奠定成功的偉大法則
生活中一切的獲得都源自於我們不懈的努力和付出，所以，當我們努力為周圍的人、事、物有所付出時，我們自然就會得到上天的格外恩龐。
上天對於人類最高價值的恩賜與獎賞，就是人類擁有著取之不盡、用之不竭的思想。創造性的思想帶來創造性的行為。如果我們期望生活有所收獲，那麽我們最有價值的付出就是我們源源不絕的思想本身。
真正具有爆發力的創造性思維是意念高度集中的產物。我們在一定期時間內將思想高度集中於一點，匯集全身所有的能量進行一場颶風般的頭腦風暴，隨後我們將如同被賦予了超人的力量與智慧，將內在的精神完美再現於現實情景。
這是一門最為本源與基礎的科學，它將一切科學包含於其中：這又是高於一切藝術的藝術，將素凡人生裝點得無限曼妙。當我們對這門藝術的科學、科學的藝術熟練掌握、靈活運用之時，就可以在人生道路上獲得長足的進步。這美好的場景絕非不可觸得的海市蜃樓，而是你通過自身不懈努力不斷為自己收獲的最為振奮人心的嘉笑。
絲毫不必懷疑，當我們將心態調整為積極、無私、公正，我們的人生也必將因此而厚重、踏實、深遠。“春種芽苗秋收果”，這是付出回報的忠實法則。自然之河因其規律而流淌，人生也因此規律而前行。隻需相信付出必有收獲，人生的平衡、樂觀才是宇宙精神的主旋律。
人是因為肉體而存在，人是因為精神的存在而永生。因此人的任何生命活動、任何美好的願望都將通過精神的影響力去得到滿足。金錢、財富對我們的滿足隻是一時，並且隻在物質生活的層麵上對我們的生活有所影響。而當人的精神與“無限力量”合而為一，人就可以得到取之不盡、用之不竭的供給。金錢存在的意義隻是為了服務於人，而不是人服務於金錢，當你能夠以這種開闊的思想去看待財富，你的財富的大門就會被開啟。屆時，你將會擁有你希望得到的一切。
- 對金錢的態度
- 優秀的思想是獲得金錢之“因”
對獲取財富過程的恐懼隻會給我們帶來自己所厭倦的貧窮。思想是現實之因，真實的貧窮都是來源於意識世界中的貧窮。有所付出才會場有所收獲，如果我們因恐懼而止步不前，那麽我們就將真的隻會擁有我們所擔心的那種因為失敗而產生的悲慘結果。對財富的獲得也完全服從自然的法則，它同樣也遵循宇宙精神的法則，因此它們也受導引於智慧、勇敢、卓越的人類思想。
- 服務於別人
生活中我們經常會引用“人脈即財脈”這樣的熟語來形容朋友與財富獲得的關係。當我們幫助朋友、為他們服務、為他們謀利益，為他們做更多有益於他們自身的事情的時候，我們也同時不斷擴展了我們的交往領域。“服務於別人”是成功的一條黃金定律，而這種服務必須是一種源自於真誠的給予，它的背後是一顆誠實、正直、關愛他人的心。有所企圖的幫助不能稱之為真正意義上的服務。當心懷鬼胎者使用其有限的手段去容人待友時，他們最終也必將遭人際關係及事業上的全盤失敗。因為他們對於交換原理一無所知，他們根本無法瞞天過海地去欺騙宇宙間的根本法則，因果關係的定理必使他深陷入無力、無能、無為的泥淖。
- 重視過程而非結果
生命的能量可以積聚於一點，也可以發散於四周。我們因生命意識中的圖景被塑造成可見可觸的外在形態。當我們調適自我的心態、開放我們的心靈、吐陳納新地不斷更新自我，更側重追求過程而非結果，那麽最終我們收獲的就不僅僅是預先期望的結果，還有意想不到的心理體驗。
- 怎樣吸引財富
當你具備了能夠吸引財富的內因，那麽財富也一定會追隨你而來。在和財富的邂逅過程之中，你需要具備不隻是一顆服務於他人的心，同時你也要具備敏銳的洞察力。你更要在機遇與你碰觸的瞬間將其牢牢把握。
- 胸懷廣闊
人性中的廣闊胸襟與對他人的慷慨大度使我們的思想具有著迷人的活力，而謀私的思想或行為隻能帶來精彩思維的毀滅。自私像思維中的蟻洞，終會將我們的創造力大廈瓦解、毀滅，也因此折斷了飛往財富空間的雙翼。我們必如體悟人生一樣細細品味所謂“舍得”的真諦。
- 付出越多，得到越多
- 成功者的經驗
很多的成功者或財富的擁有者，他們不必依靠損失他人的利益而自我收獲，相反，他們往往是依靠幫助他人致富而讓自己成為了最富有的人。
- 要敢於思考
芸芸眾生，善於思考者卻寥寥無幾。大多數人對思維的嚐試皆是淺嚐輒止。他們沒有更多的自我的觀點，而是人雲亦雲地過著平淡無趣的生活。他們從不過多地去驗證或反思既有的思想，他們以極度順從的態度迷信於權威和宿命。他們將思考重大決定的工作推卸給極少數的人，結果，這些人不隻無形中拿去了思考者的權利，同時也使他們泯滅了創造的能力。
- 要專心致誌
當我們在自己所真正關心和專注的事上集中自己的意念和力量，我們就可以心無旁騖地使思維的能量更好地為自己服務。太多的人不了解這個法則，反而消極負麵的因素，如悲傷、困苦、混亂等常常掛在心上，結果，這對他不但沒有任何益處，反而徒增煩惱，擾亂了他的心神。當我們的內心所渴望的全部是理想的結果，並且專注於它，我們就會因此得到充滿活力的狀態，得到富有創造性的思考力與行動力，進而，我們的心緒又會進一步加強，這種良性循環怎麽會不給我們帶來幸福成功的生活呢？
- 精神創造一切
精神是我們必須始終堅守的陣地。我們隻有在精神中才能夠去創造和實現一切可能。任何精神的美好願景都必然在我們的思維過程中得以實現其全部過程。
- 領悟思想的真理
“務實者”從來都不是隻努力不知抬頭看路的愚笨者，相反，他們正是因為“領悟”了思想的真理，才會變得如此執著和堅持不懈，他們的生活也因此變得甜如糖，豐富有趣。
