This chapter of James Allen’s book, As a Man Thinketh is short but no less profound than the previous ones. Allen asserts that the effect of that thought has on circumstance is also at play when it comes to one’s health and body, that the body is but a servant of the mind.

“Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body….. Strong, pure and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace. ” – James Allen

The Principle of Cause and Effect teaches us that no cause is without its effect, and so we must infer that thought does have an effect on the body and the example that immediately comes to mind is the effect of stress on the body.

Stress starts mentally as thoughts of worry, fear and anxiety. The way that stress effects the body is extremely far-reaching, its influence is felt on the muscles by creating tension, the respiratory system by affecting normal breathing patterns and reducing the effectiveness of the lungs to rid our body of waste, it hurts the cardiovascular system by increasing blood pressure and causing inflammation and excreting stress hormones into the blood.

Chronic stress also disrupts the immune system, making one more vulnerable to sickness and also disrupts digestive processes, leading to many other problems. The physical effects on one’s health and body first are born in thought, and if taken to extremes and drawn out for long periods of time, can have significant effects on health.

Thought is the basis of habit, and habits determine health.

“Clean thoughts make clean habits…. If you would perfect your body, guard your mind. If you would renew your body, beautify your mind. Thoughts of malice, envy, disappointment, despondency, rob the body of its health and grace.” – James Allen

Let’s use the person who is anxious to explore the concept of thought and its effect on habits and health. Those who are prone to thoughts that produce anxiety are those who typically have the habits of drinking caffeine in excessive amounts. They are also prone to staying up later because they are anxious thinkers and cannot relax the mind and sleep. The excessive caffeine habit also reinforces the poor sleep habit, and the poor sleep habit leads to poor health.

Those with anxiety may also seek out alcohol to help “calm” themselves down. When alcohol consumption becomes a habit, the entire body suffers. The appetite is irregular and sleep patterns are disrupted. A person’s health can quickly be compromised, and it all started with runaway thoughts of worry, fear, insecurity or a combination of the types of thought that create anxiety.

Another great example of thought upon the body that Allen makes in As a Man Thinketh is that of the wrinkles of the face and aging. Those who are in the habit of physically expressing anger have the evidence of thought in the wrinkles it creates on their faces. Those who are in the habit of thinking bad thoughts wear the effects on their faces, as do those who think pleasant thoughts.

I’m sure you can find many examples of how a thought, or strong thought patterns can have such an impact that our bodies begin to display their effects. Sure, there are things we cannot prevent such as accidents or genetics, but our response to these circumstances, our mental reaction to them, is what determines how lasting and profound their impact is on our lives.

Think good thoughts to promote good habits, and maintain good habits by continuing to think good thoughts, and good health will be yours as a byproduct of your thinking.

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Lessons from James Allen: Thought and Character

Lessons from James Allen: Effect of Thought on Circumstance