Introduction
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly navigate life's challenges while others struggle to stay afloat? The answer might lie in a profound secret that has the power to transform your entire perspective on life, prayer, and your place in the universe. In his groundbreaking book "Feeling Is The Secret," Neville Goddard unveils this hidden wisdom, offering readers a key to unlock their true potential and shape their reality.
Goddard's work invites us to explore the depths of our consciousness and discover how our thoughts and feelings can profoundly impact our lives. This book summary will guide you through the main concepts of Goddard's teachings, providing you with practical insights to harness the power of your mind and create the life you desire.
The Dance of Consciousness: Understanding Your Inner Workings
Imagine standing on the bank of a majestic river that splits into two distinct streams. The larger stream rushes forward with swift currents, while the smaller one flows gently, accepting whatever comes its way. This imagery serves as a perfect metaphor for the concept of consciousness that Goddard presents in his book.
The Conscious and Subconscious Minds
Our consciousness, like the river, divides into two parts: the conscious and subconscious minds. The conscious mind, represented by the larger stream, is the active, idea-generating part of our psyche. It's personal, selective, and constantly churning out thoughts and concepts.
On the other hand, the subconscious mind, symbolized by the smaller stream, is more passive and accepting. It doesn't create ideas on its own but instead gives form to the thoughts and feelings fed to it by the conscious mind.
The Interplay Between Conscious and Subconscious
Goddard likens this interaction to the male and female principles in nature. The conscious mind, like the male, generates ideas, while the subconscious mind, akin to the female, nurtures and gives birth to these ideas in our reality.
Understanding this dynamic is crucial because it reveals how we can take control of our lives. By mastering the interplay between our conscious and subconscious minds, we can shape our experiences and manifest our desires.
The Three-Step Dance of Creation
Goddard outlines a three-step process of creation:
- An idea is born in the conscious mind
- This idea transforms into a feeling
- A decision to act upon this feeling is made
The vital link in this process is feeling. It acts as a courier, delivering ideas from the conscious mind to the subconscious. This is why controlling our feelings is so important in shaping our reality.
The Power of Feeling: Shaping Your Reality
Goddard emphasizes that controlling our feelings doesn't mean suppressing or restraining them. Instead, it's about disciplining ourselves not to entertain unwanted feelings or dwell on imperfections – both in ourselves and others.
The Golden Rule
He reminds us of the golden rule: treat others as you'd wish to be treated. This simple yet powerful principle can guide us towards a happier life. By focusing on positive feelings and treating others with kindness, we create a more positive reality for ourselves.
Dominant Feelings Win
When two conflicting feelings arise, the dominant one will be expressed. For example, the phrase "I am happy" is stronger than "I will be happy." The latter subtly suggests that you're not happy at the moment, which contradicts the feeling of realization you're trying to achieve.
Your Body as an Emotional Filter
Goddard describes our bodies as emotional filters that connect us to the outside world. Suppressed emotions, such as frustrations or regrets, can lead to various problems, including physical ailments. Therefore, it's crucial to transform these emotions into states we wish to realize.
You Are the Director of Your Life
Throughout the book, Goddard encourages readers to avoid seeing themselves as victims of fate or chance. He asserts that our subconscious mind is the true director of our life's play. It's indifferent to what we consider as truth – our feelings serve as its compass.
This means that if you genuinely feel something to be true, it becomes true to your subconscious. So, Goddard asks, what do you want? Can you close your eyes and feel that it already belongs to you?
As Within, So Without
One of the core principles Goddard presents is the idea that our inner world shapes our outer reality. It's easy to believe that the world controls our feelings, but Goddard challenges us to see it the other way around. He asserts that there's nothing in our world that isn't a manifestation of the contents of our consciousness.
Sleep: The Gateway to Your Subconscious
Goddard dedicates a significant portion of his book to discussing the importance of sleep in shaping our reality. He likens this process to gardening, where we plant seeds of feelings in the fertile soil of our subconscious mind.
