Out from the Heart

by James Allen

James Allen, author of the bestselling As a Man Thinketh-one of the most popular writers in the fields of inspiration at the turn of the 20th century-devoted himself to helping others find inner peace and enlightenment. His prescriptions were often as practical as they were spiritual, empowering the individual by emphasizing personal responsibility. Out From the Heart continues that tradition, with essays on The Nature and Power of Mind, Formation of Habit, and Doing and Knowing, among others. Before starting down the path of truth and virtue, Allen cautions, see yourself as you are. Great discipline and patience will be required, but the result will be "the Life Beautiful." British author and pop philosopher JAMES ALLEN (1864-1912) retired from the business world to pursue a life of writing and contemplation. He authored many books about the power of thought including The Way of Peace, The Mastery of Destiny, and Entering the Kingdom.

Genres: Nonfiction, Personal Development, Philosophy, Audiobook, Spirituality, Self Help

60 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1996

About the author

The 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".

Reviews

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of Allen's shorter books but does contain good advice. For instance "From the State of a man's heart proceed the conditions of his life."
Life totally proceeds from the mind.
You can become, by practice, accomplished in goodness. It is entirely a matter of forming new habits of thought.
The book then tells you how to develop these habits.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that the autor foster the people to live moral and etical live, this is very good. Also he is emphasizing on building good habits which is amazing for the year of writing. I would recommend to the reader "The power of habit" which will be very good addition to this book. There are somethings which are not accurate explained because the science was not on that level as now. You can check Why the budhism is true by Robert Right where he explain simillar things but from the scientific point of view.

[Afonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

A escrita de James Allen surpreende-me a cada livro que leio. Os seus pensamentos partilhados em livros pela sua esposa após a sua morte são uma obra de solidariedade para com o leitor.
Neste livro, James, relembra-nos o caminho a percorrer para cada vez sermos mais conscientes dos nossos valores, atitudes e da verdadeira essência que é a vida.

[Sean Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless Wisdom

I find many of the same ideas throughout all personal development works, but this has some unexpected insights and connections that were interesting.

[Raihan Ferdous Bappy · Rating 4 out of 5]

আত্মউন্নয়নমূলক বইগুলা সব কেনো জানি একই রকম লাগে। তারপরেও আমার মনে হয়, মাঝেমাঝে এই ধরনের বই পড়া উচিত। নিজের ভুল, নিজের খারাপ দিকগুলা দেখা যায়। সেইটার উপর কাজ করতেও সাহায্য করে এই ধরনের বই।

'Out From The Heart' একটা পিচ্চি বই। এক বসাতেই আরামসে শেষ করতে পারবেন। ভালো অভ্যাস কি করে বানানো যায় আর খারাপ অভ্যাস কি করে ছাড়া যাবে এই নিয়েই মূলত বইটা। ভালো লেগেছে। বিশেষ করে কিছু কিছু কথা খুবই ভালো লেগেছে। একটু বেশিই ছোট হয়ে গেছে। এই যা! আরেকটু বড় করে আলোচনা করলে আরো ভালো হতো।

সবমিলিয়ে, পড়েন একবার। বৃথা সময় যাবে না।

[Waris Ahmad Faizi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uplifting!

A thought-provoking and inspirational book that delves into the exploration of personal growth and the power of the mind. Known for his philosophical and spiritual insights, Allen emphasizes the importance of inner transformation as the key to external change. The book, extending the themes of his earlier work "As a Man Thinketh," stresses the significance of thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs in shaping one's life and destiny.

Allen's writing style is clear and concise, making the book accessible to a wide audience. He uses simple yet powerful language to convey his ideas, making the book both an easy read and deeply impactful. The themes of self-awareness, mindfulness, and personal responsibility are woven throughout the book, encouraging readers to look inward for strength and guidance.

The book is relatively short, but it's packed with wisdom and insights that can be revisited time and again. Each chapter offers a reflection on different aspects of personal development, from controlling thoughts to cultivating positive habits and attitudes.

