AS MAN THINKETH
“As a Man Thinketh” is a literary essay by James Allen, first published in 1902. James Allen wrote As a Man Thinketh in 1902. It was published in both 1902 and 1903, but the 1902 date is often cited as the original publication year.
In more than a century it has become an inspirational classic, selling millions of copies worldwide and bringing faith, inspiration, and self healing to all who have encountered it. The title comes from the Bible: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs, chapter 23, verse 7.” — amazon.com
“We become what we think about all day long.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius
I just turned 75 on October 4, 2025. I connected with James Allen’s book As a Man Thinketh 25 years ago on October 4, 2000 on my 50th birthday.
I have actually read the book numerous times however chapter 7 Serenity has been part of my morning ritual for the past 25 years. In fact, in my travels I have either recommended it or given a digital version to numerous clients, friends and colleagues.
I remember discussing this with an individual about the numerous times that I had read the Serenity chapter.
He asked, “Why have you read this so many times.”
I replied, “It resonated with me on a deep level.”
This is an example of how we can change our mode of operation in order to attract more of what we want in our life.
In order to create change, we want to tap into our subconscious mind that represents 90% of the brain’s ability to transform our life. It all begins with our thoughts.
Make this a part of your daily ritual. Read and listen to Serenity every day for 365 days.
After that, it will take an incredible force to rattle your cage any longer. The bullet points in bold represents the words that are going to seep deep into your subconscious mind until they take root and are firmly planted with proactive change.
My quest to continue to feed my mind, body, and spirit with glorious, mental food has therefore included the following excerpt from James Allen’s As a Man Thinketh that was published in 1903.
CALMNESS of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought.
A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought evolved being, for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene.
The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they, in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him. The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power forgood.
Even the ordinary trader will find his business prosperity increase as he develops a greater self-control and equanimity, for people will always prefer to deal with a man whose demeanor is strongly equable.
The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm. “Who does not love a tranquil heart, a sweet-tempered, balanced life? It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those possessing these blessings, for they are always sweet, serene, and calm.
That exquisite poise of character, which we call serenity is the last lesson of culture, the fruitage of the soul. It is precious as wisdom, more to be desired than gold — yea, than even fine gold. How insignificant mere money seeking looks in comparison with a serene life — a life that dwells in the ocean of Truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the Eternal Calm!
“How many people we know who sour their lives, who ruin all that is sweet and beautiful by explosive tempers, who destroy their poise of character, and make bad blood! It is a question whether the great majority of people do not ruin their lives and mar their happiness by lack of self-control. How few people we meet in life who are well balanced, who have that exquisite poise which is characteristic of the finished character!
Yes, humanity surges with uncontrolled passion, is tumultuous with ungoverned grief, is blown about by anxiety and doubt only the wise man, only he whose thoughts are controlled and purified, makes the winds and the storms of the soul obey him.
Tempest-tossed souls, wherever ye may be, under whatsoever conditions ye may live, know this in the ocean of life the isles of Blessedness are smiling, and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming. Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding Master; He does but sleep: wake Him. Self-control is strength; Right Thought is mastery; Calmness is power. Say unto your heart, “Peace, be still!
The effort that you take in developing your daily ritual will pay huge dividends to you in the upcoming years. Just think about it. How many people do you know that have a daily ritual that they exercise every single day?
Regardless, you are the one that will benefit from this ritual, as doing this will alter any program that is subconsciously controlling you and your results intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially.
You are now living your life by design and that is how it was actually intended on the first day of your creation.
Understanding the function of the amygdala creates a new pathway for emotional intelligence.
Your prehistoric amygdala is the thing that keeps you from quitting that job to pursue work you find meaningful. It stops you from making that phone call to ask that girl out on a date. It abhors risk. It’s totally averse to it. It goes against everything it deems foreign as this is what it was designed to do. Which is why you have to make a conscious effort to ignore it.
It always triggers the fight or flight response. The fight-or-flight response is your body’s automatic, built-in reaction to a perceived threat or danger. It’s part of the stress response system, controlled mainly by the autonomic nervous system – specifically the sympathetic nervous system.
You have to hack your obsolete brain.
You’re the only one who can. Your amygdala triggers a safety valve that there is danger ahead. The commands that follow are play it safe and stay right where you are. Your paradigm controls your logic.
If you decide to make a high velocity move, your amygdala sends you a blast of adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine. These are natural drugs that really, really suck.
However, what’s really going on up there? Lots of electrical activity but how directed & purposeful is this activity? Most people know what to do however ultimately they don’t do what they clearly know they should do thereby creating this knowing, doing gap that we talked about earlier.
Dropping the ball hurts everyone.
Understanding this material will allow you to attract these four friends as listed below.
Knowledge is power but we all must utilize it in order to move forward with our lives intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, physically and financially.
Several years ago, my wife Serafina and I travelled to Huatulco where I visited one of the seven bays near the Secrets resort.
This is the link.
https://youtu.be/Q8OV0vCFdq0?si=inbDIXXUTBhHgaQv
All the best and I hope this information helps you.
“Advance confidently and expect the best, as the best is yet to come for you”
Resources
FRANCO CIANFLONE
Mental Toughness For Life Publication
https://5dbb35547a3f7.site123.me
Live Life Podcast
https://shows.acast.com/franco-cianflone-live-li
FRANCO CIANFLONE Quotes
https://www.yourquote.in/franco-cianflone-dgzd4/quotes
Music For Life YouTube Channel
https://youtube.com/@francocianflone?feature=shared
COPYRIGHT DISCLOSURE
“All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recorded, scanning, displaying, modifying, republication, republishing, posting on any website, platform, social media, RSS feeds or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher or author.” – Copyright 2007, Franco Cianflone Mental Toughness For Life Publication
DISCLAIMER
While the designers, contributors, and author have used their best efforts in preparing this publication, they make no warranty or representation with respect to accuracy or completeness of the contents of this material and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability, finances, personal or medical remedy for a particular purpose. It is further acknowledged that no warranty, of any kind, may be created or extended by any written sales materials or sales representatives.
The advice and strategies contained herein might not be suitable for your situation and do contain risk including the risk of loss. You should always consult with a financial, medical, or legal professional where appropriate before undertaking any action and users of this material assume all risk. Neither the designers, editors, contributors nor the author shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to financial, special, incidental, consequential or other damages.
