As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

Well, this one is recommended reading by a lot of self-help gurus, so thought I’d see what all the fuss was about.

It’s short (72 pages) and is jam-packed full of hints, tips and explanation on the power of thinking.

Here’s some meaningful quotes I drew from the book:

“…If one endure

In purity of thought, joy follows him

As his own shadow – sure.”

“He that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened”; for only by patience, practice, and ceaseless importunity can a man enter the Door of the Temple of Knowledge.”

“A particular train of thought persisted in, be it good or bad, cannot fail to produce its results on the character and circumstances. A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances.”

This poem takes a bit of reading, but it is profound:

“You will be what you will to be;

Let failure find its false content

In that poor word, ‘environment,’

But spirit scorns it, and is free.

—

“It masters time, it conquers space;

It cows that boastful trickster, Chance,

And bids the tyrant Circumstance,

Uncrown, and fill a servant’s place.

—

“The human Will, that force unseen,

The offspring of deathless Soul,

Can hew a way to any goal,

Though walls of granite intervene.

—

“But not impatient in delay,

But wait as one who understands;

When spirit rises and commands,

The gods are ready to obey.”

“… to think well of all, to be cheerful with all, to patiently learn to find the good in all – such unselfish thoughts are the very portals of heaven; and to dwell day by day in thoughts of peace toward every creature will bring abounding peace to their possesor.”

“… recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment…”

“A strong man cannot help a weaker unless that weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must, by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in another. None but himself can alter his condition.”

Really like this book.

There’s no religious spin or take on it. Just solid, practical advice that will help shape your thoughts and thus YOU into achieving your goals.

Grab yourself a copy.

Sincerely,

Sam

P.S. Rate it 8.8/10, as I particularly like the Old English writing style – makes the reader feel the advice has been handed down by a wise man… and if you ask me: James Allen is definitely a wise man.