The Way of Power | Page 7

thought that if I could trace these facts to their source some conclusions
as to life and death would need revision and that the logical conclusions
accepted as basic facts might be thrown seriously out of gear, though
how I could not tell. It was clear that many people who possess these
powers in a small way use them quite carelessly and indeed
unconsciously; and this seemed both interesting and encouraging for it
was exactly the same spirit in which many years ago people watched
the magnet and other natural forces at work and drew no conclusions
whatever. Probably it was chance, they thought--but anyhow a trifle.
That was sufficient. But to me these small manifestations seemed
indicative of something vast, not terrifying in the least, but with
surprising possibilities if one could get the hang of it. Such had been
the result these earlier people scorned.
So I began to collect evidence from the people with whom I came in
contact in India and resolved that this should be my special study, little
foreseeing to what conclusions it would lead me.
And here I must mention another factor which I believe has a most
important bearing on these problems though many people will laugh
the suggestion to scorn.
Early in life instinct had pushed me to the relinquishing of many foods
in common use--among them, meat of all sorts, fish, soups, puddings,
cakes, richly flavored foods and such drinks as tea, coffee, cocoa, and
of course anything alcoholic. I find it difficult to say whether this
instinct is a cause or effect of what I will call the psychic temperament.
It may be a little of both. I believe now that the tendency occurs at a
certain stage of development in psychic evolution and has some
strongly marked results. Be that as it may it will be found that in India,

which may be regarded as the very fountainhead of the siddhis or
occult powers, it is thought a necessity for the serious student that the
foods should consist of the simplest and the most natural things that can
be had, and the less cooking the better. For myself for many years I
have lived upon fruit, salads, cheese, eggs, and milk or water with or
without fruit juice as drinks and I sincerely believe that this simplicity
of life has helped me enormously physically, intellectually, and in
spiritual perception; and I may say this with more courage because to
bring the body to heel is the counsel of all the highest forms of
religious belief. I own I am a little inclined to doubt the perception of
those who profess to be authorities in matters psychic and spiritual and
yet drug themselves with substances which cloud the brain and body.
The subconscious self is independent of brainsight, I know, but yet the
body and brain are instruments through which we are obliged to
register the conclusions of the subconscious and for excellent reasons,
and if those instruments are not kept in the best working order there is
as much loss as if one attempted to see through a clouded telescope. I
regard the simplest forms of living as being undoubtedly best for the
health of the body and therefore necessary for the brain, which is the
registering instrument of the psyche in us. It has also been recognized
by all the faiths and by the medical science of the present day and
others as an aid to morality and to the self-control without which it is
most dangerous to have anything to do with what is called the occult.
But I shall discuss this side of the question in more detail later.
So it seemed to me that all the circumstances of my life had fitted me
for attacking this problem in a level-headed way--neither credulous nor
taking experiences on trust nor as a rabid opponent. I may say I have
had experiences put before me very imposingly backed which I felt
obliged to reject because I believed that the percipients were fitted
neither to see nor to record their sights.
Having said this I will return to the evidence I have collected, touched
here and there by my own psychic adventures.
CHAPTER III

In the first chapter of this book I have spoken of the science of the
occult as standing on the tripod of the psychic, intellectual and physical
and I might have said much more on all three, as India has done in her
great teachings. But in such matters it is wise to be extremely practical
and to begin at the beginning and with something entirely in one's own
control; and this can scarcely be said either of the psychic or of the
intellectual, for both are more or less conditioned by the stage of
evolution