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The New Thought teaches that GOD is nota being afar off from us, full of wrath andpunishment, but that he is right here withus; all around us, yes, even in us;understanding us from the beginning;realizing our limitations; full of love; andpatiently seeing the gradual growth andunfoldment which brings us into a clearerunderstanding of him. The New Thoughtdoes not know of the wrath of GOD — anysuch conception is cast into the shadow bythe dazzling, overpowering sight of GOD'Slove. As to the reason of GOD'S plans andlaws, The New Thought does not pretendto have knowledge, holding that this cannotbe known by Man in his present stage ofdevelopment, although by reason andintuition he is beginning to understand thatall is Good, and to see evidences of a

loving, good, perfect, just and wise plan, inall the experiences of life. And having thatIntelligent Faith which comes of the Godconsciousness, it rests content, saying"GOD IS — and all is well."The New Thought teaches that All is One— that all the Universe, high and low,developed and undeveloped, manifest andunmanifest, is One — all is an emanationof GOD. This brings with it the corollary thateverything in the universe is in touch withevery other thing, and all is in connectionwith the Centre — GOD. It holds, withmodern science, that every atom is a partof a mighty whole, and that nothing canhappentoanyatomwithoutacorresponding effect upon every other partof the whole. It holds that the sense ofseparatenessisanillusionofthe

undevelopedconsciousness,butanillusion necessary in certain stages for theworking out of the plan, or as a recent writerhas said, "the sense of separateness is aworking fiction of the Universe." When manhas so far progressed in spiritual growthand unfoldment that certain heretoforedormantfacultiesawakentoconsciousness, or rather, when man’sconsciousness has so far developed that ittakes cognizance of certain faculties theexistence of which has heretofore beenunknowntoit,thatmanbecomesconscious of the Oneness of All, and hisrelation to all that is. It is not merely amatter of intellectual conception, it is thegrowth of a new consciousness. The manwho possesses this, simply knows; theman who has it not, deems the idea allied

to insanity. This Cosmic Knowing comes tomany as an illumination; to others it is amatter of gradual and slow development.This idea of the Oneness of All explainsmany problems that Man has consideredincapable of solution. It is at the heart of alloccult and esoteric teachings. It is at thecentre of all religious thought, although it ishidden until one finds the key. It is the Keythat opens all doors. It explains allcontradictions — all paradoxes. It weldstogether all discrepancies — all opposingtheories — all the different views of anysubject. All is One — nothing can be left outof that Oneness — all and everything isincluded. Man cannot escape his Onenesswith All, try as he may. Separateness andselfishness are seen as merely the result ofignorance, from which man is slowly

emerging. Every man is doing the best hecan, in his particular stage of development.And every man is growing, slowly butsurely. Sin is but ignorance of the truth.SelfishnessandthesenseofSeparateness are at the bottom of all thatwe call "sin." And, under the Law, when wewilfully hurt another, it rebounds uponourselves. Evil, selfish thoughts and actsreact upon ourselves. We cannot hurtanother without injuring ourselves. It is notnecessary for GOD to punish us — wepunish ourselves. When the race finallyunderstands and is conscious of theOneness of All — when it has a knowledgeof the Law — when it has a s and Selfishness drop awaylike a cast-off cloak, and that which we call

sin and injustice can no longer exist for therace. When the Fatherhood of GOD, andthe Brotherhood of Man, become realitiesin the consciousness of Man, instead ofbeautifulidealsfondlycherishedbutconsidered impractical and impossible ofrealization, then will Life be that which hasbeen dreamt of through the ages. ThisOneness of All is one of the fundamentaltruths of The New Thought, although manyof its followers seem to have but a faintconception of what it really means, and arebut slowly growing into an understanding ofwhat it will mean for the world.The New Thought teaches that Man isimmortal. Its teachers differ in their theoriesas to just how and where he will live in thefuture, and of such speculations I do notpurpose speaking at length. I will say this,

however, that when Man obtains thatwonderful assurance of immortality fromhis awakened spiritual faculties, he sees noneed of worrying about the “how" and"where". He knows that he is and will be.He has within him such an abiding sense ofexistence, and deathlessness, that all ofman's speculations seem like idle theoriesto him — useful in their place, of course,but of no vital importance to him. He knowsthat there are no limits to the possiblemanifestations of life — he knows that"infinity plus infinity" would not begin toexpress the possibilities before him, and hefrets not. He learns to live in the NOW, forhe knows that he is in Eternity right now,just as much as he ever will be, and heproceeds to Live. He is concerned with Life,not with Death, and he Lives. He has

confidence in GOD and in the Divine Plan,and is content. He knows that if our entiresolar system, and every other system, thesuns of which are visible to Man, weredissolved into their original elements, hewould still exist, and would be still in theUniverse. He knows that the Universe islarge, and that he is a part of it — that hecannot be left out or banished from theUniverse — that he is an important atom,and that his destruction would disarrangeand destroy the whole. He knows that whilethe Universe lasts — he lasts. That if he isdestroyed the Universe is destroyed. Heknow that GOD had use for him or he wouldnot be here, and he knows that GODmakes no mistakes — changes not hismind — and destroys no soul that he hasexpressed. He says: I am a Son of GOD;

what I shall be doth not yet appear; butcome what will I am still 2l Son of GOD ;what my future may be, concerns me not— it is not my business — I will place myhand in that of the Father and say "LeadThou me on.".This idea of the Immortality of the Soul —that Man is a Spiritual being, is also afundamental principle of The New Thought,although its teachers have differing ideasregarding the methods and plans of thefuture life. To me, personally, I can see Lifeonly as being on an ascending scale, risingfrom lower to higher, and then on to higherand higher and higher, until my spiritualvision fails me. I believe that in theUniverse are beings much lower than us inthe spiritual scale ; and that there are alsoothers much more advanced, much more

highly developed than ourselves, very godsas compared with us, and that we areprogressing along the Path until some daywe will be where they are; and that othersnow much lower will someday be where weare now and so on. This is but my finiteview of an infinite subject, and I do notknow these things as I do know thefundamental fact. These particular viewsare not fundamental, being nothing morethan a dim perception, aided in certainways from outside sources, so do notaccept them unless you feel that they meantruth to you — form your own concept, ifyou prefer. It will not make any differenceto the fundamental principle. If you havethe consciousness of the fundamentalprinciple of immortality, then theories andviews and concepts are as nothing. Do not

be satisfied with theories — mine oranyone else's — there is no satisfactionuntil your feet are firmly planted on therock. Then, when you feel the solid rockbeneath you, you may amuse and instructyourself by playing at building houses,which you may tear down tomorrow to erectothers more in accordance with youradvanced ideals. But the rock is there allthe time, and you are on it.The New Thought teaches us that there isa spiritual evolution going on in Man — thathe is growing, developing and unfolding inspiritual attainment. That his mind isdeveloping and causing to unfold newfaculties which will lead him to higher pathsof attainment. That the Higher Reason isbeginning to make itself manifest. Itteaches that the race is nearing the plane

of Cosmic Knowing. Teachers speak thisTruth in different ways — using differentwords — but the thing itself is afundamental principle of The New Thought.The New Thought teaches also that"thoughts are things" — that every thoughtwe think goes forth, carrying with it forcewhich affects others to a greater or lessextent, depending upon the force behindour thought, and the mental attitude of theother persons. And it teaches that likeattracts like in the world of thought — thata man attracts to himself thoughts inharmony with his own — people inharmony with his thoughts — yes, thateven things are influenced by thought invarying degrees. It teaches that "as a manthinketh in his heart so is he," and that aman may change, and often does change,

his entire character and nature by a changeof thoughts, an adjustment of his mentalattitude. It teaches that Fearthought andWorry and all the rest of the foul brood ofnegative thoughts attract thoughts, people,things, from the outside, and pull the mandown to the level of his thought-pictures.And on the contrary a man may, by rightthinking, raise himself from the mire, andsurround himself with people and thingscorresponding to his thoughts. And itteaches that thoughts take form in action.And it teaches that the Mind is positive tothe Body, and that a man may become sickor well — diseased or free from disease,according to his thoughts and mentalattitude. It teaches that the mind of Mancontains latent forces, lying dormant,awaiting the day of their unfoldment, which

may be developed and trained and used ina wondrous way. It teaches that Man is inhis infancy regarding the proper use of hismental powers. These things and similarthings, expressed in scores of forms,according to the views of the respectiveteachers, are fundamental principles ofThe New Thought.I can do no more than merely mentionthese things now. In the succeedingchapters, I will try to go into each phase ofthe subject a little more fully, but it wouldtake many volumes before I could feel thatI had even penetrated beneath the surfaceof the subject. And then remember that Iam only giving you my little bit of the Truth.Every other man or woman has his or herbit, so that my portion is merely as a grainof sand on the seashore.

The New Thought is not a "fad" as manyhave supposed, although many have madeit the amusement, of an idle hour. It is nonew religion as others have thought — itcontains within it only that which may befound in all the great religions of the world,but generally so safely hidden that onlythose who looked carefully could find it. It isno new religion, but it will help to throw newlight on every religion, or shade of religiousthought. It has no churches or temples — itallows its followers to worship in thetemples of their fathers, or, if they prefer, inthe open field, on the ocean, in the forest,in their rooms, anywhere — everywhere,for they cannot escape from the Universe,and GOD is everywhere, and everyone isin constant touch with him, and may feelthe pressure of his hand if they will but

allow it — will hear the whisper of his voiceif they will but listen to it.The man or woman who awakens into aconsciousnessoftherealprinciplesunderlying and making up that which wecall The New Thought, will have found apeace which exceeds in comfort anythingthat has ever been known — will feel a joybeyond anything that has ever been dreamtof — will have acquired a knowledgeexceeding all that has ever been deemedpossible. Words cannot express this thing— it must be seen, felt, lived, to be realized.This, my friends, is my answer to thequestion, "What is The New Thought'?"That it does not answer it, I am fully aware,but I also see that one cannot answer sucha question in a few words — perhaps it

could not be fully answered in as manyvolumes as I have used sentences. It is toogreat. It means something to every man orwoman who is attracted to it — each takesfrom it that suited to his needs, and leavesthe rest for others. And draw from it whatwe may, the supply is never diminished.And so, it seems, I have merely answeredthe question by telling of a little that TheNew Thought means to me — just a little.So if it means something else to you —something more than I have mentioned —something different from what I have stated— do not blame me or yourself — wesimply see that which we have drawn fromthe spring in our little cup — the spring isstill full and constantly flowing. Your cupfulis as good as mine — mine as good asyours — so let us not dispute about it — nor

yet compare cupfuls. Let us, instead, drinkof the sparkling, life-giving fluid that hasbeen given us, and shout aloud that otherswho are thirsty and are seeking the spring,may know that it is found. It is not yours,nor mine — it is the property of All.

Chapter 2: Thoughts Are ThingsEvery thought that we think starts in motionthought-waves, or vibrations, which travelalong with greater or lesser speed andintensity, varying with the force of theoriginal thought, and which affect, more orless, people far removed from the personssendingforththethought.Weareconstantly sending forth thought influence,and are constantly receiving thought wavesfrom others. I do not now refer to thoughtsdeliberately sent out to the mind of another,or thoughts deliberately received by onefrom the mind of another, according to thewell-known, and well established, laws ofTelepathy, but to the equally real, but farless understood, unconscious sendingforth and receiving of thoughts, which isgoing on in each of us all the time. Of

coursethesearealldifferentmanifestations of what we call Telepathy,or thought-transference, but the term isgenerally used to designate the conscioussendingandreceivingofmentalmessages.This power of thought-transference isbeing continually exercised by all people,generally indirectly and unconsciously. Ourthoughts create vibrations which are sentforth in waves in all directions, and affectmore or less all persons with whose mindsthey come in contact. We can seeinstances of this in everyday life. Men areaffected by the thoughts of others inbusiness, on the street, in the theatre, inchurch, and in fact everywhere. Publicopinion is largely formed by the thoughts ofa number of vigorous, positive thinkers,

sentforthinthought-waves,rapidlyinfluencing the whole country, the thoughtwave gaining force as it progresses, beingadded to by the thought vibrations ofeveryone whom it affects. Great waves ofpopular feeling sweep over the countrycarrying before them all except those whounderstand the laws of mental influence,and who have protected themselvesagainst these outside impressions. Thecombined thought-waves of the majority ofthe people beat against the mind of theindividualandexerciseanalmostirresistible influence.There is one very important fact in thisstudy of the power of thought vibrations,which every man or woman shouldconstantly carry in mind. I refer to the factthat the law of "like attracts like" maintains

in the thought-world, and that one attractsto himself the thoughts of others whichcorrespond in kind with those held byhimself. A man who Hates will attract tohimself all the Hateful and Maliciousthought-waves within a large radius, andthese added thoughts act as fuel to the fireof his base feelings, and render him moreHateful and Hating than ever. One whothinks Love, and has outgrown the oldnegativethoughtsofimperfectdevelopment, will not attract these negativethoughts to him. They will pass him by,hurrying on to some point of attraction inthe minds of others who are thinking alongthe same lines. And the man who thinksLove will attract to himself all the Lovingthoughts within his circle of influence. Meninstinctively recognize this force when they

gather in the same neighborhood withothers in the same line of thought.Communities have their individualities justas persons do. Every village, town, and cityhas its own peculiarities, which arenoticeable to those who enter it. Andstrangers moving into these communitiesgradually take on the characteristics of theplace,unlessthesameprove veryuncongenial to them, in which case theymanage to move away from the town assoon as possible, and are not contented solong as they are within its borders. It is wellto be surrounded by those whose thoughtsare akin to our own, as we thus add to eachother's power and are comparatively freefrom outside disturbing influences. Ofcourse persons may by practice, andunderstanding, make themselves positive

to the thoughts of others, and may withimpunityallowthemselvestobesurrounded with persons of an entirelydifferent line of thought, and may even,when so doing, attract to themselves, fromgreater distances, the thoughts whichharmonize with their own.Every person is constantly surrounded witha thought-aura which affects those withwhom he comes in contact. Some peopleattract us without a word being spoken,while others repel us as soon as we comewithin the radius of their aura. The aura ofa man is composed of the essence of hisprevailing thoughts — it reflects his generalmental attitude. This aura is felt not only byman, but also by the lower animals.Children are very susceptible to itsinfluences, and many unaccountable likes

and dislikes of children are explainable inno other way.Some persons are very sensitive to thethought atmosphere of others, and willsense at once the menta

For More Free PDF Books on the Law of Attraction and Metaphysics Visit the Law of Attraction Haven. Click for More Free Books by William Walker Atkinson. . used it in this book, but when I say GOD I mean this great Universal Presence, and not the conception of a