Text of the meditation
Energy is the first pillar in the temple of prosperity. Calmness, as distinguished from the dead placidity of languor, is the acme of concentrated energy. There is a focused mentality behind it. In agitation and excitement the mentality is dispersed. It is irresponsible, and is without force or weight.
The fussy, peevish, irritable person has no influence. They repel, not attract. They wonder why their "easy-going" neighbour succeeds and is sought after, while they, who are always hurrying, worrying and troubling (they miscall it striving), fail and are avoided.
Their neighbour, being a calmer person, not more easy-going but more deliberate, gets through more work, does it more skilfully, and is more self-possessed. This is the reason for their success and influence. Their energy is controlled and used, while the other person's energy is dispersed and abused.
No energy means no capacity.
James Allen (1864–1912), Book of Meditations for Every Day in the Year (1913) – public-domain text, gently modernised.
The original 1913 text is in the public domain.
