The Science of Getting Rich

Is there really a science of getting rich? Much like there is a science for social study, natural science, biological science, health science, psychological science etcetera? According to the author, Wallace D. Wattles, there is indeed a science of getting rich.

In fact, Mr. Wattles drew quite a controversy after he published the book. The church deem it heretical in nature and is blasphemous. It was banned, if I'm not mistaken. Yet, after almost a century later, here I am, blogging about it after having just finished reading the whole book.

You might ask me the ultimate question - is there REALLY a science of getting rich? Personally, I'd say yes. What is outlined in the book is nothing more than a systematic system of focusing one's thoughts in achieving wealth, much related to the Law of Attraction. I can hardly have myself saying it as a 'science' per se, much like I doubt that the 'LAW' of Attraction has anything scientific in nature. However, Mr. Wattles did create a work no one else had produced and honestly, it has made me into a believer, albeit being a little bit sceptical at that.

The main ideas in the book is as follows:

THERE is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe.

A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought.

Man can form things in his thought, and by impressing his thought upon formless substance can cause the thing he thinks about to be created.

In order to do this, man must pass from the competitive to the creative mind; otherwise he cannot be in harmony with the Formless Intelligence, which is always creative and never competitive in spirit.

Man may come into full harmony with the Formless Substance by entertaining a lively and sincere gratitude for the blessings it bestows upon him. Gratitude unifies the mind of man with the intelligence of Substance, so that man's thoughts are received by the Formless. Man can remain upon the creative plane only by uniting himself with the Formless Intelligence through a deep and continuous feeling of gratitude.

Man must form a clear and definite mental image of the things he wishes to have, to do, or to become; and he must hold this mental image in his thoughts, while being deeply grateful to the Supreme that all his desires are granted to him. The man who wishes to get rich must spend his leisure hours in contemplating his Vision, and in earnest thanksgiving that the reality is being given to him. Too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of frequent contemplation of the mental image, coupled with unwavering faith and devout gratitude. This is the process by which the impression is given to the Formless, and the creative forces set in motion.

The creative energy works through the established channels of natural growth, and of the industrial and social order. All that is included in his mental image will surely be brought to the man who follows the instructions given above, and whose faith does not waver. What he wants will come to him through the ways of established trade and commerce.

In order to receive his own when it shall come to him, man must be active; and this activity can only consist in more than filling his present place. He must keep in mind the Purpose to get rich through the realization of his mental image. And he must do, every day, all that can be done that day, taking care to do each act in a successful manner. He must give to every man a use value in excess of the cash value he receives, so that each transaction makes for more life; and he must so hold the Advancing Thought that the impression of increase will be communicated to all with whom he comes in contact.

The men and women who practice the foregoing instructions will certainly get rich; and the riches they receive will be in exact proportion to the definiteness of their vision, the fixity of their purpose, the steadiness of their faith, and the depth of their gratitude.

In laymen's words, you can have what you want if you visualise it in your mind, constantly forming a mental image of it and having the absolute faith that it will come to you in time. This is relatively similar to the Law of Attraction, though I must say I can't quite confirm it because I've yet to read it.

Some might see why the book was labelled as a heretical work. It challenges the common Christian belief that one must be content with whatever God gives him or her, for He has plans for everyone of us. Mr. Wattles, however, believes that life itself is constantly seeking ways to express itself, thus it will always want to expand, to grow, to give life unto others and continuously be abundant and rich. It is with this same principle that one could ask God to give him more and to give him whatever he wants, because it is God's very nature for life to be abundant and rich.

Thus, the main idea in this book is that there is no limit to how much wealth you can have, plus you can attain it without a single sense of guilt because the wealth attained is of creative form, not from competition - it materialises out of creative visualisation and not selfishness or acts of ill will. That being said, don't be confused and think the book teaches you how to mentally picture a PS3 really hard and it will pop right out of thin air before you. Rather, it puts forward a principle that if only you hold true with absolute and concrete faith that what you want will be granted in time, the infinite abundance will grant you the wealth you seek. Why? Because it is the will of life itself to be rich and abundant, and it is through that will that one could attain infinite riches. The term 'rich' here refers not only to material wealth but also wealth of all forms in life. Therefore, picture with absolute confidence and faith the thing you want, take the necessary actions in order to prepare for its arrival, and in time, wealth will come. The universe will shift and prepare a course for its arrival to you. That's the main gist of it.

I'm actually putting this 'science' to work by testing the theory. My object of desire? A brand new Dell XPS M1730 portable gaming behemoth. Let's see whether Mr. Wattle knows what he is saying. Then again, you can't blame him if he's not correct because he's dead more half a century ago.

If you're interested in the book, let me know. I have an E-book version of it and will be more than glad to send you a free copy.