Customer Reviews

The Wisdom of James Allen : Including As a Man Thinketh, The Path to Prosperity, The Mastery of Destiny, The Way of Peace, and Entering the Kingdom (Radiant Life S.)

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This particular anthology of the very best writings of James Allen is a testament to the truth of that cliché; "Good things come in small packages." The collection of five classic works by the contemplative Englishman, being only about 5 x 4 inches, is the ideal size for stuffing Christmas stockings, though it is entirely more substantial that the throwaway knickknacks and edibles that are usually found therein. It also rides unobtrusively in backpacks, briefcases and handbags, and will be equally inspiring and motivating to the carriers of all of the above. This is a book that cries out to be toted around; open it up to any page and you will unfailingly be greeted by a gem--in the form of Allen's digestible, clean, concise prose. It is no exaggeration to say that James Allen's was one of the great minds (and souls) of the nineteenth century. Opting not to utilize the convoluted and alienating language of some other great thinkers and philosophers, Allen-an exceedingly humble man who advocated simplicity in life-meant for his deeply valuable ruminations to be shared with everyone, no matter what age, sex or background. And it is true that his writings-on such themes as character, destiny, true wealth, spiritual development, the secret of happiness, serenity, suffering and the universal law of love-are as appropriate for the high-schooler as for the retiree, the ambitious business person or the thoughtful homebody. As well as one of simplicity, Allen believed in a life of self-discipline, self-examination, and a constant striving for personal betterment and harmony both within and among individuals. This involves, in largely simplified terms, refusing to judge ones fellows while at the same time reaching to better one's self-through the renunciation of personal, inharmonious will for surrender to the unfailingly loving and ever-present guidance of a higher power (or self). Lovers of the great author Leo Tolstoy's synthesis of the earthly and prosaic with the mystical and spiritual will appreciate a similar quality in Allen, who was an admirer of the former. Allen, perhaps even better than Tolstoy, demonstrates that there is no better place or time to become more spiritually beautiful, prosperous, loving, harmonious and happy than here on this earth and in this life. Peace, truth, prosperity, joy, wisdom and that vague, cloud-enshrouded `Kingdom of Heaven' we have all heard of are not, Allen emphasizes in these works, conditions which await us after the completion of this strife-ridden earthly existence; on the contrary, they are qualities already present in abundance, here and now, not just around us but in us, waiting to be realized. We all need to be reminded now and then of the responsibility we have for our own happiness and destiny. James Allen-in this appropriately small, simple-looking yet densely rich book-illustrates how to effectively exercise this responsibility for the most fruitful results and rewards, both tangible and intangible.

We are all searching for answers on how to lead a fulfilled life. The answers are within all of us, but often we look elsewhere to try and find the answers through comparison and material possessions. I have by no means mastered the lessons taught by James Allen, but can see that with time, patience, and persistance I can be at peace with myself. This work is greatly enhanced with a goal setting plan. The combination allows us to create a plan and a framework to live by. The result is the ability to ultimately construct the fulfilled life we are all searching. This is not a read and put away book. One really has to think about the messages conveyed.

James Allen compares with Shakespeare and wrote very clearly and appealing for the common man.

I first became acquainted with James Allen's "As A Man Thinketh", about 20 years ago. Until recently, I did not know he had written so extensively.

It amazes me that one man knew so much and thought so clearly. I gather that he did his writing between 1902 and 1912, only 10 years. He died at age 48, in 1912. Thank you, Blue Dove Foundation, and Laurel Press, for promoting this man's thinking in his books.

England not only gave us Shakespeare. They gave us James Allen. If Allen's writings were used in today's education establishments, the world would be much improved. His writings should be in every education establishment in every country of the world.

The world lost a real treasure with his passing.

