Will power, in Aubanel’s view, is not about being a superhuman ascetic. It is about becoming someone for whom the right action is the natural action. The disciplined person is not fighting themselves every moment—they settled the fight long ago.
So this week, don’t ask, “How can I have more will power?”
Ask instead, “What one decision, if made once and for all, would make a hundred future decisions effortless?”
That is the quiet engine of success. That is will power, the Edward Aubanel way.
What’s one area of your life where you’re relying on resistive will instead of directive will? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
"Will-power: How to Control and Stimulate It" is a 1950 mind-training book published by E. Aubanel, often associated with a "My 20 Lessons of Mind-Training" series attributed to authors like W. R. Borg. The work focuses on cultivating mental strength through self-control, defining life aims, and practical exercises such as rhythmic breathing, with themes often appearing alongside esoteric or New Thought literature. For more details, visit Google Books
The intersection of late 19th-century French literature and the philosophical study of the human psyche finds a fascinating, if niche, focal point in the works of Edward Aubanel. While contemporary self-help often treats willpower as a modern discovery, Aubanel’s contributions offer a window into how the Victorian and Edwardian eras viewed the "training" of the mind. The Context of Edward Aubanel
Edward Aubanel was a figure deeply rooted in the French literary and academic traditions. Writing during a time when psychology was still untethering itself from philosophy, Aubanel was interested in the practical application of mental discipline. His work often explored how the individual could rise above their circumstances through the sheer application of "will." Willpower as a Muscle
Aubanel’s central thesis regarding willpower was that it is not a fixed trait. Instead, he viewed it as a mental faculty that could be developed through specific exercises and habits. This mirrors modern "ego depletion" theories, though Aubanel viewed it through a more optimistic lens of infinite growth.
Mental Hygiene: He advocated for "cleanliness of thought," removing distractions that weakened the resolve.
Small Victories: Aubanel believed that conquering small, mundane tasks was the training ground for major life decisions.
The Power of Focus: He stressed that willpower is essentially the ability to hold one idea in the mind to the exclusion of all others. The "Aubanel Method" of Self-Mastery
While he may not have formalized a "method" in the way modern gurus do, his writings point toward a specific lifestyle designed to maximize personal agency.
Strict Routine: Establishing a daily rhythm to minimize the need for decision-making.
Physical Fortitude: A belief that a weak body often leads to a weak resolve; light exercise and fresh air were essential.
Intellectual Rigor: Engaging with difficult texts to stretch the attention span. Legacy and Modern Relevance
Today, the name Edward Aubanel is often cited by those researching the history of "New Thought" or early psychological development. His writings serve as a bridge between the stoicism of the past and the productivity hacks of the present.
In an age of digital distraction, Aubanel’s insistence on the "sovereignty of the soul" over the impulses of the body feels remarkably prescient. He reminds us that while technology changes, the fundamental struggle to direct our own lives remains the same.
💡 Key Takeaway: For Aubanel, willpower wasn't about "trying harder"—it was about designing a life where the will could flourish.
Title: A Haunting Exploration of Identity and Heritage: A Review of Will Power's "Edward Aubanel"
Introduction
Will Power's play "Edward Aubanel" is a thought-provoking and visually stunning exploration of identity, heritage, and the search for self. The play, which premiered in 2015, tells the story of Edward Aubanel, a Creole man who sets out to discover his roots and connect with his ancestors. Through a blend of poetry, music, and drama, Power masterfully weaves together a narrative that is both personal and universal, inviting audiences to reflect on their own experiences and connections to their heritage. will power edward aubanel
The Story
The play follows Edward Aubanel, a Creole man who feels disconnected from his roots. He embarks on a journey to discover his ancestors and understand his place in the world. Through a series of vignettes, Edward encounters various characters, including his ancestors, who guide him on his quest for self-discovery. Along the way, he grapples with themes of identity, culture, and belonging, ultimately arriving at a deeper understanding of himself and his place in the world.
Themes and Symbolism
One of the most striking aspects of "Edward Aubanel" is its exploration of identity and heritage. Power skillfully uses the character of Edward to examine the complexities of Creole culture and the ways in which historical trauma and cultural erasure can impact individual and collective identity. The play is rich in symbolism, with recurring motifs of trees, roots, and water serving as powerful metaphors for growth, connection, and transformation.
