The Power of Awareness
Neville Goddard | Summary | Conscious Manifestation
Learn how awareness shapes reality with "The Power of Awareness" by Neville Goddard. Read the book summary and master the law of assumption.
"The Power of Awareness" by Neville Goddard, explores the concept that our thoughts and beliefs have the power to shape our reality. The book argues that by consciously changing our state of consciousness, we can change the course of our lives. It encourages readers to use their imagination to assume the feeling of their wishes already being fulfilled and to persist in this feeling until those desires manifest in the physical world. The book also discusses the importance of faith, reverence for the divine within, and the need to be "doers of the word," actively applying these principles to experience transformation.
Core Concepts
I AM - The Foundation of Reality
The text posits that consciousness ("I AM") is the singular, foundational reality, manifesting in myriad forms. It is the first cause-substance, the self-definition of God:
"I AM is the self-definition of the absolute, the foundation on which everything rests."
Despite experiencing ourselves as separate individuals, the text argues there is no true division in consciousness:
"There is no one that is not all that is, for consciousness, though expressed in an infinite series of levels, is not divisional."
The Power of Assumption:
Our individual experiences are shaped by our concept of ourselves, our "assumptions." These assumptions, whether conscious or unconscious, determine the reality we experience:
"The world moves with motiveless necessity... It has no motive of its own, but is under the necessity of manifesting your concept, the arrangement of your mind."
This principle applies to all aspects of life:
"This principle governs every aspect of your life, be it social, financial, intellectual, or spiritual."
Imagination: The Tool of Transformation
The text highlights the critical role of imagination in transforming our reality:
"Your imagination is the instrument, the means, whereby your redemption from slavery, sickness, and poverty is affected."
By vividly imagining ourselves as we desire to be, and feeling the emotions associated with that desired state, we can manifest it in the physical world:
"Form a mental image, a picture of the state desired... Concentrate your attention upon the feeling that you are already that person... By your imagination that which was a mere mental image is changed into a seemingly solid reality."
Attention and Attitude: Keys to Mastery
The text emphasizes the importance of focused attention and a positive attitude:
"The power of attention is the measure of your inner force. Concentrated observation of one thing shuts out other things and causes them to disappear."
It encourages readers to cultivate an attitude of faith and acceptance:
"The windows of heaven... open of themselves and present their treasures as a free gift – a gift that comes when absorption reaches such a degree that it results in a feeling of complete acceptance."
Persistence: The Path to Realization
Consistent effort and unwavering belief are crucial to manifesting our desires:
"Your assumption, to be effective, cannot be a single isolated act; it must be a maintained attitude of the wish fulfilled."
The text uses biblical parables to illustrate the power of persistent prayer and unwavering faith.
Case Histories: Demonstrating the Principle
The document includes several real-life examples of individuals who successfully applied these principles to achieve their desires, ranging from securing military discharges to achieving financial success.
Righteousness: The Consciousness of Being
The text defines "righteousness" not in a moral sense, but as "the consciousness of already being what you want to be":
"Righteousness is not the thing itself; it is the consciousness, the feeling of already being the person you want to be, of already having the thing you desire."
It emphasizes the importance of aligning our inner state with our desired reality.
Reverence: The Natural Response to Awareness
The final chapter underscores the profound impact of realizing our own divine nature:
"IN ALL creation, in all eternity, in all the realms of your infinite being, the most wonderful fact is... You are God."
This awareness, according to the text, naturally leads to a deep sense of reverence and adoration for the world around us.
A Guide to Conscious Creation
- I AM: Unveiling the Source of Reality
- This chapter introduces the fundamental concept of "I AM" as the core of consciousness and the foundational reality from which all manifestations arise.
- It explores the idea that there is only one I AM expressing itself in infinite forms and that your concept of yourself shapes your experiences.
- Consciousness: The Only Reality
- This section builds upon the previous chapter by stating that consciousness is the sole reality and that seemingly external circumstances, conditions, and objects are projections of your own consciousness.
- It emphasizes rejecting the notion of a separate, external world and embracing the oneness of self and environment.
- The World is Your Mirror
- This chapter further develops the concept of consciousness as the sole reality by explaining that the world reflects your inner state.
- It uses the analogy of a magnet to illustrate how the arrangement of consciousness, like the alignment of molecules, determines the outward manifestation.
- Desire: The Seed of Manifestation
- This section shifts focus to the role of desire in shaping reality.
- It emphasizes that persistent assumptions, even if initially false, ultimately solidify into facts, highlighting the creative power of belief.
- The Truth That Sets You Free: Imagination as the Redemptive Power
- This chapter introduces the concept of controlled imagination as the key to liberation from limitations.
- It explains that by vividly imagining and feeling your desired state as if it were already true, you initiate the process of transformation.
- Attention: Focusing the Inner Force
- This section explores the power of attention in directing the creative process.
- It stresses that focused attention on the feeling of the wish fulfilled, excluding distractions, is crucial for manifesting desires.
- Attitude: Shaping Perception Through Assumptions
- This chapter delves into how assumptions shape our perception of reality.
- It presents evidence that what we see depends not only on what is objectively present but also on the assumptions we bring to the observation.
- Renunciation: Shifting Focus from the Undesirable
- This section highlights the importance of renouncing, rather than resisting, unwanted conditions.
- It emphasizes shifting attention away from the negative and focusing on desired outcomes to facilitate positive change.
- Preparing Your Place: Claiming Your Desired Reality
- This chapter encourages readers to claim their desires with confidence and conviction.
- It emphasizes that appropriating and assuming the feeling of having your desires already fulfilled is essential for their manifestation.
