The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-04

calls for careful execution it is wise
to try and exclude all foreign thoughts
and subjects from the mind andscou-
centrate undoubtedly upon the partic-
ular subject or question at stake.
1t is not an easy matter to accom-
plish concentration. as has been
learned through scientific tests by
celebrated specialists. The mind. IKE
the tongue, is an unruly member, ana
concentration may be accomplished
only by a determined state or miho
and earnest effort in focusing II.
Many cases of inability to concen-
trate are caused by a belief III sons
disease or some representative nerve
which in reality does not exist save
in the mentality and which may De
overcome by the judicious practlce
Of psyche physical culture gymhas-
tics. fitting the requirements 10 tho
case, or by the sufferer becoming IN
terested in some work which calls
for deep concentration.
The Exercises.
POSE 1.-The imaginary thread
gymnastic. Sit in chair with back
support. assume same attitude as
illustrated in Pose ~ Imagine your
brain to be o mass Of vari. colored
threads, all tangled together. Focus
the mind upon one of these bright
colored imaginary threads and with
the thumb and forefinger OF the right
hand attempt to catch hold of one OF
them. After several attempts you
will succeed. Now begin to draw the
thread out of the mass. No matter
how many yards long it may appear
to be. keep on until you have
separated it from all the others and
have it securely between your thumb
and forefinger. While separating the
thread say mentally, Il Will disen-
tanele this particular thread from
all the others. I will bring it forth
and let its beauty shine as nature
intended it to do. When the thread
has entirely separated itself in the
IMAGINATION the student will feel the
tension in the brain relieved and the
spinal cord will relax of its own
yolition. After several attempts OF
this sort the mentality becomes
plastic and readily permits the thread
to separate itself. This mental gym
nastic illustrates what may be done
In way of separating ideas from tho
mass and delevoping them. Let tho
entire gymnastic be performed
mentally.
POSE ll.-Concentrated mind and
muscle control. Stand normal. Hands
on hips. Draw the body upward TO a
firm poise and focus the mind upon
the clouds and sky. Concentrate
deeply upon the passing clouds and
imagine only beautiful sights. Soon
you will begin to make out objects
and beauties in the clouds that you
never before dreamed of existing. A
very good idea is to try and locate
different birds. cupids and pictures of
a beautiful nature. 1t is not difficult
when the mind is properly attuned to
see many wonderful spectacles in the
clouds. Fancy will lead you into
pleasant paths along the margins OF
the clouds and the distant horizon.
This is one OF the best exercises for
governing unruly minds, minds that
are determined TO not become fixed.
PosE Ili.-Concentrated mind and
muscle control. Stand as in Pose III
Left hand grasping lapel of waist.
right hand clinched. Turn head to
right and fasten eyes upon the sky
from another angle than that EN-.
ployed in Pose ii. Now decide to 500
different pictures in the sky. Make
the mind absolutely passive to the
will. Begin by seeking animals and
strange creatures, even hideous ones.
You can create such terrible object
in the clouds by fancy that YOU will
actually become frightened. StrspKS