William James, Philosopher, Psychologist, New Thought Author, New York, 1842 - 1910 William James has been called the father of American Psychology, which is the science that deals with mental processes and behavior, the study of the mind and what influences it. It is written that he was possibly the first American to offer courses in psychology, which in those days was alone what qualified him to call himself a psychologist. The son of a theologian, he had had a wealthy upbringing, was widely travelled during that time, had an excellent education and became a qualified medical doctor, but never practised medicine, preferring rather to read extensively and write about his studies in psychology, philosophy, religion in its various forms, no doubt influenced by his father, and spirituality and mysticism. In his youth James had bouts of depression, which aroused his enduring interest in the science of the mind and why it is that we can think one way and feel another. Some of his writings were already published when he was in his twenties, even before he had completed his studies. Theosophical Society William James did not relate to the Christian religion and joined the Theosophical Society in 1882, at the age of forty, at which point he was married and had already fathered two of his five children, though it seems some of his ideas and teachings deviated from theosophy as he progressed in years. Theosophy is a religious movement that was established in the United States in the late nineteenth century, founded by the Russian, Helena Blavatsky, and predominantly based on her writings. Influenced by the thinking of Hinduism, Buddhism and Neoplatonism, theosophists believe that all of existence is but a single thing - the universe, while it can be divided into many things, only one kind of matter exists and everything is created from it. Theosophists maintain that there are skilled and gifted individuals, who can cultivate great wisdom and supernatural powers, and follows these people. James wrote prolifically on those same topics, spirituality, mysticism and the mind, which he had read and studied and was also in contact with many other notable authors during the course of his life, thus building himself quite a reputation in his fields of interest, becoming the professor of philosophy and psychology in the employ of the reputable Harvard University. James was one of the founders of the 'pragmatist' school of philosophy, which declares that what is true should be measurable by its consequences and he himself propounded that no particular religions are the foundation to morality or meaning, but spirituality itself. It is easy to get lost in psychology and philosophy because there are so many schools of thought, setting out in great detail the minutiae of their dynamics, and even groups of people who say they adhere to one particular idea seem to vary in their definitions of it. I find it less important what thoughts are labelled, or how, but thinkers tend to group themselves and name their theories in order to propound the credibility and popularity of their thoughts with a sense of having a larger number of supporters. In all ages of men there have been people who thought in an alternative way, who did not get pushed along with the mainstream ideas that were put forth to the people by those who had the power to be heard and to influence. There is such a thing as too much thought, after all the mind is the great gift of humankind, but also our great affliction. If we would only feel and enjoy our present moments rather than analyse them, if we could label and categorise fewer thoughts, so that there might be less separation of opinion, and look rather more for what we have in common. As Krishnamurti said, those who highlight their differences of thought, whether intentional or not, breed violence and disagreement. Believe and your belief will create the fact Nevertheless, James uncovered the important knowledge that joins rather than separates us, that whatever one's religion is, if you believe in your prayer it will be answered. If you believe in your truth it will be shown as truth to you. If you believe in a higher power that power will be shown to you, if you reach for your dreams they will become reality to you. James was a man who travelled widely and took part in many forms of spiritual experience and mysticism to advance his studies and writing, and wherever he looked he found people who were able to prove their own truth. This is because of the power of faith and expectation, because there is a profound law in this universe that many have yet to experience, that not one particular God or belief creates a fact or a truth, but the mind of the person doing the believing. The power is within the soul of humankind itself, not outside of us. Even one who believes in nothing at all, can create a reality by believing in it. Go to the free Books page to find a couple of William James' books