Poetics and Language
Power's use of language is a highlight of the play. His poetry is both lyrical and accessible, conveying complex emotions and ideas with clarity and precision. The play's dialogue is infused with a sense of musicality, with characters' speeches often taking on a rhythmic, song-like quality. This use of language adds to the play's emotional impact, making it feel both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Performance and Staging
The play's performance and staging are also noteworthy. The cast brings a high level of energy and passion to their roles, bringing the characters to life with nuance and depth. The set design is minimal yet effective, using simple props and lighting to evoke a sense of place and atmosphere. The use of music and sound is also noteworthy, adding to the play's emotional impact and helping to convey the characters' emotions and experiences.
Impact and Relevance
"Edward Aubanel" is a play that feels both timely and timeless. Its exploration of identity, heritage, and self-discovery is universally relatable, making it a work that transcends specific cultural or historical contexts. The play's themes of cultural erasure, historical trauma, and the search for connection and belonging are particularly relevant in today's world, making it a work that feels both urgent and necessary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Will Power's "Edward Aubanel" is a masterpiece of contemporary theatre. Its exploration of identity, heritage, and self-discovery is both deeply personal and universally relatable, making it a work that will resonate with audiences of all backgrounds. The play's use of language, performance, and staging are all noteworthy, combining to create a work that is both visually stunning and emotionally powerful. If you're looking for a play that will challenge your assumptions, move you to tears, and inspire you to reflect on your own experiences and connections to your heritage, then "Edward Aubanel" is a must-see.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Recommendation: This play is highly recommended for anyone interested in contemporary theatre, poetry, and performance. It's a great choice for audiences looking for a work that will challenge their assumptions and inspire them to reflect on their own experiences and connections to their heritage.
To harness the spirit of "Will Power Edward Aubanel" in the 21st century, you do not need to sail the North Atlantic or lose a limb. You need only to introduce friction against your own laziness.
Unlike the abstract philosophy of contemporaries like Nietzsche, Aubanel’s concept of Will Power was brutally practical. He argued that will was not a mystical force, but a muscle—specifically, the "mental bicep" that required daily, painful reps to grow.
In his 1884 pamphlet, Aubanel described his rehabilitation. Bedridden and depressed, he began a regimen. Every morning, he would attempt to wiggle the toes of his deadened leg. For months, nothing happened. Doctors called it nerve damage. Aubanel called it a lack of signal. He wrote:
"The body obeys the mind only when the mind shouts without pause. I shouted for 120 days. On the 121st, my toe moved. That is not a miracle. That is Will Power."
This phrase—"Will Power"—was not coined by Aubanel, but he was the first to treat it as a tangible, trainable asset. His pamphlet circulated quietly among sailors and soldiers, but it was not until an American psychologist named William James reviewed Aubanel’s work in 1890 that the term entered the academic lexicon.
We all face our “Zani”—the dream that dies, the path that closes, the person who leaves. In that moment, the easy will crumbles. The deep will begins. Will power, in Aubanel’s view, is not about
Ask yourself:
Edward Aubanel whispers from Provence: “Lou tèms passo, la volountat demoro.” (“Time passes, will remains.”)
Further Reading & Exploration:
This content is free to use, adapt, and share. The will to create belongs to everyone.
"Will Power" is a central, trainable skill for personal success featured in W. R. Borg’s "My 20 Lessons of Mind-Training" series, published by E. Aubanel. The instructional guides focus on practical exercises like breathing techniques and goal setting to cultivate self-control, perseverance, and mental focus. For further reading, explore the materials on Scribd. Google Books
The rain in Paris didn't just fall; it reclaimed the streets, turning the cobblestones of the Marais into a dark, shimmering mirror. Inside a cramped studio lit by a single, buzzing halogen bulb, Edward Aubanel sat amidst a graveyard of failed prototypes.
Edward was an "architect of the impossible." He didn't build skyscrapers; he built clockwork memories—intricate, brass-bound spheres designed to project a person’s most vivid sensory experiences. But for months, his masterpiece, The Resonator, had remained silent.
"It lacks the spark, Edward," his mentor, a silver-haired woman named Clara, had told him weeks ago. "You have the mechanics, but you lack the Will Power to bind the light to the gears. You’re afraid of what it will show you."
Edward looked at his trembling hands. His Will Power wasn't a philosophical concept; in this version of Paris, it was a measurable kinetic energy, a fuel for the soul-bound inventions that powered the city. To activate the sphere, he had to pour his entire intent—his grief, his ambition, his very identity—into the core.
He closed his eyes. He stopped thinking about the equations and the brass tension. Instead, he thought of the day he lost his father at the Great Exhibition—the smell of ozone, the roar of the crowd, the desperate wish to hold onto that one last moment of safety. He didn't just want the machine to work; he demanded it.
A low hum vibrated in his chest. The copper coils on the desk began to glow, not with electricity, but with a deep, pulsing violet light. The Will Power he had suppressed for years surged forward, a tidal wave of focused intent.
