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Practical Mind Reading: A Course of Lessons on Thought Transference
William Walker Atkinson was one of the initial authors to teach the law of attraction, or in other words the idea that "like attracts like." More than seventy years before Esther and Jerry Hick's "Ask and it is Given" or Byrnes multi-million best seller "The Secret," Atkinson demonstrated how to use the power of thought to attract abundance. What is lesser known is that Atkinson also taught individuals to use their minds to perform feats of mentalism such as mind reading and mental telepathy. He cautions readers that scam artists abound and that many such purported demonstrations are fraudulent. At the same time he assures us that serious practitioners can harness the power of their minds to develop extra sensory perceptions grounded in scientific theory. This book is a complete mini-course that teaches how to do just that. Readers who apply Atkinson's methods will leave with a new appreciation for and wonder of the untapped potential of the human mind. Contents: Lesson I. The Nature of Mind Reading A plain, practical, scientific explanation of this Vast, Mysterious Subject, explaining the action of Mind upon Mind, and the Mental Wireless Telegraphy, according to the latest and best authorities. Lesson II. The Proofs of Mind Reading The result of the latest scientific experiments and investigations regarding this subject; practical proof and indisputable facts. Lesson III. Contact Mind Reading Full instruction regarding the "Nerve Currents" passing from the human Transmitter to the human receiver; stated so plainly that any one may instantly grasp the theory and practice. Lesson IV. Development Exercises How to develop yourself; how to grow proficient in practice; how to find Locations; how to find Objects; how to perform the necessary elementary feats, and thus prepare for Public Work. Lesson V. Simple Demonstrations Public or Parlor Demonstrations. Fourteen Practical Demonstrations are explained; full directions for performing them are given, so that the student may reproduce the demonstrations. Lesson VI. Difficult Demonstrations Explanations and instructions given for their performance. The Banknote Test; the Blackboard Feats; Drawing Pictures; Telepathic Chess and Checkers, etc., described, explained, and full instructions given for their reproduction. Lesson VII. The Transmutation of Negative Thought The Driving Feat; the Combination Lock Feat; the Office Detective Feat; the Postoffice Box Feat, and many other sensational demonstrations explained, together with an exposure of "Fake Demonstrations." Lesson VIII. Higher Phenomenon Demonstrations without contact. Development Directions. Long Distance Experiments. Automatic Writing. Valuable Suggestions and Advice.
- GenresSelf Help
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1908
171 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
About the author
William Walker Atkinson
2,515 books400 followersPseudonyms: Theron Q. Dumont, Yogi Ramacharaka, Swami Bhakta Vishita & Swami Panchadasi
William Walker Atkinson (December 5, 1862 – November 22, 1932) was an attorney, merchant, publisher, and author, as well as an occultist and an American pioneer of the New Thought movement. He is also known to have been the author of the pseudonymous works attributed to Theron Q. Dumont, Swami Panchadasi and Yogi Ramacharaka and others.
Due in part to Atkinson's intense personal secrecy and extensive use of pseudonyms, he is now largely forgotten, despite having obtained mention in past editions of Who's Who in America, Religious Leaders of America, and several similar publications—and having written more than 100 books in the last 30 years of his life. His works have remained in print more or less continuously since 1900.
William Walker Atkinson was born in Baltimore, Maryland on December 5, 1862, to William and Emma Atkinson. He began his working life as a grocer at 15 years old, probably helping his father. He married Margret Foster Black of Beverly, New Jersey, in October 1889, and they had two children. The first probably died young. The second later married and had two daughters.
Atkinson pursued a business career from 1882 onwards and in 1894 he was admitted as an attorney to the Bar of Pennsylvania. While he gained much material success in his profession as a lawyer, the stress and over-strain eventually took its toll, and during this time he experienced a complete physical and mental breakdown, and financial disaster. He looked for healing and in the late 1880s he found it with New Thought, later attributing the restoration of his health, mental vigor and material prosperity to the application of the principles of New Thought.
