Neville Goddard (1905-1972) was a leading figure in the New Thought movement, his teachings and writings focused on harnessing the powers of imagination and consciousness as tools for personal transformation. Two of his most prominent and influential concepts include “feeling it real” and “living from the end”.
“Feeling It Real”
“Feeling it real” is a principle that encourages individuals to experience their desires in the present moment as if they have already been realized. It’s a practice that has its roots in Goddard’s interpretation of metaphysical teachings and biblical stories, where he saw the Bible not as a historical or religious document, but a psychological drama occurring within the consciousness of every individual.
This method asks individuals to create a vivid scene in their mind that represents their fulfilled desire, with emphasis on engaging all senses to make it as real as possible. The aim is to feel the joy, satisfaction, or other emotions that you would feel if your goal were already achieved.
To practice “feeling it real,” one must be in a relaxed and receptive state. This is typically achieved through meditation or a state akin to sleep where the subconscious mind is more open and impressionable.
Here, you mentally construct a scenario that symbolizes your fulfilled desire. You are not merely visualizing, you are feeling the emotions, touching the environment, hearing the sounds, and even smelling the scents in this imaginative state. The more intense the feeling, the more likely the subconscious mind will accept it as reality.
“Living From the End”
“Living from the end” is a logical extension of “feeling it real.” In this practice, once you have vividly imagined and emotionally felt your desire as already fulfilled, you proceed to live your physical reality as if your desired outcome is inevitable.
Goddard suggested that every event in our life is a result of our inner state of consciousness. If our inner state embodies the fulfilment of our desires, our external reality will mirror this. This notion was inspired by his interpretation of the Biblical phrase “As within, so without.”
In essence, “living from the end” requires us to assume the identity, behavior, and emotions of the person we would be once our goal is realized. If you were aiming for a job promotion, you wouldn’t just visualize and feel the promotion; you would also start behaving and making decisions as if you already had that position.
Practitioners are advised not to worry about the “how” or the steps needed to reach the desired outcome. Goddard believed that the universe, or our deeper self, has an intelligence and a way of rearranging itself once our feeling state changes.
Critics might argue that these methods promote a kind of escapism or delusion, but followers of Neville Goddard’s teachings argue that it’s a form of profound psychological change that can lead to positive outcomes in one’s life. They posit that by changing our internal world, we can change our external circumstances.
There’s a growing body of scientific evidence supporting the idea that our mental and emotional states can have a direct influence on our physical reality. Fields like psychoneuroimmunology and the study of the placebo effect show how our beliefs, attitudes, and emotions can impact our physical health.
In conclusion, “feeling it real” and “living from the end” are powerful concepts that aim to align our internal emotional states with our desired outcomes. They require us to imagine vividly, feel deeply, and act confidently.
While they may not provide a magic solution to all life’s challenges, they do offer a framework for personal transformation that many have found to be beneficial
Understanding Neville Goddard’s Teachings: From Revision to The Golden Rule
Neville Goddard, a prominent New Thought leader, introduced several methods to guide people in manifesting their desires through the power of imagination. Beyond his well-known concepts of “Feeling It Real” and “Living From the End”, his teachings encompass additional compelling practices and philosophies. This article explores six of these additional concepts.
Revision
Goddard’s concept of Revision suggests that altering your mental replay of past events can change their effects and influence your future. To practice Revision, one must relax into a meditative state, recall a past event that they wish to change, and reimagine the event unfolding as they would have preferred.
The purpose is to replace the negative emotional responses associated with the initial event with positive ones that come from the revised scenario. By doing so, you’re reprogramming your subconscious, which can alter your beliefs, feelings, and expectations, thereby influencing your future experiences.
The Law of Assumption
The Law of Assumption is a fundamental principle in Goddard’s teachings. It posits that reality reflects what you assume you are. This means your experiences are shaped by your self-concept and the assumptions you hold about yourself and the world.
To apply this law, one must assume the state of the wish fulfilled. This goes beyond mere wishful thinking. It involves feeling, thinking, and acting as if your desire has already manifested. According to Goddard, persisting in the state of the wish fulfilled will result in its physical manifestation.
Everyone is You Pushed Out
Goddard’s concept “Everyone is You Pushed Out” emphasizes that your perceptions and beliefs about others shape how they show up in your reality. Essentially, the way others behave towards you is a reflection of your beliefs and expectations about them.
If you want someone to change their behavior towards you, rather than trying to change them directly, you change your beliefs and assumptions about them. As your beliefs shift, so too will their behavior, mirroring your new expectations.
The Promise
The Promise represents the spiritual aspect of Goddard’s teachings. It is a more mystical concept signifying a journey of spiritual awakening and self-realization. Goddard asserted that every individual would experience a series of spiritual visions, leading to the realization of their divine nature.
The Promise suggests that no matter what one’s present circumstances are, they are on a spiritual journey that will eventually lead to the awareness of their true, divine self. According to Goddard, this realization brings with it a profound sense of peace and fulfillment.
The State Akin to Sleep (SATS)
SATS is a technique frequently recommended by Goddard. It involves entering a relaxed state of consciousness between wakefulness and sleep, where your subconscious mind is most receptive.
In this state, you visualize and feel your desire as already fulfilled. This technique is often used with “Feeling It Real” and “Living From the End” as it helps to impress your desires onto your subconscious mind, which Goddard argued is crucial for their manifestation.
The Golden Rule
Although the Golden Rule isn’t unique to Goddard, he emphasized its significance in relation to manifesting desires. His interpretation of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” was not just about moral behavior but a recognition that the reality you create for others is a reflection of the reality you create for yourself.
Goddard urged his followers to imagine lovingly for others, because, according to his teachings, this would reflect back on their lives, creating a reality filled with love and positivity.
Each of these practices and principles emphasizes the transformative power of our minds in shaping our reality. While they may not provide a magic solution to life’s challenges, they offer a framework for personal transformation and self-empowerment.
By altering our internal states—our feelings, beliefs, and consciousness—Goddard believed we can create our desired external reality. His teachings continue to inspire and guide many on their journey towards personal and spiritual growth.