The contemplative life
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The contemplative life
Joel S. Goldsmith’s The Contemplative Life, a product of 1963’s spiritual ferment, offers a potent, if occasionally dense, exploration of consciousness as the prime mover. Goldsmith bypasses mere psychological affirmation, arguing for a direct, almost alchemical, interaction between the inner mind and outer world. His insistence on the 'Great Silence' as a gateway to divine action is particularly compelling, providing a tangible practice beyond abstract belief. However, the book's language, while precise, can sometimes feel repetitive, circling back to core tenets without always introducing novel angles. A passage discussing the 'demonstration' of abundance, for instance, powerfully illustrates the mechanism of manifesting spiritual truths, yet the journey to such clarity requires significant reader commitment. Ultimately, Goldsmith delivers a challenging, deeply spiritual framework for understanding reality's construction.
📝 Description
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First published in 1963, The Contemplative Life challenges passive meditation, arguing for consciousness's direct influence on material reality.
Joel S. Goldsmith's 1963 book, The Contemplative Life, is not about quiet sitting; it is a philosophical examination of consciousness and its power over the material world. Goldsmith, a figure in New Thought, proposed that the mind is the main creative force. He asserted that by understanding and controlling inner states, individuals can change their external circumstances. The book questions standard ideas of cause and effect, placing control within an individual's mental and spiritual practice.
This work is for those wanting a deeper grasp of spiritual laws and how to use them. It will interest readers of metaphysical movements, especially New Thought, Christian Science, and Unity, who are drawn to mind-over-matter concepts and using spiritual principles for peace and abundance. It requires commitment from the earnest seeker ready to apply challenging ideas.
The Contemplative Life appeared in 1963 amidst growing Western interest in Eastern thought and alternative spiritualities. It fits within the New Thought tradition, which emphasizes mind's creative power. Goldsmith's work particularly focuses on 'Invisible Realities' and the immediate action of divine consciousness, distinguishing it within a broader movement influenced by earlier figures like Phineas Quimby.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• You will learn to recognize the 'Invisible Realities' that Goldsmith posits as the source of all manifestation, moving beyond superficial affirmations to understand the deeper spiritual mechanics of the universe. • You will gain practical methods for entering the 'Great Silence,' a specific meditative state he describes as crucial for receiving divine guidance and initiating positive change in your life. • You will discover Goldsmith's unique approach to 'Spiritual Healing' and 'Demonstration,' understanding how to actively align your consciousness with divine perfection to address material concerns, a concept central to his 1963 teachings.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core philosophy presented in Joel S. Goldsmith's The Contemplative Life?
The book's core philosophy centers on the idea that consciousness is the fundamental creative force. Goldsmith, writing in 1963, argues that by mastering one's inner spiritual state, particularly through stillness and divine connection, individuals can directly influence and alter their external circumstances.
How does The Contemplative Life differ from typical meditation guides?
Unlike guides focusing on relaxation or mindfulness, this work presents contemplation as an active, philosophical practice. It emphasizes entering the 'Great Silence' not just for peace, but to receive divine direction and enact change, viewing the mind as the architect of reality.
Who was Joel S. Goldsmith and what was his influence in the mid-20th century?
Joel S. Goldsmith (1892-1964) was a significant teacher within the New Thought movement. His extensive writings and lectures, including those from the era of 'The Contemplative Life' (1963), influenced thousands seeking practical spiritual application and understanding of universal laws.
What does Goldsmith mean by 'Invisible Realities' in this book?
In 'The Contemplative Life,' 'Invisible Realities' refers to the spiritual, unmanifested realm of Divine Mind or Consciousness. Goldsmith posits this as the true source and substance of all that exists, from which material forms and experiences ultimately originate.
Is 'The Contemplative Life' available for free online?
While specific editions and their copyright status vary, older metaphysical texts like those by Joel S. Goldsmith from the 1960s may be found in public domain archives or through spiritual organizations dedicated to his teachings. Checking these resources is recommended.