The Significance of Sleep
We spend about a third of our lives asleep, making it a crucial state of being. Goddard describes sleep as a natural gateway to the subconscious, urging readers to welcome it each night as an intimate companion.
Sleep as a Mirror
Contrary to popular belief, sleep doesn't offer us what we desire. Instead, it reflects and reinforces who we think we are. During sleep, our conscious mind surrenders to the subconscious, and whatever lingers in our subconscious manifests in our waking life.
The Last Waking Thoughts
Goddard emphasizes the importance of our last waking thoughts and feelings before sleep. He advises slipping into sleep with feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction. As we lay down to rest, we should imagine we've already fulfilled our desires, then gently drift into sleep.
Nightly Practice
This nightly practice of positive visualization is crucial. Goddard warns against surrendering to sleep while harboring feelings of failure or discouragement. By assuming the reality of our dreams as we fall asleep, we begin to give them form in our waking life.
Daring to Dream
Goddard encourages readers not to be restricted by past experiences. He reminds us that every visible, tangible state once existed as an invisible, subjective idea. We have the power to realize whatever we can envision.
Prayer: The Silent Conversation
In addition to sleep, Goddard presents prayer as another powerful tool for shaping our reality. He describes prayer not as a plea to an external deity, but as a conversation with our inner self.
The Inner Sanctuary
Drawing from biblical teachings, Goddard suggests that prayer invites us to retreat into our inner sanctuary, away from the noise of the external world. This private communion prepares our mind to receive openly.
Prayer as a State of Mind
To pray effectively, Goddard advises entering a state similar to sleep, where our mind becomes receptive to internal suggestions. The essence of prayer isn't merely asking for what we want – it's preparing ourselves to receive it.
The Importance of Belief
Belief is crucial in prayer. When we pray, we need to trust that our desires are already fulfilled. Goddard explains that consciousness, imprinted with the feeling of our desire, is the only reality. Our feelings don't just influence our life; they dictate the world around us.
Overcoming Doubt
Doubt, often expressed in thoughts like "I want to, but I can't," can obstruct the path to manifesting our desires. Goddard reminds us that we can't attract what we desire; instead, we attract what we consciously believe we are.
Yielding to Desires
The solution, according to Goddard, is to yield to our desires. He suggests creating a meditative, passive state that mirrors sleep. To do this, we should sit comfortably or lay down, and induce a sleepy feeling. In this serene state, we should vividly imagine that our wish is already fulfilled.
Visualizing Success
Goddard advises considering what we want to accomplish in life and visualizing it vividly in our minds. While some may feel the need to voice their desires quietly, Goddard assures us that this isn't necessary. The focus should be on the image and the feeling of fulfillment.
Emerging from Prayer
As we conclude our prayer, Goddard suggests emerging as if we've just watched the happy ending of a movie. The intricate details of how our desire came to pass aren't our concern. We should know that the end we desire is already defined.
Practical Applications of Goddard's Teachings
While Goddard's concepts may seem abstract at first, they have practical applications in various aspects of life. Here are some ways to apply his teachings:
Goal Setting
When setting goals, don't just write them down. Take time to vividly imagine achieving these goals. Feel the emotions associated with success. This practice aligns your subconscious with your conscious desires, making you more likely to take actions that lead to success.
Overcoming Fears and Anxieties
Instead of dwelling on your fears, imagine scenarios where you've overcome them. Feel the relief and confidence that comes with conquering your anxieties. This practice can help reprogram your subconscious, reducing the power these fears hold over you.
Improving Relationships
Apply the golden rule in your interactions. Treat others as you wish to be treated, and imagine positive outcomes in your relationships. This can help create a more harmonious environment around you.
Career Advancement
Visualize yourself in your desired position. Feel the satisfaction and pride of achieving your career goals. This can boost your confidence and motivate you to take necessary steps towards advancement.
