Mental Exercises vs. Physical Exercises - part 1

Articles In This Section:

· Mental Exercises vs. Physical Exercises - part 1

· Mental Exercises vs. Physical Exercises - part 2

· Mental Exercises vs. Physical Exercises - part 3

· MENTAL EXERCISES

· USE YOUR CREATIVE MIND TO STIMULATE YOUR MIND

· DEVELOP THE POWERS OF CONCENTRATION

· CREATE IMAGINARY OBJECTIVES - part 1

· CREATE IMAGINARY OBJECTIVES - part 2

MUSCLES NOT USED will atrophy. A broken arm, carried in a sling for a period of time, will shrink in size and lose most of its strength. After it is freed from the sling, it will take several days of use to bring it back to its former condition.

A mind which is not kept active will become less alert and will lose much of its brilliance. It is, therefore, logical to assume that you must exercise your mind, as well as your physical body.

As to relative importance, I would say that of the two types, mental exercise should have first consideration. In fact, physical exercises, to give the maximum good, should be coordinated with mind.

You will gain far greater good from the type of exercise you enjoy, than you will from the exercise you force yourself to take. Bowling, rowing, tennis, or whatever you choose, will help you more than following a routine of motions with a bored mind.

Happiness is relaxing and muscles respond to exercise more quickly when you are relaxed than when you are tense.

There are mental conditions which correspond with tenseness and relaxation. If your mind is tense, because of a number of disturbing thoughts attempting to enter, constructive thinking is retarded. You will have difficulty in carrying through on the type of constructive thinking which could free you from your problems.

This chapter will help you to stimulate and develop your mental faculties through disciplined concentration. The rewards will be great. You will actually find yourself reaching a higher level of ecstasy as you begin developing a state of mental self-mastery.

Frustration is not an incurable mental disorder. It is the product of an uncontrolled mind. If a man allows disturbing thoughts to take over and block all rational thinking, he becomes almost panicky as he sees himself thwarted by so many problems.

Such a man came to me for counsel and, according to his description of his predicament, he had the weight of the universe on his shoulders.

"I have so many problems," he said. "I cannot see any way out."

I picked up a sheet of paper and asked him to name his problems so that I could list them; then we would see what could be done.