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O Caminho Secreto da Alma
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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About the author
James Allen
2,011 books1,233 followersThe James Allen Free Library
Allen was 15 when his father, a businessman, was robbed and murdered. He left school to work full-time in several British manufacturing firms to help support the family. He later married Lily L. Allen and became an executive secretary for a large company. At age 38, inspired by the writings of Leo Tolstoy, he retired from employment. Allen — along with his wife and their daughter, Nohra — moved to a small cottage in Ilfracombe, Devon, England to pursue a simple life of contemplation. There he wrote for nine years, producing 19 works. He also edited and published a magazine, "The Light of Reason".
Allen's books illustrate the use of the power of thought to increase personal capabilities. Although he never achieved great fame or wealth, his works continue to influence people around the world, including the New Thought movement.
Allen's most famous book, As a Man Thinketh, was published in 1902. It is now considered a classic self-help book. Its underlying premise is that noble thoughts make a noble person, while lowly thoughts make a miserable person.
Following his death in 1912, his wife continued publishing the magazine under the name, "The Epoch".
Allen was 15 when his father, a businessman, was robbed and murdered. He left school to work full-time in several British manufacturing firms to help support the family. He later married Lily L. Allen and became an executive secretary for a large company. At age 38, inspired by the writings of Leo Tolstoy, he retired from employment. Allen — along with his wife and their daughter, Nohra — moved to a small cottage in Ilfracombe, Devon, England to pursue a simple life of contemplation. There he wrote for nine years, producing 19 works. He also edited and published a magazine, "The Light of Reason".
Allen's books illustrate the use of the power of thought to increase personal capabilities. Although he never achieved great fame or wealth, his works continue to influence people around the world, including the New Thought movement.
Allen's most famous book, As a Man Thinketh, was published in 1902. It is now considered a classic self-help book. Its underlying premise is that noble thoughts make a noble person, while lowly thoughts make a miserable person.
Following his death in 1912, his wife continued publishing the magazine under the name, "The Epoch".
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 12, 2019
I will put some significant quotes in here.
1. It is not scarcity that produces competition, it is abundance; so that the richer and more luxurious a nation becomes, the keener and fiercer becomes the competition for securing the necessaries and luxuries of life.
2. The strife of the world in all its forms, whether it be war, social or political quarrelling, sectarian hatred, private disputes or commercial competition, has its origin in one common cause, namely, individual selfishness.
3. The essential things in life are the enduring elements in character - integrity, faith, righteousness, self-sacrifice, compassion, love; and out of these all good things proceed.
4. On his way to that goal, he must pass through 3 Gateways of Surrender. The first is the Surrender of Desire; the second is the Surrender of Opinion; the third is the Surrender of Self.
5. The man here rises above the competitive laws as they operate in the thought world, so that their results, which are violence, ignominy, grief, humiliation and distress and anxiety in all their forms, no longer occur in his life.
6. They (ones striving to be perfect) demand no rights; they do not defend themselves; do not retaliate; do good to those who attempt to injure them; manifest the same gentle spirit toward those who oppose and attack them as toward those who agree with them; do not pass judgment on others; condemn no person and no system and live at peace with all.
7. Virtue consists in fighting sin day after day; but holiness consists in leaving sin, unnoticed and ignored to die by the wayside.
8. He who will not give up his secret lust, his covetousness, his anger, his opinion about this or that, can see nor know nothing; he will remain a dullard in the school of Wisdom, though he be accounted learned in the colleges.
9. A man should be superior to his possessions, his body, his circumstances and surroundings, and the opinions of others, and their attitude towards him. Until he is this, he is not strong and steadfast. He should also rise superior to his own desires and opinions; and until he is this, he is not wise.
10. Meekness does not consist merely in non-resistance in action; it consists in non-resistance I thought, in ceasing to hold or to have any selfish, condemnatory, or retaliatory thoughts. The meek man, therefore, cannot "take offence" or have his "feelings hurt". living above hatred, folly, and vanity. Meekness can never fail.
11. The righteous man, performing all his duties with scrupulous diligence, and living above sin, is invulnerable at every point. He who has slain the inward enemies of virtue can never be brought low by any outward enemy; neither does he need to seek any protection against them, righteousness being an all-sufficient protection.
12. He who has destroyed, in himself, all thoughts of harm, and all desire to harm, receives the universal protection, and knows himself to be invincible.
