The Bunker Bean Effect-Discovering and Reaching Your Full Potential

by Bernell Christensen

In casual conversation with adult family members, friends or colleagues, how many times have you
heard someone say, "I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up"? One of the best
ways to address this dilemma is to ask yourself questions like: "What is your vision of your ideal
life—what does it look like?" "If you won the lottery tomorrow and money was no longer an issue,
how would you spend your time?" The most common responses are "I'm not sure," or "I've never
really thought about it."

It is easy to place limitations on yourself based on what you believe you can or can't do. You may
also allow family, friends, peers and associates to define and limit you based on who they think you
are and what they believe you should be or do. Who are you really? What can you accomplish?
What is your ideal self and ideal life?
Over the years, thousands have received great inspiration from the following little story known as
The Bunker Bean Effect. The use of this story for self-improvement originates from my dear friend,
Life Balance Coach Leo Weidner and his mentor, Dr. Napoleon Hill. It is a wonderful parable about
the greatness within each one of us, and how we become all that we are meant to be.
The Bunker Bean Effect
"Bunker Bean!" The mystic spoke with authority, "You are the reincarnated Napoleon Bonaparte,
conqueror of the world!" Bunker Bean stood in amazement. Timidly he asked, "How could I, who am
afraid even of my own shadow, have been the feared and courageous Napoleon?"
Harry Leon Wilson, who in 1912 penned the novel Bunker Bean, says it all started when Bunker
Bean became an orphan as a small child. Alone and poor, always dressed in ragged clothes that
hung loosely from his small frame, he was mocked and taunted by cruel, merciless children. Fear
greeted him when he awoke in the morning and remained his constant companion until sleep put it
to rest. He was afraid of everything: elevators, dogs, children, grownups, policemen, situations, the
future, life—and even himself.
One fateful day a mystic moved into the cheap, rat-infested boarding house and rented the room
next to Bunker Bean. A friendship developed during the next few weeks. The mystic's preoccupation
with a book on reincarnation captured Bunker's imagination. He learned that his new friend believed
that all people had previous lives as someone else before being born into their present lives.
The more Bunker Bean thought about this new idea, the more he believed it. One evening after
dinner the mystic proclaimed that he and he alone could see into the past and could tell who Bunker
Bean was in his past lives. A small pittance of money, which Bunker could ill afford, was delivered to
the mystic for the declaration. Bunker followed the mystic to his room and after a few minutes of
incantations and trance-producing gyrations, his friend loudly proclaimed:
"Bunker Bean!" The mystic spoke with authority, "You are the reincarnated Napoleon Bonaparte,
conqueror of the world!" Bunker Bean stood in amazement. Timidlyhe asked, "How could I, who am
afraid even of my own shadow, have been the feared and courageous Napoleon?"
The mystic explained that life goes in cycles. "Sometimes you are born during the upper part of the
cycle and sometimes during the lower part. Napoleon lived on the upper part when he exhibited the
qualities of courage, initiative, strength, determination, and power." Bunker Bean then learned that
his present life was the result of being born during the lower part of the cycle.
Depressed, he turned to leave; but the mystic yelled in a high-pitched voice, "Bunker, the lower part
of the cycle is almost completed! You are now reentering the upper part, the same part you were in
when you were Napoleon!" The mystic assured Bunker that it would not be many days before he
would feel a change taking place and know the prediction was true. "Even as we speak, you are on
your way to becoming courageous, determined, strong, self-reliant, fearless, successful," whispered
the mystic.
The very thought that he was once Napoleon caused him to stand a little straighter. By the end of
the first day he could even detect hints of the promised change. Now that he thought about it, there
was a certain majesty in his look; he began to take on a certain warrior air. When he thought of his
"true" identity—Napoleon—he vibrated with a strange new power and determination.
Bunker Bean spent every spare moment reading books about Napoleon. He hung the great
general's pictures in the little dirty attic room where he could feast his mind upon his former self. He
tried standing, thinking, and acting like Napoleon. The image never left his mind. Even when he was
confronted with fear he merely thought, "How would Napoleon feel and what would he do?" and the
fear vanished.
He discovered that Napoleon was a master strategist, winning his battles in his tent. Bunker decided
he, too, would plan, organize, and think out problems before facing them. He thought of every fear,
obstacle, challenge, and danger he might face during the day and determined how Napoleon would
react.
Like Napoleon he made sure nothing was left to chance.
The large, colored picture of Napoleon was a constant reminder to Bunker of the great power and
strength hidden in his breast. He visualized himself leading and directing vast armies. He vividly
imagined the smell of gunpowder, smoke, and blood.
Something strange began to happen to Bunker Bean. He started acting like Napoleon. He forgot his
timidity, his fears, and his meager existence. Each challenge was faced with, "How would Napoleon
handle it?" He began applying the same principles that made Napoleon great. His fellow workers
and employer were amazed at the change in his personality. His boss gave him a more responsible
position. Bunker Bean began to feel and be successful.
Not only did Bunker Bean change, but he was amazed at the way people were reacting to him. They
wanted to be near him and even followed him as they would a leader. Seeing the changes in these
people suggested to him that they might know his real identity.
Years went by and Bunker Bean continued his rise in life and fortune. But one day, when he was
pondering over his greatness as Napoleon, he thought, "Before Napoleon who was I"? He searched
for and found his old friend and inquired of him. "That will cost you greatly!" said the mystic. "Money
is no problem now; just tell me."
The answer he received did not disappoint him. Before he was Napoleon, he was the greatest ruler
the world had ever known. He was Ramses, the mighty Egyptian pharaoh. Bunker learned that as
Ramses he was tall and handsome and dressed meticulously. Bunker hired a professional tailor to fit
him in such a way as to enhance his physical characteristics. His new clothes made him feel like a
king and so he began acting like a king. He stood tall, expanded his chest, drew in his waist, and
stood erect. He worked to develop the physical and mental discipline of Ramses. He had already
discovered that it takes a vivid mental image along with the matching behavior to bring to the present
the great qualities of the past. He was a king and must, therefore, do as kings do. Money, for
example, was not an issue, because kings always have as much as they want. Bunker knew that
when money was needed it would be available, and it was. He was becoming a wealthy man.
Bunker Bean was invited to direct large organizations. He was a leader because he thought like a
leader and acted like a leader. Never again would he be afraid of life, policemen, mockery, or
himself. He was the mighty pharaoh of Egypt. He was born to be a king. His destiny was to rule and
so he would do those things that characterized greatness.
The mental image grew stronger with each passing day and in direct proportion strength, vitality, and
excitement for life surged through his veins. Not only had he been the courageous, mighty
Napoleon, but also the strong, calm, and powerful Ramses. He was a combination of them both. He
thought courage at night and awoke in the morning with a giant's strength. His visualization poured
the nutrients into his personality to mold and fashion a king and a conqueror.
But one morning tragedy entered Bunker Bean's life; tragedy that neither Napoleon nor Ramses
could combat. He discovered that his mystic friend was a fake, a con artist. There really was no such
thing as reincarnation. He really hadn't been Napoleon or Ramses. He really was nothing more than
his weak, timid, fearful, insignificant self.
Bunker Bean was a beaten man for a few moments. Then, as if by revelation, he thought, "When I
believed myself to be a king others reacted as if I were a king. When I believed myself to be weak
and timid others reacted as if I were weak and timid."
A new and inspiring truth now dawned upon him. "I can be anything I can imagine and visualize in
my mind." During the years he had believed himself to be the reincarnated Napoleon and Ramses,
he had accumulated great wealth and position, yet no one had known about his belief except his
mystic friend. He had gained all by believing that he could do it. He believed in himself and his
dreams. Ramses and Napoleon were only crude bits of scaffolding on which he had climbed to
success.
As you venture forth in your daily life, don't sell yourself short when it comes to identifying and
pursuing your ideal self and ideal life. Like Bunker Bean, believe in these great truths:
Everyone is born a king.
Everyone is born to abundance.
Everyone is born to greatness.

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