ReThink Success

Ebook: As a Man Thinketh (pdf)

In an effort to evaluate what success means and how to become successful, I have researched several historical texts on the subject. One of the pre-eminent texts on success is by a British author, James Allen. Considered to be one of the first self-help gurus, he wrote over 19 books over a 9-year period. Many of these books illustrate the use of the power of thought to increase self-fulfillment and success. His most famous book, As a Man Thinketh, published in 1902, outlines nine basic principles on how to train the mind to achieve positive results. Although written over 100 years ago, these principles are applicable in today’s world and have inspired several other self-help books and programs over the years.

This book is currently in the public domain. I have repackaged it into an easy-to-read format and have made it available for you here for free (see link above).

• Thought and Character
  James Allen sets up the premise of this book by stating the adage, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” In this, he explains that a man is literally what he thinks—his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts. As such, if a man’s mind has thoughts of evil, pain will become manifest. Conversely, purity of thought will be followed with joy and happiness.

• Effect of Thought on Circumstances
  In this chapter, James Allen goes further and argues that one’s thoughts not only define one’s character but also one’s circumstances. In short, good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bear bad fruit.
  James Allen also writes that good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results and that bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results. He continues by writing that the circumstances which a man encounters with suffering are the result of his own mental disharmony and that the circumstances which a man encounters with blessedness, are the result of his own mental harmony. Furthermore, he writes that one’s thoughts cannot be kept secret, because they rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance. A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances.

• Effect of Thought on Health and the Body
  In this chapter, James Allen writes that disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body. Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in health, vigor, and grace. Men will continue to have impure and poisoned blood, so long as they continue to think unclean thoughts. “Change of diet will not help a man who will not change his thoughts,” he writes. When a man makes his thoughts pure, he no longer desires impure food.

• Thought and Purpose
  In this chapter, James Allen argues that until thought is linked with purpose, there is no intelligent accomplishment. Once a man has conceived of a legitimate purpose in his life, he should then mentally mark out a straight pathway to its achievement, looking neither to the right nor the left. “Doubts and fears should be rigorously excluded,” he writes, “they are disintegrating elements, which break up the straight line of effort, rendering it crooked, ineffectual, useless.” He concludes the chapter by stating that thought tied ceaselessly to purpose becomes creative force and that he who knows this is ready to become something higher and stronger than a mere bundle of wavering thoughts and fluctuating sensations.

• The Thought-Factor in Achievement
  In this chapter, Jim Allen writes that all that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts. A man can only rise, conquer, and achieve by lifting up his thoughts. Before a man can achieve anything, even in worldly things, he must lift his thoughts above slavish animal indulgence. By the aid of self-control, resolution, purity, righteousness, and well-directed thought, a man ascends and achieves success.

• Visions and Ideals
  In this chapter, James Allen writes that the dreamers are the saviors of the world. He writes that if you dream lofty dreams, so shall you become. “Cherish your visions” he writes, “cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all, heavenly environment; of these, if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built.” He ends by stating that gifts, powers, material, money, intellectual, and spiritual possessions are the fruits—or results—of effort; they are thoughts completed, objects accomplished, visions and dreams realized.

• Serenity
  In his final chapter, James Allen writes that the calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. He states that the strong, calm, man is always loved and revered. He concludes by imparting these timeless words of wisdom “self-control is strength; right thought is mastery; calmness is power.”

See the link above to read the book itself. It is a short read and well worth it.

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