in the phases of both desire and will, as we generally use these terms, for it is composed of the elements of both. Will may be said to represent the masculine side of Mind-Power, and desire the feminine side. It may help you to fix in your mind the attributes, characteristics and nature of these two phases of mentative energy by associating them with the idea of masculine and feminine.
I wish that you would learn to think of the Desire-Force as the warm, ardent, fiery, forceful energy, underlying the manifestations of Mind-Power; and of the Will-Power as the cold, keen, strong, directing, controlling projector of the energy. By fixing these mental images in your mind, you will be better able to manifest the two phases as occasion arises.
Besides its office as the director of the energy, the will serves a very important office as the restrainer of Desire-Force. When under the control of the "I" of the person, and taking the suggestion of reason and judgment, it is able to prevent one from expressing undesirable or hurtful desires.
It refuses to project the Desire-Force, or to allow the desire to take effect in action. It also turns back the desire upon itself, and refuses to allow it to manifest. It is the utmost importance that the individual acquire a mastery of his will, for by doing so he will be able not only to express his desires with the greatest force and effect, but will also be enabled to restrain hurtful desires, and to prevent their manifestation upon the plane of action.
And the will has still another important office. It acts as a protector. The will repels the influence or vibrations of another mind, and renders its possessor immune to undesirable thought-waves. It creates a protective aura around the individual, which will turn aside the thought-waves or vibrations which may reach him, whether such be sent directly to him or whether they are the vibrations emanating from minds of others and unconsciously sent forth. The will when properly used acts as an insulator for attacks upon the desire pole of one's mind, and prevents the vibrations from reaching their mark. And if it be well trained and strengthened it will be able also to resist the most powerful attacks upon it by the wills of others, and will beat back the vibrations which would force their way into its stronghold to take it captive.
Chapter VII
Desire and Will in Fable
I HEREWITH REPRODUCE "The Fable of the Mentative Couple," a bit of writing in the lighter vein perpetrated by myself about a year ago. My excuse for writing this tale, and for reproducing it now, is that it carries with it a decided moral, and teaches an important truth. It brings out the distinction existing between the Motive and the Emotive phases of the mind, and beneath its flippancy is concealed some good, sound psychological truth.
I ask that you read it, in connection with what I have just told you regarding the offices of the will, desire, imagination, etc. It will show you, in figurative style, the operation of the two poles of the Desire-Will. And it will show you how the emotive pole or phase, if left unguarded by the protective faculties, will be led into all sorts of trouble. It will also show you how the protective faculty may be disarmed and overcome by a diversion of its attention from its task. There are several important psychological facts brought out in this little fable, and a number of important "morals" to be deduced therefrom. I trust that you will seek for the truth and principles underlying the trifling words of the fable. Just as important truths may be conveyed in the fairy tales of the child, so may just as important facts be taught by the fairy tale fable of the Mentative Couple intended for the "grown-ups."
Each of us, man or woman, has a Mentative Castle, in which dwells a Mentative Couple—Volos and Emotione. And Volos often strays away, leaving Emotione unprotected. And the fascinating stranger often puts in an appearance. And Emotione often is beguiled by his wiles. And Volos often is fooled by having his attention and interest distracted by clever schemes, leaving Emotione unprotected again.
So, while recognizing the value of Emotione, learn to keep Volos at home at the gate of the castle, and do not allow him to be "side-tracked." Heed the advice of the wise man of the fable. There is an important lesson for you in this fable if you will take the trouble to find it.
THE FABLE OF THE MENTATIVE COUPLE.
Once upon a time there lived in the land of Mentalvania, in a wonderful building called The Mentative Castle, a man and a woman, called "The Mentative Couple." They were happy though married. They lived in harmony, because they were useful to one another, and neither was complete without the presence of the other—and neither did his nor her best work, unless the other was present and assisting.
Well, now, the man was called "Volos" (which is the same as the English name "Will"), and the woman was called "Emotione," which in the language of that country meant something like a combination of emotion, desire and imagination.
Now, the chronicle informs us that these two people had natures entirely different from each other, as has been said. We are told that Volos was of a stern, inflexible, strong, positive nature; apt to stick to a thing once begun; full of the "will-to-live" and "vitality"; full of determination and spirit with a strong dash of the "let-me-alone" and "get out of my way" in his make-up; with a taste for meeting difficulties and overcoming obstacles; with a goodly habit of reaching out and taking hold of what Emotione wanted and needed; and a powerful lot of self-respect and self-reliance in him. He was apt to be firm although his firmness was not the stubbornness of the mule. His general keynote was strength. He was a good warrior and defender of his castle. But Emotione was of an entirely different type, temperament, and character. She was most impressionable, imaginative, emotional, credulous, fanciful, full of desire, curious, sympathetic and easily persuaded. While Volos was all willing and thinking, Emotione was all feeling.
Volos was a strong character, but lacked certain qualities that make for success—but these qualities Emotione possessed, and she supplied the deficiency in Volos. Volos had to "figure out" everything, while Emotione had intuition, and jumped at a conclusion in a way remarkable to Volos, who couldn't understand the process at all. When he would ask Emotione for an explanation, she would say, lightly, "Oh, just because!" which answer would often provoke profane and irreverent discourse on the part of Volos. But, nevertheless, he learned to respect these "becauses" of Emotione, and found that they helped him in his business. Emotione would dream out things, and see things a long way ahead, and then Volos would proceed to put these plans into operation. Volos couldn't see very far ahead of his nose, while Emotione could see miles beyond, and years ahead. And besides this faculty of Mental imagery that came in so useful in Volos' business, Emotione also possessed a burning and ardent desire for things, which she managed to communicate to Volos, thereby causing him to get out and do things that otherwise he would never have dreamed of doing. Emotione was like fire, and Volos like water. The water would hold the fire in check, but at the same time the Fire would heat up the Water and the result would be the Steam of Action. And, so, you see these two—this Mentative Couple—formed a fine co-partnership, and prospered mightily.
But, alas! the tempter entered Eden—and the attractive stranger meandered in the direction of the Mentative Castle, and when he reached there trouble occurred. And this is what happened:
One day Volos was absent from the castle, being engaged in some arduous enterprise. And consequently the castle was unguarded. Volos had provided against this by instructing Emotione that she was to keep the castle gate closed tight, when he was away from home, and never to gaze without in his absence, for there was some mysterious danger lurking without when he was away. Emotione had faithfully followed the directions of her liege lord, although her womanly curiosity was piqued thereat. Many the time she had heard strange knockings at the castle gate, but she heeded them not, and even refrained from looking out of the little peep-hole in the gate—though this last was much against her inclination, for she could see no harm in "just looking."
But, to return to our tale. This particular day when Volos was absent from home, her curiosity was too much for Emotione when she heard the strange knockings at the gate. And, breaking her rule, she ventured to peep without. Looking down she saw a most attractive stranger, with a fascinating smile on his lips. He looked almost as strong