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As a Man Thinketh (Annotated & Illustrated): The Original 1902 Edition. Your Mind is Like a Garden. Cultivate Positive Thoughts

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As a Man Thinketh is James Allen’s signature book, written in 1902 and published in 1903. It offers a powerful message reminding readers that we are ultimately responsible for our own life creations. The author compares the human mind to fertile soil and thoughts to the seeds we plant in it. In Allen’s “A man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must and will, bring forth.” This analogy reflects that there is a universal law operating in the universe, the law of cause and effect, which highlights that our reality is a reflection of our beliefs; whether conscious or unconscious. To live this life with a divine purpose, one must embody universal principles to become one with the Absolute.

This edition provides an insightful introduction to the writer’s life, casting light on what made Allen one of the pioneers of the modern self-help genre and what influenced him to write As a Man Thinketh. It highlights the psychological New Thought movement that was paramount in the author’s time. This edition

• The original 1902 edition of As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
A biography of James Allen that highlights the tragic events that shaped his character and examines the evolution of his thoughts that led to his life work
• Reviews important, psychological New Thought Movement of the 19th century
Modern commentary of key points of his book, using current language understood by everyone today
Reflections & Further Spiritual Developments is additional chapter, and it contemplates divine laws

The purpose of adding modern commentary is to uphold and heighten Allen’s influence on today’s truth seekers. The objective is to refresh the original writer’s directive for contemporary readers so that no information is lost or impaired by outdated language. The last chapter, contemplates the new self-help literature that came after As a Man Thinketh and explores ideas what it means to align ourselves with the divine laws.

The book offers timeless wisdom that is as relevant today as it was over a century ago, making it a valuable addition to readers’ personal development library. The beautifully designed book cover and well-crafted annotations added by Marianna Maliszewska will make this edition of the timeless classic As a Man Thinketh an essential addition to your e-book collection.

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 7, 2023

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James Allen

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Profile Image for Gerrick.
121 reviews
February 28, 2024
3.5/5.0 stars

“A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.”

When asked which books were the most inspirational to them, well-known self-help writers most frequently mention As a Man Thinketh. I was therefore intrigued, as someone who is fascinated by the marvels of the human mind. Written in 1902, James Allen's self-help classic is widely regarded as one of the first works of self-help literature. Marianna Maleszewska has added contemporary commentary and notes to this edition of the book. It enriches the original content by placing it in a historical and biographical context.

With over a hundred pages only, the book is a quick read with a simple yet profound message: positive thoughts attract positive things, while negative thoughts attract negative things. A person's well-being is influenced by their thoughts and thinking. It advises readers to use caution while selecting their thoughts because they have great power. Allen explained the connection between our thoughts and our character, health, and circumstances. It has parallels to a few well-known ideas and concepts, including the Law of Attraction and Stoicism.

Some may find parts of the language difficult to read, given that this book was written more than a century ago. And while I find the book interesting, there are generalizations made about several topics that I disagree with. Here are a few of them:

1. All disease is a result of negative thoughts
2. Suffering is always the effect of wrong thoughts
3. Victim blaming on the topic of slavery
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