People, Ideas, and Movements That Shaped New Thought
Chronological development and evolution of the New Thought movement.
New Thought is a 19th-century American metaphysical movement emphasizing the power of the mind to heal and shape reality. Its origins trace to transcendentalist ideas, Phineas Quimby’s mental healing, and the organizational leadership of Emma Curtis Hopkins, with lasting influence on modern self-help culture.
This article traces the profound yet often overlooked influence of Emanuel Swedenborg on the New Thought movement, from his mystical visions and Enlightenment-era theology to his impact on Transcendentalists, Warren Felt Evans, and the movement’s core teachings on consciousness and healing.
Explore the intellectual and spiritual lineage connecting Transcendentalism and New Thought, from Emerson’s idealism to Quimby’s healing methods, shaping a metaphysical religious movement.
Explore the 19th-century metaphysical movement that birthed the Law of Attraction, from Phineas Quimby’s healing methods to the institutionalization of New Thought and its enduring influence on modern self-help culture.
New Thought, a 19th-century American mind-healing movement, laid the groundwork for modern positive thinking. This article traces its evolution from Phineas Quimby’s mental healing to the institutional forms of Unity, Divine Science, and Religious Science, and explores its lasting cultural impact.
Explore how New Thought’s prosperity theology evolved from 19th-century mind cure to a widespread American success philosophy, shaping modern self-help and positive thinking movements.
Affirmations, or affirmative prayer, are a core practice of the New Thought movement, evolving from 19th-century mental healing to institutionalized forms in Divine Science, Unity, and Religious Science. This article traces their origins, key figures, and lasting influence on modern self-help culture.
A comprehensive exploration of the 19th-century concept of Mental Science, its roots in metaphysical movements, and its transformation into the New Thought movement, highlighting key figures, institutions, and publications.
The International New Thought Alliance (INTA) emerged in 1914 as a unifying umbrella for the diverse New Thought movement, which had grown from the metaphysical teachings of Phineas Quimby and others. This article traces its formation, early congresses, and lasting influence on spiritual and self-help culture.
The first New Thought conventions, beginning with the 1894 San Francisco gathering under the International Divine Science Association, marked the movement’s transition from scattered healers to an organized spiritual force. This article explores the historical context, key events, and enduring significance of these early assemblies.