Thomas Troward - The Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science: And Other Essential Works

When I first attended a class on the teachings of Thomas Troward, I was not impressed. I was rather put off by the seeming complexity conveyed by his rigorously meticulous style of writing. But later, that changed dramatically for me, when as a ministerial student, I was assigned to write a brief synopsis of each chapter in The Edinburgh Lectures.

When given that assignment, I noticed how slim of a book The Edinburgh Lectures was and flippantly assumed I would sail through to its completion, with time to spare. Imagine my shock and chagrin when reading the first few lines of Trowards work, I felt totally clueless about what those words said.

I was determined to find a way. So I took one sentence at a time, even separating each into segments, and stated it in a variety of ways in my own words. Admittedly sometimes I was pretty flippant and amusing in my personal interpretations. But that process enabled me to, like a laser beam, find the essence of what those long sentences were really saying. After uncovering those nuggets, I could so appreciate all of the words Troward carefully used, for developing those nuggets into exquisitely crafted statements of truth and never-ending possibility.

As I carefully teased apart each sentence of Trowards writings, I was enthralled and delighted with the gems of logic, insight and wisdom I discovered. It was as though reading Troward for the very first time.

Because Trowards dated language and style reflects the time in which he wrote, it did initially trouble me, particularly his use of male pronouns and even referring to God as He. However, I found his writing to be reassuringly inclusive, and of course, in no way even hinting at sexism. I invite you to look beyond the language of his time, and delight in the essence of Trowards message, which is applicable universally and most importantly specifically to you and me right now.

Born of British parents, Thomas Troward lived from 1847 to 1916. Married twice, he fathered six children. He was a lawyer and subsequently assumed the position of Judge in the Indian Civil Service. His writings reflect his intensive studies of Yoga, Hebrew, ancient religions and New Thought, in search of a broad understanding of Truth. Although highly intellectual, it turns out that his first love was art, specifically painting. His humor and whimsy amused family and friends, who were often the unsuspecting recipients of his mischievous practical jokes. In these pages, even as you are exploring the seriousness and depth of Trowards wisdom. you will enjoy the light touches of his wit.

Most every New Thought teacher Ive studied reflects the influence of Troward, and, to me, his is the most pristine logic showing the way to the most infinitely exciting revelations. Filled with overwhelming delight, was the exclamation of Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science and author of The Science of Mind, when he discovered Trowards writings. His brother Fenwicke Holmes, also a noted metaphysical teacher, wrote, Ernest was most particular about the reasoning used to support spiritual ideas and felt that many writers were remiss in this. Once accepting the a priori existence of God as Wholeness, Goodness and Truth, he demanded clarity and sequential logic [leading] to a rational conclusion. Trowards writings provided this most eloquently.

Another enthusiastic fan was Professor William James, author of the seminal book The Varieties of Religious Experience, and is known as the father of modern psychology. James wrote that Trowards work is, Far and away the ablest statement of the philosophy I have met, beautiful in its sustained clearness of thought and style. A really classic statement.

As you journey through these pages, I trust that you will delight in the powerful Truths articulated by Troward, especially their impeccable relevance and practical application to your daily living. I have always demanded this of whatever Im studying, that it be applicable to my challenge du jour, whether in finances, relationships, health or just getting through my daily to-do list. Im happy to report that Trowards guidance has never disappointed.

Even better, do you have a seemingly impossible dream? Troward tells us, [we can] make practical working realities of possibilities which at present seem but fantastic dreams

Whatever your fantastic dream, Trowards guidance will show you the way. His exciting message is, you were created to live with joy and vitality, to express your unlimited potential. Your personal blueprint is in the desires of your heart. Your personal power source is through the vast resources of your mind.

Heres the best part. we need never fear the expansion of our own individuality.

He emphasizes, Never fear to be yourself. Yourself, and yet more yourself is what you want.

If you doubt your capacity for this expansiveness, you will be reassured by Trowards constant theme that there is far more to us than we think. We need never be afraid of forming too high an idea of human possibilities. There is no limit to the expansion which we may attain by the operation in us of this principle.

I used to be a self-help junkie because I was so enticed by each new self-help program. Perhaps you can relate. Each program hooks us with the promise that we can change our lives, provided we follow a particular routine, practice, or formula. These can be useful, but I wondered why they fell short, leaving me in search of yet another.

The brilliance of Troward is that his message is not only implicit in most self-help guides, but also takes us further, elevating our quest for self-improvement to the singular point from which our sought-after transformation originates and is endlessly sustainable. He calls this, First Cause. In these pages, you will definitely want to explore what First Cause means for you.

This collection of Trowards writings ranges from 1909 to 1917. In his 1909 The Edinburgh Lectures, he provides a foundation for all of his later works. In this and The Dor Lectures, his emphasis is on the correct use of our thought to manifest our individually desired qualities of life. His 1915 The Creative Process in the Individual brings an artistic and intuitive dimension to the practice of manifesting. Here we are invited to trust the vastness of infinite intelligence to provide awesome results which are far more perfect than any we could have figured out and orchestrated. The 1917 The Law and the Word reiterates all of these principles and possibilities from a Biblical perspective. Troward loved how the Bible proclaimed these same glorious promises and the clear path for everyone to experience them. Everyone! Dont be surprised when viewing this through Trowards lens, you experience as I did, a deeper appreciation for these practical messages in the Bible, and the loving, infinite yet ever-present nature of God by any name.

Here are some of Trowards main ideas, that you will encounter in this volume: