Chapter II: Part 22: Culture of Courage

The route by which we approach the pinnacle of MASTERY OF SELF now takes a new turn. It is neither that of Business and Financial achievement, as we studied in the First Division of the course, nor is it that of Success and Magnetism as was taught in the Second Division. For many students we now come to the real battle- ground where they must wage the fight for supremacy. The final 14 lessons group under the general title, The CULTURE OF COURAGE.

There is an insidious foe to mastery and freedom, which dooms millions to self-imposed bondage. Most people know it has them in its grip; countless others do not know what the hidden power is which holds them from the richer, freer, happier conditions of life.

This foe is FEAR. It assumes numerous disguises. It appears in many phases of our daily lives. It has done more to wreck careers and ruin happiness than all the wars of history. Hordes of earth toilers believe themselves beyond its influence--while all the time it is riding their backs and laughing at them.

One reason for this is the common misunderstanding of what fear really is. Most people think of it only as fearing to meet certain people, or fearing some accident may happen to them or their loved ones. Yet there are fears of the future, fears of one's self, fears of events, fears of natural phenomena, fears of old age, fears of poverty. And there are still more hidden, stunting fears developed by the un-religious teachings of blind, bigoted, crafty Religion.

Therefore our higher advance to MASTERY OF SELF is up the steps of the following 14 lessons, in which the underlying note is the everlasting declaration, "I AM COURAGE! WHATEVER BETIDES, THE TRUE SELF OF ME DEMANDS COURAGE!"

Dr. Haddock will open new views of individual nature, personal fears, avenues of self-unfoldment, which are wholesome and uplifting for you. The following lessons are more than a conquest of fear; they are A GREAT ADVENTURE into the heart of a courageous life philosophy. They tear away bond after bond of habit, thought and action which have smothered your true, inner Self.

Passing the brief "Introductory" matter, you start in lesson one-- "The World's New Dawn," laying the foundation for Courage-power. Dr. Haddock first makes it clear why man is steadily becoming more free--why darkening, dreadful, shackling fear is being dispelled from the world. His second lesson analyzes Fear and Reason. The third lesson explains why the healthy "tone" of mind and body is the basis upon which the structure of personal Courage is to be reared.

ANNOUNCEMENT.

"For all may have,
If they dare choose, a glorious life."
--Herbert.

I have received many letters from people who are distressed by their fears. To every such an one let me send this assured message:

You can grow in your soul a perfect courage.

The methods adapted to this ideal are simple, not impossible to any, and will become less and less difficult as you continue to make them more and more a real part of your life.

I do not say, "Be courageous."

I do not say, "Destroy your fears."

Such advice is common enough, but it is altogether barren unless you know how to carry it out. I hope, rather, to present methods which shall be definite and practical, so that you will be able to do the very thing needful. These methods, in the large, I now announce as follows:

FIRST METHOD: THE INSPIRATION OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND. You are invited, always through the reading of this book and during life, to believe, assume and realize--

_I_ AM GROWING IN MY SOUL A PERFECT COURAGE.

SECOND METHOD: THE ELIMINATION OF FEAR. This is the negative phase of our work. Specific instructions will be given having to do with every kind of fear. I shall endeavor to suggest practical help to all readers for each particular difficulty.

THIRD METHOD: THE CULTURE OF SPIRITUAL COURAGE. By the word "spiritual" I mean not merely religious in the ordinary sense, but rather that kind of courage which is just the breath and tone of the White Life manifest in the human life. The WHITE LIFE in you is harmony with the White Life which is The Good, The Beautiful, The True, The All-Health, The Father, The Infinite Soul of this wonderful Universe in which we live. If you come to harmony with the White Life, your fears will vanish because you will then share in the Courage of the Eternal Good.

There are two kinds of courage:

THE COURAGE THAT DARES AND WINS; and

THE COURAGE THAT SMILES AND RECEIVES.

"And shall I with a Giant strive,
And charge a Dragon on the field?"

In these lines we have the first kind of courage. It is good, but there is a type which is vastly superior:

I AM THE COURAGE OF THE SOUL HARMONIC WITH THE PERFECT WHOLE.

These lines indicate the second kind of courage--than which there is no higher. "Herein is love with us made perfect, that we may have boldness."

These are our methods. They are commended to your approval. I shall try to state them plainly, going on from one fear to another, and another, until the long list is disposed of, and always shall I follow details of procedure similar to those set forth in "POWER FOR SUCCESS," the ideal constantly being

EXACTLY WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO EXACTLY THAT.