PSYCHOLOGY LECTURES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22809, 19 February 1936, Page 11

PSYCHOLOGY LECTURES

A SECOND SERIES Keeping fit, mentally and physically, retaining an interest in current events, never quite losing the spirit of youthful adventure.; that is what keeps so-called " middle-aged" people young, declares Mr W. Shakespenre-Binks, whose lectures on the science of psychology drew crowded houses to the Town Hall Concert Chamber recently. At the special request of numbers of citizens, many of whom were unable to gain admission to the first series, Mr Binks is extending his stay in Dunedin in order to deliver a second series of lectures. Mr Binks is a Wells Prizeman of Queen's College, Melbourne University, and is chief ■ lecturer to the Universal Opportunity League, whose object it is so to popularise the "teaching of the science of psychology, that the great mass of people, instead of just a privileged few, will be able to take advantage of that teaching and so greatly enhance their chances of advancement. Neither Mr Binks nor the league admits that there is any such thing as chance. Their contention is that, no matter what a person's age or circumstances may be, it is that person's duty to prepare his or her mind so that when the opportunity arises which will place them in the conditions for which they crave, they will be ready to occupy that position. These people who are thus prepared are they whom other people look upon as "lucky," says Mr Binks, whereas the position is just the opposite. They are the worthy ones. This study of the science of the mind is an intensely fascinating one, and it is one of those comparatively new sciences that are turning all the old, orthodox ideas topsy-turvey. Self-depre-cation must give way to selfconfidence, Mr Binks declares, if progress of any kind is to be made, and selfconfidence can be achieved only by a thorough knowledge of one's inner powers. Too many people are ignorant of these powers: and, in consequence, are victims of circumstances —circumstances over which, they will declare, they have no control. But the science of psychology teaches that the mind has complete control over circumstances Avhen properly trained and directed. There is no doubt that the second series of lectures which Mr Binks intends to deliver, and in which he will cover entirely new ground, will interest not only those who regularly attended the first scries, but those who will be attending for the first' time. The opening lecture will be delivered on Sunday evening next in the Town Hall Concert Chamber and will be free to the public.