Some time after his healing, Atkinson began to write articles on the truths he felt he had discovered, which were then known as Mental Science. In 1889, an article by him entitled "A Mental Science Catechism," appeared in Charles Fillmore's new periodical, Modern Thought.
By the early 1890s Chicago had become a major centre for New Thought, mainly through the work of Emma Curtis Hopkins, and Atkinson decided to move there. Once in the city, he became an active promoter of the movement as an editor and author. He was responsible for publishing the magazines Suggestion (1900–1901), New Thought (1901–1905) and Advanced Thought (1906–1916).
In 1900 Atkinson worked as an associate editor of Suggestion, a New Thought Journal, and wrote his probable first book, Thought-Force in Business and Everyday Life, being a series of lessons in personal magnetism, psychic influence, thought-force, concentration, will-power, and practical mental science.
He then met Sydney Flower, a well-known New Thought publisher and businessman, and teamed up with him. In December, 1901 he assumed editorship of Flower's popular New Thought magazine, a post which he held until 1905. During these years he built for himself an enduring place in the hearts of its readers. Article after article flowed from his pen. Meanwhile he also founded his own Psychic Club and the so-called "Atkinson School of Mental Science". Both were located in the same building as Flower's Psychic Research and New Thought Publishing Company.
Atkinson was a past president of the International New Thought Alliance.
Throughout his subsequent career, Atkinson wrote and published under his own name and many pseudonyms. It is not known whether he ever acknowledged authorship of these pseudonymous works, but all of the supposedly independent authors whose writings are now credited to Atkinson were linked to one another by virtue of the fact that their works were released by a series of publishing houses with shared addresses and they also wrote for a series of magazines with a shared roster of authors. Atkinson was the editor of a
William Walker Atkinson (December 5, 1862 – November 22, 1932) was an attorney, merchant, publisher, and author, as well as an occultist and an American pioneer of the New Thought movement. He is also known to have been the author of the pseudonymous works attributed to Theron Q. Dumont, Swami Panchadasi and Yogi Ramacharaka and others.
Due in part to Atkinson's intense personal secrecy and extensive use of pseudonyms, he is now largely forgotten, despite having obtained mention in past editions of Who's Who in America, Religious Leaders of America, and several similar publications—and having written more than 100 books in the last 30 years of his life. His works have remained in print more or less continuously since 1900.
William Walker Atkinson was born in Baltimore, Maryland on December 5, 1862, to William and Emma Atkinson. He began his working life as a grocer at 15 years old, probably helping his father. He married Margret Foster Black of Beverly, New Jersey, in October 1889, and they had two children. The first probably died young. The second later married and had two daughters.
Atkinson pursued a business career from 1882 onwards and in 1894 he was admitted as an attorney to the Bar of Pennsylvania. While he gained much material success in his profession as a lawyer, the stress and over-strain eventually took its toll, and during this time he experienced a complete physical and mental breakdown, and financial disaster. He looked for healing and in the late 1880s he found it with New Thought, later attributing the restoration of his health, mental vigor and material prosperity to the application of the principles of New Thought.
Some time after his healing, Atkinson began to write articles on the truths he felt he had discovered, which were then known as Mental Science. In 1889, an article by him entitled "A Mental Science Catechism," appeared in Charles Fillmore's new periodical, Modern Thought.
By the early 1890s Chicago had become a major centre for New Thought, mainly through the work of Emma Curtis Hopkins, and Atkinson decided to move there. Once in the city, he became an active promoter of the movement as an editor and author. He was responsible for publishing the magazines Suggestion (1900–1901), New Thought (1901–1905) and Advanced Thought (1906–1916).
In 1900 Atkinson worked as an associate editor of Suggestion, a New Thought Journal, and wrote his probable first book, Thought-Force in Business and Everyday Life, being a series of lessons in personal magnetism, psychic influence, thought-force, concentration, will-power, and practical mental science.
He then met Sydney Flower, a well-known New Thought publisher and businessman, and teamed up with him. In December, 1901 he assumed editorship of Flower's popular New Thought magazine, a post which he held until 1905. During these years he built for himself an enduring place in the hearts of its readers. Article after article flowed from his pen. Meanwhile he also founded his own Psychic Club and the so-called "Atkinson School of Mental Science". Both were located in the same building as Flower's Psychic Research and New Thought Publishing Company.
