Chapter 5

SOUL-FORCE

You have often heard the word "Enthusiasm" used, and you have likely used it often yourself. But have you ever stopped to consider what the word really means—where it originated, or what its essential spirit is? Very few people have. The word "Enthusiasm" is derived from a Greek term original: enthousiasmos, from "en" (in) and "theos" (god) meaning "to be inspired" or "to be possessed by the gods." The term was originally used to describe the mental state of an inspired person who seemed to be under the influence of a higher power. It once meant being "inspired by a superhuman or divine power" or being in a state of "ecstasy."

According to Webster’s dictionary, it is now used to mean: "A kindled and kindling fervor of the soul; intense and imaginative zeal or interest; a lively demonstration of joy or passion; and so on." The word has also acquired a secondary and less favorable meaning, suggesting "unrealistic obsession" or "imaginative intensity." However, its true and primary meaning is that intense, lively zeal and interest in the inner forces of one’s own nature. Real enthusiasm is a powerful mental state applied either in favor of, or against, an idea.

A person filled with enthusiasm truly seems to be inspired by a power or being higher than themselves; they tap into a source of power of which they are not usually conscious. As a result, they become like a great magnet, radiating an attractive force in all directions and influencing everyone within their field of influence. Enthusiasm is contagious. When an individual truly experiences it, it makes them a source of inductive power In physics, "induction" is the process where a magnetized or electrified object produces a similar state in a nearby object without direct contact. Atkinson uses it here to describe how one person's energy "sparks" energy in others. and a center of mental influence.

But the power filling such a person does not come from an outside source. It comes from certain inner regions of their mind or soul—from their "Inner Consciousness." Those who have read our small guide titled Inner Consciousness Referring to Atkinson's 1908 book of the same name, which explores the subconscious mind. will easily understand which part of the mind produces this power. Enthusiasm is truly "soul power," and when it is genuine, it is recognized and felt by anyone who comes near it.

Without a certain amount of enthusiasm, no one has ever achieved success, and no one ever will. In personal interaction, no power can compare to the right kind of enthusiasm. It consists of earnestness, concentration, and power; there are very few people who cannot be influenced to some degree when they see it demonstrated by another. Few people realize the actual value of enthusiasm. Many have succeeded because they possessed it, and many have failed because they lacked it. Enthusiasm is the steam that drives our mental machinery, and in this way, it indirectly accomplishes the great things in life. You cannot complete tasks properly yourself unless you show a degree of interest in them, and...