The person wishing to influence another at a. distance, just as he would in the case of a personal interview, forms a mental image of the person whom he wishes to influence, and then proceeds just as if the person was actually before him. I know of at least one teacher who advises his students to "treat" prospective customers, and others with whom they expect to have dealings, or relations, as follows: "Imagine your prospective customer, or other person, as seated in a chair before which you are standing. Make the imagined picture as strong as possible, for upon this depends your success. Then proceed to 'treat' the person just as you would if he were actually present. Concentrate your will upon him, and tell him just what you expect to tell him when you meet him. Use all of the arguments that you can think of, and at the same time hold the thought that he must do as you say. Try to imagine him as complying with your wishes, in every respect, for this imagining will tend to 'come true' when you really meet the person. This rule may be used, not only in the ease of prospective customers, but also in the cases of persons whom you wish to influence in any way whatsoever."

Now, all this is very plain to the student of this book, for the principles employed are familiar to its readers. The result of a practice like the above would undoubtedly tend to clear a "mentative path" in the other person's mind, and make easier the effect of a subsequent interview. For the other person would be thus accustomed to the idea, thought or feeling, and the work of clearing away the mental underbrush would be done in advance. But, fortunately for us all, we have the antidote for this bane, if we have acquainted ourselves with the underlying principles of the subject. So important do I regard the subject of self-protection in connection with direct telementation, that I have thought it well to add to this chapter the following general rules which I trust you will read carefully, and with which you should fully acquaint yourself. The bane is well-known - the antidote is known to but few. For this reason I attach much importance to the study of the latter at this place.

In connection with the following rules and advice you should also acquaint yourself with what I have said elsewhere regarding protection against suggestive impressions; and also with, my advice regarding the cultivation of a positive mentality; and with the chapters which take up the subject of establishing a mentative center, etc. Here are the rules: -

I. In the first place, steady your mind, and calm your feeling. Then pause for a moment, and say the words "I Am," calmly and forcibly, at the same time forming a mental picture of yourself as a center of Force and Power in the Great Ocean of Mind-Power. See yourself as standing alone and full of power. Then mentally form a picture of your aura, extending about a yard on all sides of you, in an egg-shaped form. See that this aura is charged with your Will-Power, which is flowing outward, repelling any adverse mental suggestions that are being sent to you, and causing them to fly back to the source from whence they came. A little practice will enable you to perfect this picture, which will greatly aid you in creating a strong positive aura of will, which will prove to be a dynamic armor and shield.

The affirmation, "I Am" is the strongest known to occult Science, for it is a positive statement of actual being. You may use the following affirmation also, if you please - it has helped many: "I assert my individuality as a center of force, power and being. Nothing can adversely affect me. My mind is mine own, and I refuse admittance to unwelcome suggestions or influences. My desires are my own, and refuse to admit undesirable vibrations by induetion or otherwise. My will is my own, and I charge it with power to beat off and repel all undesirable influences. I am surrounded by an aura of positive will, which protects me absolutely."

The following denial has proved of the greatest value to many: "I deny, to all or any, the power to influence me against my best interests - I am my own master." These words may seem simple, but if you will use them you will be surprised at their efficacy. You realize, of course, that it is the mental state aroused by the words, that "does the work," rather than any special virtue in the words themselves.

II. Guard yourself from acting upon "impulses." When you feel a sudden or unaccountable "impulse" to do this thing, or that thing, stop and assert your positive individuality, and then drive out all outside influences, by repeating the affirmations, etc., given above, and by creating the proper mental picture. Then, when you have recovered your balance, consider the impulse, and decide whether it is to your best interests, or otherwise. You will be able to see this clearly, by reason of your "mental house-cleaning" a moment before. Then, if the impulse seems to be against your best interests, drive it from yon, saying: "I drive you away from me - you do not belong to me - return to those who sent you," or other words to that effect. This may be rendered more forceful if you will but create a mental picture of the discarded idea flying away from you in the shape of a tiny thought-wave. These mental pictures aid one very materially in such matters, both in the sending forth of an idea, as well as in the discarding of one.

III. Cultivate the picture and idea of a positive aura, and always think of yourself as being encased in such a one. See yourself as a strong positive "I" - a center of power - encased in an impregnable sheath of auric force. You will thus be able to build up yourself into a mighty center of defence. You will be surprised at the confused manner of people who try to influence you, when they come in contact with this aura, and find their suggestions and men-tative currents being cast back upon themselves. Such people find themselves "all broken up" when they meet a condition like this, which they do not understand, for very few of them are practical occultists. The mental picture of yourself as a center of power, surrounded with a positive aura, will, if persisted in, render you extremely positive, so that your influence is sure to be felt by the world with which you come in contact.

You will often be amused by occurrences following after the rejection of these "stray impulses," etc. You will find if you have had an impulse to buy a certain thing, or sell a certain thing at a sacrifice, that in a day or so, perhaps an hour or so, you will be approached by some person who will advise you personally to do that same thing, the person being likely to be benefited by the scheme or plan. I do not mean that such person has necessarily tried to influence you by mentative currents, for he may not have consciously done so, but nevertheless that is just what has happened, and his desire or will has caused these currents to flow in your direction, and you have felt them. Now that your eyes have been opened to this fact, you will be amused and surprised to see how many corroborative proofs you will receive. But always assert your individuality as a center of power, and all will be well with you in these matters.

A man's Mentative Force is immensely more powerful when he uses it to protect his individuality than when he uses it to attack the individuality of another. In fact, if everyone understood the laws of mentative defence, and would avail himself of the information given under this head, there would be almost a total absence of mentative attack, for the futility of the same would soon be recognized. The only reason, that the strong individuals are able to affect the weaker ones so frequently is because the others do not know their inner power, and make no defense - in fact, the majority of people do not know of these laws at all; and, if one tells them, they sneer and smile knowingly, tapping their foreheads to indicate that their informant is "just a little off." Poor sheep, and geese, they are so happy in their ignorance and conceit that it almost seems a pity to disturb them.

But to return to my subject. You will find that it requires a much less effort of will to protect your individuality than it does to attack the individuality of another. You will find that the law is on your side when you say, "I won't be influenced - I deny the power of another to weaken my individuality," for you have then called into operation that law of Nature which is always in operation, and which she gives to her creatures in the way of an instinctive protective force. So there is no occasion to be afraid - you are immune from attacks if you will but assert the force within you.

In passing on to the other phases of telementa-tion, I would again remind you that in these instances of direct telementation the force may be used both consciously, or unconsciously. Those who know the laws of the use of the force may propel these telementative currents direct to those whom they wish to influence, just as they may consciously give mental suggestions in a personal interview. But, even where these laws are not understood, the currents or the suggestions are sent forth by the strong desire or will animating the person. Of course the person who understands the subject will be able to direct his force with greater precision and effect, but in any event the effect is produced in the same way.