Man: King of Mind, Body, and Circumstance

by James Allen

The problem of life consists in learning how to live. It is like the problem of addition or subtraction to the schoolboy. When mastered, all difficulty disappears, and the problem has vanished. All the problems of life, whether they be social, political, or religious, subsist in ignorance and wrong-living. As they are solved in the heart of each individual, they will be solved in the mass of men. Humanity at present is in the painful stage of “learning.” It is confronted with the difficulties of its own ignorance. As men learn to live rightly, learn to direct their forces and use their functions and faculties by the light of wisdom, the sum of life will be correctly done, and its mastery will put an end to all the “problems of evil.” To the wise, all such problems have ceased.

Genres: Self Help, Philosophy, Personal Development, Nonfiction

108 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1911

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

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook
Not a fan of this book.
Nothing that haven't heard before, although this might be book were those other authors got it from.

[Hussein Samhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short yet exemplary... the birthplace to many self-development books. Simple and concise.

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quote
"the perfecting of one's own deeds is man's highest duty and most sublime accomplishment."

I don't agree with him concerning the healing of the body is always mental change.

[Darnell Alamgir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glad I came across this jewel! Must read!

[Itinerant Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

ਸੁਖੀਏ ਕਉ ਪੇਖੈ ਸਭ ਸੁਖੀਆ ਰੋਗੀ ਕੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਸਭ ਰੋਗੀ ॥

The world of things is the other half of the world of thoughts. The obverse of this truth – that you are powerless to obviate external things and deeds – is, that external things and deeds are powerless to injure you. The thought, the act, which he chooses, that, by habit, he becomes. Habit binds us; habit sets us free. Circumstance is a severe taskmaster to the weak, an obedient servant to the strong. His attitude towards men, born of understanding, disarms their power to wound him.

[Zdenek Sykora · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Man: King of Mind, Body, and Circumstance" by James Allen is a philosophical exploration of the power of the human mind in shaping individual destiny and circumstances. Allen argues that the quality of one's thoughts determines the quality of one's life, emphasizing the role of mindset in achieving success, happiness, and personal fulfillment. The book delves into the principles of self-discipline, positive thinking, and the alignment of thoughts with goals to attain mastery over one's circumstances. It underscores the transformative potential of cultivating virtues such as patience, integrity, and perseverance to lead a purposeful and meaningful life.

Main Points of the Book

1. Power of Thought: Thoughts are the foundation upon which personal reality is constructed, influencing both external circumstances and internal well-being.
2. Mindset Mastery: Achieving mastery over circumstances begins with mastering one's own mind and cultivating positive, constructive thoughts.
3. Self-Discipline: The importance of self-discipline in controlling thoughts and actions to achieve long-term goals and personal growth.
4. Law of Attraction: Like attracts like—positive thoughts attract positive outcomes, while negative thoughts attract negative consequences.
5. Personal Responsibility: Each individual has the power to shape their destiny through conscious thoughts and actions, regardless of external conditions.
6. Virtues and Character: Developing virtues such as integrity, patience, and perseverance strengthens character and facilitates success and happiness.
7. Spiritual Growth: The alignment of thoughts with higher spiritual principles leads to greater fulfillment and harmony in life.

Why It Is Relevant and Impactful

"Man: King of Mind, Body, and Circumstance" by James Allen continues to be relevant and impactful for several reasons:

1. Timeless Wisdom: Allen's insights into the power of thought and the importance of mindset remain timeless, resonating with readers across generations seeking personal development and self-improvement.
2. Practical Application: The book offers practical guidance and exercises for transforming one's life by changing thought patterns and behaviors, making it accessible and applicable to readers' daily lives.
3. Positive Psychology: Grounded in principles of positive psychology, the book promotes optimism, resilience, and the pursuit of personal excellence, contributing to mental well-being and overall life satisfaction.
4. Philosophical Depth: Allen's philosophical reflections on human potential, character development, and spiritual growth provide a holistic framework for living a purpose-driven life.
5. Empowerment: By emphasizing personal responsibility and the power of choice, the book empowers individuals to take control of their circumstances and create meaningful change in their lives.

In conclusion, "Man: King of Mind, Body, and Circumstance" by James Allen is a timeless masterpiece that inspires readers to harness the power of their minds to achieve personal mastery and fulfillment. Its profound insights into the relationship between thoughts, actions, and outcomes make it essential reading for anyone on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. This book is highly recommended for its clarity, wisdom, and practical approach to living a life of purpose and significance.

[#DÏ4B7Ø Chinnamasta-Bhairav · Rating 4 out of 5]

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* -:}|{}|{:- <3 THE LINK ABOVE IS ON THE GOODREADS PAGE OF THE AUTHOR ALSO = INVOLVES ALL OF THE AUTHORS WORK <3 -:}|{}|{:- *

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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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[Nadia's Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

We as human beings are set apart from all other creatures on earth by virtue of control of our own thoughts, actions and therefore outcomes. A good book for being mindful of these fundamental principles.

[Vlad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book needs deep understanding on terms how the author explains everything.

He sure says that the man realises that the faults he done should be corrected in q way of realisation.

The law of cause and effect must be followed for knowing.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read, the start of most other motivational books

[Shahrooz.M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not motivational as much as offering us to not be a bitch and weep over bad circumstances .

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a few things which I agreed with, and Allen's discourse on poverty was good. My problem with J. Allen, however, is that he denied the existence of the devil.

[Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes coming back to the basics and reiterating the importance of benevolence, gratitude and positivity is needed.

[Gnana Sekar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book with the help of arunachalam who translated in Tamil. This book completely Clean, Pure and Plain. Hence failed to make story lovers to sit in corner of the room. Anyhow the core which allen trying to say is completely lovable and every human should this.

[Vignesh Raveendran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essentially the same concept from 'As a Man Thinketh'. All his books are basically on this single & most profound truth/concept As a man thinketh so is He, which is apparently from the Bible that was written 2000+ years ago.
Moral: Get back to the Origin.

[Daniel Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Motivator!!!