Thought Vibration, or The Law of Attraction in the Thought World E-Book

William Walker Atkinson

• Herausgeber: William Walker Atkinson
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Beschreibung

William Walker Atkinson's "Thought Vibration or The Law of Attraction in the Thought World" is a classic treatise of new age philosophy. Atkinson examines the nature of mental thought and its power to affect ones life in a thought-provoking discourse that elucidates the power of positive mental thought. Written in the early 1900s, "Thought Vibration", a classic of self-help literature, is as applicable today as when it was first written.

Leseprobe

Thought Vibration, or The Law of Attraction in the Thought World

William Walker Atkinson

First digital edition 2016 by Anna Ruggieri

Contents

Preface

Foreword

My Working Creed

Chapter 1. The Law of Attraction in the Thought World

Chapter 2. Thought-Waves And Their Process Of Reproduction

Chapter 3. A Talk About The Mind

Chapter 4. Mind Building

Chapter 5. The Secret Of The Will

Chapter 6. How To Become Immune To Injurious Thought Attraction

Chapter 7. The Transmutation Of Negative Thought

Chapter 8. The Law Of Mental Control

Chapter 9. Asserting The Life-Force

Chapter 10. Training The Habit-Mind

Chapter 11. The Psychology Of Emotion

Chapter 12. Developing New Brain-Cells

Chapter 13. The Attractive Power—Desire Force

Chapter 14. The Great Dynamic Forces

Chapter 15. Claiming Your Own

Chapter 16. Law, Not Chance

Preface

In which we learn something of the author and how the book was born.

IN December, 1901, William Walker Atkinson in assuming the editorship of the popular magazine New Thought, introduced himself to the readers of that periodical in a memorable article. That article contained a clear, ringing, forceful statement of his individual creed, than which nothing can afford a deeper insight into the character and inner self of the man whose name appears as author of this book. It is the crystallized expression of the world-principles, the truths, which his writings seek to illuminate, and in my opinion should be read by every student of his works, as the key to the philosophy he teaches.

For this reason there has been prefixed to this, his latest book, under the title "My Working Creed," the most vital of the fundamental beliefs enunciated by Mr. Atkinson in that famous introductory statement of 1901. None can read the recurring, ringing "I Believe" of this author, without feeling an answering thrill of exaltation andpower. To those who read this book I would say, imbue yourself thoroughly with the broad and beautiful spirit of those few preliminary paragraphs that you may pass on understandingly to the perusal of the teachings which follow.

Those who have an opportunity to refer to the article from which this Creed is taken, should do so. It tells of the work, the material success, followed by over-strain, physical and mental breakdown and financial disaster, which marked the earlieryears of William Walker Atkinson. It shows how he came to know what he now holds to be the truth, and how, in his own life, he has demonstrated its value. For from mental and physical wreck and financial ruin, he wrought through its principles, perfect health, mental vigor and material prosperity.

Mr. Atkinson, during the many years of his connection with the magazine, New Thought, built for himself an enduring place in the hearts of its readers. For four years his literary work was confined to its pages (including in addition, three books for its publishers), and article after article of wonderful strength and vital force flowed from his pen. During this time several series of "lessons" appeared, under varying titles, in regard to the application of the Law of Attraction in the Thought World, lessons which created a sensation and exerted a wonderful influence upon the lives of those who applied their principles. They were written in Mr. Atkinson's own sparkling, intimate style, teeming with thought, force,energy, fire, but shorn of all atmosphere of the study, all attempt at "fine writing," polished periods or dignified metaphor, and all affectation or assumption of superior learning. One of Mr. Atkinson's cardinal principles is "Stand on your own feet," and he deprecates any attempt to read infallibility into his writings. For this reason we have again prefaced the present work with a "Foreword" in which he seeks to instill into all students of New Thought, whether as expressed in his writings or in those of others,—the quality of self-dependence. A reading of this Foreword will give thestudent a clear idea of the attitude of mind in which Mr. Atkinson thinks this and all other individual interpretations of life should be approached.

