CREATIVE PROCESS IN THE INDIVIDUAL Paperback – 2 Dec. 1999

TT just hits the nail on the head for explaining the logics of the creator in us. Whereas Neville Goddard brilliantly goes for the heart, Troward appeals to the intellect to use logic to arrive at the same conclusion - that we are creating our own reality because there is none other than God in the world.

Great

Though first published back in 1915, this comparatively short work has inspired philosophers and thinkers since its first appearance, and has been cited by many as their insight and inspiration. Frederick Bailes, to take just one example, said that the application of Troward's insights enabled him to overcome a supposedly "incurable" disease (diabetes).What is so important about the Troward insight? Essentially, Troward was a judge who applied rigorous logic and the evaluation of evidence to understand the way the universe came into existence, and how it works. He demonstrates that, as neither matter nor energy could (in themselves) have initiated the design process, there must be a creative inspiration - this may be called God, though Toward prefers "Spirit". A later readership might call it "the cosmos". The name doesn't matter - the principle is that of a guiding and designing intelligence, essential to the creation of a logical universe.From this, Troward argues, it follows that the process of creation must be one of thought - the universe was created by the application of rational design to the static elements of matter and energy. From this, it follows that we should employ the same design process to achieve our objectives, whatever these may be.I'm sure that I've not explained this very well, but hope that this will get you thinking. Read this book. Not only can it change lives - better yet, it can show you how, and why, the change process operates.

Thomas Troward believed that speculative reasoning based on what is known is the best way of metaphysical investigation. This classic work attempts to trace the sequence of continuous creation by logical deduction with reference to the law of cause & effect. It is important to bear in mind the triumph of principle over precedent, meaning that ideas become manifest despite the absence of past experience, as in the case of the development of aviation. Troward conveys profound concepts with clarity; no knowledge of theological terminology is required. He encourages the reader to contemplate these ideas and assimilate them if they help to make  the meaning of the Bible  clearer.Troward calls the creative process the Self-contemplation of Spirit. The twofold essence of nature comprises (i) the unity of a universal creative principle & (ii) multiplicity in manifestation. He posits a sequence of cause & effect universal in nature that harmoniously includes all possible variations of individual expression. Two factors are projected from a common source: individual consciousness and energy-matter. Their relation to each other becomes an absolute fact regarding these factors themselves. The cosmos is thus no illusion. Creation proceeds from the operation of Divine Will upon both the "soul" of nature (in a sequence of progressive condensation) and the localization of its mind in the individual.The author identifies the substantive properties of Spirit as love, light, power, peace, beauty & joy and its actions as initiative & selection. If Love itself is the original motive for creation, the divine ideal is that of individuality that recognizes its source. The need for a standard of personality becomes essential owing to matters of resonance &  harmony . Taking the nature of Divine Spirit as blueprint is the way; this must be done by individual choice & free will. Alternatives like the personal force of will, magical rites, affliction of the body or the invocation of spirits deny the Eternal.The transition from the collective operation of the Creative Spirit on mankind to its specific operation on the individual corresponds to the concept of the  octave . Choosing the personality pattern of the Source means selecting the eternal essence and being of life itself. This requires the rejection of the species-standard and embracing the Spirit standard that enables the localized consciousness to grow with the  The Eternal Divine  through communication & action.The will of God is Life according to  Scripture  & common sense. Rejoicing in the life of the Spirit establishes reciprocity of reflection - the law of action and reaction. The initiative to interact with & relate individually to the Creator springs from a yearning of the heart. When realized it enriches the individual personality by an endless flow of life expanding intelligence, love, power & joy in harmony with Spirit. Having recognized the error of time & space being the essence of life, a close relationship develops with the Creator. Prayer in its essence really means "Lord, please give me more of Yourself," a fact reflected in Holy Communion. Receiving the Divine Spirit is symbolized by bread & wine as representatives of energy-matter & life.Troward explains the role of cause and effect in The Divine Offering that assures mankind of God's love and  restorative power . Troward addresses several objections to the sacrifice of Christ, the Resurrection and the forgiveness of past sins. When time has no substantial existence, states of consciousness are all that remain; thus sins of the past have no existence (have been removed from the individual as far as the east is from the west). The Redeemer's sacrifice is the supreme manifestation of the interaction of law and personality. Redemption is the realization of the individual's eternal and perfect relation to the Father; it neutralizes fear, an emotion arising from unbelief in the love of God. Redemption as a manifestation of divine love, when properly understood, leaves no ground for fear.I find it interesting that the scholar Geza Vermes in  The Authentic Gospel of Jesus  came to the very same conclusion as Troward regarding the way Jesus/Yeshua viewed the nature of God. With reference to, amongst others, the parable of the Prodigal Son, the portrait that emerges is that of a loving Father. There is no trace of severity or harshness in the God of Jesus who is a Father more than a King. With reference to the parable of the Prodigal Son, Troward highlights two great errors: (a) limiting the power of God by our own past experiences (b) thinking of Spirit as an impersonal "cosmic force" & thus believing that mankind must provide the intelligence for the creative process.Animus Dei (Spirit of God) is the principle of personality whilst Anima Mundi (soul of nature) is impersonal. Both infinite, they are complementary to one another. Anima Mundi or the soul of nature, revealed by the Law of Tendency in the material world, lacks the ability of individual selection. Being active, Divine Personality upholds nature as well as human personality. However, Anima Mundi is impressionable so both the Divine and human personalities influence nature.The power of the soul of man over the soul of nature is psychic. The author remarks that a sufficiently powerful concentration of will would produce dramatic effects through the Anima Mundi which might explain scriptural statements regarding the signs & wonders to be performed by three main figures at the conclusion of the present age. Troward warns the reader about philosophies that deny the personality of God; the logical result is to elevate the self to the status of deity, which is a form of idolatry that promotes  malignant narcissism .The book concludes with Trowards observations on the sound philosophy, reason & science in the  Good Book , how these confirm the law of cause & effect and ultimately direct mankind to a new consciousness when God's perfect laws will live within our hearts & minds as promised in Jeremiah 31 and various other passages.