Comparative Study of Mantrashastra

Author(s): Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab

Page 22

CONFIDENT EXPECTATION
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tensely, (2) Earnestly and Confidently expect it, and (3) Will persistently in the direction of action to bring it about.
CONFIDENT EXPECTATION We have fully considered the first element of success viz. Insistent desire. We shall now take up the next in order viz. Confident Expectation It is a combination of the mental states known as Faith, Hope and Enthusiasm, each of which possesses the power of arousing and maintaining energy, and all inciting to action. Faith unsupported by reason and judgment degenerates into blind credulity and irrational belief, yet supported by reason and judgment it is a most positive mental quality and incites the individual to activities otherwise impossible. Unless a man believes in a thing, he cannot manifest hope and enthusiasm with regard to it and without this trio, very little can be accomplished in life. What is essential is faith and confidence in oneself and in one's activities. Such a man may recognise that others are more intelligent and more qualified than himself, yet he feels deep within himself that there is something in him that is bound to bring success, something that is sure to pull him through somehow or other. Such a man sometimes thinks that it is something outside of himself which in some way works through him. He may call it 'destiny,' 'luck' or 'my star' but the principle is always the same. It is always a faith in himself. The feeling can be well expressed by the words 'I can and I will.' 'Unfaith in one's self has a deadening, depressing, negative influence and acts like a wet blanket in the direction of smothering the fire or desire.'
There is something contagious about Faith and Unfaith. The world believes in one who believes in himself; and equally so, lacks faith in one who lacks faith in himself. Hope is the connecting link between faith and enthusiasm and repersents the essence of confident expectation. When based upon reason and judgment it is a positive mental quality the expression whereof is known as optimism. It is based upon faith and belief and it possesses animating principle of enthusiasm.