13. If thou would reach the highest, ceaselessly cultivate a living and compassionate heart.
14.
1. It is not scarcity that produces competition, it is abundance; so that the richer and more luxurious a nation becomes, the keener and fiercer becomes the competition for securing the necessaries and luxuries of life.
2. The strife of the world in all its forms, whether it be war, social or political quarrelling, sectarian hatred, private disputes or commercial competition, has its origin in one common cause, namely, individual selfishness.
3. The essential things in life are the enduring elements in character - integrity, faith, righteousness, self-sacrifice, compassion, love; and out of these all good things proceed.
4. On his way to that goal, he must pass through 3 Gateways of Surrender. The first is the Surrender of Desire; the second is the Surrender of Opinion; the third is the Surrender of Self.
5. The man here rises above the competitive laws as they operate in the thought world, so that their results, which are violence, ignominy, grief, humiliation and distress and anxiety in all their forms, no longer occur in his life.
6. They (ones striving to be perfect) demand no rights; they do not defend themselves; do not retaliate; do good to those who attempt to injure them; manifest the same gentle spirit toward those who oppose and attack them as toward those who agree with them; do not pass judgment on others; condemn no person and no system and live at peace with all.
7. Virtue consists in fighting sin day after day; but holiness consists in leaving sin, unnoticed and ignored to die by the wayside.
8. He who will not give up his secret lust, his covetousness, his anger, his opinion about this or that, can see nor know nothing; he will remain a dullard in the school of Wisdom, though he be accounted learned in the colleges.
9. A man should be superior to his possessions, his body, his circumstances and surroundings, and the opinions of others, and their attitude towards him. Until he is this, he is not strong and steadfast. He should also rise superior to his own desires and opinions; and until he is this, he is not wise.
10. Meekness does not consist merely in non-resistance in action; it consists in non-resistance I thought, in ceasing to hold or to have any selfish, condemnatory, or retaliatory thoughts. The meek man, therefore, cannot "take offence" or have his "feelings hurt". living above hatred, folly, and vanity. Meekness can never fail.
11. The righteous man, performing all his duties with scrupulous diligence, and living above sin, is invulnerable at every point. He who has slain the inward enemies of virtue can never be brought low by any outward enemy; neither does he need to seek any protection against them, righteousness being an all-sufficient protection.
12. He who has destroyed, in himself, all thoughts of harm, and all desire to harm, receives the universal protection, and knows himself to be invincible.
13. If thou would reach the highest, ceaselessly cultivate a living and compassionate heart.
14.
June 4, 2019
The Christian preaching is visible but he speaks to the heart, so it's rather nice
July 11, 2015
when ever we read james allen book, we will feel the energy flowing through the mind. yet another great book. great author.
February 21, 2021
ਕੇਤਿਆ ਦੂਖ ਭੂਖ ਸਦ ਮਾਰ ॥ਏਹਿ ਭਿ ਦਾਤਿ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਾਤਾਰ ॥
James Allan perspicuously explained that it is by virtue of this Law that Humanity suffers, that, by the intensity of its sufferings, it shall become purified and wise, and so relinquish the source of suffering, which is selfishness. To the wise all occurrences are good, and, having no eye for evil, they grow wiser everyday. They utilize all things, and thus put all things under their feet. They see all their mistakes as soon as made, and accept them as lessons of intrinsic value, knowing that are no mistakes in the Divine Order. They thus rapidly approach the Divine Perfection.
ਮਨੁ ਅਸਾਧੁ ਸਾਧੈ ਜਨੁ ਕੋਇ ॥
Nonetheless, James perfectly summed up that he is like the man who has climbed a mountain, and thereby risen above all the disturbing currents in the valleys below him. The clouds pour down their rain, the thunders roll and the lightnings flash, the fogs obscure, and the hurricanes uproot and destroy, but they cannot reach him on the calm heights where he stands, and where he dwells in continual sunshine and peace.
James Allan perspicuously explained that it is by virtue of this Law that Humanity suffers, that, by the intensity of its sufferings, it shall become purified and wise, and so relinquish the source of suffering, which is selfishness. To the wise all occurrences are good, and, having no eye for evil, they grow wiser everyday. They utilize all things, and thus put all things under their feet. They see all their mistakes as soon as made, and accept them as lessons of intrinsic value, knowing that are no mistakes in the Divine Order. They thus rapidly approach the Divine Perfection.