- 怎樣才能避免江郎才盡
做生意貴在有新奇的想法和高招，才可以應對風雲變換的商海風暴。
- 學會運用無限的力量
我們在本書多次使用過“無限”這樣的詞匯，這並非是出於無休止的誇大，我隻是想告訴你們，當你用最靈敏的智慧去傾聽統治世界的真理的時候，它自然會為你帶來“無限的力量”。自信於你的能力用創造性的思想去指引你的精神，那麽你就學會了運用這種“無限的力量”。
- 體驗那種“無限的力量”
本課重點
１、成功的第一法則是什麽？
——服務於人。
２、怎樣才能使我們更好地服務於他人？
——將思想與胸襟同時開拓；重視過程遠勝於重視結果；重視追尋遠勝於重視擁有。
３、自私會給我們帶來什麽惡果？
——自私的想法會將我們思想中有價值的東西排斥、毀滅。
４、成功如何被發展到極致？
——輕視結果，重視付出：輕視擁有，重視過程，然後你就會得到更多。
５、有很多人甘願一生庸碌，卻將自己思考的權力贈予他人，這會有什麽結果？
——他們的思考的權力將被少數人獲得，而那些人將會擁有原本屬於他們的思想與財富。
６、如果一個人的思想裏充滿的是消極與悲傷，結果會如何？
——會將更多的悲傷和損失招至身旁。
７、如果一個人的思想裏充盈的是快樂和自信，將會產生怎樣的結果？
——積極樂觀的思想會為我們帶來更加令人振奮的巨大收獲。
８、精神法則是否同樣可應用於商業？
——當然可以，無數的事實都表明這一法則非常適合於商業之中，那些在商業上成功的人莫不如此。
９、怎樣才能夠取得商業上的成功？
——體驗那種“無限的力量”，從這種“無限的力量”中找到自己的全部所需。
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Part Twenty-Three
In the part which I have the honor to transmit herewith you will find that money weaves itself into the entire fabric of our very existence; that the law of success is service; that we get what we give, and for this reason we should consider it a great privilege to be able to give.
We have found that thought is the creative activity behind every constructive enterprise. We can therefore give nothing of more practical value than our thought.
Creative thought requires attention, and the power of attention is, as we have found, the weapon of the Super-man. Attention develops concentration, and concentration develops Spiritual Power, and Spiritual Power is the mightiest force in existence.
This is the science which embraces all sciences. It is the art which, above all arts, is relevant to human life. In the mastery of this science and this art there is opportunity for unending progression. Perfection in this is not acquired in six days, nor in six weeks, nor in six months. It is the labor of life. Not to go forward is to go backward.
It is inevitable that the entertainment of positive, constructive and unselfish thoughts should have a far-reaching effect for good. Compensation is the keynote of the universe. Nature is constantly seeking to strike an equilibrium. Where something is sent out something must be received; else there should be a vacuum formed.
By observance of this rule you cannot fail to profit in such measure as to amply justify your effort along this line.
