Expressed in the matter of fact English language, these wondrous truths of mysticism cannot but lose the air of profound solemnity and sanctity that pervades the subject of Yoga in Sanskrit literature.  The wise and thoughtful student and we certainly do not write for light-headed and non-serious people, will not let their apparent simplicity deceive him or throw him off his guard.  Rather let him realise that these lessons can be pressed into service in all directions and in all spheres of life.  Let him just put them into practice and he will at once see their practical bearing on his daily life.  These lessons do not go into the “WHAT” but point out the “HOW” of every thing.  We leave every student to suit his individual case as to the intellectual side of the ETERNAL PROBLEM.  In conclusion we have to say that this Course does not pretend to deal with the advanced stages of Yoga, much less exhaust them.  But they will, positively and decidedly prepare him for those higher things by lifting the PALL OF DARKNESS from his mind.

LESSONS III AND IV.

Quite a number of you there must be to whom the “Fearless” mind is not only an enviable possession but something to which you are and have been an utter stranger.  You may not say it to others—­confession may hurt your pride—­but secretly away deep in your heart, there resides strongly and fiercely the desire to be a Fearless Individual.  And it is a worthy desire.  To be able to wipe off all fearfulness, anxiety and worry from your mental tablets is no easy task, but when once accomplished, it gives you a glimpse of Heavenly Joy and Superhuman Strength.  And, You can be Fearless, I tell you—­each one of you—­you can be what you will to be.  I have seen it.  I have done it.  I am going to give you sound and positive instructions in this paper so that you may forge ahead towards your goal.  These instructions are based upon good psychological grounds, have been tested and proved by millions and proved a blessing to whoever took them up in all earnestness and gave them a trial.  If you want to be Fearless, hesitate not to follow them to the very letter.

I shall not waste space telling you about the dire results of fear, cowardice, worry, anxiety and the vile brood of negative thoughts branching of FEAR.  Physically, mentally and spiritually man is what he thinks in his heart.  As you think, so you are.  Mind governs everything, creates or destroys everything, on the physical as well as other planes.  Your thoughts affect your health, your circumstances, your environments; those who come into daily contact with you, those who are separated from you by space, those who are what you call “dead” but who are really alive in spirit-life and bound to you more or less by mystic chords of sympathy in thought and soul-life, affecting you and being affected by you every minute.  The range of influence exerted by a man’s daily thoughts is simply tremendous.