ਮਨੁ ਅਸਾਧੁ ਸਾਧੈ ਜਨੁ ਕੋਇ ॥
Nonetheless, James perfectly summed up that he is like the man who has climbed a mountain, and thereby risen above all the disturbing currents in the valleys below him. The clouds pour down their rain, the thunders roll and the lightnings flash, the fogs obscure, and the hurricanes uproot and destroy, but they cannot reach him on the calm heights where he stands, and where he dwells in continual sunshine and peace.
December 22, 2025
“All These Things Added” has always been a controversial book with a controversial author—I will have a controversial opinion. On the whole, the book is good and true. If you take small statements out of context, it becomes untrue and harmful. The book is like Scripture in that way, but the reader is terribly mislead if they take this book as Scripture, which I know many have done and will continue to do. It is an imperfect man’s exceptional understanding of the road to perfection and its benefits (of course, his understanding is very imperfect).
I loved the book, even though it was difficult and convicting with its constant absolutes and use of absolute words in excess, like “deification,” “perfect,” and “universal.” He speaks in terms that are true with clarification, and refuses to give the clarification for a long time. He seems to think he’s a poet, and he is not. He is an okay philosopher who talks like a terrible poet.
I loved the book, even though it was difficult and convicting with its constant absolutes and use of absolute words in excess, like “deification,” “perfect,” and “universal.” He speaks in terms that are true with clarification, and refuses to give the clarification for a long time. He seems to think he’s a poet, and he is not. He is an okay philosopher who talks like a terrible poet.
May 18, 2025
James Allen is one of my favorite authors. I can open any book of his on any page, and the first thing I read will always be something poetically profound. Not only does he have a unique writing style that flows so beautifully, it is also easy to understand and quite straightforward. For anyone facing hardships, whether you're spiritual or religious or neither of those things, there is no denying the truth of these teachings. Deeply insightful & unlike any other author I've read. He uses symbolic analogies and doesn't add any unnecessary fluff or ramblings. It is truly to the point. Also, he was very handsome. Sad I missed the boat on that one. RIP Mr Allen, maybe in the next life.
January 7, 2024
All These Things Added is a thought-provoking and insightful book that offers valuable wisdom on personal development and the power of positive thinking. James Allen's writing style is engaging and the concepts presented are both timeless and practical. This book provides a refreshing perspective on achieving success and finding inner peace. A highly recommended read for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance on their journey towards self-improvement.
October 16, 2018
Very power book, perfect. A book with meaning. I'd love to read all James allen’s works.
This book isn't for everybody.
I'm going to give it a second read since, there are some loose concepts I couldn't catch; You might have to as well.
It might seems short but it is not. We have many things to learn from this book and James A.
This book isn't for everybody.
I'm going to give it a second read since, there are some loose concepts I couldn't catch; You might have to as well.
It might seems short but it is not. We have many things to learn from this book and James A.
October 28, 2021
Fantastic! I have read three James Allen books this year, each were phenomenal. He has great insights. He and I may be off a little in some core doctrines, but overall he really nails a lot of biblical concepts with amazing biblical insights. Top notch!!
December 31, 2023
Father of Personal Development
I enjoy reading James Allen because most, if not all, personal development content is based on the foundational elements of his works.
I enjoy reading James Allen because most, if not all, personal development content is based on the foundational elements of his works.
February 25, 2024
affirmations
I like reading James Allen every morning with coffee to start the day.
Usually a chapter a day.
It’s like affirmations.
I like reading James Allen every morning with coffee to start the day.
Usually a chapter a day.
It’s like affirmations.
April 27, 2025
Gostei do livro, tem reflexões interessantes, contudo é bastante virado para a religião. Aprecio mais quando os livros deste estilo exploram mais a parte espiritual.
February 15, 2012
James Allen truly impresses me with the depth of his writing and understanding of spirituality. He writes from a Christian perspective but unlike other Christian writers I have seen, Allen is not pushing scripture as a basis for belief and to change your ways. His writings take a profound look at humanity and makes the argument that the path to Heaven on Earth is through path given by Jesus.
June 4, 2011
I love reading James Allen, the energy and passion in his prose is unmistakable. He mixes a Buddhist-leaning content with fiery yet elegant rhetoric sprinkled with 19th century Christian metaphors.
June 23, 2016
Itsprettyshortbutitsreallygood
JAMES ALLEN for president
JAMES ALLEN for president
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews