It is scarcely an exaggeration to say that many matters which agitate the public mind are not worth a thought in comparison with this subject to which a thought is seldom given. Yet a little consideration will demonstrate that what a man thinks becomes, and that a science which controls the building of brain-cell and, therefore, of mind-stuff lies at the root of all the problems of life. For mind is a function of the body, and the body is dependent on the material at its disposal for the purposes of stability and renewal, and though we may not agree with the philosopher who pronounced every sick man to be a scoundrel, it is obvious that each power must be dwarfed or distorted when the instrument of its manifestation is impaired. On the moral side it becomes increasingly apparent that many perversions and deformities formerly believed to be willful and deliberate are to be recognized as falling into the domain of the physician, and are as certainly diseases as the broken-down heart or crippled joint.  

Perfect health can be attained only by living in obedience to the laws of God. True happiness is impossible without true health and true health is impossible without a rigid control of the palate. All the other senses will automatically come under control when the palate has been brought under control.

The relation between the body and the mind is so intimate that if either of them got out of order, the whole system would suffer. Hence it follows that a pure character is the foundation of health in the real sense of the term, and we may say that all evil thoughts and evil passions are but different forms of disease.

The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible by God through a spiritual understanding of Him and unselfish love. Thoughts unspoken are not unknown to the Divine Mind. Desire is prayer and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires so that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and deeds.

In fact, purity, piety and peace are important factors of our life. We must remain absorbed in divine thoughts for most of the time. We must every moment be devoted to the Almighty in thought, word and deed with pure love and devotion.

The secret of success, health and happiness lies in the power of concentration. All activity is preceded by thought. First we think, then we act; therefore, it is impossible for any one to refrain from mistake or evil deeds without paying proper heed to his thoughts. The thought must first be correct before we can act wisely.

Our outer actions cannot be fruitful unless our thought is in accord with them. That is why many of our apparently good undertakings do not bring the desired results; it is because our heart and hands do not work together. Without harmony between the body and the mind we cannot achieve any great end either physically or mentally.

What we need most is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace expressed in patience, meekness, love and good deeds. To keep the commandments of our Master and follow His examples is our proper debt to Him and the only worthy evidence of our gratitude for all He has done to us.

Self-forgetfulness, purity and affection are constant payers. Without a fitness for holiness we cannot receive holiness.

All power comes from the preservation and sublimation of the vitality that is responsible for the creation of life. This vitality is being continuously and even unconsciously dissipated by evil rambling, disorderly and unwanted thoughts. Since thought is the root of all speech and action, the quality of the latter corresponds to that of the former. Hence perfectly controlled thought is itself the power of highest potency and becomes self-acting.

Prayer is not to b performed with the lips but with the heart. Real prayer is an absolute shield and protection against evils and diseases.

Gandhiji once said-There is nothing so powerful as fasting and prayer that would give us the requisite discipline, spirit of self-sacrifice, humility and resoluteness of will without which there can be no real progress.”

(The author is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, University of Allahabad. He is a prolific writer and has published about thirty books in Hindi and English on various aspects of Science and Technology)