Neville Goddard
Neville Goddard
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Neville Goddard was born Frank Joseph Goodman on February 19, 1905, in St. Michael, Barbados. He is often referred to by his spiritual name, Neville.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: February 19, 1905
Died: October 1, 1972
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Neville Goddard was a Barbadian-American spiritual teacher, philosopher, and New Thought movement leader. He is best known for his work on the power of imagination and the law of assumption.
Early Life and Background
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Goddard's early life was marked by tragedy when he lost both parents at a young age. Orphaned and sent to live with relatives in Barbados, Goddard's upbringing was far from conventional. He attended St. Michael's Boys' School but left without completing his education.
In his late teens, Goddard moved to New York City, where he worked as an actor on Broadway. It was during this time that he began exploring the world of spirituality and eventually discovered his true calling as a spiritual teacher.
Major Accomplishments
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Neville Goddard's teachings emphasized the importance of imagination in shaping reality. He believed that by assuming a specific identity or outcome, one could bring it into being through the power of imagination. This concept is central to his work and has been widely influential.
Goddard also developed a distinctive approach to scripture interpretation, which he called "allegorical," focusing on the symbolic meaning behind biblical stories rather than their historical context.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Goddard's notable works include:
"The Power of Awareness" (1952) - This book introduces his concept of the law of assumption and its relationship to the imagination.
"Feeling is the Secret" (1944) - In this work, Goddard explores the role of feeling in manifestation and spiritual growth.
Impact and Legacy
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Neville Goddard's teachings have had a profound impact on modern spirituality. His emphasis on the power of imagination has influenced countless individuals seeking to manifest their desires and improve their lives.
Goddard's work also predates many contemporary self-help and personal development movements, making him an early pioneer in these fields.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Neville Goddard is widely quoted and remembered for his profound insights into the human condition. His teachings on the power of imagination have inspired generations to reexamine their relationship with reality and cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves.
Goddard's legacy extends beyond his written works, as he continues to inspire spiritual seekers through his lectures, books, and the countless individuals who have been impacted by his teachings.
Overall, Neville Goddard was a true visionary whose work has left an indelible mark on modern spirituality. His enduring influence serves as a testament to the transformative power of his teachings.
Quotes by Neville Goddard
William Blake: “In your own bosom you bear your heaven and earth, And all you behold, though it appears without, It is within, in your imagination, Of which this world of mortality is but a shadow.
All that meditation amounts to is a controlled imagination and a well sustained attention. Simply hold the attention on a certain idea until it fills the mind and crowds all other ideas out of consciousness. The power of attention shows itself the sure guarantee of an inner force.
If ye believe not that I AM He, ye shall die in your sins.” Unless man discovers that his consciousness is the cause of every expression of his life, he will continue seeking the cause of his confusion in the world of effects, and so shall die in his fruitless search.
To be conscious of being poor while praying for riches is to be rewarded with that which you are conscious of being, namely, poverty. Prayers to be successful must be claimed and appropriated. Assume the positive consciousness of the thing desired.
What we must work for is not the development of the will, but the education of the imagination and the steadying of attention.
Prayer succeeds by avoiding conflict. Prayer is, above all things, easy. Its greatest enemy is effort.
Because of your belief in external things you think power into them by transferring the power that you are to the external thing. Realize you yourself are the power you have mistakenly given to outer conditions.
To attempt to change circumstances before I change my own imaginal activity is to struggle against the very nature of my own being, for my own imaginal activity is animating my world.
I imagine that people see me as they would see me if I were the man that I want to be.