By reference to the first paragraph of Chapter iv, you will see that i have separated the physical phase of mental magnetism into two coordinated manifestations, the first of which i.e., the generation within the nervous system of a plenteous supply of nerve-force, i shall now describe.

The word "generation," in this connection, only imperfectly conveys the idea of the actual process of acquiring nerve-force within the nervous system, for the process is one of "absorption" and "distribution," rather than one of "generation." But as the latter term conveys a simpler picture of the process, i have thought well to use it in this connection, particularly as many of the old occult writers have used it, in this sense, before my time.

This process of nerve-force generation may be said to consist of two distinct, yet coordinated phases, viz.: (1) the absorption of an extra amount of nerve-force from the atmosphere, by special forms of breathing; and (2) the distribution of the same to the great centers of the nervous system which act as reservoirs of nerve-force. i shall now proceed to consider these two respective phases, in their proper order.

The first phase of nerve-force generation consists of the absorption of an extra supply of nerve-force from the atmosphere, by means of special forms of breathing. All persons constantly absorb nerve-force from the atmosphere, in the ordinary process of breathing, the amount differing with the individual, or rather, with his habits of breathing. You will have noticed that the vigorous, strong individual, nearly always breathes fully - that is, deeply and regularly - while the weak person will breathe only partially and irregularly. There is a very close connection between full, regular breathing and general physical health and strength, but i shall not touch upon this phase of the subject here, for it forms no part of this special instruction. i merely drop a hint, which the wise will take advantage of.

Without wishing to lead you into the subtleties of Oriental psychology, with its complicated forms of breathing for psychic and spiritual development, etc., I must call your attention, at this point, to the philosophy underlying some of the Oriental breathing practices, for the same is based on the soundest scientific principals. The Oriental philosophy teaches that each mental and physical state of the individual is represented by a special rhythm of breath, the rhythm and condition always being found together. The mental or physical condition will invariably manifest the particular rhythm of breath, which belongs to it; and, likewise (and this is one of the occult secrets) the deliberate assumption of a particular rhythm of breath will speedily result in the manifestation of the appropriate physical or mental condition.

You have but to consider the subject for a moment, to see that when you are frightened or angry, you breathe with a different rhythm than when you are calm and peaceful. Each emotion, up and down the scale, has its own appropriate rhythm of breath, which invariably manifests at the same time. Moreover, different physical conditions like wise manifest in coordinated breath-rhythms. Keep a close watch on yourself, and those around you, and you will soon see that the above statements of facts are strictly correct. You will wonder why you never noticed the phenomena before.

A little less known, even, is the correlated fact that the deliberate assumption or "acting out" of the particular breath -rhythm related to a particular emotion, will result in a speedy experiencing of the emotion itself. This also may be tested out on yourself.

You will find that a few moments' anger-breath or fear-breath (if well acted out, or assumed faithfully) will result in you soon experiencing a feeling of anger or fear, as the case may be. Likewise, you will find that the deliberate assumption, on your part, of the breath-rhythm of peace, calm, self-control, will be sufficient to induce that particular state of feeling in you. There is a big hint in this last sentence, by the way, for that is exactly what the Oriental sages do to induce and maintain the mental state of philosophic calm for which they are noted. In this connection, let us remind you that when you are endeavouring to control your temper, and to maintain your pose, under extreme provocation, you will find that you instinctively strive to control your breath-rhythm, which shows a marked tendency to fly off into a state of rapid panting and gasping. And, so long as you can maintain your steady controlled rhythm of breath, you will maintain your poise and self-control.

Well, to make a long story short - to get right down to the gist of the subject of the absorption of nerve-force through controlled breath-rhythm - let me say to you (1) that there is a breath-rhythm which nature uses to restore nerve force to the depleted system, after a great demand upon it in the direction of either a strong mental or emotional strain, or after a severe physical strain; and (2) that a deliberate assumption or "acting out" of this particular breath-rhythm will result in your being able to quickly absorb a greatly increased supply of nerve-force for the purpose of use in personal magnetism - to render you full of physical magnetism, in fact. Do you catch this point? If not, reread the above paragraph, several times, until you fully grasp the importance of the statements therein contained for they comprise exactly on e-half of the philosophy of nerve-force generation and much more besides if you are able to grasp it.

You naturally ask, at this point: "What is this particular breath-rhythm which nature uses to aid us in recuperating, and which nature uses to aid using recuperating, and which may be assumed with such wonderful result?" Very well, let me answer you by asking you another question, namely: "How do you breathe when you begin to recuperate just after a sever emotional, mental or physical strain, when the characteristic first panting breath quiets down?" If you will consider carefully, you will answer that you generally begin by one or two long drawn out sighing breaths, followed by a period of calm, deliberate, slow, deep breaths. You may not have noticed it, but these last calm, deep breaths are marked by a slow but regular rhythm - as regular, indeed, as the slow swing of the pendulum of a large clock, or the accompanying "tick" thereof. You will find that this slow, regular rhythmic breath continues for some little time, until you feel refreshed and reinvigorated, when the breath will drop into the normal "everyday" rhythm, and the task is over.