suggestions when intelligently and actively employed. This

amenability to suggestion is always strongest

during _sleep,for _which reason _{sleep is usually, although}

not _necessarily, invoked by hypnotists. The

_subjective

mind is constantly under control by its own

objective

mind, for which reason the

_objective

_mind must first be in

abeyance before a _{second person} can bring full

power of suggestion to bear on the

The impossibility _of the

_subjective

_mind to reason

inductively _and the invariable _{readiness with which} it

will accept any premise that is suggested to it have formed the basis of some _{of the most} interesting _phe-nomena

of hypnotism. An experiment which was car-_ried

out recently by Professor Millet of Paris demon-strated

in an _{extraordinary} manner _{this curious quality.} The

subject

was a _young man _{who after} a brilliant_colle-giate

career was beginning to _make his name known at

the Parisian bar. He _consented to _allow himself to be placed under hypnotic influence

and was immediately informed that he was a believer in Mohamet. He

promptly accepted the suggestion and for over an hour maintained a brilliant _and faultlessly logical _argument on the tenets _of the Mohammedan faith. On a _subse-quent

occasion he argued with equal lucidity and acu-men on the doctrine _{of Pythagoras.} This _experiment was _similar to a _{series conducted} by Professor Millet in _every one _{of which} the

subjects

accepted unquestion-ably

suggested positions which were totally at _variance with their personal convictions and argued with unerr-_ing

logic from _{these propositions.}

The _peculiarity seems to _arise from the _persistency

with which the

_subjective

mind will hold to and follow

every idea suggested. It is worthy of note, however, that itig_absolutely incapable _{of controversial argument.}

The _{statement that the}

subjective

mind reasons

deductively has

reference to the results of its reasoning

rather than to the forms it_employs. That isto _say that

while itmay not _reach its_conclusions by _syllogism they

26 THE DUAL MIND

the

_subjective

_mind are _always

just

_{and syllogistically}

perfect

and are _equally so _{whether the original premises}

suggested are true or false.^ The

subjective

mind never _classifiesa _{series of}

well-known facts,_{and argues} from _{them up} to _{general princi-pals,}

but, _given a _{certain principal} to _{start with, will}

reason deductively from it down to _{all legitimate} infer-ences with a _{marvellous cogency and power.}

It is noteworthy that the comparative ease _{and per-fection} which are _acquired in _{any pursuit} depend on _the

degree in _which itceases to be _{connected with} the con-_scious ego. That is to say that the powers of the sub-

_jective

mind are _{exercised with greater} facility than those _which have been _{attained through the operation of}

the

_objective

faculties. At the same _time a man _cannot

be _said to be fully _{normal when he is under control of his}

subjective

mind, and when this condition is permanent

he is insane. It _must

always be remembered that the

_subjective

mind depends to a _very large _extent for its education

upon the

_objective

faculties. No person who has not

had an

objective

education can become a _{great orator,}

or _excel in _any human _{effort merely} by the development

of his subliniinal self. The most _{perfect exhibition} of

intellectual_power comes from _{the synchronous} develop-ment

of the

_objective

and

_subjective

minds. Under

these _conditions the individual has _{all the} benefits of his reasoning powers combined with the perfect memory

of his

_subjective

mind and its marvellous power of

arranging itsresources in a _syllogisticmanner.

this _condition has _existed. It may be perfectly _normal but it is _seldom indeed _that it is found in _perfection.

Julius

Caesar, Napoleon _and Shakespeare are _probably

the most remarkable examples known, and even in their

cases there were flaws _of development.

Innumerable _attempts have been _made to define _gen-ius,

and none _of them are _{completely satisfactory.} Psychologically _{at all events genius} seems to be the synchronous development of the

_objective

and

_subjec-

_tive

minds. When these two faculties of man _approach

an even balance, _with no _{undue preponderance} on one

side or the _other, an individual _{shows those powers} which we denominate as _genius.

On _{the other} hand _{where the}

objective

mind is

markedly dominant, the _{order of} intelligence is low, while if the

_subjective

mind has the supremacy the indi-vidual

will be, to some _{extent at} least, insane. In no _respect is the phenomenon _of the

subjective

mind more deserving _{of study than} in the intuitive man-ner

in

which it impels the individual to cling to life. There occur _moments in the lives of _most men _when if it were _not for this sense they _would destroy them-selves.

In fact it is hardly an _exaggeration to _say that

if itwere _not for this instinctive love _{of existence} the

human race

would long e'er _{this have vanished} from the earth.

One _{of the most} interesting _{phases of this instinct} is that it is strongest during the _{years when} man is _at

his highest _{stage of usefulness and} diminishes

with increasing _years. From _youth to _{middle age} the aver-_age

28 THE DUAL MIND

intensity. No _matter how _terrible the _catastrophes which overwhelm him, no _matter how lost of all hope

he _{may consider} himself, he _{will yet} hold on to life with a _{grim tenacity which only} insanity or some _abnor-mal

condition can _affect. As soon, however, as _{old age} approaches this desire begins to grow feebler, and not

infrequently _ends in _{not merely} a _willingness to die but

even a desire to lay down a burden _which has become irksome.

Avoiding _{any excursion into the realm of polemics,} the _{existence of} the dual _personality of man _{and the} extraordinary consequences which that fact brings about

isa

subject

worthy of the attention and study of every

HYPNOTISM

MODERN

science has dispelled the mystery which for so long enveloped hypnotism _and its_{manifes-tations.}

It isno longer _necessary to believe that a man

who exercises hypnotic powers is in alliance with the

author of evil or has _sold his soul to that interesting person, the devil. Hypnotism isno longer a

subject

of

fear or sneers _except on _{the part of the most} ignorant.

The cause _{of hypnotism} lies in the fact _{that every}

human being _{in the world consists of} a dual _personality.

There are two distinct entities in every man _and woman.

That isto _{say, of} course, two _mentalities, for _{the physi-cal}

can be ignored. These two _{personalities} are _called

in scientificterms _the

objective

and

_subjective

minds.

The

objective

mind is that with which we _{perform all}

our _{conscious acts and} formulate _all our _conscious

thoughts. The

_subjective

_mind is much more _subtle

and receives and records all those impressions which we

absorb unconsciously, but which nevertheless make up so large a _{part of} our lives _{and play} so important a

part in the development of our _characters.

A _{very simple} illustration _{will demonstrate the} dis-tinction betv^een the

_objective

_and

_subjective

_mind. You

meet a friend _{and chat with} him. During _your conver-_sation

your conscious or

objective

mind has been fully

occupied with the

_subject

of your talk. You paid no

30 THE DUAL MIND

attention that you were aware _of to _your friend's_clothes

or _{appearance, yet} both were _absorbed by _{your sub-conscious} or

subjective

mind. If it became necessary

later _you

would be able to recall what your friend

looked like _{and what} he wore. Of course the recollec-_tion

would be more or less distinct in _accordance as your subconscious mind was _acute or dull.

To use _another illustration. You _enter a room to

obtain a book. For _{the time} being _{your conscious atten-tion} is _{wholly occupied}

with your search for the book. You move tables _{and chairs about and shift papers and} other articles,almost oblivious of their existence. Yet

subsequently if you were _{questioned you would recall}

the _{appearance of} the room _and more or less accurately,

and what it contained. You had not deliberately

thought _of these things but _{unconsciously you} had

absorbed them.

One _{of the most convincing and striking proofs of} the dual _{mentality which exists} in man is _afforded by the _{phenomena of} dreams. In fact it was this which

first led _scientiststo _{suspect the existence of} two dis-tinct

minds.

In waking hours our _motions as _well as our thoughts

are _controlled by our _{consciousness and} we think _along

certain lines or move in certain directions according to

what we term our _will. When we _{sleep thiscontrolling}

force isdormant. _{All the impressions and images which}

were _received by the

subjective

mind in our _waking

hours _{rush pell-mell through} our brain and form weird,

inconsequent _{pictures which} are influenced by our _physi-cal

we _{cannot recall,when} we _{wake again, of} ever having

received but there seems no reason to doubt that they were _received by our

subjective

mind.