What is the concept of 'Demonstration' as explained by Goldsmith?
Goldsmith's 'Demonstration' is the process of manifesting spiritual truths into tangible experience. It involves aligning one's consciousness with the divine principles of wholeness, abundance, and perfection, thereby bringing these qualities into the outer world.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Consciousness as Primary Reality
Goldsmith posits that the universe originates from a single, divine consciousness. This is not merely an abstract idea but the fundamental principle driving all existence. 'The Contemplative Life' argues that material reality is a projection or manifestation of this inner, spiritual state. Understanding this allows the practitioner to shift their focus from the perceived limitations of the material world to the infinite potential within consciousness itself. This perspective challenges the common materialist view, placing the power of creation squarely within the mind, a concept explored extensively in his mid-20th century works.
The Great Silence
Central to Goldsmith's practice is the attainment of the 'Great Silence,' a state of profound inner stillness and receptivity. This is not passive quietude but an active communion with the Divine Presence. It is from this silent space, he explains, that true spiritual insight and guidance emerge. The book details how to cultivate this state, emphasizing that it is the fertile ground from which prayers are answered and manifestations occur. This practice is presented as the essential gateway to realizing the 'Invisible Realities'.
Spiritual Demonstration and Healing
Goldsmith's teachings extend to the practical application of spiritual principles for healing and achieving abundance, termed 'Demonstration.' This involves realizing the inherent perfection and wholeness of the spiritual reality within oneself, thereby correcting any perceived discord in the physical or material realm. The book explains that healing and the manifestation of needs are natural consequences of aligning one's consciousness with divine law, rather than requests made to an external deity. This active realization is key to his metaphysical system originating from the 1960s.
The Power of Inner Realization
The Contemplative Life underscores the idea that true transformation comes not from external actions or circumstances, but from an internal shift in perception and understanding. Goldsmith encourages readers to internalize spiritual truths until they become their living experience. This profound inner realization is presented as the catalyst for all outward change. The focus is on cultivating an unwavering faith in the spiritual order, recognizing that the outer world will inevitably conform to the inner state of being.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“There is no life but the Life of God.”
— This statement captures Goldsmith's monistic view, asserting that all existence is an expression of a single, divine source. It challenges the notion of a separate, individual life force, redirecting the reader to recognize the omnipresent divine energy as the sole animating principle.
“The world is governed by laws, not by chance.”
— Goldsmith emphasizes that reality operates according to predictable spiritual principles, not random events. Understanding and working in harmony with these divine laws, as explored in his 1963 work, is key to influencing one's experience and achieving desired outcomes.
“Stillness is the power.”
— This short, potent phrase highlights the central role of inner quietude in Goldsmith's philosophy. The 'Great Silence' is presented not as inactivity, but as the active source of divine power and creative potential, accessible through deep contemplation.
“You must realize your oneness with God.”
— This concept speaks to the core of spiritual unity. Goldsmith teaches that the individual consciousness is not separate from the divine, but an integral part of it. This realization is the foundation for experiencing spiritual freedom and power.
“The answer is within.”
— Directing the seeker inward, this phrase refutes the common tendency to look for solutions in external circumstances or from external sources. Goldsmith guides the reader to understand that all necessary wisdom, power, and solutions reside within their own divinely connected consciousness.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
Goldsmith's work is deeply rooted in the New Thought and metaphysical traditions, which themselves draw from Hermeticism, Christian mysticism, and Gnosticism. He refines these influences by emphasizing the direct, unmediated action of divine consciousness, often termed 'The Infinite Way.' Unlike some branches that rely heavily on ritual or specific symbolic systems, Goldsmith's path is primarily one of inner realization and the direct apprehension of spiritual laws through contemplative practice.
