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© Copyright 2006
by The Universal Message
A.K. MOZUMDAR

What is NEW THOUGHT?

Throughout his long career as a teacher, lecturer and healer, A.K. Mozumdar was one of the most popular proponents of a philosophy, way of life and religious expression known as New Thought. While there are many variations within New Thought groups, there is general agreement on many points.

The two summaries of New Thought teachings below are perhaps the best compilations of these ideas. The first is the declaration of principles subscribed to by each church, group or individual that belongs to the International New Thought Alliance (INTA). The Universal Message, sponsor of this website, is a member of the INTA.

The second summary is reproduced from New Thought Religion: A Philosophy for Health, Happiness and Prosperity by Martin A. Larson
(© Copyright 1987 by Philosophical Library, Inc.). This book is an excellent presentation of the history and teachings of New Thought.

What We Believe
INTA's Declaration of Principles (Revised January 2000)

1. We affirm God as Mind, Infinite Being, Spirit, Ultimate Reality.

2. We affirm that God, the Good, is supreme, universal, and everlasting.

3. We affirm the unity of God and humanity, in that the divine nature dwells within and expresses through each of us, by means of our acceptance of it, as health, supply, wisdom, love, life, truth, power, beauty, and peace.

4. We affirm the power of prayer and the capacity of each person to have mystical experience with God, and to enjoy the grace of God.

5. We affirm the freedom of all persons as to beliefs, and we honor the diversity of humanity by being open and affirming of all persons, affirming the dignity of human beings as founded on the presence of God within them, and, therefore, the principle of democracy.

6. We affirm that we are all spiritual beings, dwelling in a spiritual universe that is governed by spiritual law; and that in alignment with spiritual law, we can heal, prosper, and harmonize.

7. We affirm that our mental states are carried forward into manifestation and become our experience in daily living.

8. We affirm the manifestation of the kingdom of heaven here and now.

9. We affirm expression of the highest spiritual principles in loving one another unconditionally, promoting the highest good for all, teaching and healing one another, ministering to one another, and living together in peace, in accordance with the teachings of Jesus and other enlightened teachers.

10. We affirm our evolving awareness of the nature of reality and our willingness to refine our beliefs accordingly.

Elsewhere, the INTA explains that the term "New Thought" doesn't mean that these teachings are necessarily new. Rather, the term "refers to the fact that a new thought embodied in consciousness produces a new condition.... New Thought is a synonym for growth, development, perpetual progress. It does not deal with limitations; it sets no bounds to the soul's progress, for it sees in each soul transcendental faculties as limitless as infinity itself."


From New Thought Religion by Martin A. Larson, pages 129-131.

New Thought teaches —

1. That God is a great, central, and impersonal force and energy immanent in the universe as a whole and in every portion thereof; and is co-extensive with the universe and comprises all substance.

2. That the universe is governed by immutable law.

3. That, since this is true, prayer addressed to the deity is as meaningless as a plea directed to an electric dynamo; that prayer can be nothing more than an expression of personal need and yearning. Affirmative prayer, however, can be highly beneficial.

4. That a stream of influx flows into, or is available to, every human being from this source of energy, sometimes referred to as the Central Sun or Fire, which gives heat, light, and life to all that live.

5. That there is no such thing as inherited or original sin from which humanity need be redeemed.

6. That the orthodox doctrine of salvation or redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is an erroneous concept.

7. That Jesus is neither savior nor redeemer, but simply the Great Exemplar, uniquely and especially endowed with the Christ-Power, which enabled him to accomplish his great mission in the world.

8. That every person is responsible for his own actions; and that personal salvation is the result of right living among our fellow-men.

9. That Christ is not a person or an entity, but a universal power or illumination available to every man, woman, and child.

10. That, since Christ became manifest so that we might have life and have it more abundantly, the purpose of true religion is realized when we achieve the utmost in health, success, prosperity, happiness, and general well-being in every phase of life.

11. That death is merely a transition to another similar but more spiritualized plane; and that heaven and hell are not places, but simply conditions of the mind and emotions.

12. That physical and mental health is and should be one of the prime objectives of religion.

13. That the human psyche exists on three levels: the conscious, the subconscious, and the superconscious; and that these are closely intertwined with and interdependent upon the health of the physical body.

14. That physical health can be achieved, at least in many instances, by mental science, which consists in cleansing the mind or psyche of evil, corrosive, destructive, and negative beliefs, errors, or emotions.

15. That the Bible, properly interpreted, is a vast storehouse of wisdom and revealed truth; nevertheless, much of it must never be taken literally, since its spiritual or true import differs from the literal meaning.

16. That true religion may draw heavily from various, including occult, sources, for verifications of Biblical revelation.

17. That heavy emphasis should be placed on mental therapy.

18. That, since institutionalized ecclesiasticism as found in the orthodox churches and in Christian Science leads to formalism and loss of freedom, no restrictions may be placed upon the search for truth.

19. That, therefore, the gospel of New Thought may be propagated through books, lectures, classes, and personal contact, as well as organized groups.

20. That even though churches and denominations may be established to minister to those seeking permanent fellowship, these should be devoid of creeds, rites, specific doctrines, or centralized authority.