Of course this is _not meant as an _{explanation of}

dreams. What it is _{that makes these} images come to

life in our brains and take the forms they do we do _not

know nor have we even a _plausible reason to _offer. The

phenomena of dreams isas _great a _{mystery to-day} as it was in the days _{of the Egyptian soothsayers,} but ithas

taught us _{that there exists in the marvellous mechanism} of man _not one but two _mentalities.

It has _taught us _{another thing,} for it has thrown a

searchlight on the hitherto _obscure

subject

or hypnotism.

In_the first_place, we have learned _{the rnost} important

fact that

_{hypnotic sleejp}

d^ in _any

respect

fjQmjnatwjil^leep,_

_Th.Q

hypnotist _puts his

subject

to

sleep simply through the power of suggestion, and sug-gestion plays a large part in every natural sleep.

Every man _and woman in the world, be they Chris-tian or heathen, _savage or _civilized,has in babyhood

been lulled to _slumber by a _mother or some one _who took her place. The woman, _rocking her baby to _sleep

on her breast, isan _unconscious hypnotist. She is impell-ing her _child to _slumber by _{suggestion and that is pre-cisely}

what the hypnotist does. Moreover, any adult who goes to sleep in normal moments _wishes to do so. He _{is practising hypnotism} on himself _which is

just

as simple and easy an _operation as to be hypnotised by an _outsider. In fact it is

usually a _{much simpler opera-tion.}

Hypno-32 THE DUAL MIND

tism means _nothing more or less than _{suggestion, and}

it is_{practised unconsciously} by _{almost everybody every} day _{of their} lives. There are few _of us _who have _not

amused ourselves at one _time or _another by looking fixedly _at some _person in our _{neighborhood with} the intention _{of making the}

subject

of our _regard look _at

us in turn. That littleexperiment is pure hypnotism, and, incidently, it may be taken as a _{complete proof}

that _every one _of us is a hypnotist in _embryo; it is

not _necessary to have long* hair and creepy _eyes or _any

similar nonsense.

Every man or woman that has a _{clear mind} isa hyp-notist, and their power rests _with their mental develop-ment

and the amount _{of study} they care to _give the

subject.

The amusing tricks which the parlor hypnotist

performs are _{generally within the capabilities of any} man in the room. The _only difference is that the per-_former

had _gone to the trouble to _{study the science, and} probably had some _natural inclination in that direction.

Hypnotism _appeals to _{and controls} the _suggestive

mind. In other words, it is the substitution of the hypnotist's

objective

mind for the

_objective

mind of

the

_subject.

When a hypnotist _puts a

subject

to sleep

he is

performing identically the same _{operation that he} does _when he _puts himself to _sleep. In the firstinstance

he _{is using his}

objective

mind and the

_subject's

_subjec-

_tive

mind and in the second both minds are his own. From

which it readily can be seen _{that natural sleep}

and hypnotic sleep are one _and the same thing.

This fact is _{well recognized} by the _medical frater-nity, and no _modern doctor hesitates to _put a _patient to

sleep by hypnotic means _any more than he _would hesi-tate

to _go to _{sleep himself.} In fact he isfar more _will-ing

to use hypnotism _than drugs, for the latter must

always have a _{physical reaction whereas} hypnotism is purely a _natural means.

It is

well to emphasize the fact that there is noth-ing

occult or _{supernatural about} hypnotism. It is a

science, the causes _{of which} are _{well understood and}

which requires no more _{special attributes} to learn

than the _{science of chemistry} or _medicine. Of course as one _chemist is _greater than _another and one

physician than another physician, so one hypnotist

will be capable of producing much better results than his fellow

who is not his mental equal. However, a certain proficiency can be obtained by _{any normal per-son,}

and if amusement is all that is sought the simple tricks _{of the parlor} hypnotist are _{practically within} the

mastery of everybody.

