Book Review: As A Man Thinketh

Introduction

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen is a short and powerful read. The central theme of the book revolves around how our thoughts shape our reality.

Allen argues that we are not doomed to live the life we currently have — that we possess the power to change it through the quality of our thoughts. Positive thoughts lead to constructive actions and negative thoughts lead us to destructive actions.

He emphasizes that we are our own makers and masters, creators of our destiny through the thoughts we choose to cultivate. We are made and unmade by ourselves. As the creators of our thoughts, we build the lens through which we view and experience our lives.

Our Thoughts Mold Our Character

We are what we think we are.

If our mind has evil thoughts then we will always suffer from pain. On the contrary, if our mind is full of pure thoughts, joy will follow. Our thoughts can be viewed as weapons by which we can either build ourselves up or tear ourselves down.

Thoughts are cultivated long before actions occur. Crime for example, is the result of bad thoughts being fed into the mind continuously which produces the negative behavior. The way we behave is a result of our thought patterns.

Our Thoughts Influence Our Perspective

Our thoughts shape our circumstances and the ability to overcome them. Each event in our life can be interpreted by the way we view that event internally. Good and bad thoughts are brought upon ourselves, by ourselves, not by others.

Therefore, if we are hurt by another person’s choice of words, it is because we ourselves have the thought of those words hurting us, not necessarily because the person has imposed hurt onto us.

What we think is what we see. A liar trusts no one. A crook thinks everyone is out to take from them. The way we see the world is a reflection of how we view the world in our own minds.

The Power Of Thought In Negative Situations

All of us are anxious to improve our circumstances but can be unwilling to improve ourselves. We do not attract what we want but what we are. Circumstances do not shape us but our thoughts or interpretations of them do. All which are derived from our own spheres of thought.

Allen tells a story of two brothers who lost all their fortune and responded to this in two different ways. One brother was filled with dread, misery, and a victim-like “why me?” mentality. While the other brother “clothed” the unfavorable circumstance with thoughts of strength, hope, and new opportunity. The same situation was able to produce two very different perspectives in the brothers, it is obvious to see which brother would bounce back from this unfortunate situation.

Tend To Your Mental Garden

We can view our thoughts as our own type of mental garden. Where we, the gardener, are in charge of cultivating what grows. We weed out ugly, useless, and destructive thoughts, and plant seeds of growth, purpose, and clarity.

We must guard the soil of our garden from weeds of evil, negativity, and fear. Allowing only for clean and pure thoughts to be planted. We must substitute weak thoughts with courageous ones. Swap fear with strength and worry with courage. The more we practice watering the positive uplifting thoughts in our head, the more we put that out into the world and receive back.

Thoughts On Our Health and Body

Our body is a servant to our mind. Our bodies obey the mind whether on purpose or automatically. Sick thoughts will express themselves through a sick body. We are superior to our bodies, and our bodies are what we make of them by the power of our thought. Our physical conditions are largely determined by our mental states.

I completely agree with this view from Allen and feel that the mind and body must work in unison together. A sharp body produces a sharp mind. Taking care of your health and body produces much more than phsyical strengh, it cultivates high-level qualities in your mind such as: discipline, routine, development, and much more. The building of one affects the other. By taking my fitness seriously, I personally have experienced it’s effect on my own mindset. What first started off as a vanity based goal transitioned into a journey of character development and practiced discipline.

Thoughts And Purpose

Thought is linked to purpose. Without purpose we are led on the direction of aimlessness. Vices and rotting stem from aimlessness or lack of a central purpose. I myself often succumb to this when I have too much “free-time” on my hands or just go through the motions in my life without some specific goal.

Purpose allows us to think straight and avoiding undesirable paths on our journey. Doubt and fear cloud our purpose, so we must believe in ourselves to overcome them. Purpose gives us a goal towards overcoming and conquering our doubts.

By directing thought towards positive behaviors, we have the ability to create them. We shouldn’t waste time on useless energy or gossip. Instead we could focus on a goal and be immune to outside noise that takes us away from this goal, locking in.

