The Creative Process in the Individual [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

This book is great. I bought this book as it was recommended by the famous author Ernest Holmes, who also writes on this topic. In fact, Troward's writings influenced Ernest Holmes and the Science of Mind movement. Holmes was able to put Troward's principles to the test and he was able to cure people of illness by mental treatment or what he calls "making a demonstration".

When I bought this book, I thought the early 1900s language was a little hard to read. But one day I was really bored and I read it, and it actually was very inspiring. His ideas and principles he puts forth about Truth, God, Mind, Love, Light, Peace etc, are truly amazing, and they really makes sense! As you read towards the back of the book, more and more wow principles are put forth by Troward. He suggests that most religious people are talking about the eternal heaven to go after this life. Yet he correctly asserts that heaven is a state of consciousness and conditions where we experience Light, Joy, Peace, Abundance etc in our life now. And since heaven is eternal, that means it is past, present and future and forever. Then it must be already here now - unless we do not know how to access that infitine givingness and love of God. We do not need to delay a heaven of joy, love and abundance like most religious teachers claim. And he goes forth to tell you how you can access that, and explains why it is so. And that is how Ernest Holmes could use these principles and treat people to have perfect health and abundance.

Lastly, different from other books which teach about "you must think of the things you want, not what you dont want". Troward goes one step further and teaches a way where you can only think about good things as REALITY.

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Thomas Troward believed that speculative reasoning based on what is known is the best way of metaphysical investigation. This classic work attempts to trace the sequence of continuous creation by logical deduction with reference to the law of cause & effect. It is important to bear in mind the triumph of principle over precedent, meaning that ideas become manifest despite the absence of past experience, as in the case of the development of aviation. Troward conveys profound concepts with clarity; no knowledge of theological terminology is required. He encourages the reader to contemplate these ideas and assimilate them if they help to make the meaning of the Bible clearer.

Troward calls the creative process the Self-contemplation of Spirit. The twofold essence of nature comprises (i) the unity of a universal creative principle & (ii) multiplicity in manifestation. He posits a sequence of cause & effect universal in nature that harmoniously includes all possible variations of individual expression. Two factors are projected from a common source: individual consciousness and energy-matter. Their relation to each other becomes an absolute fact regarding these factors themselves. The cosmos is thus no illusion. Creation proceeds from the operation of Divine Will upon both the "soul" of nature (in a sequence of progressive condensation) and the localization of its mind in the individual.

The author identifies the substantive properties of Spirit as love, light, power, peace, beauty & joy and its actions as initiative & selection. If Love itself is the original motive for creation, the divine ideal is that of individuality that recognizes its source. The need for a standard of personality becomes essential owing to matters of resonance & harmony. Taking the nature of Divine Spirit as blueprint is the way; this must be done by individual choice & free will. Alternatives like the personal force of will, magical rites, affliction of the body or the invocation of spirits deny the Eternal.

The transition from the collective operation of the Creative Spirit on mankind to its specific operation on the individual corresponds to the concept of the octave. Choosing the personality pattern of the Source means selecting the eternal essence and being of life itself. This requires the rejection of the species-standard and embracing the Spirit standard that enables the localized consciousness to grow with the The Eternal Divine through communication & action.

The will of God is Life according to Scripture & common sense. Rejoicing in the life of the Spirit establishes reciprocity of reflection - the law of action and reaction. The initiative to interact with & relate individually to the Creator springs from a yearning of the heart. When realized it enriches the individual personality by an endless flow of life expanding intelligence, love, power & joy in harmony with Spirit. Having recognized the error of time & space being the essence of life, a close relationship develops with the Creator. Prayer in its essence really means "Lord, please give me more of Yourself," a fact reflected in Holy Communion. Receiving the Divine Spirit is symbolized by bread & wine as representatives of energy-matter & life.

Troward explains the role of cause and effect in The Divine Offering that assures mankind of God's love and restorative power. Troward addresses several objections to the sacrifice of Christ, the Resurrection and the forgiveness of past sins. When time has no substantial existence, states of consciousness are all that remain; thus sins of the past have no existence (have been removed from the individual as far as the east is from the west). The Redeemer's sacrifice is the supreme manifestation of the interaction of law and personality. Redemption is the realization of the individual's eternal and perfect relation to the Father; it neutralizes fear, an emotion arising from unbelief in the love of God. Redemption as a manifestation of divine love, when properly understood, leaves no ground for fear.

I find it interesting that the scholar Geza Vermes in The Authentic Gospel of Jesus came to the very same conclusion as Troward regarding the way Jesus/Yeshua viewed the nature of God. With reference to, amongst others, the parable of the Prodigal Son, the portrait that emerges is that of a loving Father. There is no trace of severity or harshness in the God of Jesus who is a Father more than a King. With reference to the parable of the Prodigal Son, Troward highlights two great errors: (a) limiting the power of God by our own past experiences (b) thinking of Spirit as an impersonal "cosmic force" & thus believing that mankind must provide the intelligence for the creative process.

Animus Dei (Spirit of God) is the principle of personality whilst Anima Mundi (soul of nature) is impersonal. Both infinite, they are complementary to one another. Anima Mundi or the soul of nature, revealed by the Law of Tendency in the material world, lacks the ability of individual selection. Being active, Divine Personality upholds nature as well as human personality. However, Anima Mundi is impressionable so both the Divine and human personalities influence nature.

The power of the soul of man over the soul of nature is psychic. The author remarks that a sufficiently powerful concentration of will would produce dramatic effects through the Anima Mundi which might explain scriptural statements regarding the signs & wonders to be performed by three main figures at the conclusion of the present age. Troward warns the reader about philosophies that deny the personality of God; the logical result is to elevate the self to the status of deity, which is a form of idolatry that promotes malignant narcissism.

The book concludes with Trowards observations on the sound philosophy, reason & science in the Good Book, how these confirm the law of cause & effect and ultimately direct mankind to a new consciousness when God's perfect laws will live within our hearts & minds as promised in Jeremiah 31 and various other passages.

This book is Multi-layered and fascinating. Heartily recommend The Creative Process to anyone who is willing to reach beyond the race mind and consider freedom, joy, light, life, love, peace, power, truth, and beauty. Try this mindset on--it works!