Atkinson was a past president of the International New Thought Alliance.
Throughout his subsequent career, Atkinson wrote and published under his own name and many pseudonyms. It is not known whether he ever acknowledged authorship of these pseudonymous works, but all of the supposedly independent authors whose writings are now credited to Atkinson were linked to one another by virtue of the fact that their works were released by a series of publishing houses with shared addresses and they also wrote for a series of magazines with a shared roster of authors. Atkinson was the editor of a
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 21, 2025
William Walker Atkinson’s Practical Mind-Reading is an intriguing exploration of thought-transference, telepathy, and mental rapport. Written in the early 20th century, the book presents a structured approach to developing these abilities, blending theory with practical exercises. Atkinson’s writing is clear and engaging, making complex ideas accessible to readers curious about the power of the mind.
However, while the book is an interesting read, much of its content feels dated by modern scientific standards. Some exercises may seem overly simplistic or unconvincing for those expecting more empirical evidence. Additionally, the book leans more toward a metaphysical perspective rather than a scientific exploration of telepathy.
That said, for those interested in early thought-energy theories and the historical foundations of mind-power studies, Practical Mind-Reading offers a fascinating glimpse into the esoteric psychology of its time. It may not be the most groundbreaking work today, but it remains a valuable read for enthusiasts of classic metaphysical literature.
However, while the book is an interesting read, much of its content feels dated by modern scientific standards. Some exercises may seem overly simplistic or unconvincing for those expecting more empirical evidence. Additionally, the book leans more toward a metaphysical perspective rather than a scientific exploration of telepathy.
That said, for those interested in early thought-energy theories and the historical foundations of mind-power studies, Practical Mind-Reading offers a fascinating glimpse into the esoteric psychology of its time. It may not be the most groundbreaking work today, but it remains a valuable read for enthusiasts of classic metaphysical literature.
August 14, 2021
Atkinson here presents an outline of "practical mind-reading" techniques. Atkinson provides a vote of non-confidence toward the literal, using statements as more of an occult shield for what is actually occurring. Atkinson draws on the New Thought school of mental magnetism and thought vibration, though these seem to be more passive flourishes than integral. Atkinson leaves the mystical depth well open to the reader. As to mind reading ability: These practices WILL hone your senses; does that count? No matter which end of the spectrum you fall on, charlatan or mystic, Atkinson is here to help you accomplish public performances...
February 14, 2019
Interesting
It's a good book for the starters and new to these particular topic. Interesting to read. It also gives you tips on mind reading. I loved to read about the experiments in this book and also the contribution done by people to make them realise that mind reading is a true thing .
It's a good book for the starters and new to these particular topic. Interesting to read. It also gives you tips on mind reading. I loved to read about the experiments in this book and also the contribution done by people to make them realise that mind reading is a true thing .
May 3, 2020
Supports hidden unexplored science of the mind
The experiments are practical and I plan to do. More experiments required in the non physical Is could be used in sending healing signals even to the body organs and not just to the conscious mind
The experiments are practical and I plan to do. More experiments required in the non physical Is could be used in sending healing signals even to the body organs and not just to the conscious mind
October 16, 2023
Nice book
Step by step procedures given for doing practice. I enjoyed the book. Anybody can try this out. It will give a super confidence for some other fields. Thanks to the Author.
Step by step procedures given for doing practice. I enjoyed the book. Anybody can try this out. It will give a super confidence for some other fields. Thanks to the Author.
June 6, 2020
A technical exposition of the various Siddhas. One of my favorite books, especially just starting out.
December 13, 2021
Kind of boring. It was like occult stuff. Its a book that might be of help for mentalists or magicians. I had to skim fast through it as the content of it was not for me.
January 24, 2025
I want to mind read. I want to believe.
January 20, 2015
I liked this book, but it is pretty repetitive. I wish he spent more time on how mind reading works. As a simple guide, it is perfect.
November 9, 2013
Tantalizing
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews