Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-03
SeIf-M astery

For ages learned men have philoso-
phlzed whether or not we are free
moral agents, and the subject is as de-
batable today as it ever was The
learned men cannot come to an under
standing on this subject, not because
the subject itself is incomprehensible,
but because they have selfish interests
10 conserve. Hence neither side to the
controversy is willing to give and take
for the purpose of deciding whether we
are or are not free moral agents.
But whether we are or are not free
moral agents is immaterial so long as
we are willing to admit that every
one has will, and this will is of a
strength proportionate to our ability
to exert it. There is no doubt in my
mind, and l trust nobody else is
anxious to dispute it that we are in
esse (eXistence), and we Individually
had and have no control over it, True,
we may commit suicide and thus end
our existence, but in a natural manner
we cannot deprive ourselves of exist =
ence so Ions as the power that created
us leaves us to our living fate.
The will-our individual will, there
fore, has no. jurisdiction, so to speak,
in so far as our existence is concerned,
and thus much only. But as regards
our conduct, our fate, our environ
ments, our relations to others, etc, we
may so exert our will. as to master
them more or less. 1 say we can
master them more or less, thus quail
lying the statement, because to a GER
tain extent we are not able to exclude
ourselves from society and hence the
relations Herewith somewhat curtail
our will power. So even in this matter,
that is, in some affairs other than ex-
istence, we are not free moral agents
to all intents and purposes.
The will however, can so assert it,
self as to create a condition which
would be favorable to our self-mas-
terry. For instance, we can choose our
friends, occupation, books, food and
any number of other vital things of
life, and master ourselves to the ex-
tent of feeling happy. True, one can
not feel absolutely happy so long as
there is single individual who is on
the verge of starvation, but outside
of that we can nevertheless live con-
sistent with ideals while life lasts.
But how to assert the will for self
mastery is a problem which few are
able to cope with themselves. Hence
shall try to point out few rules that
will help one materially in that direc-
tion.
AS 1 said above every one has will
of his own. hence try to strengthen it.
This one can do by constantly repeat
ing to himself the words, "I will" Do
not let anything distract you from as
serting the 81 WILL" and by continuing
it little while you will succeed. Right
here / will say that the 81 will" is
merely another name for the Ego-the
l. and are you not as good as Ian
Ego-an l villas another? You cer-
tainly arc but the reason why some
other Ego is perhaps stronger than
yours is because of more forcible as
sertion ON the formers part.
When attempting to assert your will
see that right is on your side. Right,
you must remember is a positive char
acter, and the will can be strengthened
only for mastering pOsitives. True,
negatives also exist and so long as
they have to be COPIED with they at
tract minds; but, remember they at
tract only feeble minds. This is the
reason why Jesus said; when one