New Thought

New Thought is a religious movement that emerged in the United States during the early 19th century. It is often referred to as Higher Thought. This movement is not a single, unified organization. Instead, it is a loosely allied group of religious denominations, philosophers, and individual authors. They share a common interest in metaphysics and the power of the human mind. Many followers believe in the law of attraction and the concept of personal power. They also explore ideas regarding healing and a spiritual life force.

At the center of New Thought are several core metaphysical beliefs. Adherents believe that a supreme, universal, and everlasting force called Infinite Intelligence, or God, is everywhere. They hold that spirit represents the totality of all real things. A key idea is that true human selfhood is divine, meaning divinity dwells within every person. Followers believe that all people are spiritual beings. They teach that divine thought acts as a force for good. Another central tenet is that our mental states are carried forward into manifestation. This means our thoughts become our actual experiences in daily living. Consequently, many believe that sickness originates in the mind and that "right thinking" can have a healing effect.

The movement's origins are often traced to various historical thinkers. Some point to Franz Mesmer, a European thinker who linked mental states to physical conditions. However, many trace the movement more directly to Phineas Quimby. Quimby was an American mesmerist and healer active in the 19th century. He believed that illness resulted from erroneous beliefs in the mind. He taught that a mind open to God's wisdom could overcome any sickness. Interestingly, Quimby's methods were often seen as separate from traditional religion. His son noted that Quimby's healing did not involve prayer or asking a divinity for help. Instead, he relied on his own wisdom. This differs from Christian Science, which was founded by Mary Baker Eddy. Eddy was a patient of Quimby and shared his view on mental causes of disease, but her teaching was a religious one.

As the movement developed, it moved through several distinct stages and denominations. In the late 19th century, various churches emerged to formalize these ideas. The Unity Church and the Church of Divine Science were established in 1888 and 1889. Later, Religious Science grew from the establishment of the Institute of Religious Science and Philosophy in 1927. Women played a vital role in leading these early developments. Notable founders and teachers included Emma Curtis Hopkins, known as the "teacher of teachers." Other important figures were Myrtle Fillmore, Malinda Cramer, and Nona L. Brooks. Many community centers and churches have continued to be led by women from the 1880s to the present day.

New Thought also integrated ideas from the field of psychology. In the 19th century, the Nancy School in France studied how suggestion worked. Physicians like Ambroise-Auguste Liébeault and Hippolyte Bernheim viewed hypnosis as a psychological state. In the United States, these clinical principles were institutionalized at the Chicago School of Psychology. Founded by Herbert A. Parkyn in 1896, this school used scientific language. They taught that the "Law of Suggestion" operated according to fixed mental laws. William Walker Atkinson was a prominent figure who emerged from this school. He translated clinical ideas into concepts like thought force and personal magnetism.

Literature has been a primary driver of growth for the movement. Many followers learned through books and magazines rather than just through churches. Prentice Mulford was pivotal, especially through his essays on the Law of Attraction. William Walker Atkinson was also highly prolific, writing more than 100 books. He served as the editor of New Thought magazine, a highly influential journal. Other publications, like Elizabeth Towne's Nautilus, reached massive audiences. Nautilus had a total circulation of approximately 150,000 readers. There was even a long-running children's magazine called Wee Wisdom, which published from 1893 until 1991.

Today, the movement remains connected through various organizations and publications. The International New Thought Alliance (INTA) serves as a voluntary membership organization. It aims to advance New Thought ideals and includes approximately 350 institutional members. Some reports suggest there are around 200 affiliated societies, some of which still use the label "church." Modern magazines like Daily Word and Science of Mind continue to reach readers. The movement connects ancient wisdom with modern psychological concepts. It remains a diverse collection of people exploring the relationship between consciousness and reality.