what is right, not consciously because he ‘ought’ but with simple satisfaction; and is ill at ease till it is done.”  Some may object that this idea of Habit as a basis of Character may do away with the idea of a developed moral conscientiousness, as for instance, Josiah Royce who says:  “The establishment of organized habit is never in itself enough to ensure the growth of an enlightened moral conscientiousness” but to such we would say that one must “want to” cultivate a high character before he will create the habits usual to the same, and the “want to” is the sign of the “moral conscientiousness,” rather than the habit.  And the same is true of the “ought to” side of the subject.  The “ought to” arises in the conscious mind in the beginning, and inspires the cultivation of the habit, although the latter after a while becomes automatic, a matter of the sub-conscious mentality, without any “ought to” attachment.  It then becomes a matter of “like to.”

Thus we see that the moulding, modifying, changing, and building of Character is largely a matter of the establishing of Habits.  And what is the best way to establish Habits? becomes our next question.  The answer of the Yogi is:  “Establish a Mental Image, and then build your Habit around it.”  And in that sentence he has condensed a whole system.

Everything we see having a form is built around a mental image—­either the mental image of some man, some animal, or of the Absolute.  This is the rule of the universe, and in the matter of character-building we but follow a well established rule.  When we wish to build a house, we first think of “house” in a general way.  Then we begin to think of “what kind” of a house.  Then we go into details.  Then we consult an architect, and he makes us a plan, which plan is his mental image, suggested by our mental image.  Then, the plan once decided upon, we consult the builder, and at last the house stands completed—­an objectified Mental Image.  And so it is with every created thing—­all manifestation of a Mental Image.

And so, when we wish to establish a trait of Character, we must form a clear, distinct Mental Image of what we wish to be.  This is an important step.  Make your picture clear and distinct, and fasten it in your mind.  Then begin to build around it.  Let your thoughts dwell upon the mental picture.  Let your imagination see yourself as possessed of the desired trait, and acting it out.  Act it out in your imagination, over and over again, as often as possible, persevering, and continuously, seeing yourself manifesting the trait under a variety of circumstances and conditions.  As you continue to do this you will find that you will gradually begin to express the thought in action—­to objectify the subjective mental image.  It will become “natural” for you to act more and more in accordance with your mental image, until at last the new habit will become firmly fixed in your mind, and will become your natural mode of action and expression.