Many people travel throughout life with too mean an estimate of their own abilities. Consequently they spend their strength on small tasks and never venture into the realms of possibility, where ones true powers lie, having never put them to trial.
In 1912, Harry Leon Wilson wrote a novel entitled Bunker Bean. It is an intriguing story about a man who was tricked into believing in himself. The experience of Bunker Bean makes the potential power of believing in ones self more clearly visible. It is like a parable, myth or fable that is based on true principles.
Bunker Bean grew up feeling inferior to others. As a result he was taunted and teased. To make matters worse, his parents died at an early age and he was left to himself. He “roamed the earth in rags and lived timidly through its terrors.” He was afraid of policemen, feared bodies of water and heights. He was afraid of the future, afraid of life –even afraid of himself.
He was able to obtain a job, but despised his employer. He led a dull, gray life, his only bit of color provided by a red silk cravat buried at the bottom of his bottom drawer.
One day, Countess Casanova, a false spiritualistic medium, moved into the cheap boarding-house where Bunker lived. She had a book on reincarnation and persuaded young Bunker Bean to believe that as we cast off our worn-out shoes and replace them with new, so we cast off our worn-out bodies and reclothe our spirits in this process of reincarnation. She persuaded Bunker that in exchange for his savings and a part of his wages, she could tell him about his previous incarnations.
Bunker was delighted and surprised to learn that he, the weak and timid Bunker Bean had once been the great Napoleon Bonaparte, the master of the world. It was quite a shock to know that people were once afraid of him.
When he inquired of the spiritualist as to why this was, he was told that life moved in vast karmic cycles. When he was Napoleon he was at the height of this cycle, but now he was at the low end, but about to move up. Convinced, Bunker spent every spare minute learning about his former self–The Great Napoleon. Even the thought of his once powerful self made his chest swell. He had been the man who “burned his bridges behind him”– He always moved forward, not looking back. With effort, Bunker knew he could regain those rare qualities he once had obtained.
Determined to use these powerful character traits in his life, it was not long before people began to notice a change in him. He received new responsibilities at work and a pay raise. This convinced him even more that his “karmic cycle” was changing.
With a pay increase, Bunker was struck with another thought. He knew that for a short period of 52 years he had been Napoleon, but who was he before that? Once again, he confronted the spiritualist. She could tell him, but it would cost more this time. Bunker gladly agreed to her terms. As she gazed into her crystal ball a gasp came over her. “Oh Bunker, this is incredible,” she cried . “You were none other than Ramses, the greatest of the Egyptian Pharaohs!”
Bunker Bean could hardly believe what he had just been told. He, Ramses, had been a ruler of great strength and character. He had been stern, at times, but always just. As the Pharaoh, he had been tall and handsome. Bunker studied all he could about his former self. He was so impressed with the account of the magnificence of the physical bearing of the pharaoh that he immediately employed the best tailor and had his clothing cut in such a way as to give him the appearance of perfect physical development. The effect produced so improved his form that he unconsciously strove to develop the appearance that the garment gave him.
Kings were rich; therefore he would be rich. Money would come to him now just as it had on the banks of the Nile centuries before. He did not question how or when –he only knew it would come.
Strength seemed to flow into him as he pondered upon the demeanor of his former self as Pharaoh. Bunker believed himself to be both a wise and fearless soldier and a magnificent king. He slept with thoughts of courage and awoke with vigor in the morning. He feared nothing and knew he could accomplish whatever he set his mind to do.
Then one day Bunker had a rude awakening. The medium was arrested as a cheat and a fraud. Nothing she had told Bunker was true. He had never been Napoleon nor had he ever been Ramses. He was nothing but the lowly Bunker Bean. What do you suppose happened to Bunker Bean after that dismal revelation? Would he return to his former, pitiable state or would he remain the confident, courageous person he had become? He knew that no one but himself and the medium ever knew of his thoughts. He realized that great spiritual truth that, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Napoleon and Ramses had only been scaffolding in building his true self.
When he believed himself to be weak, he was weak. When he believed himself to be strong he was strong. His mind only absorbed the thoughts that he gave it. He would continue to believe in his god-given strengths and use his wisdom to not only benefit himself, but others as well. The world would continue to be at his feet “if he could only believe.”
What are truths and principles can we learn from this story? Here are some ideas to think about and act upon:
1) Jesus Christ taught that “. . ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32) Sacred scripture teaches us that we are created in the “image of God” and that He is the “Father of our spirit” (Genesis 1:26-27 & Hebrews 12:9). This truth is infinitely more powerful than thinking, as did Bunker Bean, that he was once Napoleon or Ramses. Think: I am a Child of God!
2) Use positive Self-Talk. Dr. Shad Helmstedder has written a book on this important practice. I recommend a reading of it. In summary: Our mind is compared to a computer. Our thoughts, whether positive or negative are recorded on our “hard drive” (our subconscious mind) our subconscious really does not care what is recorded there. It only produces the results of what we tell it. If we say “Oh, I am so stupid!” That is recorded, and our subconscious will do all it can to bring about that result. Be careful what you speak to yourself.
3) Make a channel for your thoughts. They can go every direction unless you control them. Worthless thoughts can be chased away from you by reciting a positive thought about yourself.Memorize a worthwhile, positive thought you can resort to when thoughts go where you would not like them to go.
4) Pray for Divine Help or (align yourself with the powers of the universe) as some may choose to call it. God’s grace is like a moving sidewalk–each step we take is compounded and we can make “giant-strides” with His help.
5) Solicit the help of a friend. Offer a quarter to a friend if he will correct you when he hears you speak negative self-talk. You will make great progress for under $5.00–well worth the price for more positive influence to your mind.
We are destined for greatness and are only held back by our own limiting thoughts. We have the power to choose what we put into our mind and will reap the consequences of what we allow to enter – rather for good or ill.
Merlin Frei