The body is produced by thought. The pattern is created in the causal or ideational body and implanted in the superconscious mind. (Mind has three classifications: waking or “conscious” mind; subconscious mind; and superconscious mind.) When the pattern of thought is changed, the materialization of the pattern also changes. Obviously then, to produce a right result in matter, the pattern must be right.
    The bodies of some people never seem to change or show age. Why? Because they keep the pattern right by following the health laws of body, mind, and soul. Others change considerably because they disregard these laws; the pattern in the mind changes; or deteriorates, and the life force or power of God flowing through that pattern changes the body, or the materialization in matter.
    Science tells us there are two kinds of cells that work in the producing of the body, the germ cells and the somatic cells. The germ cells contain the pattern of the body, and keep it materialized as it should be. They are the active cells whose function is the perpetuation of the race; their substance must have continuous life as long as the race exists. Now these cells grow lazy after a while; it might be said they are resting; that is, they become fixed as a part of the body. Ordinarily the germ cells keep the body as it should be, according to the thought pattern and the normal bodily state for a particular cycle of life. But when the body changes as it does in illness or aging, it is because the germ cells have laid down on the job and become somatic cells. Sooner or later all somatic cells die. This is why the body changes.
    A strong mind can make these somatic cells become active again as germ cells. When this happens, the body, instead of registering ill health or premature age, stays practically the same, growing old gradually and gracefully. Some people seem young all the time; others seem old. Why? Because the pattern within the mind has changed; that is, the germ cells have changed and are not acting as they should. But it is absolutely true that a strong mind can make those cells pick up and function properly again, keeping the body as it should be.
    One or two illustrations will serve to show the changes that can be produced in matter by thought. In an experiment conducted by Professor Hudson, thought suggestions to the subconscious, or unconscious mind, produced a hundred successful cures of disease. The right thought pattern was suggested to the unconscious mind, which thereupon acted to bring about the desired change in the body, according to the suggestion given. Thought can change matter, this shows, by working through the unconscious mind.
     Fear and worry, however, inhibit the action of the mind, or the power of thought, in changing matter. Vyasa, the great sage of old, said, “Fear inhibits the effect of mind on disease.”
     Another illustration demonstrates the effect of fear and worry on the body. A patient of mine, a cab driver, had a bodily condition that would not respond to treatment. I found on inquiry that he was on call practically twenty-four hours of the day running his taxicab; his thought pattern was not right owing to the adverse conditions under which he worked. One day he came into my office smiling with great relief; he had sold his taxicab business. From then on his condition rapidly improved. He responded to treatment as soon as his thought pattern changed, and his body then manifested a change for the better. So you see how the thought patterns in the mind can change matter, in this case the cells of the body.

Thought Patterns Are Self-Evident

    Thought and the pattern it produces stamps us for what we are, whether it be glutton, criminal, cultured person, or child of God. We can recognize the pattern when we see it in the glutton; the criminal’s carriage and eyes portray his life of crime; we can detect the cultured person by his genteel manner; and we can recognize children of God, for they are saturated with His divine love, and His protection, and His power, and look as children of God should. Thought does indeed produce in matter the reflection of just what we are; and so it can, without question, change matter in any way.
     To keep our thought right so that the mental pattern will be right, follow the Self-Realization Fellowship techniques and practice them faithfully, for these techniques give us God-contact. God-communion maintains the right thought pattern as nothing else can. It also gives us the power to project the right pattern and materialize it in matter. “Nor be ye of doubtful mind.” Do not doubt God. If you doubt, the pattern becomes blemished, and the result is not as God and you would have it.
     God-contact can be achieved by anyone who truly wants it. Then through His power and His grace, when you project your good thought pattern, you will have the result you desire.

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