Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-15
DON'T THINK TOO MUCH.
Specialist Points Out the Danger O,
Over Exertion Of tho Brain.

The brain is mans most faithful friend,
and would be mans best companion IL he
understood 1t better" said prominent
specialist to a Star reporter.
Il use the word brain to comprehend
what We term the mind and the process Of
thinking, and not as physical object or a
medium which directs our actions. or
through which we or the animate spirit,
directs us. just as theorists please to take
tive will look upon 1t as thing with
which we may hold communion, and pro-
coed upon that hypothesis
On the stage the prize idiot in the cast,
usually young nobleman. or a dude, al
ways, raises a laugh when with vacant
stare and set features, he speaks his lines
about the effort Of thinking and the weary
Ing effect such a mental process produces
upon his physical being. He really speaks
g greater truth than either he or the au-
dience takes In, for thinking Is an effort, be
the thought in itself ever so frothy and
ephemeral. and could We lessen the pro-
cess OF thought at will. as an engineer APP
plies the airbrakes to his train much of
the trouble and disease in life would vanish
like the meadow vapor before the rays Of
the rising sun.
ut is this impossible process to entirely
still what is called the thinking process
which is one Of the most interesting studies
Of the specialist, for it is, plainly speaking
the inability Of the individual to eliminate
L,
from the brain cells, or to still it into mac
tivity. which fills the insane asylums, pro-
duces nervous wrecks in other individuals
and causes trouble. confusion and chaos all
around in everyday life.
Persons to whom this fact appeals should
endeavor to take their own brain into COM
munfon with their own selves: to set it up
rs another person. with whom they may
hold converse, and the objective and SUBJ
jectlye mind admit of this through con-
scious action. and In some happy and fortu-
nate individuals through unconscious ac-
ton.
"a little practice will make this possible
to the student. though his progress will be
by degrees and not in one jump. He should
first understand that thinking Is largely a
matter Of habit that the brain is one of
the most willing organs in his body at his
command. and honest and faithful as it is
to him, will respond to his calls upon It,
He should. therefore. give it as much
needed rest as possible by the process of
calling upon it for thought except when
necessary The average person will put In
tremendous amount Of unnecessary
thought effort upon the simplest everyday
matter Of life.
Again. he will allow his objective mind
to cling to one or several thoughts with
persistent tenacity. In this event he wears
out particular cells of his best friend, and
where this habit is maintained he often be-
comes a nuisance to his friends and family
by developing into what is termed a crank
and at times he eXhaustS these same cells
in this manner and lands in the asylum.
Most people use their brains too much,
either in utter idle waste or in over con-
centrated work, and when their best friend
begins to show a mild resentment by show
ing signs of fatigue they ply 1t with stimu-
lants which science or the distillery have
placed at their disposal. Even under these
mean circumstances the brain. Disguised
though 1t is with such shabby treatment
goes on doing the best it can for its owner
until Temporary inSenSibilty, insanity or
death ensueS.
at will be found that cooperation with
the brain in the process of stilling thought
is not as difficult as would be supposed, for
the brain will remain quiescent if you will
only permit 1t, and become strengthened
thereby. just as 1t win respond to the limit
of exhaustion when called upon. This
theory is very easily evolved into successful
practice. and commend 1t to men of active
minds. especially professional men, for 1t
will be found to lessen nervous tension
soothe the temper, promote the appetite and
produce good nature in otherwise nervous
touchy and disagreeable people,