As A Man Thinketh - Book Summary

Unlock your potential: seize control of your life with the power of thought.

Ever dreamed of attaining true power? Is there a personal aspiration you're yearning to achieve, such as penning your first novel? Commonly, self-help guides suggest achieving your dreams by following a set of predefined strategies: setting clear goals, creating an organized workspace, or refining your social networking skills. But this time, we are heading in a different direction.

The essence of "As a Man Thinketh" lies in unveiling the inherent power that lies within you. This narrative will guide you to discover how every aspect of your life — from your moral fiber and physical well-being to your creative exploits and life situation — is shaped by your thoughts. And it will show you how to harness this infinite liberty.

Through this narrative, you will also discover:

— why your mind is akin to a blossoming garden;

— how your thoughts can age you prematurely; and

— the incredible advantages of being a dreamer.

Transform your life by governing your thoughts.

Have you ever stopped and pondered about what truly defines us as humans? It's indeed a complex question, so let's jump-start this inquiry: a man is essentially a product of his thoughts.

Just as a tree grows from a small seed, every action we take is a manifestation of our thought process. Such actions over time form patterns, and these patterns define our character. Our personality, thus, is rooted in our thought process. But you might ask, why does this matter?

Well, consider this. Have you ever noticed how individuals who frequently abandon projects or relationships also tend to have a rather pessimistic outlook? There is a profound connection between such attitudes and actions. Underachievers often fall short of their potential due to their self-deprecating thoughts. These attitude issues often spiral out of control, leading to grim repercussions. But there's a straightforward solution.

Since our thoughts shape our character, it follows logically that transforming our thoughts can alter our character. By adjusting their thought process, even pessimistic individuals might find themselves with more reasons to smile.

Anyone who endeavors to control their thoughts can achieve much more than just shedding negative traits. By directing their thoughts appropriately, an individual can even reach what the author refers to as Divine Perfection — that is, by banishing harmful or unproductive thoughts, one can cultivate joy, strength, peace, and wisdom in their life.

The rewards are indeed enticing! So why not start governing your thoughts from today? The alternative, after all, is far from appealing. Uncontrolled thoughts can become your greatest adversary; pessimistic mindsets have the potential to destroy everything you hold dear.

Our surrounding world doesn't only shape us — we mould it in return!

Ever experienced a colossal failure and attributed it to external factors like the weather, an irksome phone conversation with a family member, or a traumatic incident from your past? Shifting the blame for our failures onto external elements is a trait common to many of us. It might offer temporary relief, but it only holds us back in the long run.

Our circumstances — those external factors that directly affect our lives — bear a strong correlation with our character. But this relationship might not be as straightforward as it initially seems. It's easy to fall into the trap of believing that our experiences and environmental conditions shape our identities. But the reality is: we, in turn, shape our world as much as it moulds us!

Our character exerts a significant influence over the kind of situations we find ourselves in, instead of merely being a product of those circumstances.

So, if you end up behind bars, it's not simply because the external world or destiny pushed you into it. Instead, your thoughts and attitudes towards the world steered you towards those very situations that landed you in trouble.

Of course, it's not always easy to discern whether character or circumstance holds more sway in a given situation. We all know people who possess hearts of gold yet face harsh adversities. Conversely, many individuals marked by greed and dishonesty lead fulfilling lives amid wealth and admiration.

This highlights the impossibility of deducing someone's character from their circumstances. Similarly, one cannot always foresee the circumstances someone might find themselves in based solely on their character traits. Many inmates might possess unsavoury characteristics, but some of them also have commendable facets.

Embrace positive thoughts to improve your health and attain your objectives.

Some individuals seem to age like fine wine, while others, less gently! Undeniably, factors such as detrimental habits, inadequate healthcare, and unfortunate genetic traits contribute. However, one crucial aspect often overlooked is our mindset.

We've already uncovered the profound impact our thoughts have on our character and the circumstances we encounter. Hence, it shouldn't come as a shock that our thoughts leave an imprint on our physical health too. Melancholic thoughts can trigger a host of undesirable physiological responses: a heightened heart rate, disturbed sleep, migraines, and yes, even wrinkles from continuous frowning!

On the flip side, nourishing thoughts of joy, lightness, and vitality can significantly boost our happiness — and even lend us a youthful glow! So, if you yearn for a better relationship with your body, try orienting your thoughts towards an overall feeling of wellbeing.

Channeling your thoughts correctly is pivotal when striving to accomplish any goal. Whether you're aiming to ascend the corporate ladder, cultivate healthier relationships, or deepen your spiritual practice, you won't succeed unless your thoughts are focused on that objective.

This entails releasing any thoughts that sidetrack you from your aspirations. If you discern that a particular thought is obstructing your journey by sparking fear, pessimism, or doubt — it needs to be discarded. This might seem daunting initially. But remember, your mind operates much like a muscle; with consistent effort, you can condition it to think more efficiently, positively, and purposefully.

Our success is entirely in our hands, so never stop dreaming big!

In the earlier sections, we discovered that external factors shouldn't be held accountable for our actions or blunders. This revelation might seem overwhelming. Does this mean we alone bear the brunt of our failures?

This perspective doesn't seem particularly constructive, so let's alter our viewpoint. If we perceive ourselves as victims, we'll undoubtedly feel and behave as victims, thus perpetuating our oppression. However, if we resist seeing ourselves as victims, it becomes more challenging for others to victimize us. Hence, it's critical to recognize that the key to our liberation rests in our hands.

Regardless of the circumstances we encounter, we must remain steadfast in our values and ideals. Our loftiest dreams — our aspirations — fuel our journey from goals to achievements. That's why it's vital to surround ourselves with dreamers and keep our own dreams alive.

Without the visionary poets, artists, and composers, our world would lack its vibrant richness. Dreaming also paves the way for novel discoveries. For instance, Columbus dared to dream of a new world, which led him to uncover it during his explorations.

If you can harness your thoughts, leading to an improved character and more favourable circumstances; if you can steer your thoughts towards all that you aspire to attain; if you can open your thoughts to the dreams that ignite your passion — then you'll discover a newfound serenity in life itself.

Embodying a serene demeanor is the hallmark of someone who has mastered the art of living harmoniously with his thoughts. It might be a lengthy journey to reach there, but the rewards are unquestionably worth the effort.

A concluding recap

Thought plays a paramount role in shaping our existence. Our traits, potential to succeed, the situations we encounter, and even our physical wellbeing, all draw their essence from our thoughts. By learning to refine our thoughts positively, we hold the power to transform our lives.