destiny, so also must you go forward. See to it, then, that your aims
and ambitions are based upon eternal wisdom, for upon this does your
whole future depend.




CHAPTER VI.

HEALTH.


It is impossible, in a little work of this description to explain
why it is that one person inherits a weak and ailing body and another
enjoys a strong and robust constitution. Sufficient for us here to
notice that the days of rude, rugged health are passing, and that
man is becoming more highly strung, nervous and psychic in his
make-up. The old type of rude, unconscious health was due to the
animal-like nature of man, which caused his body to be governed more
completely by the instinctive mind. Less evolved humans are not
affected, apparently, by the mental storms, psychic changes, and
spiritual disharmonies that disturb the health of the more evolved
types. We have an illustration of this in the case of some forms of
insanity. The patient "goes out of his mind," with the result that
his bodily health becomes wonderfully good. The instinctive mind takes
control of things, and rude, robust animal health is the result. When
the patient was sane and his mind filled with worry, ambitions, plans,
cares, lusts, hates and griefs, he was probably very far from well.
This would be due to the disturbing effects of his thoughts and
uncontrolled emotions. When, therefore, his conscious mind gave way
and he became happy in an imbecile way, he ceased to think of these
disturbing things, with the result that the instinctive, animal mind
was able to work undisturbed.

It is of no use sighing for "the good old times," when people were
rugged and strong in the way that savages are rugged and strong, for
evolution has decreed that man shall change into a higher and more
nervous and sensitive type. In this sensitive type wrong thoughts
and emotions quickly produce pain and suffering. The majority of
people do not know what good health is. Not only do they suffer from
minor ailments, such as headaches, indigestion, rheumatism, neuritis,
but they also never feel hearty or completely well. They are strangers