We will fail and fail again in order to accomplish our purpose, as we necessarily must until weakness is overcome. However, the strength of character gained through this failure will be the measure of our true success.

Vision and Manifestation

Our vision is the promise of what we shall one day be. We will receive that which we earn. The vision we glorify in our mind we will become.

Allen shares the story of a boy raised in poor conditions who envisioned a life of intelligence and development. He uses his spare time to cultivate his mind and discipline himself towards that vision. The boy ends up transforming his mind where his environment can no longer hold him back. His thoughts elevated him beyond his circumstances.

With a strong belief and actions to support our vision, we have the ability to manifest our reality. This reminds me of the delusional confidence often needed in order to achieve great things. Often times people are seen as crazy until their methods actually produce meaningful results. I believe there is huge power in vision manifestation, having a belief in yourself that is so strong that you end up making your dream into a reality.

The Lessons of Evil

“People remain in evil, it fails to leave them because they are not willing or prepared to learn the lesson that it came to teach them. Evil directly stems from ignorance, so when lessons are learned from evil, ignorance passes and wisdom is gained. If we refuse to learn the lessons we remain in continual darkness, and to suffer continuously from its punishments.”

This message resonates with me because it reminds me of the countless battles I’ve had with sobriety. By continuing a negative cycle we continue to suffer and change nothing. Not until we are able to master the discipline required to overcome our evils can we be set free. Free from the self-imposed chains that we’ve given ourselves.

The Benefits Of Organizing Our Thoughts

Organizing our thoughts is essential to solving the problems in our lives. Allowing ourselves time for solitude, time to step back from our problems and figure out their solutions. If we order our thoughts then we will order our life.

The Secret To Happiness

Allen states that happiness is that inward state of perfect satisfaction which is joy and peace, where all desire is eliminated. Saying that desire stems from being selfish. That its not until we get rid of our selfish desires and become selfless that we achieve true happiness.

Two Masters: Self and Truth

Truth will set us free. It is selfless and giving. When we revolve around self, we live in pain and turmoil. Being so acceptable to wounds because our pride is hurt. He suggests being a follower of Truth. Not a slave to ego, lust, or pride, which all derive from self. Allen argues that being selfish leads to weakness because when the things we value are threatened or taken, we break.

Surrender the Self

Subdue the animal within you and conquer every selfish impulse. To be swayed by our fluctuating thoughts and impulses is to be weak and powerless. To control and direct these impulses is to be strong and powerful. We must create principles and stand on them and do everything with truth and honor, without selfishness.

Everything that is self-centered is weak and easily disturbed. Be brave and stand alone. Don’t worry about the opinions of others. Be a leader.

By the surrender of self, all difficulties are overcome. Again, he stretches his idea of letting go of self which reminds me a lot of Eckhart Tolle’s “get rid of your ego mentality”. Problems exist only in our own self-created illusions, and they dissapear when self is given up.

In my opinion, this is the hardest lesson in the book. I think some degree of self-interest is necessary to succeed. You have to want something badly enough to go after it. Although I agree that selflessness sounds great morally, I don’t believe pure selflessness leads to a full and happy life. Pursuing goals, even somewhat selfish ones, is a great source of happiness. Desires are essentially goals, and achieving goals can make us really happy.

Everyone On Their Own Path

We must realize that all people are striving toward truth in their own way. That no one is superior to another. Each of us is fighting our own battles, at our own time, in our own way. And each of us has the ability to escape whatever holds us captive at any given moment.

Conclusion

Just as physical development requires training, so does thinking positively. This book reinforces the idea that we have the ability to turn our dreams into reality through the power of thought.

Planting positive perspectives into our minds allows us to implement positive behaviors in our lives. Good inputs will produce good outputs.

Honestly, I’m starting to realize that most self development books speak on the same core topics, just delivered differently. And thats whats cool about it, philosophy can be interpreted in many ways, giving us new angles to helps us live better lives. In the end, whether we like it or not, the responsibility for our reality belongs to us. And from our thoughts, everything else follows.