New Thought - Theosophy.Net2024-03-29T05:41:48Zhttps://theosophy.net/forum/topics/new-thought?commentId=3055387%3AComment%3A113744&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noDavid, I'm fairly familiar wi…tag:theosophy.net,2012-07-31:3055387:Comment:1137442012-07-31T17:31:49.156ZMichael A. Williamshttps://theosophy.net/profile/MichaelAWilliams
<p>David, I'm fairly familiar with "New Thought." Here's the Wikipedia entry on it that is an excellent overview.</p>
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<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Thought" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Thought</a></p>
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<p>One thing they miss, though, is the deep Hermetic roots of New Thought, it's not just a branch of esoteric Christianity. New Thought is not just some "religious movement" with dogmas and rituals that have to learned and then…</p>
<p>David, I'm fairly familiar with "New Thought." Here's the Wikipedia entry on it that is an excellent overview.</p>
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<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Thought" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Thought</a></p>
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<p>One thing they miss, though, is the deep Hermetic roots of New Thought, it's not just a branch of esoteric Christianity. New Thought is not just some "religious movement" with dogmas and rituals that have to learned and then repeated like a parrot. Joining a New Thought church or organization is not required, one can be a lone operator or a member of a small private group. It all depends on one's personal temperament. It has to become a "Living Reality" in one's daily life, not just another metaphysical system to be intellectually understood and left at that.</p>
<p>Those of an Eastern philosophical bent might relate to New Thought author James Allen, who wrote several classics in the early 1900's. Mr. Allen was an American Buddhist and took certain aspects of Buddhism and applied them to the more outward life engaging lifestyle of the West for a more happy and successful life. His most famous book is "As A Man Thinketh,"</p>
<p>The chief principles are namely, as in Hermeticsm, that each Individual is "a center of divine operation in an infinite universe"; that human consciousness interfaces with the physical realm; and that ultimately each Individual is responsible for his or her own spiritual evolution.</p>
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<p>In response the Jaacko Alhola's preliminary comments, they are very mistaken. They show a superficial and distorted understanding of New Thought and what has become the "Self Help" movement. Other terms that are being used as of late are the "The New Spirituality," "The New Consciousness," and "Evolutionary Spirituality."</p>
<p>Love, compassion and being of service to others, helping the poor and needy and giving to worthy charities are very much emphasized today. Mr. Alhola has obviously not involved himself in any depth in the movement. But, we cannot live other people's lives or be responsible for their happiness. Our real help is in assisting others to realize their own responsibilities and pointing to tools that can they can use in that endeavor.</p>
<p>In all my studies, I've never heard anyone call the "Kybalion," harmful, it's a classic in its field. As for "The Secret," it's not perfect, but has good information and is a Starting Point for further study and work, not an Ending Point.</p>
<p>The notion that we must be miserable and poor to be spiritual and help others is not only out of date old school, but utter nonsense. How can anyone who is depressed and with feelings of need and lack be of help to anyone? </p>
<p>By being joyful, balanced, prosperous, kind and giving in our personal lives, we are in a much better position to be of assistance to others when the occasion arises and also contribute to the collective good.</p>
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