Practical Mental Influence [Paperback]

William Walker Atkinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 1942

1908. A course of lessons on Mental Vibrations, Psychic Influence, Personal Magnetism, Fascination, Psychic Self Protection. Containing Practical Instruction, Exercises, Directions, etc. capable of being understood, mastered and demonstrated by any person of average intelligence. Contents: The Law of vibration; Thought waves; Mental induction; Mental concentration; Mental imaging; Fascination; Hypnotic influence; Influencing at a distance; The need of the knowledge; Magic black and white; Self-Protection.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Kessinger Publishing reprints over 1,500 similar titles all available through Amazon.com.

From the Back Cover

"New Thought" adherents at the turn of the 20th century vehemently believed in the concept of "mind over matter," and one of the most influential thinkers of this early "New Age" philosophy offers here, in this curious 1908 work, his insight into that extraordinary ability we all have deep within our minds: the power of Mental Influence.

You'll learn about: * the vibratory force of Thought-Waves * the invisible ether than transmits Mental Influence * the first thing occult authorities teach their pupils * the alluring sway of Fascination * and more. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 98 pages
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing (May 31, 1942)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766101975
• ISBN-13: 978-0766101975
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,734,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensible explanation of mind power, August 11, 2004

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Practical Mental Influence (Paperback)

This striking little book published in 1908 takes a practical approach to the idea of mind power, persuasion, thought transference and mass influencing. Whereas most of the early New Thought metaphysicians like Thomas Troward & Emmet Fox wrote in the mystical tradition, Atkinson engages mental phenomena from an angle where natural science meets psychology. His analyses are convincing, especially when measured against the blood-soaked history of the century that was then in its infancy.

He starts out with the law of vibration by first demolishing the tenets of scientific materialism and then by comparing consciousness to scientific theories of vibration with analogy to sight and sound. Argueing that the study of consciousness belongs in the realm of physical science rather than in metaphysics, Atkinson quotes some of the scientists of his day on the massive gaps between vibrationary rates, inaudible sounds & invisible light.

There are 'atmospheres' that appear to inhabit places; these may be impossible to measure but the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming. The two main factors in the manifestation of mental influence are concentration and visualization/mental imaging, both of which the author explores in detail. He discusses the two general forms of the use of mental influence that he calls "fascination" and "hypnotism." Influencing at a distance, as in the practice of distance healing, is also dealt with.

Atkinson shows how advertising and sales techniques draw upon ancient knowledge of thought transference. The chapter on mass influencing describes how ideas and beliefs rapidly spread amongst large sectors of a population. He then shows how vitally important it is for the individual to be resistant or at least aware of the various currents of ideas prevalent at any given time. This advice is more pertinent than ever in our age of ubiquitous mass media.

His insight is timeless. Considering that his writing dates from 1908 before the slaughters of the 20th century had started, many of his ideas proved prophetic. Since then, quantum physics has confirmed the legitimacy of his insights, e.g. that everything is energy. As mentioned before, Atkinson takes a practical approach to explaining the mechanics of thought power and thus appears to lean to the occult side of the esoteric more than the mystical. I do not mean this in a negative way, as his moral psychology is based on the best in the Western tradition. He was certainly an advocate of what William James called The Religion of Healthy Mindedness.

Atkinson's contributions are particularly valuable in explaining how susceptible the individual is to fashions, trends and thought patterns that spread around the globe. In order to remain immune to individual & mass mental influence, one has to rely on the Indwelling Presence or Higher Self for clarity & guidance. This is the only antidote against mental waves of feelings & emotions that sweep the public mind with the potential of "stampeding" people into adopting certain ideas or of following certain leaders.

Who'd have thought that such alarming numbers of seemingly sane people would be swept up in crazy & contradictory conspiracy theories in the 21st century? Eric Hoffer's True Believer is a seminal study of mass movements, whilst the French intellectual André Glucksmann has warned of a 'contagion of hatred', a concept that he insists ought to be taken literally. Atkinson reveals and illuminates those aspects of the phenomena that neither of them has articulated.

Words have power. In order to raise awareness of the power within, prayers and protective chants/mantras exist in all the ancient traditions; some are specifically devoted to repel mental pathogens ('deliver us from evil'). In Sanskrit, one such is the Durga mantra. Hebrew has the Elohai Neshama chant, based on the belief that the Nefesh (vital) & Ruach (movement) levels of the soul can be contaminated but that the life force level, Neshama, cannot be stained as it is indivisible from the life source. This particular mantra simultaneously evokes compassion for all.

These clear & concise explanations of the mental laws & processes at work in shaping public perception and opinion have particular relevance in times of turbulence when charismatic leaders tend to prey on panic by promoting their destructive ideologies. I highly recommend this thought-provoking book for a clear understanding of persuasion, politics and how to immunize your mind, your most precious possession.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Advise, easy to Follow, January 1, 2009

By 

J. Smith (Left Coast USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practical Mental Influence (Paperback)

Use the power of your mind to influence others, and your environment. As usual, William Walker Atkinson lays it out in an easy to follow lesson plan, that allows your to use the powerof your thoughts to influence others in a positive way. I started to try it out, and got results pretty quickly. Good stuff!

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Step by Step Directions on Thought Vibrations - how they work - how you can make them work for you!, September 25, 2005

By 

An Avid Reader (Sausalito, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical Mental Influence (Paperback)

An awesome book. Simply blew me away. And most amazing of all - this stuff actually works!