PART TWENTY-THREE
1. The money consciousness is an attitude of mind; it is the open door to the arteries of commerce. It is the receptive attitude. Desire is the attractive force which sets the current in motion and fear is the great obstacle by which the current is stopped or completely reversed, turned away from us.
2. Fear is just the opposite from money consciousness; it is poverty consciousness, and as the law is unchangeable we get exactly what we give; if we fear we get what we feared. Money weaves itself into the entire fabric of our very existence; it engages the best thought of the best minds.
3. We make money by making friends, and we enlarge our circle of friends by making money for them, by helping them, by being of service to them. The first law of success then is service, and this in turn is built on integrity and justice. The man who at least is not fair in his intention is simply ignorant; he has missed the fundamental law of all exchange; he is impossible; he will lose surely and certainly; he may not know it; he may think he is winning, but he is doomed to certain defeat. He cannot cheat the Infinite. The law of compensation will demand of him an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
4. The forces of life are volatile; they are composed of our thoughts and ideals and these in turn are molded into form; our problem is to keep an open mind, to constantly reach out for the new, to recognize opportunity, to be interested in the race rather than the goal, for the pleasure is in the pursuit rather than the possession.
5. You can make a money magnet of yourself, but to do so you must first consider how you can make money for other people. If you have the necessary insight to perceive and utilize opportunities and favorable conditions and recognize values, you can put yourself in position to take advantage of them, but your greatest success will come as you are enabled to assist others. What benefits one must benefit all.
6. A generous thought is filled with strength and vitality, a selfish thought contains the germs of dissolution; it will disintegrate and pass away. Great financiers are simply channels for the distribution of wealth; enormous amounts come and go, but it would be as dangerous to stop the outgo as the income; both ends must remain open; and so our greatest success will come as we recognize that it is just as essential to give as to get.
7. If we recognize the Omnipotent power that is the source of all supply we will adjust our consciousness to this supply in such a way that it will constantly attract all that is necessary to itself and we shall find that the more we give the more we get. Giving in this sense implies service. The banker gives his money, the merchant gives his goods, the author gives his thought, the workman gives his skill; all have something to give, but the more they can give, the more they get, and the more they get the more they are enabled to give.
8. The financier gets much because he gives much; he thinks; he is seldom a man that lets anyone else do his thinking for him; he wants to know how results are to be secured; you must show him; when you can do this he will furnish the means by which hundreds or thousands may profit, and in proportion as they are successful will he be successful. Morgan, Rockefeller, Carnegie and others did not get rich because they lost money for other people; on the contrary, it is because they made money for other people that they became the wealthiest men in the wealthiest country on the globe.
9. The average person is entirely innocent of any deep thinking; he accepts the ideas of others, and repeats them, in very much the same way as a parrot; this is readily seen when we understand the method which is used to form public opinion, and this docile attitude on the part of a large majority who seem perfectly willing to let a few persons do all their thinking for them is what enables a few men in a great many countries to usurp all the avenues of power and hold the millions in subjection. Creative thinking requires attention.
10. The power of attention is called concentration; this power is directed by the will; for this reason we must refuse to concentrate or think of anything except the things we desire. Many are constantly concentrating upon sorrow, loss and discord of every kind; as thought is creative it necessarily follows that this concentration inevitable leads to more loss, more sorrow and more discord. How could it be otherwise? On the other hand, when we meet with success, gain, or any other desirable condition, we naturally concentrate upon the effects of these things and thereby create more, and so it follows that much leads to more.
11. How an understanding of this principle can be utilized in the business world is well told by an associate of mine:
12. "Spirit, whatever else it may or may not be, must be considered as the Essence of Consciousness, the Substance of Mind, the reality underlying Thought. And as all ideas are phases of the activity of Consciousness, Mind or Thought, it follows that in Spirit, and in it alone, is to be found the Ultimate Fact, the Real Thing, or Idea."
13. This being admitted, does it not seem reasonable to hold that a true understanding of Spirit, and its laws of manifestation, would be about the most "practical" thing that a "practical" person can hope to find? Does it not seem certain that if the "practical" men of the world could but realize this fact, they would "fall all over themselves" in getting to the place in which they might obtain such knowledge of spiritual things and laws? These men are not fools; they need only to grasp this fundamental fact in order to move in the direction of that which is the essence of all achievement.
14. Let me give you a concrete example. I know a man in Chicago whom I had always considered to be quite materialistic. He had made several successes in life; and also several failures. The last time I had a talk with him he was practically "down and out," as compared with his former business condition. It looked as if he had indeed reached "the end of his rope," for he was well advanced into the stage of middle-age, and new ideas came more slowly, and less frequently to him than in former years.
15. He said to me, in substance: "I know that all things that "work out" in business are the result of Thought; any fool knows that. Just now, I seem to be short on thoughts and good ideas. But, if this "All-Mind" teaching is correct, it should be possible for the individual to attain a ‘direct connection’ with Infinite Mind; and in Infinite Mind there must be the possibility of all kinds of good ideas which a man of my courage and experience could put to practical use in the business world, and make a big success thereof. It looks good to me; and I am going to look into it."
16. This was several years ago. The other day I heard of this man again. Talking to a friend, I said: "What has come of our old friend X? Has he ever gotten on his feet again?" The friend looked at me in amazement. "Why," said he, "don't you know about X's great success? He is the Big Man in the '_________ Company' (naming a concern which has made a phenomenal success during the last eighteen months and is now well known, by reason of its advertisements, from one end of the country to another, and also abroad). He is the man who supplied the BIG IDEA for that concern. Why, he is about a half-million to the good and is moving rapidly toward the million mark; all in the space of eighteen months." I had not connected this man with the enterprise mentioned; although I knew of the wonderful success of the company in question. Investigation has shown that the story is true, and that the above stated facts are not exaggerated in the slightest.
17. Now, what do you think of that? To me, it means that this man actually made the "direct connection" with Infinite Mind -- Spirit -- and, having found it, he set it to work for him. He "used it in his business."
18. Does this sound sacrilegious or blasphemous? I hope not; I do not mean it to be so. Take away the implication of Personality, or Magnified Human Nature, from the conception of the "The Infinite," and you have left the conception of an Infinite Presence-Power, the Quintessence of which is Consciousness -- in fact, at the last, Spirit. As this man, also, at the last, must be considered as a manifestation of Spirit; there is nothing sacrilegious in the idea that he, being Spirit, should so harmonize himself with his Origin and Source that he would be able to manifest at least a minor degree of its Power. All of us do this, more or less, when we use our minds in the direction of Creative Thought. This man did more, he went about it in an intensely "practical" manner.
19. I have not consulted him about his method of procedure, though I intend doing so at the first opportunity, but, he not only drew upon the Infinite Supply for the ideas which he needed (and which formed the seed of his success), but that he also used the Creative Power of Thought in building up for himself an Idealistic Pattern of that which he hoped to manifest in material form, adding thereto, changing, improving its detail, from time to time -- proceeding from the general outline to the finished detail. I judge this to be the facts of the case, not alone from my recollection of the conversation a few years ago, but also because I have found the same thing to be true in the cases of other prominent men who have made similar manifestation of Creative Thought.
20. Those who may shrink from this idea of employing the Infinite Power to aid one in his work in the material world, should remember that if the Infinite objected in the least to such a procedure the thing could never happen. The Infinite is quite able to take care of itself.
21. "Spirituality" is quite "practical," very "practical," intensely "practical." It teaches that Spirit is the Real Thing, the Whole Thing, and that Matter is but plastic stuff, which Spirit is able to create, mould, manipulate, and fashion to its will. Spirituality is the most "practical" thing in the world -- the only really and absolutely "practical" thing that there is!
22. This week concentrate on the fact that man is not a body with a spirit, but a spirit with a body, and that it is for this reason that his desires are incapable of any permanent satisfaction in anything not spiritual. Money is therefore of no value except to bring about the conditions which we desire, and these conditions are necessarily harmonious. Harmonious conditions necessitate sufficient supply, so that if there appears to be any lack, we should realize that the idea or soul of money is service, and as this thought takes form, channels of supply will be opened, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that spiritual methods are entirely practical.
We have discovered that premeditated, orderly thinking for a purpose matures that purpose into fixed form, so that we may be absolutely sure of the result of our dynamic experiment.
Francis Larimer Warner
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Study Questions with Answers
221. What is the first law of success?
Service.
222. How may we be of the most service?
Have an open mind; be interested in the race rather than the goal, in the pursuit rather than possession.
223. What is the result of a selfish thought?
It contains the germs of dissolution.
224. How will our greatest success be achieved?
By a recognition of the fact that it is just as essential to give as to receive.
225. Why do financiers frequently meet with great success?
Because they do their own thinking.
226. Why do the great majority in every country remain the docile and apparently willing tools of the few?
Because they let the few do all their thinking for them.
227. What is the effect of concentrating upon sorrow and loss?
More sorrow and more loss.
228. What is the effect of concentrating upon gain?
More gain.
229. Is this principle used in the business world?
It is the only principle which is ever used, or ever can be used; there is no other principle. The fact that it may be used unconsciously does not alter the situation.
230. What is the practical application of this principle?
The fact that success is an effect, not a cause, and if we wish to secure the effect we must ascertain the cause, or idea or thought by which the effect is created.
Nurture your mind with great thoughts; to believe in the heroic makes heroes.
Disraeli