Up to a _{comparatively recent period} itwas _supposed

that the only method of producing hypnosis was by _oral suggestion. The experiments of Professor Braid and others have however, demonstrated that this by no

means is the case, _and that a

subject

may be thrown into

a hypnotic _state by _{purely mechanical} means.

Professor Braid discovered _that by _{gazing steadily}

at a bright

object,

such as a _polished disk of _{steel, hyp-}notic

sleep could be induced. All that was _necessary was for _the

subject

to concentrate his mind on the

object

before him, _when in a few _moments he _{would pass} into a _{state of} hypnosis _{which would} be identical _with that

34 THE DUAL MIND

savant _also discovered that not merely hypnosis but many of the best known phenomena which are _attri-buted

to _{magnetism could also} be _produced by _this

method.

The importance _{of this} discovery was enormous, _and

upon itwas founded _{the largest and} best known _school or hospital of mental _{therapeutics in Paris.} In this hos-pital

patients, principally those suffering from nervous

diseases or drug habits, are hypnotised by means _of

steel disks, crystal balls,etc., and then treated by _sug-gestion. A _{simple experiment in this method may easily} be made.

Take _any bright

object

between the thumb, fore, and

middle fingers of the lefthand. Hold itabout twelve inches from _{the eyes and} in a line _with the forehead.

The _{position should} be _such as to cause the greatest pos-_sible

strain on _{the optic} nerves. A fixed stare on _this

object

will firstcause _{the pupils} to _{contract and then}

dilate. After a few _moments the _{eyes will} assume a wavering motion, and ifthe fore and middle fingers of

the right hand be then extended, slightly separated, and

carried from the

_object

towards the eyes the latter will

close with a _{vibratory motion.}

In _{carrying out} this _{experiment with} a

subject

it

may sometimes failon _{account of} the _{eyeballs moving.}

It _should be impressed _upon the

_subject

that he must allow his eyes to close when your fingers approach, and maintain the eyeballs in the same _{position, riveting} his

attention upon the

_object

he is supposed to be look-ing

at.

abso-lutely necessary that the

_object

held be a bright one, but the brighter it is the _greater the _strain that _will be

exercised on _{the eyeballs which} is an important _{part of}

the _experiment. As a _{matter of fact, the fingers alone} of the hypnotist will be sufficient if the

_subject

con-_centrates

his _{mind absolutely} on _what he is _{gazing at} and is thoroughly in accord with the experiment.

The _{principal points} to _remember are _{that whatever}

the

object,

it should be held not more than a foot away

from _the

subject's

eyes and where the light will fallon

it. The back _of the

subject

should be turned to the

light, _and during _the ten or twelve _{seconds, which} is

all the time necessary for the experiment ordinarily, he

must keep his _{eyeballs motionless} in a _strained stare.

In _{the firstexperiments carried out along these} lines it was thought _sufficientto _{get the patient} to _gaze fix-edly

at an

object

until his eyes closed involuntarily. In

many cases, however, itwas found that this caused _sub-sequent pain m the _{eyeballs and} inflammation _of the

conjunctual

membrane. In order to avoid this the plan

was _{adopted of} the hypnotist _closing the _eyes himself after he had noticed the beginning of the vibratory motion which betokened the approach of hypnosis.

Where hypnosis _{is produced}

solely by oral sugges-tion, the process is really as _{simple and easily mastered} as _{where mechanical} means are _employed. The _{eyes of}

the hypnotist take _{the place of} the

_object

on _{which the}

subject

gazed in the latter case. The _experimenter

requests the

_subject

to gaze steadily into his eyes, and

maintain the stare as long as his eyes can, _{remain open.}

36 THE DUAL MIND

be fully _{understood that there} is no _such thing as involuntary hypnotism. A man _cannot be hypnotised against his will, and there is no use in attempting the experiment unless the

_suy

ect^j^pxks in agreement

_wijh

the hypnotist.