- Creation: Finished Yet Experienced Sequentially
- This section explains that creation is complete, existing in an eternal now, but experienced by us in a linear time sequence.
- It highlights the role of your concept of self in determining the specific path you experience through the already-existing creation.
- Interference: The Power of Intervention Through Consciousness
- This chapter focuses on the power of conscious intervention to alter your future.
- It reiterates that you have the ability to change your concept of yourself, thereby redirecting your path through the pre-existing creation.
- Subjective Control: Mastering Attention to Shape Reality
- This section further emphasizes the importance of mastering attention to control the creative process.
- It encourages practicing the deliberate withdrawal of attention from the external world and focusing it on internally chosen thoughts and feelings.
- Acceptance: Opening the Channel for Divine Action
- This chapter explains that complete acceptance of the desired state, feeling it as already true, is crucial for manifestation.
- It compares this acceptance to "the Lord of hosts in action," highlighting its pivotal role in realizing your desires.
- The Effortless Way: Embracing the Principle of Least Action
- This section introduces the concept of achieving desires with minimal effort and time by aligning with the principle of least action.
- It reiterates that shifting your assumptions, rather than forcing change in the external world, is the most efficient path to manifestation.
- The Crown of the Mysteries: The Transforming Power of Assumption
- This chapter celebrates the power of assumption as the pinnacle of conscious creation.
- It compares the birth of an idea to the Immaculate Conception and its realization through assumption to the Assumption, showcasing the spiritual significance of this process.
- Personal Impotence: Surrendering to the Creative Law
- This section underscores the importance of acknowledging your own inability to force creation and surrendering to the law of assumption.
- It uses the analogy of magnetism to demonstrate that you cannot create the law but only align with it to achieve desired results.
- All Things Are Possible: Embracing the Limitless Potential of Belief
- This chapter inspires confidence in the power of belief to achieve seemingly impossible outcomes.
- It emphasizes that by aligning with your infinite being through unwavering assumption, you can overcome limitations and manifest your desires.
- Be Ye Doers: Applying the Law for Transformation
- This section urges readers to be active participants in the creative process rather than passive observers.
- It encourages putting knowledge into practice by persistently assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled.
- Essentials: Three Keys to Successful Manifestation
- This chapter outlines the three essential elements for effectively applying the law of assumption: burning desire, physical stillness, and vividly experiencing the desired state in imagination.
- It clarifies the differences between controlled imagination and mere daydreaming, highlighting the importance of intentional focus.
- Righteousness: The Consciousness of Being
- This section delves deeper into the concept of "righteousness" as the state of consciousness where you feel yourself already being what you desire to be.
- It contrasts this with the limited understanding of righteousness as adherence to external rules and emphasizes its internal, experiential nature.
- Free Will: Choosing Your Assumptions
- This chapter explores the relationship between free will and the law of assumption.
- It clarifies that free will lies in the power to choose your assumptions, while the unfolding of events follows deterministically from those chosen beliefs.
- Persistence: The Key to Unwavering Manifestation
- This section highlights the critical importance of persistence in maintaining the feeling of the wish fulfilled.
- It uses biblical stories and teachings to illustrate the power of unwavering belief and relentless pursuit of your desires.
- Case Histories: Real-Life Examples of the Law in Action
- This chapter offers compelling real-life accounts of individuals successfully applying the law of assumption to manifest their desires.
- These stories provide tangible evidence of the law's efficacy and inspire readers to embrace its potential.
- Failure: Identifying and Overcoming Obstacles
- This section addresses the possibility of encountering setbacks despite understanding and applying the law.
- It encourages analysing potential errors in consciousness and persisting in refining your application of the principles.
- Faith: The Unwavering Conviction of Knowing
- This chapter dives deeper into the concept of faith as unwavering knowing rather than blind hope.
- It emphasizes that true faith lies in the certainty that your assumptions, when persistently held, will inevitably manifest in your reality.
- Destiny: Creating Your Future Through Consciousness
- This section explores the concept of destiny as a series of ever-evolving possibilities shaped by your consciousness.
- It inspires readers to embrace their role as conscious creators of their own destinies, empowered by the understanding of the law of assumption.
- Reverence: Embracing the Wonder of Your Divine Nature
- This concluding chapter invites readers to cultivate a profound sense of reverence for their own inherent divinity.
- It emphasizes that recognizing your true nature as creator should inspire a deep appreciation for life and a constant feeling of connection to the source of all creation.
Conclusion
"The Power of Awareness" presents a compelling argument for the power of conscious assumption to shape our reality. It emphasizes the role of imagination, focused attention, and unwavering faith in manifesting our desires. Through practical exercises and inspiring examples, it invites readers to embrace their creative potential and claim their divine inheritance.
Glossary of Key Terms
I AM: The fundamental awareness of being, the core of consciousness, synonymous with God.
Assumption: A belief held with conviction, regardless of external evidence.
Consciousness: The state of being aware, the underlying substance of reality.
Concept: A mental representation or understanding of something.
Creation: The finished totality of all that is, experienced through individual consciousness.
Destiny: The unfolding of experiences shaped by one's assumptions and consciousness.
Free Will: The ability to choose the concepts and assumptions one adopts.
Imagination: The faculty of forming mental images and experiencing them as real.
Persistence: Continued focus and feeling of the wish fulfilled, leading to its manifestation.
Righteousness: The state of consciousness aligned with the desired reality, the feeling of already being what you want to be.
Sin: Missing the mark, failing to realize one's desires due to misaligned consciousness.
Subjective Control: Directing attention inward, consciously choosing thoughts and feelings.