The Secret of Success

...which you call "I," or your Real Self. Therefore, there must be something behind your mental states, ideas, feelings, and thoughts that is superior to them. This "I" "knows" these states just as one knows an object separate from oneself, yet it is an object that the "I" uses. You say, "I feel," "I think," "I believe," "I know," "I will," and so on. Now, which is the Real Self? Is it the mental states just mentioned, or the "I" which is the subject or the real cause of these mental phenomena? It is not the Mind that knows, but the "I" which uses the Mind in order to know. This may seem a bit complex original: "abstruse" to you if you have never studied the subject, but think it over for a while, and the idea will clearly define itself in your mind.

We are not telling you these things merely to give you an idea of metaphysics, philosophy, or psychology—there are many books that go into these matters at length and in detail—so it is not for that reason. The real reason is that by realizing the "I" or Real Self, a sense of Power comes to you that will be expressed original: "manifest" through you and make you strong. Awakening to a clear and vivid realization of the "I" will cause you to feel a sense of Being and Power that you have never known before. Before you can express your individuality, you must realize that you are an individual. And you must be aware of this "I" within you before you can realize that you are an individual.

The "Me" side of you is what is called Personality, which is your outward appearance. Your personality is made up of countless characteristics, traits, habits, thoughts, expressions, and motions. It is a collection of peculiarities and personal traits that you have likely been mistaken for the real "I" all this time. But it is not. Do you know where the idea of "personality" comes from? Let us tell you. If you look in any good dictionary, you will see that the word originated from the Latin word persona, meaning "a mask used by actors in ancient times." This word, in turn, was derived from two other words: per, meaning "through," and sonare, meaning "to sound" original Latin: "per" and "sonare". Combined, the two words mean "to sound through." The idea is that the actor’s voice sounded through the mask of the assumed personality or character. Webster’s Dictionary gives the following as one of the meanings of "person" even today: "A character or part, as in a play; an assumed character." Therefore, "personality" means the part you are playing in the Great Play of Life, on the Stage of the Universe.

The real Individual hidden behind the mask of personality is YOU—the Real Self—the "I." This is the part of you of which you are conscious when you say "I AM," which is your assertion of existence and hidden original: "latent" power. "Individual" means something that cannot be divided or reduced—something that cannot be injured or hurt by outside forces—something REAL. And you are an individual—a Real Self—an "I"—something endowed with life, mind, and power to use as you will.