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As A Man Thinketh
As with just about every author I list in this section, James Allen states unequivocally that the mind is the complete master of your life. From the smallest circumstances that surround you, to your physical health, to your personal level of abundance, every detail of your life is determined solely by the thoughts you allow to flourish in your mind. Just about every point made in As A Man Thinketh over a hundred years ago perfectly mirrors the concept of Intention put forth by modern channeled authors, such as Seth and Abraham. This is a short piece of work and a quick read, so it is a perfect handbook to keep around for the occasional bit of inspiration.
There is plenty of reference to the central concept that if you envision something within your mind, keep your thoughts focused upon it, and do not allow fear and doubt to interfere with this vision, it will in due time surely manifest. Some might say that James Allen intended his words to apply more towards the creation of one's character rather than to the specific act of creating one's own reality. But as the author states in his foreward to As A Man Thinketh, "mind is the master weaver, both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance," so he cleary believed mind to be the shaper all things.
“A man is literally what he thinks.” – p. 11
“Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.” – p. 22
“Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.” – p. 23
“A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances.” – p. 36
“Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body; strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace.” – p. 39
“Thought is the fountain of action, life and manifestation; make the fountain pure, and all will be pure.” – p. 41
“A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts.” – p. 45
“As the physically weak man can make himself strong by careful and patient training, so the man of weak thoughts can make them strong by exercising himself in right thinking.” – p. 47
“He who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure.” – p. 48
“All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts.” – p. 50
“He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it.” – p. 58
“Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your Vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.” – p. 59
“The Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build your life by, this you will become.” – p. 64
Most of the quotes listed above from As A Man Thinketh serve as good reminders that when you are encountering circumstances that you do not like, you should attend to your thoughts to discover exactly what those circumstances are really pointing to within yourself. If you wonder what the dominant thoughts of your mind are, take a look at the events, circumstances, and people around you, and those thoughts shall be revealed.
Change your thoughts, and those events, circumstances, and people will change along with them. Hmmm, where have I heard that before?