PART 22
CULTURE OF COURAGE
The route by which we approach the pinnacle of MASTERY OF SELF now takes a new turn. It is neither that of Business and Financial achievement, as we studied in the First Division of the course, nor is it that of Success and Magnetism as was taught in the Second Division. For many students we now come to the real battle- ground where they must wage the fight for supremacy. The final 14 lessons group under the general title, The CULTURE OF COURAGE.
There is an insidious foe to mastery and freedom, which dooms millions to self-imposed bondage. Most people know it has them in its grip; countless others do not know what the hidden power is which holds them from the richer, freer, happier conditions of life.
This foe is FEAR. It assumes numerous disguises. It appears in many phases of our daily lives. It has done more to wreck careers and ruin happiness than all the wars of history. Hordes of earth toilers believe themselves beyond its influence—while all the time it is riding their backs and laughing at them.
One reason for this is the common misunderstanding of what fear really is. Most people think of it only as fearing to meet certain people, or fearing some accident may happen to them or their loved ones. Yet there are fears of the future, fears of one's self, fears of events, fears of natural phenomena, fears of old age, fears of poverty. And there are still more hidden, stunting fears developed by the un-religious teachings of blind, bigoted, crafty Religion.
Therefore our higher advance to MASTERY OF SELF is up the steps of the following 14 lessons, in which the underlying note is the everlasting declaration, "I AM COURAGE! WHATEVER BETIDES, THE TRUE SELF OF ME DEMANDS COURAGE!"
Dr. Haddock will open new views of individual nature, personal fears, avenues of self-unfoldment, which are wholesome and uplifting for you. The following lessons are more than a conquest of fear; they are A GREAT ADVENTURE into the heart of a courageous life philosophy. They tear away bond after bond of habit, thought and action which have smothered your true, inner Self.
Passing the brief "Introductory" matter, you start in lesson one— "The World's New Dawn," laying the foundation for Courage-power. Dr. Haddock first makes it clear why man is steadily becoming more free—why darkening, dreadful, shackling fear is being dispelled from the world. His second lesson analyzes Fear and Reason. The third lesson explains why the healthy "tone" of mind and body is the basis upon which the structure of personal Courage is to be reared.