Jim Kelly

James Allen (1864 - 1912) wrote around nineteen books during his lifetime and is most recognized for his New Thought classic "As a Man Thinketh" (AMT). It has been said that "Allen's work embodies the influence of Protestant liberalism on the one hand and of Buddhist thought on the other." The fundamental message in AMT is that humans are masters of their own destinies. One is either a wise master or a foolish one. One becomes a wise master by becoming conscious of one's innate mental power to influence one's circumstances in life and by utilizing it to maximize good. The additional four books that comprise "The Wisdom of James Allen" flesh out this idea and the influence of Buddhist thought is more obvious. Allen's belief in the law of karma (which he equates with "Eternal Justice," among other titles, and which some authors call "the law of attraction") underlies all of his books, and his embrace of the doctrine of rebirth (popularly known as reincarnation) is clear in some of them (e.g., The Mastery of Destiny, pg. 157). The orthodox Christian doctrines of heaven and hell as ultimate final destinies are rejected by Allen who reinterprets them as temporary states of mind that occur in THIS world as a result of human effort (see The Path to Prosperity, pg 134, and The Mastery of Destiny, pg. 160). According to Allen, "all suffering is of self" and "all suffering ends in Truth" (The Way of Peace, pg. 160). Also, "All evil is corrective and remedial, and is therefore not permanent. It is rooted in ignorance, ignorance of the true nature and relation of things, and so long as we remain in that state of ignorance, we remain subject to evil" (The Path to Prosperity, pg. 67). Because all evil is corrective, remedial and impermanent, Allen in effect embraces a type of universalism where ALL humans will eventually be "saved" through the evolutionary, educative process of rebirth. His idea of the ultimate "salvation" of each individual in the human race is best represented by the following quote: "As the smallest drop of water detached from the ocean contains all the qualities of the ocean, so each person, detached in consciousness from the Infinite, contains within themselves its likeness; and as the drop of water must, by the law of nature, ultimately find its way back to the ocean and lose itself in the silent depths, so must each person, by the unfailing law of our nature, at last return to our source, and lose ourself in the great ocean of the Infinite" (The Way of Peace, pg. 288). Even if one rejects some or all of Allen's Buddhistic beliefs (like I do), one can still learn much from him regarding self-discipline and character development as they relate to positive and negative circumstances in one's life. According to Allen, "...even those who refuse to believe in rebirth will find that even in this life men almost invariably reap what they sow..." (The Mastery of Destiny, pg. 161).

Other "New Thought" type books I've read that, in various ways, complement Allen's works include the following: "The Wisdom of Florence Scovel Shinn," "The Master Key System" by Charles Haanel, "The Science of Getting Rich" by Wallace Wattles, "Key to Yourself" by Venice Bloodworth, "In Tune With the Infinite" by Ralph Waldo Trine, "The Ultimate Secret to Getting Absolutely Everything You Want" by Mike Hernacki, and "Practicing the Presence of God for Practical Purposes" by Anderson & Whitehouse.

"Self and error are synonymous." - James Allen (The Way of Peace)

Our thoughts and perceptions are who we are. I have search for years for a book that would teach me , simply how to have the right frame of mind to deal with life---most of us don't really know how. I used some of the principals of this book this morning,I was feeling overwelmed and anxious,I was allowing circumstances to controll me instead of me controlling the circumstances, I decided to have a good day and I did.
I have spent a fortune on books ( my passion ) there are three
books I HIGHLY recommend (1) The Bible, (2) The Wisdom of James Allen, (3) Boundaries,(when to say yes and when to say no)

An inspiring book which I have read almost everyday since I bought it.Every page is filled with insight about the human spirit and will.As one poem goes "You will be what you will be, Let failure find its false content, In that poor word "enviroment" But spirit scorns it and is free. It masters time and conquers space, It cows that boastful trickster Chance And bids the tyrant Circumstance, Uncrown and fill a servants place. The human Will that force unseen, The offspring of a deathless Soul, Can hew a way to any goal, Though walls of granite intervene. Be patient in delay, But wait as one who understands, When spirit rises and commands, The gods are ready to obey"

I was looking for and needing simple and clear self-improvement / enlightenment. My life had grown so stagnant and mediocre. I knew I was missing something but couldn't put my finger on it. It is not enough to start listening to classic music or just reading more novels. It is about looking within. How easy it is to overlook or forget how much power and control we have over our own lives. I plan to give this book out as gifts to my friends and family.

I have quoted and underlined and re-read this book so many times that it is falling apart. If you can overcome the politically incorrect masculine form of writing, the material is as true to today as it was when it was written. James Allen was truely an enlightened soul. His writing is so packed with spiritual truths that the reader will want to read the text slowly and repeatedly to allow it to linger in the mind. This is my favorite book of all time.

I read this over a year ago and am doing my second annual reading now. This is one of the few books in my library that is actually worth reading a second time, and a third, and a fourth, well you get the idea. Deep thoughts to get you thinking about life, enjoy!

This compilation of Allen's five classic works is an owner's manual for life. He shares his gifts of experience, deep meditation, and knowledge with the world. As Allen himself proclaims...."I send forth these books into the world on a mission of healing and blessedness, knowing they cannot fail to reach the homes and hearts of those who are waiting and ready to receive them."