Life, 1910-11-10 · page 38 of 44
Life — November 10, 1910 — page 38: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the early 20th-century craze for spiritual self-help schemes, particularly New Thought, Theosophy, and yoga movements that were gaining popularity in America. **The Setup:** Life mocks a fraudulent "preparatory school" claiming to awaken subscribers' "subliminal selves" through "vibrations" transmitted by imported yogis, Christian Scientists, and clairvoyants. The scheme charges $25 upfront plus $5 monthly for "mental dollars" and imaginary lessons. **The Satire's Point:** Life ridicules how these movements promised to solve real-world problems (costs of living, family troubles) through mystical thinking rather than practical action. The repeated emphasis on "vibrations" and "mental delivery" exposes the absurdity—you pay real money for completely intangible services. **Key Detail:** The suspended "free list" and warning against "imposters" suggest Life is mocking both the schemes themselves AND people gullible enough to fall for them. The humor lies in treating obvious nonsense with mock-serious business language.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
FREE LIST ENTIRELY. SUSPENDED To All Imposters Life’s Preparatory School For Those Who Wish To Subscribe Mentally Now Open E have just opened a preparatory school for the benefit of those who will eventually become subscribers. This in response to a widespread demand. We have been short of office help, but expect to augment it gradually. At present our office force con- sists of thirteen imported yogis, eight Christian Scientists, six clairvoyents, four astrologers, a psychic office Loy, and a few odd palmists. In addition to this we have agents scat- tered throughout the country who are doing good work. Re- member that you can sit in your own home and yet be working for us. We pay liberal wages, and it doesn’t interfere with your physical calling. One of our agents, for example, is a large, fat salesman for a Boston shoe house. While we need help badly, it must be understood that no imposters need apply. We <an tell them instantly; many people have applied for help merely because they thought they could get on the Life’s imaginary free list. As a matter of fact, our free list has long since been suspended. Our work offers much variety, as we are not only pre- paring a wonderful mentat Life every week, but are treat- ing advertisers and ordinary people. Now, with regard to our preparatory school, we have de- cided to open it for the benefit of all those who will eventu- ally become regular subscribers. Inasmuch as you cannot become a regular subscriber for years to come, now is the time for you to prepare yourself, and enter upon the first harmonic plane. On account of the fact that our oSfice force has been vibrating night and day get- ting a new system started, we have hitherto not been able to give everyone the attention that we desired. Now, however, that we are better organized, we have started Life’s preparatory school, and are ready to treat all cases. No matter what your case may be, we can help you. Later on, when you enter the second harmonic plane, and become a regular subscriber, you will be much better equipped to enjoy to the full all the imaginary gems set before you from week to week. The charge to become a pupil in our preparatory school is merely nominal, namely: Twenty-five dollars in advance and five dollars a month until entrance upon first harmonic plane; you are then (on receipt of five mental dollars in addition) placed upon Life’s waiting list, and if you wish to continue in the school until you become a subscriber (as we strongly advise) we charge you only three dollars a month. Remember, you don’t have to do anything except to think abou: sending us five mental dollars. Anybody can do this. If you are tired or worried, send us five imaginary dollars, and take your first lesson, Make the effort. Then wait You may not heat immediately, as our yogi force is very busy, and all vibrations are recorded in the order received. But Pretty soon you will begin (without knowing quite why) to have an enlarged vision. This is only the distant approach of your subli: Our process, indeed, is quite simple. We awake the subliminal self in everybody by means of our own system of vibrations. Gradually it becomes stronger, more self- assertive, until suddenly it comes into har- mony with your identity. The rest is casy. You gradually throw off all care, com to realize that the ordinary troubles of your base physical existence—such, for example, as the cost of living, the tariff, bores, journeys, bickerings, family mat- ters, etc.—are nothing but illusions, and that the only reality is the mental life. Then the thorough rehabilitation of your subliminal self is in sight. Here is a letter just received that will explain the whole process to the uninitiated: Dear Life: I have been in a state of double consciousness for some time but at last I am harmonized. In some manner, | have come together, and can begin to feel my power. How did 1 do thie? Well. it happened io thia manner: I was to start with a base. material that there was anything beyond what! actually ‘and heard with my eyes and ears, seemed the height of the ridiculous. One day. however, scinated me. Without knowing it, I began to concentrate on that name, Suddealy I found saying, “Why not let him nver and take a chance?” I ave willed it you see. for the next day I began to see visions—in my mind you understand. Then I became consclous of a new power. Of course, alter thie frst faint experience, I thought you needed I witled twenty-nve: but I k S That is the way the world is being regenerated. We are now treating countless people who have no idea of it. Out- wardly chey are ridiculing us, but their subliminal selves are already reaching out for more light. In the meantime we say to all subscribers to the mental Life: Don’t fail to vibrate any change of location. We can't keep track of everybody. Remember that when you move your physical body from one place to another, you are surrounded by different color tones, and we need to know this in order to make our mental deliveries on time. Address all vibrations to Gee. Ime. Mit. anywhere. (He will get them). Those Vibrations, . comicbooks.com Our Yogi. Force is Very Busy