The Creative Process in the Individual

by Thomas Troward

Book Overview

This is considered by many Troward's masterpiece. It embodies his maturest thought, chapter 1-10 amounting to a textbook of his teaching. The Creative Process begins with the Cosmic process and eventuates in the individual's use of Mind to further the process.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: This DeVorss edition takes the liberty of helping the reader by (1) introducing paragrahing, as Troward's paragraphs are exceedingly long; (2) introducing punctuation...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875166407
• ISBN13: 9780875166407
• Release Date: June 2015
• Publisher: DeVorss & Company
• Length: 178 Pages
• Weight: 0.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.1" x 5.2"

Customer Reviews

The Principles behind the Law of Attraction

This is Judge Thomas Troward's treatment on the law of attraction nearly 100 years ago. However, this book gives us the principles behind the law and not just an application under specific conditions. Learn the principle and you know how to apply the law in every situation under all conditions. This is a MUST READ for anyone wanting to know the Law of Attraction. Chapter 1, The Starting Point, answers the questions of why we absolutely must have an all-embracing Cosmic Mind and concrete material form as realities in the process of creation. Also, we are introduced to two of the three principles of Originating Spirit. Chapter 2, The Self-contemplation of Spirit, gives us the 3rd principle of Originating Spirit and gives us our model for creation, introducing us to Universal Polarity, Spirit and Substance. Chapter 3, The Divine Ideal, covers, the five stages of manifestation, the essence of Originating Spirit and what is the Divine Ideal. Chapter 4, The Manifestation of the Life Principle, treats the three fold nature of manifestation. Chapter 5, The Personal Factor, covers the doctrine of the microcosm and macrocosm and introduces the doctrine of the octave while delving into the transference from the 4th to the 5th stage of manifestation. Chapter 6, The Standard of Personality, reveals the law of attraction built up from the understanding of the previous chapters and how to apply the creative power for true success. Chapter 7, Race Thought and New Thought, explores why man's evolution or "specialization of cosmic law" is effected solely by personal initiative and selection. Chapter 8, The Denouement of the Creative Process, covers life after death, touches on Elijah and Enoch and the Christ Consciousness. Chapter 9, Conclusion, ties everything together and is wonderful. Also, Mr. Troward introduces the idea of the crucified Christ. Chapter 10, The Divine Offering, explains why Jesus's death and resurrection was necessary. Chapter 11, Ourselves in the Divine Offering, touches on true worship, how we are without limits, Jesus, and the Eucharist or Holy Communion. This is taken from the 25th Edition, 1958 of the Dodd, Mead & Company, New York.

An "owner's handbook" for the universe?

Though first published back in 1915, this comparatively short work has inspired philosophers and thinkers since its first appearance, and has been cited by many as their insight and inspiration. Frederick Bailes, to take just one example, said that the application of Troward's insights enabled him to overcome a supposedly "incurable" disease (diabetes). What is so important about the Troward insight? Essentially, Troward was a judge who applied rigorous logic and the evaluation of evidence to understand the way the universe came into existence, and how it works. He demonstrates that, as neither matter nor energy could (in themselves) have initiated the design process, there must be a creative inspiration - this may be called God, though Toward prefers "Spirit". A later readership might call it "the cosmos". The name doesn't matter - the principle is that of a guiding and designing intelligence, essential to the creation of a logical universe. From this, Troward argues, it follows that the process of creation must be one of thought - the universe was created by the application of rational design to the static elements of matter and energy. From this, it follows that we should employ the same design process to achieve our objectives, whatever these may be. I'm sure that I've not explained this very well, but hope that this will get you thinking. Read this book. Not only can it change lives - better yet, it can show you how, and why, the change process operates.

The most inspiring writer!

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. Get this book!

LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING!

I found this book via the recommendation in Your Mind Can Heal You by Frederick Bailes. It's astonishing that it was originally published in 1915, because the ideas are quite contemporary. Thomas Troward (1847 - 1916) was an assistant commissioner and later divisional judge in the North Indian Punjab from 1869 until 1896. He wrote several small volumes that have had a profound effect on the development of spiritual metaphysics, in particular that of the New Thought movement, of which the teaching known as Science of Mind is Troward's most direct legacy. Unlike a lot of metaphysical authors who treat the personality/conscious mind as some sort of "necessary evil," Troward believes that the whole purpose of Life & Evolution is the further development of the personality in the self-contemplation of Spirit. His reasoning on the nature of Spirit (perfect Life, Light, Love, Power & Beauty) is very convincing as are all his arguments. I have only read it once but feel that a 2nd and 3rd reading is required to fully comprehend this marvelous and fascinating book.

Consciousness and creativity

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 o