Three magic words

I was reading through  Dr. Wayne Dyer’s works when, in the book Wishes Fulfilled, I came across several quotations from the book Three Magic Words by U. S. Anderson. Curious, I read the later book only to reread it five or ten times, for it is one of the finest nonfiction books I have ever come across.

 

It consists of 200 pages arranged in 12 chapters covering various topics, including positive thinking, the validity of evil, intuition, faith, love, health, wealth, Immortality, and one’s true identity. The overarching motive is the powerful universal subconscious mind and its place in the Universe as a bedrock force from which all things stem from. In this respect, the book is similar to other “classics” on the topic like “The Power of the Subconscious Mind” or “As a Man Thinketh.” The gist of such books boils down to a direct and consequential relation between thinking, the subconscious mind, and reality under a certain lag of time. Something like the following:

 

(Your Thoughts → The Subconscious Mind → Reality) (Lag of time)

 

This process shows the path but does not really answer the question of traversing it. For instance, it is hard to access the subconscious mind. So, various techniques can be found in books or courses that pack and parcel suggestions to the subconscious mind. Techniques such as relaxation, meditation, and recorded suggestions listened to, during, just before, or just after sleep. As diverse as the flowers in the field are the methods out there to surpass the door of the subconscious mind. Some might work, nay all of them might work, but there are other bottlenecks to consider. What about the lag of time? How do you keep faith when a suggestion, if implanted, may take anything from a day to years to become reality? Any discouragement during this stage would impede or even block the started manifestation. 

 

There is an even greater conundrum to consider. For instance, if you could access the subconscious mind and get anything, how would you know what you want? The more you ponder this query, the more difficult it becomes to answer it. As Alan Watts bluntly suggests, you cannot answer the question “What do I want?” because you do not know what is this I that wants. The question is insolvable.

 

Last but not least, there is the issue of arrogance. It is as if there is a distinct separation between all the people who know the power of manifestation and the poor majority of humanity who do not understand it. It is easy to become assertive and, worse, arrogant when advocating the law of positive thinking, which creates resistance in your target public.

 

The subject is prone to skepticism on its purest premise, but add the notion of blame that you are not operating correctly in life, and people become even more skeptical. More so, self-help authors start to attack each other, promoting one method at the cost of pushing others aside and criticizing them, which leads to even more divides. A famous Henry Ford quote, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right,”” is truthful but arrogant as well. If you are practicing the principle of this quotation, then you are in the Exclusive manifestor club, but if not, then you are a dope with your back turned to the sun, or so you might think.

 

How does “Three Magic Words“ stand out?

 

First, Andersen writes with great care and compassion about the topic, acknowledging again and again the resistance of the subconscious mind to new ideas and suggestions, especially if the suggestions counter to one’s immediate reality. This resistance comes from the conscious mind and our ego in the form of prompters and pain remembrances that structure our beliefs and might determine our lives fully if we are not mindful of them.

 

When we are met with failure, we might convince ourselves that trying again equals failing again, or when we reach for love, we find rejection and might believe that reaching for love leads to rejection. Such conclusions, especially if conceived early, can define ourselves and our notion of ourselves. They are the source of instruction for the subconscious mind; they offer suggestion after suggestion while we remain totally unaware of their presence. This is referred to in “Three Magic Words“ as the prompters, like automation setups that send instructions to your subconscious mind.

 

Another form of resistance comes from our logical doubting and lack of faith. As it turns out, faith is often more important than intelligent understanding. As Andersen suggests, “Knowledge without faith is like a ship without a sea; it may be beautiful to behold, but it does very little good.“ For the nature of the subconscious mind is to be receptive to any suggestion and affirmation. So, if you think or, more accurately, if you are convinced that you are poor, this is read as the order “Create poverty“ by the subconscious mind.

 

The writer does warn the reader that this does not mean that your job is purely to extend an effort of will, frantically and obsessively thinking of the positive. In fact, such an approach would counter the book’s ideas: “Success comes from successful thinking, which comes from inner poise and spiritual courage, which comes from a man’s discovery of the eternal Self that dwells within his body.“ So, thinking successfully out of the wrong reason would surely lead to failure. Instead, the goal is to put yourself in a humble yet faithful position, where you can “Let go and let God,” exercising control over the thoughts you accept as valid and accurate, not so much controlling your thoughts but rather controlling your attitude towards your thoughts.   

 

The topic of resistance is just as important, nay more important than that of creation via the subconscious mind. For there is a great body of information in literature, philosophy, and religion, either dressed in parables or in literal instructions on accessing and creating with the subconscious mind. Any fun story has a good antagonist, and the antagonist here is the logical, reasoning, practical, conscious mind, the ego, which has rigid, usually narrow convictions. It is commonly doubtful of the thinking → reality connection. Hence, the most common and human-natured thing to do is ignore the body of evidence because “It does not make sense to the rational mind.” So, the fact that our thoughts are at the cornerstone of creation is “The strangest secret in the world,” as Earl Nightingale put it.

 

It is not only a secret but a twice or twice denied secret, not just hidden but hard to accept and process even when presented in plain sight. U. S. Andersen is especially attentive to this and has structured his book much like a story, a meticulous unraveling of an entangled ball of yarn very gently, very patiently dethroning false notions and offering valuable insights instead. The resistance towards understanding once divine nature is termed the Lock by the author, and at the end of “Three Magic Words,” you will find the titular metaphysic secret, which is called the Key to power that removes the Lock. It is very well that Andersen first takes you through the body of information about it, offering tools and suggestions for better knowing yourself, the Lock, and the world about you.

