WILLIAM W. ATKINSON — THE SECRET OF SUCCESS

Chapter 3

SPIRITEDNESS

To many of you, the title of this lesson—Spiritedness—may seem related to "spirits," "disembodied entities," or perhaps the "soul" or some higher part of it to which the name Spirit is often applied. However, in this case, we use the word in a different sense, yet in a way approved by many advanced teachers and researchers of the occult and spiritual. One of the meanings of the word "spirit" as given by Webster’s Dictionary is as follows: "Energy, vivacity, ardor, enthusiasm, courage," etc., while the same authority defines the word "spirited" as: "Animated; full of life and vigor, lively," etc. These definitions will give you a hint of the sense in which we are now using the term, but there is still more to it.

To us, the word Spirit expresses the idea of the essential nature of the Universal Power. This power is manifested in man as the center of his being—his essential strength and power—from which everything that makes him an Individual proceeds. Spiritedness does not mean being ethereal, "overly pious" original: "goody-goody", spiritual, otherworldly, or anything of that sort. It means the state of being "animated," which means being "possessed of life and vigor"—so that the state is really that of being filled with Power and Life. That Power and Life comes from the very center of one’s being—the "I AM" region or level original: "plane" of mind and consciousness.

Spiritedness is manifested in different degrees among different men—and even among animals. It is an elementary, fundamental, and primitive quality of Life, and it does not depend upon culture, refinement, or education. Its development seems to depend upon an instinctive or intuitive recognition of the "Something Within"—the Power of the Individual which is derived from that Universal Power of which we are all expressions. Even some animals seem to possess it.

A recent writer on the "Taming of Animals" describes the instinctive realization of Spiritedness among some of the higher animals as follows:

"Put two male baboons in the same cage, and they will open their mouths, show all their teeth, and 'blow' at each other. But one of them, even though he may possess the more intimidating teeth original: "uglier dentition", will blow with a difference—with an inward shakiness that marks him as the underdog at once. No test of battle is needed at all. It is the same with the big cats. Put two, or four, or a dozen lions together, and they will also, probably without a single contest, soon discover which one of them possesses the spirit original: "mettle" of the master. Thereafter he takes the choice of the meat; if he chooses, the rest shall not even—"

Spiritedness — A state of being filled with life, energy, and inner power, derived from the core of one's identity.
I AM region — In New Thought philosophy, the highest level of consciousness where an individual recognizes their connection to the divine or universal power.
Mettle of the master — original: "mettle" The inherent courage, spirit, or character that allows an individual (or animal) to naturally dominate or lead others.