Symbolism
While Goldsmith often eschews overt symbolism in favor of direct conceptual understanding, the concept of the 'Great Silence' itself functions as a potent symbol. It represents the unmanifest source, the womb of creation from which all forms arise. The 'Invisible Realities' also serve symbolically, pointing to the underlying spiritual substance that precedes and governs the material world. The act of 'Demonstration' symbolizes the practical manifestation of spiritual truth into the tangible.
Modern Relevance
Goldsmith's emphasis on consciousness as the fundamental reality continues to find echoes in contemporary spiritual and self-help movements, including modern mindfulness practices, law of attraction teachings, and quantum consciousness research. Thinkers and practitioners exploring the intersection of mind, matter, and spirit often revisit his work for its clear articulation of how inner states shape outer experience. His teachings provide a philosophical bedrock for those seeking to understand the deeper mechanics of manifestation and spiritual well-being.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Seekers of advanced metaphysical understanding: Individuals already familiar with New Thought or similar traditions will appreciate Goldsmith's detailed exposition of consciousness and its creative power, moving beyond introductory concepts. • Philosophically inclined spiritual practitioners: Those who enjoy rigorous intellectual engagement with spiritual ideas and seek to understand the underlying principles of reality will find depth in his arguments. • Individuals focused on spiritual healing and manifestation: Readers aiming to understand and apply spiritual laws for personal transformation, healing, or abundance will benefit from his specific teachings on 'Demonstration' and inner realization.
📜 Historical Context
Published in 1963, Joel S. Goldsmith's 'The Contemplative Life' emerged from the fertile ground of mid-20th century American metaphysical thought. This era saw a significant public engagement with spiritualism, Theosophy, and the burgeoning New Thought movement, which had been gaining momentum since the late 19th century with figures like Phineas Parkhurst Quimby and Emma Curtis Hopkins. Goldsmith’s work offered a sophisticated, philosophical perspective that distinguished itself from more simplistic affirmation-based approaches. While figures like Ernest Holmes were popularizing Unity and Religious Science, Goldsmith focused intensely on the direct experience of divine consciousness and the 'Great Silence,' positioning his work as a rigorous path to spiritual realization. The intellectual climate was also ripe for exploring consciousness, influenced by early psychological studies and a growing interest in comparative religion, though Goldsmith’s focus remained resolutely on the direct, unmediated action of Spirit.
📔 Journal Prompts
The nature of the 'Great Silence' as a source of creative power.
Personal experiences of 'Invisible Realities' influencing material circumstances.
Exploring the concept of 'Demonstration' in relation to current life situations.
Reflecting on the implications of 'Consciousness as Primary Reality' for daily choices.
Identifying moments of stillness that offered inner guidance or clarity.
🗂️ Glossary
The Great Silence
A state of profound inner stillness and receptivity, considered by Goldsmith to be the direct gateway to Divine consciousness and creative power. It is from this silence that spiritual guidance and true understanding emerge.
Invisible Realities
The spiritual, unmanifested area of Divine Mind or Consciousness, which Goldsmith teaches is the true source and substance of all existence. The material world is seen as a manifestation of these underlying spiritual truths.
Demonstration
The process of manifesting spiritual truths into tangible experience. It involves aligning one's consciousness with divine principles of wholeness, perfection, and abundance, thereby bringing these qualities into the outer world.
Spiritual Healing
The realization and experience of the wholeness and perfection of God within oneself, leading to the correction of any perceived discord or disease in the physical or material realm.
Consciousness
In Goldsmith's philosophy, consciousness is the fundamental, divine principle of the universe. It is the creative medium through which all reality is formed and sustained.
The Infinite Way
The name Goldsmith often gave to his specific spiritual path and teachings, emphasizing the direct, unmediated experience of God and the realization of spiritual laws.
Oneness
The principle that the individual consciousness is not separate from the Divine, but an integral part of it. Realizing this unity is central to spiritual freedom and experiencing divine power.
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