 

Self-knowledge is the real reward

 

Usually, the validity of working with the subconscious mind is in bettering your mental and physical health, wealth, happiness, and well-being. In other words, you use specific methods to gain a prize. But Andersen takes this to the next level, surpassing other authors who tackle this subject. The value is not in the methods understood or the progress gained but rather in the adventurous act of understanding how you tick and how life unfolds about you. He suggests that in this practice, you will “Embark upon the most productive and happy and vital years of your life. And you are not likely to ever again meet with such high adventure as you study and experiment with your own divine nature, as you discover for yourself the great source of power and wisdom that exists within you.“

 

The topic is not on methods or gain, for they fall secondary, but instead on our own identity and placement in the Universe. Much has been written about the metaphysical identity of human beings; at the same time, it is very hard for us to KNOW this knowledge, to get it, to feel it in our bones and in the way we live our lives. Here, it seems that in his inquiries, Andersen came to the same conclusion as Alan Watts did in The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, possibly independently.

 

From his writing, it is safe to assume that, much like Alan Watts, U. S. Andersen is a very erudite writer quoting the Dhammapada, Upanishads, Bible, psychology, contemporary physics, mathematics, poetry, historical records, etc. He also writes beautifully with rapture and vigor, including poetic and powerful words, magic words. At the same time, Andersen is very methodical, supplying a review at the end of each chapter, recommended reading, and a meditation to be practiced. His meditations fall under the category of affirmative suggestions (see the article The Odd Thing about Meditation). Still, the focus is not so much on gaining merits like health, success, or well-being but on solidifying the understanding of how the mind works and who you really are.

 

As mentioned, the issue with working with the subconscious mind is that when someone is caught up in detestable circumstances, a bluntly offered suggestion in the form of a motivational quote would only irritate the struggling individual, maybe further strengthening his or her conviction of the situation. Anderson acknowledges from the very start that the problem of working with your mind is not simple and is conscious and compassionate of his readers’ struggles and doubts. He does not impose anything on them.

 

Once, in a lecture, the spiritual teacher Ram Dass said, “There is no rush; we got infinity,“ meaning that since the soul of a struggling person is immortal, it does not have to understand everything in one incarnation. It will get it eventually; if things get worse, karma will be generated to account for this, but ultimately, it is a foolproof system in which everything will come to unity in the end. Andersen takes an interesting turn on this in the eleventh chapter on Immortality, one which I dare not spoil for you. But indeed, there is no rush, no urgency, because only when you understand this can you let go, calm down, and reach a greater plateau of understanding.

 

A point in the journey

 

Viewing where “Three Magic Words“ stands in my journey of understanding, I have to say that it is a work that prompts you to expand your knowledge. As I mentioned, it is in the lead of its field, but it falls short of being all-inclusive (frankly, no one book can be such) and does not drain out the topic it strives to explain. Andersen seems conscious of this as he offers recommended reading and numerous quotations throughout his book. I have read much before coming to “Three Magic Words“ and much after it.

 

This makes sense because the core problem addressed in “Three Magic Words“ is unlocking potential. It is a common trap to assume that the issues of our lives can be elevated by a process of collection. If you are poor, you need to collect money; if you are ignorant, you need to collect knowledge; if you want a prestigious, powerful job, you need to collect connections, experience, and leverage; or, for health, you need to collect a good and long streak of exercise and proper feeding habits.

 

These are all important, but they indisputably fall secondary to your will and steadfastness in doing them. You may only have steadfastness and a stable drive if you unlock your potential. For example, you may have a fast and sturdy car with a full gas tank, but on a cold morning, it is hard to start it off; if the battery is low, you need to jump-start it.

 

That is the main issue: we need a jump start and sufficient activation energy, just enough to get the chemical reaction going. So, what do we do about it? We read, write, look about, listen, watch, seeking the spark, the floating electron that we need to get the cascade going and to maintain it. Zen monks used to be great travelers, wandering from monastery to monastery, looking for the thing that would spark their enlightenment, often a small, indifferent thing when viewed from the side.

 

“Three Magic Words” is an excellent source of such sparks. I cannot, of course, guarantee that this book is precisely what will unlock your potential, dear reader, but it will at least be another stepping stone on your journey. It gives a great richness of knowledge and insight, and I always find something new when returning to it. However, the book (if I may personify it) prompts you to practice. Practice affirmation, consciousness, meditation, and look in life for that related to you in words. Knowledge simply is not enough; although it is safer than practice, it does little good on its own, as suggested by U. S. Andersen.

 

Who should read “Three Magic Words”?

 

Obviously, this meager review falls far short of the real thing, so go and read “Three Magic Words.” If you are already interested in motivation, positive thinking, or methods of success, this book fits your interests. Also, anyone drawn to religious, esoteric, and/or metaphysical treaties can find value in “Three Magic Words.” Andersen’s work is attentive and compassionate to the “naysayer,” so if you are skeptical, I may offer a friendly challenge to read the book and see again if your skepticism holds.

 

Ultimately, this book covers a topic that any human being would be interested in (although, for many, this interest is dormant and unconscious). In the end, U. S. Andersen is correct when stating that there is no greater adventure than understanding and experimenting with your own divine nature. This brings a new dimension of life that massively shifts the whole picture. Words do not give it justice, really, but practice illustrates it perfectly and beautifully.

 

Make an effort to expand your practice and enjoy yourself. Life should not be a drag but a joyful adventure. To quote Andersen one last time, “Refuse to accept melancholy or sadness. The Universe sings and dances.”