By Peter Shepherd
Will is the impelling factor, the directive intention, by which we get things done in life. It is the primary expression of our state of being, the source of our initiatives. The quality of the manifestation of our will is determined by our understanding - the "why?" and the "how?" - of the world around us.

Our will is manifested through the choices we make. Choice, therefore, is the pivotal factor in a self-controlled destiny. Choice begins from the moment we separate from the consciousness of our parents - choice of what we will do, wear, eat and feel begins from the moment we awaken each day. It is only through choice that we discover what works and what does not, and in this way we learn by experience.

When choice is consciously made, experience becomes Self-created. When we live without consciousness, our actions simply reflect our conditioned patterns of thought (habits, fixed ideas and accepted beliefs) or other people's instructions, and we are no longer in charge of our own life experience.

Decisiveness is a great help to practical success as well as to strength and clarity of mind. For example, a distinguished man was asked to what he attributed his phenomenal success in life. His top recommendation was to make a list early each morning of the things which he wanted to do during the day. He said that with the aid of this practice he was able to do much more; not because he worked harder but because he had ceased to waste time in idle speculation as to what he should do next, and whether he should do it now or leave it to later or the next day. He discovered that these troublesome questions had the power to sap his strength and resolution, such that he got much less done before.

Wishing and willing are quite different things. Suppose I consider whether I will or will not pick up my pen. I cannot wish in this matter - I must decide either to pick it up or leave it where it is. Wishing is an acknowledgement of inability, a dependence upon external events. Willing is the use of your own power. The person who has educated his will does not grumble about the things fortune brings to him through no apparent action of his own, but is content to make the fullest possible use of the opportunities that do prevail. He or she does not dwell again and again on the same thought or argument. If something does require to be thought over, it is brought forward and all the facts bearing upon it are considered, so that a clear conclusion is derived; and then the matter is dismissed from the mind.

The great Indian sage Sri Ramana Maharshi stated: "An average man's mind is filled with countless thoughts, and therefore each individual one is extremely weak. When, instead of these many useless thoughts, there appears only one, it is a power in itself and has a wide influence."

We know that many great scientists and inventors ascribed their unique discoveries to their ability for strong, focused, thinking. This was the case with Isaac newton, Thomas Edison, Louis Pasteur and many others, who were conscious of and able to apply their extraordinary powers of concentration to exclude all else but the object of their investigations.

The idea of sharpening or concentrating our minds has definite aims and means which have been thoroughly investigated. The fruits of this research by Gregory Mitchell are presented now in the Mind Development course called 'Concentration: Developing Willpower.'

About Mind Development Courses...
The aim of Mind Development is to awaken the innate powers of mind...

• to improve speed and accuracy of logical thought so the solutions to life's continual parade of problems are readily apparent
• to raise introspective awareness so that you are in touch with your full knowledge base and can access it intuitively and from simultaneous multiple perspectives
• and to remain mindful at all times so you are are not taken over by habits and conditioned programs nor by "fight or flight" emotional reactions.

1. How to Study (foundation skills) - Available Now for FREE!
Learn how to study a subject quickly and well - with maximum comprehension, recall and ability to apply what you have learned effectively.

2. Super Vision (develop sensory intelligence) - Available Now for $39!
Home-study course to improve the mind's capacity for perception and integration between left and right brain, boosting memory, creativity, natural eyesight and drawing ability.

3. Effective Communication (communication skills course) - Available Now for $39!
Learn powerful communication skills that enable you to be more effective at work and in those situations of everyday life where better communication can make all the difference.

4. Concentration: Developing Willpower (concentration course) - Available Now for $39!
If you are concentrating you are awake and aware - your mental life is both intensified and broadened. Are there ways to improve your concentration directly? Yes, and this course teaches the best of them.

5. Power Reading (effective reading course) - Available Now for $39!
Learn how to read both quickly and in depth over a wide range of subjects, and then to be able to appreciate, analyze and apply what you have read with clear and incisive intelligence.

Basic Courses CD (top value compilation) - Available Now for $120!
The Mind Development courses 1-5 are available as a special package, delivered to your door on CD. Also including the contents of the World of Inspiration 2-CD Set, this package costs just $120 and saves you $65.

"I would like to thank Gregory and Peter for your research and hard work. The groundbreaking information contained in the Mind Development courses is more valuable than anything I have learned in a classroom. The MD courses have helped me perform better in the classroom (I am a college student) and also help me in day to day activities, such as conversations and constructive arguments. I appreciate everything MD has done for me. I truly believe that these lessons need to be taught to everybody and hope that they will eventually make their way into traditional classrooms." --Nicholas Calarco

"Before doing any Mind Development courses I had a measured IQ of 101 and a reading speed of 180 words per minute, and a digit span of 6. In other words, I was average and as a result, not accomplishing anything of note in my life. The common wisdom is that IQ is a static inherited trait and one simply has to make the best of whatever one is blessed with. My experience differs dramatically...

At the end of several Basic Courses my IQ had increased to 109, with a reading speed of 315 words per minute and my digit span had increased to seven. It might not sound a lot but in practice, this opened up whole new avenues for me. I went on to study Reiki, Rolfing and some other healing methods and passed the exams with flying colors. Before I could never have spoken well in public - I did not have the confidence, because I knew I didn't have the necessary mental skills. After my Mind Development training, however, all this had changed for the better and I was able to give public talks on Reiki and Rolfing.

After further Mind Development training on the Intermediate Courses [not yet available online], my IQ increased still further to 124, my reading speed to 550 words per minute and my digit span to eight. I enrolled in the Open University and took a degree in Sociology. My life was now totally transformed and I have never looked back!" --Roland Alston

Read Students' Testimonials

Click here to order Mind Development courses