The sphere didn't just spin; it blurred. Suddenly, the dingy walls of the studio vanished. Edward was standing in a field of lavender under a sun that felt warm against his skin. He could hear his father’s laugh, clear as a bell.
He had done it. He had bridged the gap between machinery and the human spirit.
But as the projection flickered, Edward realized the cost. The violet light was fading, and with it, the memory was becoming harder to recall. To power the "Impossible," he had to trade a piece of his past.
He took a deep breath and turned the dial further. He was Edward Aubanel, and he would build a world of light, even if he had to burn himself to do it.
Should we explore Edward’s next invention or see what happens when the City Council discovers his soul-powered tech?
If you were looking for a specific text or excerpt written by Aubanel specifically titled "Will Power," it is likely found within Chapter 1 or the Mental Training section of the book Getting Stronger by Bill Pearl. In that chapter, Aubanel provides a detailed psychological framework for how a lifter should mentally prepare for a workout to maximize their physical output.
The book " Will-power: How to Control and Stimulate It " is a classic self-improvement guide written by Raymond de Saint-Laurent and published by Edward Aubanel (Éditions Aubanel) in 1950. Key Focus Areas of the Guide
This guide is structured as a practical manual to help individuals harness their inner strength and mental discipline. Its primary goals include:
Willpower Mastery: Techniques for controlling and stimulating your will to overcome inertia or bad habits. What’s one area of your life where you’re
Actionable Effort: Training the mind to sustain effort over time rather than relying on short bursts of motivation.
Success Strategy: Using these mental frameworks to achieve specific life goals and long-term success. Historical Context
The publisher, Edward Aubanel, belongs to a historic French publishing family (Éditions Aubanel) based in Avignon, known for producing works on philosophy, psychology, and Provençal culture. During the mid-20th century, their catalog often featured "mind training" and self-mastery books, such as:
Memory and Observation: Related training series by authors like W.R. Borg, which emphasized sensory analysis and mental imagery to improve focus.
Esotericism and Philosophy: The Aubanel press was also associated with deep-rooted literary and spiritual movements, occasionally crossing paths with esoteric or philosophical circles.
Will Power is a 2011 motivational book and personal development guide written by Edward Aubanel.
The book is designed as a practical roadmap for individuals looking to strengthen their self-discipline and achieve long-term goals by understanding the mechanics of the human "will." Key Themes of Will Power
The Nature of Self-Control: Aubanel argues that willpower is not a fixed trait but a muscle that can be developed through consistent exercise and habit formation.
Overcoming Procrastination: A significant portion of the book focuses on the psychological barriers that lead to delay and how to dismantle them through structured routines.
Mental Focus: It provides techniques for sharpening concentration in an age of constant digital distraction, emphasizing the importance of "singular focus" on high-priority tasks.
Habit Engineering: The text explores how to replace self-defeating behaviors with productive ones by changing the "cue-routine-reward" cycle. Notable Insights
Aubanel often emphasizes that willpower is a finite resource. Similar to physical energy, it can be depleted throughout the day (a concept often referred to in psychology as "ego depletion"). He suggests "front-loading" your most difficult or important tasks to the morning hours when your stores of willpower are at their peak. About the Author
Edward Aubanel is known for his work in the self-help and professional coaching space. His writing style is generally direct and pragmatic, focusing on "actionable intelligence" rather than abstract theory. He encourages readers to view their life as a series of deliberate choices rather than a sequence of accidental events. Recommended For
Students or professionals struggling with deadline management.
Individuals looking to break physical or mental habits (e.g., diet, exercise, or digital addiction).
Anyone interested in the intersection of psychology and productivity.
HEADLINE: The Architecture of the Soul: Inside Edward Aubanel’s ‘Will Power’
SUBHEAD: More than just grit or determination, Edward Aubanel’s seminal work redefines human potential as a tangible infrastructure—one that can be built, strengthened, and designed.
In the lexicon of self-improvement, "willpower" is often treated like a mythical fuel tank. We talk about it as something we "run out of" by Tuesday afternoon, or a magical reserve that separates the successful from the stagnant. It is viewed as a finite resource, a character trait you either possess or you don't.
But in his provocative and structurally brilliant treatise, Will Power, Edward Aubanel dismantles this romanticized notion. He doesn't offer a pep talk; he offers a blueprint. Aubanel argues that will is not a feeling—it is an organ. And like any organ, it requires specific care, exercise, and architecture to function.
As we navigate an era of infinite distraction and decision fatigue, Aubanel’s work has never been more relevant. Here is a look at the philosophy that is quietly changing the way high-performers approach the mechanics of success.