However, some readers might find the book's emphasis on self-reliance and the power of thought to be overly simplistic for complex life challenges. Also, those not inclined towards philosophical or introspective reads might find it less engaging.

Overall, "Out from the Heart" is a compelling read for those interested in personal development and the power of thought. It serves as a guide for introspection and self-improvement, offering timeless wisdom in a succinct and accessible format.

[Borgia Swaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read, the essence of the book is to illustrate that thoughts determine actions, i.e. decisions, habits and also quality of life. A few points stood out to me whilst reading the book which I have listed below.

Chapter 1
"As the heart so is the life, the within is ceaselessly becoming the without."

"From the state of a man's heart proceed the conditions of his life, his thoughts become blossoms into deeds"

Chapter 4
"Let a man realise that his life in its totality proceeds from his mind"

The author also goes through vices of the body to overcome and eradicate, and how to go about doing so. Achieving these in one's own power would be a tall order I would think.

First 10 steps and 3 lessons

1st lesson - Discipline of the body
2nd Lesson - Discipline of speech
3rd Lesson - Discipline of tendencies

1st Step - Idleness
2nd Step - Self indulgence or gluttony
3rd Step Slander
4th Step - Gossip
5th Step - Abusive and unkind speech
6th Step - Frivolity or unkind speech
7th Step - Critical Fault finding Speech
8th Step - Unselfish performance of duty
9th Step - Unswerving moral integrity
10th Step - Unlimited forgiveness

[Itinerant Singh]

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਖੋਟਿਅਹੁ ਖਰੇ ਕਰੇ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਵਾਰਣਹਾਰੁ ॥

As for the labor involved—does not the youth joyfully and patiently submit himself to a seven-years‘ apprenticeship in order to master a craft? And does he not, day by day, carefully and faithfully carry out every detail of his master‘s instructions, looking forward to the time when, perfected through obedience and practice, he shall be himself a master?

Likewise does the child of Truth, undaunted by failure, and made stronger by difficulties, apply himself to rightdoing in thought and action. As he succeeds in acquiring Virtue, his mind unfolds itself in the knowledge of Truth, and it is a knowledge in which he can securely rest.

[Md. Ridwanul Islam Muntakim · Rating 5 out of 5]

রীতিমতো আমি বইটির প্রেমে পড়েছি, বইটি ছোট হলেও বেশ গুরুত্বপূর্ণ পরামর্শ রয়েছে। না বলতে শিখার গুরুত্ব বুঝিয়েছেন লেখক, কিভাবে নিজেকে সৎ পথে রাখা যায়, সৎ কর্ম করা যায় সেই বিষয়ে সতেজ বাতাসের খোঁজ দিয়েছে এই বইটি। কটু বাক্য বা তিরষ্কারপূর্ণ বাক্য ত্যাগ করে কিভাবে সুস্থ মস্তিষ্কের ব্যবহার করে যতোটুকু প্রয়োজন ততোটাই সঠিক কথা বলার পরামর্শ রয়েছে বইটিতে, ভালো অভ্যাস দ্বারা কিভাবে উপকৃত হওয়া যায় আর খারাপ অভ্যাস দ্বারা কিভাবে মানুষ ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হতে পারে তার সুন্দর ব্যাখ্যা দিয়েছেন লেখক, আমি অবশ্যই বইটিকে প্রিয় তালিকায় যুক্ত করবো।

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, he finally wrote a practical approach to his philosophy. I was expecting just another reiteration of all his ideas like all the others I’ve read, and it certainly started out that way. But this one actually gives some “here’s what to do,” in much more detail than any of the others I’ve read so far. And even though I still feel like he is missing a huge piece and do not entirely agree with his philosophy, it’s not bad advice.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

90% of what I have read of James Allen’s work has been fantastic. This book is more of the same. In fact maybe, for me, a little too much more of the same! However, this may be my 5th book of his I have read this year. If that’s not you then grab this short book and read it! It is great! I just have heard it before in his other books!

[Helfren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book emphasizes the importance of the path of being truthful to oneself even against the odds.