With "My Working Creed"and the "Foreword" as guides, the present reader should enter upon thought vibration, the book proper, in a spirit calculated to extract the greatest possible value.

Thought vibration embraces two series of the vital lessons mentioned above, with some additional articles by Mr. Atkinson following out the same line of teaching. The order of the lessons has been somewhat changed in the combination; and for further continuity and clearness, new lesson titles in the form of chapter headings have been selected.The publishers have preferred to retain the familiar unstudied style of the lessons, as originally written, rather than to subject the articles to the literary revision by the author which usually precedes publication in book form. They contend that Mr. Atkinson's mightiest influence, his greatest strength and power, lies in his simple, straightforward, and at times even colloquial language—the kind which "even my little son can understand," as wrote in gratitude one earnest student. It is such writing that the world needs,—writing which can be read and apprehended by the "little sons" of the world, whether known as children or as men. There is a great deal of so-called "fine writing" on New Thought subjects, beautiful sentences full of high, though sometimes misty thought; but this world needs common, practical, everyday application of this thought. Where there is one reader for the literary masterpiece, there are a hundred readers (plus even that other one), for the book written as a keen, live, human man talks, and written about the difficulties, the problems, the possibilities of the average citizen of the world.

This is a truth Mr. Atkinson has mastered, and it is with intention he casts from him the restrictions of an academic style. He speaks, always,not in dignified tones to "the public," but in the language of a friend to You. It can be said of him in praise, as of another before him: "The common people heard him gladly!”—the highest, most enduring tribute that can be paid to a leader of men.

Recognition is due to Louise Radford Wells for the revision of the proofs of this book, the selection of its title and chapter headings, and the ordered arrangement of the lessons.

Franklin L. Berry, Editor of New Thought.

June 15,1906 Chicago, Illinois.

Foreword

In which the author has a word to say about "teachers" and "disciples," himself included.

I am in receipt of a letter from an earnest student of New Thought, who writes me that he is endeavoring to put into practice the teachings for which I stand. That is all right—I think he will get some good out of the practice (I know that I do). But here is where the trouble comes in—he goes on to say that he is "a faithful disciple" of mine, and is content to "sit at the feet of the Teacher" Now, if you will pardon the slang, I must say that such talk "makes me tired" I wish no "disciples"—disciples are mere parrots repeating what one says—mere human sheep trotting along after some conceited old bell-wether. I do not wish to pose as a bell-wether, nor do I wish aflock of human sheep trotting after me. I want everyone of my fellow students of Mental Science to be his own bell-wether. I like comradeship and mutual help—the help of interdependence. But I don't like this talk of master and disciple—of leader and follower—this talk and idea of dependence.

As for sitting at anyone's feet, the idea arouses all the spirit of independence within me. I don't want to sit at any one's feet—and I don't want any one to sit at mine. I am willing, and often glad, to listen to someteacher and to pick from his teachings such bits of truth as my mind is ready to receive. I am willing to say "I don't know," and to accept from others that which appeals to me as truth; not because the other says that it is truth, but because my mind recognizes it as such. I take my own wherever I find it, because I recognize it as mine. I know that all students and teachers get their knowledge from the only source of supply—they can't get it from anywhere else. And if some other fellow happens to see a particular bit of truth before I do, I gladly accept a portion of it from his hands, be he king or beggar; while if I happen to see the thing first, I will gladly share it with all who are ready for it, and who may want it, without feeling that I am a "leader," or "teacher," or that they are "followers" or "disciples." We are all fellow students—that's all. I recognize no man as my master—and I spurn the person who would call me "Master," if there be any so foolish. This feet-sitting talk makes me very, veryweary.