Personal Growth
Identify areas where you want to grow. Imagine yourself having already developed these qualities. Feel the sense of accomplishment and confidence. This can help accelerate your personal development journey.
Health and Wellness
Instead of focusing on illness or discomfort, visualize yourself in perfect health. Feel the vitality and energy coursing through your body. This positive focus can complement medical treatments and contribute to overall well-being.
Financial Abundance
Rather than stressing about lack, imagine yourself living in financial abundance. Feel the security and freedom that comes with it. This can help shift your mindset and potentially open up new opportunities.
Challenges in Applying Goddard's Principles
While Goddard's teachings offer a powerful approach to shaping our reality, implementing them can come with challenges:
Consistency
Maintaining a consistent practice of visualization and positive feeling, especially before sleep, can be difficult. Life's daily stresses often intrude on our attempts to maintain a positive mindset.
Overcoming Skepticism
For those new to these concepts, skepticism can be a significant hurdle. It may feel unnatural or even foolish to imagine desires as already fulfilled when external evidence suggests otherwise.
Patience
Results may not be immediate, which can lead to discouragement. Goddard's approach requires faith and persistence, which can be challenging in a world that often demands quick results.
Balancing Action and Faith
While Goddard emphasizes the power of consciousness, it's important to remember that action is also necessary. Finding the right balance between mental work and physical effort can be tricky.
Dealing with Setbacks
When faced with setbacks or failures, it can be difficult to maintain the belief that our desires are already fulfilled. Learning to navigate these challenges while holding onto our vision is a crucial skill to develop.
The Broader Implications of Goddard's Philosophy
Goddard's teachings extend beyond personal development, touching on broader philosophical and spiritual concepts:
The Nature of Reality
Goddard's work challenges our understanding of reality. If our consciousness shapes our world, what does this mean for our concept of objective reality?
Free Will and Determinism
The idea that we can shape our reality through consciousness raises questions about free will and determinism. Are we truly the architects of our destiny, or are there limits to what we can manifest?
The Role of Spirituality
While Goddard's approach doesn't rely on traditional religious concepts, it does touch on spiritual themes. How does this perspective fit with various spiritual and religious beliefs?
Collective Consciousness
If individual consciousness shapes personal reality, what are the implications for collective consciousness? Can groups of people collectively shape larger realities?
Ethics and Responsibility
With great power comes great responsibility. If we have the ability to shape our reality, what are the ethical implications? How do we ensure we use this power responsibly?
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Secret
Neville Goddard's "Feeling Is The Secret" offers a profound perspective on the power of consciousness to shape our reality. By understanding the interplay between our conscious and subconscious minds, and harnessing the power of our feelings, we can become active creators of our life experiences rather than passive observers.
The practices of sleep preparation and prayer, as Goddard describes them, provide practical tools for impressing our desires upon our subconscious mind. By consistently applying these principles, we can potentially transform our lives in remarkable ways.
However, it's important to approach these teachings with an open mind and a willingness to persist. The changes we seek may not manifest overnight, but with consistent practice and belief, we may find ourselves living the life we've always dreamed of.
Goddard's work invites us to explore the depths of our consciousness and challenges us to take responsibility for our reality. It encourages us to dream big, believe deeply, and live as if our desires are already fulfilled.
In a world that often feels chaotic and beyond our control, "Feeling Is The Secret" offers a empowering perspective. It reminds us that we are not victims of circumstance, but powerful creators with the ability to shape our destiny. By mastering our minds, nurturing positive feelings, and maintaining unwavering faith in our desires, we can embark on a beautiful journey of creation and self-realization.
As you close this summary and reflect on Goddard's teachings, consider this: What reality do you wish to create? Can you feel, right now, as if it's already yours? Your journey of conscious creation begins with this feeling. Embrace it, nurture it, and watch as your world transforms around you.