The Heart of the New Thought

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

"When you start in the "New Thought" do not expect sudden illumination. Do not imagine that you are to become perfectly well, perfectly cheerful, successful, and a healer, in a few days. Remember all growth is slow. Mushrooms spring up in a night, but oaks grow with deliberation and endure for centuries. Mental and spiritual power must be gained by degrees." -Ella Wheeler Wilcox "One of the greatest literary success in the New Thought world." -Publishers Weekly "Mrs. Wilcox is a lovely writer and holds the interest of her readers to the last. Persons who wish a clear, concise primary treatise on the New Thought would do well to get a copy of this work." - A Monthly Magazine of Christian Metaphysics "It gives good, healthy, and practical advice on thirty and more subjects, many of vital importance, which are treated with full knowledge and precision; and, furthermore, it may be added that there is not an iota of pessimism in it from beginning to end, and that is more that can be said of many present-day psychical works." -The Publishers' Circular and Booksellers' Record "The author gives in the simple, practical style which has marked her writings in the newspaper, many practical, helpful suggestions toward a poised life. It is an everyday philosophy that she writes about; an attitude of mind which shall enable one to rise above the petty trials of daily life and find only happiness in all around us. If her teachings could be lived in every home the nation would be stronger and better in every way." -American Motherhood Let the Past Go The Sowing of the Seed Old Clothes High Noon Obstacles Thought Force Opulence Eternity Morning Influences The Philosophy of Happiness A Worn Out Creed Common Sense Literature Optimism Preparation Dividends Royalty Heredity Invincibility Faces The Object of Life Wisdom Self-Conquest The Important Trifles Concentration Destiny Sympathy The Breath Generosity Woman's Opportunity Balance

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction

94 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 1942

About the author

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was an American author and poet.

Her best-known work was "Poems of Passion". Her most enduring work was the poem "Solitude", which contains the lines:

"Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone".

Her autobiography, "The Worlds and I", was published in 1918, a year before her death.

Reviews

[Teressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the Audible version of this book read and by Karen Commins.

"Heart of the New Thought Lacks Heart"

I'm on the fence with "The Heart of the New Thought." The audiobook didn't feel like it had much heart in it. The physical book was written over 100 years ago by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, perhaps loosely based on the 'New Thought movement' which was of the belief system that illness originates in the mind, and through God one could overcome any illness since illness was derived from erroneous beliefs. This very closely sounds like Christian Science. I found there were a few pearls of wisdom (very few) within this audiobook but the way in which they were put across sounded negative.

Karen Commins narrative of this book was mostly monotone. I would have liked it much better if it had been more upbeat and positive.

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

[Malola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I thought it would be...

EWW doesn't give any true foundation (read: ontology and epistemology) for her philosophy (which by default I find annoying); however overall the book was nice. (It actually reminded me somewhat of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations with the assertions she makes.)

The meditation part (breathing exercises, habits of mind, power of thought) stroke a chord.
I reject the appeals to a god/higher power, but still it's worth reading.