I am fully aware that certain teachers convey the idea that they are chosen mouthpieces of the Infinite, and that all true teachings must bear their hall-mark. And I also know the fanatical devotion and bigotry that many of the followers of such teachers manifest. But this is all child's play. The teachers sooner or later will be brought up against good hard stone walls, and their heads will be bruised until they realize "just where they are at." And the "disciples" will have some individuality knocked into them later on, and will be made to stand upon their own feet, by reason of the props being knocked from under them. The New Thought aims at making individuals, not at converting people into droves of sheep, following the tinkle of the bell of someconceited old bell-wether, who imagines that he is the Whole Thing.

The growing soul must realize that it has within itself all that it requires. It may gladly accept from others suggestions, advice, bits of knowledge, and the like, as it goes along—the soul itself being the only judge of what it requires at each particular stage. But, in the end, it must do its own work, and must stand on its own feet. All the teachings in the world will not help you, unless you take hold of the matter yourself and work out your own salvation. You cannot get true mental or spiritual teaching by simply paying so much for a course of lessons, and doing nothing yourself. You must bring something to the teacher before you can take anything away. You must work up to an understanding before the teachings of another will do you any good.

The teacher may make a suggestion that will open up a line of thought for you, or he may point out a way that has proved of value to him; and thus save you much time and trouble. But you must do the real work yourself.

A teacher may be so filled with the truth that he will overflow, and you will get some of the overflow. I believe that truth is "catching." But even so, unless you make that truth your own by living it out, and applying it to your needs, it will do you no good. And so long as you are content to "sit at his feet," and do the "disciple" act, you will not grow one inch. You will be merely a reflection of the teacher, instead of being an individual.

We need a jogging up on this point every once in a while, "lest we forget." It is so easy to have your thoughts predigested for you by some teacher or writer—so easy to receive your teaching in capsules. It is so nice to be able to sit down and swallow the tabloid that the teacher or writer kindly has prepared for you, and imagine that you are getting the real thing. But I tell you, friends—it won't do the work. Imbibe all the teachings you please, but you have got to get down to business yourself. You can't give some one else a power of attorney to do the work in your place. Life accepts no substitutes—you must step out yourself. It is mighty easy—this idea of paying so much, in time or money, to some teacher or writer, and then sneaking into the Kingdom of Heaven holding on to his skirts—but itwon't work. You've got to do some hustling on your own account, and don't you make any mistake about this fact.

Many of you are running around after teachers, preachers, prophets, seers, "illuminated souls," and what not, expecting that your little feefor courses of lessons, private teachings, and all the rest, is going to land you right up in the front rank. Don't you believe a word of it. You've got to go through the motions yourself, before you will attain anything. You can't sneak in that way—it won't work. I look around me and see many of these poor creatures "sitting at the feet" of some one or other, sinking their individuality in that of the teacher, and not daring to think an original thought—lest it conflict with some notion of their "Master."These good souls are so full of the teaching they are imbibing, they will repeat it by the yard, phrase after phrase, like a well-trained parrot. But they don't understand a bit of it. They are like the moon which shines by reason of the reflection of thesun's rays, and has no light or heat of its own. The talk of these "disciples" and "sitters-at-the-feet" is nothing but moonshine—mere reflected light. Moons are dead, cold things—no light—no heat—no fire—no energy. Dead, dead, dead—cold, barren and "played-out." Stop this moon business and build yourself up into a Sun.You have it in you—manifest it. Start yourself in motion, and manifest Life. Don't suppose that you must be able to solve all the Riddles of the Universe before you can do anything. Never mind about those riddles, just you get down to the task that lies ahead of you, and throw into it some of that Great Life Principle that is within you waiting for a chance to manifest itself. Don't make the mistake of supposing that this or that teacher hassolved the Great Riddle. If he says he has, he is only bluffing and whistling to keep up courage. He may have found a good-sized chunk of the truth, and if he is willing to pass you a bit of it, all right, but he hasn't the Whole Thing, by a mighty sight.The Whole Thing isn't placing itself in the exclusive control of any little bit of itself. No one has a monopoly of knowing—a corner on the Truth. It is yours as much as anybody's—but you must dig for it.

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