Every single obstacles will definitely lead to succeed. In the face of failures don't despair. In the face of non success never give up. The path will show up eventually and lead to the greatest wins and victory of our life.

[Laurent]

''An indolent body means an indolent mind; an ill-regulated tongue reveals an ill -regulated mind , and the process of remedying the manifested condition is really a method of rectifying the inward state ''

[Fernando Cabezas Astorga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una especie de tratado de las virtudes humanas, donde prima el trabajar constantemente en el propio crecimiento personal más que en cualquier otra meta. La autoconquista acaba siendo la fuente del poder y de la felicidad.

[Hieu Cao · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is must-read if you are truly determined in self-discipline! Reading this book is the very first step for all personal development and transformation.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book wonderful to read after As A Man Thinketh, it goes deeper affirming the practicality of his wisdom.

[Sharika Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one really speaks to me. Makes me uneasy at times as I now know how to embody virtuosity to a higher degree.

[Katie Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, a book of wisdom fitted for anyone.

[Carlos Nunes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A treasure trove of insights that empower individuals to take control of their lives through the transformative power of their thoughts and beliefs

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can see and feel the prequel to "as a man thinketh."

[#DÏ4B7Ø Chinnamasta-Bhairav]

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To SEE a WORLD in a Grain of Sand,
And a HEAVEN in a Wild Flower,
Hold INFINITY in the palm of your hand
And ETERNITY in an Hour"
~ William Blake ~

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Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is form.
Form is not different than Emptiness;
Emptiness is not different than form
~ Heart Sutra ~

Like the ocean and its waves,
inseparable yet distinct

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" I and The Father are one,
I am The Truth,
The Life and The Path.”

Like a river flowing from its source,
connected and continuous

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Thy kingdom come.
Let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love
be established in me,
and rule out of me all sin;
and may Thy Word
enrich the affections of all mankind

A mighty oak tree standing firm against the storm,
As sunlight scatters the shadows of night
A river nourishing the land it flows through

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[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book should not be read by those who lack discernment and a deep understanding of God's Word, but for those who can rightly divide error from Truth, they will discover many deep thoughts that should encourage and assist them to correct their thoughts and actions. Apart from a proper understanding of Biblical Truth, OFTH is likely to lead the reader towards a works based, delusional secular "salvation".

The root of the author's error is found in his stating that, "Evil is not a power, it is ignorance and misuse of good." Not only IS evil a real power, it has a name. And how, logically, can genuine "good" be misused? It is a contradiction.

While there are many nuggets of wisdom in this short book, the author is apparently ignorant of the Truth, of our loving God, and of a hateful devil, both of whom are drawing men to themselves. Apart from this knowledge, the reader is left with a humanistic practice of trying to achieve perfection through human effort alone. This will always prove to be a futile effort.

[Victor Henrique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before simply placing Out from the Heart*l by James Allen on a self-help or "think positive" bookshelf, it's worth noting that this book offers a deeper perspective on manifestation—one rooted in character development rather than mere thought control. Allen suggests that cultivating a good heart and virtuous habits naturally leads to positive thoughts, making manifestation a more effortless and authentic process.

For those drawn to mysticism, the book may also evoke parallels with the principle of V.I.T.R.I.O.L. (*Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem*)—the idea that by turning inward and refining oneself, the answers emerge. While Allen does not explicitly reference this concept, his philosophy aligns with its core message: true transformation begins within.

[Vlad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have just the amount the sleep for recuperation, wake up early.

Manifest outwards as so begin with forming good habits

Do not think in bed as you only sleep in bed

Do not be afraid to fail as you fail a thousand times do not dispair.

[Regina Woods-Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truthfulness to your heart.

This book open your mind to seek righteousness and be truthful to your heart. It also gives you the way to live and to gather wisdom so you can deal with the consequences of living in this world.

[Ingrid Bagarean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than any modern self-help/life guide book. Will keep it to close for a re-read from time to time.

[Jecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very insightful book.

[Louis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of repetition but a beautiful message beneath. I feel like this books could have done with some culling.