Principles of Psychological Practices and Their Effects on the Energy Field of the Mind

tires the optic centers, and the mind becomes negative to suggestions. Or, establishing a soothing rhythm by speech or music, suggesting sleep, the consciousness in this case also goes to the lower centers of the body and leaves the hypnotist a free field for any brain impression he wishes to make, to be carried out now or later.

Like under anesthesia, the sense centers are first to be disconnected from their normal function of awareness, and the motor centers are controlled entirely by the hypnotist, so the person can be made to do all sorts of ridiculous things and know nothing about it. The question has been asked as to how far can this be pushed, to the detriment of the subject. Will he wake up if asked to commit a crime? On the stage they usually do, because the directing mind intends it so; or the knife may be of paper and it is a farce; but, in reality, there are no holds barred to possible viciousness in this cruel game.

Is it ever wise to lend our Mind (our best treasure) to please anyone? Should another person control or direct our Mind for us when we have made a mess of it by negative thinking? Is a cover-up a cure? Are we not here to direct and prune the trees in the garden of our own Mind? Would not a course of personal effort in positive thinking and acting be a more direct path to real progress? Are capacity and ability ever acquired without effort? ANY ONE WHO INTERFERES WITH THE FREE WILL OF ANOTHER, assumes great responsibility in the mental plane, even beyond this mortal sphere. TO GUIDE AND DIRECT OUR OWN MIND IS EACH ONE'S BIRTHRIGHT AND HIGHEST MORAL DUTY.

3. WHAT HAPPENS IN ANESTHESIA? HOW IS THE DWELLER IN THE BODY PREVENTED FROM FUNCTIONING TEMPORARILY?

The oxygen proportions in the blood stream are displaced by the chemicals of the anesthetic. The ether formula is C₄H₁₀O; chloroform is CHCl₃. These concentrate in the red cells and are found in the blood stream hours after the anesthetic is given. When this concentration becomes too great, life is endangered, especially with chloroform, as the safety margin is less than with ether.

4. HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE CONSCIOUSNESS?

The cerebral function is inhibited first, then the spinal nerves, and the vital functions last. Chemically, it is a variety of poisoning that depresses the nerve function, the same