Poise and Power

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Poise and Power

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Christian D. Larson's "Poise and Power" offers a practical guide to cultivating inner serenity and focused mental strength. By combining peace with power, readers learn to conserve vital energy, prevent waste, and achieve sustained personal growth, health, and effectiveness through conscious control of the mind and body.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1907, Christian D. Larson's *Poise and Power* introduces a revolutionary method for human development centered on the conservation and constructive application of energy. Larson defines "Poise" as a unique state of consciousness where peace and power coexist simultaneously. He argues that the average individual wastes between three-fourths and nine-tenths of their generated energy through restlessness, uncontrolled emotions, and scattered attention. True power, according to Larson, stems not from forceful striving but from calm action. The book details specific techniques for regaining equilibrium, such as consciously directing blood circulation to balance the system. For instance, to counter a "keyed up" state where too much blood rushes to the brain, one should focus attention on the feet to pass thought vibrations downward. Conversely, restoring dullness involves directing energy to the brain. Larson emphasizes that unnecessary physical or mental movements waste energy, advocating instead for deep, serene thought to maintain balance. A significant portion of the work addresses the subconscious mind, which Larson describes as a vast reservoir where impressions made during waking hours are processed and rebuilt into character and ability during sleep. To harness this potential, individuals must go to sleep in a state of Poise with a definite purpose, ensuring all active energy flows into the subconscious for constructive reconstruction rather than restless disturbance. The text explores the application of Poise in daily activities: reading in Poise develops depth and lucidity, while speaking in Poise ensures conviction and effectiveness. Ultimately, Larson posits that genius and extraordinary ability are latent in every mind but require the discipline of Poise to be expressed. By deepening the realization of peace and enlarging the consciousness of power, individuals can access an unbounded source of life, achieving greatness and fulfilling their destiny without being held down by obstacles or environments. The book further discusses transforming destructive desires into constructive aspirations, noting that constant self-improvement attracts better circumstances, whereas desiring what one cannot get wastes energy. Through the art of saving and using all generated power, the human personality becomes a living dynamo capable of unprecedented advancement and health.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/christian-d-larson_poise-and-power.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-3880dd8c85b8d4d1.epub

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2026-07-02 00:47 UTC

Categories

• Psychology
• Self-Help