* OVERVIEW:
As a man thinketh by James Allen is a short book talking about the importance of the link between thoughts and circumstances. Isn't that interesting? What do our thoughts have to do with the external circumstances of our life, right? Turns out it has a lot to do with it. Our external environment mirrors our internal environment. Our weight mirrors our eating habits, our relationships mirror our thought habits and every external event reveals our soul's innermost fears and desires.
What we see outside is a mere reflection of our inner state. Well, that's sobering to know. What if you realised that every seemingly bad or good event that had occurred in your life was the result of your thoughts? It puts you back in charge of your circumstances, doesn't it?! Well, it's easier said than done, but nevertheless the truth. To see our outside reality as a mere feedback loop to our inner reality is the right way to look at life.
We all are growing and evolving and we all go through trying times merely to learn the lessons and move on with our life. It sounds painful but that's why we are here on earth. We are spiritual beings having a human experience and not the other way around. And "suffering ceases for the pure." So if you're still here on earth there are lessons to be learnt and consciousness to be evolved. And if you have evolved and accomplished your purpose here, you would be graduated leaving your body behind and going to the place from where you once came from.
* THOUGHT AND CHARACTER:
"A man is literally what he thinks." Every act has its roots in thoughts. It goes hand in hand. Most times it's so unconscious that you don't notice it. Repeatedly chewed thoughts become firmly held beliefs and beliefs influence behaviour and the cycle goes on and on. Have you seen an elderly person brimming with health and beaming with child-like joy? My grandpa was always happy and always grateful no matter the external circumstances.
And as a result, his mind was sharp, he was active and upbeat. Yet there are young people like me and you long-faced and tired for no reason. With the rise in the digital world and technology, people are becoming more and more sadder though the benefits of technology are obvious. This is because we think everything comes easy to us. We don't want to strain, we don't want to bend over backward for anything. We want it easy.
* THOUGHT AND CIRCUMSTANCES:
"The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state. The thought forces and mind elements operate in the shaping of his character, circumstances, and destiny." Have you seen a hateful person? All they exude is hate and all they get is more to complain about. Ever wondered why? On the other hand, there is a person having a pleasing personality always exuding love and people gravitate towards him like a magnet.
You will have friends only if you are friendly. You've got to put it out first in order to get it back. And if you're in a tough spot right now, don't be discouraged. Just know that where you are right now is a learning period that you might grow and evolve. And from the here and now you can start taking steps toward a better future. Many of us think that we are the product of our circumstances and that our circumstances direct and control us.
But we are not that powerless. We do control our external circumstances to an extent by being conscious of what we are putting out. "The soul attracts that which it secretly harbours; it reaches the height of its cherished aspirations; it falls to the level of its unchastened desires and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own. A man suffers because of his sins, not his virtues. Just like how gold is burned to remove the dross, man suffers as long as he carries impurities in his heart and mind.
* THOUGHTS ON HEALTH AND BODY:
"Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigour and grace; out of a clean heart comes a clean life and a clean body." Clean thoughts result in clean habits and clean life. The result is a strong and healthy body. The importance of thoughts has been undermined nevertheless, their effects are evident in our lives. "Cheerfulness dissipates all ills of the body" They can be the very portals of heaven in bringing health and vitality to our ever-fading bodies.
* THOUGHT AND PURPOSE:
"Aimlessness is a vice, such drifting must not continue for him who would steer clear of catastrophe and destruction." We all must have a central purpose at all times, without which we will fall prey to chaos and destruction. A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder, he will not know which way to go. No matter how many times he fails, he still improves and becomes strengthened in the process of achieving his goals.
* CONCLUSION:
If you can't remember any of the above points just remember the title- as a man thinketh. The title says it all. "You become what you think about most of the time." And as much as you like it to be, thoughts cannot be hidden. It reveals itself in one form or the other through behaviours, circumstances, and health. This law cannot err and therefore cannot give good for evil and evil for good. Keeping this in mind let's be more mindful of the thoughts we think and the beliefs that we possess.
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