Having _{captured the undivided attention of the}

sub-ject,

the hypnotist in a _{slow, clear voice repeats} some-_thing

to _{this effect}:

''You are becoming _{very sleepy.} Your legs are _tired,

your arms are _{tired, your whole} body is _tired. You

cannot move _{any of your} limbs, _{and you} can see _nothing.

You _{must go} to _sleep for _you are far too _weary to remain awake any longer." Then in a _commanding voice he adds : "Sleep."

Some _people are far more liableto hypnotic influence

than _{others, and} many will go into a _{state of hypnosis}

at the word of command but others will be only partially

affected and itwill be necessary to continue the process

of suggestion by repeating in slow and persuasive tones : ''You are now _going to _sleep, to deep _sleep. You are so drowsy : O so drowsy _{and you must sleep deep.} Your _eyelids can _{remain open} no longer. Thdy are so

heavy, _and drowsily, drowsily _you fallto _sleep. Sleep deep, deep down _{deep, fast, fast asleep."}

If _{the suggestion} is_{not sufficient}to _{completely close}

the _{eyelids, although} the

subject

appears sleepy and

under hypnotic influence, they can be _closed by the

hypnotist _{gently pressing them} down _{with the tips of} his fingers. There is no _mystic formula or _{any exact}

necessary is to repeat the suggestion of sleep,but it will be found that short,long-syllabledwords are best, and the voice should be pitched in a low, clear mono-_tone.

CHAPTER IV

MESMERIC PASSES

THE

inducement of hypnosis by mesmeric passes opens up a _wide fieldin _which our knowledge _must

be said to be far from _accurate. The _{theory advanced}

by Mesmer,

and stillheld by many of his disciples,was that there was a _{subtle fluidwhich} was transmitted from

the operator to the

_subject.

He _asserted that hypnosis was _caused by this fluid, and _could be induced indepen-dently

of suggestion.

One _{of the most curious phenomena observed} in con-_nection

with the process of mesmeric passes is that the mesmerist hypnotises himself by the same _act by _which

he _mesmerises his

subject.

This is so _at least when he

employs the old methods of inducing the subconscious

state. That is,passes, fixed gaze, and concentration of the _mind.

The _method invented by Mesmer _{for the production}

of a _{state of} hypnosis _{consists properly} in a _{series of}

passes made from the head downwards, while the oper-ator gazes

fixedly

into the

_subject's

eyes and concen-_trates

his _{mind absolutely} on _{the work} in hind. The experiment will fail if the mesmerist allows his atten-tion

to be distracted for a _moment.

An important distinction in _regard to _{the mesmeric}

method is that it is claimed by many of itsmost _promi-nent

exponents that by ita

subject

may be thrown into a

mesmeric state _against his will. This is a _{point which}

has never been definitely decided, but it seems _certain

that it is largely influenced by _{questions of personality} and circumstances.

Whatever _{truth there may} be in the ''fluid_theory" of Mesmer, it iscertain that the experience of thousands has _{shown that when passes} are _made over _them, even

at a distance of some feet, curious sensations are _pro-duced.

The _effect seems to be _akin to _{that of} a light

shock of electricityand produces a _{remarkably soothing} effect upon the nervous _system. If this effect is con-_tinued

and the

_subject

is receptive the final result is

mesmeric sleep. This proves that there issome _myster-ious

influence _{which emanates} from the _{mesmerist and} that it can be _{controlled by} his _will. There is a _wide

field_{for speculation opened} here, but _up to the _present

time _{all that} we can do isto _accept the facts as they are

known to us, _and

wait for more light as we become

better _acquainted

with the processes of the human mind

and body.

There has been _practically no _change in _{the theory of} the mesmerists since it was first advanced by Mesmer.

It _may be briefly _expressed thus: There is a _subtle

fluid,_akin to _{magnetism, which,} by an intense effort of the _mind, can be

projected

from the finger tips upon

a

subject,

producing hypnosis and all the varied

phenomena of magnetism. Persons

who know littleor _{nothing of} the

subject

are _apt to sneer _{at this theory} as fantastic, but there has never been _{any other put} forward _{which offered} a