Tag: New Thought

• March 25, 2026

  Yogic New Thought: Problems & Directions

  My wife Alexandra and I are currently writing a book entitled Yogic New Thought. New Thought is a largely American “metaphysical religion” that began in the second half of the nineteenth century and that continues, mainly in pop cultural form, today. To simplify to an extreme: the basic tenet of New Thought is a thought…
• March 13, 2026

  Yogic New Thought: A Reappraisal And Interpretation

  John S. Haller Jr., in his book The History of New Thought: From Mind Cure to Positive Thinking and the Prosperity Gospel (2012), regrettably misses the mark. A secular humanist tasked with studying the history of American religion and medical humanities, he lacks a good ear with regard to what was actually attractive about New…
• March 10, 2026

  A Defense Of The Prosperity Gospel

  John S. Haller Jr.’s treatment of “the prosperity gospel” in his book The History of New Thought: From Mind Cure to Positive Thinking and the Prosperity Gospel (2012) shows all the marks of the contemporary academy’s small-mindedness. Of course, it would be easy to say, with Haller, that the 1920s (“the roaring twenties”) effected a…
• February 6, 2026

  Creation Is A Beautiful Dream

  Question Concerning New Thought One conversation partner puts his question thus: The logical line goes like this: thoughts create your habits, your actions, your character; they color the world around you and thus ultimately create the world around you. If you think everyone is evil, you will ultimately see everyone as evil, respond accordingly, and ultimately…
• February 3, 2026

  A Minimum Viable Metaphysic For Thought Power

  In order for thought power to make any sense, you’ll have to go beyond “mere technique” as well as “mere psychology.” You’ll need a minimum viable metaphysic. To render a first sketch of this metaphysic, let’s begin by distinguishing between what’s inside of me and what’s outside of me, what’s internal and what’s external. Start…