The Law of 'Cause' and 'Effect' Part 2: The Path to Prosperity - Reading Share [Vol. 30]

Introduction

This time, I am sharing insights from James Allen's 'The Path of Prosperity' (translated by Koichi Sakamoto, Sunmark Publishing, 2004; original title: 'THE PATH OF PROSPERITY', 1907).

This book is a sequel to 'As a Man Thinketh' (original title: 'AS A MAN THINKETH', 1902), which was introduced in Reading Share [Vol. 28]. It inherits the conceptual framework that 'a person becomes what they think in their heart' and develops it in a more concrete manner.

As the subtitle 'The Path to Prosperity' suggests, the book's focus is on the themes of 'what true happiness is' and 'how to realize it'.

Throughout Allen's philosophy, the idea that one's own thoughts act as the 'cause' that determines the various 'effects' in life is consistently maintained, and his approach to happiness is similarly very simple.

In other words, happiness does not arise from external factors (such as status, honor, or wealth), but from an internal state (peace of mind and contentment).

It is about not letting one's happiness be determined by others or by blaming others, but rather realizing one's own happiness and that of others through subjective, self-responsible, and creative thinking and action. This can be said to be the essence of Allen's theory of happiness.

Others and the 'Law of Attraction'

The first point I would like to focus on is the issue of 'others and attraction,' which was not actively themed in the previous work. First, Allen speaks clearly about the issue of others and attraction as follows:

Allen's basic framework of thought was that 'a person becomes what they think in their heart,' but depending on how one thinks about oneself, others, the world, and various other existences (the 'cause'), things of the same kind are attracted as the 'effect,' thereby shaping that person's life.

Good thoughts cultivate a good character, prepare a good environment, build good human relationships, and foster a good worldview, while bad thoughts attract the opposite. In other words, depending on the state of your own thoughts, your life will become good or bad, happy or unhappy.

What I want to pay particular attention to here is that in this book, which focuses on happiness, Allen cites the proverb 'birds of a feather flock together' and understands the issue of others through the 'Law of Attraction.' This suggests that human relationships are deeply involved in happiness.

Simply put, how you think and act, including regarding the existence of others and human relationships, acts as a 'cause,' and the quality of your human relationships and your happiness or unhappiness are determined as the 'effect'.

Allen's characteristic subjective and self-responsible attitude—that human relationships and happiness start with oneself—is confirmed here as well. Of course, there is no problem if human relationships are good, but in reality, there are some relationships that are not.

At such times, I believe the 'Law of Attraction' also gives us the opportunity to think about the meaning of why we are being attracted to each other in this situation. What does the fact that we attract not only people who suit us but also those who do not actually mean?

When you think about it, that encounter might actually be for your own growth, or it might be an opportunity to notice your own prejudices or things you have avoided. It could be an encounter open to various meanings. If you change your own way of thinking, you can also assign new meaning to that encounter.

This freedom of thought influences our daily thinking and actions, and ultimately, it can be said that it is what makes happiness possible. The 'Law of Cause and Effect' might sound like a rigid concept, but in reality, this law liberates our thinking and suggests the possibility that we can ultimately decide everything, including our own happiness.

Happiness in Service to Others

Of course, Allen sees human potential in cultivating good thoughts, and among them, service to others, which is themed in this book, seems to be particularly important.

Regarding this service to others, Allen also relates it to happiness, stating the following.

What should be noted here is the point that 'service' to others acts as a cause, and 'happiness' is brought about as a result. In other words, it means that by first 'giving' to others yourself, you bring about happiness.

In the context of success philosophy, it is often preached that 'giving' leads to 'success,' but Allen seems to emphasize that 'giving' leads specifically to 'happiness.'

Considering this point, if I think about my own case as a personal trainer, 'service' can be said to be service to clients, consideration including words and actions toward staff, and furthermore, contribution to society.

Currently, the theme of my life is this 'service,' and I am thinking about the possibilities of broad service because I have a position. In other words, it is the possibility that as one's position rises, the opportunities to serve others increase. Whether it is internal reading sharing or external reading sharing (note), I believe these are nothing more than attempts as part of service.

Following Allen's philosophy, it is essential to first change one's own thoughts to good ones and then actually take action, but the purpose of these thoughts and actions is ultimately service to others, and it is precisely this existence of others that is indispensable for our happiness.

As mentioned earlier, I believe that the 'Law of Attraction' also gives us the opportunity to think about the meaning of why we are drawn to each other in this place, but ultimately, if we can think about and practice the possibility of 'service' to others in any encounter, happiness might be found in every encounter.

If the word 'service' feels difficult, I think it is enough to just think about 'what I can do now' for the person in front of me and try to practice it, even if it is a small thing. This is because the happiness of life may be lurking in such small attempts.

Regarding the 'giving' that I practice daily, please refer to the latter part of the following article.

Even if it were the same job, the results would change significantly depending on the thoughts and actions of each person doing the job. And I think this can be said for life as a whole as well.

In such a situation, I believe that Allen's philosophy presents rich content that also challenges the way services are provided by personal trainers.

Moments when you feel happy

Finally, I would like to end this sharing by introducing some of Allen's words with my comments.

The 'moments when you felt the greatest happiness' can also be thought of as the fulfilling 'present' as the 'now, this moment' introduced in Reading Share [Vol. 24]. However, in Allen's case, it seems that the importance of the 'present' in relationships with others is specifically assumed. I feel that appealing to our life experiences at times is also the charm of Allen's philosophy.

An attitude typical of Allen, who places importance on 'giving' from oneself first, is expressed here. As a passage where the happiness of life obtained through 'giving' is depicted beautifully and simply, it continues to influence me even now. Being able to encounter such phrases at times is one of the pleasures of reading Allen's philosophy.

Conclusion

Thank you very much for reading to the end this time as well.
I am happy that the number of views, reactions, and followers is increasing little by little every day. I will continue to do my best, aiming to update at least once a week.

I have deliberately made the content limited to sharing parts that I found interesting from my own perspective, rather than making book summaries the main focus. I hope that it will remain in everyone's memory even a little, and lead to the deepening of daily reading experiences and concrete actions and practices.

I look forward to your continued support.