As A Man Thinketh Book Review – James Allen

Book – As A Man Thinketh (Review)

Author – James Allen

Genre – Classic Self-help Book

Published in – 1903

As a Man Thinketh, so is he; written based on Biblical verse (Prov. 23: 7) “As a Man Thinketh in his heart, so is he as an essay of merely 68 pages and yet has become highly popular and recommended the Book by most of the self – help authors.

The Book was published in 1903 over 100 years ago and is as relevant today as it was initially. The Book captures the power of thought well.

About the Author –

James Allen was a British writer. He worked several jobs before devoting himself to writing in 1902, after publishing his first Book in 1901, From Poverty to Power. He wrote over 18 books after that, though he is widely known for his Book As a Man Thinketh.

All his works were developed from his strong belief in the Bible’s teachings and Asian religions. He urges readers to read his career with an open mind and reflect on it before accepting or rejecting the ideas.

About the Book –

The author claims and goes on to explain that all we are is the result of what we have thought. Hence, each one of us has the power to form our character and create our happiness.

A Few Points That Stand Out in the Book –

1) Thought and Character –

• As plants spring from seeds, so do all our actions spring from our sources of thoughts and couldn’t have appeared without them.

• Action is the blossom of thought, and joy and sorrow are its fruits; thus, we garner in our thoughts’ sweet and bitter harvest. So if we have evil thoughts, we will suffer pain; if we have pure ideas, joy will follow.

2) Effect of Thought on Circumstances –

• Think of our mind as a garden; whether we sow desired seeds or let it run wild, it will bring forth its own.

• We cannot directly choose our circumstances, but we choose our thoughts indirectly yet shape our events.

• We don’t attract what we want, but what we are. Our wishes and prayers materialize only when they harmonize with our thoughts and actions.

• All of us are anxious to improve our circumstances but not willing to improve ourselves.

3) Effects of Thoughts on Body and Health –

• A diet change will not help us if we do not change our thoughts. When thoughts are made pure, impure food is no longer desired.

4) Thought and Purpose –

• James encourages readers to connect thoughts with purpose, a goal towards which we can aim and work. The size of your drive will expand with accomplishments and achieving little milestones.

• Without purpose, we can easily get swapped into petty worries, fears, troubles, and self-pity, which leads to failure, unhappiness, and loss.

• To put away aimlessness weakness and to begin to think with purpose is to enter the rank of those strong ones who recognize failure only as one of the pathways to attainment, who make all conditions serve them, and who think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully.

5) The Thought Factor in Achievement –

• All that we achieve and fail to achieve is the direct result of our thoughts. Our weakness and strength, purity and impurity, are our own.

• Our suffering and our happiness evolved from within. As we think, so we are; as we continue to believe, so we remain.

• They who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; they who would achieve much must sacrifice much; they who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.

6) Visions and Ideals –

• Dream lofty dreams, and cherish our visions. All that we see, all the advancement in the world, was once and for a time a plan.

• Your circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not long remain so if you but perceive your dream and strive to reach it. You cannot travel within and stand still without.

7) Serenity –

• We become calm in the measure that we understand ourselves as thought-evolved beings.

• Calm people, having learned how to govern themselves, know how to adapt themselves to others, and they, in turn, reverence their spiritual strength.

The last Statements in the Book are thought-provoking –

In the ocean of life, the isles of blessedness are smiling, and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming. Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding Master; He does but sleeps; wake him. Self-control is strength. The right idea is mastery. Calmness is power. Say unto your heart, “Peace, be still!”

I have also created a video of a few quotes from the Book – I hope you like it. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel – Myread4change.

Conclusion –

This is one Book that everyone needs to read not only once but at least once a month. This could work as an anchor, and we need to return to it repeatedly as life challenges surround us.

This could give a different perspective on what matters and how to create a meaningful life.

Please share your thoughts in the comments.

I wish you a Peaceful Life.

Muzammil.