James Allen - As You Think

by
J AMES A LLEN

Edited and with an Introduction

by
M ARC A LLEN

New World Library
Novato, California

New World Library
14 Pamaron Way
Novato, CA 94949

This edited version 1998 Marc Allen
Original version, As a Man Thinketh, 1904 James Allen

Cover design: Big Fish
Cover illustration: Greg Spalenka
Text design and typesetting: Aaron Kenedi

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other, without written permission from the publisher.

[ Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data ]

First printing, May 1998
ISBN 1-57731-074-8
Printed in the U.S.A. on acid-free paper
Distributed to the trade by Publishers Group West

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

by
Marc Allen

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it

Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.

G OETHE

T here is genius, power, and magic in this book. As You Think has proven to be one of the worlds most enduring and best self-help books, in the best sense of the term. Selfempowerment is a better term or selfactualization. This little book shows us that we are capable of greatness, and gives us the tools to achieve it.

The truth can always be stated simply. And when it is stated, it can have a powerful effect. It can change our lives, in fact. The truth can literally make us free free from the limitations we have imposed upon ourselves. James Allen shows us so clearly that the key to our personal power is in our minds, and he shows us how to use that key to unlock the greatest success and fulfillment we can imagine.

I discovered As You Think about twenty years ago, and it has been my constant companion ever since. It is the single most powerful book I have ever read, and it has changed my life. I have read it dozens of times; I often pick it up and open it at random when I feel a need for inspiration. As the simple yet brilliant words of James Allen have seeped slowly into my subconscious, my life has steadily changed for the better. I no longer do the things I dont want to do in life; I spend my time doing what I love. I have discovered my vocation, mission, and purpose in life. I have dreamed of my success and fulfillment and I have realized my dreams.

The words of James Allen (who is no relation to me, incidentally) have been a powerful guiding force in my life, and I am grateful to be able to share them with you.

I have edited the book only slightly, changing words here and there that have become obsolete or have come to mean something different. The original title is As a Man Thinketh. Of course, the author meant women as well as men for the principles he points out to us so clearly are universal, applying to everyone regardless of sex, age, race, beliefs, social standing, or education.

I dont know if James Allen was aware of Buddhist tradition or not though by the content of his thinking, it is very possible he had studied Eastern as well as Western wisdom. Buddha taught 2500 years ago that there are eight great paths to liberation and serenity, to as James Allen puts it on page 76 a spiritual world of stainless beauty and perfect peace. The paths are right understanding, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right aspiration, right mindfulness, and right meditation. As You Think is a brilliant summary of the path of right thinking, and certainly touches on several of the other paths as well.

Of course, it is certainly possible that James Allen came to his great level of understanding entirely through the Western traditions and through his own meditation. Very little is known about him; as far as I know, no one knows the sources of his tremendous insight and guidance.

The book opens with a short poem, Mind is the master power that molds and makes. In Tibetan Buddhism, books always open with a short poem, and the tradition is if you can understand the poem, you dont need to read the book, because the poem contains all the wisdom within the book. It is true as well with As You Think: Understand the opening poem, and you have grasped the essence of the book and found the key to fulfillment, a key that can unlock your genius, power, and magic.

Enjoy the gift James Allen has given us. In a small package, he has wrapped a timeless, immeasurable treasure.

M ARC A LLEN
N OVATO , C ALIFORNIA

Mind is the master power that molds and makes,

And we are Mind, and evermore we take

The tool of thought, and shaping what we will,

Bring forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills.

We think in secret, and it comes to pass

Our world is but our looking glass.

J AMES A LLEN

T his little volume the result of meditation and experience is not intended as an exhaustive treatise on the much-written-upon subject of the power of thought. It is suggestive rather than explanatory, its object being to stimulate men and women to the discovery and perception of the truth that they themselves are makers of themselves by virtue of the thoughts they choose and encourage; that mind is the master weaver, both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of their circumstances; and that, as they may have previously woven in ignorance and pain they may now weave in enlightenment and happiness.

J AMES A LLEN
I LFRACOMBE , E NGLAND

Thought
&
Character

As a being of power, intelligence, and love... you hold the key to every situation, and contain within yourself that transforming and regenerative agency by which you may make yourself what you will.

T he aphorism, As we think in our hearts so are we, not only embraces the whole of our being, but it is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of our lives. We are literally