Part 15 · Knowledge Does Not Apply Itself · points 19–25 of 36 in this Part
Words are invisible forces
Words can build a palace or burn one down. Use them accordingly.
7 numbered points · 2 study questions · 2 min read
Words can build a palace or burn one down. Use them accordingly.
Study questions 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.
147. How are undesirable conditions brought about?
By thinking, discussing and visualizing conditions of lack, limitation, disease, disharmony, and discord of every kind. This mental photography of erroneous conceptions is taken up by the subconscious and the Law of Attraction will inevitable crystallize it into objective form. That we reap what we sow is scientifically exact.
148. How can we overcome every kind of fear, lack. limitation, poverty and discord?
By substituting principle for error.
Haanel's own words — points 19–25
Quoted exactly from The Master Key System (1912, public domain). The translation above is ours; this is his.
He has been enabled to come into communion with the greatest writers and thinkers of all time, and the combined record which we possess today is therefore the expression of Universal Thought as it has been seeking to take form in the mind of Man.
We know that the Universal Thought has for its goal the creation of form, and we know that the individual thought is likewise forever attempting to express itself in form. We know that the word is a thought-form, and a sentence is a combination of thought-forms; therefore, if we wish our ideal to be beautiful or strong, we must see that the words out of which this temple will eventually be created are exact, that they are put together carefully; because accuracy in building words and sentences is the highest form of architecture in civilization, and is a passport to success.
Words are thoughts and are therefore an invisible and invincible power which will finally objectify themselves in the form they are given.
Words may become mental palaces that will live forever, or they may become shacks which the first breeze will carry away. They may delight the eye as well as the ear; they may contain all knowledge. In them we find the history of the past as well as the hope of the future; they are living messengers from which every human and superhuman activity is born.
The beauty of the word consists in the beauty of the thought; the power of the word consists in the power of the thought, and the power of the thought consists in its vitality. How shall we identify a vital thought? What are its distinguishing characteristics? It must have principle. How shall we identify principle?
There is a principle of Mathematics, but none of error; there is a principle of health, but none of disease; there is a principle of truth, but none of dishonesty; there is a principle of light, but none of darkness, and there is a principle of abundance, but none of poverty.
How shall we know that this is true? Because if we apply the principle of Mathematics correctly, we shall be certain of our results. Where there is health, there will be no disease. If we know the Truth, we cannot be deceived by error. If we let in light, there can be no darkness; and where there is abundance, there can be no poverty.
Put it to work
The Insight Program (Part Fifteen)
Usual seat, focus on the fact that knowledge of the creative power of thought is not the same as possession of the art of thinking.
See all stepsGuided 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 timerKeep going
The gap between knowing and living — and the ladder across it