Part 14 · Harmony · points 23–27 of 31 in this Part

Thought must be clear, steady and definite

Vague thought produces vague life. Fix it like a photograph.

5 numbered points · 1 study question · 1 min read

The one line to keep

Vague thought produces vague life. Fix it like a photograph.

For a mental image to do work it has to be clear-cut, steady, fixed and definite — a blurred order produces a blurred result. Haanel then names this the only reality: thought. Conditions are effects. If you are willing to take on the discipline, he says, you will find the conditions in your life rearranging to match the picture you hold.

Why this matters to you

Fog cannot be cut with an axe. A blurry mind makes blurry days, so sharpen one thing today.

Study question for this sublevel

Haanel put a review question at the end of every part. Answer out loud first — the recall is what moves it into memory.

139. What is the result of a change of thought?

A change in conditions.

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Haanel's own words — points 23–27

Quoted exactly from The Master Key System (1912, public domain). The translation above is ours; this is his.

A scientific understanding of this principle will explain the wonderful results which are secured through the power of prayer. The results which are secured in this way are not brought about by any special dispensations of Providence, but on the contrary, they are the result of the operation of a perfectly natural law. There is, therefore, nothing either religious or mysterious about it.

Yet there are many who are not ready to enter into the discipline necessary to think correctly, even though it is evident that wrong thinking brings failure.

Thought is the only reality; conditions are but the outward manifestations; as the thought changes, all outward or material conditions must change in order to be in harmony with their creator, which is thought.

But the thought must be clear cut, steady, fixed, definite, unchangeable. You cannot take one step forward and two steps backward, neither can you spend twenty or thirty years of your life building up negative conditions as the result of negative thoughts, and then expect to see them all melt away as the result of fifteen or twenty minutes of right thinking.

If you enter into the discipline necessary to bring about a radical change in your life, you must do so deliberately, after giving the matter careful thought and full consideration; and then you must allow nothing to interfere with your decision.

Put it to work

This week's exercise

Concentrating on Harmony (Part Fourteen)

Usual seat. Relax completely.

See all steps

Sit with it

Guided stillness timer

The sit is the whole foundation of the course: still body, watched breath, no phone. Pick five minutes if fifteen feels like a hill.

Open the timer

Keep going

1The energy underneath everythingOne energy underlies light, heat, motion and colour — and it is intelligent.2Cells, and the mind inside themEvery cell in your body is intelligent — and each carries a small negative mind too.3Behind every effect there is a causeTrace the effect back and you will always find a thought.4Thought must be clear, steady and definiteVague thought produces vague life. Fix it like a photograph.5This week: harmonyYour world without will be a reflection of your world within.

Part 14 · Harmony

Keep the door shut

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