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The Science of Psychic Healing
Mind over matter... The natural over the artificial... These were the unspoken mantras of the proponents of New Thought, the mystical movement at the turn of the 20th century that sought to unleash the forces of the universe within humanity. One of the most influential thinkers of this early "New Age" philosophy promises here, in this 1909 book, to show the reader how to "to spread the glad tidings of Health and Strength," by using the body's Prana, or Vital Force; by direct control of the body's cells via the mind, or mental healing; and by calling the light of "higher thought" down on the body, or spiritual healing. An appreciation of our "higher nature," the yogi reminds us, will result in an healthy sense of physical rejuvenation. A century later, it's a lesson many of us-in our anxious, stressful times-can continue to benefit from. American writer WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON (1862-1932) was editor of the popular magazine New Thought from 1901 to 1905, and editor of the journal Advanced Thought from 1916 to 1919. He authored dozens of New Thought books under numerous pseudonyms, some of which are likely still unknown today, including "Yogi Ramacharaka" and "Theron Q. Dumont."
192 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1987
About the author
William Walker Atkinson
2,643 books408 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 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 23, 2023
This book is awesome. From the point of view if someone who has discovered Chi and energy healing for themselves, practiced it and developed it into an entire system, I can honestly say that of all the books on energy healing this one is best so far. Why, because it comes from the perspective of someone who comes from a long line of masters who really figured this all out. Most people offer a few techniques without much understanding about the hows and whys. This book offers scientific comparison and examples. and even though it gets into the super advanced techniques of spiritual healing it really remains grounded in reality. It is also the only other book besides mine, to teach people the relationship between mind and energy. Just to note, I read this book after publishing mine. It was a great confirmation to me that what I discovered for myself and wrote about was legitimate.
Strangely the author and his background and where he got this information is a bit mysterious, but I find it to be spot on. I have even tried some of these techniques while working on people without telling them and when they weren't looking. They all lamented about the relief they felt. For me that is a good confirmation.
If you want to learn about energy healing start here or start with Qiyoda. Then all other books and techniques will make a bit more sense and offer other techniques to add to this one.
Strangely the author and his background and where he got this information is a bit mysterious, but I find it to be spot on. I have even tried some of these techniques while working on people without telling them and when they weren't looking. They all lamented about the relief they felt. For me that is a good confirmation.
If you want to learn about energy healing start here or start with Qiyoda. Then all other books and techniques will make a bit more sense and offer other techniques to add to this one.
March 9, 2021
Adkinson, writing under the pen name Yogi Ramacharaka, also known as the Three Initiates who authored the Kabilion, writes of techniques for healing using physical, mental, and spiritual healing. I'll admit, I'm always leary of this kind of thing, though I appreciate the frankness and transparency offered here. Adkinson uses the backdrop of Yogi practice accented by Hermetic beliefs to explain healing techniques used broadly across the spectrum of occult, new age, and popular religion. There is something to this, and while not all of it sits right for me, there are enough truths and parallels to make this worthwhile.
December 6, 2019
Half of the book is pretty good, simple, straightforward, can be applied instantly. Other half is not that applicable and he recommends his other books for it. "if you wanna learn it go read my book *" It's worth reading, but for something more in depth yeah go read something else. This is good for introduction to few practices.
March 23, 2026
Spiritual (elevated consciousness projection) Healing is one of three methods.
Suggest Self-Healing: Relax fully, affirm earnestly: "My body is strong/healthy; cells perform perfectly."
Visualize vibrant organs; 10 mins morning/evening, build confidence.
Suggest Self-Healing: Relax fully, affirm earnestly: "My body is strong/healthy; cells perform perfectly."
Visualize vibrant organs; 10 mins morning/evening, build confidence.
January 14, 2021
Fabulous
I loved how this high concept is simply explained and help you to practice it for the higher purposes of serving others and yourself. Brilliant.
I loved how this high concept is simply explained and help you to practice it for the higher purposes of serving others and yourself. Brilliant.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews