James Allen’s “As a Man Thinketh”: A Timeless Classic

A proverb in the Bible says,

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

It describes you will become the thoughts you’re having in your brain. Thousands of thoughts come in our brain every day. But have you ever thought (again thought) that how they affect your life?

This classic, written by James Allen, talks about the power of our thoughts. This book was written in 1903, but still it holds the same place in reader’s heart after a century.

So let’s talk about why this book is a timeless classic. What does it tell about thoughts and how it is related to quality of our life.

Thought and Character

A person’s character is absolutely the sum of all his thoughts. It involves continuous administration of good thoughts in your brain to develop an admirable character.

A noble and Godlike character is not a thing of favour or chance, but it is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with Godlike thoughts.

You are the Master of Your Fate

Most of the times we blame our fate for all the miseries of our life. But is it right?

This book says no. You are the one who creates your destiny.

Man is always the master, even in his weaker and most abandoned state; but in his weakness and degradation he is the foolish master who misgoverns his “household”.

Seek and You shall find

Whatever you’ll seek, you’ll discover it. You merely need to identify yourself and dig into your soul.

Effect of thought on circumstances

This part narrates how our circumstances depend on the kind of thoughts we are having in our mind. The place you’re right now is where your thoughts and character have brought you.

Man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth.

Circumstances grow out of thoughts

Anyone who has mastered self-control and self-purification can understand that as they modify their mental condition, their circumstances also improve.

The outer world of circumstance shapes itself to the inner world of thought, and both pleasant and unpleasant external conditions are factors, which make for the ultimate good of the individual. As the reaper of his own his own harvest, man learns both by suffering and bliss.

Discover the hidden powers within

You don’t how much power you have until you discover yourself. Perform self analysis and check yourself what you need to alter thoughts in your mind to transform your life.

A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life.

Effect of thoughts on health and the body

Your thoughts not only affect your mental health but also your physical health. As for a healthy body, you consume good food; in the same way, you must have good thoughts for being healthy.

The body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed.

Thoughts and Purpose

A life without purpose is a life fully wasted. Our purpose is also linked with thoughts. Our purpose should remain the central point of our thoughts.

Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment.

Strength Grows with Purpose

The one who recognizes his/her true weakness and with their practice and efforts try to gain strength, will never stop developing.

Having conceived of his purpose, a man should mentally mark out a straight pathway to its achievement, looking neither to the right nor the left.

Eliminate Doubt and Fear

To succeed in life or just for living a satisfactory life, you must eliminate thoughts having doubts and fears.

Doubt and fear are the great enemy of knowledge, and he who encourages them, who does not slay them, thwarts himself at every step.

The Thought-factor in Achievement

Whether you fail or you succeed, it completely depends on your thoughts. Your thoughts are one of the substantial factors in your achievement.

A man can only rise, conquer, and achieve by lifting up his thoughts. He can only remain weak, and abject, and miserable by refusing to lift up his thoughts.

There is no progress without sacrifice

We want to achieve so many goals in our life, but we often forget we need to sacrifice some other things for that. You can’t give up something completely, but you should try to sacrificing in some portion.

Before a man can achieve anything, even in worldly things, he must lift his thoughts above slavish (extreme self-indulgence) animal indulgence.

Visions and Ideals

The dreamers are the saviours of the world.

The credits for the beauty of this world go to the one who dreams. It is because of their vision; they have made it a beautiful place. Visions and ideals come from the thoughts.

Columbus, Copernicus, Buddha – they all possessed a vision and they converted their vision into reality. That’s why we all know them.

You must cherish the vision and ideals you’re having and the voice you’re having in your mind.

There is no such things as Luck

This is my most favorite part of the book. We often say we have such a bad luck, or that person is got to be lucky. But do you really think it’s about luck? No. Not at all. Their success is the result of their efforts, vision and ideals.

Serenity

Serenity or calmness mind is what we all desire for. While running for materialistic things, serenity or calmness gets lost. A person whose thoughts have been evolved can understand himself and become peaceful.

Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control.

Contentment is an Art

We humans suffer this problem to never be content with anything. We desire everything more and more. Contentment is an art which cannot be excel by everyone. You need constant practice and control of your thoughts.