This, then, is a basic rule: Whatever happens in the way of pain we shall not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by distress. This means that we shall not only prevent ourselves from venting distress, but more than this, we shall not allow ourselves to be inwardly overwhelmed.
At first this may seem a difficult task. But remember this. Distress is a purely psychological reaction, so it is possible to influence and control it by an act of mind, if we only set about it the right way.
The child is saved from his distress by the kisses of his mother. The woman in childbirth is led into a calm state of mind, and has her baby without discomfort. We understand the truth of these examples. But you quickly point out that in each case there is some other person who relieves the distress and so helps the one in pain. This is true. But let us think about it. The presence of the other person makes it easier, but he does not do anything that we cannot do ourselves. Really, what does he do? He communicates to us the message that we need not be overwhelmed by distress. The fact that he does this for us, helps us and makes it easier for us to master the situation. But it is still something that we can do ourselves. Many people do it simply through the natural intuitive processes of their mind; others can learn to do it by following these ideas, and letting themselves go along with them, and by experiencing the calm and ease of the mental exercises.
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